July 2007 - Hawaii United Okinawa Association

Hui Okinawa Newsletter
JULY 2007
President’s Message
Wow, time sure flies by when you’re having
fun. Can you believe
half the year is gone
already. As usual, the
club has been busy
preparing, coordinating,
and organizing events
for you. In April, Hui
Okinawa’s Kobudo
Taiko took 1 st place
honors in the annual
Merrie Monarch Parade.
Congratulations to the
Taiko group for their outstanding job. In May, Hui
Okinawa hosted the annual Grad’s Nite celebration
at the Nani Mau Gardens. Honored were the
following: Kristen Uchima, Kristen Antonio,
Derek Namihira, Jill Suzuki, and Marlene Yafuso.
Hui Okinawa is proud of these young and bright
individuals and extends best wishes as they enter
the “real world”. Thank you to Roy Hokama and
Joni Urasaki for chairing this event. Special
congratulations to Kristen Uchima winner of the
Hui Okinawa and Jack and Otome Miyashiro
scholarships. In June, the annual Children’s Day
camp kept many youngsters learning about
Okinawan culture and having fun with old
plantation games. Thanks to Ruby Maekawa and
her very LARGE committee and volunteers who
put this event on.
Coming up on July 22, 2007 is our club
picnic at the Wailoa State Park Main Pavilion.
Chairperson Kris Ortegero promises a fun filled
event which includes rides on the Haari Boat.
Please plan to attend. Also coming up on Sunday,
September 9th at the Palace theatre, Hui Okinawa
will be hosting our first ever “Grandparents Day”.
The children of Hui Okinawa will be entertaining
all of you and the headline group will be Keith
Nakaganeku and Calabash.
If you are attending the HUOA Okinawan
Festival over the Labor Day weekend and can spare
to work in a booth for a couple of hours, please
contact me. Hui Okinawa will be assisting Hui O
Laulima with their booth as well as having our own
table within their cultural tent to promote our Haari
Boat Races coming up in 2008. Please contact me
at 895-1259 if you can help.
If you want to see more pictures from the
many Hui Okinawa events, please check out the
Hawaii United Okinawa Association website at
http://www.huoa.org and go to club news. Your
picture just might be there.
Finally, thank you for the many gifts and
warm wishes Jon and I have received for our new
baby. Jake Yoshio Tokuuke was born on Tuesday,
June 26, 2007. Jake is named after the famous
Okinawan ukulele player, Jake Shimabukuo. We
truly appreciate everyone’s support as we enter
parenthood.
Aloha,
Patti Taira-Tokuuke, President
MENSORE!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Hui Okinawa Summer Picnic
Please come and join us for fun and friendship at Hui Okinawa’s Summer Picnic.
Date: Sunday, July 22, 2007
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Place: Wailoa State Park large pavilion
This is a potluck event, so be sure to share
your favorite dish and stories with us. There
will be lots of games, prizes, and fellowship.
Haari boat rides and try-outs will be available,
along with shaved ice and Okinawan tales.
Hui Okinawa will provide the rice, 2 main
dishes, some refreshments, and beverages.
Again, don’t forget – the date to remember is
Sunday, July 22, at the Wailoa State Park,
from 10 – 2.
JULY 2007
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
Page 2
2008 INTERNATIONAL HAARI BOAT FESTIVAL
IS A GO!!!
The 2008 International Haari Boat Festival
will be held during Admissions Day Weekend,
August 15 to 17, 2008. The Races will be held on
Saturday, August 16. Plans have been started for
the big event when we expect about 200 guests
from Okinawa. Mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro of
Nago City(sister city of Hilo), during his visit to
Hilo last November, indicated he would like to
bring the champion team of their Haari Boat Races
in early August of 2008 plus other Okinawan
guests. The President of Meio University in Nago
hopes to bring a dance group.
In preparation for the race, we will have a
dry run to take a Haari boat to Hui Okinawa’s
Summer Picnic this July 22 at Wailoa State Park.
So please plan to be there. It’ll be fun to see the
Haari boat on the water after 5 years of sitting at
the Liliuokalani Park.
Tentative plans for the 2008 festival weekend
include the races as well as food concessions, andagi
sale, country store, display of Okinawan items and
history, special T-shirt sale, a luau after the race,
and a golf tournament on Friday and Sunday.
Definite plans will be made and chair persons will
be asking you for help. There will be a World
Heritage Festival on Friday evening at the Mooheau
Park when the Okinawan guests will be
participating with other cultural groups.
A website in English and Japanese is being
set-up for world-wide publicity. All the information
about the festival will be posted as they are finalized.
Do encourage your friends and relatives from other
Haari boats from a previous race.
And off they go!
clubs and places to plan to come and participate:
form a team for the race, play golf or be a spectator.
If you have any suggestions to make for the
festival or want to see how you can help in the
planning please call Margaret Torigoe at 935-4071
or email her at [email protected]. All
suggestions are welcome.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Volunteer Host
Families Wanted
Okinawa is famous for its generous hospitality and when visitors from Hawaii go there, that
is especially true. In that spirit, Hui Okinawa is
looking for volunteer families who are interested in
hosting Okinawan students who come to Hilo to
study at Hawaii Community College or the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
The ability to speak Japanese is not needed
as the students will be here to study English. Host
families would be expected to assist the students in
settling in and familiarizing them with Hilo. Families would also be asked to look after students during holidays, if possible, and to bring them to club
events.
The goal of this program is to foster closer ties with
Okinawa, as well as make the Okinawan students
feel at home. If you are interested in being a host
family, please contact Lynn Namihira at 959-7809
or via email at [email protected] or
Kaweo Kanoho at 961-3464.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
JULY 2007
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
25th Annual
Okinawan Festival
Festival Chairperson Jon Itomura promises
that this year’s festival during the Labor Day
weekend will be the “biggest ever”. This year,
festivities will start on Thursday evening, August
30, 2007, at the Hawaii Okinawa Center with a
production by Mr. Daiichi Hirata. His production
will tell the story of Okinawa’s Father of
Emigration, Kyuzo Toyama. Then, from Friday
evening through Sunday festivities will move to its
usual location at Kapio‘lani Park. Confirmed to
perform during the long weekend includes the
“Rinken” band, an all girls group, “Hanayakara”,
and the Naha Eisa club. Make your hotel and car/
air reservations as soon as possible as rooms near
Kapiolani Park fill up fast.
Hui Okinawa has festival scrips on sale now
if you are planning to go to Oahu. Please contact
Nancy Nakaishi at 961-4677 to purchase the scrips.
If you are able to spare a few hours while at the
festival to help with manpower please contact
President Patti Taira-Tokuuke at 895-1259.
Page 3
at 18 received his teaching certificate for Okinawan
uta-sanshin. Most recently, Keith, along with other
sanshin performers, played at our Hui Okinawa
2007 Shinnen Enkai, and his band played at last
year’s Okinawan Festival at Kapiolani Park. In 2002
Keith entered the Frank B. Shaner falsetto contest
and placed second, singing his rendition of Blue
Darlin’. His group will be singing a mix of songs
from Okinawa, Japan and Hawaii.
Advance tickets are on sale for club members
for $12/adult and $10/children 10 and under and
will go on sale a little later for the general public,
so don’t wait - buy your tickets now. If you buy
the tickets at the door on the date of the
performance it will be $15. Complete the ticket
order form and mail in soon. Don’t miss this great
opportunity to spend the afternoon with your Hui
Okinawa family and friends. (payment form
available on next page)
Any questions, please call general
chairperson Patti Taira-Tokuuke at ph: 895-1259
or ticket chairperson Nancy Nakaishi at 961-4677.
Grandparents Day
Slated for September 9
Hui Okinawa is celebrating Grandparents
Day with an afternoon concert featuring various
cultural performances by the youth of Hui
Okinawa. Headlining the afternoon will be Keith
Nakaganeku and Calabash. This event will be held
on Sunday, September 9, 2007, at the historic Palace
Theatre in downtown Hilo. Doors will open at
1:30PM with the performances to start promptly
at 2PM.
The featured musical group will be Keith
Nakaganeku and Calabash. Keith is currently the
president of Nomura Ryu Ongaku Kyokai Hawaii
Shibu who recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary.
Keith is multi-talented, playing the sanshin and the
ukulele. Besides singing in English, he can sing in
Okinawan, Japanese, and Hawaiian. He has been
playing the sanshin since he was 10 years old and
Keith Nakaganeku and Calabash
EDITOR’S BOX:
If you would like to submit an article or
pictures to the newsletter: contact Lani
Yamami at [email protected] or
phone her at 959-7009.
JULY 2007
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
Grandparents Day
Palace Theatre
Sunday September 9, 2007
Return this form with payment no later than
August 24, 2007. Advance sale tickets will be
mailed upon receipt of your response and payment.
After August 9th, tickets will go on sale to the
general public. Tickets for everyone (Club members
and general public) will be $15 if purchased at the
door.
Please make check payable to Hui Okinawa and
mail to:
Hui Okinawa Grandparents Day
Attention: Nancy Nakaishi
190 Keawe Street, #33
Hilo, HI 96720
Name: ________________________________
Address: _______________________________
City: ________________ Zip Code: _______
Number of Adults:
_______ x $12= _______
Page 4
2007 GRAD NITE
CELEBRATION
On May 11th, we honored the graduating
high school and college students from our Hui
Okinawa club. This year’s annual Grad Night
celebration was held at Nani Mau Gardens and was
a huge success! The club honored Kristen Uchima
(Hilo High), Kristin Antonio (University of
Southern California), Derek Namihira (University
of Hawaii- Manoa Campus), Jill Suzuki (University
of Hawaii- Richardson Law School) and Marlene
Yafuso (University of Arizona).
MC’s for the night were co-chairs Roy
Hokama and Joni Urasaki. The informative guest
speakers were Chian Hsu (Assistant General
Manager) and Ken Fujiyama (Owner/General
Manager) of Nani Mau Gardens, Naniloa Volcanoes
Resort and Volcano House.
Thank you to all the Board of Directors and
members and family who attended. We would like
to encourage more members and future graduates
to attend next year as we honor the 2008 graduates!
Number of Children 5-10 years old:
_______ x $6 = _______
Total: $_________
Hui Okinawa news releases
Committee/Event chairs are requested
to submit information of the activity via email,
fax, or by arrangement to Lynn Namihira at
least one month prior to publicize the event,
and within one week following the event for
post-event coverage. News releases will be sent
to Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Uchinanchu,
Hawaii Herald, and Hawaii Pacific Press.
Articles may be sent to Lynn Namihira at
[email protected]. Photographs are
welcome and will add interest to the article.
Fax to Lynn at 981-2928. You may also
contact her at 959-7809 to arrange for
submissions.
Ken Fujiyama
Chian Hsu
Uchima Family
JULY 2007
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
Page 5
Uchima receives Hui Okinawa and Miyashiro scholarships
Kristen Marie Uchima is the 2007 recipient
of the Hui Okinawa High School Scholarship of
$1000 and the Jack and Otome Miyashiro
Scholarship of $2000. She is a graduate of Hilo
High School Class of
2007, and plans to
attend University of
Portland in the fall and
major in elementary
education. She is the
daughter of Lester and
Roxana Uchima, and the
granddaughter of Millie
and the late Masao
Uchima.
Scholarship recipient,
Kristen Uchima
Uchima excelled at Hilo High School –
outstanding in academics and extracurricular
activities. Her teachers describe her as a good
student, but, more importantly, as an eager and
curious learner. Her coaches describe her as
hardworking and being a good sport. Her advisors
all say Uchima’s strength lies in the area of
extracurricular activities, where her organizational
skills allow her to do everything she’s involved in
at the highest levels.
Uchima graduated from high school with a
3.85 cumulative grade point average. She did well
in the many Honors, Accelerated and Advanced
Placement classes she took, and was admired for
her self-motivation, active participation, and avid
interest in all of her courses.
In addition to her outstanding academic
achievements, Kristen was active in extracurricular
activities from her freshman year. As a senior, she
was president of the Hilo High Key Club, a planner
for the State of Hawaii Student Conference,
president of her Junior Achievement company, and
a class representative. She was also a member and
leader of organizations like Japanese Club, Art Club,
Math Club, National Honor Society, and Student
Government Association, and also worked on
numerous committees.
Aside from school, Uchima was involved
in Hui Okinawa activities and the Church of the
Holy Cross Youth Group. She helped with Warabi
Ashibi, Hui Okinawa’s Children’s Culture Day
Camp and Uchina Nu Takara Okinawa Culture
Festival. She is also a member of Hula Halau o
Kou Lima Nani e, and has participated in the
Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. She is current
president of the Dwight Takamine Youth
Leadership Program.
Uchima values and respects her Okinawa
heritage. She feels three main values of being
Uchinanchu are 1)honoring and respecting one’s
elders and ancestors, 2)treating others with warm
hospitality and generosity, and 3)taking pride in
one’s own heritage. Uchima has been taught these
traits from her infancy by her family – the Uchimas,
Nakasones, and Muramotos. When she traveled
to Okinawa with her family in 2006, she was very
impressed with the warm hospitality and generosity
extended to her even by strangers. With the first
meeting, she felt these people had been her friends
for a long time. Kristen is proud of her Okinawan
heritage and feels the Uchinanchu spirit and lifestyle
that have been instilled in her by her family will
help her and guide her in the future.
In an effort to create more avenues of
communication Hui Okinawa has created
an e-mail message group that will send
annoucements out when the club has
special guests or news to share with the
entire club. If you would like to join you
may go to http://groups.yahoo.com/
group/huiokinawa or contact Kaweo
Kanoho
at
961-3464
or
[email protected]
JULY 2007
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
Page 6
Children’s Cultural Day Camp 2007
Greetings of “Hai Sai!”, “Chäganjü!” and
“Mensöre!”, Ke-e-a-a-i! from the Karate groups, Taiko
and Shimedaiko drumming, Sanshin plucking out
“Asadoya Yunta” and anda-dog and andagi cooking
in the kitchen . . . these are some of the joyous sights
and sounds and aroma emitting from the Honpa
Hongwanji, Hilo Betsuin grounds as 48 youngsters,
ages 8 to 13, participated in the sixth annual Children’s
Cultural Day Camp held from June 10 to 15, 2007.
The camp is sponsored by Hui Okinawa, Hawaii
United Okinawan Association, and for a second year,
supported by a Hawaii County Non-Profit Grant.
Nihe Dëbiru” and “Guburi Sabira, Yäkai Ichabin.”
Potter, Warren Andrade of Honolulu, taught the
students the fundamentals of Raku Pottery. (2) Here,
students of Cynthia Inouye’s Sanshin group glaze their
pieces. A beautiful vase requires a beautiful flower
arrangement. Sue Okunami, an assistant teacher and
also a student of the Akenobo School of Ikebana,
(2)
Featured this year were the musical
instruments, the Tëku (Taiko) and Shimedaiko drums,
the Sanshin and the Kutu. The four student groups took
on one of these names and wore nametags bearing
sketched images of the “mascots”. Youth leader, Gerrie
Morishita, created the artwork.
Opening the first two days were brief cultural
presentations featuring the Kutu on Monday and the
Sanshin on Tuesday. On Monday morning, Shinshi
Shizu Akamine and her students, Carter Scofield,
Camille Scofield and Kaylee Hatada delighted the
campers with their renditions on the Kutu. Tuesday’s
opener featured Shinshi Amy Moyer, Brandi Antonio,
Steffi Stubblefield, Kayla Yamada, and Kolby Proctor,
and their instructor, Kathy Hughes, demonstrating the
dance motions to this beautiful song.
Some of the many FUN learning activities held
during the week are displayed in the following pictorial
format. (1) Sue Mukai’s advanced Uchinäguchi
students,
(1)
K e l s y
Nishimura,
K e l l i e
Iwasaki, Ty
Ya m a m o t o ,
and Casey
Chow prepare
to show the
audience
sentences
learned such
as “Kwatchi
sabitan. Ippe
(3)
inspired campers (3) Carmen Garson-Shumway and
(4) Brennan Yamamoto to create these masterpieces.
Okinawan cooking is always a favorite activity. Here,
(5) Killian Tomonaga (boy) and Sydney Layaoen (girl)
prepare the dough for Tumai Kuru Mochi under the
guidance of head cooking instructor, Myrtle Zukeran.
Ty Yamamoto, Casey Chow (6), Riana Arima, and
instructor Nancy Nakaishi make logs of the sweet
potato mixture in preparation for frying. (7) Okinawan
History, Cultural Artifacts and Story telling was an
informative session set up by Mildred Uchima and
delivered by Aileen Kaneshiro and Kaweo Kanoho.
The beautiful Shuri Castle and the Shuri No Mon were
featured in their presentation. (8) Karate, an Okinawan
introduced martial art-form was taught by Shinshi
Yoshio Obasa. Nicole Antonio and Kodie Ishikawa
displayed their disciplined punches. (9) Some of the
first year students demonstrate a short Kata or routine.
JULY 2007
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
Page 7
Children’s Cultural Day Camp 2007
(5)
(8)
(4)
(9)
(6)
(7)
carefully decorating her fan, and (14) Zane Kunimura
and Jaren Layaoen working on their camp book
appliqués with the help of Taylor Escalona, Youth
Assistant.
(10)
(10) Tëku (Taiko) and Shime Daiko drum
making and playing were high interest areas of
learning for the students. These drums were fashioned
out of ice cream buckets, plastic covers, tuna cans and
decorated with duct tape, strapping tape, and fancy
red ropes, producing these attractive and realistic
instruments. Drum making was taught by chief
craftsman, Morris Nakaishi. Eisä dance instructor was
Shinshi Stella Miyashiro and Taiko instructor was
Preston Chibana, one of the instructors of the Hui
Okinawa Kobudo Taiko Group. (11) Singing of
Asatoya Yunta by the entire group was awesome
despite the short practice sessions. Arts and Crafts of
Okinawa and Japan were enjoyed by all of the students.
Craft instructors were Carolyn Oki who taught the
Okinawan fabric appliquéd camp book covers and the
booking binding, and Kris Ortogero who taught the
stamping, crimping and creation of the practical and
elegant fan. (12) Caught on camera are Kiana Bruel
finishing her bookbinding, (13) Camille Schofield
(11)
JULY 2007
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
Page 8
Children’s Cultural Day Camp 2007
Old-fashioned bamboo pole fishing was again
voted as one of the BEST activities. (15) Here, a bunch
of students try to bring in the biggest fish (16). That
honor went to Ian Sanborn. Nicole Antonio garnered
the most fish caught. Picnic games such as the geta
race required teamwork (17). Kellie Iwasaki and
Krystle Koshiyama do it effortlessly. At the picnic,
the students were treated to a picture taking session
on the Sanbani Boats, gifts from Nago City, Okinawa
(18). These boats will be used at the Haari races in
August of 2008. Other fun plantation type games
included Hanafuda, Paddle Boat races, and Marble
playing (19). Eric Kagawa concentrates on his
hanafuda hand while (20) Anuhea Leite-Ahyo and
Taylor Matsunaga rev up their rubber band motors in
an attempt to win the big race (21). The week ended
with an Okinawan tumai kuru ice cream making
session, showcasing of the student’s skills in (22)
drumming and (23) dance, uta, karate and uchinaguchi
for family and friends, and a potluck lunch with a
round of Uchina Bingo.
day’s pay was $2, and Taira’s Plantation Store items
were equally as cheap, when most toys were fashioned
out of guava sticks and bamboo, and decisions were
made by “Jan Ken Po.”
(14)
(15)
(12)
(16)
(13)
The mission of
the
Children’s
Cultural Camp is
two-fold. It is a
wonderful avenue to
introduce and instill
an appreciation of
the
Okinawan
culture to the
children. It is also a
means of re-living
life during the sugar
plantation days of
Old Hawaii when a
JULY 2007
Page 9
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
Children’s Cultural Day Camp 2007
The 2007 Cultural Day Camp Staff included
Coordinators; Carolyn Oki, Margaret Torigoe, and
Ruby Maekawa. Finance
(17)
Chairperson
Alben
Namihira, Operations
Chief Morris Nakaishi,
and Program Director
Bernard Sagawa. Lead
teachers were Lani
Yamami,
Stella
Miyashiro, Cynthia
Inouye, and Betty
Suetomi.
Assistant
teachers were June
Bratton, Pam Oki,
Margaret Enovejas, Jill
Yamamoto,
Renee
Moses, Lloyd Sanborn,
and Sue Okunami. Youth assistants included Gerrie
Morishita, Megan Escalona, Taylor Escalona,
Nicolette Low, James Yoshimoto, Andrew Yoshimoto,
Caden Yamamoto, Shyla Yoshihara, Brandi Antonio,
Kylie Ishikawa, Keagan Sakai-Kawada, Aina Dudoit,
Jessica Sagawa, and Devin Nakayama. Support Staff
included Health and First Aid: Audrey Kagawa, RN,
Mary Uyeda, RN, Fire-Fighter, Glenn Sumida;
Photographers: George Ito, Jean Okuma and Kellie
Kaneshiro; Plantation Store: Dorothy Taira and Kaye
Nagamine; Camp Booklet: Patti Taira-Tokuuke; and
Special Volunteers: Alma Yogi, Nan Hiraoka, Bob
Nishimoto, Michele Uehara, Karin Akamine, Mark
Kiyuna, Janet Yamashiro, John Chin, and Linda
Otomo. Special acknowledgement goes out to donors
Wallace Oki, PE, Aileen Kaneshiro, Paul Uyehara of
Aloha Tofu, Bob Nishimoto, Todd and Sherri
Nishimura, Lillian Shimabukuro, Nancy Nakaishi,
Hawaii Printing Corp., Hilo Printers, Ltd, Danny
Escalona, Hawaii Tribune Herald, Green Point
Nursery, Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Hawaii
County Fire Dept. and all the in-kind donors to the
Plantation Store. Ippe Nihe Dëbiru!
(18)
(19)
(20)
(21)
(22)
(23)
JULY 2007
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
Page 10
Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko Wins Top Prize at Merrie
Monarch Parade
By Patsy Y. Iwasaki
Under bright, blue skies, the drummers of
Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko thundered their way
through downtown Hilo and won first place in the
float division competition at the 2007 Merrie
Monarch Parade on Saturday, March 14. The
rhythmic, synchronized sounds of the taiko drums
captivated the judges and the audience all along
the parade route.
The flatbed truck, colorfully decorated with
tropical greens, flowers and banners, with the
prominent large odaiko at the front of the float and
drummers dressed in black gi, made a stunning
presentation in the parade.
Drummers, parents and supporters of
Kobudo Taiko worked diligently to prepare the float
a couple of days before the parade. Special thanks
go to: Jon Stephenson for the use of the truck,
trailer and facility to assemble the float; Tommy
Shiroma for the donation of ginger plants; Lance
Yamashiro for arranging for the truck and trailer,
facility to assemble our float and driving the truck
in the parade; Hilo Lanes Diner/Raymond and
Diane Kawamoto for food and refreshments and
Mr. & Mrs. Dante Manaog for the donation of
anthuriums.
Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko has a large
group of drummers who are very enthusiastic about
learning and performing the art of taiko to
perpetuate and promote the Okinawan culture
through the art of Kobudo Taiko. The group’s
recognition with the first place Merrie Monarch
float trophy is a testimony to the hard work and
dedication of the drummers, parents and supporters
of Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko.
Photos courtesy of Patsy Y. Iwasaki
JULY 2007
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
by Jon Tokuuke, 2007 Membership Chair
We would like to thank all of our members
and friends who donated monetary gifts from
March to the end of May 2007 totaling $540 for
Hui Okinawa’s general and scholarship funds.
Monetary donors were Noboru Arakaki, Gary &
Olga Hayashi, Seichi & Hatsue Higa, Thomas &
Jean Higa, Minori & Kiyoko Imada, Dwayne &
Gloria Miyashiro, Evelyn Miyashiro, Laura
Nakasone, Jane Serikaku, Collins & Connie Tomei
and Henry & Jane Uyehara. Your generous
donations enable Hui Okinawa to continue their
programs that preserve and perpetuate the
Okinawan culture. Thank you so much!
We wish to express our sincere sympathy
and condolences to the families of our recently
deceased members: Hoichi Higa and Jensuke
Kobashigawa.
Coming soon, Hui Okinawa will try
something new. The next newsletter will have a
form for you to renew your membership and/or to
update your contact information. So stay tuned!
If you have not been receiving the Hui
Okinawa and/or HUOA newsletters, please let us
know so we can make any necessary corrections to
the Hui Okinawa or HUOA membership lists.
If you have any questions or your contact
information (e.g., mailing address, phone numbers)
has changed, please call Jon Tokuuke at 896-1667.
Thank you.
Nancy Nakaishi and
George Ito Honored
Hui Okinawa had 2 club members honored
this year at the annual Older Americans Luncheon
in May. The Hawaii County Office of Aging
celebrated Older Americans Month in May. Club
members Nancy Nakaishi and George Ito enjoyed
lunch at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on Friday
May 11, 2007.
Nancy Nakaishi has been around for a longlong time. When she reached the “normal”
Page 11
retirement age of 65 way back in 1992, she felt she
was still full of vim and vigor and wasn’t ready to
relax and be a stay-athomer.
Instead, she
decided she wanted to
fulfill her dream of opening
and owning her own
business and that’s exactly
what she did. She opened
a bookkeeping and taxpreparing business in 1992
and called it the Nancy F.
Nakaishi & Associates Inc.
Nancy Nakaishi
She continues to work
Monday through Friday even if she turned 80 years
old in May. Besides working, Nancy stays very
active with many Hui Okinawa activities serving
on the board and on numerous committees and
learning Okinawan dance. Nancy was nominated
by Hui Okinawa.
George Ito received the Personal
Achievement Award.
The
Personal
Achievement Award
is presented in
recognition of new
interests, endeavors,
and accomplishments
after attaining the age
of 60. George enjoys
a
variety
of
community work,
George Ito
whether it is creating
something with his hands or working diligently to
see a project through. He is the photographer for
Hui Okinawa and also on the board of directors.
He is also the videographer for Seniors
Living in Paradise together with his wife Shirley,
who enjoys making leis for the participants. He is
an active member of the Hilo Lions Club. George
was nominated by Mr. Derek Kurisu of the KTA
Superstores.
Congratulations to both Nancy and George.
Hui Okinawa is proud to have such active seniors
in the club that the younger generations can look
to as role models.
JULY 2007
Page 12
HUI OKINAWA NEWSLETTER
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Sat. Aug. 18:
Thur. Aug. 30:
Fri. Aug. 31:
Sept. 1-2:
Sun. Sept. 9:
HUI OKINAWA
Wed. Aug. 1:
Summer Picnic
10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Wailoa State Park
Chair: Kris Ortogero
BOD Meeting
7:00 pm at Church of the Holy Cross
18th Annual World Heritage Festival
10:00 am - 4:00 pm at Mooheau Park and Bandstand
Kyuzo Toyama Story at HOC, Honolulu
Okinawan Festival Parade
Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu
Okinawan Festival and Bon Dance
Kapiolani Park, Honolulu
Grandparents Day
2:00 p.m. at Palace Theatre
Chair: Patti Taira-Tokuuke
P.O. Box 1793
Hilo, HI 96721
Sun. July 22:
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. Postage
PAI D
HILO, HI 96721
PERMIT NO. 8