Community Focus

Hawaii Hochi, Ltd.’s 36th annual “Guess the Cherry Blossom Festival Queen” Contest concluded this year with the presentation of the prizes to their respective winners. This year’s sponsors were:

The East Hawai‘i-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii will recognize two longtime businesses at its sixth annual Nikkei Kigyo banquet, set for Friday, May 10, at Nani Mau Gardens. Hirano Store, which was established 1918, and Yamada Furniture, founded in 1929, will be presented JCAH’s 2019 Nikkei Kigyo Award. “We’re proud to recognize both companies....

Applications are being accepted for Hui O Laulima’s 2020 Cultural Grant program aimed at preserving, perpetuating and promoting Okinawan culture. Since 1984, Hui O Laulima has awarded more than $200,000 in grants and scholarships to individuals and organizations for projects that fulfill its mission of preserving, perpetuating and promoting Okinawan culture. The grants are awarded....

The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii held its 44th annual Living Treasures of Hawai‘i program on Feb. 9 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The program recognizes individuals for their sustained contributions to enriching our society. Honored were former University of Hawai‘i at Hilo men’s basketball coach James “Jimmy” Yagi, architect and environmental design pioneer John....

Omotesenke Domonkai Hawaii held a memorial tea ceremony in honor of its founder, tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591). The April 13 ceremony was held in the Seikoan Tea Room at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Iemoto (grandmaster) Kimura-Sösho, the 15th grandmaster in the Omotesenke Domonkai line, came especially from Kyöto to perform the....

Jodie Chiemi Ching On March 16, Lauren Akemi Sugai was crowned the 67th Cherry Blossom Festival queen at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, marking the climax of the 2019 festival, sponsored by the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. In an interview with The Hawai‘i Herald, Sugai shared her Cherry Blossom Festival experience. When her name....

The Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjin Kai welcomed the “Year of the Boar” at its annual general membership meeting and shinnenkai at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i on Feb. 10. Special guests included former Hawai‘i Gov. George Ariyoshi and his wife Jean, and Consul General of Japan Koichi Ito and his wife Misako. President Keith Sakuda....

The Hakuoh University Handbell Choir shared its amazing handbell music at a friendship luncheon hosted by Hakuoh vice president and board chair Joji Kamioka on Feb. 19 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. The choir also presented free concerts at Central Union Church, Windward Community College and Leeward Community College.

The Hawaii Island AJA Veterans Legacy Association is accepting applications for up to two $1,000 scholarships that will be awarded to graduating seniors who plan to continue their post high school education this fall. The scholarships are funded by the Hawaii Island AJA Veteran Legacy Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization dedicated to honoring and....

Newly crowned Cherry Blossom Festival queen Lauren Sugai drew the winning entries in the 36th “Guess the Cherry Blossom Festival Queen” contest. Sugai pulled Käne‘ohe resident Jemalee Wong’s ballot for the first prize of a $500 travel gift certificate from Regal Travel.