Hisanaga, Hisakichi

Hisakichi Hisanaga was born in Pepeekeo on Hawaii Island and was a U.S. veteran of the First World War. He was the owner of a gaming establishment in Hilo, Palace Amusements, at a time when gambling was legal in the islands. In the late 1930s, he employed and mentored Mainland newcomer Sam Boyd, who would later become a successful Las Vegas businessman through his strong ties to Hawaii and ownership of the popular California Hotel and Casino.

In 1941, a month before the Pearl Harbor bombing, Hisanaga's son Kazuma Benny Hisanaga, a well known Hilo athlete, was inducted into the U.S. Army. Kazuma served with the 100th Infantry Battalion and then the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. During fighting in Italy, he was promoted in the field to lieutenant. Wounded in action, Kazuma was awarded the Purple Heart. He also received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and a Distinguished Unit Citation. His younger brother, Kazuo Casey Hisanaga, volunteered in October 1944 and received language training through the Military Intelligence Service.