Adam is a fourteen-year-old "navy brat" who has spent his entire life moving from base to base. Deeply influenced by his father's strict military expectations, he constantly strives to meet demanding standards while living under the pressure of representing the navy. When thrust into the sudden violence of the Pearl Harbor attack, he must navigate an unprecedented crisis while taking on new adult responsibilities to protect his family and survive the chaos.

Davi is an outgoing, intelligent high school student born in Hawaii to Japanese parents. Proud of his American identity, he recently won an essay contest on the subject, though his heritage makes him a target for prejudice in the tense climate of 1941. His friendship with Adam introduces new perspectives that challenge the strict military and social views Adam was raised with.

Emory is a naval lieutenant stationed on the USS *Arizona*. A strict and demanding disciplinarian, he expects his family to reflect his military values at all times and holds rigid prejudices regarding who his son should associate with. He takes immense pride in his career, having enlisted at age fourteen, but his authoritative code of conduct often creates an emotional barrier between him and his son.

Marilyn is Adam and Bea's mother, navigating life as a military wife who moves frequently from base to base. While she upholds the household rules, she takes a more relaxed and playful approach than her strict husband. In the face of a crisis, she steps into a calm leadership role, providing a safe haven for her neighbors and displaying unexpected resilience.

Bea is Adam's younger sister. Due to her young age, she is largely innocent of the adult conflicts and global tensions surrounding her family. She possesses an untainted affection for those who care for her and relies heavily on her older brother and mother for comfort and protection.

Martin is a tall, robust Indigenous Hawaiian teenager who befriends Adam and Davi. Proud of his heritage, he frequently incorporates Native Hawaiian heroic figures into his conversation. He joins Adam and Davi on an early morning fishing trip that unexpectedly places them in the center of a military strike.

Koniko is the Pelko family's nanny, primarily responsible for caring for young Bea. As a woman of Japanese descent, her position in the household highlights the different ways the Pelko parents view employment versus social relationships.

Mr. Mori is Davi's father, a Japanese immigrant who has lived in Hawaii for twenty years but has been denied US citizenship. He is highly proficient in mechanics and generously uses his welding equipment to repair Adam's bike free of charge.

Hideko is the gardener and groundskeeper for the Pelko household. Like Koniko, Hideko is of Japanese descent, maintaining the property while navigating the social complexities of the island.

Rinaldi is a sailor who works desperately alongside Adam to pull stranded, oil-covered men from the harbor waters. He and Adam share a surreal moment of brief respite while trying to clean themselves in the barracks.

Brown is a member of the grounds crew at Hickman Field who survives a sudden plane crash during the attack by bailing out with a parachute. Shaken but unhurt, he rides alongside Adam in a commandeered Jeep toward Honolulu.