Local News

Nihon Bunka awardees to be honored Saturday

The Maui News

The Japanese Cultural Society of Maui will hold its Shinnen Enkai beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, at the Maui Beach Hotel, which includes dinner and entertainment.

The cultural society will also honor its Nihon Bunka Award winners. It is given to outstanding individuals for their excellence and lifetime dedication to the perpetuation of the Japanese arts and culture, and for their unselfish willingness to share their talents with the community to inspire future generations.

One of this year's recipients is Deidre Tegarden, the executive director of the Nisei Veterans Center.

"Tegarden has kept the spirit and legacy of 'Go For Broke' alive through a dynamic and busy calendar of activities at the Center that promote Japanese culture," according to a news release.

The other recipients are Christopher Curtis and Lynn Shikatani Curtis.

"Curtis Sensei and Lynn Curtis Sensei embody the spirit of Aikido, passed on through them from their teacher, the late Shinichi Suzuki Sensei, to all their students," the news release said.

Sponsorship packages, tables of 10 and general admission tickets are $75, and can be purchased at jcsmaui.org. Email jcsmhawaii@gmail.com for inquiries. Attendees may wear formal kimonos at this function.