The “Hawaii for Hiroshima Fundraising Committee” announces that $21,230 was raised from organizations, businesses and individuals throughout the state of Hawaii for the victims of the recent landslides in Hiroshima City.
All of the donations will be directed to the “Hawaii for Hiroshima” fund at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii in Honolulu and sent to the City of Hiroshima.
On Aug. 19, heavy rains in Hiroshima City caused more than 30 landslides, which subsequently damaged houses and caused the deaths of 74 residents. It is estimated that more than 14,400 residents had to vacate their homes in the immediate area, with 1,600 of these residents being housed in temporary shelters due to these landslides.
In view of this tragedy, a committee of concerned organizations with roots and ties to Hiroshima Prefecture was organized to assist in fundraising efforts for the victims of this tragedy.
The Hawaii for Hiroshima Fundraising Committee is chaired by Wayne Miyao, chairman of the Hiroshima-Hawaii Sister State Committee; Robert “Bob” Nagao, president of the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai; Wayne Ishihara, president of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and Carole Hayashino, president and executive director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.
“We are overwhelmed by the substantial donations we received for the victims of the Hiroshima landslides,” said Miyao. “These donations will help us share our ‘aloha spirit’ with the people of Hiroshima and give hope to the victims of devastating landslides in Hiroshima.”
Nagao commented, “We are pleased that all four Hiroshima Kenjin Kais, located on Oahu and on the Big Island, joined and supported our cause, as many of our members have relatives and friends in Hiroshima. Our hearts and best wishes go out to the victims of these unfortunate landslides.”
“We also thank businesses throughout the State of Hawaii who unselfishly contributed to our fundraising efforts for Hiroshima,” said Ishihara. “We are all proud of our Hiroshima heritage and want to show our support for the people of Hiroshima through this tragedy.”
Hayashino said, “The JCCH was honored to serve as a sponsor to this important initiative for Hiroshima. We also want to offer our thanks to several churches who made contributions and to the media, particularly the Japanese media, who helped us to promote our cause on radio, television and print.”
The City and County of Honolulu and the City of Hiroshima established a “sister city” relationship in 1959. It is one of the oldest such relationships between a city in the United States and a city in Japan. The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce and the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry created a sister chamber of commerce relationship with each other in 1981. The State of Hawaii and Hiroshima Prefecture established a sister state relationship in 1997.
