Nihon Bunka recipients to be honored at new year’s dinner
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The Maui News
The Japanese Cultural Society of Maui will welcome the Year of the Rat and honor three Nihon Bunka recipients for their dedication to Japanese culture during the annual Shinnen Enkai new year dinner on Jan. 25.
The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Maui Beach Hotel.
This year's honorees are the Rev. Shinkai Murakami, artist Kirk Kurokawa and former state Sen. Joe Tanaka.
Murakami was born in Fukuoka, Japan, and has been the resident minister for the Wailuku Hongwanji Mission since 2004. As the principal of the Japanese Language School for Wailuku Hongwanji, he has implemented new programs that have significantly increased student enrollment over the years, including cultural days that teach origami, sushi and musubi making, okonomiyaki and mochi making, and educational trips to Japan.
In 2012, the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce presented him with an award to recognize his efforts with the Japanese language schools throughout the state.
Murakami was a former president of the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui and still helps with many community programs and organizations, volunteering to teach calligraphy, Japanese cooking and other skills. He also mentors Eagle Scout candidates and has been involved with many temple improvement projects.
Kurokawa, a local boy of Hawaiian, Japanese and Chinese descent, was born and raised on Maui. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with distinction in Illustration from the California College of Arts and Crafts. In 2001, he returned home to Maui, became a self-taught oil painter and pursued his dream of becoming a fine artist.
Kurokawa's paintings focus predominantly on the "simple, everyday life moments" and have been showcased in various exhibitions throughout the state. Most recently, his installment at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center's mural has brought the 442nd Regiment Combat Team and 100th Infantry Batallion's history to life.
Many of his paintings feature aspects of the Japanese culture, such as scenes from bon dances, Maui Matsuri, Tokyo life and Japanese wood carving, among others.
Tanaka is a former lawmaker who served on the Maui County Council from 1987-92 and the state Senate from 1992-2000.
He founded the Maui Japanese Chamber of Commerce, that helped bring those with common values and goals together to further business on Maui. The chamber members led the effort to create partnerships with Japan and established a sister-chamber relationship with Fukuyama City, Hiroshima prefecture, Japan, in 1997. This led to a Fukuyama City-Maui County sister city relationship in 2008.
Tanaka also has spearheaded the effort to build the Rose Garden fronting the county building to showcase the county's friendship with Fukuyama and other sister cities, and continues to be involved in international relations.
Tickets to the dinner are $55 and can be purchased online at jcsmaui.org. The evening also will feature a performance by Tevita Apina, also known as Hikariyama Torao, and the installation of JCS Maui's new set of officers for 2020-21.
They are Asa Ellison, president; Tokie Ogawa, first vice president and Mikiko Ellison, treasurer. Board members include Ayame Givensel, Pia Moikeha, Helen Nielsen, Stephanie Ohigashi, Eugene Shikuma and Jennifer Sumida.
Guests will be welcomed by traditional otoso (sake welcome). The event also will feature a silent auction with proceeds to go toward the club's various projects.
JCS Maui also will arrange to dress attendees who wish to wear kimono. To schedule kimono dressing or for other information about the dinner, call 298-3352.