Fund-raiser marks overturn of WWII case

Advertiser Staff

A "Celebration of Justice" fund-raising dinner and silent auction, set for Friday, will mark the 20th anniversary of a ruling that led to presidential apologies over injustices to Japanese Americans during World War II.

The event is sponsored by Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii and will support its law programs, including various educational initiatives and the Na Keiki Law Center that provides free legal assistance for needy children.

Dale Minami, the lawyer who persuaded a federal judge to overturn wartime convictions of three Japanese Americans, will be one of the keynote speakers at the gala, which will begin at 6 p.m. at the Ilikai Renaissance Waikiki Ballroom.

Another speaker is one of the three wrongly convicted citizens, Fred Korematsu, who with Gordon Hirabayashi and Minoru Yasui were imprisoned on false pretenses in 1942.

The dinner also will feature the presentation of two honors: the Patsy Mink Justice Award, to Eric Yamamoto, a University of Hawai'i law professor who assisted in the landmark case; and a Lifetime Achievement Award, to attorney David Schutter.

Tickets: $100 per person; reserved tables of 10 are available for $1,250. Information: Cindy Adair, 599-2769; or online at www.celebrationofjustice.com.

Correction: Eric Yamamoto's name was misspelled in a previous version of this story. Also, Minoru Yasui was one of three citizens convicted and imprisoned under false pretenses in 1942. His name was also misspelled.