The East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai will celebrate the new year with its annual luncheon meeting to be held this Saturday at the Arc of Hilo.
Please join the Kenjin Kai in welcoming the dynamic Year of the Dragon. According to the Chinese zodiac, it is believed that those born in the Year of the Dragon are considered to be powerful, noble, talented and successful. They also are known to be excellent leaders and exhibit energy, creativity and confidence.
A short business meeting conducted by President Richard Onishi will begin at 10:30 a.m. Beiju honorees, those members who will accomplish reaching the auspicious age of 88 in 2024, will be recognized before the new year’s luncheon: George Fukumura, Michi Koizumi, Bertha Nakano, Elizabeth Sakai, Richard Sakai, Jane Sakanoi and Mabel Tanaka. Family members and friends of the honorees are encouraged to attend the luncheon.
The entertainment will include a few karaoke performances and Bingo with prize giveaways.
Short video messages by the 2023 East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai scholarship recipients will be given: Tevin Atwal, son of EHHKK member Jill Atwal, is a freshman attending the University of Santa Clara majoring in computer science engineering; and Sienna Chanhmany, daughter of EHHKK member Nyssa Kushi, is a freshman attending the University of San Francisco with her career goal of owning her own business that focuses on green technology.
A video message by Maya Atwal, the 2023 EHHKK delegate to the Hiroshima International Youth Exchange Program, will also be given.
Sponsored by the Hiroshima Prefectural Government, the international exchange program to Hiroshima in August 2023 included a visit with Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki, Japanese cultural activities, a visit to a high school, a homestay experience, and interaction with students from Hiroshima and delegates from Hawaii, the U.S. mainland and South America.
Highlights of this trip included attending the Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6, 2023 held in front of the Hiroshima Peace City Memorial Monument erected to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city.
Shinnen Enkai Co-Chairs Michelle Ojiri and Gareth Makino, along with the committee members, welcome and invite all those with ancestral roots in Hiroshima or interest in Hiroshima and Japan to attend the annual luncheon and join the organization.
The New Year’s Luncheon cost is $25 per person. For tickets, additional tickets, or membership information, please call Tommy Goya at 989-5953 , Jon Arizumi at 896-8172 or Gareth Makino at 443-4597. Ticket information was mailed out to members.