RECENT EVENTS
February 14th was a true international culture day for students at Stevenson Middle School. Under the sponsorship of Hawaii-based International Cultural and Friendship Association (ICFA), two groups of youth from Japan and China gave cultural performances to the assembled student body, teachers, and staff. The Japanese visitors performed on Taiko drums and the Chinese visitors from Shanghai conducted a demonstration of Paper Cutting Art. The performance joined youths of Japan and China in showcasing traditional arts to Hawaii’s students. The enthusiastic cheers following the performances showed that the students truly appreciated the event.
Under its motto “Connecting people to people and nation to nation,” the mission of ICFA is to promote mutual understanding of other cultures and contribute to world peace by deepening bonds of friendship and trust. The mission of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) is to promote understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and the United States through the special and unique perspective of Hawaii, so it was natural to collaborate in bringing this program to Hawaii. JASH hopes to continue to collaborate with the ICFA to bring these programs to Hawaii’s public schools. That weekend, the visiting Japanese and Chinese youth were given a special tour of the Arizona Memorial that was arranged by the Arizona Memorial Museum Association so the visitors could get a better perspective of a key event in the region’s shared history.
ICFA staff Yuhi Yamasaki (far left) introduces the joint Japanese and Chinese cultural youth delegation to assembled students at Stevenson Middle School.
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On Saturday, February 9th, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii held its annual Japan Wizards Academic Team Competition at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel on Oahu. This year, 37 teams from 22 high schools across the islands participated. Due to the generous donation of tickets from Aloha Airlines, 11 neighbor island teams from Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai were able to participate. Teams of three students were tested on an extensive range of topics about Japan and the U.S.-Japan relationship that included arts and culture, daily life, economics, politics and government, history, geography, transportation, sports, language, and pop culture. Five teams--three private and two public schools--won all-expense paid trips to Japan. Top winning schools were King Kekaulike High School (Maui), Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Hawaii), University Laboratory School, Punahou School, and Saint Francis School (Oahu).
Winners of the Japan Trip pose with special guests Vice Consul Kuniko Nakamura of the Japanese Consulate, Takashi Sugi and David Asanuma of JTB, Jean Rolles, JASH Board of Directors, and Edwin Hawkins, President, JASH.
The Japan Wizards Competition is held to motivate students throughout Hawaii to develop lifelong skills in research, teamwork, personal responsibility and operating under pressure. They compete for top prizes of trips to Japan that reinforce what the students have learned in the classroom and in studying for the competition. This year, winning team members will visit high tech companies and environmental management centers in Japan to learn how the Japanese use high tech solutions to solve society’s problems.
Local Hawaii companies donated prizes and giveaways. Nearly 90 community volunteers, including JASH members, college students and business professionals helped with the various tasks including time keeping, scoring, judging, and activity center operation. During the break in the competition, students enjoyed various games and demonstrations in the activity center, including a traditional dance by the Nakasone Dance Academy and a Kendo demonstration by the Kenyukai Kendo Group.
Students view a Kendo demonstration performed by the Kenyukai Kendo Group in the Activity Center.
Generous grants from the Atherton Family Foundation, Frear Eleemosynary Trust, The Freeman Foundation, The Friends of Hawaii Charities, Hawaii Hotel Industry Foundation, JTB Goodwill Foundation, James Campbell Company LLC, and Kosasa Family Foundation allowed JASH to bring this educational program to Hawaii’s youth.
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It had rained for most of the week, but January 24th dawned as a beautiful day in paradise. On that day, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) held its annual New Year Reception, this time hosted by the Japanese Consulate. Consul General Toshio Kunikata and Mrs. Kunikata graciously opened their home to JASH members and friends, and were on hand to greet and extend their wishes to the attendees. The Consulate provided drinks for everyone and the food was catered by JASH member Dwayne Kawamoto and Nieman Marcus’ Mariposa Restaurant. After a brief welcome by Chair Allen Uyeda and co-host Consul General Kunikata, Congresswoman Hirono offered her congratulatory remarks followed by a message from the Mayor Mufi Hannemann delivered by Managing Director City & County of Honolulu Wayne Hashiro. On hand as special guests in addition to Mrs. Kathy Hashiro were Honorable Barbara Marshall, Chair of the Honolulu City Council and her husband Cliff Ziems; Lieutenant General John G oodman, Commander U.S. Marine Forces Pacific and his wife Gayle Goodman; Lieutenant General Chip Utterback, Commander 13th Air Force and his wife Sandy Utterback; Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O’Hara, Commander 14th Coast Guard District; Clayton Fujie, Deputy Superintendent of the Hawaii State Department of Education; and Wendy Abe, President of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce. Miyakonojo Japan-America Society’s President Dr. Toshisuke Matsuura and new JASH member Mr. & Mrs. Hideo Nakatani came from Japan to attend the event. Also on hand were 2007 Asia-Pacific Children’s Convention Junior Ambassador Lauren Wedemeyer and her mother Carrie Wedemeyer. The evening concluded with the traditional Kagamiwari breaking of the ceremonial sake barrel and toasting the new year of the Rat.
New JASH Chair Allen Uyeda is joined by Lieutenant General John Goodman (Commander, US Marine Forces Pacific), Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, and Consul General Kunikata performing the traditional Kagamiwari ceremony ushering in the new year.
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Mr. Glenn Fukushima, President & CEO of Airbus Japan and former USTR official addressed members and guests of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) on January 10th at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Mr. Fukushima’s topic was “Domestic and International Challenges Facing Japan in 2008,” a timely discussion based on recent political and economic situation in Japan. Mr. Fukushima also recently returned from the 51st annual general meeting of the Association of Asian Pacific Airlines in Bangkok and shared his perspectives from that meeting, including the future of aviation in the Asia-Pacific region and its effect on business, air travel and tourism
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December 13th was a wonderful night for haute cuisine in Honolulu. On that night, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) played co-host to the grand opening of the Wasabe-Nadaman Restaurant. Located at 1006 Kapahulu Avenue, Wasabe-Nadaman is an up-scale restaurant featuring Japanese cuisine. On this memorable night, President Simon Sangawa and Kumi Iseki had on hand not only the owner and Nadaman Chairman from Tokyo Kusumoto Masyuki and his wife Yuko, but also the world famous Iron Chef Rokusaburo Machiba who cooked up some personal menus for the event. In attendance were over sixty members of the community, including former Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi and his wife Jean, representing the City and County of Honolulu Managing Director Wayne Hashiro and his wife Kathleen, Vice Consul Kuniko Nakamura from the Japanese Consulate, honorary Consul of Malaysia General Herb Wolf, and JASH members and their friends. An opening kagamiwari breaking of the sake cask ceremony was held, after which the guest sat down to sample delicious dishes prepared by Executive Nadaman Chef Nobutoshi Kiura and the Nadaman staff, and of course Iron Chef Machiba. Entertainment was provided by harpist Ruth Freedman. It was a wonderful evening of good food, company, and the unmatched Wasabe-Nadaman ambience. Wasabe-Nadaman Restaurant graciously donated a part of the event proceedings to JASH. We wish them success as they launch their venture in Hawaii.
From Left: Wasabe-Nadaman President Kumi Iseki, Mrs. Yuko Masayuki, Owner and Nadaman Chairman Kusumoto Masayuki, JASH Director Jean Rolles, Iron Chef Rokusaburo Machiba
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Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) held its Christmas 5:01 and silent auction on 5 December. Peter Shaindlin, Chief Operating Officer for Halekulani Corporation and the staff of the Halekulani Hotel, put on a wonderful feast of gourmet foods and a full service bar for this annual JASH holiday social and fundraising event. On hand was Ms. Janice Clapoff, General Manager of Halekulani, who gave some welcoming remarks to those assembled. Over 200 members and their guests enjoyed the evening of socializing and checking out the donated auction items. By 7 p.m. when the bidding officially ended, the gathered guests were ready for the announcement of the winning bids. From hotel stays to Japanese crafts, the lucky winners eagerly snatched the prizes up. Not only did the guests get some good bargains, they contributed to the Society’s operating funds that are crucial in bringing social, cultural, and academic programs to the community in support of JASH’s mission, “Promotin g understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and the United States through the special and unique perspective of Hawaii.” Without these fund raising events, JASH’s educational programs for Hawaii’s grade school students would not be possible. JASH wishes to thank its many contributors who provided auction items, and to Peter Shaindlin and the staff of Halekulani Corporation and Hotel for putting on a fabulous evening of food, drink, and fun.
Incoming JASH Chair Allen Uyeda addresses guests at the Halekulani Christmas 5:01 and silent auction.
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Past Events
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