12
Strategic planning has three phases. We are now in Phase I. The goal is to gather the organization’s history and identify issues that need to be addressed —financial, governance, membership, building, etc. MOKK’s executive board members (officers, committee chairs) have participated in a variety of small group meetings in order to help Ms. Morgan understand where MOKK has come from and how it works. Two specific projects are already in motion. The first is updating the by-laws. The second is accurate- ly recording MOKK’s historical timeline. Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News Volume XI, Issue 5 August 2007 What is Strategic Planning? Strategic Planning is a roadmap to take us from where we are to where we want to go in the future. The Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai is seeking to focus our vision and strengthen our organization through the implementation of a strategic plan. We will be having ongoing discussions about our organiza- tion’s past, present and, most importantly, our future, which includes our mission, vision, goals, priorities and plans. To assist with this effort, MOKK hired project consultant Linda Morgan. Ms. Morgan provides her clients with solutions to improve their perfor- mance and produce meaningful results. She is com- pensated through grant money awarded to MOKK. Thank you to A& B Foundation for a $1,000 grant, which funded Phase I of the Strategic Planning Project. MOKK President Traci Fujita Villarosa accepts a check from Stephen Onaga of A&B Foundation.

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Page 1: Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News - · PDF filely recording MOKK’s historical timeline. Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News Volume XI, ... the Maui Matsuri and Bazaar. A big thank you and con

Strategic planning has three phases. We are now in Phase I. The goal is to gather the organization’s history and identify issues that need to be addressed —fi nancial, governance, membership, building, etc. MOKK’s executive board members (offi cers, committee chairs) have participated in a variety of small group meetings in order to help Ms. Morgan understand where MOKK has come from and how it works.

Two specifi c projects are already in motion. The fi rst is updating the by-laws. The second is accurate-ly recording MOKK’s historical timeline.

Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

Volume XI, Issue 5 August 2007

What is Strategic Planning?

Strategic Planning is a roadmap to take us from where we are to where we want to go in the future. The Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai is seeking to focus our vision and strengthen our organization through the implementation of a strategic plan. We will be having ongoing discussions about our organiza-tion’s past, present and, most importantly, our future, which includes our mission, vision, goals, priorities and plans.

To assist with this effort, MOKK hired project consultant Linda Morgan. Ms. Morgan provides her clients with solutions to improve their perfor-mance and produce meaningful results. She is com-pensated through grant money awarded to MOKK.

Thank you to A& B Foundation for a $1,000 grant,

which funded Phase I of the Strategic Planning Project.

MOKK President Traci Fujita Villarosa accepts a check from Stephen Onaga of

A&B Foundation.

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August 2007 - Page 2 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

President’s Message

Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News is a publication of the Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai (MOKK), a non-profi t organization com-mitted to promote, perpetuate and encourage the ap-preciation of the Okinawan heritage, culture and arts. The

newsletter is published for members of MOKK.

Here it is July already and half the year is over. We have all been kept busy with our MOKK activities. Included in this issue are reports on our fundraising efforts with the Maui Matsuri and Bazaar. A big thank you and con-gratulations to Tracy Takamine and his volunteers for a job well done at the Maui Matsuri. In addition to sur-passing our fundraising goal, our booth took fi rst place in the decorating contest for the fi rst time!

I also want to thank and congratulate Julie Higa and Todd Hondo for undertaking the huge responsibility of co-chairing our Bazaar which was a tremendous success! We could not have surpassed our fundraising goal with-out the support and donations of all our members and volunteers. Thank you!

We are now taking the initial steps for strategic plan-ning for MOKK. We will be using our grant from A & B Foundation to fund Phase I of our long range planning. The Board has hired Linda Morgan with Linda Mor-gan & Associates as our strategic planning consultant. Linda is located on Maui and has helped many local organizations with their strategic plans, including Aha Punana Leo. Our fi rst strategic planning meeting was held at a special board workshop on August 15. The pur-pose of this fi rst meeting was to educate the board on the strategic planning process, gather data from the board, and conduct an assessement.

I plan to apply for more grants to fund Phases II and III of our strategic planning process. Phases II and III are when we need as many members as possible to partici-pate. This is when your vision of our organization will be crucial! Planning for our future is exciting and I am

(continued on page 2)

Strategic Planning - continued

Phases II and III will involve planning sessions and drafting a fi nal plan document.

The Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai enjoys a rich heri-tage that has been passed down from the Issei, the fi rst generation—our grandparents and great grand- parents—who emigrated from Okinawa to Hawaii. They worked hard and sacrifi ced so that their children would have better lives. The strengths of MOKK include the wonderful fellowship among the people, both Uchinanchu by blood and in heart, colorful and entertaining music and arts, the food (!), and the kaikan, the Maui Okinawa Cultural Center, which houses many cultural artifacts, books and is the gathering place of our people.

We will use our strengths to face the challenges ahead, so that 10, 20, 30 years from now, our chil-dren will successfully carry on the primary mission of the Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai…to perpetuate our culture.

In order to effectively complete the Strategic Planning process, we invite all MOKK members to take opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas with board members or attend meetings that will be announced. We also welcome those who are interested and available now to work on the histori-cal committee that has been recently set up.

Isn’t this an exciting time to be involved? Strategic Planning has the potential to set a healthy foundation

Maui Okinawa Kenjin KaiPO Box 1884

Wailuku HI 96793(808)242-1560 phone (808)242-5952 fax

Offi ce Manager: Janet Miyahira Newsletter Staff: Linda Kiyabu, Wendy Tamashiro

Contributors: Amy Shinsato, Dennis Shinsato,

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August 2007 - Page 3 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

The Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai has awarded $1,000 scholarships to three Maui high school graduates. This scholarship is offered annually to children of Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai members or students of Okinawan ancestry residing on Maui. Applicants were selected on the basis of fi nancial need, academic achievement, educational plans, and school and community activities.

Congratulations 2007 Scholarship Recipients!

Derek Hondo, son of Mitchell and Sandy Hondo of Wailuku

I am a graduate of Baldwin High School. I am honored and grateful to be one of the recipients of the 2007 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai Schol-arship. I will be attending Loyola Marymount University in California this fall.

My grandparents, Tamotsu and Shi-zuyo Nakata, have been members of the MOKK for many years. My mother, Sandy Hondo, has also been active with several annual events. My hope is to become involved and participate with the MOKK in the future to carry on the culture.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai for the schol-arship awarded to me. This award will help me further my education in Visual Journalism at Brooks Institute of Photography (California).

I am a third generation Okinawan-American and have been brought up with the cultural traditions and prac-tices shared by my grandparents, Zenkichi and Edith Shimabuku. Through this, I realized the strong sense of family.

Hi, my name is Robert Saito. I graduated from Maui High School. I have three brothers and one sister. I was born on Kauai and moved here after Hurricane Iniki. My favorite sports are boxing, judo, and football. I enjoy anything outdoors. I will be attending UH Hilo in the fall. I will be majoring in Agriculture.

I am connected to Okinawa through my grandmother. She was born and raised in the town of Tadena. In her 20’s, she met my grandfather. He was a Japanese-American from Kauai. He was in the army at the time and stationed nearby. They got married and after years of traveling to different places they fi nally settled down in Kauai. She tells me stories about Okinawa whenever I visit. My favorite stories are when she describes the excellent food.

Robert Saito, son of Patrick and Gina Hakola of Kihei

Mia Shimabuku, daughter of Ray and Lisa Shimabuku of Kahului

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MOKK on the WebRealizing that many of our members use com-puters and have access to the internet and email accounts, MOKK would like to communicate with those members electronically. Email will help us send announcements and other information in a more timely manner.

We will also make our newsletter available online through HUOA’s website. This should save us some money by not having to pay for postage. We encourage everyone with computer capabilities to please consider this alternative.

Please email: [email protected] so we can establish an email list. When our news-letter is ready, we will send you a message with a link to the HUOA website where you can download the .pdf fi le. Other notices and announcements that are normally mailed will also be sent to you

Foodland and Sack N Save’s Give Aloha ProgramDuring the month of September, customers are invited to make donations of up to a cumulative total of $249 (per person, per organization) at checkout to their favorite Hawai‘i non-profi t organization registered in the Give Aloha program.

Donations are accepted at any Foodland or Sack N Save checkout. A code is assigned to each organization for donation tracking at checkout. MOKK’s donation code is 77922.

This year, Foodland and the Western Union Foundation will match each donation up to a total of $285,000 for all organizations combined. If total customer donations ex-ceed $285,000, the matching gift will be divided propor-tionately among all participating organizations.

For more information on this program go to http://www.foodland.com/givealoha/general_info.php.

August 2007 - Page 4 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

by Amy Shinsato

After more than 20 years as the instructor of the Maui Paranku Club, Mrs. Fumiko Cup Choy has retired. The members of the club would like to wish her well in her retirement. Her dedication in sharing her knowledge of the Paranku has impacted the many members that participated in this art.

The Maui Paranku group originally started in cooperation with Sensei Violet Ogawa of Oahu who started the Paranku Clubs of Hawaii.

The group uses a small drum called “paranku” and a stick to dance to traditional Okinawan music. Paranku is a great way to get exercise, have fun and learn about the Okinawan culture. The Maui Paranku Club has performed at various community events such as the Maui Matsuri and has also performed at off-island events like the Hawaii United Okinawa Association’s festival on Oahu.

The Maui Paranku Club continues to practice every Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Maui Okinawa Cultural Center. For more information,

MahaloMrs. Cup Choy!

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August 2007 - Page 5 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

by Tracy Takamine

A big Mahalo to everyone who helped with the food cooking and the staffi ng of the food booth at the Maui Matsuri on May 19th. It was a great success and a fun event for all those who helped cook the andagi and anda-dog and for those who helped sell them.

Special thanks goes out to June Konno and her family for prepar-ing the andagi batter and to Dennis Shinsato and his crew for cooking the anda-dogs. We couldn’t have done it without all of you!

This year the event organizers held a food booth decorating contest and guess what... the Maui Oki-nawa Kenjin Kai booth won the fi rst prize of $100! Booth decora-tors were Julie Higa and Cynthia Takamine. Thanks again to all of you who participated!

2007 Maui Matsuri

Booth Decorating - First Prize!

Julie Higa, Tracy and Cynthia TakamineKimiko Takamiya helps a customer.

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August 2007 - Page 6 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

Successful Bazaar! After a two year absence, the Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai Bazaar was held on June 16th and was very well attended by the public and members. This year’s Bazaar featured rummage goods, country store products, plants, fl owers, produce, T-shirts, andagi, refreshments and pre sale chow fun. Gross sales fell just short of $20,000.00 with net income well over $15,000.00. Both fi gures exceeded our expectations. Once again, the Uchinanchu spirit was strong as many volunteers worked long hours prior to the event by pricing rummage, preparing foods, setting up the grounds and helping during the event as cashiers, security guards and grounds personnel. We would like to thank all the volunteers for their hard work and continued commitment to the Maui Oki-nawa Kenjin Kai. We also want to thank the local businesses that donated products and services to the event. Julie Higa and Todd Hondo, Chairpersons

Bazaar Financial Report DONATIONS SALES EXPENSES TOTAL NET INCOME

Donations/Misc Expenses $2,966.00 $1,227.48 $1,738.88 Rummage $4,568.14 $516.48 $4,051.66 T-shirt $383.00 $383.00 Chow Fun $600.00 $3,035.00 $1,269.14 $2,365.86 Andagi $2,498.00 $259.36 $2,238.64 Drinks (sale & workers) $154.00 $66.38 $87.62 Jams, Nantu, Pretzel $927.50 $118.33 $809.17 Takuwan, sushi, etc $2,886.75 $658.78 $2,227.97 Plants, Flowers $1,165.35 $1,165.35 Fruits, Produce $888.00 $434.23 $453.77 NET PROFIT $3,566.00 $16,505.74 $4,549.82 $15,521.92

Hai Sai, The August 18, 2007, Obon Concession was very challenging for Bob Yonahara this year. With the threat of the Hurricane Flossie, Young Brothers canceled a scheduled stop on Maui and the noodles ordered were not showing up at all. This added a few extra years to our already older age. But like any good planner, Bob improvised and made the best out of the situation and came out on top. The committee chairpersons and volunteers were the key to the success of this event. It seems that this was a record crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy the food and entertainment. This was our last fundraiser of the year and we are looking forward to the Bonnen Kai, End of the Year celebra-tion, at Maui Beach. See you there!

Ippei Nifee Debiru

2006 2007 Andagi $ 2,369.05 $ 2,595.00 Andadog $ 729.00 $ 871.00 Chow Fun $ 2,466.00 $ 3,640.00 Okinawan Pork $ 1,851.00 $ 2,107.00 Hamburger Steak $ $ 534.00 Pig Feet Soup $ 1,489.00 $ 2,233.00 Shave Ice $ 480.00 $ 640.80 Soda/Bottle Water $ 642.00 $ 776.00

Gross Profi t $ 10,026.05 $ 13,396.80

Obon Concession

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August 2007 - Page 7 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

ARAKAKI, IRENEARAKAKI, TONYARAKAWA, JERRYARAKAWA, LILLIANASATO, EARLASATO, ETHELCAMPBELL, NAOMICARVALHO, MARGARETCORDEIRO, AUDREYDELAS SANTOS, SANDYFUJITA, ELAINEFUKUDA, EARLFUKUDA, HIROKOGIBO, LORRAINEGIBO, NIKKIANNGINOZA, JANEGOYA, HIDEOGUSHI, EDGUSHIKEN, JEANETTEGUSUKUMA, RACHAELGUSUKUMA, TOKUSEIHAMURA, GLADDISHIGA, JAMESHIGA, JULIEHIGA, PATSYHIGA, SANDIEHIGA, SANDYHIGA, TERRYHONDO, CHRISTINEHONDO, LORIHONDO, MIKEHONDO, TODDHORIKAWA, JOYCEISAACS, UTAEISAGAWA, PATSYISHIKAWA, LARRYISHIKAWA, LORRAINEKAHOOLAA, RAINAKAIMIOLA, KIMOKAMII, AUDREYKAMIYA, NORMAKANESHIRO, RICHARDKAWAHARA, HELENKAYONA, YOSHIMIKIMURA, NANCY

KIYABU, LILLIANKIYABU, LINDAKIYABU, MITSUKOKIYABU, NANCYKOHATSU, JEANETTEKONNO, DARRENKONNO, DICKKONNO, JUNEKUNISHIGE, JOANNEKUNISHIGE, PATRICKKUNITAKE, STANLEYKUNIYOSHI, SUMIKOKUSHI, LEONALUNDQUIST, MARY ANNMACHIDA, IRENEMASUDA, ANNEMATSUOKA, CHARLENEMATSUOKA, LISAMATSUOKA, MILTONMATSUSHITA, DOREENMISAKI, LINDAMIYAHIRA, DORISMIYAHIRA, EDMIYAHIRA, JANICEMIYAHIRA, JENNIFERMIYAHIRA, KIYOSHIMIYAMOTO, MILDREDMIZUKI, ETHELMURATA, RUTHNAKAGAWA, JOANNNAKAIMA, FAITHNAKAMA, GARYNAKAMA, LEEBRICKNAKAMA, LUCILLENAKAMA, PHYLLISNAKAMA, TOYONAKAMURA, SHIGERUNAKANISHI, SHIGERUNAKASONE, MONANAKATA, WAYNENAKO, DIANENAPIHAA, JUDYNISHIHARA, TOSHIKOODAGIRI, JUSTINOHTA, DAVID

OISHI, LAYNEOKI, TOSHIKOOKUMA, CHERYLOMURO, ANNETTEOSHIRO, EDDIEOSHIRO, GRACEOSHIRO, HOWARDOSHIRO, LORRAINEOSHIRO, SUSANOWAN, DANNYOWARA, HARRIETOWARA, MITSUOOYA, MASAKOPLADERO, PASITASAIKI, DORISSAJULGA, WANDASAKODA, RUTHSARMIENTO, AMBERSARMIENTO, LANISASADA, CYNTHIASASAOKA, CORYSASAOKA, NICOLESASAOKA, RAYMONDSASAOKA, RAYNETTESASAOKA, RENEESASAOKA, RUBYSHINSATO, AMYSHINSATO, CARASHINSATO, DENNISSHINSATO, LORISHIROMA, DANASHIROMA, LYNETTESHIROMA, TOSHI SHIROMA, YUKISUGINO, GARYSUGINO, NANCYSUGINO, STANLEYTAKAKURA, ANNTAKAMINE, CYNTHIATAKAMINE, TRACYTAKAMIYA, KIMIKOTAKAMURA, HISAKOTAKETA, EILEENTAKUSHI, GRACETAM, CATHY

TAM, KISHATAMASHIRO, HELENTAMASHIRO, JOANTAMASHIRO, KOKITAMASHIRO, RYANTAMASHIRO, WENDYTAMAYOSE, PATSYTAMAYOSE, STANTANJI, MARLYNNETANJI, SANDYTENGAN, GEORGETERADA, GAILTERUYA, LYNNTOGUCHI, JANICETOKUNAGA, SARA JEANTOMA, JOEUEHARA, CLARENCEUYEDA, MARY ANNVILLAROSA, CAITLINVILLAROSA, RODNEYVILLAROSA, TRACIWATANABE, SHARONWEBER, WARRENWETZEL, KAZUKOYAMADA, AMYYAMAGUCHI, MIKAYAMANOHA, RALPHYAMANOHA, SADAEYAMASHIRO, BETTY (G)YAMASHIRO, BETTY (H)YAMASHIRO, BETTY (N)YAMASHIRO, CHARLENEYAMASHIRO, HENRYYAMASHIRO, JANAYAMASHIRO, ROBERTYATSUSHIRO, AIMEEYONAHARA, BOBYONAHARA, ALLYYONAHARA, TAMMYYOSHIMI, DEBRAYOSHIMI, TYYOSHINARI, SEIICHIZAAN, EARL

Thank you to our Bazaar volunteers!

If we have inadvertently left out any volunteer’s name, please leave a message at 242-1560.

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August 2007 - Page 8 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

MAUI OKINAWA CULTURAL CENTERWEEKLY SCHEDULE

Revised: 9/19/2007

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday7-9 AM

1-3 PM Gateball 7-9 AM 8-11 AMOdori 9 AM-12n Gateball Workday

Seniors3-5:30 PM 7-9 PM 6-9 PM 10 AM-12 N 6:30 PM 6-9 PM 8 AM-12 NParanku Koten Taiko Iaido Fun Day Sanshin Iaido Taiko

7-9 AM 8-11 AM9 AM-3 PM 7-9 AM Gateball Workday

Odori Gateball 10 AM-12 N 8 AM-12 NFun Day Taiko

3-5:30 PM 7-9 PM 6-9 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6-9 PM 12:30-4:30 PMParanku Koten Taiko Iaido Sanshin Board Mtg Iaido Koten Taiko1-3 PM

FujinkaiJan/Apr/Jul/Oct 7-9 AM 7-9 AM 8-11 AM

1-3 PM Gateball Gateball WorkdayOdori

3-5:30 PM 7-9 PM 6-9 PM 10 AM-12 N 6:30 PM 6-9 PM 8 AM-12 NParanku Koten Taiko Iaido Fun Day Sanshin Iaido Taiko

1-3 PM 7-9 AM 7-9 AM 8-11 AMOdori Gateball Gateball Workday

3-5:30 PM 7-9 PM 6-9 PM 10 AM-12 N 6:30 PM 6-9 PM 8 AM-12 NParanku Koten Taiko Iaido Fun Day Sanshin Iaido Taiko

1-3 PM 7-9 AM 7-9 AM 8-11 AMOdori Gateball Gateball Workday

3-5:30 PM 7-9 PM 6-9 PM 10 AM-12 N 6:30 PM 6-9 PM 8 AM-12 NParanku Koten Taiko Iaido Fun Day Sanshin Iaido Taiko

ACTIVITY: CONTACT PERSON:Fun Day Robert Miyashiro Printers, Inc./(Hanafuda, cribbage, piute, socializing, bingo, craft, etc.) Wailuku Rapid PrintGateball Charlene YamashiroIaido (Sword) Robert Montgomery The Maui Okinawa Kenjin KaiKoten Taiko (Drum) Janet Miyahira is grateful to Printers, Inc. forOdori (Dance) June Konno consistently providing us withParanku Nicole Sasaoka excellent and speedy serviceSanshin Koki Tamashiro over the years that we haveSenior Citizen’s Club Helen Tamashiro done business with them.Taiko (Drum) Wendy Tamashiro

Thank you Wayne, April Board Meetings, 6 PM 2nd Thursday and Ashley!

Classes and activities held at the Maui Okinawa Cultural Center (MOCC). For more information, please call 242-1560.

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August 2007 - Page 9 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

I can’t believe that I’m living in Okinawa. The beautiful sights, the friendly people, and the delicious food always remind me that I am very lucky to be as-signed here. I am one of over 6000 Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program members working in Japan. JETs come from all over the world - from Great Britain and France, to New Zealand and Australia with most of them being ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) like me. As an ALT, I assist the main English teachers in creating fun activities that encourage the practice of English, I provide an example of a native English speak-er, and I share the culture I grew up in. This program is sponsored by the Japanese government, as teaching/learning English is now part of their national school cur-ricula, beginning in elementary school.

I live in Ishikawa, smack in the middle of the island, about 45 minutes north of the capital city of Naha. I teach at two local high schools - Ishikawa High School, my base or “home” school, and Gushikawa Commer-cial High School. I spend three to four days a week at Ishikawa and the other days at Gushikawa. The teachers have been easy to work with, and the students are very friendly outside of class (though it has been diffi cult keeping the students engaged and motivated in the class-room). I enjoy the informal talks with students the most where they seem most at ease in trying out their English with me.

Communication is a challenge. I speak very little Japanese, even though I took it in high school and college. I guess I never took it very seriously. I wish I had - there are so many questions that I have about what I experience. Even when I can ask the question in Japa-

nese, I can’t understand the answer that is given! More-over, hogen (the Okinawan dialect) is usually sprinkled in with the Japanese, making conversations even more diffi cult to understand. Nevertheless, progress has been made and I hope to acquire decent language skills by the time I leave.

Foods that I have tried for the fi rst time are too numerous to count. Goya (the unoffi cial vegetable of Okinawa) is served with every meal like rice, usually in the form of goya champuru (stir fry) with Spam and eggs. Yagi (goat) soup, nakami (pork innards) soup, yagi sashimi, seared pork liver, mimiga (pork ears), Japanese blowfi sh, Okinawa soba (their version of saimin), and various types of awamori (Okinawan sake) are just a few examples. Except for the yagi meat that was in the yagi soup, I have enjoyed everything I have tasted so far. I have also found that it’s much better to taste fi rst before asking what it is!

Travel has been rewarding as well. I have driven, sailed, or fl own to many of the Okinawan islands. Each is beautiful and unique in its own way, with a few having a distinct variation of Okinawan culture. Mainland Japan is also within reach. This past winter, I went skiing in Hokkaido and am now in love with Hokkaido ikura (salmon roe). In May, I will be taking a trip to Kobe. My relatives live in the southern part of the island. During the Uchinanchu Taikai in October of last year, I was able to meet members of my great-grandfa-ther’s family for the fi rst time. Many still live in Gu-shikami (now called Yaese), the town he came from! It was surreal - to meet those who not only look like family

My Okinawa Experience(This article was written by Jason Hondo in March 2007.)

Jason (far right) and friends go skiing in Hokkaido, Japan

Jason (on the right) and friend enjoy the beautiful sakura trees.

(continued on page 10)

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August 2007 - Page 10 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

members, but who are family members, who have been living their lives in a world thousands of miles away.

The people of Okinawa have been wonderful. They care deeply about their family, friends, work, and culture. It is a place where people simply seem to enjoy life and everything surrounding it. I noticed this from the very fi rst day I went to school. However, be-ing a foreigner, it has taken a while to become comfort-able with them - and them with me. Though the teach-ers were always friendly and respectful, developing relationships was diffi cult. But with time, these friend-ships have grown and helped me gain a truly authentic Okinawan experience thus far, and the longer I stay, the deeper my understanding will certainly become.

It is an incredible feeling to wake up every morning in a foreign country. I drive on the left side of the road, I use chopsticks exclusively to eat my food, I can’t read the labels on the groceries that I buy, people always start speaking to me in Japanese thinking that I’m

My Okinawa Experience - continued

Jason and his fellow teachers ham it up for the camera!

Congratulations to our 80-year-olds!Awards given at the Annual Picnic

on July 29, 2007:

Warabi Ashibi Youth Camp PostponedThe youth camp originally planned for October 1-5 has been postponed. No new date has been set yet. If you are interested in helping with the planning of our camp, please leave a message for Traci Fujita Villarosa at 242-1560.

Picnic 2007 To all the members and friends that came to the Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai Picnic on July 29th at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center: The ono food, shaved ice, challenging games, terrifi c prizes, and bingo game helped to make this event very successful. The picnic was a way to show appreciation to the members and friends for all the support they have given to the events throughout the year. Ma-halo! for the generous monetary gifts and prizes that were given towards the picnic. See you in 2008! To my family: Thank you for your hard work and support. I could not have done it without your help.

Ippei Nifee Debiru Dennis Shinsato, Event Chairman

Gladys ItamuraGeorge Y. MatsuoJinsei Miyashiro

Masako OyaRachel Shiroma

New Beginning Eisa ClassRyukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Hawaii (Maui Group) will be starting a new beginning class in October. Practices are held every Sunday afternoon.

Eisa is a traditional form of Okinawa taiko. Danc-ers hold drums and move to both classic and modern Okinawa music.

If you are interested in learning eisa please leave a message for Traci Fujita Villarosa at 242-1560 or email [email protected].

Jeannette SmithShizuko TanabeNobuo Tengan

Masano Toguchi

Page 11: Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News - · PDF filely recording MOKK’s historical timeline. Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News Volume XI, ... the Maui Matsuri and Bazaar. A big thank you and con

August 2007 - Page 11 Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai News

Donations to Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai 4/30/2007 - 7/23/2007

General Fund Bazaar - June 16 Bazaar - June 16 In-kind Arakawa, Elsie $25 Nagamine, Yasuo M/M $100 Kayona, Yoshimi Miyahira, Nora $25 Nakaima, Faith $25 Kikugawa, Aaron MOKK - Gate Ball $400 Nakama, Haruko/Florence $100 Kitkowski, Blair & Patricia Nakasone, Doris $25 Kobayashi, Eileen In Memory of Mrs. Helen Hanayo Asato Nishida, Rose $30 Konno, Darren Asato, Carl $2,000 Onaga, Miyoko $20 Kunitake, Stan & Rita In Memory of Zenkichi Shimabuku Oshiro, Hatsue $50 Kuniyoshi, Eloise Shimabuku, Kiyoshi $50 Oshiro, Nancy $20 Maher, Tamie Hondo In Memory of Roy Yonahara Sasaoka Ohana $60 Miyahira, Ed & Doris Anonymous $100 Sato, Betsy Miyashiro $50 Miyahira, Wallace & Yasuko Shimabukuro, Donald/Grace $100 Miyashiro, Bob Scholarship Shimomura, Henry/Florence $50 Nagano, Roberta In Memory of Yeiko Higa $200 Shinsato, Amy/Dennis $25 Nakama, Fern Higa, Mitsuko Shiroma, Lynette $25 Nakamoto, J. Haruko Higa, Raymond Shiroma, Toshio & Yukie $25 Nakamura, Shigeru & Joyce Takamiya, Jin $20 Nakashima, Myles Bazaar - June 16 Takushi, Grace $25 Nakata, Dorothy Anonymous $550 Tengan, Kimiko $25 Nakata, Tamotsu Anonymous $1 Tengan, Nobuo $20 Nako, Diane Arakaki, Y. Tony & Irene $50 Tsuhako, Misao $25 Nishida, Warren Arakawa, Dr Patrick & Alice $100 Yamaguchi, Rev. Ryozo $600 Nishimoto, Marc Arakawa, Elsie Y. $25 Yamashiro, Masanobu/Betty $25 Oki, Toshiko Arakawa, Humiko $25 Okuma, Cheryl Arakawa, Jerry $100 In-kind (Ingredients, misc Onaga, Miyoko Arakawa, Shintoku $50 household items) Owara, Mitsuru & Harriet Asato, Ethel $20 Arakawa, Hideo Sakutori, Jean Ginoza, Yukiko $30 Arakawa, Jerry Shinsato, Amy Higa, Hideyasu & Patsy $20 Arakawa, Lillian Sugino, Stanley & Nancy Higa, Seichi & Yoshiko $25 Asato, Dwayne Taketa, Eileen Higa, William & Laura $50 Battad, Lisa Tamashiro, Helen Higa, Yoneko $20 Burge, Ethel Tamashiro, Stanley & Elsie Hokama, Masatoshi/Charlene $100 Campbell, Naomi Tamashiro, Wendy Isagawa, Kiyoko $25 Cup Choy, Fumiko Teruya, Lynn Isagawa, Mac & Margaret $100 Fuji, Ethel Uehara, Clarence Itamura, James & Gladys $50 Ginoza, Jane Villarosa, Rodney Kameya, Tsuruko $100 Goya, Hideo Yamanuha, Yoshi & Sadae Kamiya, Norma $25 Gusukuma, Tokusei Yokoyama, Joan Kaohu Store $100 Higa, Lynn Yonahara, Tammy Kawahara, Frank & Helen $50 Hondo, M Kiyabu, Nancy $100 Hondo, Wade HC&S Lundquist, Mary Ann $10 Horikawa, Joyce Costco Matsui, Chiyoko $25 Igarashi, Robert & Jean L & R Farms Matsumoto, May $100 Kaholoaa, Raina Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Matsumoto, Willard $100 Kamasaki, M/M Teruo Longs Drugs-Kihei Miyashiro, Robert/Margaret $50 Kameya, Tsuruko Service Rentals Mizuki, Ethel $20 Karimoto, Mae All Star Produce Moto, Brian $100 Kawamoto, Ford Wailuku Rapid Print If you think there is an error or omission on the donation list, please contact the offi ce so we can make the correction.

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Maui Okinawa Kenjin KaiPO Box 1884Wailuku HI 96793

Non-Profi t Org.U.S. Postage

P A I DWailuku HI

96793

Okinawan Language LessonHajimiti uganabira.I’m glad to meet you.

2007 HUOA Festival, 25th Anniversary August 30 (Thursday)Stage Production “Toyama Kyuzo, Father of Okinawan Immigration”August 31 (Friday)Parade, Opening Ceremony & Aloha PartySeptember 1 (Saturday) Festival & Rinken Band ConcertKapiolani Park, OahuSeptember 2 (Sunday)Festival

Youth Camp dates to be announcedMaui Okinawa Cultural Center

Bonen Kai (End of the Year Celebration) November 10, 2007Maui Beach Hotel

Bonen KaiEnd of the Year Celebration

Saturday, November 10, 2007Maui Beach Hotel, elleair Rainbow Ballroom

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Buffet Lunch Members $25, Guests $27, Children (5-10 years old) $12.50

Program: Uchinanchu of the Year, Installation of Officers and Recognition of 80-Year-Olds

Entertainment by Ukwanshin Kabudan (Eric Wada Sensei, Norman Kaneshiro Sensei)

Call MOKK at 242-1560 for tickets, more information or if you need transportation.