Celebrating 125 years of Okinawan immigration to Hawaii

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – This year marks the 125th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawaii.

It started with just eight men traveling to Hawaii in 1900 to find a better way of life.

Earlier this month, a delegation of state lawmakers and Hawaii-born Okinawans traveled to this island prefecture of Japan to commemorate this historic event.

One of the highlights was a combined group of youthful taiko drummers from Hawaii and Okinawa dancing to the beat of the same drum.

There was also a lovely hula, drawing everyone into a spirit of Aloha.

“We both share so many values together so Aloha spirit and shimagukuru, compassion and uemaru, helping each other in times of need and also inabore, once we meet, we’re brothers and sisters,” said France Kuba, president of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association.

Speaking of brothers, the governors of both island communities greeted the audience from both sides of ocean.

Gov. Josh Green took to the stage and had a little fun with the audience sharing a bit of commonality with the Uchinanchu.

“They say I have a little bit of Okinawan in me. I am very hairy, like the Okinawan people,” said Green.

As part of this anniversary celebration, in addition to lawmakers, more than 60 Hawaii Okinawans came as part of a heritage tour and participated in the festivities.

“We love it. It’s been a wonderful to come back to where our ancestors are from,” said Lori Yafuso of Oahu. “It is important to come back to where your ancestors are from to understand our roots and just feel a connection with the past.”

“I want my kids and my grandkids to know where they came from, their roots,” said Stacy Sakumoto of Oahu.

The festivities also included a parade where thousands gathered to observe this cultural exchange.

As the festivities wrapped up for the day, the beat of taiko drums symbolized the perpetuation of this Okinawa-Hawaii relationship for years to come.

“We hope that the friendship between and Hawaii will continue for the next 125 years,” said David Arakawa with the Hawaii United Okinawa Association.