January 2008 was a busy month for Hui Okinawa.  We started off the New Year with a community service project.  Members were asked to donate their time or delicious finger foods for the Blood Bank of Hawaii.  Of course, members came out to support this event and helped by donating blood, volunteering in the canteen or cooking up some yummy refreshments (including andagi) for the people who did donate blood.

Immediately after the blood bank was our annual Shinnen Enkai.  There were special guest performers from Okinawa including soprano singer Kumiko Kinjo, Taiko player Tatsuya Nakasone, and singer/producer Hitoshi Miyazato.  Hui Okinawa hosted the performers at a Pot Luck at Wailoa State Park.  A total of about two dozen entertainers, producers, camera/video crew and their own RyuKyu Broadcasting Company News Reporter Shino Kikuchi (who was the MC for their concert) came to Hilo for an Okinawan Calabash at the Historic Palace Theatre.  This was a great variety show which included classical singing, Okinawan dance and music, a violinist, a flute player, and even a German lyre player.

There was a lot going on in just two weeks and the rain and flash flooding didn’t stop Hui Okinawa members from getting things done.  [Click here to view more pictures. Close this window to get back to the HUOA Web site.]