Hiroaki Hara (left), originally from Okinawa and now studying at the University of Hawai‘i, shared his perspective with Emily and Kehaulani. They are students of Kathy Shigemura (right) who teaches media at Kalaheo High School. (Photos by Dan Nakasone)

Lead Story – History Can Give Us Hope

Kalaheo High School Students Make a Documentary About the Post-Battle of Okinawa Relief Effort Dan Nakasone Special to The Hawai‘i Herald “History can teach us to have hope,” said Kalaheo High School senior, Kehaulani Bringas. “Given the way things are today, this story gives me hope,” agreed Emily Casey, also a senior at Kalaheo. They....
On Feb. 10, Mayor Caldwell, Hajime Nakama — the mayor of Kin Town in the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan — and about a hundred attendees met in the Honolulu City Council Chambers at Honolulu Hale for a friendship city relationship signing ceremony.

Spotlight – A New Friendship, Honolulu and Kin Town

Jodie Chiemi Ching This year marks 120 years since the first Okinawan immigrants landed on our shores. We are bound by history and bound by aloha. Today, we turn another page by signing this special friendship city relationship with Kin Town,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. On Feb. 10 Mayor Caldwell met with Hajime Nakama —....
Colin Sewake with Hoküle‘a navigator Nainoa Thompson in 2007. (Photos courtesy Colin Sewake)

My Hawaii – Remembering Hokulea’s visit to Okinawa

Colin Sewake Hawai‘i Herald Columnist Last month, over 800 Hawai‘i Uchinanchu, Uchinanchu-at-heart, family members and friends attended the Hawaii United Okinawa Association’s 70th installation banquet. Outgoing president Jocelyn “Jo” Ige turned over the leadership reins to 2020 president, Lynn Miyahira. I met Lynn for the first time in Okinawa in 2007. She was working for....
Ryler Nielsen and his wife Lauren at Manzamo, located on the western coast of Okinawa island, facing the East China Sea. Manzamo is a breezy, grassy area said to be able to seat 10,000 people. The newlyweds visited Okinawa last year. (Photos courtesy Ryler Nielsen)

Profile – The Red-Headed Uchinanchu-At-Heart

Ryler Nielsen Carries Okinawa in His Heart Alan Suemori Special to The Hawai‘i Herald In his dream, Ryler Nielsen is walking through the winding streets of the neighborhoods of his youth in Chatan and Yomitan on the island of Okinawa, surrounded by old friends and familiar landmarks. Nothing has changed, and yet, everything is even....
Chef Chai Chaowasaree plating his dish – shoyu and Kuba Awamori-braised pork belly in a steamed bun with cucumber namasu (Japanese pickles) and scallions. (Photo by Wayne Shinbara)

In Our Community – “Karii! Awamori Experience”

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Courtney Takara with HUOA’s 2018 sports program awardees for golf, bowling, volleyball and slow-pitch softball.

Community Focus – HUOA Installs Jocelyn Ige as President

The Hawaii United Okinawa Association recognized the 2018 “Uchinanchu of the Year” (highlighted in the Herald’s Feb. 15 edition) and installed its 2019 officers on Jan. 19 at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. Students from Hawaii Okinawa Creative Arts opened the program with a lively Shishimai dance. Among the 900 people in attendance were Gov. David....
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Community Focus – Anthology Project to Commemorate 120th Anniversary of Okinawans in Hawaii

The year 2020 will mark the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first Okinawans in Hawai‘i. A project to commemorate that milestone is currently in the works, with the final product being a multimedia collection of original works about Okinawan heritage in Hawai‘i. The theme is “Our Okinawan Heritage in Hawai‘i.” Submissions are being....
Flyer for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Hawaii Ginoza Sonjin Kai

“Ginoza Son, Geinou Kouryu Kouen (YUI), Vol. 2”

WHO/WHAT: The Hawaii Ginoza Sonjin Kai and Okinawa’s Ginoza Village will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Hawaii Ginoza Sonjin Kai by presenting “Ginoza Son, Geinou Kouryu Kouen (Yui), Vol. 2.”...
Okinawan community members joined the “Pigs from the Sea” families for the governor’s proclamation presentation at his State Capitol office on Sept. 27.

Community Focus – Governor Proclaims Sept. 27 as “Pigs From the Sea Day”

This year marks 70 years since seven Okinawan men from Hawai‘i accompanied a shipload of pigs to Okinawa to help provide relief for their war-torn island home following the 1945 Battle of Okinawa. The men transported the 536 Chester Whites that had been purchased in Nebraska to Okinawa in August 1948. In a ceremony in....
Columnist Colin Sewake for "My Hawaii"

My Hawaii – Sakura Viewing . . . Okinawa Style

MY HAWAII BY Colin Sewake DAYTIME SAKURA VIEWING ON MT. YAEDAKE Location: Motobu-cho, Feb. 7, 2018 When I think of symbols that represent Japan, three images come to mind: Mt. Fuji and Hello Kitty and sakura cherry blossoms. Fortunately for me, I’m able to enjoy these beautiful flowers in bloom every winter season, even while....

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