Jessie Hori is a graduate of Castle High School and is the daughter of Gene Hori and Karen Kuba-Hori and a member of Okinawa City-Goeku Son and Gaza Yonagusuku Sonjin Kai. One of her teachers describes Jessie as a smart, hard-working girl who is able to balance schoolwork with sports. Since 1996, Jessie has been active in Hawaii Okinawa Center ’s Okinawan Summer Day Camp, both as a participant and a junior leader. Jessie’s sports background includes high school track and field, high school soccer, AYSO soccer and club soccer leagues.

Jessie also had participated in a Junior Study Tour Program in Okinawa and has enjoyed a multitude of Okinawan activities as part of a family affair, as well as a personal one.

Jessie will be attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa to major in Biology.

Ann Inouye is a graduate of Waiakea High School and is the daughter of Kent Inouye and Cynthia Murakami and a member of Hui Okinawa in Hilo . Even with her background in Okinawan dance, taiko and sanshin, most people would describe her as a “people person” – Ann, however, has a rare talent for insight. Some of this worldly insight could be attributed to her participation in a 2002 Okinawa-Hawaii Exchange Program and a 2004 China Study Tour.

Although Ann is not able to attend today, she sends her gratitude. Gary happened to attend the Waiakea High School graduation where he listened to Ann’s uplifting speech to her senior class – a spirited young lady she is!

Jessie will be attending the University of Hawaii at Hilo to major in Japanese Studies and later pursue International Studies.

Ban Ishii is a graduate of Moanalua High School and is the son of Yoichi and Ryoko Ishii. Ban is a member and instructor at Ryukukoku Matsuri Daiko Hawaii club, teaching the art of Eisa (Taiko drumming and dance) here on Oahu , and frequently on Kauai and Maui . He also loves to share his talents at Young Okinawans.

I would describe Ban not as a person who learns or is knowledgeable in the culture – but instead one who is fully immersed in the culture. To some, Eisa is music and dance – to Ban, he described it as hope and purpose.

Ban will be attending the University of San Francisco and major in Hospitality.

Stacie Kobashigawa is a graduate of Waianae High School and is the daughter of Katsuhiro and Yone Kobashigawa.

Stacie has played Koto and taken Okinawan Dance since 5‑years old. Presently, she is attending dance instruction at Nakasone Hooge Kai Academy from Sensei Yoshiko Nakasone, and taking Koto instruction at Miyashiro Soho Kai from Sensei Bonne Miyashiro. Although Stacie has performed at a number of Okinawan Festivals and at the Hui Makaala fashion Show, what stood out in her experiences came in 1998 when she performed Koto at Meio University in Nago City , Okinawa . And again in 2002, Stacie performed in the 45 th anniversary concert of Sadao China (Okinawan artist, composer & producer) in Okinawa .

Stacie will be attending Leeward Community College and the University of Hawaii at Manoa to study Elementary Education.

Patrick Mishina is a graduate of Moanalua High School and is the son of Roy and Cynthia Mishina.

In addition to going to Okinawa in the 9 th and 12 th grade, Patrick and his family hosted a student from Okinawa in the 10 th and 11 th grades. During the last three years, Patrick was also the group leader and provided Japanese speaking tours for some 60 Hiroshima students visiting Hawaii . A teacher stressed Patrick’s basic goodness and great character. In his essey, Patrick wrote of one day returning to Okinawa to possibly teach there and to study there.

Patrick will be attending the University of Washington to major in Japanese.

Joleen Oshiro is a graduate of Iolani School and is the daughter of Paul and Janice Oshiro.

Joleen is more than a scholar athlete – to be more accurate, she is an athletic scholar whose participation encompasses cross-country, track, wrestling, hospital volunteer work, student tutoring, Iolani Okinawan club, and a number of other school and community services. After championing at the state level, Joleen continued and placed 2 nd in the US National Wrestling championships in her weight class. It is a wonder how she can still maintain a 4.0 GPA after taking a number of the highest level classes offered at Iolani. A teacher describes her as hard working, motivated, conscientious, bright, and a pleasure to have around.

Joleen will be attending Stanford University to study medicine.

Kira Tamashiro is a graduate from Iolani School and is the daughter of Cyrus and Ann Tamashiro.

In addition to being the senior class president, Kira has kept busy in Judo, band, cross-country, wrestling, and a number of school and community service projects. Kira succeeded in becoming the state champion in her weight class.

A member of the Nago Club and Hawaii Shuri-Naha Club, Kira enjoys helping and participating in club functions.

Kira will be attending Claremont McKenna College and major in Economics.

Lisa Tamashiro is a graduate of Kaimuki High School and is the daughter of Tetsushi and Kinuko Tamashiro.

Lisa is no stranger to the Okinawan community. In addition to being involved with cross-country, track, and band, Lisa has played the Koto since the 1 st grade with Toma Toyoko Sensei. Lisa toured Okinawa with a Ryukyu Daiko group to perform taiko. A touching letter of recommendation (written in Japanese) from Toyoko Toma describes Lisa as a person that embodies the essence of Okinawa – her reliable, sensitive and intelligence projects from her great character; her dance and music shows great understanding of Okinawan culture in every performance; and her great fondness of all cultural activities is apparent whenever she enters the room.

Lisa will be attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa to study Psychology and Environmental Science.