2013年3月 no. 78 in this issue: oaa new years party by ...haisai oaa news march 2013 no. 78...

Haisai OAA NewsMarch 2013 ● No. 78

北米沖縄県人会四季報2013年3月 ● No. 78

In This Issue:President’s Corner

Martial Arts Committee

Natsukashi no Kohaku Uta

Gassen

The Legend of Hagoromo

語やびらウチナーグチ

国吉信義さんを選出

次期北米沖縄県人会会長

国吉体制がスタート北米沖縄県

人会新役員就任式

忘年会・カラオケ　ナイトで会員

の親睦と融和を図る

Bunka-bu Lecture

2

3

3

3

4

4

5

6

7

OAA New Years Partyby Joseph Kamiya

The Okinawa Association of America celebrated the New Year with our annual Shinnen Enkai (New Year’s Party) at the beautiful Quiet Cannon Banquet Room in Montebello. Nearly 670 OAA members, relatives, and friends gathered to enjoy a delicious lunch and welcome our new board members, officers, chairpersons, and president. As always, talented per-and president. As always, talented per-and president. As always, talented performers from the Geino-bu (Performing Arts Committee), Martial Arts Committee (MAC), and independent groups provided a rich showcase of Okinawan, Japanese, and Hawai’ian cultural arts. To add icing on the cake, we had a number of raffle prizes to give away including the coveted round-trip tickets to Tokyo (each donated by IACE Travel and Uyehara Travel) and an Apple iPad Mini (donated by Kamiya Insurance Agency).

The event began with a message from 2012 OAA President Kimiko Goya and the Kaimaku (opening classical music perfor-Kaimaku (opening classical music perfor-Kaimaku (opening classical music performance). 22 sanshin, koto, and taiko musi-cians and singers shared the stage to play “Bashi nu Tui,” “Esa Bushi,” and “Yuratiku Bushi,” three songs linked by common themes of celebration and good fortune. Next, awards were given to our 2013 Man and Woman of the Year, Edward Kiyoshi Kamiya and Joan Sumiko Kaneshiro Os-

hiro. Edward and Joan were both selected for their contributions as 2012 OAA Board Members, their volunteerism at all of our events, and their dedication to our Com-puter Class (Joan is the chairperson and Edward acts as the technical advisor). They received Certificates of Recognition by Gardena Councilman Ronald K. Ikejiri and special volunteer awards were given to Haruo Ishihara, Joseph Yoshimasu Kamiya, and Richiko Nakashima.

Steve Awakuni, the OAA’s Legal Advi-sor, led the official installation of our 2013 board members, officers, chairpersons, and president (see pages 2~3). 15 board members and 23 officers and chairper-members and 23 officers and chairper-members and 23 officers and chairpersons were introduced and welcomed, fol-lowed by an acceptance speech by our 2013 President Shingi Kuniyoshi, who expressed great optimism for the future of the OAA. Honored guests Hisamori Iwashita (president of the Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai/Japanese Prefectural Associa-tion of Southern California) and Yoshio Aoki (president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California) were also invited onstage to speak and led the Sake Barrel Ceremony. To top off the cer-Sake Barrel Ceremony. To top off the cer-Sake Barrel Ceremony. To top off the ceremonial portion of the afternoon, all Year of the Snake audience members (born in

Continued on page 6

Natsukashi no Kohaku Uta ˉNatsukashi no Kohaku Uta

Calling all overdue items from the Charles & Yoshiko Kamiya Library! The OAA Kamiya Library volunteers would like to remind folks to return any overdue books and videos as soon as possible. Contact Yuko for any questions.

神谷図書館の係りからのお願いです。借りた本、ビデオ、ＤＶＤなどの返品の期限を切れている場合、早めにお返しお願い致します。ご質問がありましたら、県人会事務所までご連絡ください。

2 Haisai OAA News No 78 www.oaamensore.org ● Okinawa Association of America

President’s Corner Shingi Kuniyoshi

2013 Okinawa Association of America, Inc. Board of Directors

We kicked off the new year with the Shinnen Enkai and Officers Insta l la t ion. As always, we filled the Quiet Cannon banquet room with over 600

attendees. All appeared to have enjoyed the day. I have been visiting the OAA of-fice frequently and observed first hand that hundreds of man-hours are spent for each OAA event. Thank you very much, New Year’s Party Chair Mieko Shima and volunteers.

We are said to be the most active and largest Kenjinkai in Los Angeles. Our membership counts 904 households as of November 2012, up 42 from the previ-ous year. I think that many factors con-tribute to our success. Our Geinobu cer-tainly attracts many people, particularly young people, and traditional Okinawan women’s power sustains us. Out of 15 board of directors, 11 are women, and out of 21 officers and chairpersons, 13 are

women. I think our vitality comes from Okinawa’s

historical and geographical backgrounds. There is an Okinawan word “Yuimaaru” meaning a cooperative spirit. The spirit comes from the agricultural village days where villagers pitched in labor and mate-rials for the benefit of their neighbors. We have also an Okinawan word “Chimugu-kuru”, meaning kindness for each other. We have carried on the spirit of Yuimaaru and Chimugukuru.

The Okinawan spirit is abundantly shown in members’ volunteerism. At our bazaar last October, about 200 members donated materials, labor and money. And we netted $12,290 in profit, the most profit in our bazaar history. The first Tuesday of each month is designated as a volun-teer day and about 15 volunteers regularly come to help clean our facilities. Every day 3-5 volunteers come to our office to help our staff. Our volunteers are moti-vated by love of Okinawan values. The strong sense of belonging and caring binds us and distinguishes us from other organizations. I feel I am fortunate for I am surrounded by dedicated volunteers and my job will be easy and rewarding.

We have planned a variety of programs for this year. Our Haisai News and online newsletter Jigami-gwa list many weekly and monthly events. In addition to annual events such as the picnic and scholarship presentation, Keiro Kansha, and golf and bowling tournaments, we will have Utaya-bira Wuduyabira performance by our Gei-no-bu in May (held every two years). In July, we will host the second World Youth Uchinanchu Taikai. About 150 young Oki-nawans from around the world are expect-ed come to Los Angeles and share their concerns and strengthen their solidarity. So, we will be very busy this year.

The OAA exists primarily for the benefit of the members, and the OAA is where you feel home. Attend our events, come to our center, check out books and CDs from our library, and meet your friends. Tell us your opinions, proposals and even monku. Our monthly board meetings are open to the members, and come see how the OAA is managed. Of course, we have a lot of work ahead of us to improve and carry on our legacy. With your help, we can do a lot more. I truly believe that for the Okinawa Association of America, the best is yet to come.

Board of DirectorsTomiko Akamine, Ethel

Asato, Setsuko Fujimoto, Edward Kamiya, Shingi Kuniyoshi, Nosho Miyagi, Yoneko Nakamura, Vicky Oshiro Nishiuchi, Michiko Numata, Joan Oshiro, Mieko Shima, Helene Shimane, Sadao Tome, Yoshihiro Tome, Yuko Yamauchi

PresidentShingi Kuniyoshi

Vice President and Build-ing Chairperson

Edward KamiyaVice President and Chief Financial Officer

Vicky Oshiro NishiuchiRecording Secretary

Helene Shimane

Corresponding Secre-tary and Computer Class Chairperson

Joan Oshiro Treasurer

Ethel AsatoAuditors

Aiko TokunagaHiroshi Yamauchi

Advisor and Uchinaaguchi Class Chairperson

Chogi HigaAdvisor

Sadao TomeHospitality

Tomiko AkamineScholarship Chairperson Chairperson

Noriko ChungBunka-bu (Cultural Com-mitee) Chairperson

Noriko Cuaron

Karaoke Co-ChairpersonSetsuko Fujimoto

Library ChairpersonJunko Kawate

Seisonen-Bu (Activities) Chairperson

Gen KinjoHistory Chairperson

Yukikazu NagashimaKajimaya Seniors Club Chairperson

Yoneko NakamuraKaraoke Co-Chairperson

Shoji NumataMartial Arts Chairperson

Eihachi OtaFujinbu Women’s Associa-tion Chairperson

Mieko ShimaGeino-bu Performing Arts Chairperson

Yoshimichi David ShinjoMembership Chairperson

Yuko Yamauchi

Utayabira Wuduyabira

Held on May 5th in Torrance, CA, Utayabira Wuduyabira (which means, 'let's sing, let's dance' in the Okinawan dialect) is the Oki-nawa Association of America's Performing Arts Committee (Gei-no-bu) showcase of local Oki-nawan musicians and dancers.

Cost: $20

Tickets can be purchased through the OAA office. Stop by during office hours or send your check (made payable to: OAA - Geinobu) and self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Okinawa Association of America16500 S. Western Avenue #203

Gardena, CA 90247

(checks made payable to: OAA - Geinobu)

Haisai OAA News No 78 3www.oaamensore.org ● Okinawa Association of America

2013 Committee

Upcoming Events

Martial Arts Committee (MAC)

Ship of the Ryukyu's "The Legend of Hagoromo"by Joseph Kamiya

ChairpersonSensei Eihachi Ota

Vice ChairpersonSensei Michael George

March 10• th: MAC Seminar at Centro De Ninios, 2010 Martin Luther King Blvd., Riverside, CA 92507. It is at Bordwell Park behind the Baptist Church.April 27• th: Sensei Maria Evans and Sensei Michael George are hosting the Callifornia State Karate Champi-onship for the USKK/USKA (United States Karate do Kai/ United States Karate Alliance) at Ramirez Middle Karate Alliance) at Ramirez Middle

Right before the Lunar New Year, we had the pleasure of welcoming a perform-ing arts group from Okinawa called Ship of the Ryukyu. On February 9th, the James R. Armstrong Theatre in Torrance was filled with approximately 320 Uchinanchu and Uchinanchu-at-heart for a kageki (op-era) rendition of “The Legend of Hagoro-mo.” Based on a popular folk story about a goddess’s marriage to a mortal man, the young cast and musicians from Okinawa put on an emotionally moving production, complete with gorgeous make-up, cos-tume, and backdrop designs.

The 31-year-old director Sayuki Iraha

– who made her theatre debut in a 1985 rendition of “The Legend of Hagoromo” (Haiyuza Theatre Company) – stated that the choreography and acting for this 2013 production was geared toward Western audiences, thus having a more expressive element compared to the subtleties of tra-ditional Okinawan theatre. Even though the dialogue and lyrics were all spoken in Uchinaaguchi (the Okinawan language), the elaborate acting style combined with video projections of English subtitles helped the audience to connect with the characters on a much deeper level.

The musical drama was preceded by a set of traditional and popular Ryukyuan dances. The 7 intricate dances were per-dances. The 7 intricate dances were per-dances. The 7 intricate dances were performed by a group of 5 young women and accompanied by a quartet of musicians. Everybody displayed a level of profes-sionalism that went beyond artistic skill; the 5 dancers also had to quickly switch between costumes, usually with only 2-to-3 minute introductions separating each dance number. It was amazing how the program ran so seamlessly, one dance after another without a single lagging mo-ment.

Pictures from the performances are available on our Facebook page as well as our website (oaamensore.org) with vid-eos coming soon.

The Grateful Crane Ensemble, a Japa-nese American theatre troupe based in Los Angeles, brought back their popular “Natsukashi no Kōhaku Uta Gassen” pro-duction. The OAA gathered a group of 27 members to attend the February 2nd per-members to attend the February 2nd per-members to attend the February 2nd performance at the James R. Armstrong The-atre in Torrance. Debuting in 2010 at the Japanese American National Museum’s Democracy Center, this production is best described as a spoof on Japan’s annual “Red and White Song Battle,” chronicling 62 years worth of Japanese singers and celebrities into a compact 3-hour show.

The Grateful Crane’s cast of 13 per-The Grateful Crane’s cast of 13 per-The Grateful Crane’s cast of 13 performers portrayed a variety of different personalities, ranging from veteran sing-ers like Hibari Misora and Hiroshi Itsuki

Grateful Crane Ensemble’s “Natsukashi no Kohaku Uta Gassen” by Joseph Kamiyano Kohaku Uta Gassen” ˉno Kohaku Uta Gassen”

Continued on page 7

The Celestial Goddess (Aki Chinen) returns to her true form in Ship of the Ryukyu's "The Legend of Hagoromo" drama. (photo by Joseph Kamiya)

School, 6950 Harrison Avenue, Eastvale, CA 92880.June 2• nd: Sensei Ota is hosting the Okinawan Shorin Ryu Tournament. Rush Gymnasium, 1651 W 162nd

Street, Gardena. For more informa-tion, please call (310) 217-0677.

For additional information, please con-tact the Martial Arts Committee [email protected]@hotmail.com

TreasurerSensei Michael DeDonado

SecretarySensei Nurys Saldana

OAA Annual Scholarship

The OAA announces that appli-cations for the annual scholarship awards for the 2013 high school grad-uates will be available soon. Applicant requirements include:

Must be graduating high school 1.in 2013Must be of Okinawan-descent2.Parents or applicant must be 3.OAA member(s)Minimum 2.75 GPA4.

The awards will be based primarily on academic accomplishments with due consideration given to extra-cur-due consideration given to extra-cur-due consideration given to extra-curricular and community activities and financial needs.

The scholarship awards will be pre-sented at the OAA's Annual Picnic at Whittier Narrows Recreation Park on Sunday, July 7, 2013.

Deadline: June 3, 2013


語やびらウチナーグチ・比嘉朝儀Let’s talk in the Okinawan language by Instructor Chogi Higaウチナーグチクラス開講十周年発表会並びに祝賀昼餐会Uchinaaguchi 10th Anniversary Celebration

　「沖縄の心を育てるには、沖縄の精神文化をまず理解してもらう。各地域や島々の精神文化を織り成しているのは、その土地に伝わる言葉。だから、この１０年間、ウチナーグチをしっかりと生徒らに伝えてきた。言葉は一度失ったら簡単には復活できない。絶やしてはいけない。先祖から受け継がれてきた島々の言葉を北米で広めよう、そして沖縄の肝心を北米で育てよう」と、２００２年の比嘉朝儀会長がウチナーグチクラスを開講して１０年目、１１月２５日沖縄センター内の山内ビル（宴会場）にて「ウチナーグチ開講１０周年記念発表会並びに祝賀昼餐会が盛大に催された。駆けつけた聴衆は約１３０人余。その中には文化人や元政治家の顔ぶれもあった。沖縄から応援に馳せ参じた前田ちか子・舞踊家や、２０１３年度の國吉信義県人会会長、高齢者クラブの山内繁子前部長らが飛び入りでプログラムに華を添えた。その後、各自が持ち寄った沖縄料理やブタ丸焼きなどを舌鼓うちながら生徒らの発表に耳を傾けた。

　発表会は、各生徒が作成したシナリオを比嘉講師が英語を沖縄語に翻訳し、修正や校正をしたものに基づいて進め

られた。在ロサンゼルス日本国総領事館勤務のジュリアン・イーリーさんが日本語、英語、ウチナーグチの三つの言葉で司会を担当。プロジェクターを駆使して、生徒らのあいさつ、「語やびら島くとぅば」、寸劇では、那覇の公設市場の“マチヤグァー”や“スムチ”、“ヤンメー”、“ジョン万次郎”や紙芝居などが大きなスクリーンに映し出され次と々発表されると、会場は熱気に包まれ、聴衆から出演者に大きな声援と拍手が送られた。会場は沖縄一色に染まり沖縄の雰囲気が溢れプログラムは最高潮に達した。

　プログラムは順調に進行し、比嘉講師から２０１２年度のクラスを終えた１０名の生徒らに受講証書が贈られ、受講生は満面の笑みを浮かべた。生徒一同から比嘉講師に１０年間のたゆまぬ努力をねぎらい記念感謝の盾と記念品、呉屋君子県人会会長から感謝状が贈呈された。　　　

　続いて仲井眞弘多沖縄県知事から寄せられた祝辞を当銘貞夫元県人会会

長が代読し、生徒らに希望と勇気を与えた。余興では、朝一会の若者ら、琉球民謡協会北米支部の民謡の先生方の賛助出演があり、最後は民謡、「安里屋ユンタ」とカチャーシーを会場の全員が賑やかに踊り、祝賀ムードでプログラムを閉めくくった。

The Uchinaaguchi class with a whole roasted pig at their 10th Anniversary celebration held at the Yamauchi Building. (photo provided by Chogi Higa)

Chogi Higa Shinshii (teacher) and the Uchinaaguchi class cutting cake at their 10th Anniversary celebration. (photo provided by Chogi Higa)

当銘貞夫　記

　11月11日北米沖縄県人会は年次総会を開催、呉屋君子さんの会長2011年－12年満期に伴い会長選挙を実施、2013年－14年の県人会長に国吉信義さんを選出した。国吉さんは97、98年に会長経験があり、2度目となる。当日は会長の外に7人の理事も選出された。

　沖縄県人会は来年創立104年を迎えることになる。名実共に北米大陸に存在する30余の沖縄県人会のリーダー的存在で、全国都道府県人会のロール・モデルとなっている。3つのビルがあり、２，３，４世の会員も多く、会長には日英両語に精通した人が要求される。来年1月に開催される「新年宴会及び役員就任式」をもって正式に就任する。

　次期会長を引き受けることに対し国吉さんは、「沖縄県人会は１００年以上にわたって、先輩たちが築き上げた遺産があるから、これを継承して発展させていきたい。幸いに、沖縄のすばらしい芸能・文化に引かれて、若い人たちも県人会活動に参加するようになっている。これから、若い人たちがりーダーになっていくように育成したい。２０１３年には若いウチナーンチュの世界大会がロスであるから、これを全面的に援助して、次世代への沖縄文化の継承へとつなぎたい。私たちの過去も振り返りつつ、大きく前進していきたい。多くのボランティアの人たちが県人会を支えてくれている。県人会は昔から、相互扶助の精神がある。会員みんなのためになるような県人会にしていくことができればと思う。沖縄県や他県人会との交流を緊密にしていきたい」と、抱負を述べた。

　国吉さんは那覇市久米出身、カリフォルニア州立大学ロサンゼルス校（ＵＣＬＡ）で博士課程地質学部を修了、米連邦政府に1976 から勤務。地質調査所や森林局に勤めた後、1993年から 2007年に引退するまで,　米国空軍に勤めた。最後の職場は嘉手納空軍基地の環境保全部であった。76歳。

国吉信義さんを選出次期北米沖縄県人会会長

　発表会は、各生徒が作成したシナリオを比嘉講師が英語を沖縄語に翻訳し、修正や校

のに基づ

られた。在ロサンゼルス日本国総領

本語、英語、ウチナーグチの三つの言葉で司会を担当。プロジェクターを駆使して、生徒らのあいさつ、「語やびら島くとぅば」、寸劇では、那覇の公設市場の“マチヤグァー”や“スムチ”、“ヤンメー”、“ジョン万次郎”や紙芝居などが大きなスクリーンに映し出され次と々発表されると、会場は熱気に包まれ、聴衆から出演者に大きな声援と拍手が送られた。会場は沖縄一色に染まり沖縄の雰囲気が溢れプロ

　続いて仲井眞弘多沖縄県知事から寄せられた祝辞を当銘貞夫元県人会会

長が代読し、生徒らに希望と勇気を与えた。余興では、朝一会の若者ら、琉球民謡協会北米支部の民謡の先生方の賛助出演があり、最後は民謡、「安里屋ユンタ」とカチャーシーを会場の全員が賑やかに踊り、祝賀ムードでプロ

総会を開催、呉屋君子さんの会長2011年－12年満期に伴い会長選挙を実施、2013年－14年の県人会長に国吉信義さんを選出した。国吉さんは97、98年

長の外に7人の理事も選出された。

ることになる。名実共に北米大陸に存在する30余の沖縄県人会のリーダー的存在で、全国都道府県人会のロール・モデルとなっている。3つのビルがあり、２，３，４世の会員も多く、会長には日英両語に精通した人が要求される。来年1月に開催される「新年宴会及び役員就任式」をもって正式に就任する。

吉さんは、「沖縄県人会は１００年以上にわたって、先輩たちが築き上げた遺産があるから、これを継承して発展させていきたい。幸いに、沖縄のすばらしい芸能・文化に引かれて、若い人たちも県人会活動

若い人たちがりーダーになっていくように育成したい。２０１３年には若いウチナーンチュの世界大会がロスであるから、これを全面的に援助して、次世代への沖縄文化の継承へとつなぎたい。私たちの過去も振り返りつつ、大きく前進していきたい。多くのボランティアの人たちが県人会を支えてくれている。県人会は昔から、相互扶助の精神がある。会員みんなのためになるような県人会にしていくことができればと思う。沖縄県や他県人会との交流を緊密にしていきたい」と、抱負を述べた。

ルニア州立大学ロサンゼルス校（ＵＣＬＡ）で博士課程地質学部を修了、米連邦政府に1976 から勤務。地質調査所や森林局に勤めた後、1993年から 2007年に引退するまで,　米国空軍に勤めた。最後の職場は嘉手納空軍基地の環境保全部であった。76歳。

国吉信義さんを選出次期北米沖縄県人会会長


国吉体制がスタート北米沖縄県人会新役員就任式当銘貞夫　記

２０１３年度北米沖縄県人会の役員就任式が１月２０にロサンゼルスの隣接都市モンテベロー・ゴルフコースのクワイエットキャノンレストランで６００人が参加、盛大に行われた。ロサンゼルスのほとんどの県人会や日系団体は１１月に会員総会を開いて新役員を選出し、１月か２月に役員就任式を行う。

　新役員就任式第１部の司会をフルヤ・ハリエットさんが担当、先亡者に黙祷を捧げた後、呉屋君子会長が挨拶。２０１２年の理事・役員に感謝の意を述べ、続いて表彰式がおこなわれた。マンオブザイヤーにエドワード・神谷さん、ウーマンオブザイヤーにジョーン・大城さんが選出され沖縄県人会、ロサンゼルス市及びガーデナ

市より表彰状が授与された。ボランティアに励んだとして３人が表彰された。その後２０１３年の役員・理事・各部の部長約３０人が紹介され、アワクニ弁護士のリードで宣誓した。

　国吉信義新会長が就任の挨拶で、「沖縄県人会は北米本土で最大の県人会組織で活発であること、ユイマール（相互扶助）精神にたけ、沖縄の文化・芸能の継承と普及に努力、ウチナーンチュ・アイデンティティーを重視して今日の北米沖縄県人会を築き上げた。その努力は今後も継続していきたい」と、強調した。

　過去の沖縄県人会長の紹介があり、来賓の南加県人会協議会岩下寿盛会長と南加日商の青木会長が代表挨拶を

した。続いて巳年生まれの会員、新旧両会長と来賓が鏡割りし、泡盛で乾杯をした。

　第２部はノリコ・チャングさんとジュリアン・イーリーさんが司会、琉球舞踊、民謡、空手、カラオケ、フラダンス、バイオリン演奏、日本舞踊、くじ引き抽選などの余興、カチャーシーに興じ、最後は参加者全員芭蕉布を輪になって合唱、散会した。

　写真１：新役員の宣誓式２：国吉信義新会長より感謝状を授与さ

れた呉屋君子前会長（右）。３：マン＆ウーマン　オブザエヤー賞授

賞式。

Above: Installation of new board members. Bottom Left: Incoming OAA President, Shingi Kuniyoshi and outgoing president Kimiko Goya. (photo by Sadao Tome) Bottom Right: Man and Woman of the Year, Edward Kamiya and Joan Oshiro with outgoing president Kimiko Goya, Steven Awakuni, and Gardena Mayor Pro Tem Ronald Ikejiri (photo by Stuart Yamashiro)


Uchinaaguchi 101

ウチグチナーDii fuka nji ashiba.Nuu shi ashibuga.

Yakyu sana.

Let 's play outside.What are you going to play?

Let 's play baseball.

Taruu:

Chiruu:

Taruu:Dialogue Practice

Dii fuka nji ashiba.Let's play outside.

Nuu shi ashibuga.What are you going to play?

Yakyu sana.Let's play baseball.

忘年会・カラオケ　ナイトで会員の親睦と融和を図る

Vicky Nishiuchi, Setsuko Fujimoto, Shigeko Yamauchi, Mr. Koki Nagashima, Set-suko Nakamura, enjoying a lively night at the Kaoroke Club held in the Yamauchi Building. (photo by Joseph Kamiya)

比嘉朝儀・記

カラオケクラブは、カラオケ音響装置が完備されている山内ビルに於いて、２０１２年１２月１５日（土）、忘年会を兼ねたカラオケ・ナイトを開催。準備委員の藤本節子部長、中村米子さん、沼田ショウジ・カラオケ器具オパレーター、アシスタンスの西内光男さんらが中心となって第三土曜日か第四土曜日に開催されている。（期日が変更になることがありますので、あらかじめ

電話で確認されてから足を運んで下さい）。

忘年会当日の晩には、カラオケ愛好家が集まり、沖縄民謡や演歌、ポップス、ラテン、、ハワイアン、アメリカン　ソングなどの世界の数知れない歌で喉を競い合った。

カラオケのプログラムのトップを切ったのは、藤

本部長の沖縄民謡“さあー君は野中のいばらの花か、さあーゆいゆい”の「安里屋ユンタ」、同じく民謡の「うんじゅが情どぅ頼まりる」を矢野好子さんが歌い、続いて演歌の「君こそわが命」を沢岻安和さんが、　　

同じく演歌「演歌みち」をベテランの中村節子さんが、そして“男度胸の玄海育ち、荒い啖呵の無法者”と歌い上げた桃原昌夫さんの「無法松の一生、度胸千両入り」、筆者の比嘉朝儀が北島三郎さん

のヒット曲、「まつり」を歌い始めると、婦人の皆さんがのぼりをふりかざし、まつりのシーンを彷彿させた。つづいて沖縄民謡のリズミカルな「月夜の恋」を呉屋茂夫さんと矢野好子さんのコンビで賑やかに歌い上げ、会場は沖縄ムードが漂い、参加者の中には踊りだす者もいた。

休憩時には、婦人たちの手油（ティアンダ）の入った沖縄料理に舌鼓を打ちながら、思いをふる里に馳せ、ユンタクが弾み、参加者は満面の笑みを浮かべてカラオケナイトを楽しんだ。食後には、歌の数々が披露され、最後に全員で「お富さん」を歌い、プログラムを閉めた。

親睦と融和を目的に、２００４年１２月の理事会でカラオケ・クラブの設立が承認された。翌年の２００５年の３月に、わたし、比嘉朝儀、故神谷ケンさん、安慶名ペドロさん、ジャコモ五美さんらが中心となり初カラオケ・ナイトを開始した。初代部長に安慶名ペドロさん（２００５－２００７年）、二代目に神谷ケンさん（２００８年）、三代目にジャコモ五美さん（２００９年５月まで、６月以降休み）、四代目に比嘉朝儀（２０１０年）、５代目に藤本節子さん（２０１１年から２０１３年現在）らが部長を務めている。

1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, or 2001) were invited onstage for a festive “Kampai!”

This year’s cultural entertainment pro-gram featured an abundance of talent, including members of Ishihara Haruo Ryukyu Minyo (minyo/folk music), Majikina Honryu (buyo/dance), Okinawa Budokan (Shorin-Ryu karate), Ryukyu Minyo Aikoh-

Kai (minyo), Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Los Angeles (eisa/festival drums), and Tamagusukuryu Kansen-Kai (buyo). We also had the pleasure of welcoming inde-pendent performers such as Mickey Dok-tor (kayou buyo/popular Japanese dance), the young instrumental music duo Shigeru (violin) and William (piano) Logan, and the even-younger Advantage Program Hula. Of course, no OAA program would be

complete without our singers Darrel Neal, Machiko Shinzato, and Tatsuo Arakaki with his popular rendition of “Unchained Melo-dy.” The event was brought to a close with the obligatory kachaashii dancing (led by Ishihara Minyo) and the entire room sing-ing “Bashofu” together, hand-in-hand.

This year’s Shinnen Enkai would not have been possible without the help of our M.C.s

OAA New Years Party...Continued from cover

入り」、筆者の比嘉朝儀が北島三郎さん

Kai (minyo), Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko complete without our singers Darrel Neal, OAA New Years Party...Continued from cover

Continued on next page


Bunka-bu (Culture Committee) invites you to an Okinawan Culture Lecture Series: Informal Talk by Mr. Shinichi MaeharaBy Noriko S. Cuaron, Bunka-bu Chair

Uchina JuniorStudy Program

(formerly Junior Study Tour)

Mr. Shinichi Maehara, re-tired Executive Director at Okinawa Television Broad-casting (OTV), will be giv-ing a talk on the "Okinawan Heart and Spirit: 移民のパイオニアたちが育んだウチナーンチュ・スピリット” on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 3 PM in the OAA Center's Yamauchi Building.

Due to limited seating, please RSVP by calling or e-mailing the OAA by Friday, March 15, 2013 to reserve a seat.

The Bunka-bu (Culture Committee) is planning a potluck gathering after the talk. Please contact the OAA for more informa-tion.

Mr. Shinichi Maehara received an Hon-

orary Doctorate of Humane Letters, the first Okinawan to receive this degree, from UH (University of Hawaii) last year. The honor was for his contributions to the un-derstanding of Okinawans around the world. He trav-eled to South America, North America, Hawaii, and East Asia, detailing the lives of Okinawans in a docu-mentary series called Sekai

Uchinanchu Kikō (Uchinanchu World-wide). The series ran from 1987 until 2004 and won the National Association of Com-mercial Broadcasters in Japan Award in 2002. Mr. Maehara’s work has contrib-uted greatly to the worldwide Uchinanchu network and to Okinawan studies as well.

Harriet Harumi Furuya, Noriko Tokuyama Chung, and Julian Byron Ely, all of our tire-less volunteers, our 2013 New Year’s Party Committee chairperson Mieko Shima, and of course everybody who attended. Thank you for your support and let’s make 2013 another memorable year!

OAA New Years...Continued from previous page

Grateful Crane's Kōhaku...Continued from page 3

Harriet Harumi Furuya, Noriko Tokuyama

less volunteers, our 2013 New Year’s Party Committee chairperson Mieko Shima, and of course everybody who attended. Thank you for your support and let’s make 2013

to modern acts like the Gospellers and S.M.A.P. They also had a set of songs dedicated to Okinawan performers who were featured on Kōhaku. Haruye Ioka were featured on Kōhaku. Haruye Ioka and Kurt Kuniyoshi sang great renditions and Kurt Kuniyoshi sang great renditions of The Boom’s “Shima Uta” and Begin's of The Boom’s “Shima Uta” and Begin's “Shimanchu nu Takara,” but the stand“Shimanchu nu Takara,” but the stand-out was Keiko Kawashima’s portrayal of out was Keiko Kawashima’s portrayal of Rimi Natsukawa with the hit single “Nada Rimi Natsukawa with the hit single “Nada Sousou.” One particularly nice touch was Sousou.” One particularly nice touch was when Kawashima sang the final verse and when Kawashima sang the final verse and chorus in Uchinaaguchi (the Okinawan chorus in Uchinaaguchi (the Okinawan language)!language)!

The Okinawa Prefectural Govern-ment (OPG) is once again offering the Uchina Junior Study Program (for-the Uchina Junior Study Program (for-the Uchina Junior Study Program (formerly the Junior Study Tour), an an-nual 10 day immersion program that brings together 15 middle and high school students to the islands of Oki-nawa. This year's program will be July 28 - August 12, 2013.

Selected students will study Oki-nawan history, culture, society, and Diaspora, with an emphasis on na-ture, peace, and identity. Students will also be given the opportunity to inter-also be given the opportunity to inter-also be given the opportunity to interact with Uchinanchu from around the world as well as students from Oki-nawa.

Application Requirements:Applicants must be of Okinawan •descentApplicants or their parents must be •current OAA membersApplicants must be enrolled in mid-•dle or high school and between the ages of 12 to 19 years oldApplicants must have relatives or •friends in Okinawa available for ap-plicant’s homestay

Necessary Documents for Applica-tion: Please note that application does not guarantee participation.

Application form•2 copies of applicant’s passport •picture (3cm x 2cm)1-page essay: “What I Want to Ex-•perience in the Junior Study Pro-gram”

Each Kenjinkai may nominate one candidate to the OPG for consider-candidate to the OPG for consider-candidate to the OPG for consideration to participate in the Uchina Ju-nior Study Program. Please contact the OAA office for an application or more information.

Applications for a past Junior Study participant to serve as a group leader who can speak conversational Japa-nese will also be accepted.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:Friday, April 5,2013

"助けて! AYUDAR!AJUDAR! HELP!"

Year-end Charity DriveThe OAA participated in a year-end char-The OAA participated in a year-end char-The OAA participated in a year-end char

ity drive for Keiro Senior HealthCare, which took place during the first 3 weekends of December. The drive was to raise funds pri-marily for Keiro Senior HealthCare and was sponsored by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California (JCCSC). Many OAA members volunteered to stand and ask shoppers for donations in front of Mitsuwa Marketplace in Torrance. We have participated in this drive every year since 2002. The JCCSC collected donations to-taling $12,183 (with $2,351 of that total col-lected by the OAA). 30 percent of our col-lection was donated to the OAA.

The OAA Wakamono Taikai Com-mittee is hosting a spring concert/rum-mage sale with the OAA Computer Class! We're currently in the process of promoting and fundraising for the 2013 Wakamono Taikai. If you are interested in donating items for the rummage sale or making a donation to the OAA Waka-mono Taikai Committee and Computer Class, please contact Yuko at the OAA office. Rummage items can be dropped off every Satur-off every Satur-off every Saturday between 10 AM - 12:30 PM.

www.oaamensore.org ● Okinawa Association of America

Okinawa Association of America, Inc.501(c) (3) non-profit organizationOAA Center16500 S. Western Avenue #203Gardena, CA 90247

Phone: (310) 532-1929Fax: (310) 808-9280E-mail: [email protected]: www.oaamensore.org Okinawa Association of America

Ichi nu Ichimadin: From Generation to GenerationPlaceStamphere

Place Address Label here

Upcoming Events & Activities (subject to change)Haisai OAA News StaffEDITOR/LAYOUTKristin Yamauchi

WRITERSNoriko Cuaron, Michael George, Chogi Higa, Joseph Kamiya, Shingi Kuniyoshi, Sadao Tome

PROOFREADERSNaomi Endow, Michael George, Kimiko Goya, Chogi Higa, Joseph Kamiya, Mieko Shima, Sadao Tome, Doreen Watanabe, Yuko Ya-mauchi

PHOTOGRAPHERSChogi Higa, Joseph Kamiya, Sadao Tome, Stuart Yamashiro

This is the official newsletter of the OAA, Inc. Contributions are welcome. For newslet-ter committee approval, email your article [email protected] no later than May 6, 2013 for the next issue.

Denotes non-OAA event 当県人会以外の行事

Weekly Activities (subject to change)COMPUTER CLASS ($5/class): Every •Thursday 10 AM - 12PM & 1-3PM & Fri-day 1 - 3 PM; Saturday 10 AM - 12 PMコンピューター・クラス

Monthly Activities (subject to change)VOLUNTEER DAY: 1• st Tuesday of every month第1火曜日：ボランティア・デーHISTORY BOOK II MEETING: 1• st Satur- Satur- Saturday of every month第1土曜日：歴史部会議UTA-SANSHIN CIRCLE: 2• nd Sunday of every month (subject to change)第2日曜日唄三線サークルUCHINAAGUCHI CLASS ($2/class): 2• nd

Friday of every month第2金曜日ウチナーグチクラスKARAOKE CLUB ($5/admission): 3• rd

Saturday of every month第2金曜日と第２土曜日：ウチナーグチクラス

Denotes non-OAA event 当県人会以外の行事

Weekly Activities (subject to change)

March 23

3月23日

Bunka-bu lecture: “Okinawan Heart and Spirit” – an informal talk by Mr. Shinichi Maehara 沖縄文化シリーズ：元沖縄テレビ放送常務の前原信一による講演「移民のパイオニアたちが育んだウチナーンチュ・スピリット」

April 7

4月7日

2013 Wakamono Taikai Information Session, OAA Room 1032013年度若者大会説明会

April 134月13日

Seisonenbu Bowling Tournament ファミリー・ボーリング大会（青壮年部）

April 164月16日

Pechanga Indian Casino Fundraiser (Fujinbu) ペチャンガ・カシノ（婦人部）

April 21

4月21日

“Dii Tigane Sabira! (Let’s Help!)” Spring Concert & Fundraiser for Computer Class and Wakamono Taikai 「ディーティガネーサビラ!」コンピュータークラスと世界ウチナーンチュ若者大会・準備資金募集イベント

May 5

5月5日

“Utayabira Wuduyabira” – Perform-ing Arts Committee at Armstrong Theatre 「謡やびら・踊やびら」アームストロング劇場（芸能部）

May 265月26日

Kajimaya Senior Citizens Club An-niversary Party カジマヤー・クラブ11周年記念パーティー

June 63月23日

Bon Dance Practice – contact OAA for schedule 盆踊りのお稽古スケジュールは事務所まで

July 7

7月7日

OAA Picnic & Scholarship Awards, Whittier Narrows Park県人会ピクニック

July 18-21

7月18日-21日

2nd World Uchinanchu Wakamono Taikai, Torrance Cultural Arts Center第2回世界ウチナーンチュ若者大会（トーレンス市Cultural Arts Center）

POSTPONED