Kenneth M. Higa

Fox and Charlie Companies, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)

Kenneth M. Higa was born in 1918 in Kekaha, a small town on the westernmost coast of the island of Kauai, Hawaii. After completing ninth grade, he found himself unable to continue school — there was no transportation to take him all the way to Lihue for high school. At just 14 years old, he left school and began working on the local sugar plantation. His hard work and reliability were quickly recognized, and he was soon promoted to the plantation warehouse, where he was responsible for ordering supplies.

In November 1941, Higa was inducted into the U.S. Army, later becoming one of the original members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, serving in Company F, then later, Company C.

During the fierce fighting in Anzio, Italy, in May 1944, he was injured and transferred through several hospitals for treatment. Talented in sketching, he created many pictures which were displayed on the hospital walls, bringing beauty and spirit to an otherwise somber environment.

After the war, Higa returned home determined to build a new life. He attended business school and went on to work as an office manager. Then, at the age of 40, he decided to follow a long-held dream: to complete his education. He earned his GED, left Hawaii, and pursued college studies on the U.S. mainland. After graduating from Missouri State University, Higa became a certified public accountant and returned to Honolulu, where he built a successful career.

Later, he shared his knowledge and experience as an accounting instructor at Kapiolani Community College, where he taught until his retirement in 1983. In retirement, Kenneth and his wife enjoyed a rich and active life together, traveling extensively around the world. They were also known and admired for their elegance and skill on the ballroom dance floor — a reflection of the grace and determination that characterized Higa’s life.