Melanie Agrabante

The Japanese Cultural Society of Maui has announced that Melanie Agrabante and Karen M. Wasano will be the recipients of this year’s Nihon Bunka Awards, recognizing their excellence and lifetime dedication to the perpetuation of Japanese arts and culture.

The presentation will be during Shinnenkai on Jan. 24 at Maui Beach Hotel.

According to the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui, Agrabante serves as the archive director of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, where she has been a dedicated steward of history since first volunteering in 2008. She became the center’s first research archivist in 2017.

Born and raised on Maui, Agrabante graduated from Maui High School and earned degrees in computer science from the University of Hawaii and event planning from the International Festival and Events Association.

Through her leadership, she is credited with playing a vital role in preserving and sharing the stories of Maui’s Nisei veterans.

In addition to her archival work, Agrabante is also an accomplished photographer whose images regularly support the NVMC’s publications, news releases and social media.

“Her ability to present history with care, balance and humanity has allowed for meaningful dialogue that transcends nationality and perspective, emphasizing dignity, compassion and shared experience,” according to the organization.

Agrabante’s lifelong appreciation for Japanese culture began in elementary school and deepened during a 1981 trip to Japan with the Maui High School band, where she witnessed an early performance by Matsuda Seiko, a popular Japanese idol and singer-songwriter.

Agrabante has since pursued traditional cultural practices, studying hula under Kumu Hula Aunty Emma Sharpe and traditional Japanese dance with Nakayama Minyo Kai and Maui Minyo Kai under Sensei Tasaka Ken, as well as practicing ikebana and tea ceremony.

A scroll in Agrabante’s office reads: “The first step is always the hardest.”

Karen M. Wasano

Wasano, who is known professionally as Fujima Saemitsu, has devoted her life to the preservation of Japanese culture through the art of Nihon Buyo, or traditional Japanese dance.

She received her professional teaching certificate from the Fujima School of Japan in 1977, and she has dedicated more than four decades to the study, practice and instruction of Japanese dance, including teaching on Maui for more than 41 years.

Wasano has immersed her students in the full tradition of Japanese performance, teaching proper kimono dressing, traditional makeup application and the respectful care of garments.

Though ongoing health concerns have limited Wasano’s formal teaching, she continues to mentor and guide former students while maintaining strong connections in the dance community.

Under the guidance of her master sensei, Fujima Kantoshi, Wasano has also maintained close cultural ties to Japan and performed on prestigious stages such as the Kokuritsu Sho Gekijyo (national theater) in Tokyo.

Wasano has also choreographed original works that blended tradition with contemporary expression, helping to ensure Japanese dance remains vibrant and relevant for new generations.

Wasano served as principal instructor and director of the Mika Shin Buyo Kai of Wailuku, guiding generations of sansei and yonsei dancers. Under her leadership, the group has performed regularly at community events, hosted annual recitals and traveled interisland to share Japanese culture.

Many of her former students have gone on to successful professional careers.

For tickets to Shinnenkai, go to jcsmaui.org. For more information, email jcsmhawaii@gmail.com.