Silent Heroes

Waipahu students have been diving deep into historical records to uncover the stories of Hawai‘i’s silent heroes from the Korean War. Their research has culminated in compelling profiles — complete with memorials, biographical details, and eulogies — now published on the National History Day Silent Heroes website.

Social Studies teacher Amy Boehning emphasizes the project’s deep emotional and academic impact.

“Our students weren’t just studying history — they were doing history,” she says. “And they’ve created public-facing work that’s meaningful to them and their communities, rather than just papers confined to the classroom.”

The National History Day project is part of a national effort to recognize service members of the United States Armed Forces or civilian support. It is funded by the Veterans Legacy Program in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Students began by selecting an honoree at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. They learned how to research and dig deep into original archives and resources to access census records, military enlistment files, and newspaper articles about each honoree.

“At first, it was a learning curve to interpret the data we uncovered,” Ms. Boehning says. “But once students learned how to gather and evaluate evidence, there was no stopping them. They became historical detectives, driven by curiosity and purpose.”

This project-based approach truly brings history alive, fostering a deeper, lasting understanding that textbooks can’t replicate.

And in many cases, students were exploring their own roots as they learned about Hawai‘i in the early 1900s and learned about people whose stories are often omitted from textbooks. Some students are growing up in the same neighborhoods as their heroes, but for senior Jaylee R. it came even closer to home as she researched her grandfather Solomon Andronicus Kaleiopu Jr., who was a World War II veteran.

Jaylee conducted oral interviews with family members and traced her family history back to the pre-overthrow era, discovering the significant roles her ancestors played in the government of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. Jaylee’s profile will be added to the website this summer, along with others from Boehning’s English class, which has also been working on the project.

Collectively, Boehning’s students express how inspirational their heroes’ lives have become to them. Senior Gavin B. says learning about veteran Tadashi Kaneko was both humbling and inspiring. Kaneko, who grew up in Honalo in North Kona, was held in a prisoner of war camp in North Korea for nearly three years.

“His perseverance through immense challenges taught me the importance of resilience in the face of adversity,” Gavin says. “He showed how it is possible to turn even the most difficult experiences into opportunities for growth and contribution.”

The project culminated in a moving visit to Punchbowl, where students read eulogies beside their heroes’ gravesites. Their families attended, and the event was professionally recorded by HTA digital media students, John-David A., Gavin B., and Thesz M.

“Every student took their role seriously, and it is a chicken skin moment as they honor their chosen service member in such a meaningful way,” Boehning says.

“A Veterans Affairs representative once said to me, ‘A silent hero dies twice. Once on the battlefield, and then a second time when they are forgotten.’ This program keeps each one’s memory alive. Our veterans made many sacrifices for the freedoms of our communities. We are here to honor them.”