Japan-America Journal
Volume 22, Number 2 - Spring 2004
- Fairways, Friendship, and Fundraising
- President's Message
- CB Richard Ellis 5:01 - An Evening of Fashion and Fun
- Japan Wizards' Trip to Japan
- All Aboard the Hawaiian Railway!
- A Welcoming Bank of Hawaii 5:01
- The Meaning of Ichiro with Author Robert Whiting
- A Night of Aloha at Hilton Hawaiian Village 5:01
- JAS Miyakonojo and JAS Fukuoka Visit
- 16th APCC Junior Ambassadors Prepare for Japan
- Tomodachi Ship Tour
- Interns at the Society
- Foreign Minister's Award
- Consul General Takes Cameo Role in "The Mikado"
- Welcome to the Society's New Corporate Members
- Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation
- CPASF Chairman Emeritus Ralph Honda dies at 96
- CPASF Welcomes New Trustees
- CPASF Alumni Relations Efforts Started
MAHALO to all of the sponsors, players, donors and volunteers who made this year's Friendship Golf Classic our most successful to date. A special mahalo to the Golf Committee chaired by Gary Oda, Douglas Goto and Michael Tomihara and committee members Howard Hamamoto, Kristi Hirota, Howard Karr, Yasushi Matsushita, Stan Sawai, and Allan Yasue. This volunteer committee worked diligently to ensure the tournament would be successful. But it would not have been successful without the generous support of all of our sponsors, donors and players. And we could not have had a smooth running tournament without the volunteers. Mahalo to all of you!! Special thanks to our Tournament Sponsor Pacific Guardian Life Insurance Company and to the following sponsors: Lunch Sponsor—Howard Hamamoto/MB Capital; Dinner Sponsor—Unicold Corporation; Golf Cart Sponsor—Jean Rolles/Outrigger Hotels and Resorts; Golf Shirt Sponsor—First Hawaiian Bank; Golf Ball Sponsor—Hawaii Vertical Transportation; Golf Cap Sponsor—Ms. Marjorie Midkiff.
The team of Gary Ettinger and Clem Lagundimao of Aston Hotels & Resorts won first place with a low net of 62. They will have the honor of having their names engraved on the Perpetual Trophy donated the Consulate General of Japan. The winners of the top prize, two Sony TVs donated by Ryozo Sakai, President of Sony Hawaii, went to the team of Raymond Ono and Donald Yannell of First Hawaiian Bank who came in 14th place to coincide with our 14th Annual Friendship Golf Classic.
We owe thanks to all the players who so willingly contributed an extra $10 apiece to enter into our Annual Special Hole Contest. This year, the top prize of a round trip air ticket for two to Japan donated by Millie Takesue, GM/VP of All Nippon Airways, went to Dwight Yoshioka from Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Based on the feedback, all had a good time and the tournament lived up to its name as a true "friendship" golf classic.
The Golf Committee and the Society's Directors and Staff wish to thank all of the sponsors and donors who are acknowledged on the following page. Your support of the Society's Annual Friendship Golf Classic makes it possible for the Society to support our students by giving them opportunities to expand their horizons and perspectives and by providing educational programs to our members as well. MAHALO NUI LOA!!
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Is this year flying by! Perhaps it's all the events we've had. I know that the staff has been working very hard, especially Loren and Eileen in preparing the eight Junior Ambassadors for the Asian Pacific Children's Convention in Fukuoka this July. Our 11-year old JAs will have a first-hand opportunity to learn and make friends with 350 other 11-year old students from 40 countries. Loren and Eileen have been meeting on the weekends with our JAs to teach them the hula and to familiarize them about Japan and the other participating countries. The four high school team winners (Roosevelt, McKinley, Punahou and Iolani) of the Society's first Japan Wizards Academic Competition spent a week in Japan in June experiencing what they've learned in the classroom. The feedback we received from the teachers was very positive—students motivated to further their language learning and to help other students learn what they've learned about Japan. These wonderful learning and growing opportunities are made possible to Hawaii's students because of your support of the Society. This fall the Society will, contingent on funding, implement the Continuum of School Programs from kindergarten to grade 12 with a focus of teaching our very young students from K-5, the concept of different perspectives. The other programs will provide opportunities to help students in grades 6-12 experience and reinforce this concept. The intent is to help nurture our future leaders who are open-minded, visionary and willing to take risks. It is an ambitious project but with tremendous implications and promise. We hope all of our members will join together in supporting this initiative. Please put August 10th on your calendar for the Society's Annual Dinner. This year's keynote speaker is Ambassador Ryozo Kato, Japan's Ambassador to the United States. The Society wishes to thank Consul General Muto for his help and support in coordinating Ambassador Kato's participation and visit to Honolulu. The Society also thanks Robin Campaniano and AIG Hawaii for being the 2004 Annual Dinner Chair. He and his staff have been working hard so please join all for a fantastic evening and support your Society at the same time. Mahalo!
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Society members and guests were treated to an exceptional Hawaii 5:01 Program on Friday, April 30, sponsored by corporate member CB Richard Ellis at King Kalakaua Plaza and 2100 Kalakaua Avenue. At the All Star Café in Waikiki, attendees could enjoy delicious pupus and cocktails, entertained by a fashion show featuring the latest styles at Banana Republic and Niketown. Guests were given special passes which allowed them to receive desserts, champagne, and special gifts while browsing at Tiffany's, Coach, Yves St. Laurent, Gucci, Tod's, and Boucheron.
The CB Richard Ellis office in Hawaii was established in 1986, and is the largest commercial real estate firm in Hawaii and the world. CBRE offers a complete range of services from traditional transaction brokerage, asset management, advisory services, to business brokerage. The Hawaii office includes a growing staff of over 85 employees, conducts business Statewide and globally and operates by a twelve member Board of Directors. In the last several years, CBRE has opened offices on all the major Hawaiian Islands, and trebled the size of their asset services business.
Mahalo nui loa to Ms. Frances Okazaki, Mr. Joseph Haas, Ms. Brenda Morey, and staff for their hospitality and a memorable evening! The Society appreciates the opportunity CBRE provided for our members and guests to meet new friends, renew acquaintances, and introduce potential members to the Society.
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During the month of June, students from McKinley, Roosevelt, Punahou, and Iolani Schools, winners of the Society's first Japan Wizards' Academic Competition, visited Japan to experience what they had learned studying for the competition and in the classroom. Three students and one teacher from each school (16 total) visited various parts of Japan using the rail pass. The feedback we have received from the teachers and students about the competition and trip to Japan have been overwhelmingly positive, especially as a motivator to furthering students' interests and efforts in studying the Japanese language and about Japan in general. One student wrote, "I love being in the midst of the Japanese and trying to communicate with them. Just the chance to go to Japan had been enough for me. Actually winning the trip was more than I'd ever hoped! It was a most memorable trip, truly unforgettable. Thank you so much. Japan is just amazing!" Thank you members for making these experiences possible for our students.
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On April 21, Society members enjoyed a private charter of The Hawaiian Railway, a jaunt on seven miles of restored track from Ewa all the way to Nanakuli. The railway is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Sites. Three vintage diesel locomotives have been restored to operation and several steam locomotives have been cosmetically refurbished.
The 90-minute ride provided a time for fun and fellowship while learning about Hawaii's history and the Leeward area surrounding the tracks. To our surprise, the narrators for the ride were Crown Prince Akihito Scholar John Treiber and his wife Naoko. Their informative commentary allowed our members to enjoy the tour both in English and Japanese.
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Society members and guests gathered at the Pacific Club on May 6 for a Hawaii 5:01 Program graciously hosted by the Bank of Hawaii. Attendees enjoyed various pupus, cocktails, and a sushi bar while relaxing in the company of old friends and new acquaintances. Society Board Director and BOH Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer Donna Tanoue introduced Mr. Al Landon, BOH's new President at the 5:01. All who attended had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Landon personally, and the Society was pleased to welcome him.
Bank of Hawaii has been providing customers with the highest level of quality service since 1897. The bank is the largest independent financial institution in the State of Hawaii and the principal subsidiary of Bank of Hawaii Corporation, a regional financial services company with assets of $9.5 billion as of December 31, 2003. The company provides a full range of financial services to businesses, consumers and governments in Hawaii, American Samoa and the West Pacific. Its Japan Marketing Group specializes in serving the financial needs of Japanese companies and individuals doing business in Hawaii.
Arigatougozaimasu to Ms. Tanoue, and also to Mr. Jay Melnick and Ms. Franny Baker from BOH's Promotions & Events Department for organizing such a wonderful evening for Society members and friends.
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On Monday, May 3, the Society welcomed author Robert Whiting at Hawaii Tokai International College to talk about his new book, The Meaning of Ichiro and how Ichiro's and other Japanese ball players' success in Major League Baseball has contributed to US-Japan relations.
Mr. Whiting addressed the ability of sport to transcend culture. In the past, many American baseball players have been well received in Japan, and until Ichiro came along, Japan has never had an icon in the U.S. Ichiro's arrival has led to the acceptance of other Japanese stars, resulting in a cultural role reversal. Now that many Japanese players have entered the Major League Baseball arena, Mr. Whiting believes that there will be an increasing presence of Japanese players in the U.S., influencing the way we have been traditionally playing the sport. Because the Japanese way of playing baseball differs from American baseball, Mr. Whiting feels the sport will be evolving in both countries.
The Meaning of Ichiro book tour with Robert Whiting was sponsored by Warner Books, Japan/Japan-America Societies, National Association of Japan-America Societies, The Tokyo Club, and US-Japan 150 Founding Sponsors: AFLAC, ANA, Pfizer, and Toyota.
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June 11 was a night filled with Aloha at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Hawaii 5:01 Program. For the 7th year in a row, Society Vice Chairman and Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Hilton Hotels Corporation in Hawaii Peter Schall and his gracious staff welcomed Society members and guests. Also in attendance were 24 fellow Society members of the Japan-America Societies of Miyakonojo and Fukuoka, Japan. Dr. Toshisuke Matsuura, President of JAS Miyakonojo and his Society have been visiting Hawaii for eight consecutive years to participate in the Waikiki Beach Cleanup. This was the second time for Mr. Goro Shigematsu, President of JAS Fukuoka and his members to come to Hawaii to help at this event.
Delicious foods showcased cuisine from each of HHV's seven restaurants, which attendees could enjoy while listening to the relaxing music of a Hawaiian band. During the program, five Junior Ambassadors from the 16th Annual Asian Pacific Children's Convention performed a hula to the song "Holoholo Ka'a". These children and three other Hawaii representatives will be performing this routine in front of 400 other Junior and Peace Ambassadors at the Convention in Fukuoka, Japan this July.
Located on Waikiki's widest stretch of beach, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa features lush tropical gardens, waterfalls, exotic wildlife, and priceless artwork. As Waikiki's only true resort, the Hilton Hawaiian Village offers guests the Village Experience: a perfect blend of luxurious accommodations, over 20 restaurants and lounges, shopping, recreational and cultural activities, nightly entertainment and more.
The Society expresses sincere appreciation to Mr. Schall and his staff for hosting such a welcoming reception to our Japanese visitors and JASH members. It truly was an evening of promoting friendly relations between the people of Hawaii and Japan!
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Hawaii Society members warmly welcomed fellow members from the Miyakonojo and Fukuoka Societies during the King Kamehameha weekend. Dr. Toshisuke Matsuura, President of the Miyakonojo Society and his members were here for the eighth straight year to help clean Waikiki Beach. Joining the Miyakonojo Society were members of the Fukuoka Society led by President Goro Shigematsu who were here for the second time in the beach cleanup effort sponsored by the Waikiki Ohana Workforce of the Waikiki Improvement Association. All of us in Hawaii appreciate the community service of our fellow societies in Japan. Also included in the agenda was a ride on Hawaii Railway Company train from Ewa to Nanakuli where they were treated to dolphins frolicking in the ocean, a golf outing at Hickam AFB Mamala Bay Golf Course, and a picnic in Waikiki following the Kamehameha Day Parade. Dr. Matsuura and Mr. Shigematsu expressed their heartfelt thanks for the hospitality extended to their members and are looking forward to future visits back to Hawaii. Mahalo to all of our members who supported this visit.
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The Society continues to prepare our eight Junior Ambassadors and one alternate for the 16th Annual Asian Pacific Children's Convention in Fukuoka, Japan this July. Monthly workshops have been held at Halawa District Park for the children since February. At these workshops, JAs present reports on the 40 Pacific Rim countries that will be attending the APCC, as well as learn about Japan and Hawaii, and current events. Additionally, the children have been practicing a hula "Holoholo Ka'a" for their cultural performance in Fukuoka. Mahalo to Yoshifumi Manabe from the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, who volunteered at the May workshop to teach the children typical Japanese phrases and customs. The workshop in June was an overnight stay at Camp Erdman on the North Shore, where the children successfully participated in a ropes and challenge course that helped them to build team rapport and confidence.
Mahalo to Cindy Montgomery, who will be chaperoning the JAs to Japan, and Cory Mitsui, next year's APCC chaperone for spending the night at camp with Society staff Loren Petrowski and Eileen Beamis. One final workshop is scheduled in July before the JAs travel to Japan and a meeting with Governor Lingle on July 6th. This is another one of the Society's programs to help our students to "open minds and hearts in friendship."
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Society members and guests were fortunate to have a special tour of the U.S.S. O'Kane, a guided missile destroyer stationed in Pearl Harbor. Although the ship is currently being retrofitted with new equipment, members were able to see many areas of the ship, including the combat operations center, kitchen, sleeping quarters and officers' dining room.
The U.S.S. O'Kane was launched and christened in March 1998, and was named after Rear Admiral Richard H. O'Kane, whose other military decorations include the Medal of Honor, the Naval Cross with two Gold Stars, the Legion of Merit with Com bat "V", the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. The U.S.S. O'Kane was deployed to the Pacific in 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
A warm mahalo goes out to Mrs. Ginny Doran, wife of Admiral Walter F. Doran, Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, who along with Protocol Officer Lt. Terry Northrup arranged this wonderful tour for the Society.
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Each summer the Society has been blessed with interns from various colleges and universities. This year there are three college interns plus one intern from the International Internship Program. The interns are Grant Takamatsu, who is earning his Japan-Focused Executive MBA from JAIMS/UH, Laura Shimabukuro, completing her final year at UHCBA, Yukari Naka, completing her final year in Communications from Southern Oregon University, and Kanako Tsuge, here with us through IIP. All have been working hard on various projects. When you meet them, please extend your aloha and mahalo to them for helping out at JASH.
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On June 9th, the Japan Foreign Minister's Award was presented to the Ehime Maru Memorial Association in a ceremony at the Consulate General of Japan. The Commendation Certificate, awarded during this commemorative year of celebrating the 150th anniversary of U.S.-Japan relations, reads "Your organization has greatly contributed to the advancement of friendship and goodwill between Japan and the United States through its tireless efforts dedicated to the promotion of this bilateral relationship" and was signed by Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Japan. The Society is very proud of this award to the Ehime Maru Memorial Association, which is affiliated with the Society. The Society itself was honored with the Foreign Minister's Award in 2001 as was the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation in 1999. So all of you can take pride that the Society and its two affiliated organizations have been recognized for making substantial contributions to the United States-Japan relationship. Mahalo to all of you for making this possible.
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The small town of Titipu, a fictitious Japanese village ruled by The Mikado of Japan, is turned topsy turvy when high jinks meets high society in this hilarious Broadway-style musical comedy by Gilbert & Sullivan. Presented at the Blaisdell Concert August 6- 15 by Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT), The Mikado is filled with tongue-in-cheek antics over ancient Japanese customs. HOT's General & Artistic Director Henry Akina, adds his own surprise twists to this zany plot with a special cameo role for Hawaii¹s own Consul General of Japan, Masatoshi Muto.
For select performances, Consul General Muto will take the stage with a wacky cast of characters like Nanki-Poo, Yum Yum, Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah, Pitti-Sing, Peep Bo and Katisha. Special guest artists also include Taiko Master Kenny Endo and a surprise sumo! Celebrity fashion designer Anne Namba created nine original costumes for the production.
HOT is offering JASH members a special VIP package, including a 10% discount for select performance nights, $20 group price ticket to the Saturday, August 14, 7:30 p.m. performance, exclusive reserved seating at the Anne Namba Fashion Show (to be held on the set of "The Mikado"), August 1 at 10:30 a.m., and a HOT Mikado keepsake poster. Please call the HOT Box Office for details at 596-7858.
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Matson Navigation: Matson Navigation Company is one of the leading U.S. domestic carriers serving the Pacific and has a longstanding reputation for quality service in the transportation industry. Founded in 1882, Matson is best known as Hawaii's major ocean carrier, as well as the largest subsidiary of Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. Matson has been involved in wartime duty during WWII the development of tourism in Hawaii through its luxury liners and Waikiki hotels, the introduction of containerization in the Pacific and today, Matson's mission is to provide its customers with an efficient, reliable service of superior quality and value. That mission extends to all of Matson's services, which encompass ocean transportation to and from Hawaii, Guam and the Mid-Pacific, as well as air freight, intermodal and logistics services.
Gary T. Nakamura: Gary Nakamura represents State Farm Insurance Companies, the largest insurer of homes and automobiles in the United States. State Farm offers a wide range of insurance, bank and financial products, including Life, Annuities, Business Insurance, Home, Auto, Health, Long Term Care, Mortgage and Auto Loans, Money Market accounts, CDs, and Home Equity Loans. Mr. Nakamura is a Registered Representative for the family of State Farm Mutual Funds. His office is located at Kilohana Square in Kapahulu.
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On Tuesday, May 11, The Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation Board of Trustees recognized four (4) scholarship award recipients at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan. Each awardee received a scholarship to cover their educational and living expenses in Japan and Hawaii for a two-year period of academic study. The two (2) American scholars awarded this distinct honor are University of Hawaii at Manoa students Jessica Busch, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Anthropology and Jane Yamashiro, Ph.D. Candidate for the Department of Sociology. The two (2) Japanese scholars are attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Yusuke Fujisawa is currently working towards an M.A. degree in Second Language Studies and Toru Yamada will pursue a Ph.D. in the Department of Anthropology.
The Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation was established in 1959 to commemorate the wedding of then Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko. The purpose of the scholarship foundation is to promote understanding between the U.S. and Japan by offering scholarships for study in Hawaii and Japan. A total of 115 scholarships have been awarded since 1973.
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Ralph Chikato Honda who helped start Aloha Friday, influenced the U.S. Government to recognize Buddhism and was a founding member of the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation died May 9 at Pali Momi Medical Center. He was 96.
Honda was born in Honolulu on October 30, 1907 to Japanese immigrants Jiro and Mitsu. Honda's career started as Director of the YMBA (Young Men's Buddhist Association). He then went on to several government positions including the WPA (Work Project Administration) and FERA (Federal Emergency Relief Administration). Honda was the first nissei to be employed in the business sector of Castle & Cooke in its Public Relations division. Honda also was in sales at Office Appliance Co. where he rose to the position of president.
During his lifetime, Honda was appointed by Governor Stainback to serve in civic positions including the Hawaii Aeronautics Commission and Civil Defense Deputy Director in the Territorial Defense Agency. Governor Quinn appointed Honda to the New York International World's Fair Commission. In the community, Honda also served as President and Director of Kuakini Hospital; President and Director of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Rotarian; founding member and Japan-America Society of Hawaii President, Chairman Emeritus, Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation.
Notably, Honda met with Japanese Emperor Akihito twelve times in both Japan and Hawaii. Honda has received numerous honors and achievements including the Order of the Rising Sun from the Emperor of Japan, 1985, International Rotary District Governor in 1971 and the Living Treasure Award in 1997 by Honpa Hongwanji Mission.
He was preceded in death by wife Ellen Masako Nakao, brother Chikaki, half brother Chikao and grandson Greg Tsukimura. He is survived by his three daughters Madge Takemori, Peggie Tsukimura and Vivian Umaki, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
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The Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation welcomed three new trustees this spring: Mr. Robin Campaniano, CEO, AIG Insurance Co., Hawaii, Mr. Dennis Esaki, President of Esaki, Survey & Map Company (Kauai Representative) and Dr. Allen Zecha, Vice President of Medtronic Asia (retired). We are glad to have your expertise and support on our board!
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Under the direction of scholar Brian Masshardt (99-01), the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation has started to solidify an alumni organization. It was Mr. Ralph Honda's wish to have a strong alumni group to perpetuate this prestigious scholarship. Currently, we are still trying to locate some of our scholars: Ruth Robertson (1974-75), Roy Yoshimoto (1978 - 79), Masahide Kato (1986-87). If anyone has contact information on these scholars, please contact us at (808) 524-4450 or at cpasf@mac.com.
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