The bell nestled safely in the bell tower of the Memorial Tower tolled 69 times — once for each name that was recited — on Sunday at the Waimea Shingon Mission.

Rev. Tomo Hojo of the West Kauai Hongwanji Mission rubbed his arms following the final echo faded off the cliff walls in the hot Waimea air.

“I’m going to be sore,” Hojo said. “But this is nothing compared to the sacrifices made by the veterans.”

More than 100 guests from all parts of the island gathered in Waimea Valley to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (which formally took place on Sept. 2, 1945), as well as commemorate the legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat.

The distinguished guests to the interfaith observance included West Kauai Club 100 president Ken Morikawa,

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