Who We Are

The Nisei Veterans Legacy (NVLC), incorporated in 2012, is a non-profit organization as defined under Section 501c3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Our members and supporters are volunteers and primarily descendants of Nisei Veterans.

We work in collaboration with other Nisei Veterans and Japanese American organizations. However, we are distinguished by our focus on all the Nisei World War II military units, the veterans’ post-war accomplishments, our educational strategy and our interest in reaching Japanese audiences as well as all Americans nation-wide.

Our educational strategy is embodied in the following themes:

• Values such as loyalty, honor, and patriotism influenced young Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans) to serve in the military during World War II despite overt prejudice and discrimination against them.
• After the war, having proven their loyalty beyond all doubt, Nisei Veterans worked with Hawaii’s unique multi-ethnic coalitions to break down the institutional barriers of the “plantation society” and create a more equitable society.
• Understanding and perpetuating the Nisei Soldier legacy can inspire current and future generations to continue fighting for racial and social equality, and justice for all.
• Cultural values of the Hawaii Nikkei helped Nisei Soldiers overcome hardships and achieve major victories on and off the battlefield.
• Nisei Veterans played a key role in healing the wounds of war between the U.S. and Japan, as well as, in rebuilding and solidifying the cultural and economic relationship between Hawaii and Japan.