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Hawaii Foodbank President Ron Mizutani Comes Full Circle Jodie Chiemi Ching This past April’s devastating floods forced residents of Kaua‘i’s North Shore to once again muster their inner strength and power through the crisis. It was almost a repeat of September 1992, when Hurricane ‘Iniki, a category 4 storm, came ashore on the Garden Island,....

An Immigrant’s Dream is Realized Frances Kakugawa and Karleen Chinen Editor’s note: As most of you know, Frances Kakugawa, The Hawai‘i Herald’s “Dear Frances” columnist, was born in Kapoho on Hawai‘i Island, where she spent her early childhood. The eruption of Kïlauea Volcano in 1955 forced her family to relocate to nearby Pähoa, where they....

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....

What Can Happen When the People Put Their Heads and Hearts Together Gregg K. Kakesako Special to The Hawai‘i Herald “We built it!” It took Hawai‘i businessman Duane Kurisu just six months and one day to develop Kahauiki Village — a public-private housing project that is fulfilling his dream “to build a community,” not just....

Earlier this year, the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association installed its 2017 officers and advisors and honored its Uchinanchu of the Year (see Hawai‘i Herald, April 7, 2017). Tom Yamamoto, 2016 president, passed the gavel to his successor, Vince Watabu, at a gathering attended by more than 800 on Jan. 21 at the Hawaii Okinawa Center.....

Jennifer Keiko Ezaki Parents: Bruce and Laura Ezaki High School: Our Redeemer Lutheran, 2009 College/Degree/Year: Biola University, bachelor’s degree in communication, 2013; University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa, post baccalaureate certification in special education, 2016. “What does kokoro mean to you?” “Kokoro is a reminder for me to remain present and connected in a constantly changing....

Alexis Sayuri Okihara 64th Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Looks Forward to Sharing Knowledge with Future Generations Gwen Battad Ishikawa It is fitting that kansha (gratitude) was the theme of the 64th Cherry Blossom Festival, because kansha is what Queen Alexis Okihara has felt for the past year. “They [Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, who....

Byrnes Yamashita Special to The Hawai‘i Herald I recently attended fundraising events for two national organizations that have been documenting and memorializing the Japanese American experience, with a strong emphasis on World War II. The objective of...

Karleen C. Chinen Over 350 people turned out for the installation of the United Japanese Society of Hawaii’s 2015-16 officers and directors at the organization’s annual Installation and Recognition Banquet. The event was held June...