PO1c Shigenori Nishikaichi
Imperial Japanese Navy, A6M2 Zero 2266 pilot force landed Niihau Island (Niʻihau)

Background
Shigenori Nishikaichi 西開地 重徳 was born April 21, 1920 in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku Island in Japan. He joined the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and was trained as a fighter pilot and promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer 1st Class (PO1c). Assigned to aircraft carrier Hiryū as a Zero fighter pilot and participated in the "Hawaii Operation".

Mission History
On December 7, 1941 took off from Hiryū piloting A6M2 Zero 2266 as one of six Zeros during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu that strafed Bellows Field. Returning low on fuel, force landed wheels up on Niihau Island (Niʻihau). From the Japanese Navy perspective, he went missing and was presumed to have been lost on the mission.

Fate of the Pilot
In fact, pilot Nishikaichi landed unhurt but momentarily dazed. His landing was observed by Hawaiian Hawila Kaleohano who immediately approached the plane and recognized it as Japanese based on the markings and appearance of the pilot. Before Nishikaichi could react, Kaleohano took his pistol and papers as a precaution, aware of the tensions between the United States and Japan, but was unaware hostilities had commenced. The pilot's papers included maps, radio codes and other information that he was to destroy if he landed to prevent capture.

As other Hawaiians arrived, Nishikaichi was treated with courtesy and hospitality, but none spoke Japanese. Later in the afternoon, they held a lūʻau (party) for him. Although they recognized the plane and pilot were Japanese, they were not aware of the Japanese attack or the start of hostilities.

In accordance with the Japanese Navy plan for down pilots, Nishikaichi expected to to await the arrival of a Japanese submarine to rescue him. Since the island lacked electricity or a radio so he planned to return to his Zero and use the radio. Also, he wanted to get his papers back to destroy them as ordered.

The Hawaiians could not speak Japanese and there were only a few Japanese on the island. First, they sent for issei (Japanese born immigrant) Ishimatsu Shintani to serve as a translator but he only spoke a few words to him then departed. Next, they requested nisei (second-generation Japanese) Yoshio Harada. Pilot Nishikaichi told them both about the start of hostilities and they did not inform the Hawaiians. Using Harada as a translator, Nishikaichi asked for his papers to be returned, but Kaleohano refused.

That night, an islander using a battery operated radio and learned about the Japanese attack and Harada translated the news. The next morning, the island's owner Aylmer Robinson was scheduled to return and the pilot would be taken by the same boat to nearby Kauai Island (Kaua'i).

The Hawaiians decided the next morning Nishikaichi would depart for Kaua'i with the island's owner Aylmer Robinson who was scheduled to return but were unaware boat travel was banned after the attack. Nishikaichi was allowed to stay at Harada's home. Although guarded by five Hawaiians, the two were able to speak in Japanese freely. Nishikaichi played on the nationalism and loyalties of Shintani and Harada to help him escape.

On December 12, 1941 Shintani acting on behalf of Nishikaichi and Harada attempted to bribe Kaleohano with ¥200 to return his papers, but he refused and fled to avoid reporting he had failed. Meanwhile, Nishikaichi and Harada were only guarded by a single 16 year old Hawaiian while the others were away. They overpowered him then entered a warehouse and stole the island's only firearm a shotgun and recovered his pistol. Together, they proceeded to Kaleohano's house to find his papers but he was in the outhouse and they fired at him, alerting the rest of the island. Kaleohano attempted to warn the others to but they were skeptical until the guard escaped and nearby residents fled and later departed with five others to row to Kaua'i.

In the late afternoon, Nishikaichi and Harada returned to his Zero and attempted to use the radio to signal Japanese forces but were unsuccessful. Together with the help of a Hawaiian captive they removed the two 7.7mm machine guns and belted ammunition then set fire to the Zero destroying the cockpit section. They departed using a wagon to tow the machine guns.

On December 13, 1941 in the early morning they returned to Kaleohano's house and set fire to it to destroy the papers. During the night they captured Kaahakila "Kalima" Kalimahuluhulu who they released to find Kaleohano who still had the pilot's papers. Instead, he found his friend Benehakaka "Ben" Kanahele attempted to steal the machine guns but was captured and ordered him to find Kaleohano and detained his wife, Kealoha "Ella" Kanahele as a hostage. After pretending to look for him, he returned. Nishikaichi realized he was being deceived and Harada told him the pilot would kill everyone if Kaleohano was not found.

As Nishikaichi handed the shotgun to Harada, Kaleohano jumped up and grabbed it. Nishikaichi drew his pistol but his wife grabbed his arm until Harada pulled her off and he shot Kaleohano three times hitting him in the groin, stomach and upper leg. Despite the wounds, he picked up the pilot and threw him into a stone wall and knocked him unconcious and his wife used a rock to bash him in the head until dead. Harada used the shotgun to commit suicide ending the "Niihau Incident".

Aftermath
On December 14, 1941 in the afternoon Coast Guard lighthouse tender Kukui reach Niihau Island with a squad of U.S. Army soldiers from Company M, 299th Infantry under the command of Lieutenant Jack Mizuha plus the Hawaiians who rowed to Kauai and the island's owner Aylmer Robinson. Ashore, they are informed about the "Niihau Incident". Wounded "Ben" Kanahele was taken to Waimea Hospital on Kauai to recuperate. In 1945, he earned the Medal of Merit and Purple Heart. His wife never was never officially recognized for her role.

The conduct of Yoshio Harada and repercussions of the "Niihau Incident" fueled the anti-Japanese sentiments that Japanese immigrants or decedents would aid the enemy and led to the decision by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to have Japanese immigrants and Japanese-Americans in the United States detained in internment camps.

Afterwards, the body of Shigenori Nishikaichi was cremated in accordance with Japanese tradition.

Memorials
After he went missing in Nishikaichi's hometown of Hashihama, Imabari is a granite cenotaph was erected with the epitaph "Having expended every effort, he achieved the greatest honor of all by dying a soldier's death in battle, destroying both himself and his beloved plane... His meritorious deed will live forever". At the time, it was believed he died on December 7, 19141 during the attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu.

In 1956, the truth about Nishikaichi's fate and death were revealed to his family, and they accepted his cremated ashes. In June 2017, the pilot's nafuda (name-plate-rack) with the names of Nishikaichi and his fellow pilots, markings of his Zero and his administrative command, were returned to his family in Japan.

References
Note, other sources state it was damaged by ground fire, causing it to leak fuel, this is incorrect. The tail code is sometimes listed as B11-120 [sic BII-120].
The Niihau Incident (1982) covers the history of the Niihau Incident
J-Aircraft "Pearl Harbor Zero & Other Photos"
J-Aircraft "The Nishikaichi/Ni'ihau Zero, part V The Missing Machine Gun Mystery!
J-Aircraft "The Nishikaichi/Ni'ihau Zero part VI Other Ni'hau Artifacts
J-Aircraft "The Nishikaichi/Ni'ihau Zero, part VII More Ni'hau Zero Artifacts
Flypast Magazine, March 2007 pages 55-57
Air & Space Magazine July 2007 "The Niihau Zero" by Nick D'Alto
J-Aircraft Forum "NI’IHAU Zero Propeller" by Mike Wilson and Jim Lansdale December 2, 2007
Thanks to Jim Lansdale and Jim Long for additional information

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?