John Toguchi and Regina Toguchi with Governor Josh Green 5-January-2024
Regina Toguchi and John Toguchi were in attendance at the Governor’s Proclamation Ceremony for the Chamber of Commerce last Friday, January 5. The proclamation declared January 15 to January 19 as “Chamber Week” in honor of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and its affiliate chambers.WUB is a longtime member of Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.
WUB was one of the affiliate chambers in attendance at the signing ceremony. It is also one of the many chambers that make up Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.
Japanese Chamber of Commerce
Hawaii Rainbow Chamber of Commerce
Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce
Maui Chamber of Commerce
Kauai Chamber of Commerce
Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce
Worldwide Uchinanchu Business – Okinawan Chamber of Commerce
As WUB’s incoming president, Regina noted: We hope that this will be the start of closer partnership with not only the CCH but other chamber groups. I will be posting this on ourInstagram account.
WUB Hawaii is one of the many chapters that make up WUB Network. Every year the Board of Directors meet to make decisions about the running of WUB. In addition to holding business meetings, WUB Network also use the time to do business tours, recognize the accomplishments of WUB members, and have fun!
The Hawaii delegation consisted of Bob Nakasone, Steve Miyashiro, Gregg Takara, and Yumi Inamine.
Below are some pictures taken by WUB Network board member, Flavio Minei, of their August 4-6 meeting in São Paolo, Brazil. Obrigado Flávio! It may come as a surprise to some that the Uchinanchu community in Brazil is larger than the one in Hawaii. Where Hawaii’s Uchinanchu population is 50,000, Brazil’s Uchinanchu population is 187,000. The Brazil Uchinanchu community is definitely much livlier and energetic. It has been said that the future of the Uchinanchu diaspora can be seen in Brazil.
Group shot of WUB Network Conference in São Paolo, Brazil – August 4-6, 2023 – Location: CofemaAnother shot of the banner for the 2023 WUB Network Regional Conference APLP (Asia-Pacific Leadership Program alumnis)WUB Board Meeting in São Paolo, Brazil – 4-6 August 2023WUB Network President Tony Sakuda and WUB Network Secretary Mariko Kuniyoshi São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023Hawaii’s Gregg Takara and Steve Miyashiro at WUB Network Meeting São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023Gregg Takara and Steve Miyashiro hard at work São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023Bob Nakasone speaking at WUB Network Meeting São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023Hawaii’s Yumi Inamine dancing the hula at WUB Network conference São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023Meio University President Masanori Sunagawa and WUB Network President Tony Sakuda signing MOU (memorandum of understanding) of partnership and collaboration. São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023MOU Signed! São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023Tony Sakuda thanking Hawaii’s Bob Nakasone for his inspiration and support for the MOU. São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023New WUB Logo being introduced São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023Notice how easy it is to spot the new WUB logo?WUB Hawaii President Steve Miyashiro being honored. São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023Business Tour – an integral part of WUB Network conferences São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023WUB Business tours – A lot of walking, a lot to see, and a lot to learn! São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023WUB Network President Tony Sakuda presenting certificate of appreciation. Koa wood plate made in Hawaii and delivered by Gregg Takara. São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023.WUB Network President Tony Sakuda presenting certificate of appreciation. Koa wood plate made in Hawaii and delivered by Gregg Takara. São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023.WUB Business: Having fun! – São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023Traditional churrascarias serve beef sliced straight from the skewer. São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023Karii! Opening Ceremony for Okinawan Festival in Brazil São Paolo, Brazil – August 2023
I recently met Magaly Tsukayama Goya at a WUB Hawaii meeting. She is currently in Hawaii for the East-West Center’s Asia-Pacific Leadership Program. WUB Hawaii is strongly committed to supporting and encouraging young Uchinanchus, whether from Hawaii or from other countries. WUB’s mission is to promote global networking among Uchinanchus.
Robert Arakaki
Tell us about yourself. Who you are, what you do, and where you are from.
My name is Magaly Tsukayama Goya. I am Nikkei Uchinanchu from Lima, Peru. I studied economics at San Marcos University. Currently, I have run my own entrepreneurship that offers toys to motivate creativity to children. Also, I am the vice president of the Education board of AOPCOOP (Cooperative Financial Institution founded by Nikkei Uchinanchu) and write in Peru Shimpo (The first Nikkei Newspaper in Peru). Since COVID 19, I have become a teacher. I taught children and seniors how to make handicrafts and also about Okinawa culture and history.
What is an economist and what do you do as an economist?
To my way of thinking an economist is a person who synthesises mathematics, statistics with social sciences because the main reason of the economy is to find the well-being of the people.
In my early years as an economist, I worked in some of the most important banks in Lima, basically in the finance field. Now, I am focusing on the social part of the economy. I write articles in Peru Shimpo related to sustainability. Moreover, in AOPCOOP the projects we propose are associated with financial inclusion, financial education and the promotion of Okinawan values.
What brings you to Hawaii? What has the APLP experience been like for you?
First, I want to express my gratitude to World Uchinanchu Business for the support to be part of the Asian Pacific Leadership Program (APLP). Since I was a child, I have had the dream not only to know the type of leadership in the countries around the world but also to learn about it; due to the fact that for me a leader always has to serve the community.
As far as I’m concerned, the APLP is a life changing experience. I have shared experiences with people from different cultures and also learned about that. Also, I learned about Hawaiian culture that is a good example of tolerance and preservation and respect for their traditions, language and people.
What generation of Uchinanchu are you? What is the story of your family’s migration from Okinawa to Peru? What village is your family from?
I am sansei. My grandparents immigrated to Perú in the 1920s. From my father’s side they were from Chatan cho and my mother’s side from Kitanakagusuku son. (Attached is my grandfather’s passport.)
Grandfather’s passport
What are some facts that you would like people to know about Peru?
Peru is a multicultural country because of the immigrations from Asia, Europe and Africa. Because of this, the gastronomy in Peru is considered one of the most important in Latin America.
What is the Uchinanchu community like in Peru? What similarities and differences between the Peru Uchinanchus and the Hawaii Uchinanchus have you noticed?
The Uchinanchu community in Perú and Hawaiian Uchinanchu Community have many similarities. For instance, there are some restaurants that sell Okinawan dishes, play sanshin.
I am very happy to meet Uchinanchus in Hawaii because they show me that there are no boundaries to feel “Ichariba choodee.” You make me feel like home.
Anything you want to add?
Thank you WUB for the opportunity to be a fellow of APLP at East West Center. Thank you to the East West Center for the experience to become a better leader. Because of this experience, I learn new tools and improve my leadership skills to serve our community. I promise to work hard to study more about Okinawa culture, traditions and history to preserve, diffuse it and contribute to WUB network development around the world as well. Thank you very much, I am very happy and proud to be part of the Uchinanchu community.
L to R: Ed Kuba, Bob Nakasone, Jill Tokuda, Mana Takita, Robert Arakaki, and John Tasato
On 13 August 2022, members of WUB Hawaii went over to Jill Tokuda’s election night celebration at Castle High School in Kaneohe. We all cheered when the election results showed that Jill won by a very comfortable margin. She is well on her way to becoming Hawaii’s next Congresswoman in Washington D.C.
For our Obuchi Scholar, Mana Takita, the way we do politics in Hawaii is quite different from Japan.
WUB Hawaii is happy to see the younger generation Uchinanchus making an impact on their world. I told Jill: “I will come and visit you in Washington D.C.!”
On 13 July 2022, our guest speaker was Jill Tokuda, a yonsei (fourth generation) Uchinanchu. Jill is pure uchinanchu and so has connections with quite a number of sonjinkai. She identifies strongly with the Oroku cho club. She described how she was aware of her Okinawan roots early on and also how she caught the political bug as early as the age of four!
In 1980 when she was four years old, Jill followed the presidential race closely. Her favorite was Republican candidate Ronald Reagan because he had the same first name as Ronald McDonald! Later when she was in middle school, Jill took the bus all the way from Kailua to Kapiolani Park to hear Patsy Mink give a fiery, impassioned speech. If she wins the race, Jill Tokuda will be following in the footsteps of Patsy Mink all the way to Washington D.C.
Jill has served in the Hawaii State Senate and is now running for the 2nd Congressional District which spans a wide area from the Big Island to Kauai–basically everywhere outside of urban Honolulu.
WUB Hawaii is proud to see the younger generation of Uchinanchu remembering their Okinawan roots and stepping forward to make a positive contribution to society.
In August 2019, a group of middle school and high school students from Miyakojima Island spent a few days in Hawaii to improve their English and learn about Hawaii and American culture. Miyakojima is part of the Ryukyuan island chain of which Okinawa is part. The students stayed the first few days at Hawaii Tokai International College, located in Kapolei. Their chaperone was local boy Ryan Ohta.
I happen to be teaching Sociology 100 at the time of their visit. During a break time, I presented them with a box of ono coco puffs from Liliha Bakery. It was fun and meaningful connecting with fellow shimanchus (island people).
WUB is committed to supporting students, the future generation of shimanchus and uchinanchus, and strengthening our ties with fellow uchinanchus around the world.
Robert Arakaki
Prof. Robert K. Arakaki with Miyakojima students – 2019.
Denny Tamaki, Governor of Okinawa, meets David Ige, Governor of Hawaii, on 22 March 2019
Okinawa governor, Denny Tamaki, came to Hawaii in March 2019 to meet with members of the local Uchinanchu community. In his meeting with Hawaii governor, David Ige, Tamaki expressed his keen interest in Hawaii’s success in reviving the Hawaiian language. By bringing back the language, the Hawaiian activists helped bring back and revitalize Hawaiian culture. Gov. Tamaki hopes that a similar revival in Uchinaaguchi can happen in Okinawa. Part of his itinerary included participating in Ukwanshin Kabudan’s Uchinanchu identity summit where he will meet with people working to revive the language and culture of Okinawa.
Gov. Tamaki also met with the members of WUB Hawaii at a breakfast meeting held at the East-West Center. He is a strong supporter of WUB and is the honorary president of WUB Network. The event was held at the East-West Center because EWC has partnered with WUB Hawaii in many important conference events — Uchinanchu Talk Story series.
Gov. Denny Tamaki with WUB founder, Bob Nakasone, on his left and East-West Center president, Richard Vuylsteke, and WUB Hawaii current president, Gregg Takara, to his right.
Gov. Tamaki’s visit illustrates how the strength and vitality of the Uchinanchu community worldwide is rooted in networking and relationship building. There is an Okinawan saying:
Shikinoo chui shiihii shiru kurasuru. – Let’s live helping each other in this world.
One important means of strengthening ties between the Okinawan homeland and the Okinawan diaspora is through educational exchanges. Chiaki Maehara, Director of Okinawa AMICUS, was in town networking with leaders of the Hawaii Uchinanchu community.
Standing: Chiaki Maehara – Director of Okinawa AMICUS with Gregg Takara – incoming WUB Hawaii President; Sitting Left to Right: Courtney Takara – HUOA 2018 President, Robert Arakaki, Cyrus Tamashiro, David Arakawa, Yuichiro Harry Masuda, Jo Ige – HUOA 2019 President, John Tasato, and Bob Nakasone
East-West Center grantee, Yuichiro Harry Masuda, wrote:
It was a great first step for AMICUS to make connection with Hawaiʻi Uchinanchu.
I hope AMICUS can build a connection with Hawaiʻi and send students to Hawaiian schools after their graduation from AMICUS. Or launch some educational program with students/people in Hawaiʻi.
I believe that AMICUS can also help Uchinanchus in Hawaiʻi in many ways, such as becoming a host school when Hawaiʻi students go to Okinawa for short stay program or becoming translating/interpreting volunteer when Hawaiʻi Uchinanchus make contacts with relatives in Okinawa, especially during the World Uchinanchu Festival period.
Okinawa AMICUS campus
Okinawa AMICUS educational philosophy is:
Developing global citizens who can think, learn and act independently
in a learning environment where students forge their own paths for the future. Link
