Hui Makaala held its 47th scholarship fundraising fashion show luncheon at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom on July 24. The show featured fashions by three design groups — Dolkii, by sisters Shaiyanne Dar and Yasmin Dar Fasi; Boutique Sharon, owned and operated by Joe Jeong; and Kaypee Soh. The audience was also treated to a full entertainment program that included piano music by Dale Senaga; shishimai lion dance by Hawaii Okinawa Creative Arts, led by Jon Itomura and Eric Nitta; Okinawan dances by Hooge Ryu Hana Nuuzi no Kai Nakasone Dance Academy, led by grandmaster and artistic director Lynne Yoshiko Nakasone; Okinawan music by Afuso Ryu Choichi Kai Hawaii, led by chapter president Grant “Sandaa” Murata; KZOO karaoke contest champion Chantel Ikehara; and Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Hawaii, led by Akemi Martin-Sensei and Melissa Ching.

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Guest model Lorraine Minatoishi models a long dress by Boutique Sharon

The United Japanese Society of Hawaii installed its 2016-2017 officers on June 25 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Kenny Endo and Taiko Center of the Pacific presented the “call to celebration” with a thunderous taiko number. It was followed by several celebratory dances — the Japanese “Kotobuki Samba,” performed by Cindy Kimoto and Jerre Tokairin of the Hanayagi Mitsusumi Dance Studio, and the Okinawan dance, “Umi nu Chinbora,” performed by Kimberlie Arakaki, Katelynn Arakaki, Ashli Lum and Cali Asato of Tamagusuku Ryu Senjukai Hawaii. The program also featured several contemporary dances and hula by young performers Kupono and Pomai Nakakura and Seth and Grace Jansson.

Besides installing the new president, the installation banquet is also traditionally the UJSH’s opportunity to recognize people who have advanced and supported the UJSH’s mission through programs such as the Kenjin Kai Outstanding Member awards. Selected by their own kenjinkai were: Bruce Shimada, Central O‘ahu Kumamoto Kenjin Kai; Yuji Ogai, Hawaii Ehime Kenjin Kai; Kendrick Settsu, Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjin Kai; Chizuko Kawaji, Hawaii Kagoshima Kenjin Kai; Dr. Shigeo Natori, Hawaii Miya-
gi Kenjin Kai; Mitsuko Mikuni, Hawaii Oita Kenjin Kai; Mark Higa, Hawaii United Okinawa Association; Martin Matsuura, Hawaii Yamagata Kenjin Kai; Kazuo and Janice Ouchi, Hawaii Yamanashi Kyoyu Kai; June Motokawa, Honolulu Fukushima Kenjin Kai; Nancy Shimamoto, Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai; Miyoko Nishioka, Honolulu Kumamoto Kenjin Kai; Muriel Masumura, Honolulu Niigata Kenjin Kai; Roy Ota, Honolulu Yamaguchi Kenjin Kai; and Jack Tsujihara, Wahiawa-Waialua Hiroshima Kenjin Kai.

June Motokawa spoke on behalf of the honorees, thanking UJSH for recognizing their work. “We have learned much from our mentors,” she said. Motokawa said they are all committed to perpetuating the legacy of those who came before them and to sharing the mission of the UJSH throughout Hawai‘i.

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Onoe Kikunobukazu (Howard Asao) dances “Shirasagi no Shiro” in honor of his sensei, Onoe Kikunobu, who received the UJSH Award for Contributions to the Japanese Community and Hawaii.

World War II AJA soldiers, their families and supporters will come together on Sunday, Sept. 25, in separate services on O‘ahu and Maui to remember fallen comrades of the Second World War.

The O‘ahu Joint Memorial Service, organized by Nisei Veterans Legacy, will honor veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion. The service at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl will begin at 10 a.m. Former state Sen. Matt Matsunaga, son the late U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga, will be the speaker. Spark Matsunaga served with the 100th Infantry Battalion.

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Ryukyu Sokyoku Hozon Kai Hawaii Shibu, led by Sarina Udd-Sensei, will present its debut recital on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Kaimukï High School Auditorium. The recital, themed “Habatake Sekai Ni,” which means to spread the wings of koto music, celebrates the establishment of the Ryukyu Sokyoku Hozon Kai Hawaii Shibu Sarina Udd Kenkyusho.

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The Blue Planet Foundation presented its 2016 Honua Award to Gov. David Ige for his “exceptional leadership on clean energy.” The presentation was made at Blue Planet’s first fundraising gala, called the Blue Tie Bash. The Sept. 14 event at the Hawai‘i Convention Center raised over $100,000 for Blue Planet Foundation, a clean energy nonprofit dedicated to ending the use of fossil fuels.

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The United Japanese Society of Hawai‘i hosted its annual Tsukimi no Kai (moon viewing) event at Kapi‘olani Community College on Aug. 18. Guests were encouraged to come dressed in a yukata or hapi coat to add to the evening’s ambiance.

Moon viewing parties are popular in Japan. Friends gather to greet and honor the full moon on the night of Aug. 15 of the lunar calendar. The custom, which was introduced to Japan from China during the Nara and Heian periods (710-1185), is believed to have started with aristocrats, who would gather to recite poetry inspired by the full moon.

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Karleen C. Chinen
(Photos courtesy Nisei Veterans Legacy)

MIS veteran Dr. Yoshinobu Oshiro with Gov. David Ige and first lady Dawn Amano-Ige.

“Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future” was the theme of the 11th annual Joint Memorial Service, which was held Sept. 25 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. The service borrowed the theme of this year’s Pearl Harbor 75th anniversary commemoration. A declining number of World War II AJA soldiers, their families and supporters gathered to remember fallen veterans of that war that forever changed so many lives.

The service, which was organized by Nisei Veterans Legacy, honored veterans of the 100th Infantry

100th Infantry Battalion veteran Mitsuo “Ted” Hamasu, his wife Tsuruye and daughter Tsurumi arrive at the service.

Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion. Former state Sen. Matt Matsunaga, son the late U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga, who served with the 100th Battalion and the MIS, delivered the memorial address.

The program also featured readings from the letters, poems and essays of veterans Ted Tsukiyama (442/MIS), Richard Okamoto (442), Robert Sato (100th) and Harold Kudo (442) by Sansei and Yonsei descendants of the AJA soldiers — Pauline Sato (daughter of Robert Sato), Sandy Tsukiyama (daughter of Ted Tsukiyama), Lynn Heirakuji and Daniel Akiyama.

The memorial service, which previously was organized by the O‘ahu AJA Veterans Council, is held annually on the Sunday closest to Sept. 29 — the day in 1943 that Sgt. Shigeo “Joe” Takata of the 100th Battalion became the first Japanese American soldier killed in action in World War II.

Yasunori Deguchi, a 442nd RCT veteran, watches as cadets place the 442nd’s floral arrangement at the memorial.

State Rep. Gregg Takayama, whose late father served in the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, represented the unit in the presenting of the floral
arrangement.

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The United Japanese Society of Hawaii honored 27 O‘ahu Nikkei who are celebrating their 80th birthday this year by throwing them a grand celebration. The UJSH’s 42nd annual Nenchosha Ian Engei Taikai (Senior Citizens Festival) was held Sept. 18 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s Manoa Grand Ballroom. The birthday honorees were treated to lunch and a full program of Japanese and Okinawan music and dance.

The program began with the observance of a moment of silence for the deceased.

UJSH president Dean Asahina welcomed everyone to the event. The United Japanese Society of Hawaii holds the event annually in conjunction with Japan’s observance of “Respect for the Aged Day,” a national holiday in the country. Each year, the organization asks the various O‘ahu kenjinkai, senior citizen clubs and community centers to submit the names of members who are turning 80 that year so that UJSH can recognize them at the Nenchosha Festival.

The honorees were introduced individually during the program and presented a certificate. They also had their picture taken with Asahina and 2016 Cherry Blossom Queen Alexis Okihara.

Congratulatory messages were offered by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Consul General of Japan Yasushi Misawa. Misawa said the celebration of longevity brought back memories of his mother-in-law, who lived to the age of 101.

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Yamagata Prefecture governor Mieko Yoshimura visited Honolulu last month to introduce products from her prefecture. Among the products Yoshimura and Japanese actor Eiichiro Funakoshi introduced were Yamagata’s artisan woodworks and crafts, its sake, Yonezawa beef, imoni (taro and meat soup) and its famous Tsuyahime rice.

A special reception for invited guests was held at the Japanese Consulate on Oct. 7 so they could sample some of Yamagata’s delicacies. There was also a kendama demonstration and a video presentation about Yamagata.

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Karleen C. Chinen

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i opened the doors to its new Honouliuli National Monument – JCCH Education Center on Oct. 22. The event was attended by family members of the former Honouliuli internees, supporters and elected officials.

In February 2015, President Barack Obama designated the Honouliuli camp site as a national monument, bringing it under the auspices of the National Park Service.

The opening program included both Buddhist memorial rites and a Shinto blessing. The Buddhist rites were conducted by Bishop Shugen Komagata of Soto Mission of Hawai‘i. Bishop Komagata has a connection to Honouliuli: His grandfather, the Rev. Zenkyo Komagata, was interned there during the war. Komagata said the education center is a place where the stories of the Honouliuli internees will be preserved, shared and studied.

Honouliuli was the largest and longest-used confinement site in the territory of Hawai‘i. Internees were sent there beginning in March 1943. The camp remained open until 1946. Imprisoned at Honouliuli, which the internees referred to as Jigoku Dani, or Hell Valley, were approximately 4,000 prisoners of war from Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Taiwan and Italy; American-born citizens — most of them Kibei-Nisei (American-born and Japan-educated second-generation Americans of Japanese ancestry); and about 400 permanent resident aliens from Japan living in Hawai‘i, who were barred by American law from becoming U.S. citizens.

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WHO/WHAT: Senju Kai Hawaii presents this holiday fundraising event, featuring Okinawan music and dance, food and drinks, a kachashi dance contest and silent auction. Proceeds will help offset costs for the school’s recitals, costume purchases and scholarships for students wishing to further their skills by taking the certification test in Okinawa.

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, Dec. 2, from 5:30-9 p.m. at Pagoda Restaurant (1525 Rycroft St.), International Ballroom, first floor.

COST: $60 per person, $70 at the door. The first 50 paid registrants will be entered in a drawing to win an awamori gift basket. RSVP by Nov. 21. Guests must be age 21 and older. For more information, call (808) 780-4334 or to register online, visit http://www.senjukaihawaii.com/events/cultural-fusion-2016/.

WHO/WHAT: JN Productions, Inc. presents this documentary about the Nisei soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. In March 1943, 10,000 men of Japanese ancestry volunteered for the 442nd RCT when only 1,500 were requested. These men volunteered even though their families in Hawai‘i and on the Mainland were deemed enemy aliens, with some incarcerated in relocation camps by President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066. Many of the Japan-born mothers of the Hawai‘i boys actually encouraged their sons to volunteer, even though America was at war with their mother country.

Highlights of the 1993 50th anniversary of the formation of the 442nd RCT will also be revisited. As the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye notes in an interview, “This may be the last roll call. We hate to see this because we know our journey is coming to an end. We upheld our honor, the nation’s honor and we will be proud that we can leave a legacy for our children. It was not in vain.”

WHEN/WHERE: Saturday, Nov. 26, at 9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 11:30 a.m. on KIKU-TV (Oceanic Ch. 9, Digital 89)

The Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii celebrated its milestone 110th anniversary with a two-day celebration.

The annual Omatsuri (Autumn Festival) was held at the shrine on Oct. 9. Superintendent Nagahiko Senge of the Izumo Taishakyo headquarters in Shimane, Japan, officiated at the event.

In keeping with Izumo Taisha tradition, church and community leaders set aside a day during the autumn harvest season to express gratitude to the kami (gods) for their guidance in matters relating to our country, state, city, organizations and personal needs and to ask Kami for continued blessings in the future.

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WHO/WHAT: The East-West Center Arts Program, in cooperation with the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts and the Hawaii United Okinawa Association, presents “AYANUJI — Okinawa’s Traditional Culture: Past and Present.”

WHEN/WHERE: Through Jan. 8 at the East-West Center Gallery in John A. Burns Hall, 1601 East-West Rd. (corner Dole Street and East-West Road). Gallery hours are weekdays: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, noon-4 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Dec. 23, 25-26, 30 and Jan. 1-2.

COST: Free admission. Visitor parking is available on the UH-Mānoa campus for a fee during the week (free on Sundays). Free school and group tours available. For further information, call (808) 944-7177 or visit Arts.EastWestCenter.org

BACKGROUND: Okinawa and Hawai‘i have a long history of exchange. Thousands of Hawai’i families trace their ancestral roots to Okinawa. “Ayanuji” is a word used in ancient Okinawan poetry, meaning “beautiful rainbow.” This exhibition aims to build a rainbow bridge between Okinawa and Hawai‘i by sharing both past traditions and present-day interpretations of Okinawan culture.

The exhibit features textiles, lacquerware, ceramics, carving and glassware, with traditional Uchinanchu culture highlighted alongside contemporary expressions. The exhibited works were made by the faculty of Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, along with pieces borrowed from the Hawai‘i community, including musical instruments.

WHO/WHAT: Gov. David Ige and First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, together with the Washington Place Foundation, will host this special holiday event. Christmas trees and holiday decorations will be on view throughout Washington Place. There will also be a fashion show by Ballet Hawai‘i, featuring costumes from its Royal Nutcracker production honoring the first Christmas Open House at Washington Place in 1858.

WHEN/WHERE: Sunday, Dec. 11, from 5-8 p.m. Reservations are required. Call 586-0248 or reserve tickets online at www.washingtonplacefoundation.org by Wednesday, Dec. 8. Adults may be required to present a photo I.D. to enter Washington Place grounds and bags may be subject to inspection.

Free parking will be available at the state Department of Health parking lot (Kinau Hale Building) off of Miller Street.

WHO/WHAT: The Hawaii United Okinawa Association hosts its annual evening craft fair featuring select vendors.

WHEN/WHERE: Wednesday. Dec. 7, from 5:30-9 p.m. at Hawaii Okinawa Center, 94-587 Uke‘e St. in Waipio. Call 676-5400 or visit www.huoa.org

“Mifune: The Last Samurai,” a documentary on legendary actor Toshiro Mifune by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki, will begin its Hawai‘i theatrical run on Friday, Dec. 9, at Consolidated’s Kahala Theaters. Mifune’s grandson, Rikiya Mifune, an actor as well, will attend the evening screenings on Dec. 9 and 10. “Mifune: The Last Samurai” made its Hawai‘i premiere at the 2016 Hawai‘i International Film Festival.

Toshiro Mifune in “Rashomon.” (Photo courtesy HIFF)

Toshiro Mifune (1920-1997), who appeared in 170 films, was the greatest actor from the “golden age” of Japanese cinema. He is best known for his 16-film collaboration (1948-’65) with filmmaker Akira Kurosawa in such films as “Rashomon,” “Seven Samurai,” “The Hidden Fortress” and “Throne of Blood,” which was adapted from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Mifune twice earned the Best Actor Prize at Venice Festival for “Yojimbo” (1961) and “Red Beard” (1965).

Together, Mifune and Kurosawa created the genre of the wandering warrior protagonist that would later inspire filmmakers as diverse as Sergio Leone, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and George Lucas. Actor Clint Eastwood credits Mifune as the inspiration for his own iconic Western characters.

Toshiro Mifune gave some of the finest performances in film history that audiences still marvel at today.

Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki and narrated by actor Keanu Reeves, the documentary explores Mifune’s life and career with archival footage and interviews with Mifune’s family and co-stars.

Higashi Hongwanji members from Japan and throughout Hawai‘i gathered in Honolulu on Nov. 5 and 6 to celebrate Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s 100th anniversary in Hawai‘i. The milestone observance was centered around the theme, “Awakening to Your Deepest Wish.” Events included a panel discussion, an anniversary banquet and a special Shinran Shonin 750th anniversary memorial service in which ministers from both Hawai‘i and Japan participated.

The Nov. 5 panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Michael Conway, a lecturer in the Department of Shin Buddhist Studies at Otani University in Kyöto. All of the panelists had interesting life experiences to share: Glen Kila spoke on compassion for homeless families; Masago Asai, a native of Nagasaki, Japan, and the daughter of atomic bomb survivors, spoke of finding peace within herself and in her community; and Roberta Fontes, currently a student at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, spoke of rebuilding her life after a troubled life of crime and drug abuse.

The banquet, which was held at the Ala Moana Hotel on Nov. 5, was a festive occasion that featured ‘ukulele talents Honoka and Azita and hula by Asai and her daughters Maya and Mika, much to the delight of the guests from Japan.

The ministers from Japan and Hawai‘i participated in Shinran Shonin 750th memorial service.

Bishop Kenjun Kawamata, who is headquartered at the Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, also referred to as the Betsuin, welcomed the approximately 150 guests. He reflected on Higashi Hongwanji’s rich history in Hawai‘i, which began as a lay mission organized by Issei on Kaua‘i. The Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Mission was formally established in 1899 by the Rev. Kenyu Yamada, becoming the first Higashi Hongwanji temple outside of Japan.

Kawamata said the Higashi Hongwanji temples have been handed down from generation to generation and are now in their sixth generation of serving their communities. He paid special tribute to the Issei generation. “They overcame many difficulties that we cannot imagine today,” Kawamata said. “Higashi Hongwanji temples were the foundation of their lives and the center of their communities.”

Higashi Hongwanji is today an ‘ohana of five temples, with Faye Shigemura serving as president of the Betsuin’s board of directors. There are three temples on O‘ahu: Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii (Betsuin) on Alaneo Street in lower Liliha, Palolo Hongwanji and Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji Mission. The neighbor island temples are Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission and Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Mission on Kaua‘i. The Waimea temple was destroyed by Hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992, but rebuilt thanks to the efforts of its members and the community.

“Today we take our first step to ensuring that we continue for the next 100 years,” Bishop Kawamata said.

The banquet program also featured remarks by Overseas District Abbot Choyu Otani and Bishop Koi Sato’o, chief administrator of Shinshu Otani-ha.

Looking around the banquet room at the happy faces, emcee Mary Matsuda commented, “This is a moment in time of true sangha (church community).”

WHO/WHAT: The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i celebrates the Year of the Rooster with its annual New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival, the state’s largest festival celebrating Japanese New Year traditions. Enjoy delicious food and a wide variety of crafts, entertainment, children’s games, cultural activities and more.

WHEN/WHERE: Sunday, Jan. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at JCCH and Mo‘ili‘ili Field. For more information, visit www.jcch.com or call (808) 945-7633.

• IZUMO TAISHAKYO MISSION OF HAWAII

215 N. Kukui St. (‘A‘ala area), 538-7778

Jan. 1: Midnight-5 p.m.; Jan. 2 and 3: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Blessed sake and candies will be served. Omamori and Ofuda (Amulet) available for purchase.

FREE parking available on Jan. 1 at HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union parking garage and at Hosoi Garden Mortuary and Borthwick Mortuary from midnight. Parking is also available at the Kukui Center from 7:30 a.m.

• DAIJINGU TEMPLE OF HAWAII

61 Pu‘iwa Rd. (Nu‘uanu area), 595-3102

Dec. 31, 10 p.m.: Ooharai (great purification ritual); Dec. 31, 11 p.m.: Jyoya Sai (year-end blessing); Jan. 1: Midnight-4 p.m.: New Year’s blessings.

O-toso sake and candies will be served. Omamori available for purchase.

FREE parking available at Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America and Nu‘uanu Elementary School.

• HAWAII KOTOHIRA JINSHA – HAWAII DAZAIFU TENMANGU

1239 Olomea St. (Kalihi-Palama area), 841-4755

Dec. 31, 11 p.m.: Year-end purification ritual; Jan. 1: Midnight-5 p.m.

Both O-toso sake and kagami biraki sake will be served. Omamori available for purchase.

Complimentary toshikoshi soba, symbolizing long life, will be served at midnight until they run out. Complimentary bowls of ozoni (mochi soup) will be served from midnight until 2 a.m. and again from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

There will also be a shishimai lion dance, kagami biraki sake barrel (breaking the sake barrel) ceremony and taiko performances.

FREE parking is available on Jan. 1 at Damien Memorial School with free shuttle service available from midnight to 3 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.