Hui O Laulima - Hawaii United Okinawa Association

Hui O Laulima
“GivinG a helpinG hand”
President’s Message
Chuuganabira!
To All of You – Thank you for supporting and being with me for the first quarter
of my term as your 2014 President. I look forward to your continued support
throughout the rest of the year.
Can you imagine June is already here! January, February, March, April and Maycame and went by so fast. My adrenaline is still pumping! In March, Hui O
Laulima was actively involved in the Honolulu Festival Parade and the New Members’ Tea; and in April, our Garage Sale Fundraiser! This was my first year that I
participated/marched in the Honolulu Festival Parade, carrying the Hui O Laulima
banner. I would like to share with you my feeling as I carried the banner. I felt
very HONORED and PROUD as I carried the HUI O LAULIMA banner throughout
the parade. (At one point, I shared the banner with Wendy Yoshimoto.) I actually didn’t want to return it when we were done! I hope all of you will have a
chance to carry the Hui O Laulima banner and will be just as honored and proud
to do so as I was!
Thank you to President-Elect Gwen Fujie, who chaired the New Member Tea
which was held in March. She and her committee members, Laura Ajimine, Ruth
Chun, Elmira Fukumoto, Tina Kaneshiro, Karen Kuba-Hori, and Lynn Oshiro did a
fantastic job in planning and preparing to make the Tea a success! Tea cups were
donated by Elmira and Lynn. Each cup was filled with a packet of Okinawan
Goma-Cha, beautifully wrapped and presented to each new member in attendance. The new members had the opportunity to meet the Board members, as
well as the Committee chairpersons. As each chairperson addressed her responsibility and what the Committee does, one could
feel a rumble in the room -- a rumble from the
new members’ excitement wanting to rush up
and sign up to volunteer! Committee Chairpersons: Great Job!!!
To Thelma Arakawa and her Committee: Thank
you for another great year of our Garage Sale
Fundraiser. Thank you to all of you who were
there on Friday, setting up the items and tables;
and to all of you who were there on Saturday also,
Queen Thelma and Princess
IPPEE NIFEE DEEBIRU! I know all of you worked
Elmira rule over the Garage
very hard and it is much appreciated. This year we Sale with benelovent smiles.
June 2014
Mark your
Calendar!
Haari Boat Race
August 15 -16
Hilo -Big Island
Okinawan Festival
August 30 –31
Kapiolani Park
HOL Cultural Grant
Application deadline
August 31
General Membership
meeting
October 25
Natsunoya Tea House
Installation
Luncheon
December 21
Honolulu Country Club
President’s Message
(continued from page 1)
had a lot of new faces. I was very happy to see a lot of new members’ helping hands. Thank you to all of
you. To our new members who were there for the first time, I hope you were inspired by the ladies’ energy and will continue to join us at our future activities. It is not only work, work, work. We also have
fun, fun, fun!
Special Thank You to Laura Ajimine and Tina Kaneshiro for agreeing to co-chair the Festival Committee.
Thank you to the “silent” committee members who are ALWAYS there: Wendy Yoshimoto, Val Teruya,
Gerri Maeda, Bobbi Kuba, Thelma Arakawa, Bertha Arakawa, Jeanne Yamasato and all the other members and spouses who “give their helping hands” before and after the Festival. We will get through this
together with all of our helping hands! Laura and Tina, Ippee Nifee Deebiru for volunteering to take on
this task!!!
We are still in need of a Historian. Would any one of you like to “give a helping hand?” You will not be
alone; we have a lot of ladies who will be willing to assist if needed.
Our signature event, the Children’s Day Camp, was held from June 2 through June 6. A BIG IPPEE NIFEE
DEEBIRU to this year’s Camp Director Connie Chun. Thank you, Connie, for a great job! The 81 campers
had a great time learning an Okinawan song and dance, and taiko drumming. They also learned how to
make a shisaa, using modeling clay and a taiko drum out of a five-gallon plastic container. Their parents/
grandparents/families were very happy and impressed by what their children learned in three days!
Thank you also to the 65 volunteers and to the three Sensei who taught the campers the song and dance,
and taiko drumming. It was a week enjoyed by all!
The Haari Boat Festival in Hilo is on August 16th. It sounds strenuous but it’s really not. It is more FUN
than strenuous. HOL’s goal this year: Beat HOL’s all-time record of LAST place.
The Okinawan Festival is August 30 and 31. Volunteers are sorely needed. An email will be sent with date
and times to volunteer.
Thank you to all of you for your dedication, hard work, and always “giving a helping hand” wherever and
whenever needed! Thank you to my advisors, too!
Let us work hard and enjoy our membership together. Let us strive to promote, preserve and perpetuate the Okinawan culture, and live up to our Hui O Laulima name!
Yutasarugutu Unigeesabira!
Kokoro Kara, Ippee Nifee Deebiru
Audrey
P.S. If any member is interested in attending any of the HOL Board of Directors meetings, please contact me via email: audgibo@hotmail.com. The next meeting will be held on August 2, 2014, 9:00am at
Makiki Park Place. You are most welcome to join us!
Page 2
Hui O Laulima
June 2014
Garage Sale – Thank You
WOW!! What a great garage sale!! A big Ippe Nifee Debiru to all you gals who helped at our 8th
annual Garage Sale on April 26th at Jikoen Temple. It was a fabulously huge success. We had a nice turnout of hard working women volunteers and a big crowd waiting before 7:00 in the morning. We made
about $5400 and netted about $5250. GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!
Thank you for all your donations and ono food items and to all who
helped with the set up, selling, and clean up. You all worked so wonderfully together and got things done so efficiently. YOU ARE THE BEST!!
A special thank you to Haruko and Edward Okita for opening and
closing the hall for us on both Friday and Saturday. Thank you also to
Lilly Higa for taking care of the publicity; Eleanor Hu for taking care of
the food sale; Karen Fuse and Paula Kurashige for preparing the price
stickers and taking care of the jewelry sale; Sharon Fujino for feeding
the volunteers on Friday and Margot Sarae and Val Teruya who did the
same on Saturday; Ellen Higa and Gerri Maeda who made the andagi;
Bobbi Kuba for taking care of the making of spam musubis; Wendy Yoshimoto for making the signs and floor plans; Alice Kishimoto for taking
Kate and Carol are just
care of the plants; Shirley Miyahira for taking care of the holding area;
“basketcases” over the many
Karen Kuba-Hori and Eleanor Hu for supplying the calculators; Laura
donations that filled the hall.
Ajimine for taking care of the check-out; and Carol Tanji for over-seeing
the parking lot. A special ‘thanks’ to our women’s spouses- Edward Okita, Joe Tibayan, Clayton Fujie,
David Arakawa , Steven Miyashiro and Gary Jitchaku who provided needed ‘manpower’ by picking up
garage sale items, unloading donations, and helping with set up and clean up. Their ‘muscles’ were
greatly appreciated in taking out and putting away the furniture.
Please start saving your items for our next Garage Sale next year. Until then, please take care and God
Bless you!
Your Grateful, Appreciative and Thankful Committee Chair,
Thelma Arakawa
Scenes from the
Garage Sale
[left] Paula Kurashige uses her
x-ray vision to examine a piece of
jewelry. Karen
Fuse is awed by
Paula’s super powers.
[right) Mere mortal
Karen Inouye must
use a jeweler’s eyepiece to get a close
up look.
Hui O Laulima . June 2014
Husband-and-wife team, Joe
and Judy Tibayan provided
indispensible help to organize
the many donations on the day
before the big sale.
Page 3
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Submitted by Ruth Chun
Total Membership—252
Honorary Members—32
Resigned
New Members
Enay, Susan
Sponsor: Karen Spinney
Fujiki, Ethel
Oshiro, Myrtle
Removed from roster
Ige, Lucy
Shimabukuro, Geraldine (Geri)
Sponsor: Jane Kaneshiro
Shimabukuro, Betty
Honorary Member
(unable to locate)
Yuuki, Ann
Sponsor: Paula Kurashige
MEMBERSHIP REMINDERS – PLEASE PAY YOUR DUES FOR 2014
Thank you to all members who have paid their 2014 dues. To those who have not yet paid dues,
please write your check out to HUI O LAULIMA in the amount of $10 and send to:
Elmira Fukumoto
6852 Niumalu Lp.
Honolulu, HI 96825.
Your attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated by the membership committee to avoid having
to make phone calls to remind you of your dues obligation. If you have any questions, please contact Elmira at 395-8448 or email: elmira@hawaiiantel.net. THANK YOU!
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: If you would like to sponsor friends or family members to join HOL, please
contact Ruth Chun at ruthychun@gmail.com or 839-7876 for application forms.
Koolaupoko Salad Dressing
Submitted by Bobbi Kuba
[Recipe from the kitchen of Thelma Arakawa]
½ c. sugar
½ c. white vinegar [American – not Japanese]
¼ c. mayonnaise
¾ - 1 c. oil
2 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 tsp. Coleman’s mustard [powdered]
1 clove garlic [mashed or pressed in garlic press]
Mix, blend or whip all ingredients together. Refrigerate.
Note: This dressing is similar in taste to the one that comes with the Costco’s kale salad mix.
Page 4
Hui O Laulima
June 2014
KIMONO DRESSING HELP NEEDED AGAIN
Submitted by Jeanie Yamasato
It’s that time of year again! Families will be lining up in the Cultural Tent at the Okinawan Festival at
Kapiolani Park to have their photos taken in Okinawan costumes. The ladies of Hui O Laulima work
tirelessly all day on Saturday and Sunday to dress customers of all ages.
Okinawa Festival 2014 will be held on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31. Volunteers are
needed for each 3-hour shift. The morning shift is from 8:30-11:30 am and the afternoon shift is from
12:30-3:30 pm. No previous experience is necessary and there are many volunteer positions to fill. Feel
free to volunteer your friends and family for an unforgettable experience.
As a special treat this year, customers will have the opportunity to pose with a ‘shisaa’ courtesy of Jon
Itomura. Don’t miss out on this ‘photo op’ to impress your family and friends.
Please call Jeanie Yamasato if you are interested in helping. Leave a message with your preferred
days and times at (808) 387-6089 or email: jyamasato@hawaii.rr.com.
Volunteers needed
position
Job description
1
Cashier
Collect payment, write receipts
2
Cashier/receptionist
Assign call numbers, monitor wait-time,
Call out next customer numbers
3
Stock clerks
Organize costume sets, help find sizes
4
Sizer/dresser
Work in pairs to dress customers. One person assists stock clerk to find correct size kimono
5
Undresser
Collect costumes and accessories. Return sets to
stock clerk
2
Photographer’s assistant
Collect number form. Give order form to photographer. Check/fix costume. Pose customer.
Become a volunteer and you, too, can become a
gorgeous member of the Kimono Dressing Team like
these HOL ladies [notice the happy smiles!].
Hui O Laulima . June 2014
Every customer receives personalized attention to every detail of their kimono as
these warabi did at last year’s festival.
Page 5
Warabi Ashibi
Okinawan Cultural Day Camp for Children
Submitted by Connie Chun
What do you get when you
gather 81 children, 14 teenagers,
and 62 adults at the Hawaii Okinawa Center for a week?
Akisamiyoo! Madness ~ chaos ~
disorder, you might think! Instead, Warabi Ashibi happened,
for the 19th year, during June 2-6,
2014. During registration on
Tuesday, alumni campers displayed excitement and anticipation! For almost half of the
campers, however, this would be
their first experience and with
much apprehension they
dragged themselves into the
Legacy Ballroom to begin the
week of “something my
Grandma made me do.”
Irene Hino demonstrated were
played with squeals of fun; and
Laura Ajimine kept busy as the
new manager of the Plantation
Store. The campers were also
treated to an evening of Pidgin
with Lee Tonouchi and Kent Sakoda who were most entertaining.
The lovable Jean Ige was a Group
Leader for her young charges. She
even gave neck massages to campers
after a hard day of play.
With the help of Junior Leaders
and adult volunteers, the campers crafted their own taiko
drums and then were taught
proper drumming by Terry Higa
Shinshii (sensei). Marian Arakaki
Shinshii (sensei) led the singing
classes and Yukie Shiroma ShinThe spirited Audrey Gibo and the ever
shii (sensei) choreographed the
vigilant Gerri Maeda prepare to distribdance. Other Laulima members
ute camp t-shirts to over 90 volunteers
and their teams provided overand 80 young campers.
sight in various areas: Doreen
Yamashiro and Gloria Kishi
taught the History & Language
classes; campers learned Okinawan cooking from Thelma Arakawa; Plantation Games that
Hard working store manager Laura
Ajimine takes care of her customers
during the open store hours. Campers earned ‘jingwa’ for participating
Page 6
It was a week of singing, learning
Uchinaaguchi, dancing, shopping,
drumming, rope jumping, crafting, boat-building, and the list
goes on and on. It was a happy
week of bonding and merriment,
not only between the campers
but between the adult volunteers
as well. The shouting and pounding and laughter all translated to
the building of an amazing cultural experience for everyone.
By Friday afternoon a much different picture emerged. It was unbelievable how many lives
changed during that short week,
strangers left as friends and
youngsters transformed to Uchinaanchu. These young lives were
greatly enriched at the Cultural
Day Camp for Children.
Ippee Nifeedeebiru to Hui O
Laulima and all of its volunteers:
because of your support Warabi
Ashibi remains a very popular and
viable project of the HUOA!
in camp activities. They could also
buy ‘on credit’ on the first day using
their “bango.” The plantation store
gave the campers a taste of the life of
plantation workers.
Hui O Laulima
June 2014
Children at Play ………… HOL at work
‘Master Chef’ Thelma Arakawa conducted cooking classes for aspiring young cooks. All
campers enjoyed the ‘hands on’ experience of creating traditional Okinawan dishes in
simple steps. Mmmmm……..maasaibiin-yaa (it’s delicious)!
‘Camp Boss’ Connie Chun operated
a smooth running camp with the
support of advisors Jean Tsuda,
Wendy Yoshimoto, and Karen
Kuba-Hori.
Hui O Laulima . June 2014
The many fabulously generous HOL ladies contributed hours of preparation and supervision to
teach campers about their Okinawan culture.
New member Gloria Kishi taught a history lesson
while new member Judy DiBianco assisted with
the craft classes. Veterans Jeanie Yamasato,
Wendy Yoshimoto, Ruth Chun, Rachel Hirano,
Joyce Hamada, Jean Ige, Karen Fuse, Jean Tsuda,
Elmira Fukumoto, Nancy Yogi and many others
devoted much energy in ‘giving a helping hand.’
Page 7
“Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi”
At the Children’s Day Camp (CDC) this year, the campers learned to sing and dance to
“Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi.” The song was written by Brandon Ing, a local Hawaii boy,
while studying/working in Okinawa. The dance was choreographed by dance instructor
Yukie Shiroma especially for the children at camp. Beside learning to sing the song and
dance the steps, the children learned some simple phrases in Uchinaaguchi (Okinawan
language). By engaging movement, rhythm, and language, the children were able to
quickly perform the routine in no time.
An animated video of “Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi” can been viewed on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwk8o_r00MA&hd=1
Chuu uganabira is the way that we say ‘hello’ in Uchinaaguchi
Chuu uganabira is the way that we say ‘hello’ in Uchinaaguchi
Before you eat your food say kwachii sabira
When you’re done it’s kwachii sabitan
And please, say ‘please,’ unigee sabira,
And ‘thank you,’ nifee deebiru
Adult Volunteers at CDC were just amazed
at how quickly the campers were able to learn
the song and dance steps for “Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi.” Each youngster proved to be a
‘quick study’ of all the new skills that were
introduced at camp. Unfortunately, the same
could not be said for the adults who tried to
follow from the side-lines.
Many adults claimed they learned just as
much at camp as did the children. They
learned something new about Okinawan history, language, dance, and taiko. Maybe there
should be a day camp for adults?
“Camp Ojisan/Obasan” Let’s do it!!
Page 8
Hui O Laulima
June 2014
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Archival Committee Member
Historian
Are you bored? Are you tired of watching grass grow? Do
you no longer have anything interesting to say to your parakeet or him to you? Well, my friend, here’s a marvelous opportunity to put some ‘life’ in your life. We need you to help a
special committee to create a digital archive of HOL history.
No previous experience required. In fact, you could learn some
new skills as well as develop new friendship
with some AWESOME HOL members.
Hui O Laulima
needs to fill the Historian
position to complete the
full Board. If you enjoy
attending HOL events
(and who doesn’t?) and
like to take photos, this is
the job for you.
If interested (and you should be), please
contact: Thelma Arakawa - 395-7769 or
Please contact President
Audrey Gibo via email:
audgibo@hotmail.com.
Gerri Maeda
- 536-8183
They are more interesting to talk to than your parakeet!
CHECK IT OUT!
There are many special events planned for our Okinawan Community. Get up and get out
and ‘boogie’ on down to these exciting activities. Revel in your
“Uchinaachu-ness” and support these activities.
 Marukai Okinawan Fair
-
June 17-June 22
Ward and Dillingham stores
HOL’s book, ‘Chimugukuru’ will be on sale
 Introduction to Okinawan Dance
July 6 - August 3 (5 Sundays)
Leeward Community College Theatre Small Dance Studio
Instructor: Yukie Shiroma
For more information, visit: ocewd.org/okinawandance
 Jikoen Hongwanji Bon Dance
-
July 18 - July 19
Featuring traditional Okinawan music and Uchinaa Gwacchi (Okinawan Food)
booth and serving up *kandabaa juushi, jiimami doofu (peanut tofu), and
nmu muuchi (taro mochi).
*photos do not represent the actual items that will be for sale.
Hui O Laulima . June 2014
Page 9
HOL HOSTS VISITING STUDENTS FROM YAEYAMA
In keeping with the HOL goal of providing hospitality with the Aloha spirit,
HOL ladies hosted a welcome party for
20 Yaeyama High School students and
their 3 teachers on March 26 at the
home of Connie and Joe Chun in Mililani.
“Energizer Bunny” Connie also served as
a home-stay parent for 4 students as well
as one of the coordinators for Ukwanshin Kabudan who sponsored the trip for
these talented youngsters.
The ladies of HOL were well rewarded by their special guests who entertained the party-goers with a
preview of some of the songs and dances that they performed at a sold-out concert later in the week.
Many of the HOL ladies were impressed by the talents but also remarked on the ‘wholesome’ and
‘genuine’ quality of their personalities. Although the students were eager to learn about Hawaii, they
were also quite surprised that the HOL aunties knew quite a lot about Yaeyama. This made them realize
that they needed to learn more about the special place that they live in and to appreciate their own
unique island culture.
NEW MEMBERS TEA
March 15, 2014
Mensoree! A New Members Tea was held in March
to welcome 23 lovely ladies
to HOL. The new members
enjoyed a spirited introduction to the clubs organization by officers and chairs of
the various committees. The
chairs did their best to entice
new members to volunteer
for their particular projects.
Lynn Oshiro even went as
far as using ‘pin ups’ of
handsome men to get the
attention of the ‘newbies.’
All new members were encouraged to become active
participants and find a special activity to support.
The “Cup of Tea” restaurant was the perfect setting to host the New Members Tea. Members posed with a selection of spring hats to celebrate their
membership in our Okinawan sisterhood.
Page 10
A ‘jolly good’ time was had
by all.
Hui O Laulima . June 2014
HUI O LAULIMA/PRESS RELEASE
June 1, 2014
CONTACT
Karen Fuse
1525 Ahuawa Loop
Honolulu, Hi. 96816
Phone: (808) 735-4523
kcfuse@hawaii.rr.com
2015 Hui O Laulima Cultural Grant Applications
Hui O Laulima Begins 2015 Cultural Grant Application Process
Hui O Laulima is pleased to announce that applications for the 2015 Cultural Grant are being accepted. All
prospective grant projects/activities should take place from January through December, 2015 and recipients of this Grant must expend their money within that calendar year. Grants and scholarships have been
awarded by HOL since 1984 and total more than $144,000.
Deadline for submission is August 31, 2014.
Hui O Laulima is a women’s organization promoting the Okinawan culture and true to its spirit of “giving
a helping hand” has continued to perpetuate and preserve its culture by awarding grants to individuals
and groups who share the same desire. These qualities, as well as leadership ability and participation in
community service will be considered of all applicants.
Criteria for selection include:
·
Interest in the study, perpetuation and promotion, including goodwill projects of Okinawan culture (music, dance, art, or other forms of artistic expressions), language and history;
·
Leadership ability;
·
Community service;
·
Acceptance to study under a recognized instructor of Okinawan culture, language and/or history;
·
Participation in programs for the promotion and perpetuation of Okinawan culture;
·
Financial need;
·
Overall potential for success;
·
Clarity of goal(s); and
·
Two letters of recommendation from individuals other than relatives.
·
Monies cannot be used for purchase of costumes, equipment and supplies for personal use. The
club or organization shall retain ownership of said costumes, equipment and/or supplies.
Please direct inquiries and/or requests for application to Karen Fuse, Committee Chairperson, at the contact information above.
Hui O Laulima . June 2014
Page 11
Hawaii United Okinawa Association
94-587 Ukee Street
Waipahu, Hawaii 96797
Nonprofit Organization
U. S. Postage Paid
Honolulu, Hawaii
Permit No. 659
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
SHISAA
Shisaa, the ‘lion-dog’ of Okinawa, attracts good spirits and wards off bad spirits.
The Shisaa will be the ‘mascot’ of the Cultural Tent at the Okinawan Festival to bring
‘good vibes’ to all who visit. Hui O Laulima, coordinator for the many tent displays, will
have a special presentation on the shisaa by Jon Itomura.
The shisaa is a variation of the guardian lions (‘fu dogs’) from 14th century China.
Many homes in Okinawa have a pair of shisaa statues on their roof or at the entryway. A
legend credits a small stone carving of a kara-shishi (shisaa), a good luck charm owned by
the King of the Ryukyus, for saving a Naha village from a terrorizing dragon.
Come to the Cultural Tent to get a dose of good luck as well as absorb some
Uchinaanchu culture.