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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....

Hawaii Okinawa Plaza to Serve as Revenue Stream for the Hawaii United Okinawa Association Gregg K. Kakesako Special to The Hawai‘i Herald The Hawaii United Okinawa Association is honoring its rich cultural heritage by ensuring that the organization will have a steady revenue stream to help keep Okinawan culture alive for generations to come. Their....

The Honolulu Fukushima Kenjin Kai celebrated its 95th anniversary with a festive gathering at the Ala Moana Hotel’s Hibiscus Ballroom. The June 3 event started with a briefing by Fukushima Vice Gov. Masaaki Suzuki on the prefecture’s progress and current challenges following the 2011 Töhöku earthquake, tsunami and radiation disaster. Later, during the formal program,....

The Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai has launched a public fundraising campaign to support victims of the recent torrential rains that devastated Hiroshima Prefecture. In early July, heavy rains in Hiroshima and other western prefectures of Japan caused widespread flooding and landslides, claiming lives, injuring residents, and damaging homes and businesses. As of July 16, 101....

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i recognized four organizations and three individuals at its annual “Sharing the Spirit of Aloha” gala dinner on June 16, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom. Taiko master and previous “Sharing the Spirit” honoree Kenny Endo opened the event with an attention-catching taiko performance. JCCH board chair Christine Kubota....

June 5–Feb. 24, 2019: “Gannenmono: A Legacy of Eight Generations in Hawai‘i” exhibit. This exhibit features historic documents and illustrations, cultural objects and first-hand accounts of the Gannenmono. The exhibit also includes the genealogy of one Gannenmono whose family today spans eight generations and contains more than 800 names. Picture Gallery in Hawaiian Hall at....

Members of the Kuakini Medical Center Auxiliary and the Kuakini Health System administration gathered at Honolulu Memorial Park in Nu‘uanu on May 29 to honor the memory of the Gannenmono, who arrived in Hawai‘i in 1868, and the 141 Issei who once resided at what was originally the Japanese Home of Hawaii. They offered prayers....

The Rotary Club of Hiroshima South in Japan presented a $20,000 check to its sister club in Hawai‘i, the Rotary Club of Hilo, to support the Puna relief efforts resulting from the ongoing Kïlauea volcano eruption. The donation was made at the Rotary Club of Hiroshima South’s meeting on June 1. The funds will be....