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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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.