May 2010 | VOL. 16, nO. 3 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 Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i Launches Colbert MatsuMoto, Campaign Chair, Okage Sama De: A Living Past Chairman of the board “Over the years I Legacy Campaign would ask my Issei grandmother what I could do for her magine a busy and vibrant Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i 2454 South Beretania Street and she would always where all who are interested in the Japanese experience in Honolulu, HI 96826 reply ‘No need do Hawai‘i can gather for classes, lectures, exhibits and programs. tel: (808) 945-7633 I nothing.’ After asking Imagine expanding opportunities to access the Resource Center’s fax: (808) 944-1123 her many more times, reference collection of books, photos, oral histories and archival web: http://www.jcch.com she finally shared her wish and said, ‘Just manuscripts through digitization, the Internet and traveling donate to the Japanese Cultural Center.’ Follow Us on exhibits. This vision for the future of the Japanese Cultural Center It was because of my grandmother’s simple Facebook and Twitter of Hawai‘i will be made possible with the launch of Okage Sama request that I became involved with the De (I am what I am because of you): A Living Legacy Campaign. Cultural Center and have become an The campaign, carefully planned over the last year will raise funds avid supporter.” OFFICE HOURS to help the Cultural Center to implement its long-term vision by Monday–Saturday expanding educational programs and services for our community Dr. Glenn anD Harriet MasunaGa, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. as well as establishing a capital reserve fund to ensure a well- long time Cultural Center Members maintained facility—while also remaining fiscally responsible. GALLERY HOURS Business executive Colbert Matsumoto has agreed to chair the Tuesday–Saturday $10 million campaign. He is past Chairman of the Board and 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. successfully led the Save the Center campaign in 2003. RESOURCE CENTER HOURS “The seeds that would lead to the founding of the Japanese Cultural Wednesday–Friday Center of Hawai‘i were sown over two generations ago when the 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Issei and Nisei set themselves to the tasks of survival as immigrants and strangers in a new land, later as internees and national heroes, Saturday “What I see hap pening, I like. The Cultural and later still to the responsibility of restoring cultural pride to 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Center is alive. I’d feel very sad if there themselves and their community, helping to shepherd Hawai‘i was no Cultural Center. I hope that it GIFT SHOP HOURS from territory to state. The importance of preserving local histories carries on for another 10, 20 years or more. and cultures in this contemporary age of globalization is that each Tuesday–Saturday I’m happy to see some of the programs are offers something unique to humanity,” explained Matsumoto. 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. for children that encourages them to want “The Cultural Center is a place where my children can learn about to learn more about the culture because the Japanese experience in Hawai‘i; the sacrifices of generations they are the ones who will carry on.” Mission Statement: that came before; and the values that inspired them to struggle, To be a vibrant resource, endure, and thrive. But preserving our cultural heritage can only be Jane KuraHara, staff emeritus, strengthening our diverse community achieved with the help of dedicated stewards,” added Matsumoto. resource Center Volunteer by educating present and “In the 15 years I’ve Stewards can be found among our membership, supporters and future generations in the evolving been volunteering in those interested in preserving the Japanese culture and evolving Japanese American experience the Resource Center, Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. In 2004, the Cultural I’ve really received in Hawai‘i. We do this through Center learned that the late Masumi Murasaki bequeathed his more than I’ve given. relevant programming, meaningful estate, comprised of a townhouse in Kahala. Mr. Murasaki was a It’s a personal community service and former cab driver for Charley’s Taxi in Honolulu who took pride in conne ction with the innovative partnerships that his Japanese heritage. people who come, enhance the understanding and In 2005, the late Rudolph and Yaeko Sukenik donated their estate whether to donate or search for their celebration of our heritage, to the Cultural Center. They had no children or siblings. Executing family genealogy or with questions about culture and love of the land. the wishes of the Sukeniks was attorney Ken Kuniyuki who said, culture. Connect ing with young people To guide us in this work we draw “Giving his estate to the Cultural Center was a very significant has made history come alive.” from the values found in our Japanese American traditions and (continued on page 7) the spirit of Aloha. Dear Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i ‘Ohana: One of the key responsibilities of the Board of Directors is to articulate the strategic vision of the organization and assist management in its implementation. Several years ago, it seemed the appropriate time ai for the Board to participate in a strategic retreat in an effort of the centerove to outline the Cultural Center’s goals for the next 20 years. L Believe it or not, it has been 23 years since the organization was incorporated! Dear JCCH ‘Ohana, determine its success.” With this in mind we hope you will all join us and our board Many good ideas were proposed and included into our strategic This is a very exciting time as we would —100% of whom have donated to our plan. Our vision revolved around three goals: (1) the Cultural like to formally announce the launch of campaign—to perpetuate and celebrate Center as a gathering place; (2) sharing our Resource Center; and (3) a well-maintained facility. our five-year, $10 millionOkage Sama De: our heritage, culture and traditions for A Living Legacy Campaign to provide future generations. Our next step was to determine how these ideas would be funds for program expansion and a capital implemented, the timeline and cost. The past three years have reserve fund. Since the Save the Center We are elated to welcome Denise Tagomori been spent preparing for and moving toward our goals. Last campaign eight years ago, the Cultural Park as our new Public Relations/ fall, the Board authorized a capital campaign feasibility study to determine whether there was community support for our Center has remained financially stable, Membership Manager. Denise’s sunny vision. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. In an effort to and has made significant progress in disposition and excellent credentials make balance both financial prudence and ensure our Cultural Center program offerings and capital improve- her a valuable addition to our staff ‘ohana. remains relevant for the next 20 years, we are announcing plans ments. To all of you who contributed in to embark on a five-year, capital campaign to raise $10 million. We would like to send a heartfelt mahalo any way to saving the Cultural Center, Colbert Matsumoto, former Chairman of the Board of the to Wayne Muraoka of Armstrong Builders, we can truly say okage sama de—we are Cultural Center and current CEO of Island Holdings, has agreed whose professional expertise has helped us to lead the effort as Campaign Chair. If you believe, as we do, what we are because of you. tremendously over the years. Wayne has that the Cultural Center is an invaluable asset to our community, As we look to the future, we envision a served on our Board as Chairman for both I encourage you to support our Okage Sama De (I am what I am because of you): A Living Legacy Campaign. Cultural Center bustling with activity— Membership and Facilities and Operations a real hub of the Nikkei (of Japanese committees. For the many of you who On a personal note, this will be my last Chairman’s letter. descent) Mo¯‘ili‘ili community and all who know our Chairman Susan Yamada, I’m pleased to announce that beginning in July, Curt Otaguro, please join me in thanking her for six very Executive Vice President of First Hawaiian Bank, has agreed are interested in our local Nikkei culture. to serve as your next Chairman of the Board. Curt has served as We would like to offer more cultural classes, productive years of serving on our Board a Board member for four years and brings extensive operational lectures and performances, movie screen- of Directors. Susan’s legacy is our Capital experience and financial discipline to the Cultural Center. ings, and a continuous flow of students Campaign, and for all her leadership from I know he will be an outstanding Chairman who will ably lead and other visitors to our Historical and envisioning to launching it, we must be the organization to new heights. Also joining the board in July Community Galleries, and Gift Shop. truly grateful. Farewell Susan and Wayne! are Bonny Amemiya, Chief Financial Officer at Anheuser-Busch We know you will continue to serve our and Brennon Morioka, Director of the State Department of Transportation. They both will bring a wealth of experience and We see the vibrancy of our organization community in many other ways.