JASH Weekly Update: JASH Educational Exchange In The News

Dear Members and Friends of JASH, Did you catch us in last week's MidWeek? The Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) is proud to have been involved in the coordination of annual peace visits that the Nagaoka International Exchange Association organizes for their middle school, high school, and college students. Honolulu and Nagaoka share painful memories of World War II, as Nagaoka is the hometown of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the commander who unwillingly led the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was also heavily bombed during the war. Since becoming sister cities in 2012, Honolulu and Nagaoka have worked hard to establish educational, cultural, and peace-making exchanges, paving the path for reconciliation.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, we have been unable to welcome students from Nagaoka in person, but JASH, together with the Nagaoka International Exchange Association, brought nine students from Aina Haina Elementary School’s Advanced Nihongo Program and 34 fifth graders from Fuzoku Nagaoka Elementary School together online on February 28, 2022, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Honolulu and Nagaoka's sister city relationship.

Students from each school shared on a variety of topics, including their school life, hometown, pop culture, landmarks, sports, and food. They also added activities to make their presentations interactive and fun. Students were amazed to discover the many similarities and differences they shared, opening their minds to diverse cultures and views beyond their own.

Aina Haina students share their typical school lunches

Nagaoka students quiz their Aina Haina peers about their famous fireworks festival

JASH would like to thank the Nagaoka International Exchange Association for coordinating this exchange with Fuzoku Nagaoka Elementary School. A special MAHALO goes out to Yamaguchi-Sensei in Nagaoka and Agena-Sensei at Aina Haina Elementary for their guidance. Please click HERE to read the MidWeek article about Aina Haina Elementary’s Nihongo Program.

Upcoming Programs

LEARN MORE

Mahalo to our sponsors and donors for our 32nd Annual JASH Friendship Golf Classic! If you are interested in supporting this year's Golf Classic, click "LEARN MORE" above to visit this year's event webpage. Our annual Golf Classic will be on Monday, July 18, 2022 with shotgun start at 11:30AM at the beautiful Mid-Pacific Country Club. As always, we’re working hard behind the scenes to plan a course full of fun entertainment and delicious treats. To learn more about our Golf Classic, please contact Justin George at justin@gsehawaii.com. Mahalo to our Title Sponsor, Pacific Guardian Life for their longtime continued support of our Golf Classic.