www.huoa.org November/December 2007 Issue #111 Circulation 11,512 TH 25 OKINAWAN Sharing Uchinanchu FESTIVAL MAHALO Aloha By Jon Itomura, Festival Chair Grand Prize “Performance Art” was the eve of the Festival and all plans had been made, Kalakaua Avenue was filled for the International Okinawan Festival Parade. by Reid T Shimabukuro The parade participants came from the U.S., Brazil, near and far, many from Okinawa and some from nearby Waikiki bars. The parade made its way through thousands of waving bystanders, young, old “A performer from and many mainlanders. Okinawa prepares back- stage for her upcoming number.” What started as a humble idea from Roy Kaneshiro, has evolved into an annual celebration of culture and fellowship that continues to grow. But none of this can be done without the dedication of so many volunteers, the months of planning, discussion and fears. All come together on one weekend demonstrating undeniable conviction, to a culture requiring the assistance of all to accomplish Uchinanchu, Shimanchu, and Uminchu promotion, perpetuation and preservation. So Ippee Nifee Deebiru to everyone and to all please have a great year, for before we all know it, the next Okinawan festival will be here. Let us all hope and believe that together we will always strive, to view the Okinawan Festival as a symbol of Kizuna and keep the dreams of our heritage alive. But many in attendance were anxious, Kapiolani Park beckoned, they all knew that the Okinawan Festival was soon to be awakened. David Arakawa gave a great speech, Vice-Governor of Okinawa Nakazato was already impressed. The Aloha Party followed, all who attended felt the spirit of Kizuna refreshed. Saturday morning was alive with sunshine and energy, the participants and audience truly represented an impressive study in sociology. Odori, Eisa, Karate and Hula took to the stage, it didn’t matter who they were, where they came from, nor their age. The audience cheered, clapped, and marveled, as the amazing program was deli- cately unraveled. Diamond Head provided a backdrop for the festival that was nothing short of grand, not to forget the largest bon dance and the return of the awesome Rinken Okinawan dignitaries meet Mayor Hannemann during their visit to the 25th Okinawan Festival. (L-R): Band. Yoichi Seki, Treasurer of Urasoe City; Takeshi Gibu, Mayor of Kin Town; Zenki Nakazato, Vice Governor Hokama, Yamashiroya, Ikehara, the weekend had many heroes, Shiroma, Higa, of Okinawa Prefecture; Takeshi Onaga, Mayor of Naha City; Seiyu Arakaki, Mayor of Nishihara Town; Oshiro, Arashiro, Miyashiro and even a great emcee Cyrus Tamashiro. and Michael Gin, Mayor of Redondo Beach, California. (Photo by Tom Hisamura, City & County of Honolulu) Inside This Issue 25th Okinawan Festival Mahalo •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 1 Message from Jon Itomura •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 2 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Honolulu, HI Permit No. 659 Legacy Award Honorees/Sakima Center Dedication ••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 3 Uchinanchu Spotlight/Consul General Kunikata’s Visit •••••••••••••••••••• Page 4 Leadership Tour Reflections/Study Tour Report •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 5 Serikaku Chaya ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 6 Installation Banquet ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 7 Festival/Festival Photo Contest ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Pages 8-9 Ikuyu Madin: Capital Campaign •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Pages 10-11 Club News ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 12 Introducing Laura Nakasone/Ohana Ola O Kahumana •••••••••••••••••• Page 13 Recital: Afuso Ryu/Konkuuru ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 14 OPG Homestay/Reflections/Student Exchange/Uchinaa guchi ••••••• Page 15 Hawaii United Okinawa Association 94-587 Ukee Street Waipahu, Hawaii 96797 HUOA Schedule of Events/HOT Schedule ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 16 2 Uchinanchu November/December 2007 25th Okinawan Festival Chair Message UCHINANCHU Jon Itomura Iee Nifee Deebiru... Mahalo! t was truly an honor to receive the opportunity to Uchinanchu is our voice — the voice of the Hawaii United Okinawa Iserve as Chair for the 25th Celebration of the Okinawa Association, its members, and the “home” we all built together, the Hawaii Festival. It is beyond words to describe the efforts of Okinawa Center. By sharing information and experiences, Uchinanchu keeps so many dedicated volunteers who made the largest us connected as a family, dedicated to preserving, sharing and perpetuating Okinawan Festival possible. That we can all work through our Okinawan cultural heritage. all the issues and unanticipated surprises is both amazing and heartwarming and Every dollar donated — along with the valuable income from advertising allows me to believe that the Chimugukuru (true heart) of the Okinawa spirit still - helps offset the cost of publishing Uchinanchu. HUOA sends a sincere ippee runs strong through and beyond the Okinawan community here in Hawaii. nifee deebiru to the following donors. Mahalo for keeping Uchinanchu alive It is unfortunate that so many praises that were uttered over the weekend may and thriving. never be heard or documented for our volunteers to hear and see. All I have to offer is my sincere “Mahalo” and “Ippee Nifee Deebiru” for working together to educate and (July 1 to September 30, 2007) impress so many visitors from all over the island and the world. George and Eleanore Arakaki Kimiye Koide Ippee Ippee Nifee Deebiru Yoshiro Awakuni Charles Kubota Harue Lee ll traces of the 25th Okinawan Festival are now gone from Kapiolani Park. Mr. & Mrs. Takeo Azama It is hard to believe that just two months ago thousands upon thousands Grace C. Bush Grace Higa ofA people gathered to enjoy a special weekend with the Hawaii United Okinawa Yoshiko Chinen June H. Doolin Association. Kay Ginoza Michael Nohara Yuimaaru is a valuable Okinawan principle of mutual cooperation in which one Betsy S. Han Ethel K. Serikaku applies his or her efforts to a cause without expectation of any reward other than having the satisfaction of doing one’s best to fulfill a mission or goal, especially for In Memory of Yoshimori and Edith E. Shimabuku a friend in need. When our courageous issei, crossed the waters from Okinawa to Ernest K. Higa In Memory of Isao Shiroma begin a new life in these islands, practicing the principle of yuimaaru helped them Frederick T. Higa H. Rachel Shiroma to survive and maintain their ethnic identity. More than one hundred years later, Matsue S. Higa Jane S. Shiroma yuimaaru is still what fills the hearts and joins the hands of our community to put out its best for one of Hawaii’s largest and long-running ethnic events. Eiko Higa Misao Takara To the grand corps of volunteers who shared their time and resources to make Shigeo Higa Myrtle Terada the 25th Okinawan Festival, Ippee Nifee Deebiru. To the hundreds of performing Anonymous Kenyu Tokuda artists who gathered from across the east and west of the Pacific and Hawaii to D.I. Ishiara Stella Uehara showcase their talents of Okinawa’s unique aesthetic culture, Ippee Nifee Deebiru. Milton and Ethel Uehara To the dignitaries and friends who chartered a special flight from Okinawa, to fel- Morris S. Ishihara low Uchinanchu who trekked across the U.S. continent, South America and our Juliet Jakahi Maurice S. Uyehara neighbor islands to be a part of the celebration, Ippee Nifee Deebiru. To all of you George Kamimura Yukio Uyehara who help to market delectable konbu or write a name in beautiful brushwork, put Kimiko Kamiya Henry H. Wada together displays to introduce different aspects of Okinawa’s history and culture, Kenneth Y. Kaneshiro Walter S. Wauke Ippee Nifee Deebiru. To each and every one of you who offered an applause at the 25th Okinawan Festival, Ippee Nifee Deebriu. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Kawahara Mr. & Mrs. Frank Yamashiro All of you would proudly fill the hearts of our issei for applying yourself in the Kunie Kiyabu Seihan Tamashiro spirit of yuimaaru. Uchinanchu Hawaii United Okinawa Association’s bimonthly member newsletter, circulation 11,512 2008 Advertising Space Contract Please Kokua Production costs for Uchinanchu have escalated due to increases in ADVERTISER CONTACT INFORMATION circulation, labeling expenses and postage. Your contribution to help defray Company Name: some of the expenses is greatly appreciated. Address: Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss First Name Last Name City: State & Zip: Address Contact Name: Title: Telephone: Fax: First Issue Enclosed is my donation of $ Home Tel: Email address: Starts: AD SIZE & FREQUENCY Make your selection by circling ad size and frequency below. 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