The New Year’s Luncheon cost is $10 per person. Door prizes and a gift from the Kenjin Kai will be distributed. Tickets were mailed out to members. If you’d like to purchase tickets, please call Nishimura at 933-2445 or Wilma Kawasaki at 935-7961.
The East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai will celebrate the new year at its annual luncheon meeting on Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Sangha Hall.
Join the Kenjin Kai in welcoming the exciting Year of the Dragon, considered the most powerful — and the only legendary — animal in the Chinese zodiac calendar. A short business meeting conducted by President Kenneth Ikemori will be held at 10:30 a.m. before the new year’s luncheon. Delbert Nishimoto will be installed as the new president along with the new officers and directors.
Beiju honorees, those members who will accomplish reaching the auspicious age of 88 in 2012, will be recognized: Harold Ashida, Emiko Goya, Jitsuo Ishimoto, Blanche Maeda, Seigo Nagao, Tatsuko Nishimura, Masako Okano, Tomoe Oketani, Tsukiyo Onuma, Hanako Shikuma, Shizuo Sumida, Kay Sunakoda, Ronald Takahata, Paul Tashima, Yoshie Tatsuno and Mildred Yoshida. Family members and friends of the honorees are encouraged to attend the luncheon.
Kellie Iwasaki, daughter of Alan and Patsy Iwasaki, will give a report as the Kenjin Kai’s delegate to the 2011 Hiroshima International Youth Exchange Program last summer. Sponsored by the Hiroshima Prefectural Government, the sister-city relationship program to Hiroshima includes a visit with the governor, Japanese cultural activities, visit to a high school, interaction with students from Hiroshima and delegates from other countries and a homestay experience. Information on this program will be available at the luncheon.
Megan Escalona was awarded the East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai 2011 scholarship and will also be giving a short report. A 2011 Hilo High School graduate who currently attends the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Escalona is the daughter of Daniel and Sue Escalona and the granddaughter of Shizuka Motoishi. More information on the educational grants given to children and grandchildren of East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai members will be available at the luncheon.
General Chairman Eugene Nishimura and his committee members invite all with ancestral roots in Hiroshima to attend the luncheon and join the organization.
“Join us in celebrating the Year of the Dragon and learn more about your heritage. Annual dues are only $7. We also welcome any help for the luncheon,” said Nishimura, who can be reached at 933-2445. The Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Buddhist Women’s Association (Fujinkai) will be preparing the lunch.
The New Year’s Luncheon cost is $10 per person. Door prizes and a gift from the Kenjin Kai will be distributed. Tickets were mailed out to members. If you’d like to purchase tickets, please call Nishimura at 933-2445 or Wilma Kawasaki at 935-7961.