So, what's the point of all this?

So, what's the point of all this? It's a very selfish project on my part. The story of daily life, and particularly of the women of Hawaii during that time is an obsession of mine. I've memorized details that are interesting only to me--and on some days, I can even bore myself. But, it's a story that has me by my spirit. There were so many women who did little things, who simply survived, or raised children as "normally" as they could in a stressful time. I don't mean to glorify, compare them, or question them. I just want their stories to be recorded---in one place. I'm leaving it for others to take up the torch. Publication isn't going to happen for me, but, there may be some researcher out there who may be on his or her way to a classic reference book on Women of World War II Hawaii.

I want Americans, even Americans of "The Greatest Generation" to know that it wasn't all over for Hawaii on December 8, 1941. I want it to be known that there were subsequent attacks, that there were civilian casualties, that life was forever changed, and Hawaii was thrust into a 20th century pace. It was a radical invasion--the swarms of military, the population explosion of civil defense workers, the introduction of African Americans into Hawaii, the political lines in the sand, the internment of Europeans in Hawaii (not POW camps, but internment), the swift maturity of the Class of 1942.

I have indexed these posts as best as I know how so that you can focus in on a topic of interest. I project this blog will continue for about two years. (I've got lots of stuff stored on discs, external drives, paper folders and scraps of papers in shoe boxes. I invite you to stick with me. And please, if you would, comment, question, or correct what you read. The point of all this is that the Stories of the Women of World War II Hawaii be told accurately.

PHOTO: There is a debate about the source of this photo. The only definite thing is to see it is a photo of civilian casulty.