Obituary of James Sei Hamana

James Sei Hamana, beloved husband, devoted father, and patriotic soldier, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2015, surrounded by his family. He was eighty-seven years old. He is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Bernice Emiko Hamana and four sons and their families: Bruce Seiichi, his wife Yoko, and children Erika and Kevin (Kyoto, Japan); Randal Seiji Hamana, his wife Terry, and son Christian James (Honolulu, Hawaii); Carlton Seizo Hamana, his wife Severita (Salinas), and son Justin Neel (Orlando, FL); and Kerry Seishi Hamana, his wife Nida and children Kasey, Ryan, and Jordan (Oakland). One of eleven children, he leaves behind four sisters all residing in Hawaii. James Hamana was born in Heeia (the old fish camp) in Kaneohe, Hawaii, on October 9, 1928. He graduated from Benjamin Parker High School. He entered the workplace as an apprentice mechanic, and then was employed as a customer service representative at Honolulu Auto Parts. Later, he was promoted to regional auto parts salesman. When armed conflict broke out in Korea, he was called to duty and saw military action as a soldier of the 25th Infantry Division; and, later for the second time, in Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division. Between Korea and Vietnam, he was assigned to posts at Fort Ord, Training Battalion and with the 3rd Armored Division in Europe. During his assignment with the 2nd Brigade, 2rd Training Division at Fort Polk, Louisiana, First Sergeant Hamana was transferred to Northwestern State College (Louisiana) where he served as Senior Enlisted Instructor of the Reserve Officer Training (ROTC) Program. He was promoted by the professor of Military Sciences at Northwestern State College on a double waiver of time in service and time in grade to Sergeant Major E-9. In a new program established in 1966, SGlVIHamana became one of the first to be promoted to the rank of Command Sergeant Major (CSl\1). In this capacity, he served in various CSlVIpositions from the battalion to brigade level and ended a highly successful career as the Command Sergeant Major of the 7th Infantry Division, Fort Ord, retiring after thirty years of service in October, 1979. For his distinguished service during wartime, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service, and Air Medals. After retirement, he was the owner of the Quik Stop in Marina for six years, and was a member of the Monterey Peninsula Nisei Memorial Post 1629, Veterans of Foreign Wars; E-9 Association; and the Monterey United Methodist Church. Memorial services will be held on Friday, December 4th at 1:00 p.m. at the Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made in his name to the Monterey United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society (earmarked for bladder cancer research). Contact information: Bruce Hamana, 831-883-1359.