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ME: Bruno, it sounds like you were very busy as a young man. You were going to school, plus you had to work on the plantation and you had to help your father. What types of values did you learn growing up?

BY: Well, I, I learned that life was, wasn't too easy. And I, I tried to make the best, although my dad wasn't a rich person or had any money, much money, I tried to live within his means. I even went fishin' to supply the table for food. And I went out in the fields to pick wild fruits, and even did some hunting to put food on the table.

ME: Sounds like it was some tough times.

BY: Yeah.

ME: But you learned how to take care of yourself, though.

BY: Yeah.

ME: Were there things that you ever wanted or longed for, but you couldn't have because of financial situations that you were in?

BY: Well, I used to, I didn't think too highly, but I, I wish I could have gotten better clothes, automobile. I, I got an automobile later on my own when I started high school. But I really wanted a automobile. And, and I, I don't know what I would have done if, if my dad didn't give me a little bit of his wages.

ME: Yeah.

BY: Yeah.

ME: So Bruno, when did you leave Kauai, and where did you go?

BY: After I finished high school, I left for Honolulu. I lived in Honolulu. And I started to work for a bakery, Love's bakery. And I had three, about three friends I used to live with. And we all sign up for different kinda job, defense job, working at the Pearl Harbor, Hickam Field. And I was very happy when I got call for the 442nd.

ME: Right.

BY: Yeah.

ME: We'll get to that.

BY: I volunteered.

ME: Was that hard to say goodbye to your friends on Kauai?

BY: What's that?

ME: Was that difficult to say bye to your friends and father on Kauai?

BY: Well, sort of. But they had their own problems, so -- I, I, I really didn't miss them too much at that time. But I was happy, very happy to go into the army. I, I was inducted. I was called to do my physical at the old Triple R Hospital near Fort Shafter. And then I was called to go to Schofield for my (training) -- basic.

<End Segment 2> - Copyright © 1997 Densho. All Rights Reserved.