George Hoshida (1907-1985) was incarcerated in Hawaii following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was separated from his family for two years. This collection primarily consists of correspondence written by the Hoshida family while separated during World War II. It also contains artwork created by Hoshida to document camp life, legal documents, government documents, and notes.

George Hoshida (1907-1985) was born in Japan and immigrated to Hilo, Hawaii with his family in 1912. His formal education ended when he graduated from junior high school, later earning his GED after the war. Hoshida began working for Hilo Electric Company, married his wife Tamae, and started a family. He had four daughters: Taeko, June, Sandra, and Carole. Although he professed little interest in international politics, Hoshida’s Buddhist faith coupled with his leadership in the temple and interest in Judo led him to be classified as potentially dangerous by the government following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was arrested and incarcerated in Kilauea Military Camp. Over the next two years Hoshida would be transferred to the following Department of Justice camps: Sand Island detention facility (Honolulu Harbor, Hawaii); Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio, Texas); Lordsburg Internment Camp (Camp Lordsburg, New Mexico); Santa Fe Internment Camp (Santa Fe, New Mexico). Hoshida was separated from his wife and family during the first two years of his incarceration.

0.75 linear feet

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By appointment only. Please contact the Collections Management and Access Unit by email (collections@janm.org) or telephone (213-830-5615).