Dec. 6 California Premiere of 'The First Battle' Film December 6, 2006

DEC. 6 CALIFORNIA PREMIERE OF 'THE FIRST BATTLE' FILM EXPLAINS
WHY JAPANESE AMERICANS IN HAWAI'I ESCAPED MASS INTERNMENT

The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, the Hawai'i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California and the Center for Asian American Media (formerly NAATA) will premiere Dec. 6 a film by one of Hawai'i's most respected political observers explaining why the government during World War II did not mass intern Americans and immigrants of Japanese ancestry living in what would become the 50th state.

The First Battle: The Battle for Equality in War-Time Hawai'i (www.thefirstbattle.com), a documentary written, produced and directed by Tom Coffman, explains why 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry on the Mainland were wrongly interned while 160,000 people of Japanese ancestry in Hawai'i were able to go about their lives during World War II.

The first two showings will be held on Wednesday, December 6, at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the JCCCNC. There will be a brief question & answer session with Tom Coffman after the 4:30 p.m. showing.

Following the 7 p.m. showing, a panel discussion moderated by attorney Dale Minami will include: Coffman; Dr. Mary G. F. Bitterman, President, The Bernard Osher Foundation, and cabinet member under former Hawai'i Gov. George Ariyoshi; and Dr. Richard Kosaki, Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

The event is free, but space is limited. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis. RSVP required by Dec. 1 to 415-567-5505. Light refreshments will be served.

Visit www.hawaiispots.com/firstbattle for more information on these film showings.

Official Website: http://www.hawaiispots.com/firstbattle