Ephraim H. Ezera was born on September 13, 1887, and was of Chinese descent, part of at least the second generation of Chinese families living in Hawaiʻi. He was originally from Wailuku, Maui, and in 1917 he was working as a coppersmith’s helper at the U.S. Naval Station, according to his draft registration.
At the time of his military service, Ezera was living and working in Ulupalakua, near Makena on Maui, where he was employed as a laborer. He served as a Private First Class in the National Guard.
Ezera died of tuberculosis on July 7, 1918, at the Department Hospital in Honolulu, while still in service. He was buried at Schofield Barracks, the U.S. Army’s major installation on Oahu.
His name is inscribed on the bronze plaque at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, honoring those from Hawaiʻi who gave their lives during World War I.
Sources:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/281444202/ephraim-hiram-ezera#view-photo=315591232
