President’s Message
By Chogi HigaGusuyo, cha-gwanju yamiseebiimi. (How have you been doing?)
Greetings to all of our OAA members. I hope this reaches you in good health and happiness. I would like to update you on some of the events that have been taking place within the Association.
In Okinawan culture, women have always been a pillar in the family structure, but they have also played a crucial role in the cultural legacy of the Okinawa Islands. During this past year, the OAA’s women’s club called the Fujinkai has once again been commenced, after a brief hiatus. In March, they initiated a kimono demonstration event led by Yoko Tamae, a kimono kitsuke instructor. The program demonstrated the various traditions and uses of the kimono to an enthusiastic audience of all ages. Classes, workshops, and events such as this helps in fostering the bridge between our historical past with our future.
In the past, Funjinkai members have been predominantly from the older generation. We would like to begin the new chapter of this group, by encouraging young Okinawan women to participate and assist in its development. Your new ideas and enthusiasm will greatly assist in fostering its growth.
The OAA has also been blessed with the purchase of the new Center and Cultural space. We are one of only two Japanese-American Kenjinkais that has a physical building and office space to serve as a central meeting point of our activities. This was a tremendous milestone in the development of the Okinawa Association that was made possible through the generous donations of our benefactors. In the past year, we honored Shoan and Shizuko Yamauchi by renaming the cultural building after them.
This space has also provided us with a focal point in the dissemination of information. Since knowledge is passed on to future generations through documentations, we are currently striving forward on two fronts. First, the development of our library; and second, the publishing of an Okinawan history book.
I am proud to state that the Library now consists of over 1,500 books and periodicals donated to us through our generous members. We are currently in the planning stages of redesigning the structure of the library to accompany more space and accessibility to the expanding library.
As time has shown us, history is fragile. History is not only the factual events that have transpired, but also the interpretation of those who are in position to write it. As the largest Okinawan Kenjinkai in North America we have the obligation to do our best to contribute to this body of literary knowledge. Our first book, The History of Okinawans in North America was published in 1980. We are presently underway in following up with our second book by the year 2009, the year in which the Okinawa Association of America will celebrate its 100th Anniversary. Let’s not just document our history - let’s also be a part of it.
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