Haisai OAA News 北米沖縄県人会四季報 March 2013 ● No. 78 2013年3月 ● No. 78 In This Issue: OAA New Years Party President’s Corner 2 by Joseph Kamiya Martial Arts Committee 3 The Okinawa Association of America hiro. Edward and Joan were both selected celebrated the New Year with our annual for their contributions as 2012 OAA Board Natsukashi no Kohakuˉ Uta 3 Shinnen Enkai (New Year’s Party) at the Members, their volunteerism at all of our Gassen beautiful Quiet Cannon Banquet Room in events, and their dedication to our Com- The Legend of Hagoromo 3 Montebello. Nearly 670 OAA members, puter Class (Joan is the chairperson and relatives, and friends gathered to enjoy Edward acts as the technical advisor). 語やびらウチナーグチ 4 a delicious lunch and welcome our new They received Certificates of Recognition 国吉信義さんを選出 4 board members, officers, chairpersons, by Gardena Councilman Ronald K. Ikejiri and president. As always, talented per- and special volunteer awards were given 次期北米沖縄県人会会長 formers from the Geino-bu (Performing to Haruo Ishihara, Joseph Yoshimasu 国吉体制がスタート 北米沖縄県 5 Arts Committee), Martial Arts Committee Kamiya, and Richiko Nakashima. (MAC), and independent groups provided Steve Awakuni, the OAA’s Legal Advi- 人会新役員就任式 a rich showcase of Okinawan, Japanese, sor, led the official installation of our 2013 忘年会・カラオケ ナイトで会員 6 and Hawai’ian cultural arts. To add icing on board members, officers, chairpersons, の親睦と融和を図る the cake, we had a number of raffle prizes and president (see pages 2~3). 15 board to give away including the coveted round- members and 23 officers and chairper- Bunka-bu Lecture 7 trip tickets to Tokyo (each donated by IACE sons were introduced and welcomed, fol- Travel and Uyehara Travel) and an Apple lowed by an acceptance speech by our iPad Mini (donated by Kamiya Insurance 2013 President Shingi Kuniyoshi, who Agency). expressed great optimism for the future Calling all overdue items from the Charles & Yoshiko Kamiya Library! The OAA Kamiya The event began with a message from of the OAA. Honored guests Hisamori Library volunteers would like to remind folks 2012 OAA President Kimiko Goya and the Iwashita (president of the Nanka Kenjinkai to return any overdue books and videos Kaimaku (opening classical music perfor- Kyogikai/Japanese Prefectural Associa- as soon as possible. Contact Yuko for any mance). 22 sanshin, koto, and taiko musi- tion of Southern California) and Yoshio questions. cians and singers shared the stage to play Aoki (president of the Japanese Chamber 神谷図書館の係りからのお願いです。 “Bashi nu Tui,” “Esa Bushi,” and “Yuratiku of Commerce of Southern California) were 借 り た 本 、ビ デ オ、Ｄ Ｖ Ｄ な ど の 返 品 の 期 Bushi,” three songs linked by common also invited onstage to speak and led the 限を切れている場合、早めにお返しお themes of celebration and good fortune. Sake Barrel Ceremony. To top off the cer- 願い致します。ご質問がありましたら、県 Next, awards were given to our 2013 Man emonial portion of the afternoon, all Year 人会事務所までご連絡ください。 and Woman of the Year, Edward Kiyoshi of the Snake audience members (born in Kamiya and Joan Sumiko Kaneshiro Os- Continued on page 6 President’s Corner Shingi Kuniyoshi We kicked women. We have planned a variety of programs off the new I think our vitality comes from Okinawa’s for this year. Our Haisai News and online year with the historical and geographical backgrounds. newsletter Jigami-gwa list many weekly Shinnen Enkai There is an Okinawan word “Yuimaaru” and monthly events. In addition to annual and Officers meaning a cooperative spirit. The spirit events such as the picnic and scholarship Installation. comes from the agricultural village days presentation, Keiro Kansha, and golf and As always, where villagers pitched in labor and mate- bowling tournaments, we will have Utaya- we filled the rials for the benefit of their neighbors. We bira Wuduyabira performance by our Gei- Quiet Cannon have also an Okinawan word “Chimugu- no-bu in May (held every two years). In banquet room kuru”, meaning kindness for each other. July, we will host the second World Youth with over 600 We have carried on the spirit of Yuimaaru Uchinanchu Taikai. About 150 young Oki- attendees. All appeared to have enjoyed and Chimugukuru. nawans from around the world are expect- the day. I have been visiting the OAA of- The Okinawan spirit is abundantly ed come to Los Angeles and share their fice frequently and observed first hand shown in members’ volunteerism. At our concerns and strengthen their solidarity. that hundreds of man-hours are spent for bazaar last October, about 200 members So, we will be very busy this year. each OAA event. Thank you very much, donated materials, labor and money. And The OAA exists primarily for the benefit New Year’s Party Chair Mieko Shima and we netted $12,290 in profit, the most profit of the members, and the OAA is where volunteers. in our bazaar history. The first Tuesday you feel home. Attend our events, come We are said to be the most active and of each month is designated as a volun- to our center, check out books and CDs largest Kenjinkai in Los Angeles. Our teer day and about 15 volunteers regularly from our library, and meet your friends. membership counts 904 households as come to help clean our facilities. Every Tell us your opinions, proposals and even of November 2012, up 42 from the previ- day 3-5 volunteers come to our office to monku. Our monthly board meetings are ous year. I think that many factors con- help our staff. Our volunteers are moti- open to the members, and come see how tribute to our success. Our Geinobu cer- vated by love of Okinawan values. The the OAA is managed. Of course, we have tainly attracts many people, particularly strong sense of belonging and caring a lot of work ahead of us to improve and young people, and traditional Okinawan binds us and distinguishes us from other carry on our legacy. With your help, we women’s power sustains us. Out of 15 organizations. I feel I am fortunate for I can do a lot more. I truly believe that for board of directors, 11 are women, and out am surrounded by dedicated volunteers the Okinawa Association of America, the of 21 officers and chairpersons, 13 are and my job will be easy and rewarding. best is yet to come. 2013 Okinawa Association of America, Inc. Utayabira Board of Directors Wuduyabira Board of Directors Corresponding Secre- Karaoke Co-Chairperson Held on May 5th in Torrance, Tomiko Akamine, Ethel tary and Computer Class Setsuko Fujimoto CA, Utayabira Wuduyabira (which Asato, Setsuko Fujimoto, Chairperson Library Chairperson means, 'let's sing, let's dance' in Edward Kamiya, Shingi Joan Oshiro Junko Kawate the Okinawan dialect) is the Oki- Kuniyoshi, Nosho Miyagi, Treasurer Seisonen-Bu (Activities) nawa Association of America's Yoneko Nakamura, Vicky Ethel Asato Chairperson Performing Arts Committee (Gei- Oshiro Nishiuchi, Michiko Auditors Gen Kinjo no-bu) showcase of local Oki- Numata, Joan Oshiro, Mieko Aiko Tokunaga History Chairperson nawan musicians and dancers. Shima, Helene Shimane, Hiroshi Yamauchi Yukikazu Nagashima Sadao Tome, Yoshihiro Advisor and Uchinaaguchi Kajimaya Seniors Club Cost: $20 Tome, Yuko Yamauchi Class Chairperson Chairperson Chogi Higa Yoneko Nakamura President Advisor Karaoke Co-Chairperson Tickets can be purchased Shingi Kuniyoshi Sadao Tome Shoji Numata through the OAA office. Stop by Vice President and Build- Hospitality Martial Arts Chairperson during office hours or send your ing Chairperson Tomiko Akamine Eihachi Ota check (made payable to: OAA Edward Kamiya Scholarship Chairperson Fujinbu Women’s Associa- - Geinobu) and self-addressed Vice President and Chief Chairperson tion Chairperson stamped envelope to: Financial Officer Noriko Chung Mieko Shima Okinawa Association of America 16500 S. Western Avenue #203 Vicky Oshiro Nishiuchi Bunka-bu (Cultural Com- Geino-bu Performing Arts Recording Secretary mitee) Chairperson Chairperson Gardena, CA 90247 Helene Shimane Noriko Cuaron Yoshimichi David Shinjo Membership Chairperson (checks made payable to: OAA Yuko Yamauchi - Geinobu) 2 Haisai OAA News No 78 www.oaamensore.org ● Okinawa Association of America Martial Arts Committee (MAC) 2013 Committee OAA Annual Chairperson Treasurer Scholarship Sensei Eihachi Ota Sensei Michael DeDonado Vice Chairperson Secretary The OAA announces that appli- Sensei Michael George Sensei Nurys Saldana cations for the annual scholarship awards for the 2013 high school grad- Upcoming Events uates will be available soon. Applicant • March 10th: MAC Seminar at Centro School, 6950 Harrison Avenue, requirements include: De Ninios, 2010 Martin Luther King Eastvale, CA 92880. 1. Must be graduating high school Blvd., Riverside, CA 92507. It is at • June 2nd: Sensei Ota is hosting the in 2013 Bordwell Park behind the Baptist Okinawan Shorin Ryu Tournament. 2. Must be of Okinawan-descent Church. Rush Gymnasium, 1651 W 162nd 3. Parents or applicant must be • April 27th: Sensei Maria Evans and Street, Gardena. For more informa- OAA member(s) Sensei Michael George are hosting tion, please call (310) 217-0677. 4. Minimum 2.75 GPA the Callifornia State Karate Champi- onship for the USKK/USKA (United For additional information, please con- The awards will be based primarily States Karate do Kai/ United States tact the Martial Arts Committee at on academic accomplishments with Karate Alliance) at Ramirez Middle [email protected] due consideration given to extra-cur- ricular and community activities and financial needs. Ship of the Ryukyu's "The Legend of Hagoromo" by Joseph Kamiya The scholarship awards will be pre- sented at the OAA's Annual Picnic at – who made her theatre debut in a 1985 Whittier Narrows Recreation Park on rendition of “The Legend of Hagoromo” Sunday, July 7, 2013. (Haiyuza Theatre Company) – stated that the choreography and acting for this 2013 production was geared toward Western Deadline: June 3, 2013 audiences, thus having a more expressive element compared to the subtleties of tra- ditional Okinawan theatre.