Hawaii internment camp to be dedicated as national monument

WAIPAHU, Oahu — Hawaii’s largest internment camp where Japanese-Americans and others were held during World War II is being dedicated as a national monument.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will join Hawaii Gov. David Ige and other officials for a dedication ceremony Tuesday of the Honouliuli National Monument.

President Barack Obama established the new monument in February.

Honouliuli was opened in 1943. It was the largest and longest used World War II confinement site in Hawaii, holding 320 internees, mostly second-generation Japanese-Americans.

The National Park Service says it also held German and Italian nationals.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says preservation of the camp as a national monument is a proud but bittersweet moment. He says it’s an important part of history that should be remembered and learned from.