RECENT EVENTS

. : 2010 Japan Wizards Japan Trip Winners Visit Tokyo

This summer, four winning teams from Hanalani Schools, McKinley High School, Punahou School, and Roosevelt High School traveled to Japan as their reward for winning the 2010 Japan Wizards Statewide Academic Team Competition in February. On June 8, 2010, student team members Andrea Kim, Chanel Louie, Nicole Ogawa-Yukitomo, and advisor Mrs. Naomi Hirano-Omizo from Punahou School (Level B First Place winners) were graciously hosted by sister society America-Japan Society of Tama Tokyo and Mr. Shoichi Suzuki, the Society’s Executive Director. This is the third year that Mr. Suzuki has hosted our Japan Wizards Japan trip prize winners. On this full-day educational program, the team visited the Edo Museum and learned about the transformation of Edo into Tokyo. They then visited the Ooedo Onsen Monogatari, a traditional Japanese onsen (hot spring) located in the heart of Tokyo where many of them experienced and enjoyed the onsen culture for the first time. On July 10, 2010, student team members Garion Park, Daralyn Yee, and advisor Ms. Grace Shinohara from Roosevelt High School (Level B Second Place winners) along with Jennis Hatakenaka, Maggie Kwock, Kyung-Soo Lee, and advisor Ms. Sandra Oda from McKinley High School (Level A Third Place winners) were also able to experience this educational program, sponsored and hosted by Mr. Suzuki and the America-Japan Society of Tama Tokyo. Visiting the Edo Museum and Ooedo Onsen Monogatari provided the students with valuable cross-cultural education and a closer glimpse into Japan’s history, culture, and customs. Daralyn Yee of Roosevelt High School remarked, "It was always a dream of mine to go to Japan. . . I never thought this dream would come true until I joined the Japan Wizards team. We were able to learn so much. . . Learning about Japan is one thing, but experiencing it is another. Being able to experience has really changed my thoughts on nearly everything about [Japan]."

Punahou School students and advisor Mrs. Naomi Hirano-Omizo with America-Japan Society of Tama Tokyo’s Executive Director Mr. Shoichi Suzuki and other staff members at the Edo Museum and Ooedo Onsen Monogatari.

McKinley High School and Roosevelt High School students and advisors Ms. Sandra Oda and Ms. Grace Shinohara with America-Japan Society of Tama Tokyo’s Executive Director Mr. Shoichi Suzuki and other staff members at the Edo Museum and Ooedo Onsen Monogatari.

. : elle Couture Jewellers hosts Tomodachi Committee

On Thursday, August 19, 2010, JASH Corporate Member elle Couture Jewellers hosted the Tomodachi Committee to an afternoon tea gathering at the elle Couture Jewellers store located on the ground floor of the Nine O Nine Kapiolani residential condominium.

Attendees enjoyed delicious tea, mochi and manju varieties while learning more about Italian Jewelry designer Roberto Coin. Attendees received a complimentary gift bag which included a special Roberto Coin Appassionata collection item.

JASH would like to thank elle Couture Jewellers Store Director, Lance Ishibashi and Marilyn Cariaga for hosting this event.

Tomodachi Chair Shizue Goldblatt and JASH member Amy Okamoto check out the Appassionata Collection.

. : APCC Delegation Returns Home

On July 27, the APCC Delegates returned home to Honolulu after an eleven day stay in Fukuoka, Japan where they took part in the 22nd Asian-Pacific Children's Convention, which was held from July 16 - 27, 2010.

Hosted by the Fukuoka government, the APCC promotes international relationships between children so that they will become adults with a strong social responsibility for the world. The Hawaii JAs spent two days at a camp with 218 children from 42 countries and cities throughout the Asia-Pacific region and nine days with a Japanese host family in the city of Kasuya in Fukuoka. The Hawaii delegates had the opportunity to meet the Mayor of Kasuya, Mr. Hisayoshi Shinozaki, and were also only one of two delegations selected to meet the Vice-Governor of Fukuoka, Etsuko Ebii. They also performed a hula to the song, Holoholo ka'a, at the "We Are the Bridge" Festival held on July 24 in Fukuoka city.

After their return, the delegates were given the opportunity to share their experiences on the APCC with Governor Linda Lingle on Friday, July 30. She was excited to hear about all that the children had learned while in Fukuoka.

APCC Delegates arrive in Honolulu

. : JASH Holds a Successful Cash for Gold Benefit

On Thursday, July 22, 2010 the Japan-America Society of Hawaii hosted A Golden Opportunity, a cash-for-gold buying event facilitated by The Wedding Ring Shop. This event benefitted the Society as The Wedding Ring Shop generously donated a portion of the proceeds.

We would like to thank the Society members and guests who generously donated their gold items for this event. We would also like to thank The Wedding Ring Shop for their generous donation.

JASH members participate in the gold-buying process.

. : Hawaii delegates depart for Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention in Fukuoka

After six months of workshops preparing for the 22nd Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention, Hawaii’s six Junior Ambassadors (Kristen Izuo, Calais Nobuhara, Mari Alice Shaw, Justin Ho, Joshua Nakanishi and Reyn Tao), Peace Ambassador Serena Li and chaperone Cheryl Parker departed on Friday, July 16 for Fukuoka, Japan. There were some tearful goodbyes as the kids bid farewell to their parents at the airport. For all of the Junior Ambassadors, this trip will be the first time to be away from their parents for an extended period of time. They will spend a total of eleven days in Fukuoka – nine days with a Japanese host family and two days at a camp with other 11-year-olds from over 40 different countries.

Prior to their departure the delegates met with Governor Linda Lingle on Tuesday, July 13 in her Executive Chambers. For many, this was the first time to meet the Governor and all were excited and nervous to shake her hand. When asked what they were most looking forward to discover in Japan, the Junior Ambassadors responded, “everything!” Governor Lingle responded that she was looking forward to hearing about what they discover in Japan when they meet again after the delegates return to Honolulu.

The delegation will return to Honolulu on July 27.

The Hawaii delegates and APCC Program Director Liz Barrera meet Governor Linda Lingle.

. : JASH Sponsors Soroban Math Class at Olomana School

With assistance of Mr. Hideaki Oshima of the Honolulu-based Araki-Hiroya Soroban School, JASH presented a series of Soroban (abacus) math classes to students at the Olomana School in Kailua, Oahu in May 2010. Part of the Hawaii Department of Education, Olomana School is an alternative education school which offers classes for students in seventh grade through twelfth grade. The school provides educational services for Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility, Secure Custody Facility, Ho’okipa Canoe House, and Olomana Youth Center and Detention Home Facility.

Holding soroban math classes at Olomana School was the idea of Hawaii State Senator and Education and Housing Committee Chair Norman Sakamoto through his connection to Olomana School Principal Mr. August Suehiro. JASH had discussed its previous soroban math classes for the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii with Senator Sakamoto. Once the idea was accepted by Mr. Suehiro, JASH worked with Mr. Oshima to structure several soroban math classes for students in the correctional facility. The purpose of the program was to present an interesting and engaging program to the students while challenging them to improve their mental concentration. JASH will follow up with Olomana School to structure other presentations as they may desire.

Oshima-sensei teaches Soroban math calculations to Olomana School students.

. : JASH takes King Kekaulike Students to visit Subaru Telescope

On June 1st, JASH took members of the 2010 Japan Wizards Statewide Academic Team Competition to the Big Island to visit high tech facilities and companies. Hawaiian Airlines had donated a number of airfares to support the Japan Wizards Competition in February. Several tickets remained unused and had to be used by the year’s end. JASH decided to reward the runner-up teams with a trip to the Big Island to learn how technology is being used for the betterment of science and daily life (top winning teams had been rewarded with trips to Japan). Through JASH’s association with the Subaru Telescope, a tour was organized to this cutting edge astronomical observatory atop the 13,796 foot mountain. Following the tour, the students visited the Japanese UCC Coffee Plantation to learn how Kona coffee is grown, harvested, and brought to market.

King Kekaulike students learn about the Subaru Telescope from guide Ms. Murai.

JASH conducts educational programs for Hawaii’s students from grades K-12. Learn about these programs on JASH’s website at www.jashawaii.org. Grants from the Friends of Hawaii Charities, the Kosasa Family Foundation, JTB Friendship Foundation, and the Tateuchi Foundation support Japan Wizards.

. : Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) Holds Spring Japan Day

Thanks to the generous support and sponsorship from JASH Director and Community Service Committee Chair Ms. Jean Rolles, JASH was able to organize another successful Japan Day held on May 5, 2010 at Hawaii Tokai International College. The Spring 2010 Japan Day included 128 students from Farrington High School, Iolani School, Kapaa High School (Kauai), St. Francis School, and Waipahu High School who were provided with hands-on learning experiences of the Japanese culture. Thirty-nine volunteer experts from the community donated their time, energy and supplies to this half-day educational program. The Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Kenny Endo, began the program with their creative taiko music pieces and rhythm and demonstration and explanation of various sounds that taiko drums can make to simulate nature. Following the taiko performance, students were treated to various cultural classes where they learned bon dance, bonsai, calligraphy, traditional crafts, gyotaku (fish printing), kimono wear, soroban (Japanese abacus), and the tea ceremony.

Clockwise from top left: Students learn how to make kabuto (hats) in crafts class; Volunteer experts assist students with planting bonsai; Kimono wearing class; Students make their own gyotaku fish prints.

Over 4,650 students from 52 schools statewide have experienced Japan Day since its inception in 1993. Japan Day is one of two programs JASH offers to Hawaii’s high schools and students, the other being the Japan Wizards Statewide Academic Team Competition. Japan Day teaches various aspects of Japanese culture, but the underlying purpose is to show how culture, art, and lifestyle of different societies enrich people’s lives. JASH feels that appreciating other cultures and cultural practices helps one to be tolerant and understanding of other peoples and their customs, contributing to peaceful coexistence. JASH would like to thank all the volunteer experts for their dedication to the program: Mrs. Kuni Morita and members of the Moiliili Senior Minyo Group, Mr. Dan Tenney and the bonsai group, calligraphy master Mrs. Shokyoku Hashiro and Mrs. Setsusen Tokumine, Mrs. Kikuji Yonesato and members of the Kikufu Nippon Bunka Kenkyu Kai, Mr. Brandon Tengan of Prior 2 Pupu Productions, Mrs. Jean Sakihara and members of Kimono Project USA, Mr. and Mrs. Hideaki Oshima from Araki Hiroya Soroban School, and Mr. Yoshibumi Ogawa, Mr. Hiroaki Yoshida, and members of Urasenke Foundation. We would also like to thank Hawaii Tokai International College for the use of the auditorium and classrooms for this event. For more information on this educational program, please contact Kelsey Soma Turek at 469-4646, or via email at ksoma@jashawaii.org.

. : Nagaoka Student Delegation Visits Honolulu to Promote Friendship

Twenty-two students and four teachers from Nagaoka city in Niigata Prefecture, Japan were greeted with lei by JASH staff upon arrival in Honolulu on Monday, March 29, 2010. Their six-day visit marked the first of potentially many visits to Honolulu in hopes of fostering a friendship between Nagaoka and Honolulu. The Nagaoka delegation’s busy schedule included a homestay experience with a local Hawaii host family, a day at school with their host sibling, and visits to popular tourist attractions around the island. On the day of their arrival, the delegation visited Bishop Museum and Moanalua Gardens, presented a wreath at the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl Cemetery), and took pictures in front of King Kamehameha’s statue and Iolani Palace before heading over to City Hall for a courtesy visit with Mr. Kirk Caldwell, Managing Director, City and County of Honolulu. The students rehearsed their speeches and questions for Mr. Caldwell as they anxiously awaited his arrival. When Mr. Caldwell arrived, he greeted them with kind words and told them of the great time he had when he visited Nagaoka last year and saw the city’s famous fireworks display. The students presented Mr. Caldwell with a framed photo of the fireworks display and thanked him for his time. During the question-and-answer portion of the visit, all hands were raised as the students patiently waited for the opportunity to learn more about Mr. Caldwell and Honolulu. At the end of the visit, Mr. Caldwell handed each student and teacher with a City and County of Honolulu pin. One lucky student won an extra pin as well!

(L) Nagaoka students and teachers listen intently as Mr. Caldwell (far left) shares his wonderful experiences in Nagaoka at City Hall.     (R) Nagaoka delegation learns the “shaka” with Mr. Caldwell and Mr. David Asanuma (JTB) at City Hall.

The visit with Mr. Caldwell was only the beginning of their Honolulu experience. From March 31 to April 2, 2010, the Nagaoka students participated in a homestay with local Hawaii families, arranged by the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH). They were able to experience a day of school with their host sibling, attend classes together, and give short presentations about Japan and their customs. April 2 was a holiday (Good Friday) so the students were able to sightsee with their host families before saying goodbye later that afternoon. As many tears were shed, it was obvious to see the connection made between the students and their host families despite the short duration of the homestay. JASH wishes to thank Mr. Caldwell, the Nagaoka delegation, JTB Hawaii, and the following schools, teachers, and host families for their generosity, hospitality, and support in providing these students with what may be for some of them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of living with an American host family:

Participating Schools	Teachers
Hanalani Schools	Yumiko Mattison – Hanalani Schools
Hawaii Baptist Academy (HBA)	Toni Normand – SHA
Punahou School	Yuriko Tcheou – HBA
Sacred Hearts Academy (SHA)	Masa Yamaguchi – SHA
	Yoko Yamaguchi – SHA

Host Families

Davey Andrew and family – Punahou School

Jacqueline Arelliano and family – SHA

Bryeana Fajota and family – SHA

Erica Fang and family – SHA

Megan Martin and family – SHA

Bryce Matsuda and family – HBA

Amanda Ng and family – SHA

Jennifer Nishida and family – SHA

Christopher Nishijima and family – Hanalani Schools

Kellianne Pang and family – SHA

Kristen Pang and family – SHA

Ashley and Courtney Seki and family – SHA

Brad Suenishi – HBA

Jordann Tamayo and family – SHA

Michelle Uchida and family – SHA

Charles Yamashiro and family – Hanalani Schools

Yuna Kaneuchi and Marin Oya (front L-R) pose with their host sisters Megan Martin and Amanda Ng (back L-R)