RECENT EVENTS

. : JASH Members and Friends Help Keep Our Beaches Clean

During the early morning on Saturday, June 13, 2009, about 75 JASH members and friends including visiting members of the Japan-America Society (JAS) of Miyakonojo, APCC Junior Ambassadors and Bridge Club Hawaii, joined the Waikiki Ohana Workforce to clean the beaches of Waikiki.

Participants met at the famous Duke Kahanamoku statue at Kuhio Beach Park where they enjoyed a continental breakfast before boarding a shuttle to the Hilton Hawaiian Village for the start of the cleanup. The Society participates in this annual cleanup to provide community service to the City and County of Honolulu and the people of Hawaii.

After the cleanup, participants headed to Kakaako Makai Gateway Park for a BBQ potluck picnic and to watch the 93rd Annual King Kamehameha Day Floral Parade. It was a day of fun in the sun for all. JAS Miyakonojo members also paid their respects to the victims of the Ehime Maru tragedy by cleaning the Ehime Maru Memorial and offering a silent prayer. Mahalo to all beach cleanup participants for lending your support, and also the to the potluck participants who shared delicious dishes with everyone.

JASH President Ed Hawkins and members of the Japan-America Society of Miyakonojo at Kuhio Beach Park.

JASH members and friends enjoy a potluck lunch.

. : Hilton Hawaiian Village 5:01

Hawaiian music filled the air in the Honolulu Suite at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa on Friday, June 12, 2009. About 150 JASH members and guests enjoyed a Hawaii 5:01 reception, partaking delicious pupus and drinks specially prepared by the resort’s master chefs.

In attendance were members of the Japan-America Society (JAS) of Miyakonojo who made their 13th annual appearance. The members of JAS Miyakonojo were in Honolulu to participate in the Waikiki Beach Cleanup which was held the following day.

Also in attendance were members of the Japan Exchange Teaching Program Alumni Association (JETAA). Members of JETAA were invited to attend this 5:01 in hopes of getting young professionals who share the same interests in U.S. – Japan relations, more involved with the Society. These networking events like the 5:01 will give JETAA members mentoring experience.

Members of JAS Miyakonoko enjoy the Hawaiian entertainment.

JETAA members and their guests enjoyed the opportunity to network with Society members.

Attendees had the opportunity to reconnect with old acquaintances and meet new friends. Attendees also enjoyed a hula performance by the eight Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention Junior Ambassadors. The Junior Ambassadors will travel to Fukuoka next month to participate in a global youth camp and experience home stays with Japanese host families.

Located on Waikiki’s widest stretch of beach, the HHV features lush tropical gardens, waterfalls, exotic wildlife and priceless artwork. As Waikiki’s only true resort, the HHV offers guests the Village Experience: a perfect blend of luxurious accommodations, over 20 restaurants and lounges, shopping, recreational and cultural activities, nightly entertainments and more.

The Hawaii 5:01 Program is a networking program presented exclusively for the Society’s Corporate, Board, Lifetime and Senior Advisory Council members. The 5:01 provides an informal setting to meet new friends, renew acquaintances, and introduce potential members to the Society.

JASH would like to send a big mahalo to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa for hosting another successful 5:01 reception. HHV has continued to sponsor a Hawaii 5:01 reception for JASH members and guests for 13 consecutive years.

Society members and friends took the opportunity to network while enjoying delicious pupus and drinks.

[L-R]: 2009 APCC Junior Ambassadors John “Jack” Diehm, Garrett Cho, Samantha Ojeda, Jordan Apela, Logan Takeda, Wesley Lum, Haley Honda and Sophia Krivasty entertain guests with a hula that will be performed in Fukuoka, Japan in July.

. : Dr. Robert Orr, former President, Boeing Japan, Speaks to Community on U.S.-Japan Relations under the Obama Administration

On May 28, 2009, Japan-America Society of Hawaii along with Pacific Forum CSIS, University of Hawaii’s Center for Japanese Studies and the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council hosted Dr. Robert “Skipp” Orr, former President of Boeing Japan, Chairman of the Panasonic Foundation in the U.S., and Vice Chairman of the National Association of Japan-America Societies for a lunch talk at the Hale Koa Hotel ballroom. Dr. Orr spoke to JASH last year on how Japan perceived the upcoming U.S. Presidential election, and this time he shared his views on the evolving U.S.-Japan relationship under the new Obama Administration.

Dr. Orr has a unique insight as he still has extensive personal connections with political and business leaders in Japan as well as within the current U.S. Administration, having been a policy advisor for the Obama election campaign. Dr. Orr highlighted the importance of maintaining close relations between U.S. and Japan, but suggested the future of this relationship could be headed for some troubled waters due to several circumstances: the apparent weakness of the current Japanese political system and lack of strong leadership; the focus of American policy apparently shifting to other areas in the region such as China and the Korean Peninsula; the Japanese no longer being awed by America and its global role and leadership as it once was. Dr. Orr stressed the important role that grass-roots programs play in developing strong relationships between countries and peoples and voiced support for continuing these programs.

It was a great opportunity to hear Dr. Orr’s personal experiences with the mechanism of the U.S.-Japan relationship and his view on how the new Obama Administration seems to be dealing with this issue

Dr. Orr fields questions from the audience after his captivating talk.

. : Gallery Tour with Satoru Abe

Tucked away in the heart of Moiliili, there is a hidden treasure that is probably unknown to most local residents. It is an art gallery that belongs to Satoru Abe, a Honolulu-born artist who has been creating beautiful pieces of art for over 50 years. Mr. Abe is best known for his abstract metal sculptures of the natural world. In fact, in 1959 Time magazine featured one of Mr. Abe’s sculptures in an article that spotlighted the 50 top sculptors in the country at the time. His innovative pieces have been displayed in various locations ranging from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to the downtown First Hawaiian Bank building. Several of his sculptures are on permanent display around the island including the State Capitol and the Honolulu International Airport.

Mr. Abe and his brother Fred graciously opened up the gallery to JASH members and guests for a Tomodachi event on Wednesday, May 27, 2009. Attendees enjoyed the personalized tour of the gallery as well as Mr. Abe’s humorous stories behind the art pieces. In addition to sculpting, Mr. Abe also creates beautiful paintings, sketches and engravings. Many of these unique art pieces are on display and cover nearly every inch of space in the gallery. It is truly an art lover’s treasure trove.

After the tour, attendees enjoyed a talk-story session with Mr. Abe while partaking in a custom bento lunch. Attendees were able to further inquire about the art pieces of their interest, a few were also interested in purchasing a Satoru Abe original of their own.

JASH would like to extend a big mahalo to Satoru Abe for the interesting gallery tour and to Fred Abe for providing the soft drinks at lunch. Thank you also to Tomodachi Committee member Ms. Shirley Miyamoto for coordinating this gallery tour and ordering the bento lunches.

Satoru Abe explains the art of engraving to JASH members and guests.

. : Soroban Math Class Concludes at Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii

The soroban (Japanese abacus) mathematics class sponsored by Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) concluded last week at the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii’s Hale Pono Ewa Beach Clubhouse. Over the course of two months, Mr. Hideaki Oshima of the Araki Hiroya Soroban School presented a weekly class on this unique mathematical calculating method. Through hands-on demonstrations and workbooks, Mr. Oshima guided the students in building their math skills progressively. At the end of the program, it was obvious from witnessing hands-on calculations and workbook performance that the students’ math skills improved tremendously. At the same time, students showed genuine delight at performing math calculations using the soroban, achieving a related goal of making math fun.

JASH is now looking to offer this program to other students on Oahu. Discussions are underway with local schools and clubs. JASH will also be making a report to the Hawaii State Department of Education.

JASH would like to thank supporters of this program, including long-time benefactor Mrs. Ina Tateuchi, for providing assistance, guidance, and moral support. A special thank you goes to Mr. Oshima for his dedication and volunteer support in spreading the knowledge of soroban and encouraging Hawaii youth to look at math in a different perspective.

Students use their learned skills to calculate a math problem using the soroban.

L-R: Jazmine Melchor, Mr. Araki (President of the Araki Hiroya Soroban School), Shan Malubay, David Oliveira, Joniste Viernes, Dixie Castillo, Cherish Keaunui, Mr. Hideaki Oshima, and Keahi Kapule celebrate their last soroban class on May 20, 2009.