The Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjin Kai held its annual general meeting and shinnenkai at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s Manoa Grand Ballroom on Feb. 8.
Highlights included the installation of president Fusayo “Fussy” Nagao and her fellow officers by former Gov. George Ariyoshi, who is a Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjin Kai member. Serving with Nagao are vice presidents Keith Sakuda, Satoko “Nikki” Thompson and Myles Nomura; secretary Jeannie Fujii; assistant secretaries Kelsey Soma Turek and Evelyn Nakamura; treasurer Myles Nomura; and assistant treasurers Dennis Kinoshita Jr. and Betsy Sekiya. Rounding out the team of officers are three auditors, three counselors and 16 directors.
Another highlight of the program was the presentation of letters of congratulations and gifts to six senior, or keiro, members by Consul General of Japan Toyoei Shigeeda. Each year, the Fukuoka Prefectural Government presents the “Commemoration of Overseas Fukuoka Kenjin Kai Respected Senior Citizens” awards to members age 80 and older. The slate of other officers is quite long, but here are the primary officers other than president.
Eleven-year-old Ken Yamauchi, who was selected to attend the “Short Term Visit Program for Young Descendants of Immigrants from Fukuoka Prefecture,” gave a short report on his trip. Each kenjinkai is invited to send one 11-year-old representative to Fukuoka, usually in July. There are approximately 21 Fukuoka kenjinkai worldwide.
Entertainment was provided by Atsuko Nonaka-Sensei of the Harada Naazusa-Kai. She was accompanied by Chisato Yato and Yoshiko Bailey.
