Community Focus

SPOTLIGHT BY Karleen Chinen Bamboo Ridge Press, Hawai‘i’s go-to publisher for local literature, is celebrating its Big 4-0 with the release of a new volume of poetry, prose and art — and a birthday bash. First, the party. The “Not Pau Yet Party” will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, from 5 to 9 p.m. in....

The 73rd anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were commemorated last month with two peace ceremonies on their respective anniversary dates. The bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, was remembered in a ceremony at Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii. Izumo Taisha Bishop Daiya Amano opened the program with a purification and....

The Hawaii United Okinawa Association will honor eight individuals for their contributions to the Okinawan and larger local and global community and to Okinawa at its Legacy Awards luncheon on Sunday, Oct. 14, in the Coral Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The HUOA will honor the late Thomas Taro Higa; Dr. Satoru Izutsu, Ph.D.;....

Hawai‘i’s Little League Baseball World champions were guests of honor at a special dinner at Agu Ramen restaurant at Ala Moana Center on Sept. 24. Agu Ramen owner and president Hisashi Uehara hosted the championship team to congratulate the young champs. The ‘ukulele duo, Heart and Soul, also performed for the champs.

Legendary Japanese singer Misora Hibari loved the people of Hawai‘i, and Hawai‘i’s people loved her. On Saturday, Nov. 24, memories of the beloved Hibari’s gift for tugging at the heartstrings of her audiences with her nostalgic ballads will be celebrated at the Misora Hibari Music Festival at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall. The 1 p.m.....

“Hawai‘i for Hiroshima,” a group of organizations with ties to Hiroshima Prefecture, has raised more than $43,521 in relief funds to aid the prefecture following the heavy rains that hit Hiroshima in early July, causing widespread flooding and landslides. The rains damaged homes and businesses and claimed the lives of 108 residents and injured 17....

Chanterelle Couture, ‘Iolani and Ari South headlined Hui Makaala’s 49th annual Scholarship Fund Luncheon and Fashion Show on July 22 in the Coral Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The three are all top-tier Hawai‘i designers who have been very successful in their careers. They shared a variety of their designs with the audience, showing....

Urasenke grand tea master Dr. Genshitsu Sen honored the memory and contributions of the Gannenmono by performing a special kenchashiki tea ceremony at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin on July 19. The hour-long ceremony opened with sutra chanting by Bishop Eric Matsumoto of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and the Rev. Toyokazu Hagio, rimban....

The United Japanese Society of Hawaii installed its 2018-19 officers and directors on June 23 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. The program began with the observance of a moment of silence in memory of deceased members, particularly longtime UJSH members Roy Tominaga, who served as 2007-08 president, and Joseph Muratsuchi. Onoe Kikunobukazu (Howard....

“Celebrating the Past, Honoring the Future” was the theme of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce’s 14th annual Inauguration and Generational Award Celebration, which was held July 18 in the Coral Ballroom on the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Large banners at the event declared the chamber’s mission: “Foster friendships, Connect B2B (business to business) and Mälama....