Community Songfest Fetes Retiring Manzanar NHS Superintendent Les Inafuku – Photos

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LOS ANGELES — On December 15, a “Community Songfest,” honoring retiring Manzanar National Historic Site Superintendent Les Inafuku, and to raise funds for the reconstruction of Manzanar’s residential Block 14, which will include barracks, a mess hall, and more, was held at Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.

Sponsored by the Friends of Manzanar, the event featured musical performances by twelve different solo performers, duos or groups, including former Nisei Week Queens Lauren Kinkade Wong, and Erika Mariko Olsen.

Also featured were performances by Mary Kageyama Nomura, the “Songbird of Manzanar,” and folk singer/one-man band Ken Koshio.

Selected photos from the event, which was co-sponsored by the Manzanar Committee, may be viewed below.

LEAD PHOTO: Retiring Manzanar National Historic Site Superintendent Les Inafuku (second from right), shown here during the Community Songfest, at Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles on December 15, 2013. Photo: Gann Matsuda/Manzanar Committee.

Community Songfest: December 15, 2013, Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, Los Angeles

Retiring Manzanar National Historic Site Superintendent Les Inafuku (left) chats with Rafu Shimpo Photo Editor Mario Reyes

Manzanar Committee’s Vicky Perez-Geaga (at computer) helps someone to sign an online petition opposing the construction of a 1,200-acre solar generating station adjacent to Manzanar.

Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey

Rose Ochi

Emcee Elena Dizon

Erika Mariko Olsen

Ken Koshio

Elena Dizon

Arenui (group)

Lauren Kinkade Wong

Helen Ota

Helen Ota (left) with Benny Yee (right)

Cast of Manzanar: Story Of An American Family

A cast member of Manzanar: Story Of An American Family performs.

Mary Kageyama Nomura, the “Songbird of Manzanar.”

Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Kerry Cababa (left) and Bruce Embrey (right)

From left: Kerry Cababa, Rose Ochi, Bruce Embrey, Les Inafuku, and Bruce Saito

Friends of Manzanar chair Bruce Saito honored Les Inafuku

Les Inafuku

Les Inafuku (foreground)

From left: Rose Ochi, Bruce Embrey, Les Inafuku, and Bruce Saito

Mary Kageyama Nomura, the “Songbird of Manzanar.”

Manzanar Committee’s Brian Maeda

San Fernando Valley JACL members Nancy Gohata (left) and Phil Shigekuni (right)

Manzanar Committee’s Jonathan Lee

Joseph Kamiya

Arenui

Ohana Polynesian Dancers

Michie Sujishi

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