The Hawaii United Okinawa Association recognized 45 individuals as “Uchinanchu of the Year” at its annual installation/”Uchinanchu of the Year” banquet on Jan. 16 at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. The “Uchinanchu of the Year” are honored for their selfless service to their respective club, the HUOA and the larger community. Honored were:
• Leslie Dang Nagamine (Aza Gushikawa Doshi Kai)
• The late Douglas Miyasato (Aza Yogi Doshi Kai)
• Frances Yamamoto and Mildred Nagatori (Chatan-Kadena Chojin Kai)
• Lori Nakamura Higa (Club Motobu)
• Mildred Kikue Kobashikawa (Gaza Yonagusuku Doshi Kai)
• Thomas Tasato (Ginowan Shijin Kai)
• Misao Yara Asato (Ginoza Sonjin Kai)
• Lyn Uesato-Nishida (Gushichan Sonjin Kai)
• June Tokuda (Gushikawa Shijin Kai)
• Ranko Oshiro (Haebaru Club)
• Ella Tsuneko Miyashiro Teruya (Haneji Club)
• Charles Tsuda and Jean Tsuda (Hawaii Sashiki-Chinen Doshi Kai)
• Cyrus Tamashiro (Hawaii Shuri-Naha Club)
• Gloria Hiranaka (Hui Alu Inc.)
• Michael Ito (Hui Makaala)
• Laura Ajimine and Lillian Hokama (Hui O Laulima)
• Dwayne Miyashiro (Hui Okinawa)
• Chisato “Chili” Takeda (Itoman Shijin Kai)
• Arlene Emi Kuniyoshi and Mamo Kuniyoshi (Kin Chojin Kai)
• Christine Higa (Kitanakagusuku Sonjin Kai)
• Patrice Nagy (Kona Okinawa Kenjin Kai)
• Christine Hondo and Jason Hondo (Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai)
• Helen Ginoza and Edward Ginoza (Nago Club)
• Howard Asato (Nakagusuku Sonjin Kai)
• Goro Arakawa (Nishihara Chojin Kai)
• Stephanie Higa (Okinawa City-Goeku Son)
• Sally Matsumoto (Okinawa Genealogical Society of Hawaii)
• Myrtle Yoshioka (Oroku Azajin Club)
• Toyoko Miyashiro (Osato Doshi Kai)
• Nancy Oshiro (Tamagusuku Club)
• Wilfred Nagamine (Tomigusuku Sonjin Kai)
• Lynn Masuda and Wes Masuda (Urasoe Shijin Kai)
• Shigemasa Tamanaha (Wahiawa Okinawa Kyoyu Kai)
• Roy Higa and Mildred Chibana (Yomitan Club)
• Cassandra Tohara Sherrod (Yonashiro Chojin Kai)
• Lynn Harada and Glenn Hirano (Young Okinawans of Hawaii)
