The flourishing immigrant community at Bainbridge Island was home to people from all over the world looking for a new start in America. People from Finland, Japan, Italy, Austria, Hawaii, China and other countries came together to form an American melting pot of cultures and traditions. However, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans tore apart the community of Bainbridge Island. On this episode of Podcasts with Park Rangers, we explore the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

 
Show Notes found at: https://www.virtualkamper.com/pwpr24/
Help keep the show on the road: https://www.patreon.com/virtualkamper/

Podcast Resources:

* Visit the Bainbridge Island Memorial – NPS Website
* Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community
* Register to vote!
* Episode 23 – Klondike Gold Rush NHP: Seattle’s Gold Rush Boom

Topics Covered

* About Ranger Kevin Mahé
* About Bainbridge Island Japanese Exclusion Memorial
* Japanese Immigrants on Bainbridge Island Pre World War II
* Racism During World War II
* FBI Investigations of Japanese Immigrants
* Arrests Made Without Probable Cause
* Executive Order 9066
* The Executive Orders Effects on Bainbridge Island
* Effects on Property Owned by Japanese Americans
* Camps at Manzanar and Minidoka
* Do Those Incarcerated Talk About It Today?
* An End to Incarceration
* A Formal Apology
* The Memorial on Bainbridge Island
* Kevin’s Interest at Bainbridge Island and the NPS
* Thanks to Our Listeners – Let’s Connect More!

About Ranger Kevin Mahé
Ranger Kevin’s been with the Park Service for 10 years, both as an employee and a volunteer. Specifically, he’s been with Bainbridge Island for 1 year.
Kevin’s background in education gives him a unique perspective of the parks. They’re a place where people can learn in a hands-on environment and he’s still been able to apply his expertise. Additionally, the NPS gives Kevin the opportunity to be a lifelong learner — a reason why many end up in the Park Service.
About Bainbridge Island Japanese Exclusion Memorial
Bainbridge Island is located just west of Seattle across the Puget Sound — part of Minidoka National Historic Site located in Idaho where they imprisoned many of the Japanese Americans during World War II.
The Japanese Americans on Bainbridge Island were the first community forced from their homes after Pearl Harbor. They initially imprisoned many at Manzanar in California. Then, they were later transferred to the prison in Minidoka, Idaho which is why Bainbridge Island is part of Minidoka NHS.
Unfortunately, the expulsion of Japanese Americans went so well at Bainbridge Island, they ended up interning over 120,