The Guardian US Edition Feb. 10, 2025. A Buddha statue in the back yard of Johnny Kamon’s home in Altadena, California. (Photograph: Courtesy of Johnny Kamon)
Altadena, California, Feb. 10, 2025 (The Guardian U.S.) - Families whose homes burned in the LA fires recall second world war evacuations and fight to retain connection
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/10/california-wildfires-japanese-americans
The devastating wildfires in Altadena, California, have displaced many families, including Japanese Americans who have deep historical ties to the area. Among them is Johnny Kamon, whose family home—built with a traditional tatami room—was destroyed, leaving behind only their carved signatures in concrete.
For Japanese Americans in Altadena, the wildfires echo past traumas, particularly the forced incarceration during World War II. The community, once tightly knit through cultural and religious institutions, has seen a gradual decline as younger generations move away or lose interest in maintaining these spaces.
Historically, Altadena provided refuge for marginalized communities, including Japanese Americans returning after the war. Families built roots through institutions like the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and the Japanese Cultural Institute, but declining participation and now the fires threaten their future.
Elder community members, such as Jane Kawahara, recall their childhood experiences of evacuation to internment camps and worry about what will be lost if younger generations don’t step into leadership roles. Though the temple and cultural centers remain standing, their survival is uncertain.
Despite the loss, Kamon and others find hope in rebuilding and preserving their heritage. A Buddha statue that survived the fire serves as a reminder of impermanence—and the need to look forward rather than clinging to the past.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/10/california-wildfires-japanese-americans
