By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer

Marla Hirokawa promises there won't be any pink tutus at this ballet.

"Nisei," which tells the story of a second-generation Japanese-American soldier during World War II, doesn't find any use for the usual trappings of classical dance. And that's the point.

"To me the thing is breaking the stereotypes about dance, especially with the boys," said Hirokawa, a Hilo-born, New York-based choreographer. "There are no tutus in our ballet. We work with eighth-graders mostly. The best part is to get them moving. That's the fun part."

Hirokawa will bring "Nisei" to Hawai'i for the first time next week, and hold 16 shows in July.

She created the dance in honor of her late father, Lawrence Hirokawa, a soldier in the 100th Battalion and a recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

It was also inspired by friends in New York, who expressed astonishment when they learned that Japanese American soldiers fought in the war. "They told me, 'You have to tell this story. No one knows about this,' " she said.

The combined units of the Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team were among the most decorated in U.S. military history. Members received the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and thousands of Purple Hearts.

Hirokawa, a 1980 graduate of Waiakea High School, founded Covenant Dance Theatre in New York in 1989. "Nisei" premiered in 2001 at the Richard Perry Theatre in Brooklyn.

The ballet begins with a grandfather and granddaughter looking at a photo album. The grandfather reminisces, taking her back to his childhood, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, his family's imprisonment in an internment camp and his eventual winning of respect in combat.

"In battle he proves his valiant spirit," Hirokawa said. "I love making up stories and seeing these things come to life."

At the show's close, veterans from Hawai'i will make walk-on appearances, and veterans and internment camp survivors will answer questions.

Although the story was inspired by Hirokawa's father, it does not recount his experience exactly. Her family was not sent to an internment camp. But when her father reported to Schofield Barracks, he was handed a broom instead of a gun because he wasn't trusted. Later, he would be wounded on the battlefield.

Several Hawai'i schools are using the "Nisei" performances as part of their summer school. In class before the performance they will have learned about World War II, Pearl Harbor and internment camps through a curriculum guide provided by Covenant Dance Theatre. Students also will learn the history and styles of dance, try out choreography and in general come away with an appreciation for the art and athleticism of ballet.

Students from Ballet Hawaii and dancers from New York perform in the show, with color guards, taiko drummers and actor and playwright Lane Nishikawa.

Although some performances are exclusively for students, there will be a few public showings. On O'ahu, performances will be at the Leeward Community College Theatre July 3, 4 and 5. Neighbor Island performances will be July 8 at Kaua'i Community College; July 11 and 12 at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo; and July 15 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

Information: 947-5702 or visit www.niseiproject.com.

Reach Jennifer Hiller at jhiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.