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MAY 2012 | VOL. 18, NO. 2 LEGACIES Honoring our heritage. Embracing our diversity. Sharing our future. LEGACIES IS A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAI`I, 2454 SOUTH BERETANIA STREET, HONOLULU, HI 96826 Years of Honoring, Embracing, and Sharing Hawai‘i A group of representatives from the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of 2454 South Beretania Street Commerce (HJCC) and Honolulu, HI 96826 the owner of Stonecraft tel: (808) 945-7633 with the shishi (lion/dog) fax: (808) 944-1123 that still sits in front of the email: [email protected] Japanese Cultural Center website: www.jcch.com of Hawai‘i offices today. Theshishi were originally Follow us on Facebook, OMMERCE C mounted in front of the Twitter and YouTube old HJCC building for protection. The shishi HAMBER OF OF HAMBER C were made in the 1960s OFFICE HOURS by Stonecraft. ANESE ANESE Monday–Friday P 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sunday, ONOLULU JA ONOLULU GALLERY HOURS H Tuesday–Saturday June 3, 2012 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 11:00 am Join us as we kick off RESOURCE CENTER HOURS our year-long 25th Wednesday–Friday OF COURTESY PHOTO anniversary celebration 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. “Has it been 25 years already? It seems Through the support of our members, with the unveiling of Saturday like only yesterday the members at volunteers and friends, the Cultural the newly renovated 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Okage Sama De: I am the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Center has grown to become a corner- what I am because of Commerce were huddled around a table stone in the community and stewards GIFT SHOP HOURS you Historical Gallery. to develop the concept of what the of Japanese American history providing Please RSVP to Michelle Tuesday–Saturday Japanese Cultural Center should be,” a number of iconic events, programs Miyashiro at (808) 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. said Ron Ushijima, vice chair of the and historic preservation projects. 945-7633 Ext. 30 or at JCCH Board of Directors. “All turned [email protected]. Mission Statement: Continued on page 6 out well. We’ve come a long way. I know To be a vibrant resource, the programs and ideals that the strengthening our diverse community Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i by educating present and represents will continue to benefit our future generations in the evolving future generations.” Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. We do this through On May 28, 1987, the birth of a new relevant programming, meaningful direction and a giant step toward the community service and dreams of our founders emerged as the innovative partnerships that Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i was enhance the understanding and incorporated under the laws of the State celebration of our heritage, of Hawai‘i as a non-profit corporation. culture and love of the land. Twenty-five years later, the dream to To guide us in this work we draw create a permanent home to preserve from the values found in our our history and perpetuate the Japanese Past JCCH board chairs Walter Tagawa, Yoshiharu Satoh, Hideto Kono, Japanese American traditions and American culture is alive and well. and George Iwahiro at the grand opening of Phase I. (February 1992) the spirit of Aloha. Dear JCCH Family and Friends, Aloha Volunteers and Supporters: A friend recently asked how I survived As my chairmanship of the Japanese Cultural my first 100 days at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i comes to an end, I would Center of Hawai‘i. Any new job presents be remiss if I didn’t take a moment and reflect a mix of uncertainty and excitement. upon the many memories all of you have given My transition has been no different me these last two years. I never imagined the except for the extraordinary support significance of this appointment and how from members and volunteers and warm it would enrich my life forever. I have great welcome by an energetic staff prepared for change. memories and experiences that I will cherish long after I leave this position. I value my new friends that have I’ve attended many community events such as the helped our center throughout this journey. Our Cultural Center Honolulu Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Gala, is in good hands and financially stable. This year marks our 25th Hiroshima and Fukuoka Kenjin Kai Shinnen Enkai. anniversary and I look forward to celebrating it with all of you. I’ve represented JCCH at the Day of Remembrance, served Sacrifices by so many volunteers and prominent business men on a Hawai‘i Museums Association panel to discuss the and women have bestowed us with a great responsibility to carry World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, and on this legacy for generations to come. appeared before Hawai‘i State Senate and House committees I would like to thank our Board of Directors for their outstand- to support Senate Bill 2678 to preserve Honouliuli. ing leadership and commitment to our community. I would also I’ve had a chance to meet many of you and realize that I still like to acknowledge former President Lenny Yajima Andrew for need to introduce myself to many more. It was fortuitous teaching me the true meaning of Okage Sama De and our new to meet Wally Teramoto and his son, Dean, in my first two president, Carole Hayashino, for a refreshing and positive look at the future of our center. weeks. Through Nisei Cleaning Services, the Teramotos transformed our administrative offices with new carpeting. Thank you to past board members Lee Moriwaki, Wayne Kamitaki We strengthened ties with friends in Hilo. The Hawai‘i and my good friend Donn Ariyoshi for sharing your wisdom Japanese Center and University of Hawai‘i at Hilo helped and mana‘o. Your guidance has been invaluable and appreciated. us launch the book, Family Torn Apart: The Internment I’d also like to pay special thanks to Chief Operating Officer Story of the Otokichi Muin Ozaki Family. Hawaiian Airlines Neil Takekawa who has been such a wonderful board and staff graciously hosted me and JCCH Chairman Curt Otaguro member over the past several years. A big thank you to Mr. Ron as guests on its inaugural flight to Fukuoka. Ushijima who has served the center in some capacity since our inception 25 years ago. Ron’s presence will be sorely missed but The first 100 days have been a whirlwind and I know the we are excited that Howard Hanada will be replacing him real challenge lies ahead. For this, I look forward to your as the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce perpetual continued support and guidance. On Sunday, June 3, we board member. I would also like to acknowledge Ray Ono and will kick off our year-long 25th anniversary celebration First Hawaiian Bank for encouraging me to get active and serve with the unveiling of the newly renovated historical on the board to enrich my Japanese American experience. exhibition Okage Sama De: I am what I am because of you. To our wonderful staff and volunteers at JCCH, thank you We will be expanding our cultural activities for children, for your tireless effort and passion to keep our center, one of developing educational outreach to neighbor islands and the best in the country. Thank you for enriching my life and continuing our efforts to preserve Honouliuli and the core values. I am honored to turn over your center to incoming World War II confinement sites in Hawai‘i. I invite you to Chairman, Tyler Tokioka. He will do a great job. I am forever join me in making the next 100 days and beyond a success! grateful that all of you have allowed me to be your leader and part of our Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Dōmo Aloha, Arigatō Gozaimasu! Aloha, Carole Hayashino President/Executive Director Curt Otaguro Chairman of the Board 2 Dear Fellow Volunteers, Thank you for all of your outstanding support of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i throughout the years. Your time and dedication are valuable to our institution, and without your chūgi (loyalty) the Cultural Center would not be the vibrant community resource that it is. Thanks to your generous sense of duty, the Cultural Center has reached a historic milestone. This year, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i will commemorate the 25th year of incorporation in the State of Hawai‘i as a non-profit institution. Since the Cultural Center has been founded, each volunteer has been summoned to contribute their skills, talents, and time to this institution in an effort to uphold traditional values, and be active participants in the preservation of history. Your valuable contributions help perpetuate the Japanese American culture and sustain the myriad of public programs the Cultural Center offers the community. Mahalo for your continued support, Angela Ameling Volunteers/Grants Coordinator Volunteers Needed If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact Angela Put your interests and skills to Ameling at [email protected] work with volunteer activities or (808) 945-7633 Ext. 35. we know you will enjoy! We try We would be thrilled to have to match interests, abilities and you join the JCCH ‘ohana. skills with Cultural Center needs. Volunteer receptionists are needed Our volunteers help in areas such on Friday mornings and Tuesday as event support, collections and afternoons. If you are interested curation, guided tours, office work, in this volunteer opportunity, gallery/gift shop, and any area of please contact Angela Ameling special skills where you feel your at [email protected] or support is best situated.