Honoring a Legacy: The Story of Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Shiramizu
We had the incredible honor of working with the Shiramizu family here in Honolulu, Hawai‘i to capture the life and legacy of a truly remarkable man: Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Shiramizu. At 91 years old, Jimmy’s story is one of humble beginnings, relentless determination, and deep service—to both country and community.
From Sugar Plantation to the Skies
Born and raised on a sugar plantation in Puʻunēnē, Maui, Jimmy was the son of Japanese immigrant parents. His early life was marked by simplicity and sacrifice. He often shared stories of attending school barefoot, a detail that reflects the resilience and grit that would define his path forward.
Despite these early challenges, Jimmy’s parents instilled in him the values of hard work, perseverance, and education. Those values carried him through to his graduation from the University of Hawai‘i—a milestone that marked the beginning of a life spent in service.
A Distinguished Air Force Career
After college, Jimmy joined the United States Air Force, where he trained and served as a KC-135 pilot. Throughout his career, he was involved in critical air-to-air refueling missions that saved countless lives and supported operations across the globe.
He flew as part of elite teams, including “The Young Tigers” and the 6594th Test Group, and eventually retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel out of Hickam Air Force Base.
Jimmy's service left a lasting mark—not just on the squadrons he flew with, but on the very legacy of U.S. Air Force history.
A Lifelong Commitment to Community
Following his military retirement, Jimmy continued his service to Hawai‘i in a different way—through civic leadership. He worked with the City and County of Honolulu and contributed to numerous initiatives that helped shape the future of the state.
Among his many contributions, he played a significant role in helping draft and pass the bill that led to the preservation of Hanauma Bay, one of O‘ahu’s most cherished natural landmarks. His impact can still be seen and felt across the islands today.
Capturing a Legacy on Historic Ground
With the help of the team at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, we were fortunate to film Jimmy’s story on base, inside one of its historic buildings. While Jimmy didn’t work in that particular building, it served as a powerful backdrop—steeped in history, reflective of the era he served in, and representative of the Air Force community he helped shape.
It was a deeply meaningful experience to stand in a space where his presence would have once been felt, and to document his story in a place so connected to his legacy.
Thank You to the Shiramizu Family
To Jimmy and the entire Shiramizu family: thank you for allowing us to be part of this incredible journey. Capturing your story was an honor, and we are proud to help preserve and share the legacy of a man who has given so much—to his family, his country, and his community.
If you'd like to preserve your family’s story, we’d be honored to help.
