Group Media & Photos

Samuel Nishimura. Toy jeep, wood and wire detailing, Honouliuli Internment Camp, c. 1943-44. JCCH/Sam Nishimura Collection.

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Samuel Nishimura. Three rings made from toothbrushes, Honouliuli Internment Camp. JCCH/Sam Nishimura Collection.

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Samuel Nishimura. Shell necklace, gift for youngest daughter, Doris Nishimura, Honouliuli Internment Camp. JCCH/Sam Nishimura Collection.

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Internment Locations

Sand Island Internment Camp, Honolulu, Oahu Island

Honouliuli Internment Camp, Oahu Island

Sam Nishimura was born on April 28, 1905, in Haleiwa, Oahu. Raised and educated in Hawaii, he became a tailor and opened a shop in Haleiwa. He married and with his wife had six children. 

Nishimura was arrested in April 1942. The family suspected that this was connected to his signing of a bank note for his father as part of a donation to purchase a truck for the Japanese Red Cross. 

As the only professional tailor at the Sand Island and Honouliuli camps, Nishimura took care of the tailoring repairs for the internees. 

He was released in January 1944 and returned to his family and his tailor shop.