2003 OAA New Year's Party / Shinnen Enkai
(Japanese .pdf also available)
By Ethel Asato
The annual OAA, Inc. Shinnen Enkai was held on January 19, 2003 at the Quiet Cannon Restaurant in Montebello. There were 580 guests, members and friends from near and far, to celebrate the "Year of the Sheep."
Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to the 2002 Officers and Board of Directors. Certificates were awarded to special volunteers Dick Enomoto, Kiyoshi Ginoza, Mary and Jimmy Ishiara, Edward Kamiya, Hisashi Seragaki, Arikuni Shima, Sam Shimane, David Shinjo, and Haruo Yamashiro. The OAA "Man of the Year" Masanobu Ajifu and "Woman of the Year" Mieko Shima received awards from OAA President Chogi Higa, Gardena's Mayor Terrence Terauchi and the 53rd Assembly District Officer Stacy Toda, for their years of dedication and support to the Kenjinkai.
A special announcement was made by Robert Nakasone and Edward Kuba of the Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Association (WUB) in Hawaii. They invited everyone to attend the First Worldwide Uchinanchu Conference in Hawaii from August 29 to September 2, 2003.
The new 2003 Officers and Board of Directors were installed by the Honorable Terrence Terauchi.
Mr. Yamashiro represented everyone born in the "Year of the Sheep" and gave the kanpai toast to welcome the New Year.
After a delicious luncheon, we were entertained by classical and minyo Ryukyu music and dance, karaoke, hula and taiko. The "Karii Chorus" comprised of the Board of Directors, sang "You Are My Sunshine" and dedicated it to the late George Sankey. This song saved Mr. Sankey's life during WWII, when he served in the U.S. military intelligence. In October 1943 in New Guinea, he came upon some natives who suspected he was a Japanese enemy soldier. They sang a Japanese song to test him. With his eyes on the native chief, and at the top of his lungs, he sang "You Are My Sunshine" to make clear his American allegiance. At the end of the song, the chief shook his hand and his life was saved.
The younger generation was in evidence throughout the program, helping to keep the Okinawan culture alive with their dancing, singing and taiko drumming. The taiko drumming led to the exuberant kachashi free-style dancing, which had many guests jumping from their seats and waving their arms to the lively Okinawan music.
Special "Ippe Nifee De Biru" to Julian Ely and Ririko Oshiro who did superbly as our M.C.'s. Congratulations to Sadao Tome, Raffle Chairman, who, with his young assistants, sold $2,423 in raffle tickets. Thank you also to the Ken Kamiya Insurance Co. for the free calendars.
The OAA would like to express its sincere thanks to you members and friends for coming to the Shinnen Enkai and for your generous donations and gifts of raffle prizes. With the written program, we inserted a form for you to list any comments or suggestions you might have for the OAA to improve itself. We would appreciate it if you could mail your suggestions to the OAA office. We hope to see you again next year at our 2004 New Year Party on January 18! In the meantime, "Ii Soo Gwachi Deebiru"!
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