016: What Was it Like to be on Maui During WWII? Scott Fisher Reflects on His Service as a U.S. Marine and His Project to Preserve Maui’s WWII History

We’re keeping our November Veteran’s Month going by welcoming Scott Fisher, a Marine Corps veteran, historian, and dedicated Maui community member to the podcast! Scott shares his personal experiences as a marine deployed at Guantanamo Bay, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Okinawa, then describes his oral history project collecting stories from Maui WWII veterans and their families.  Scott provides a deep and multifaceted perspective on service and the importance of both community and preserving our history.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Scott’s Early Life and Military Service:

• Growing up in Kula, Maui and enlisting in the Marine Corps at 17

• His training in infantry and explosives and his deployment to Guantanamo Bay

• Military Service in the Gulf War:

• Scott’s experience during the Gulf War in 1990, including his time in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and his role in Operation Desert Storm.

• Reflections on combat conditions and the emotional impact of service

• Oral History Project:

• Scott’s efforts to gather and preserve the stories of WWII veterans on Maui, emphasizing the importance of sharing these histories with future generations

• WWII History of Maui:

• A look at Maui’s role during World War II, including the Japanese submarine attacks on Kahului Harbor and espionage activities at Kula Hospital

• Personal stories of local Japanese American families, their struggles with the questioning of their loyalty during wartime, and the internment of Japanese Americans on Maui

• The emotional toll of war and the contributions of Japanese American families despite facing racism and suspicion

• Veterans Support and Mental Health:

• Scott’s thoughts on the quality of services he has received from the VA

Resources From This Episode:

• Maui Historical Society:  https://mauimuseum.org/hale-hoikeike-museum
• Nisei Veterans Memorial Center: https://ndajams.omeka.net/collaborators-nvmc
• Hawaii Land Trust: https://www.hilt.org 

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