‘Let it Not Happen Again.’ Join the Island’s Japanese American Community in Commemoration of the 83rd Day of Remembrance Sunday March 30th

The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community Home – BIJAC invites the public to join them on Sunday, March 30, to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the forced removal of Japanese American friends and neighbors from Bainbridge Island.

The commemoration will take place from 11 a.m. to noon at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. This historic site is located at the former ferry dock where the first of more than 120,000 individuals of Japanese descent—two-thirds of whom were American citizens—were forcibly removed from their homes and sent to American concentration camps during World War II. Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, authorized the exclusion.

This year’s theme, “A Place to Call Home,” reflects the crucial role that friends and neighbors play in fostering a culture of acceptance. Bainbridge Island had the highest percentage of incarcerated residents return to their homes after the war – what made the difference? Keynote speakers include Karen Beierle, BIJAEMA board member, Bainbridge resident for over 60 years, lifelong educator, and community volunteer; and Debra Grindeland, Kitamoto family yonsei, BIJAC officer, longtime volunteer, and Woodward Middle School math teacher.

Other speakers include:

• Clarence Moriwaki, Bainbridge Island City Council Member

• Elilai Abraham of the Suquamish Tribe

• Greg Nance, Representative District 23

• Ellen Sato Faust, Executive Director of BIJAEMA

• Ken Matsudaira and Mariko Green, reading the 276 names

Commemoration event details:

• Date: Sunday, March 30, 2025

• Time: 11 am – noon, approximately

• Location: Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, located in Pritchard Park (4195 Eagle Harbor Dr NE, Bainbridge Island). A program will be held on the upper grounds. Seating is limited. Attendees may bring their own chairs.

• Parking: On-site parking is reserved for survivors, speakers, and people with disabilities.
• Complimentary shuttle: Off-site parking is located at Hyla School (7861 Bucklin Hill Rd NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110  and across the street at the American Legion Hall.  Available after 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Post commemoration events: 

• Densho and BIJAEMA will hold a Community Scanning Day at 1:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (550 Winslow Way E. Bainbridge Island, WA 98110). Densho’s archives staff will assist in digitizing photos and artifacts from Japanese American families from the pre-WWII and the exclusion periods.

Other events:

Bainbridge Historical MuseumBainbridge History Museum and Sakai Intermediate School will be open to allow public viewing of their exhibits 1-4 p.m. This event is being funded by a City of Bainbridge cultural grant and through contributions by individual donors.

Source Materials and Images courtesy of BIJAC. 

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