The “Hawai‘i for Hiroshima Fundraising Committee” recently kicked off a campaign to raise funds to aid the people of Hiroshima City following the massive landslides of Aug. 19. Seventy-two residents were killed in the more than 30 landslides that damaged many homes. Two people are still missing. More than 1,600 residents of Hiroshima City were forced to evacuate their homes and are being housed in temporary shelters.
The “Hawai‘i for Hiroshima Fundraising Committee” is comprised of several local organizations with roots and ties to Hiroshima Prefecture, including the Hiroshima Hawai‘i Sister State Committee and the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai. The committee was organized to assist the people of Hiroshima City.
“As we have many ties, relationships and friends in Hiroshima, we are saddened by this recent tragedy,” said Wayne Miyao, chairman of the Hiroshima Hawai‘i Sister State Committee. “We welcome and humbly ask for the support of the people, businesses and organizations in Hawai‘i whose hearts are with the victims in Hiroshima.”
Robert “Bob” Nagao, president of the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai added, “We look forward to the support of all Hiroshima Kenjin Kai located throughout the state of Hawai‘i, as well as those interested in Hiroshima and in Japan.”
Monetary donations are being accepted by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Make checks payable to “Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i” with “Hawai‘i for Hiroshima Fundraiser” on the notation line. The donations are completely tax-deductible with 100 percent of the donations going directly to Hawai‘i for Hiroshima, which will then forward the monies to Hiroshima City. Checks should be sent to: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, 2454 S. Beretania St., Hon., HI 96826. Attn: C. Hayashino.
The “Hawai‘i for Hiroshima Fundraising Committee” is co-chaired by Wayne Miyao; Bob Nagao; Wayne Ishihara, president of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce; and Carole Hayashino, president and executive director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Miyao received a personal check from Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who visited Hiroshima last month for the 69th anniversary commemoration of the bombing of Hiroshima. Honolulu and Hiroshima City enjoy a number of “sister” relationships, including sister-city, sister chamber of commerce and sister-state.
