On the Leeward Coast, a familiar neighborhood park now carries a name that hits much closer to home. Wai'anae District Park was officially renamed Thursday as the Shinyei Nakamine and 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Park, giving the community a permanent reminder of a hometown soldier who never made it back from World War II.
The new name links a busy local gathering spot to the legacy of Private Shinyei Nakamine, a Wai'anae native who served with the all Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion. The timing is not accidental. The change arrives as the park undergoes upgrades, and it layers on top of an existing tribute, since the on-site gymnasium already bears Nakamine's name.
The Department of Parks and Recreation announced the renaming in a post on its official X account on April 23, 2026, saying the ceremony recognized both Nakamine and members of the 100th Infantry Battalion. According to the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, the dedication was framed as a way to honor the battalion's service and the tight community ties that connect Wai'anae to its veterans.
The change traces back to City Council Resolution 25-149, adopted on June 4, 2025, which authorized the renaming and spelled out how it should roll out. The measure directs the administration to erect new signage and update park materials as part of a broader revitalization effort. It also notes that Nakamine was born and raised in Wai'anae and highlights ongoing improvements at the park, including upgrades to the existing Shinyei Nakamine Gymnasium Complex, according to Honolulu City Council documents.
A hometown hero and his Medal of Honor
Private Shinyei Nakamine served with Company B of the 100th Infantry Battalion and was killed in action on June 2, 1944, near La Torreto, Italy. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society records that Nakamine's actions showed "extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty" as he charged multiple enemy positions. His Medal of Honor was presented to his family in 2000. For the full citation, see the profile at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The 100th Infantry Battalion's local legacy
The 100th Infantry Battalion, often called the "Purple Heart Battalion," was largely made up of Japanese American soldiers from Hawai'i who served with distinction despite facing discrimination at home. That history remains a touchstone in island communities like Wai'anae, where the battalion's story is taught and remembered across generations. Background on Nakamine and the unit is documented by the battalion's historical organization and archives, as detailed by the 100th Infantry Battalion.
Signage and park improvements
In line with Resolution 25-149, city officials are tying the renaming to the park's physical refresh, with plans for updated signs and materials that reflect the full memorial name, according to Honolulu City Council documents. Parks staff have indicated they will follow the council's direction as those improvements move ahead.
The renamed site sits at 85-601 Farrington Highway in Wai'anae and includes athletic fields along with the Nakamine gym complex. The City and County of Honolulu's staffed parks list confirms the park's address and contact information, and the new memorial name is set to appear on on-site signage and in city materials.
With the dedication, Nakamine and the 100th Infantry Battalion move from the pages of history books to the center of everyday public life in Wai'anae. Officials and community organizers say they hope the name on the park will double as a lesson, offering visitors and young residents a tangible way to connect with local history as the grounds themselves get a new lease on life.
