Doors open at 1:30 pm

A special group dedicated to the preservation of peace through performing arts.
Ryukyu Geinou Hounou Dan’s performance on April 7 is a fundraising event for Maui Wildfire relief.

The group is composed of dancers from different schools and statuses reflecting unity. Irei Sueko sensei started the group after overcoming a serious illness because of which her life expectancy was only 3 months at one point. Irei sensei is pleased that she is still alive and able to give hope to people through her passion for odori. This year is the group’s 20th anniversary and they have been traveling across Okinawa and Japan giving hope to victims of disasters and to console the souls of the dead. April 7 will become their first overseas performance. They are visiting Hawaii to share their sincere compassion with the victims of Maui Wildfire and encourage the people of Maui through their performance and donation.

Some renowned sensei like Tamagusuku Setsuko sensei and Azama Akemi sensei are also members of this group. Special for this Hawaii event, National Living Treasure Shida Fusako sensei, her daughter, and student are joining from Tokyo.

The finale dance “Inori or Mitama ni sasagu (prayers)” was created by the group this year. It was choreographed by Tamagusuku Setsuko sensei, Toguchi Miyoko sensei. The lyrics sing hope for eternal peace and its dance reflects the white butterflies flying away from Okinawa, which once was a devastated battlefield to spread peace to the world. One of the choreographers Tamagusuku sensei was in Osaka during WWII but her siblings who remained in Okinawa died in the Battle of Okinawa. Her gratitude for her life and passion for dance echo with that of the organizer, Irei Sueko sensei.

Performances include:
Umi no Sachi – Aharen Honryu
Natsu Sugata – Ryusei Honryu
Inimajin – Shinyou Ryu
Zei – Miyagi Ryu
Bashin Tui – Nami Oyadomari
Kanayo Amaka – Maki Shida, Kana Chinen

Tickets available
Email Allison Yanagi at atyanagi@yahoo.com or call Hawaii Okinawa Center at 808-676-5400.