RECENT EVENTS

. : 23rd Annual Golf Fundraiser Held at Pearl Country Club

Congratulations to first place team of Mike Nitta and daughter Nicolle Nitta who are presented with the winner's trophy by trophy sponsor Japan's Consul General Shigeeda.

Morning thundershowers did not keep away 130 golfers from gathering at Pearl Country Club on Wednesday, April 24 for the Society's 23rd Annual Friendship Golf Classic. The golf tournament is one of the major fund-raisers along with the Annual Dinner held in the fall. Every participant received a prize, with the grand prize, a fly and stay package to the Makena Beach and Golf Resort on Maui with airfare donated by go! Airlines presented to the 23rd place team in honor of our 23rd year.

JASH would like to thank Tournament Sponsor First Insurance Company of Hawaii, all of the other major sponsors, Titanium and Graphite sponsors, and the individual players who supported this tournament. For the complete list please click here. A special thanks to the 40 volunteers who help to make the tournament run smoothly. Proceeds from this tournament will be used for community programs, including educational programs and cultural exchanges for Hawaii's schools and students to continue to build special relationship between the people of Hawaii and Japan.

As in previous years, JASH invited members of the military to participate. Four individuals from Hawaii Air National Guard and military members from Pacific Air Forces participated. Their services in supporting Operation Tomodachi and the Rainbow for Japan Kids program are greatly appreciated. A special thanks to Admiral Thomas Fargo and Ms. Sharon Weiner for sponsoring our military guests.

A special thanks to Jim Yuki, a JASH friend and Sony Open volunteer pool chairman for assisting with golf questions and scoring. Also thanks to our roving course photographer, JASH member Ray Tabata. Please click here for a link to his photos.

Mahalo to Sony Hawaii for sponsoring a special prize giveaway in honor of their 45th Anniversary.

Australian Consul General Scott Dewar, JASH Chair Sharon Weiner, Korean Consul General Young Kil Suh, and Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu V.C. Chu get ready to tee off at the Special Hole, #16.

. : Japanese Students from Tohoku Visit Hawaii under Rainbow for Japan Kids Project

At the farewell dinner and reception at Pagoda Hotel Ballroom after performing on their hand-made ukulele.

Two years after the tragic events of March 11, 2011, 23 Japanese junior high school students ages 12-14 visited Hawaii under the Rainbow for Japan Kids (RFJK) program. This was the sixth group of Japanese students to visit Hawaii under this program, bringing 120 students from the three affected prefectures--Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima--who have visited Hawaii.

The Hawaii RFJK Committee composed of Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH), Japan Airlines Hawaii Office, First Hawaiian Bank, Studio Rim Hawaii, Hawaii Senior Life Enrichment Association and its Nadeshiko Club, Lighthouse Hawaii, and other supporters welcomed the Japanese students on March 25th for an eight-day stay that took the students to locations on Oahu and the Island of Hawaii. As in previous programs, the students spent several days at North Shore's YMCA Camp Erdman with local students from the Bridge Club of Hawaii engaging in outdoor activities specifically designed to forge teamwork and create friendships with local students, a major goal of this program. Following activities on Oahu, the students traveled to the Island of Hawaii to experience its incredible natural beauty. In Kona, the students learned about ancient Hawaiian culture and customs and then moved to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for a stay at Kilauea Military Camp. There, through hiking tours, story-telling sessions, and night-time stargazing, the students learned about Hawaii's volcanic origin and how Polynesians first colonized Hawaii. Through these activities, the program aims to free the students from their day-to-day lives in Japan under less-than-ideal conditions, focus on their own lives and dreams, create friendships with local people, and return to Japan refreshed and dedicated to bettering their lives and their communities.

Back on Oahu, the students engaged in water activities at Hilton Hawaiian Village's lagoon where the Hilton Grand Vacations staff and Waikiki Beach Activities prepared kayak races and stand-up paddle-boarding lessons. Several days were spent dedicated to making personal ukuleles, courtesy of KoAloha Ukulele. The students took the ukuleles back to Japan as a reminder of their visit. Other organizations provided in-kind donations of hotel rooms, meals, and local transportation to include Pagoda Hotel, Suntory Restaurant, Beijing Restaurant, Nishimoto Trading, Lawson, Warabeya, Waikiki Trolley, Iyasume, and Ito-En. Hawaiian Airlines provided discounted and complimentary airfares for travel to the Big Island.

This group included three students from Onagawa City in Miyagi Prefecture. Last year, Mrs. Susie Roos, wife of U.S. Ambassador John Roos, donated funds from the sales of her cook book to this project after visiting Onagawa City and seeing the devastation and visiting with the children. Several students from Onagawa visited last year also.

RFJK is a proud partner with TOMODACHI, a private-public partnership led by the U.S. Embassy and the U.S.-Japan Council that aims to invest in the next generation of Japanese and Americans in ways that strengthen cultural and economic ties, and deepen the friendship between U.S. and Japan over the long term. More information on these programs can be found on the JASH website at www.jashawaii.org/jpnaid1.asp, or by calling JASH at (808) 524-4450, and on the U.S. Embassy website at http://japan.usembassy.gov.

. : Japan-America Society of Hawaii Holds Spring 2013 McInerny Foundation's Japan Day

April 3rd proved to be a very eventful day for 105 students representing Aiea High School, Farrington High School, Lahainaluna High School (Maui), and McKinley High School. These students participated in the Japan-America Society of Hawaii's (JASH) Spring 2013 Japan Day, sponsored by the McInerny Foundation and held at Hawaii Tokai International College. Over 40 volunteer experts presented cultural classes on bon dance, calligraphy, traditional crafts, ikebana (flower arranging), kimono/yukata wear, soroban (Japanese abacus), and tea ceremony. Master drummer Kenny Endo and four members of the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble livened up the Welcome Ceremony with a flawless taiko performance and demonstration. Inspired and energized, the students proceeded to their cultural classes. Throughout the hallways and in the classrooms, students excitedly compared their cultural creations and class anecdotes, wishing the day would not end!

Now in its 20th year, over 5,200 students from 56 schools statewide have experienced Japan Day. This unique program is one of two programs offered by JASH to Hawaii's high school students, with the other being the Japan Wizards Statewide Academic Team Competition. Japan Day provides students with hands-on experience with traditional Japanese arts and culture while reinforcing and complementing what is taught in the classroom setting. Japan Day also illustrates how art and culture in different societies can influence and enhance people's lives, and how these cultural values are perpetuated by devotees of the arts. Through understanding and respecting different cultures and customs, we continue to bridge the gap that leads to friendship and cultural appreciation.

(L-R Clockwise): Students are deep in concentration during a soroban (Japanese abacus) calculation; Dancing with fans is a unique bon dance experience for the students; Students learn how to put on their own yukata; Students proudly show their calligraphy masterpieces.

JASH would like to thank all the volunteer experts for their dedication to the program, for without them, this program would not be possible: Ms. Betty Dela Cuesta and members of Hawaii Shin Kobukai; calligraphy master Mrs. Shokyoku Hashiro and Mrs. Setsusen Tokumine; Mrs. Kikuji Yonesato and members of the Kikufu Nippon Bunka Kenkyu Kai; Mrs. Jessie Nakata of MOA Hawaii; Mrs. Jean Sakihara and members of Kimono Project USA; Mr. and Mrs. Hideaki Oshima from Araki Hiroya Soroban School; and Mr. Yoshibumi Ogawa and members of Urasenke Foundation. We would also like to thank Hawaii Tokai International College for the generous use of their facilities, and the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble for their moving taiko performance and demonstration. Please visit the JASH Facebook page for more photos of the event. For more information on this educational program, please contact Kelsey Soma Turek at 524-4450 or via email at ksoma@jashawaii.org.

. : JASH Night Out: Movie and Dinner

The screening of the movie "Emperor" provided the perfect opportunity for a JASH Night Out on the town. "Emperor" is the story of post-War Japan and the issue of how to deal with Emperor Hirohito - whether to try him as a war criminal or not. The movie stars Tommy Lee Jones as General Douglas MacArthur sent to Japan to establish order, remove Japanese militarism, and deal with those determined to be war criminals, and Matthew Fox as General Fellers who is assigned the task of determining whether Hirohito should be charged with war crimes.

Following the movie, the JASH attendees gathered at a local restaurant to carry on the discussions about the movie. Mr. Kenichi Ando of Hawaii's Japan Airlines Office attended the evening's program and donated a large poster of the movie and brought along a letter addressed to the JASH membership from the producers of the movie (Mr. Ando is a good friend of one of the producers). The poster was offered as a gift to the winner of the movie trivia contest and JASH President Ed Hawkins read the letter to the gathered JASH attendees (see the text HERE. It was an evening of learning and fun.

. : JASH Helps Support 442nd RCT Anniversary Event

Many may not know or appreciate that the City of Bruyeres in France and Honolulu are sister cities...why the connection? It has to do with the liberation of Bruyeres in the Vosges Mountains of France from Nazi occupation by the Nikkei soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Battalion. On Saturday, March 23rd, the Sons and Daughters of the 442nd RCT held a memorial service at Waikiki's Army Museum to remember all who served.

As a special feature of the memorial service, 442nd veterans and leaders of the community paid a tribute by placing folded paper cranes at either the photo of a departed Medal of Honor winner or a special memorial for all who had served. The Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) was invited to be a participant in the service, and chose to have the Society represented by Junior Ambassadors for the Asian-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) in Fukuoka. Eleven-year-olds Kiana Kawahara and Cole Ichikawa presented a paper crane in memory of the 442nd veterans, but with a slight twist. JASH President Ed Hawkins had planned a private trip to Europe when he learned about this memorial service. He contacted the members of the Peace and Freedom Trail Association in Bruyeres, France to see if they could assist in having the children of Bruyeres fold a paper crane that Mr. Hawkins could bring back for this ceremony. Mr. Hawkins stopped by Bruyeres during his trip and received the paper crane from the President of the Peace and Freedom Trail Association, Mr. Martial Hillaire and Vice-President Christian DeVille. This is the paper crane that Kiana and Cole presented on March 23rd.

APCC Junior Ambassadors Kiana Kawahara and Cole Ichikawa present the paper crane from Bruyeres at the Waikiki Memorial Service.

The paper crane from Bruyeres was made by the students of Jeanne D'arc school, sister school of Le Jardin Academy in Honolulu. JASH was pleased to assist in this symbolic act of friendship and respect from the people of Bruyeres to the people of Hawaii, and to honor the memory of the Nikkei soldiers.

JASH President Ed Hawkins receiving the paper crane from Peace and Freedom Trail Association President Martial Hillaire (L) and Vice President Christian DeVille (R).

Students at Jeanne D'arc School in Bruyeres and their teacher presenting the paper crane to Martial Hillaire.

. : Four High School Teams Earn Trips to Japan through the Japan Wizards Competition

By 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 23, 135 students representing 26 schools from Oahu, Hawaii, and Maui were anxious to begin competing in the 10th annual Japan Wizards Statewide Academic Team Competition (JWC) held at Kapiolani Community College (KCC). This marks the second year that Hawaiian Airlines graciously served as overall sponsor. Consul General Toyoei Shigeeda from the Consulate General of Japan at Honolulu welcomed the students and wished them success in this year's competition.

Hawaiian Airlines Executive Monisa Cline told the gathered high school students that the qualities of personal responsibility, team work, and the rewards that accrue from hard work as exemplified in the JWC are the same ones valued by Hawaiian Airlines, and that is one of the reasons for its strong support. We again thank Hawaiian Airlines and other major supporters - ABC Stores, Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation, Friends of Hawaii Charities, International Cultural and Friendship Association, JTB Hawaii, The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles - who make the competition one which high school students across the state look forward to each year.

This year, a total of 45 teams competed in two skill levels. The teams were tested on their knowledge of Japanese art, culture and tradition, food, geography, history, Japan-Hawaii ties, literature, politics and government, sports, contemporary Japan, and of course the Japanese language. Study guides were provided to registered teams in the fall to aid them in their preparation and studies.

JASH President Ed Hawkins with Hawaiian Airlines' Ms. Monisa Cline and JTB Hawaii's Mr. Keiichi Tsujino and the winning teams.

The Japan-America Society of Hawaii awarded plaques to the three top scoring teams in each level. In Level A, these were Pearl City High School (1st place), Mililani High School (2nd place), and Punahou School (3rd place). The Level B winners were Punahou School (1st place), Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama (2nd place), and Mililani High School (3rd place).

The top scoring public schools to receive the Japan trip award were Pearl City High School from Level A and Mililani High School for the Level B division. Levels A and B from Punahou School were the recipients from the private school division. These teams (three students and an advisor each) will travel to Japan this summer to experience firsthand what they studied in the classroom and through independent research. This year's Atsuhiko Tateuchi Memorial Award for Outstanding Scholarship went to overall top scoring team Punahou School, Level B.

(L) Students enjoy a friendly game of karuta in the Activity Center; (R) Volunteers assist students playing Pictionary.

Between competition rounds, students were kept busy with the numerous activity stations in the Activity Center. These included calligraphy, gyotaku fish printing, karuta, origami, a tea ceremony demonstration, and Jeopardy to name a few. The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa) Department of Theatre and Dance provided a rakugo demonstration.

JASH would like to thank Hawaiian Airlines for sponsoring the Competition, and all the major supporters including ABC Stores, Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation, Friends of Hawaii Charities, Hawaii Hotel Industry Foundation, International Cultural and Friendship Association, JTB Hawaii, The America-Japan Society of Tama Tokyo, and The Freeman Foundation. JASH would also like to thank all the contributors who provided prizes, snacks, drinks, and other donations that assisted with the competition. Many thanks and recognition goes to the 78 volunteers representing the JET Alumni Association of Hawaii, UH Manoa, KCC, Alaka'i Young Professionals, and Hawaii Tokai International College to name a few. Without this tremendous support, the competition would not have been possible. Finally, our gratitude to the President, Chancellor and staff of Kapiolani Community College for the generous use of their facilities and for their support of the Japan Wizards Competition.