Community Focus

The 60th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Honolulu and Hiroshima City was commemorated — and reaffirmed — in several events on July 2. They included a signing ceremony in the Honolulu City Council chambers reaffirming the sister-city relationship, originally signed in 1959; a ceremonial tree planting and a reception. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and....

The Hawaii United Okinawa Association will present “Karii: An Awamori Experience” on the Friday, Aug. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Hawai‘i Convention Center Ballroom on the fourth floor. The event will kick off a busy weekend for the Uchinanchu community with the 37th Okinawan Festival set to open the next morning. “Karii”....

Fukushima Earthquake Survivor Says, “Thank You Hawai‘i” Jodie Chiemi Ching “On March 14, (2011) Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz convened a meeting of local Japanese American groups, businesses, media outlets and financial institutions to launch an ‘Aloha for Japan’ fund drive to provide disaster assistance to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami.” It was one....

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Karleen Chinen For the past few weeks, the Herald’s somewhat drab surroundings have been brightened by the youthful energy and bright smile of our summer intern, Kacie Yamamoto, a recent graduate of Moanalua High School. We were introduced to Kacie by state Sen. Glenn Wakai, who represents the Moanalua area in the Legislature. Since interning....

The United Japanese Society of Hawaii held its 61st annual installation and recognition program at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i on June 22. The packed program included recognition of outstanding kenjinkai members and other awards presentations, installation of the 2019-2020 officers and a full program of lively entertainment. Over the years, the UJSH has....

Jodie Chiemi Ching The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i held its annual “Sharing the Spirit of Aloha” gala on Saturday, June 23. Six honorees — Coach Gerald Oda and the 2018 Little League World Series Championship team, Lenn Sakata, Alan Oshima, Christine Kubota, Chef Alan Wong and Carole Hayashino — were recognized at the Hilton....

After a few starts and stops — mainly due to staff vacations — this year’s seventh annual Hawai‘i Island edition is finally in your hands, albeit a day late because of the 4th of July holiday. The Big Island edition is always fun to put together. While most of us live in the state of....

Hui Makaala will hold its 50th annual Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show on Sunday, July 21, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Hui Makaala will present Kanna Yamauchi’s YOKANG designs from Okinawa. YOKANG outfits are known for their traditional bingata hand-dyeing technique on modern casual and formal garments.

The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii honored two multigenerational Big Island businesses — Hirano Store and Yamada Furniture — at its annual Nikkei Kigyo Awards banquet on May 10 at Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo. The two longtime Nikkei businesses are now run by Sansei and Gosei family members.