. : JASH Presents Japan in a Suitcase at Waianae Homeless Shelter

On Saturday, 10 November, Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) traveled to Waianae Civic Center "Paiolu Kaiaulu" to present its Japan in a Suitcase (JIAS) program to children at the State homeless shelter. The shelter is run by U.S. Vets, and its Logistics Coordinator Michael McNulty hosted the presentation. The JIAS presentation to State homeless shelters was the joint idea of Kaulana Park of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and JASH. JIAS is a free program offered to elementary school students in Hawaii. It is one of five JASH educational programs aimed at teaching the concept of different perspectives and is aligned with the Hawaii Department of Education Content Standards for Social Studies and World Languages. The major goal of JIAS is to nurture students' sense of inquisitiveness and help them learn to look at objects and issues from different viewpoints. This is accomplished through a hands-on demonstration of items used by Japanese school children in the school and classroom and challenging the children to explain the differences they see from how they learn. JASH believes teaching these concepts at an early age will make them more open-minded to new ideas and people of other cultures, and help develop them into our future leaders and global citizens.

Kori-Jo Kochi, JASH Japan in a Suitcase Coordinator, shows items from a suitcase Japanese school children take to school and learn with. The children are engaged in hands-on discovery of the items and are being challenged to explain their use.

. : U.S. Ambassador to Japan addresses Japan-America Society of Hawaii Annual Dinner

October 12 - Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer addressed the Annual Dinner of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH). The theme of this year's JASH dinner was "Building Friendships through Grassroots Programs" and it highlighted three of its educational programs for Hawaii and Japan's children and youth that are meant to create lifelong bonds of cross-cultural understanding and friendship. These programs are the Asia-Pacific Children's Convention, an annual global youth camp in Fukuoka that brings 350 11-year olds from 35 different countries for a summer camp and home stays; the JASH Sister School Program that has created sister school relationship so far for two middle school/junior high school pairs in Hawaii in Japan (Uwajima Minami Junior High School and Kawananakoa Middle School; Okinawa's Kin Junior High School and Kapolei Middle School), and the Ehime Prefecture International Center summer internship program for University of Hawaii students with funding and support provided by the Ehime Prefecture government. The junior ambassadors and students were interviewed on stage by the evening's emcee, Honolulu's local newscaster anchor for KITV Channel 4, Ms. Jill Kuramoto. The Ambassador stressed the importance of grassroots programs such as the ones JASH sponsors for enhancing good relations between the United States and Japan and for furthering mutual understanding.

. : Fall 2007 Japan Day Held

On 26 September, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii held its semi-annual Japan Day at its traditional venue, Hawaii Tokai International College (HTIC). Four high schools--Damien, Island Pacific Academy, Kapolei, and King Kekaulike-a total of 190 students participated. This year, the McInerny Foundation provided a generous grant to support Japan Days for the 2007-2008 academic year and those funds allowed JASH to bring King Kekaulike High School students from Maui. Japan Day relies on many community volunteers to present a series of classroom instruction on Japanese culture and traditional practices to provide first-hand experiences directly from masters. Volunteers included Mrs. Kuni Morita and members of the Honolulu Fukushima Bon Dance Club, Mr. Dan Tenney and members of the Hawaii Bonsai Association, Mrs. Shokyoku Hashiro for Calligraphy, Mrs. Kikuji Yonesato and members of the Kikufu Nippon Bunka Kenkyu Kai for Japanese traditional crafts, Mrs. Jessie Nakata of MOA Hawaii for Ikebana, Mrs. Jean Sakihara and students from the Kimono Project USA at Education Laboratory School for Kimono, Mr. Hideaki Oshima from Araki Hiroya Soroban School, and Mr. Yoshibumi Ogawa , Mr. Hiroyuki Ishikawa and members of Urasenke Foundation for Tea Ceremony. The volunteers were surprised when KHON Channel 2 morning news anchor Kirk Matthews "dropped in" to cover the event. Mathews featured Mrs. Morita and several other volunteers on that evening's news. We thank HTIC's new Chancellor Naoto Nishikawa for generously donating facilities for our use and the time and effort of its staff to support the event. The next McInerny Japan Day is scheduled for April 2008.

Mr. Hideaki Oshima from Araki Hiroya Soroban School demonstrates soroban (abacus) mathematic calculation techniques to students during McInerny Japan Day.

. : 2007 General Membership Meeting

Chair Peter Schall addresses JASH members

JASH held its Annual General Membership Meeting on September 19, 2007 at Hawaii Tokai International College. Also in attendance were Consul General and Mrs. Toshio Kunikata.

Chair Peter Schall conducted the formal part of the meeting as Treasurer Allan Yasue presented the Treasurer’s Report. Chair of the Nominating Committee Howard Hamamoto announced the new nominees as well as nominees up for re-election to the Board of Directors. All nominees were approved for the Class of 2008-2010 Board of Directors.

After the meeting was adjourned, attendees took the opportunity to listen to a lecture titled “Making Sense of Japanese Politics” by Mr. Brad Glosserman, Executive Director of Pacific Forum CSIS.

Thank you to Brad Glosserman for taking the time to speak to members. JASH would also like to thank everyone who attended the Annual General Membership Meeting. We hope to see all of you next year!

. : Consul General Kunikata Welcome Luncheon

On September 11, 2007, the Kauai Ballroom at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel served as the sight for Consul General and Mrs. Toshio Kunikata’s official welcome to the islands. Consul General Kunikata will serve as the 47th Consul General of Japan at Honolulu.

In attendance at the welcome luncheon included Governor Linda Lingle, Admiral Timothy Keating and Representative Jon Karamatsu, Vice Speaker of the House. Also in attendance were event co-sponsors including, but not limited to, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii, Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Hawaii and the JET Alumni Association Hawaii

The Japan-America Society of Hawaii would like to extend our warmest aloha to Consul General Toshio Kunikata and Mrs. Hiroko Kunikata. Aloha and yokoso!

Consul General Toshio Kunikata, Mrs. Hiroko Kunikata and JASH President Ed Hawkins

. : Ambassador Numata talks about Japan’s policy

On Wednesday, August 22, 2007, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii co-sponsored a lecture by Ambassador Sadaaki Numata entitled "Japan's National Policy in Transition" at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. Ambassador Numata was Ambassador of Japan to Canada from December 2004 to March 2007. Since retiring from diplomatic service, he has been appointed Executive Director of The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership.

Ambassador Numata covered the major political, economic, and social issues facing Japan and what the recent upper house election victory by the DPJ means for the future of Japanese policy. He spent some time discussing the important U.S.-Japan alliance, emphasizing that open dialogue and mutual understanding were key elements for fashioning future relationships. He also stressed the important role of citizens in creating a positive change in Japan and influencing the world’s perception of Japan. In the audience were former Governor of Hawaii George Ariyoshi, former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia James Kelley, and the new Consul General of Japan in Honolulu Toshio Kunikata who added to the depth and breadth of experience and provided for a lively Q&A session that followed Ambassador Numata’s presentation.

L-R: JASH President Ed Hawkins, Ambassador Numata, JCCH President Lenny Yajima Andrew, Vice Consul Kuniko Nakamura (Emcee)

. : Ikeda Junior High School students clean the Ehime Maru Memorial

On 21 August, students from Gifu Prefecture’s Ikeda JHS cleaned the Ehime Maru Memorial at Kakaako Waterfront Park as a public service to the City of Honolulu and to pay respect to the lost crewmembers of the Ehime Maru. The students were in Hawaii for the sister school program with Mililani Middle School established several years ago with assistance from JASH. Ikeda JHS teachers and Ikeda City Board of Education officials accompanied the students. JASH is affiliated with the Ehime Maru Memorial Association that maintains the memorial.

. : Japan's new Consul General visits Ehime Maru Memorial

On 21 August, the new Japanese Consul General Toshio Kunikata and Mrs. Hiroko Kunikata accompanied by staff members of the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu visited the Ehime Maru Memorial to pay respect to those who lost their lives aboard the Uwajima Fishery High School training ship. Consul General and Mrs. Kunikata prayed at the memorial and presented a flower wreath in remembrance of the lost crewmembers. The visit to the Kakaako Waterfront Park memorial was one of the first orders of business for the new Consul General who arrived in Honolulu just the previous week. Also present at the invitation of Consul General Kunikata were new Japan-America Society of Hawaii and Ehime Maru Memorial Association (EMMA) President Edwin Hawkins, past President Earl Okawa, and EMMA Director Kenneth Saiki.

L-R: JASH/EMMA President Edwin Hawkins, Mrs. Kunikata, Consul General Kunikata,
EMMA Director Kenneth Saiki, past President Earl Okawa

. : Kin JHS and Kapolei Middle School students participate in Sister School Relationship Program

During the first week of August, 20 students and 4 teachers from Kin Junior High School in Okinawa visited Kapolei Middle School under the Society’s Sister School Relationship Program. Through this program, generously funded by the Freeman Foundation, the Society seeks to establish long-lasting sister school relationships between middle schools in Hawaii and junior high schools in Japan. The students from Kin JHS were each paired with a student from Kapolei and attended classes with them to see firsthand what school is like in Hawaii. However, the learning did not end once school was finished; the Kin JHS students also spent the week doing a homestay with their hosts, allowing them to directly experience what life with a local family is like. In addition, the students and their hosts took a number of field trips to learn more about the island and its culture.

Okinawa's Kin Junior High School students and Hawaii's Kapolei Middle School students at the signing ceremony to establish the sister school relationship between these two schools. The students participated in a special ceremony that featured dancing and karate performances by the exchange students.

. : Junior Ambassadors Share Their Experiences with Governor Lingle

On Tuesday, July 31, 2007, the APCC Junior Ambassadors visited Governor Linda Lingle and shared their recent experiences in Japan as representatives of Hawaii. The Junior Ambassadors returned last Tuesday, July 24th from their two-week trip to Fukuoka. During their stay in Japan, the Junior Ambassadors made friends from all around the world and learned about different people and cultures

The Junior Ambassadors recounted a story about poverty that their Cambodian friends told them, saying it was one of the most interesting things they had ever learned. Now they are keeping in touch with their new friends by email and are ready to travel all over the world to visit them.

Mahalo to Governor Lingle for her support and encouragement to the Junior Ambassadors and for meeting with the students again after their trip.

. : Tanabata 5:01

On July 27, Society members and guests gathered at the Hawaii Loa Ridge Club in East Honolulu for a “5:01” presented in cooperation with corporate member Sachi Hawaii Pacific Century Properties, L.L.C. In addition to the beautiful scenery visible from the Club, guests were treated to delicious food, a sushi bar, wine and sake, and a live performance of the shakuhachi flute by Mr. Stanley Kawaguchi.

The 5:01 is a networking event for JASH corporate and lifetime members that is also meant to introduce the Society and its programs to other prospective members. On this occasion, the theme was Tanabata, a summer Japanese star festival that celebrates the love story of Orihime, the weaving princess (Vega) and Hikoboshi, the cow herdsman (Altair) who are separated by the Milky Way. Each year on this night, the two lovers are allowed to meet.

Sachi Braden, President & Chief Executive Officer of Sachi Hawaii – Pacific Century Properties, and her outstanding staff presented the evening’s events, which included door prizes and hanging of written wishes on bamboo trees in the Tanabata tradition. DJs provided music into the evening.

Mahalo to Sachi Braden and the staff of Sachi Hawaii for hosting this wonderful event! Mahalo also to The Cherry Company for providing the sake for the Kanpai toast.

. : APCC Junior Ambassadors on the News

On Wednesday, July 25, 2007, JASH President Ed Hawkins, APCC Program Director Eileen Beamis and six of the eight APCC Junior Ambassadors were featured on KHON2 morning news with Kathy Muneno. The 11-year-old Junior Ambassadors returned on Tuesday, July 24 from their two-week trip to Fukuoka, Japan. Junior Ambassadors Stephanie Yasay and Tyler McKenna shared some of their experiences and talked about what they learned during their trip. Mahalo to Kathy Muneno and KHON2 news for the opportunity to highlight the Asian-Pacific Children's Convention.

. : Farewell Dinner for Consul General and Mrs. Shigeo Iwatani

On Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 21 Japan-related organizations along with the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) had the honor of hosting a Farewell Dinner for Japanese Consul General and Mrs. Shigeo Iwatani. The event, held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, began with an Oli (Hawaiian traditional chant) by Raymond Ganotise, followed by welcome remarks by an impressive roster of dignitaries including: Mayor Mufi Hannemann; Major General Robert Lee; Gaylord Tom, Vice Dean of the Consular Corps of Hawaii; Peter Schall, Chair of JASH; and Dean Hirata, Chair of the Japanese Cultural Center. During dinner, the audience was entertained by the Hula Hui O Kapunahala of Nuuanu YMCA.

Kathy Muneno Thompson, KHON TV Morning Anchor and wife of Nainoa Thompson (Navigator of the Polynesia Voyaging Society canoe “Hokulea”), served as our Mistress of Ceremonies. Major General Lee spoke on behalf of Governor Lingle and thanked the Consul General for his hard work in promoting tourism and friendship as well as economic, military, and cultural ties between the two countries. Mr. Gaylord Tom, Vice Dean of the Consular Corps of Hawaii made note of Mr. Iwatani’s contribution in supporting the relationships among corporations in Hawaii and Japan. Representative Jon Karamatsu, Vice Speaker of the State House of Representatives, presented the Consul General with a proclamation in recognition of the work he has done to promote trade and friendship between Japan and Hawaii.

Consul General Iwatani then shared his remarks regarding his experience working in Hawaii during his past two years. He said it was his pleasure to help the Hawaii community and it is his hope to see everyone again in the near future. He then delighted the audience by singing a wonderful rendition of the Japanese song, “Jya-ne” (a slang which means “Until we meet again.”) because he “didn’t want to say Sayonara” (a more formal way of saying good bye).

The program concluded with a lively ukulele performance by Jake Shimabukuro protégé, TJ Mayeshiro. Mahalo to Consul General Iwatani and Mrs. Iwatani, we wish you the best at your next assignment. Thank you for all you’ve done to promote the Japan-Hawaii relationship for the past two years.

. : The Performance of "Warney Production" Music Troupe at Kuakini Hospital

On July 6 and 7, residents of Hale Pulama Mau at the Kuakini Medical Center were pleased to welcome a Japanese music troupe from Nagasaki, Japan. The music troupe, The Warney Production, is an amateur band that performed a variety of Japanese songs from the 1960s through the 1990s. While they have performed many times throughout the Nagasaki region of Kyushuu, Japan, their debut in Hawaii was the first time Warney Production performed in the United States. It was a pleasure to have them in Hawaii to play those songs.

Warney Production is comprised of different groups of musicians, led by its president, Kunihiro Yamashita. On stage at Hale Pulama Mau, were performances by "Acoustic Sugar," "Princess Sugar" and "Duo Karasu". The residents of Hale Pulama Mau, many who are of Japanese descent, enjoyed listening to the music from their earlier years. The Japan-America Society of Hawaii hosted the Warney Production performance at Kuakini.

. : Earl Okawa's Retirement Celebration

On Thursday, June 28, 2007, the Japan American Society of Hawaii was honored to celebrate a farewell luncheon for Earl Okawa for his 15 years service as the president of the Society. Nearly 370 guests gathered to celebrate his retirement at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We were honored to have Governor of Hawai`i Linda Lingle and Consul General of Japan, Shigeo Iwatani in attendance to share their thoughts on Earl Okawa.

In 15 years, besides serving as the president of the Society, Earl Okawa also served as President of the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation since 1992 and the Ehime Maru Memorial Association since 2001. The Society has been blessed and growing in the past 15 years with a variety of student programs aimed at teaching the students of Hawai`i the concept of different perspectives.

This event was a great chance for the guests to honor Mr. Okawa for his years of service to the Society and the community and share stories about his accomplishments. The program began with an oli by Kumu Hula Sean Nakayama. After that, a delicious lunch was served and guests talked story about Earl and shared aloha with each other. The guests were entertained during lunch by Crown Prince Akihito Scholar Mamina Koga’s piano music.

Following lunch, Governor Lingle spoke about her recent trip to Japan, stressing the importance of maintaining good relations between Hawai`i and Japan. Governor Lingle highlighted the important role that Japan-America Society of Hawaii has played and praised Earl Okawa for his tireless work in promoting this mission through the school exchange and other educational programs he established during his tenure. Next, Consul General Iwatani read from the proclamation letter on the occasion of Mr. Okawa’s retirement sent by the Japanese Ambassador to the United States, Ryozo Kato, that highlighted Earl Okawa’s accomplishments and praised him on promoting U.S.-Japan relations. The Consul General also added his personal comments of appreciation. The closing comments were reserved for Earl Okawa who thanked the attendees for supporting him through the 15 years and credited the Board of Directors, the JASH membership, corporate sponsors and the entire community for JASH’s success. The afternoon was capped with Japanese and English songs performed by the Hongo family of musicians with a final tribute from the entire audience singing “Hawai`i Aloha”

Once again, thank you Earl for your contributions to the Society. It was such an honor to have you here and we all hope you the best. Thanks to all who attended and supported this event. Mr. Ed Hawkins replaces Earl Okawa as JASH President, and the next chapter of the Society begins.