Community Focus

The East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai is currently accepting applications for up to two $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors who plan to begin their post high school education this fall. The application deadline is Saturday, April 6 (applications must be postmarked by April 6).

The MIS Veterans Club held its annual New Year’s gathering and installation at Natsunoya Tea House on Jan. 27. The organization is made up of World War II veterans who served in the Military Intelligence Service in combat and intelligence roles in the Asia-Pacific theater and their descendants. The MIS soldiers contributed much to the....

Jodie Chiemi Ching In celebration of their centennial anniversaries, Aloha United Way and Servco Pacific Inc. are teaming up to honor their legacies of service to the community with a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing the root causes of Hawai‘i’s systemic and persistent social welfare issues. The initiative is titled the Hawaii Social Impact Project.....

Members and supporters of the United Japanese Society of Hawaii welcomed the “Year of the Boar” at the organization’s 60th annual shinnen enkai on Jan. 12 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. After observing a moment of silence in memory of deceased UJSH members, Onoe Kikunobukazu (Howard Asao) and Onoe Kikunobutomi (Brandon Goda) performed....

The East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai will celebrate the arrival of the “Year of the Boar” at its annual luncheon meeting on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Sangha Hall. A short business meeting conducted by Kenjin Kai president Jon Arizumi will begin at 10:30 a.m. At that time, the Beiju celebrants....

The Hawaii United Okinawa Association recognized 42 “Uchinanchu of the Year” representing 32 HUOA member-clubs at its annual ”Uchinanchu of the Year”/Installation Banquet at the Hawaii Okinawa Center on Jan. 19. The 2018 “Uchinanchu of the Year” were recognized for their service to their respective clubs, the HUOA and the larger Hawai‘i community. The honorees....

Chadö Urasenke Tankökai Hawaii Association hosted a traditional Hatsudate Shiki, or first tea of the year, on Jan. 20 in the Seiköan Tearoom at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Special guests included Consul General of Japan in Honolulu Koichi Ito and his wife Misako; former Hawai‘i Gov. George Ariyoshi and his wife Jean; Dr.....

Members of the Hawaii Ginoza Sonjin Kai celebrated the 70th anniversary of their club’s formation in 1948 by reconnecting with their Ginoza “cousins” in Okinawa at two events last November — a music and dance performance at the Hawaii Okinawa Center and a festive party at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. The Nov. 29....

Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce members and their guests rang in the “Year of the Boar (or Pig, if you prefer)” at the chamber’s 74th annual shinnenkai (New Year’s party) on Jan. 4 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. The event was attended by some 300 people, including HJCC members, their families and friends.....

Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Buddhist Women’s Association will hold its shinnen enkai luncheon and general membership meeting on Sunday, Feb. 10, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Sangha Hall. The 2019-2020 officers will be installed during the program. They are: Carole Tsutsumi, president, succeeding Karen Maedo; Deborah Fried, vice president; Bessie Kubo, recording secretary; Sue....