One-Day Things Japanese Sale
July 17
Droves of bargain-hunters turned out for the first ever One-Day Things Japanese Sale on July 17. The Cultural Center did a twist on the popular once a year sale to an eager crowd. On top of the usual Japanese antiques and one-of-a-kind items found inside the Gift Shop, the Resource Center sold books, LPs and 78 records and lucky shoppers won incredible items on the prize wheel.
Renowned calligrapher Ryuho Hamano also made a surprise return visit to Hawai`i and spent the day doing custom calligraphy on t-shirts for a steady stream of customers.
125 Years in Hawai`i: A Calligraphy Exhibition by Ryuho Hamano
Exhibit Opening
July 10
The latest exhibition by renowned calligrapher Ryuho Hamano officially opened its doors in the Cultural Community Gallery on July 10 to dozens of attendees. The exhibition features the calligraphy of Ryuho Hamano, inspired by the 125th anniversary of the beginning of Japanese migration to Hawai`i. At the opening, Hamano made custom t-shirts for attendees. He will return in late August to conduct calligraphy and seal (hanko) making workshops on August 28. The exhibit runs through September 3.
Hawai`i Internment Workshops
July 9 and 10 (Big Island)
On the Big Island, the next set of Hawai`i Internment workshops at the Kilauea Military Camp (July 9) and the Hawai`i Japanese Center (July 10) both drew in large and eager crowds.
The workshop at the Kilauea Military Camp was held in the room that once served as a mess hall for internees. The morning program, a workshop for the teachers and librarians led by Jane Kurahara and Mary Chun, introduced the DOE instructional units. The public session that followed drew in a crowd of 75 attendees.
On July 10, more than 40 people attended the workshop that also featured a presentation by Gail Honda on the upcoming book she edited out of the papers of Otokichi Ozaki, a Hilo Japanese school teacher interned during the war.
June 5 (Kaua`i)
An early morning shower greeted the Cultural Center staff at the Kaua`i Museum on June 5. But thanks to the teru teru bozu, the brief Hawaiian blessing was followed by a beautiful day for the first of four Hawai`i internment workshops. The Cultural Center, in partnership with the Kaua`i Museum, the Education Through Cultural and Historical Organizations (ECHO) grant and with the help of Kaua`i friends and relatives, presented fascinating information and heart wrenching stories of the Hawai`i and Kaua`i internment during World War II to over 80 people in attendance. The audience responded that the workshop was "excellent," "top notch" and it "provided a wealth of information."
The afternoon teacher/librarian workshop was also well attended and well received. Three starter instructional units aligned to the Department of Education (DOE) Social Studies WWII internment benchmarks for the courses on U.S. History, Modern History of Hawai`i and Participation in Democracy were presented by Mary Chun, Waialua High School teacher, and the members of the JCCH Resource Center. The participants were given classroom display panels of the "Dark Clouds Over the Paradise: The Hawai`i Internees' Story" exhibit and the accompanying History Sleuth activity.
Kulia i Kanu`u
June 5
Nearly a thousand people gathered at `Iolani Palace on June 5 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Kanyaku Imin and to honor the AJA World War II veterans. The staff and volunteers sold numerous items from the Gift Shop and were thrilled to welcome two new family memberships to the Cultural Center. Another current member took the opportunity to renew their membership for the year.
A special photo of the AJA WWII veterans was taken in front of `Iolani Palace to mark the auspicious occasion. Several veterans held talk-story sessions and event was topped off by a special performance by ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro who performed his new song, "Go For Broke".
Keauhou Shopping Center Obon Festival
June 5
On June 5, the Cultural Center traveled to the Big Island for the 7th Annual Keauhou Shopping Center Obon Festival. Education Specialist Derrick Iwata, volunteer Charlene Yamamoto, and several members of the Hilo Tsukikage Odori Kai staffed the Cultural Center booth which assisted nearly a hundred event attendees with our signature hachimaki activity.
Maui Matsuri
May 15, 2010
The Cultural Center once again took part in the 10th Annual Maui Matsuri on May 15. Education Specialist Derrick Iwata together with volunteers Charlene Yamamoto, Kimberly Chinen, Scott Morishige, Eric Kobayashi, Arnold "A.J." Bactista and Shasta Yamada represented the Cultural Center in the children's activities tent making our signature hachimaki, as well as new koi activity. The group also presented Yuki Lei Sugimura, a former board member, with a belated board appreciation resolution.
Kodomo no Hi: Keiki Fun Fest/Going Green
May 2, 2010
Despite passing showers, thousands attended the our annual Kodomo no Hi: Keiki Fun Fest/Going Green on May 2. The Cultural Center celebrated Hawai`i's keiki with fun games, such as kingyo sukui (gold fish scooping game), kimono dressing, cultural activities such as origami, calligraphy, Gyotaku (fish prints), and learning the game of "go," a variety of food and a mini craft fair.
The festival was made possible in large part a generous grant from the Hawai`i Tourism Authority-City and County of Honolulu County Product Enrichment Program.
A Concert in the Ko`olaus with Jon Nakamatsu
