Let’s set out into the world.  Our homes are the five continents.”
Toyama Kyuzo

Over a century ago, tens of thousands of Okinawans emigrated across the world, and now one-third of Okinawans in the world reside outside of Okinawa. Uchinanchu are citizens of the world – “Seikai Uchinanchu”.  The 21st Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Network Conference is proudly dedicated to the pioneer issei, whose courage, dedication, and sacrifice created the worldwide Okinawan Community and to the next generation who will carry this legacy into the future.  Ippei Nihei Deibiru.

 

WUB 20th Anniversary Celebration
Established in 1993, the Hawai`i Uchinanchu Business Group (HUB) was the genesis of today’s global WUB organization.  HUB began as a group of Hawai`i Uchinanchus who participated in a loosely organized 'Okinawa Business Study Tour' where tour members gained an invaluable appreciation for their ancestry and the contributions Uchinanchu have made.  Thus energized, they decided to formally organize as HUB.  

HUB always intended to expand their organization and activities throughout the world and especially to their ancestral home of Okinawa.  In 1995 at the 2nd Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival in Okinawa, it was suggested at the Economic Forum that a worldwide Uchinanchu business/economic group be founded, and in September 1997 with the support of the East-West Center, HUB sponsored the 1st WUB Conference in Hawai`i bringing together Uchinanchu business people from around the world.  During the conference representatives from Okinawa, Asia, South America, and North America were selected to begin establishing chapters in each region.  In November 1997 during the 'Hawai`i-Okinawa Grand Conference' in Okinawa, the official establishment of the Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Association (WUB) was announced. 

Over the years, more chapters were established, and today WUB has 23 chapters in North and South America, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific.  Its mission has also expanded to include educational and cultural activities such as the University of Hawai`i Center for Okinawan Studies and East-West Center endowed educational and scholarship funds and the many conferences on various topical issues affecting Uchinanchu here and abroad.  To reflect the organization’s expanded mission and objectives, WUB formally updated its name to Worldwide Business Network in 2008.

Today we celebrate WUB’s 20th Anniversary which marks a major milestone in its history and a rededication to its mission and objectives and Uchinanchu who created the foundation for us today and the success of future generations to come.

21st WUB Network Conference in Hawai`i 2017
Hukilau – “Working the Net Together”

Hukilau – In pre-modern times, Hawaiians would gather at the beach and together huki (pull) the net bringing in a big catch of fish to feed everyone.  When Uchinanchus left Okinawa to seek their fortunes abroad, they built a strong network of friendship and mutual support.  We chose “hukilau” as our conference theme because it reflects Hawai`i’s aloha spirit and Uchinanchus all over the world helping each other and working together.

Mission – WUB is a global network of businesses and organizations run by Uchinanchus and Uchinanchus-At-Heart. Our mission is to foster fellowship, mentorship and partnership among members.  WUB also supports the next generation of Uchinanchus by providing educational scholarships. 

Our Goals –

• Represent membership and promote business opportunities on a global basis;
• Educate and inform membership of business opportunities and developments, both local and international;
• Publish and exchange information among members of international business opportunities; and
• Support members by sharing knowledge and skills which enable them to be successful on the stage of international business.

 

The 2017 Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Network Conference celebrates 20 years of building the Network back where it was founded, in Hawai`i. It is now time to Work the Net Together for the future.  Huki-Hukilau! 

Event Program and Schedule
Friday, September 1, 2017
Hawai`i Imin Conference Center, East-West Center, University ofHawai`i at Manoa

8:30 am              Registration                                                Hawai`i Imin Conference Center Entrance

1:00 PM	Clean Energy Overview	Keoni Auditorium Moderator: Patrick Takahashi
	Education Consortium: "How Can We Improve Our Collaborations"	Rm 228 Asia Room Moderator: Robert Huey
	Uchina Goodwill Ambassadors "Minkan Taishi Workshop	Rm 226 Pacific Room Moderator: John Tasato
	"Sew and Sway" A Touch of Hawaiiana	Lower Level, Wailana Room The Ladies of Hui O Laulima
2:45 PM	Coffee Break	First Level Pavilion
3:15 PM	Hawai`i-Okinawa Clean Energy Initiative	Keoni Auditorium Moderator: Wayne Shiroma
	Uchinanchu Diaspora Library Symposium "The Library is the Heart of Okinawa"	Rm 228 Asia Room Moderator: Sachiko Iwabuchi
	Uchina Goodwill Ambassadors "Minkan Taishi" Workshop	Rm 226 Pacific Room Moderator: John Tasato
	"Sew and Sway"A Touch of Hawaiiana	Lower Level - Wailana Room The Ladies of Hui O Laulima
5:00PM	Adjourn

Clean Energy Overview
1:00pm - 2:45pm
Keoni Auditorium

Clean energy and climate change are important topics worldwide. In this session we will hear about various clean energy efforts going on around the world, including Hawai`i, the USA, Okinawa, Japan, Peru, and OIST (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology).

Moderator: Patrick TAKAHASHI Panelists:	Emeritus Director, Blue Revolution-Hawai`i Natural Energy Institute-University of Hawai`i
Alan OSHIMA	President, Hawaiian Electric Company
Jun-ichiro Giorgos TSUTSUMI	Engineering Professor, University of the Ryukyus
Munetaka GANAHA	Engineering Professor, Peruvian Applied Sciences University
Hajime TERUKINA	Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
Jon YOSHIMURA	Market Development Pacific, Tesla
Shinya KOCHI	Project Development Office, Kumejima Town

Hawai`i-Okinawa Clean Energy Initiative
3:15pm - 5:00pm
Keoni Auditorium

The Hawai`i-Okinawa Clean Energy Program was established in 2010. In 2015, the agreement was extended to 2020. There has been various activity during this program. Hawai`i has declared going 100% clean energy by 2045. Come and hear from some of the participants in the Hawai`i-Okinawa Clean Energy Program about what they have done, and what future plans are.

Moderator: Wayne SHIROMA Panelists:	Professor and Dept. Chair of Electrical Engineering, University of Hawai`i
Dennis TERANISHI	President/CEO, Pacific International Center for High Technology Research
Carilyn SHON	Administrator of the Hawaii State Energy Office, DBEDT-State of Hawai`i
TBD	Okinawa Prefectural Government
Leon ROOSE	Chief Technologist, GridSTART- Hawai`i Natural Energy Institute-University of Hawai`i
Sunao TAMAKI	President, Okinawa Enetech Co. Inc
Jay IGNACIO	President, Hawai`i Electric Light Co.

Educational Consortium:
“How Can We Improve Our Collaborations?”
1:00 pm – 2:45pm
Asia Room

This symposium, co-organized and hosted by Meio University, University of the Ryukyus, East-West Center, University of Hawai`i, and Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, will open discussions on their collaborative efforts and how they will build upon these partnerships into the future. The Presidents of these universities and the East-West Center will introduce their perspective about each of their institutions. They will talk about some of their activities especially related to educational collaborations with others, such as student/faculty exchange, Pacific Island studies, Okinawan/Uchinanchu studies, and library collections.

Moderator: Robert HUEY Panelists:	Department Chair East Asian Languages and Literatures, University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Katsunori YAMAZATO	President, Meio University
David LASSNER	President, University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Hajime OSHIRO	President, University of the Ryukyus
Richard R. VUYLSTEKE	President, East-West Center
Yasuharu HIGA	President, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts (Geidai)
Neil CALDER	Vice President, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

Uchinanchu Diaspora Library Symposium:
“The Library is the Heart of Okinawa”
3:15 pm – 5:00pm
Asia Room

“The Library is the Heart of Okinawa” is attributed to Iha Fuya, known as the “Father of Okinawan Studies” and the first director of the Okinawa Prefectural Library (OPL). To “internationalize” the new Okinawa Prefectural Library (scheduled to open in early 2019), OPL will be identifying and gathering historical material through partnerships with other libraries and Uchinanchu communities around the world. This is an effort to preserve and protect history, culture, and family histories (genealogy) of Okinawa and the Uchinanchu diaspora.

Moderator: Kyoko HIJIRIDA Panelists:	University of Hawai`i
Hiroaki HARA	Okinawa Prefectural Library
Masayuki DANA	Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum
Shinji YONAMINE	Associação Okinawa Kenjin Do Brasil and WUB Brazil
Sumiko OGAWA	Meio University Library
Chinatsu TOMITA	University of the Ryukyus Library
Munehiro MACHIDA	University of the Ryukyus
Sachiko IWABUCHI	University of Hawai`i Library

Uchina Goodwill Ambassadors “Minkan Taishi” Workshop
Session 1 – 1:00pm – 2:45pm
Session 2 – 3:15pm – 5:00pm
Pacific Room

Okinawa Prefectural Government and the “Minkan Taishi” members will present an overview of the Uchinanchu Goodwill Ambassadors Program, its history, purpose, and progress. This will be followed by an open discussion on the future direction and goals among their members. Open to the public. You do not have to be a Minkan Taishi member to attend.

Moderator: John TASATO Panelists:	Hawai‘i Uchina Goodwill Ambassadori
Takao KADEKARU	Director General, Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Okinawa Prefectural Government
Mutsuko KAWAKAMI	Director, International Exchange Division, Okinawa Prefectural Government
Satoko KANESHI	Supervisor, International Exchange Division, Okinawa Prefectural Government
Edward KUBA	Hawai‘i Uchina Goodwill Ambassador
Kayoko TAKAESU LEWIS	Atlanta Uchina Goodwill Ambassador

“Sew and Sway” A Touch of Hawaiiana Workshop
(For our Overseas Visitors)
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Wailana Room - Lower Level

With heart-felt Aloha, the women of Hui O Laulima welcome WUB members, their family and guests and look forward to creating new international friendships. Members of Hui O Laulima will be offering two workshop classes: 1) lei-making and 2) hula dancing. Participants are encouraged to record video of the activities to practice at home. SEW: Lei Making – Learn to sew a fragrant fresh flower lei or a keepsake yarn lei. Relax, chat, and laugh with others as you create a lovely flower lei to wear on your Hawaii visit. You can also sew a “forever” lei made from colorful yarn as a memento of fellowship with Hui O Laulima ‘fujinkai.’ SWAY: Hula Dancing - The “Hukilau” is a simple hula that anyone can learn, even if you have two left feet! Impress your friends at home by learning to sway with graceful hula movements to “Nada Sousou.” It is a favorite of many and perhaps will become one of yours too.

 

Registration For Events on Friday,
September 1 at the Imin Center

WUB Network 21st Conference Registration

On Campus Parking advisory -With school in session, parking will be limited. Please car pool or use other means of transportation

 

 

 

WUB Network Board Meeting	August 30, 6:00 pm
Uchinanchu Business Tour	August 31, 8:30 am
Hawaii Okinawa Center	August 31, 10:00 pm
WUB Golf Tournament @ Pearl Country Club	August 31, 12:30 pm
Shopping Tour	August 31, 12:30 pm
19th Hole and Karaoke Fellowship @ Pearl Country Club	August 31, 6:00 pm
21st WUB Network Conference and Symposium	September 1, 8:30 am
20th Anniversary Celebration at Manoa Ballroom JCCH	September 1, 6:00 pm
HUOA Okinawan Festival & Gomi Gumi	September 2/3
HUOA Aloha Party	September 4, 6:00 pm