SUMMER 2017 | VOL. 23, NO . 2 Ellison Onizuka Remembrance at the JCCH “Every generation has the obligation to free men’s minds for a look at new worlds…to look out from a higher plateau than the last generation. (L-R) Deron Matsuoka, Claude Onizuka, Shirley and George Matsuoka. Your vision is not limited by what your eye can see, but by what your mind can imagine. Many things that you take for granted were considered unrealistic dreams by previous The new section of the historical gallery features photos of Ellison generations. If you accept these past accomplishments Onizuka, a space suit from astronaut Fred Haise of Apollo 13, a 9-ft model of the Challenger Space Shuttle, and the state’s only moon rock available as commonplace then think of the new horizons that you for public viewing. The collection is based upon the Ellison Onizuka Space can explore.” Center exhibition that was housed at the Kona International Airport. In – ELLISON ONIZUKA 1980 the coming month, the collection will be expanded to include additional personal items belonging to Ellison Onizuka. On Saturday, June 24th, the 71st birthday of Ellison Onizuka, JCCH and “We’re pleased to bring the Ellison Onizuka Space Center collection the Onizuka Memorial Committee dedicated the Ellison Onizuka space out of storage and into the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s historical collection in JCCH’s historical gallery, Okage Sama De: I am what I am exhibit,” said Claude Onizuka, Chair of the Onizuka Memorial Committee. because of you. “The Onizuka Memorial Committee is committed to preserving the memory “We are honored to be entrusted with the story of Ellison Onizuka, of Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka, who exemplified the highest aspirations of the Hawai‘i’s astronaut,” said Carole Hayashino, president and executive men and women of the space program. Working together with the JCCH, director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. “Ellison epitomized we hope to honor Ellison’s memory and inspire the next generation.” the meaning and spirit of Okage Sama De and he continues to inspire all The blessing and dedication was witnessed by 120 invited guests of us to work to make the world a better place.” including Governor George Ariyoshi, Consul General Yasushi Misawa, Participating in the blessing and dedication were Ellison’s brother, JCCH board members, and representatives from Fukuoka Kenjin Kai, Claude, sister, Shirley Matsuoka, brother in law, George Matsuoka, and Ellison’s family prefecture, Mrs. Fussy Nagai and Mr. Bert Kobayashi. Also board members of the Onizuka Memorial Committee. Representing NASA participating in the opening ceremony was Boy Scout Troop 49, Bishop was Col. E. Michael Fincke, U.S. astronaut. Eric Matsumoto of Honpa Hongwanji and Kahu Kelekona Bishaw. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 4) 2017-2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CA H IRMAN OF THE BOARD A T-LARGE DIRECTORS C HRISTINE KUBOTA J ODI NOZOE CHANG VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY MARK IBARA RoNald HayaSHI DANIEL KAMITAKI VICE CHAIR KEN HAYASHIDA WilliaM KANEKO MITCHELL NISHIMOTO TRE ASURER/VICE CHAIR RDEI HokaMA SHANNON OKINAKA (BACK ROW, L-R) Mitchell Nishimoto, Ken Hayashida, Eugene Nishimura, Ronald Hayashi, VICE CHAIR DARREN ota Mark Ibara, Daniel Kamitaki, Scott Yagihara, Reid Hokama, Ben Pulmano, Darryl Nakamoto. L NEIGH-AN MIYASATO BEN PULMANO (FRONT ROW, L-R) William Kaneko, Jodi Nozoe Chang, Christine Kubota, Carole Hayashino, VICE CHAIR Scott yagihaRA Leigh-Ann Miyasato, Shannon Okinaka. DRLAR Y NakaMoto Kaua‘i Representative VICE CHAIR EUE GEN NISHIMURA Aloha! WOW – what a great FY2016/2017 Hawai‘i Representative this was for this JCCH Chair! In June, JCCH received a significant gift 2017-2018 BOARD OF GOVERNORS from the Onizuka Memorial Committee. Thank you for a wonderful experience. It We are pleased and honored to present the started out with a bit of skepticism to fill D RAVID A AKAWA DR. BRENNON MoRIOKA story of Hawai‘i’s astronaut, Ellison Onizuka, former JCCH Chair Brennon Morioka’s big DAVID ASANUMA DEbbiE Nakagawa as part of our larger historical exhibition, shoes but working with new Board members COUNCILMEMBER DR. BLAIR ODO LCARO FUKUNAGA Okage Sama De: I am what I am because of Jodi Nozoe Chang, Ron Hayashi, Daniel DR. DENNIS OGAWA DOUGLAS GOTO you. With over 6,000 children and students Kamitaki and Christopher Yasuma, I think we CURT OTAGURO LEIGHTON HARA visiting JCCH each year to learn the history did a pretty good job. I’d like to truly thank COUNCILMEMBER SUSAN HARAMoto TEOR V R OZAWA of Japanese in Hawai‘i, Ellison’s life will help Diane Murakami and Lori Teranishi for their DEAN HIRATA T. RayMOND SEKIYA us to educate and inspire the next generation years of service and leadership on the Board. AKIO HOShiNO GARRETT SERIKAWA of “adventurists, explorers…the innovative, I know they’ll continue to support JCCH. KATHRYN INKINEN JAY SUEMORI imaginative, and doers of this world.” We Otsukaresama and arigato¯! WAYNE IShihaRA DON TAKAKI are grateful to work with the Onizuka I would also like to introduce the newest WAYNE KAMITAKI SENATOR BRIAN TANIGUCHI Memorial Committee to honor the memory Board members — William Kaneko, Darren COUNCILMEMBER TYLER TOKIOKA of Col. Ellison Onizuka. Ota, and Ben Pulmano — who will bring new ANN KOBAYAShi RoNALD UShijiMA JCCH also celebrated the Spirit of energy and ideas to the Board of Directors. JANE KOMEIJI SENATOR GLENN WAKAI Aloha and honored Norman and Mabel Welcome! All of us at the Cultural Center AKEMI KUROKAWA SUSAN YAMada Hashisaka of Kauai Kookie, Kenny and are dedicated to making JCCH a place to COLBERT MatSUMOTO Chizuko Endo of Taiko Center of the Pacific, showcase our Japanese American heritage Dean Okimoto of Nalo Farms, JTB Hawai‘i Hawaiian-style. STF AF and JCCH Gift Shop Visionaries Barbara I hope our members and friends were PRESIDENT AND T OKioKA HeritAge Ishida, Florence Shibano, Ethel Hasegawa, able to enjoy our Things Japanese Sale, book EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESOURCE CENTER CAL RO E HAYASHINO MANAGER Ethel Yamane, Barry Masuo and Miriam Fujita events (Picture Bride, Picture Bride Stories, hayaI SH [email protected] M ARCIA KEMBLE in June. We were deeply saddened by the and Cara’s Kindness), mochitsuki (rice (808) 945-7633 EXT. 23 KL@EMB E JCCH.COM (808) 945-7633 EXT. 34 unexpected passing of honoree and JCCH pounding to make mochi) and of course our DIRECTOR OF FINANCE volunteer Miriam Fujita just prior to the Gala. signature New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival. The year CA ROLINE OKIHARA EDUC ATION & culturAL [email protected] SPECIALIST Our deepest condolences to Miriam’s family went by very quickly but it ended with two (808) 945-7633 EXT. 33 D ERRICK IWATA iwata @JCCH.COM with our gratitude for their support of JCCH. significant events — our annual Gala and the DIRECTOR OF (808) 945-7633 EXT. 25 As President and Executive Director of addition of the Ellison Onizuka Remembrance COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT director of progrAMS the JCCH, I continue to be inspired by the Collection to our historical gallery. The Cultural DENISE TAGOMORI PARK AE UDR Y KANEKO work of our honorees and volunteers. Their Center has many great stories and we must pa [email protected] PG RO [email protected] (808) 945-7633 EXT. 27 (808) 945-7633 EXT. 28 years of selfless service to the community continue to gather and collect such stories EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / GITP F SHO MANAger give meaning to Ellison’s words, “Your vision to share with the community. I hope you will director of operATIONS KEN YOSHIDA is not limited by what your eye can see, but continue to support our efforts into the future. M ICHELLE MIYASHIRO [email protected] [email protected] (808) 945-7633 EXT. 39 what your mind can imagine. Make your life The Summer Craft & Collectibles Fair (808) 945-7633 EXT. 30 STAFF ASSOCIATES count, and the world will be a better place is ongoing — August 12 and September 9! ACCOUNTING speciALIST JAR NE KU AHARA because you tried.” Please stop by and get a piece of Noritake LA EI NNE FUJIMURA BETSY YOUNG F [email protected] chinaware and get a glimpse of the MOON (808) 945-7633 EXT. 29 ST AFF EMERITA BAA RB RA ISHIDA Sincerely, ROCK while you’re at it! We are many things PROGRAMS & to many people! 今年度もよろしくお願いいたします。 PGift SHO AssistANT T OKioKA HeritAge LARSEN MIHO RESOURCE CENTER O MIH @JCCH.COM (808) 945-7633 EXT. 42 Sincerely, (808) 945-7633 EXT. 22 CAROLE HAYASHINO G ALLERY/GIFT SHOP PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANT (808) 945-7633 EXT. 43 joNathaN LUM L [email protected] (808) 945-7633 EXT. 48 CHRISTINE KUBOTA CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS MISSION STATEMENT: To be a vibrant resource, strengthening our diverse community by educating present and future generations in the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. We do this through relevant programming, meaningful community service and innovative partnerships that enhance the understanding and celebration of our heritage, culture and love of the land. To guide us in this work we draw from the values found in our Japanese American traditions and the spirit of Aloha. SO¯ GETSU Ikebana by IN ThiS ISSUE Dan Labeff 夏 SUMMER 2017 A Tribute to Ellison Onizuka JCCH and the Onizuka Memorial Committee honors Hawai‘i’s first astronaut with a new 1 addition to the historical gallery. Upcoming Events Check out our upcoming events and mark your calendars! 6 Mahalo for Your Support of the Sharing the Spirit of Aloha Annual Gala! Highlights from this year’s big event. 8 Remembering History Through the Taiko Drum Dharma talk by Bishop Hirai of Nichiren Mission 11 In the Gift Shop Check out some of our featured items and 14 mark your calendar for the upcoming Things Japanese Sale! CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: David Asanuma Ryan Kawamoto Janna Lau Ray Tabata (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) Ellison Onizuka Remembrance at the JCCH The JCCH wishes to acknowledge a number of individuals and supporters who made the Onizuka Remembrance possible including Dr.