HUI O LAULIMA

2008 CULTURAL GRANTS - $7,000 IN GRANTS AWARDED

 

Hui O Laulima has provided grants to individuals and organizations in our local Okinawan community with the greatest potential for the preservation, promotion, and perpetuation of the Okinawan culture.  This year, a total of $7,000 was awarded to seven applicants. This year’s grantees are:

 

Hawaii Okinawa Fue Kenkyukai, Earl M. Ikeda

Purpose:           To preserve the art of Okinawan flute playing.  Purpose of the grant is to create a group that will continue to enhance and perpetuate music using the traditional flute and playing techniques of  Okinawa.

 

Hilo Okinawan Cultural Club, Gail Maesato and George Yokoyama

Purpose:           To provide for folk dancing, sanshin and drum instruction for the club from Master Okinawa instructors Kina, Keiko and Oshiro, Tsuruko in preparation for the Hilo Okinawan Cultural Club 30th Anniversary celebration. 

 

Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko

Purpose:           To support Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko participation in the 26th Annual Okinawan Festival in Honolulu.

 

Chikako Shimamura

Purpose:           Ms. Shimamura has qualified to take the second level exam (Yuushuusho) for Okinawan dance which will bring her one step closer to her goal of attaining a Kyoshi Menkyojo or Teaching Certificate.  Her award will assist with her travel to Okinawa..

 

Tamagusuku Ryu Senju Kai , Frances Nakachi Kuba

Purpose:           The grant will support the school’s 10th anniversary recital to be held at the Hawaii Theatre on November 16, 2008. 

 

Teruya Katsuko Sokyoku Kenkyukai, Hawaii Kyoshitsu, Chieko Miyazato and     Kazumi Cutter

Purpose:           To assist with the travel expenses for the group to travel to Los Angeles to further their koto studies and refine their art under the direction of Katsuko Teruya. 

 

Melissa Uyeunten

Purpose:           To assist in the travel expenses for Ms. Uyeunten to participate in the Ryukyu Shinpo Gei no Konkuuru examination for Okinawan fine arts.  She will be testing for the Odori (dance) shinjinsho (1st level exam).  The shinjinsho exam is the first of 3 tests which can only be achieved by traveling to Okinawa and taking the exam in front of the judging panel.

 

We congratulate all of the 2008 grant awardees and extend our best wishes for a very successful and fruitful year!