When: Sunday, July 14, 2024
9 am – Registration & Silent Auction
10 am – Doors Open
Where: Sheraton Waikiki Hawaii Ballroom

Flyer & Registration Form: 2024 Legacy Reservation Form-web
Individual Ticket & Sponsorship Information: https://andagi.wufoo.com/forms/q14eo4ef0l62gpj/

HUOA’s Legacy Award Banquet honors distinguished individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions to our Uchinanchu and Hawaii communities. They have applied the essence of such endearing Okinawan expressions as chimugukuru (compassion) and yuimaaruu (helping each other). As leaders and cultural masters, our honorees have performed meritorious services that have enriched our lives and improved the welfare of our communities. In 2024, we are pleased to recognize the following remarkable men and women:

Zenko Heshiki: Shihan and Founder, Chozen-ji Kempo Karate
Arnold Hiura: President and Executive Director, Hawaii Japanese Center
Eloise Hiura: Executive Assistant, Hawaii Japanese Center
Shelee Kimura: President and CEO, Hawaiian Electric
Bonnie Naomi Miyashiro: Kaishu, Miyashiro Sōhō Kai
Steve Kishaba Sombrero: President, Cushman & Wakefield Chaneybrooks; Founder, Aloha Beer Co.; Author, “What Day Are You?”

Zenko Heshiki Sensei has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Okinawan culture, especially through his mastery and teaching of traditional Okinawan karate. Heshiki Sensei has been a pillar in the karate community in Okinawa, Argentina, New York, and Hawaii, fostering a deep understanding and appreciation of karate and Okinawan heritage among younger generations. His karate dojos in New York City, especially in Harlem have not only been a center for learning self-defense but also a place where students immerse themselves in the Okinawan traditions, heritage, and culture. This holistic approach to teaching has significantly contributed to the cultural exchange between Okinawa, South America, New York City and Hawaii, strengthening the bonds between these communities through the art of Karate. His tireless efforts in nurturing peace, harmony, and a sense of community and belonging among all ethnic backgrounds outside of Okinawa emphasizing the Uchinanchu values has made an enduring impact on many generations and those to come.

Arnold and Eloise “Elo” Hiura are a match made in Hilo Heaven where they currently serve as Hawaii Japanese Center’s (HJC) executive director and executive assistant. Together, they have curated a place that celebrates local Japanese culture that exists in the vibrant multi-ethnic community of Hawaii. Before taking on the enormous task of reviving HJC, MBFT Media – the Hiura’s editorial and communications company – helped to produce the Hawaii United Okinawa Association’s Uchinanchu Newsletter from 2006-2021. They also designed HUOA’s Uchinanchu Annual – a valuable keepsake booklet that chronicles the history of HUOA. For nine years (1983-1992) Arnold was editor of The Hawaii Herald: Hawaii’s Japanese American Journal. The Hiura’s legacy began over 40 years ago and continues to share the history and stories of Japanese and Okinawans in Hawaii that enrich our community with aloha for generations to come.

Shelee Kimura is the president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric. Shelee was born and raised in Hawaii and is a proud public-school graduate from Aiea High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. On her father’s side of the family, she has ancestral roots in Gushichan Village in Okinawa and has wonderful memories of big family gatherings at the home of her issei great-grandparents. In her role as CEO of Hawaiian Electric, Shelee is committed to serving Hawaii’s communities with safe, reliable, clean energy and is proud of the “Hawaii Okinawa Clean Energy Partnership” that has allowed Hawaii and Okinawa to learn from each other as island communities.

Bonnie Naomi Miyashiro, Kaishu of Miyashiro Sōhō Kai, has perpetuated Okinawan culture through her teaching of koto. Taking her grandmother’s words to heart, Miyashiro Sensei has dedicated her life to seizing every opportunity to learn anything and everything about Okinawa. Besides koto, Miyashiro Sensei has taught Ryukyu buyō, provided lectures on Okinawan textiles and was designated by the Okinawan Prefectural Government as an Uchinā Goodwill Ambassador. She recently retired from the Hawaii Okinawa Center where she spent over 30 years sharing her vast knowledge of all things Okinawan, as well as serving as a docent to the center’s museum, providing translation services and assisting with genealogy research. Miyashiro Sensei continues to serve as a bridge to our Okinawan culture for all generations and our Hawaii community.

Steve Kishaba Sombrero is the president and principal owner of Cushman & Wakefield ChaneyBrooks, Hawaii’s oldest and largest, locally owned real estate brokerage and management company. Steve is also the founder and owner of Aloha Beer Company, a family enterprise he established with his wife, Takako. The successful entrepreneur is also a published author. His book “What Day Are You?” is listed as Amazon’s Best New Release in 2023. Born in Misato, Okinawa, and raised in Guam, Steve is an islander, who embraces a deep sense of gratitude for his journey of resilience and optimism in the Okinawan spirit of “Nankuru naisa.”

View Album: https://huoa.smugmug.com/Legacy-Award-Banquet

Videos of 2023 Honorees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5gQD-6iqU&list=PLazXIBrun201Y80Oz7T-e0w_Ht-4oFhck

Past Banquet Booklets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1H1uht2BYA0Q_9USKQ-UXDEh2e0EfS2qM?usp=sharing