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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, March 26, 2003

'Nisei' dance production will salute war veterans

Advertiser Staff

"Nisei," a dance production that pays homage to second-generation Japanese Americans who served in World War II, will begin a state-wide tour July 3, starting on O'ahu.

Hilo-born choreographer Marla Hirokawa created the dance in honor of her late father, Lawrence Hirokawa, a soldier in the 100th Battalion and winner of Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals. She founded Covenant Dance Theatre in New York in 1989. "Nisei" premiered in 2001 at the Richard Perry Theatre in Brooklyn.

Color guards, taiko drummers and actor-playwright Lane Nishikawa will join the program in celebration of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team's 60th anniversary. At the show's close, veterans from Hawai'i will make walk-on appearances.

Play dates for the Covenant Dance Theatre show are:

July 3-5, Leeward Community College Theatre; July 8, Kaua'i Community College Performing Arts Center; July 11-12, University of Hawai'i-Hilo Theatre; and July 5-16 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. The opening-night performances on O'ahu and the Big Island will benefit the Library of Congress Veterans History Project in Hawai'i.

General admission is $35 on O'ahu and Maui and $25 on Kaua'i and in Hilo.

For performance times and information on group rates and discounts for veterans, seniors and students, phone 947-5702.