Arielle Hixson Is in Honolulu, Hawaii, Speaking with Those Who Survived the Attack And

Azia: What is up, everyone? I am Azia Celestino, and it is Wednesday, December 7. Today, we remember this day in history and what happened 75 years ago in 1941, when the Japanese attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

Arielle Hixson is in Honolulu, Hawaii, speaking with those who survived the attack and with students who live in the community surrounded by reminders of that day. And they are getting us started with a pop quiz.

Arielle: Hey guys, I am here with students from La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls, and they are going to put you to the test. Today marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the second largest attack in American history that became a turning point for the United States, urging Americans to enter a major war.

So why did this attack become a defining moment in American history? Well, these students have your question.

Students: The attack on Pearl Harbor caused the United States to enter which war? a. World War I b. World War II c. the Korean War or d. the Vietnam War

You have 10 seconds: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Time’s up! The answer is b, World War II.

Arielle: World War II, which started in 1939, divided much of the world's power into two groups, known as the Allies — led by France, Britain and the Soviet Union — versus the Axis — led by Germany, Italy and Japan. And for two years, the U.S. had stayed out of it, but that all ended on December 7, 1941.

Just before 8 a.m., the Japanese surprised the United States and attacked Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor is an American naval base located on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.

Dorinda Nicholson, who was only 6 years old at the time, remembers it well.

1 | P a g e Dorinda Nicholson: The noise is deafening, and then our house started to shake. And we looked up, and we saw airplanes just barely above the trees and barely above our house, and you could see the pilots — I mean, they were that close. And this is what I have left, just pieces of shrapnel.

Arielle: Dorinda found these pieces of metal and leftover bullets on her front lawn.

In less than two hours, nearly 200 American planes were destroyed, 21 ships — including eight battleships — were damaged or destroyed, and more than 2,300 Americans died that day.

Newsreel: Here is the actual bombing of the mighty U.S.S. Arizona.

Arielle: One of the ships that sank was the U.S.S. Arizona. During the attacks it completely submerged underwater behind me. And now there is a memorial above it honoring the lives that were lost that day.

Seaman First Class Ray Chavez had just finished a shift, and he rushed over to help.

Ray Chavez: All the harbor was on fire; all ships were smoking black smoke because the Japanese had torpedoed and bombed.

Arielle: At 104 years old, Chavez is known as the oldest living survivor of the attack.

Chavez: I saw all the men that were lost and all the ships that were sunk.

President Franklin Roosevelt: December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy.

Arielle: Following Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, and on December 8, Congress agreed. Three days later, the U.S. also declared war on Germany and Italy, joining the Allies.

After the attack Dorinda had to carry around this gas mask as a child. It was part of the drills they had to do just in case another attack happened.

Nicholson: The story of war affects everyone, and especially those who were civilians and kids.

Arielle: Today, most people here in Hawaii are reflecting on honoring the past and finding ways to feel inspired about the future.

2 | P a g e Lanihuli Gilbert: It's still something that we do talk about, and we have a unique opinion on it here because this is where it happened. It's not just like learning about wars being fought thousands of miles away.

Akemi Davies: We should kind of like put down our phones a little bit and kind of like sit back and reflect on why it was important.

Arielle: Chavez, along with dozens of other World War II veterans, has traveled to Hawaii to be honored at a memorial today…

Chavez: I'm very proud to serve and help, and quite a few people have told me that I inspired them.

Arielle: …as the country remembers a day that changed the world. Arielle Hixson, Channel One News.

Azia: Wow, powerful story. Thanks, Arielle.

And we have got a special feature on ChannelOne.com: a class of kids remembering the day the bombs fell on Pearl Harbor — definitely worth checking out.

Okay, after the break, a habit that can be as dangerous as drunk driving.

Azia: President Barack Obama told the American people yesterday that under his watch — for eight years — he protected the United States against a major attack from a foreign terrorist organization. It was his last national security speech as president.

The president’s speech comes after his administration saw the killing of Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, but also saw new challenges from the terror group ISIS.

President Barack Obama: The terrorist threat is real, and it is dangerous. But these terrorists want to cast themselves as the vanguard of a new world order. They are not. They are thugs, and they are murderers, and they should be treated that way.

Azia: The president also cautioned against using torture techniques against our enemies, saying if we return to those practices, it would damage national security.

It seemed like a big win for pipeline protestors in North Dakota. On Sunday the Army Corps of Engineers said it would reroute the pipeline so it would not go under the Missouri River and sacred Native American land. But the story — and the protests — are still going strong.

3 | P a g e Protestors are still battling not only the pipeline company but also a huge snowstorm. The Standing Rock Sioux chairman is urging those braving below-freezing conditions to leave.

David Archambault: I understand the fear that they have — that this is just a small victory, and it's not over yet. But it’s over right now.

Azia: Construction of the pipeline is on hold, but protestors worry that won't last. President-elect Donald Trump supports the Dakota Access pipeline and is expected to review the project after the inauguration. The company behind the pipeline says it will complete the project and that the Obama administration "intended to delay a decision in this matter until President Obama is out of office."

Now, you know texting behind the wheel can be dangerous, and, of course, drinking can be deadly. But did you know that even being a little tired can also put you at risk of a car crash? A new report by AAA says 1 in 5 fatal crashes involved drowsy driving.

A tired driver can doze off quickly, as seen in dashboard videos like this from AAA. In this one the driver drifts and rear-ends another car. The new report from AAA shows drivers who miss between one and two hours of the recommended seven hours of sleep a night nearly double their risk for a crash.

Jake Nelson: If we've earned only four to five hours of sleep in a night, the odds of getting into a car crash are the same as driving legally drunk due to alcohol.

Azia: AAA says the less sleep, the more likely you are to get into an accident. The group recommends taking naps to reduce your risk of becoming drowsy behind the wheel. And if you are on a long trip, take a break every two hours.

Okay, after the break, changing lives — one robot at a time.

Azia: All right, guys, it is time to get your geek on because it is Computer Science Education Week!

Tom: Oh yeah, get excited! It is a time to spark inspiration for students to learn about coding, programming and other areas in computer science, which is one of the fastest growing industries in the country, by the way. But girls are being left behind. Take a look.

4 | P a g e Every Monday afternoon, Eliana Gaythan and other girls from sixth grade to 12th learn how robots work, as well as computer coding and other tools that could set the table for big-time careers in computer science.

Eliana Gaythan: It's a very, very valuable experience. I don't know how to put it in any other words, but it's like having this tool on my belt going out into this field of engineering and computer sciences.

Tom: This week is Computer Science Education Week, and Oklahoma University is on the hunt for future female computer scientists. According to the National Center for Women and Information Technology, women held just 25 percent of professional computing jobs in 2015.

Current OU computer science majors Joann Lee and Gurpreet Kaur offered these young women knowledge and moral support…

Gurpreet Kaur: One of the great things about computer science is you can apply it to pretty much anything.

Joann Lee: I think it's a lot of fun. A lot of people aren't really aware of computer science, even though technology is such a big thing, and, like, to have these girls like such a young age want to be more involved in technology is kind of awesome.

Tom: …showing that hard work and a little girl power are all you need to succeed. Tom Hanson, Channel One News.

Azia: Thanks, Tom.

All right, guys, have an awesome day, and we will see you right back here tomorrow.

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