The Japanese fleet had no idea how successful the Pearl Harbor attack would be, but it was safe to assume some of its planes would be hit and unable to return to their carriers. The pilots were told to fly to Niihau island and wait for a submarine to pick them up. The Japanese thought the island was uninhabited, but there were actually 136 residents, mostly Native Hawaiians. Zero pilot Shigenori Nishikaichi participated in the attack and then noticed he was leaking gasoline. He headed for Niihau. He crash-landed, damaging his landing gear which meant he could not take off. He was discovered by 30 year old Hawila “Howard” Kaleohano. Since the island had no electricity, no one was aware of the attack. Nishikaichi was treated nicely, but his pistol and papers were taken. An interpreter was summoned, but once he heard the story, he ran off without translating. An islander of Japanese descent was summoned. When Yoshio Harada listened to the pilot, he did not disclose the truth. Nisikaichi was treated to a luau, but still not given the gun and papers. He decided to bide his time until the sub arrived (which it never did). That evening, a battery-powered radio brought word of the attack and the residents now knew who they had. He was placed under house arrest, but Harada got the gun and slipped it to him. Kaleohano had boated for help. Nisikaichi terrorized the islanders since he had the only weapon. He burned down Kaleohano’s house and took hostages. Finally, Ben Kanehele decided enough was enough. He attempted to jump the Japanese, but was shot three times. This just made him angry and he kept coming. He lifted up Nisikaichi and threw him against a wall. His wife bashed his brains out with a rock. Harada committed suicide. Kaleohano and Kanehele were given medals for their bravery.
https://www.sfgate.com/hawaii/article/Niihau-incident-during-pearl-harbor-17105787.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niihau_incident
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