Timeline

1951

• Korean Conflict 1951-1953

• September 21, 1951: United Okinawan Association of Hawaii is "inaugurated" at Nuuanu YMCA with 14 locality clubs.

Also known as the Hawaii Okinawa Kenjin Rengo Kai. Charter clubs were Ginowan Sonjin Kai, Goeku Sonjin Kai, Gushichan Sonjin Kai, Gushikawa Sonjin Kai, Kailua Okinawa Kenjin Kai, Kaneohe Okinawa Doshi Kai, Kita Nakagusuku Sonjin Kai, Nago Chojin Kai, Naha Shijin Kai, Onna Sonjin Kai, Osato Doshi Kai, Shuri Shijin Kai, Tamagusuku Sonjin Kai and Yomitan Sonjin Kai.

The first officers were Dr. Henry S. Gima, president; Kiyoshi Shimabukuro, Chozen Kanetake, Kamesuke Nakamura, vice presidents; Dr. James Tengan, Nariyasu Chibana, English secretaries; Seian Hokama, Junkichi Higa, Japanese secretaries; Sadao Asato, Ansho Uyeshiro, treasurers; Kenichi Higa, Taketa Moromisato, Seiki Takasato, Kamekichi Higa, auditors; the Reverend Seikan Higa, the Reverend Houn Tamayose, advisors.

1952

• Under the U.S.-Japan Peace Treaty, Okinawa officially separates from Japan and is renamed the Ryukyus.

• Hawaii-Okinawa Farm Youth Training Program started by Dr. Y. Baron Goto

1954

• Democratic Party in Hawaii emerges

1956

• UOA includes 32 locality clubs

1957

• Guidelines regarding social obligations established

• Donation to Kyushu Flood victims

• Testimonial dinners for graduating college seniors begins (terminated in 1975)

1959

• Hawaii becomes the 50th State

• Brotherhood Program (Hawaii-Okinawa Friendship Mission)

1960

• 60th Anniversary celebration of Okinawans’ arrival in Hawaii

Throughout the 60’s

• Anti-Vietnam War and Black Power movements give rise to ethnic studies programs on mainland university campuses.

1961

• Donation to Tidal Wave victims in Hilo

1965

• Scholarship Program Established

• 65th Anniversary of Okinawans’ arrival in Hawaii

1966

• Donation to victims of Typhoon Cora on Miyako Island

1970

• 70th Anniversary of Okinawans’ arrival in Hawaii

1971

• Okinawan Cultural Jubilee is held

1972

• Reversion of Okinawa to Japan after nearly three decades of U.S. military occupation.

• Deigo tree (India coral bean) planted on the grounds of the Japanese Consulate.

1975

• 75th Anniversary of Okinawans’ arrival in Hawaii

1976

• Bicentennial celebration of United States

• Exhibit at Blaisdell Center on contributions of Okinawans to American culture

• Support for Bishop Museum’s Cultural Heritage Museum

1980

• 80th Anniversary of Okinawans’ arrival in Hawaii

Publication of "Uchinanchu: A History of the Okinawans in Hawaii" in collaboration with UH Ethnic Studies Oral History Project

1980

• First Young Leaders Study Tour to Okinawa

1981

• 10-year Medical Research Project begins

1982

• First Okinawan Festival at McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Park.

1983

• UOA gains tax-exempt, charitable status

• UOA Logo, designed by Seikichi "Chick" Takara, is adopted. (see page 32)

• First UOA Study Tour to Okinawa

• Club Kobashigawa becomes 43rd member club

1984

• Scholarship Program with University of the Ryukyus begins

1985

• Centennial of Japanese immigration to Hawaii -Kanyaku Imin Centennial Celebration

• Hawaii-Okinawa sister-state relationship executed with Governors Ariyoshi and Nishime signing

• 85th Anniversary of Okinawans’ arrival in Hawaii

• Donation of 5,500 books to University of the Ryukyus Library

• Wahiawa Kyoyu Kai becomes 44th member club

1986

• Okinawan Festival at Thomas Square and Honolulu Academy of Arts

• Yonagusuku Sonjinkai becomes 45th member club

1987

• Bunka Kaikan fundraising campaign begins, Lynne Waihee, Honorary Chair

• Release of cassette tape, "Chibariyo-1988"

• Plant cuttings and seeds sent to Orion Brewery

• Survey of Ethnic Records begins, Mona Nakayama, Chair

1987

• Issei Video Project initiated, Wesley Ueunten, Chair

1988

• Yaeyama Kyo Yu Kai accepted as member club

1989

• Groundbreaking of Hawaii Okinawa Center

• Issei Video showing at Honolulu Academy of Arts

1990

• 90th Anniversary of Okinawans’ arrival in Hawaii

• Bishop Museum Okinawa Family Sunday

• First Haari Boat Festival (Hilo)

• Publication of "Uchinanchu-a Pictorial Tribute to Okinawans in Hawaii"

• Pau Hana Plantation Fair

• HOC Topping Off Party

• Completion and Dedication of Hawaii Okinawa Center

• Okinawa Treasure Exhibit at Honolulu Academy of Arts

• Hawaii Okinawan Music and Dance Festival at NBC Arena

• Okinawan Festival Parade in Waikiki

• Okinawan Festival moves to Kapiolani Park from Thomas Square

1990

• Re-enactment of arrival of first 26 immigrants

• Ogasawara Ryu Demonstration

• Waipahu Plantation Fair - Waipahu Cultural Garden Park

• Pau Hana Plantation Fair at Sheraton Waikiki

• "Okage Sama De" closing banquet

1992

• HOC Wall of Honor Dedicated

• Sealing of Time Capsule

(to be opened in 2042)

1994

• UOA becomes Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA) on December 7, 1994

1995

• 95th Anniversary of Okinawans’ arrival in Hawaii

• President Bill Clinton visits the Okinawan Festival and gets his first taste of andagi

1996

• Uchinaaguchi and Ikebana classes start at the Hawaii Okinawa Center

• The first Okinawan Cultural Summer Day Camp for Kids starts at the Center

1999

• Governor Ben Cayetano appoints Okinawan Centennial Celebration Commission

2000

• Hawaii observes the centennial of Okinawa immigration to Hawaii

2000

• Toyama Kyuzo Inurnment Service

• Namie Amuro Benefit Concert at Waikiki Shell

• "Leilani’s Hibiscus" presented at Kumu Kahua Theatre

• Voyage of Rediscovery - Hawaii/Kin Student Exchange Program

• Mini Tsunahiki Festival at Ala Moana Park

• Jon Nakamatsu Piano Recital at NBC Concert Hall

• Hui Makaala Fashion Show

• International Scholars Forum "Uchinanchu Diaspora"

• HUOA and State of Hawaii Okinawan Centennial Celebration Commission releases limited edition Centennial Coin.

• Japanese American National Museum’s traveling exhibit "From Bento to Mixed Plate: Americans of Japanese Ancestry in Multicultural Hawaii" opens at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum

• Hawaii Okinawa Center and HUOA merge

• 10th Anniversary of Hawaii Okinawa Center

2001

• HUOA’s 50th Anniversary

• Storytelling Festival