J.K. YAMAMOTO / Rafu Shimpo
Front row, from left: Lisa Robinson, Stacey Toda, Alvin Takamori, Jenny Chomori, Kay Oda, Nicole Tang, Judy Tang, Nancy Hayata, Cathie Tani, Kerry Cababa. Back row, from left: Russell Akiyama, Ben Tang, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi.

RAFU STAFF REPORT

The Torrance City Council unanimously voted Sept. 15 to move forward with the World War II Japanese American Incarceration Monument Project, a landmark memorial planned for Columbia Park that will preserve the names and stories of Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II.

The votes were cast by Mayor Sharon Kalani and Councilmembers David Kartsonis, Bridgett Lewis, Asam Sheikh, Linda Barnett, Betty Lieu and Dr. Jeremy Gerson.

The project received an initial $5 million state grant secured by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance). To preserve that funding and provide additional time to complete the project, the council authorized the city to request an extension of the state grant through Feb. 1, 2029.

An additional $5 million will be provided from the city’s General Fund.

The council also approved a donation and donor recognition policy as the city works to raise the $15 million needed to complete the project, to be located at Columbia Park on Prairie Avenue and 190th Street.

“This memorial was spearheaded by longtime Torrance resident Kanji Sahara (1934-2025), who was one of over 125,000 Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated based on their ancestry in American concentration camps during World War II,” said Muratsuchi, who addressed the council during the meeting.

“At Kanji’s and the community’s request, I was able to secure $5 million in state funding in 2021 for what will hopefully be a national memorial to this dark chapter in American history.

“Thank you to the City of Torrance for your ongoing support for what will be a memorial for all Americans, so that we learn the lessons of history and never repeat these tragic mistakes again.”

Sahara, who was incarcerated with his family at the Santa Anita Assembly Center and the War Relocation Authority camps in Jerome and Rohwer, Ark., worked with the nonprofit WWII Camp Wall to create a permanent place for remembrance, education and reflection. His granddaughters, Kaitlyn Tang and Kristen Tang, serve on the organization’s board.

Columbia Park was approved as the location in 2023. The monument and all project renderings were designed by Chee Salette, who was awarded the city’s architectural design contract in 2024, followed by approval of the schematic design in 2025.

The monument will feature approximately 126,000 names, black granite name walls, interpretive educational displays, donor recognition wall, and accessible spaces for visitors.

Although names are listed on various camp monuments, this would be the first to list everyone who was incarcerated in all of the camps.

Groundbreaking is expected to take place in November or December. Construction will take at least 10 months but could take at least a year due to unforeseen delays, according to city staff.

“It is so exciting to hear that groundbreaking is in the near future,” said WWII Camp Wall President Nancy Hayata. “Members of the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition and the WWII Camp Wall have been guiding this project since 2019 alongside our late friend Dr. Kanji Sahara. We thank the community for all of their support over the years.”

“This monument is about remembering every name and ensuring the experiences of Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II are never forgotten,” said Kalani. “By moving this project forward, we are creating a place where future generations can learn, reflect and understand the importance of protecting civil liberties. We invite our community and partners to join us in bringing this important legacy project to completion.”

The city is inviting individuals, families, businesses, organizations and community partners to help preserve this important chapter of Japanese American history for future generations. The donation page is now live, and contributions of all amounts are welcome. Donor recognition is available for cumulative qualifying contributions of $100,000 or more:

• $100,000–$249,999 – Supporter Level
• $250,000–$499,999 – Ambassador Level
• $500,000–$999,999 – Leadership Level
• $1 million and above – Visionary Level

To donate, visit TorranceCA.Gov/Donate or call (310) 328-5310. For more information, visit TorranceCA.Gov/WWIIJAIM.

Details Discussed

According to a presentation by city staff during the meeting, the project was advertised for competitive bidding in March. In June, four bids were received, all exceeding the available project budget.

The bid review identified significant construction and market-driven cost increases. Primary drivers included custom granite, specialty paving, site infrastructure, and increased supplier pricing.

The council considered three options. Option 1, to proceed as bid, included maintaining the current design and scope; taking the most direct path to construction; requiring approximately $7.1-8 million in additional funding; and returning to the council for contract award and appropriation.

This is the option that was selected. The council and speakers agreed that there should be no further delay since one of the goals is to unveil the wall while some former incarcerees are still living.

Option 2, to reduce scope and rebid, included revising project scope to reduce construction costs; preserving the primary purpose and historical significance; requiring additional design work and schedule; and rebidding the project, with the final cost unknown until new bids are received.

Option 3, to defer the project, involved deferring construction while pursuing additional funding and retaining the existing project design. Under this plan, the future schedule and construction costs would remain uncertain and there would be a potential risk to the $5 million in state funding due to prolonged deferral.

Under the proposed donation policy, a formal framework for donations and donor recognition will be established; the city manager or a designee is authorized to accept qualifying donations; donor recognition begins at $100,000; and the city maintains control over project decisions.

The staff’s environmental findings: The project was previously determined exempt under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and no additional environmental review is required.

Staff recommendations: Provide direction on construction and funding approach; authorize request to extend state grant performance period to Feb. 1, 2029; and approve proposed donation and donor recognition policy.