JANUARY 2009 | VOL. 15, NO. 1 LEGACIES Honoring our heritage. Embracing our diversity. Sharing our future. LEGACIES IS A PUBLICATION OF THE JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAI`I, 2454 SOUTH BERETANIA STREET, HONOLULU, HI 96826 ComeTHE YEARcelebrate OF THE 2454 South Beretania Street Honolulu, HI 96826 tel: (808) 945-7633 fax: (808) 944-1123 Ox KIKAIDAMANIA ‘09 OFFICE HOURS Return of the Kikaida Brothers! Monday - Saturday MEET HAWai’i’s FAVORITE 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. JAPANESE SUPERHEROES! GALLERY HOURS Two 30-minute shows with Tuesday - Saturday audience participation. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 11 A.M. AND 2:30 P.M. RESOURCE CENTER HOURS See page 7 for more information. Wednesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Actor Ban Daisuke, GIFT SHOP HOURS who starred in Inazuman and Tuesday - Saturday Kikaida, will be 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. available to sign autographs. Mission Statement: To be a vibrant resource, strengthening our diverse community by educating present and future generations in the evolving New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. We do this through Sunday, January 11, 2009 • 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. JAPANESE CULtural Center of Hawai‘i relevant programming, meaningful - community service and & MO‘ili‘ili FIELD innovative partnerships that FREE ADMISSION enhance the understanding and PARKING: A complimentary shuttle service will run between the parking celebration of our heritage, structure at the University of Hawai‘i at Ma-noa and the Japanese Cultural culture and love of the land. Center of Hawai‘i throughout the day. To guide us in this work we draw For more information, call the Cultural Center at (808) 945-7633, from the values found in our email at [email protected] or go to www.jcch.com. Japanese American traditions and For more on the New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival, check out pages 6 and 7. the spirit of Aloha. ai ofL the centerove Dear Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i ‘Ohana, Dear Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i ‘Ohana, Shinnen Akemashite Omedetō Gozaimasu! Happy New Year! We are most grateful to you, our valued members, for your continued support of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i through your membership and donations, volunteerism, and attendance at the I hope you’ve been able to find some time to Cultural Center’s events. To you, Okage Sama De.* If you have not already done so, please take a look at enjoy and appreciate the holiday season with our annual report — a separate insert in our November 2008 issue of Legacies. We are pleased to have friends and loved ones. The New Year is the reported a sound fiscal year 2007-2008, thanks to the Cultural Center’s members and visitors, as well perfect opportunity to give thanks for the as our commitment to financial prudence at all levels, at all times. The 2008 calendar year was filled blessings bestowed upon us, as well as a time for with an array of exceptional programs and offerings – some of significant historical importance – in thoughtful reflection and steadfast resolutions addition to our signature annual events. The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i is fortunate to have for the New Year. received Federal, State and City funding, as well as generous donations from individuals and businesses in support of these programs. One current project the Cultural Center hopes you will participate in is At the Cultural Center, we see 2009 as a year the California Hotel and Casino: Hawai‘i’s Home Away From Home book fundraiser and historical exhibit of continued opportunity. As we look ahead, launched in November 2008. Your visit with family and friends to the Community Gallery (through we strive to work diligently toward achieving January 23) and/or book purchase to understand the connection between the Cal and Hawai‘i – financial stability in this tough economic times, especially the local Japanese Americans – is greatly appreciated. The book and exhibit tell a warm story as well as offer new and engaging programs, of hard work, perseverance, loyalty, and the spirit of Aloha, and thus are a fitting welcome to 2009, the activities and exhibits that carry out our mission Year of the Ox – a sign of prosperity through fortitude, discipline, and work ethic. of sharing the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. As we welcome this Ox year, it’s hard not to reflect on the events of 2008 which signaled the beginning of the current downturn in our economy. We hope that you, our valued members are prepared to As we herald in the Year of the Ox at the weather what this year brings. With this in mind, I’d like to remind you of the values, ingrained in the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, the Board Issei – first generation Japanese immigrants to Hawai‘i – who, along with their fellow immigrants of Directors and I want to thank our volunteers from other countries, endured hardships most of us will never experience. The Issei did their best to and members for your continued support and instill these values upon their children, the Nisei (second generation). For those of us Sansei and Yonsei generous contributions. Mahalo for all of your (third and fourth generations) growing up with extended family, many of these values were household support and we look forward to working with words. While values like these are a common thread among every ethnic group, the ones below are in and for you in the many exciting activities the words of the Issei. The kanji (Japanese characters) for these values are etched in the value markers planned at the Japanese Cultural Center of which grace the entrance to the Cultural Center’s Historical Gallery exhibit entitled Okage Sama De. The Hawai‘i this New Year. heading reads: “Values create a people and help them survive and thrive.” I hope the power of these words and their meanings will resonate with you, and help us all ganbaru through any challenges that may come our way. Aloha, Kōkō (Filial Piety); On (Debt of Gratitude); Gaman (Quiet Endurance); Ganbari (Perseverance); Shikata Ga Nai (Accept with Resignation); Kansha (Gratitude); Chūgi (Loyalty); Sekinin (Responsibility); Haji/Hokori (Shame/Pride); Meiyo (Honor); Giri (Sense of Duty); Gisei (Sacrifice) Eric K. Martinson Chairman, Board of Directors Today’s Thought is dedicated to you – who in spite of the current economy have signed on as new members or Legacy members, have renewed your membership, have sent in your generous monetary and in-kind donations, and who have given of your precious time to volunteer for the Japanese TODAy’s ThoughT Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. LIFE’S GREAT LESSON Aloha, A woman said: “I came to Hawai‘i because I grew tired of the squirrel cage existence in a Mainland city. I did very well in business there. I made lots of money. But I wanted Lenny Yajima Andrew to get something more out of life than President/Executive Director a paycheck. I have come here to find a life of service.” *Okage Sama De— “I am who I am because of you” The Reverend Paul S. Osumi 2 JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAI‘I Resource Center HOURS: Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. CALIFORNIA HOTEL AND CASINO California Hotel & Casino: Hawai‘i’s Home Away from Home opened in the SATURDAY Community Gallery on November 13, 2008 with a reception highlighted by an appearance by William S. Boyd, co-founder of Boyd Gaming and the SERVICE current executive chairman of the company. Also debuting on that date was the book of the same name authored by Dennis M. Ogawa and John We are happy to M. Blink. The exhibition, which includes text and photo panels, California announce that the Hotel and Hawai‘i gambling related objects, art objects, and two videos, Resource Center will be on display until January 23. Designed to travel, the exhibition will will be open on Boyd Gaming executive chairman go to neighbor island venues this year. The exhibition was sponsored William S. Boyd speaks at the Saturdays from by Hawaii Air Cargo, Kyo-Ya Hotel & Resorts, Nippon Golden Network, opening reception for California 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Vacations–Hawaii. Hotel and Casino: Hawai‘i’s Home effective immediately. Away from Home. This will allow school children and those who work during the week to have greater access to our resources. We will continue to be open on Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well. Authors Dennis M. Ogawa and John M. Blink sign books Playing card themed paintings by Keiko Bonk augment the at the opening reception. gambling related objects, photographs, and text panels. ECHO As part of the federally funded Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations Program (ECHO), the Resource Center has been working on a project to bring the lessons learned about the internment of Japanese Americans from Hawai‘i to our schoolchildren. A large component of this project is an effort to craft instructional units out of the World War II Hawai‘i Internees Experiences Resource Folders (see the November 2007 edition of Legacies for more on these folders). We will be working with four top state Department of Education schoolteachers who will be writing the units for three different high school level classes: Participation in Democracy, U.S. History, and Modern History of Hawai‘i. The teachers include Lorey Ishihara of Kahuku High School, Donald N.