The Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association recognized 50 “Uchinanchu of the Year” at its annual installation/”Uchinanchu of the Year” banquet on Jan. 21 at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. The “Uchinanchu of the Year” are honored for their service to their respective club, the HUOA and the larger community. Honored were:
• Nelly S. Toyama Baduria and Candyce M. Narimatsu (Awase Doshi Kai)
• Kenyu Tokuda (Aza Gushikawa Doshi Kai)
• The late Sumi Ortanes (Aza Yogi Doshi Kai)
• Aaron Y. Uyema (Chatan Kadena Chojin Kai)
• Gavin and Miriam Nakamura (Club Motobu)
• Betty H. Kegley and Karen K. Tamanaha (Gaza Yonagusuku Doshi Kai)
• Carl T. Nakamura (Ginowan Shijin Kai)
• Kazuo and Shigeru Ishikawa (Ginoza Sonjin Kai)
• Stacey S.S. Chi (Gushichan Sonjin Kai)
• Hidenobu Hiyane and Jean Kawakone (Gushikawa Shijin Kai)
• Barbara Yamada and Denise Hirano (Haebaru Club)
• Gerald (“Bolo”) and Eileen (Nuha) Soneda and Family (Haneji Club)
• Lynn and Frances Nakamura (Hawaii Sashiki-Chinen Doshi Kai)
• Frances Nakachi Kuba (Hawaii Shuri-Naha Club)
• Gary Towner and Scott Taba (Hui Alu Inc.)
• Cynthia Uza (Hui Makaala)
• Irene Kanetake and Audrey Gibo (Hui O Laulima)
• Kaye Nagamine (Hui Okinawa)
• Nicole (Toyama) Yamashiro (Itoman Shijin Kai)
• Shige Toyama (Kin Chojin Kai)
• Steven Kim (Kitanakagusuku Sonjin Kai)
• Kathy and Ted Matsuda (Kohala Okinawa Kenjin Kai)
• Cheryl Kurashige (Kona Okinawa Kenjin Kai)
• Wendy Tamashiro (Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai)
• Kathy Ginoza-Arakaki (Nago Club)
• Michelle Isa-Atta (Nakagusuku Sonjin Kai)
• Hazel Tokuda (Nishihara Chojin Kai)
• Milton Higa (Okinawa City-Goeku Son)
• Pearl Toma and Terry Masateru Shinsato (Okinawan Genealogical Society of Hawaii)
• Galen Teruya (Oroku Azajin Club)
• Linda Yuriko Gushikuma (Osato Doshi Kai)
• Lisa Tamashiro (Shinka)
• Betsy Tsuhako (Tamagusuku Club)
• Ronald Oshiro (Urasoe Shijin Kai)
• Lori Ann (Tamanaha) Kunioka (Wahiawa Okinawa Kyoyu Kai)
• Roxanne Yoshida (Yomitan Club)
• Muriel Toma Donnan (Yonashiro Chojin Kai)
• David Miyashiro (Young Okinawans of Hawaii)
