On Saturday, February 9, 2019, the Ehime Maru Memorial Association (EMMA) held a remembrance ceremony for the 19th anniversary of the collision between the USS Greeneville and the Uwajima Fisheries High School training ship Ehime Maru. The Ehime Maru suffered the loss of 9 lives, including 4 students, 2 teachers and 3 crew members. Five family members who lost loved ones traveled from Japan to Honolulu for this occasion. Also traveling from Uwajima City were students and teachers from the Uwajima Fisheries High School. Consul General Koichi Ito, Lieutenant Governor Josh Green and Mayor Kirk Caldwell along with over 50 members of the community also attended the service at the Ehime Maru Memor
The Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu hosted a special program for Hawaii State Legislators and City and County Officials at the Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium on January 29, 2019. The special program, in which JASH helped to coordinate, was based on the friendship and goodwill built between Japan and Hawaii and Japan and the U.S. The program began with opening remarks by Consul General Koichi Ito, Senate President Ronald Kouchi, House Speaker Scott Saiki and Director Mike McCartney of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Dennis Ogawa a celebrated professor of American Studies at the University of Hawaii with teaching and research expertise in the areas of
JASH hosted its annual New Year’s Reception at the Hawaii State Art Museum with food provided by onsite restaurant Artizen by MW on January 22, 2019 To kick off the New Year, JASH President Reyna Kaneko along with Board Chairman Steve Sombrero, Executive Director Shoichi Suzuki from The America-Japan Society of Tama Tokyo, Consul General Koichi Ito, Governor David Ige and Deputy Consul General Takayuki Shinozawa participated in the traditional Kagami Wari or breaking of the sake barrel. Incoming JASH Board Chairman Steve Sombrero welcomes guests. JASH was honored to have both Governor David Ige and Mrs. Dawn Amano-Ige as our special guests. Bishop Eric Matsumoto from Honpa Hongwanji Mission
