El Camino College to Feature Maui Disaster Relief Performance
To support Maui’s relief efforts, El Camino College will feature a performance hosted by KABC-7 anchor David Ono on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 7 p.m. in the Marsee Auditorium. The showing of “Defining Courage,” is a live performance honoring the most decorated U.S. soldiers of World War II—the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service—which originated in Hawai‘i more than 80 years ago.
The stories of these Nisei soldiers, many fighting for the United States while their families were forced to live in internment camps here in America, are told in a unique live performance that combines live storytelling, new and historic film footage, eyewitness interviews, and live music. This special "Aloha" edition honors Hawai'i with additional stories, and with dance by Hālau Hula Keali'i O Nālani and music by Nick Lee and Grammy award winners Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere.
“It's the perfect way to keep this incredible story alive in the most memorable way,” said David Ono, the host and co-producer of Defining Courage. “More importantly, right now our friends on Maui are ‘defining courage’ under the most difficult and tragic of circumstances. Let's stand with them and give them our love and support.”
Additionally, artwork from more than a dozen artists will be for sale in the lobby the night of the performance, including Maui-based artists Amanda Bowers, Sabrina Futch, Bailey Onaga, Alex Underwood, Cianna Valley, and Joey Rose. Los Angeles-based artists participating include Ako Castuera, Luke Chueh, Cryptik, Defer, Andrew Hem, James Jean, Audrey Kawasaki, Shizu Saldamando, Rob Sato, Yoskay Yamamoto. Photographer Shane Sato will also sell copies of his book The Go for Broke Spirit. A portion of proceeds from art and book sales will go to the “Maui Strong Fund.”
100% of monies raised will benefit the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. Tickets start at $25 and are on sale now. More details about the show are available at www.DefiningCourageShow.com.
This performance of Defining Courage is presented by Story Boldly, the Japanese American National Museum, Outside In Theatre and over 25 community-based organizations and partners including:
- CSU Long Beach Nikkei Student Union
- East West Players (EWP)
- Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute
- Giant Robot
- Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC)
- Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
- Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC)
- Japanese American National Museum (JANM)
- Kazuo Masuda VFW Post 3670
- Keiro
- Kizuna
- Little Tokyo Community Council (LTCC)
- Little Tokyo Historical Society
- Japanese American National Museum (JANM)
- Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC)
- Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR)
- Nikkei Progressives
- Nisei Week Foundation
- Okinawan Association of America
- Orange County Optimist Club
- Outside In Theatre
- So-Phis
- Story Boldly
- Tuesday Night Project
- UCLA Nikkei Student Union
- UC Riverside Nikkei Student Union
- US-Japan Council
- Veterans Memorial Court Alliance
- Veterans Memorial Court Alliance