The WWII Camp Wall (WW-IICW), will be erected at Columbia Park in Torrance, with groundbreak-ing anticipated to be scheduled for later this year.
There is state funding to build the monument, but the nonprofit is currently fundraising to build the display stations that will provide educational content for both adults and children.
The Torrance City Council met on April 23 to review applications and to select Mayor George Chen’s three recommendations for the Advisory Committee to the World War II Camp Wall Monument Project. The city received 11 applications, and the City Council and the mayor voted to recommend Russell Akiyama, Lisa Akiyama Robinson and Stacey Toda.
This is a five-member advisory committee. Priscilla Ouchida and Nancy Hayata were previously selected upon recommendation of the State Legislature. The volunteer committee will advise on the memo-rial project, including its implementation and educational components.
A fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 8, from 6 p.m. at Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 815 E. 1st St. in Little Tokyo, to raise funds for the monument’s display stations. The theme is “Let’s Swing” and the night will feature the sounds of Kokoro.
Opening the evening will be Asian Persuasion with some tunes from the ’40s to “get you in the mood.” Line dances will be taught by Akimi Watanabe, and Mr. Cha Cha himself, Jerry Fukui, will be teaching a cha cha.
Event information can be found at www.wwiicampwall.org, or by contacting Nancy Hayata at wwiicampwall@gmail.com. Sponsorships and donations are also welcome.