Weekly Update 1/14
Dear Members and Friends of JASH,
The Japan-America Society of Hawaii congratulates Mr. Nate Gyotoku for his appointment as the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi (JCCH)’s new President and Executive Director! We are excited for Mr. Gyotoku’s passion for Japan-America initiatives and would like to wish him and the rest of the staff at JCCH all the best in 2021 and beyond.
Mr. Nate Gyotoku, from the JCCH Staff Webpage
“I am pleased to welcome Nate back to JCCH as president and executive director to move us forward in 2021 and the years ahead,” said Scott Kuioka, JCCH Board Chairman. “Nate brings a commitment to community service, passion for the JCCH mission and experience in the non-profit sector. We are confident that Nate will work collaboratively with the Board to lead the organization through these uncertain COVID and post-COVID times.”
Nate Gyotoku served as the JCCH Chief Operating Officer and Director of Programs in 2015. While at the JCCH, Nate was involved in redesigning and naming of the Tokioka Heritage Resource Center and chaired the New Year’s Ohana Festival for two years. Upon leaving JCCH, Nate was the Director of Sustainability Initiatives at Kupu and more recently served as the President and Executive Director of Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i. His volunteer leadership activities include chairman of the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, participant in the US-Japan Council (USJC) Emerging Leaders Program and Vice-Chair of the Hawai‘i Region of the USJC.
“I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to lead the JCCH”, said Gyotoku. “I look forward to working with the staff, Board of Directors, and our community to move the JCCH forward into a new era.”
Nate grew up in Hilo and received his undergraduate degree in English Literature at UNLV. In addition to his non-profit work experience, Nate has worked in the private sector at Heide & Cook and as a consultant with Century Computers (PacXa).
Upcoming Programs
Virtual Fundraiser Aloha for Hawaii Charities Nov. 16, 2020 – Jan. 20, 2021
Support JASH in 2021 by making a tax-deductible contribution through the Aloha for Hawaii Charities campaign by Friends of Hawaii Charities from the 2021 Sony Open in Hawaii. JASH will receive 100% of your donation plus a BONUS from FHC! For details and to donate, click here.
Virtual Program
Author Spotlight Talk-Story:
“Why Be Happy?” with Dr. Scott Haas
Thursday, January 21, 2021
12:00-1:00pm (HST)
We are excited to kickstart the year with a fantastic talk-story author spotlight with clinical psychologist Scott Haas to discuss his latest book Why Be Happy?: The Japanese Way of Acceptance. Please join us on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 12:00-1:00pm (HST) to learn about how the Japanese concept of ukeireru ‘acceptance’ may be the key to happiness and well-being.
To learn more about Dr. Haas and Why Be Happy?, click here to read the review published by Forbes, or click here to purchase the book on Amazon.
-Save the Date-
Virtual Program
New Year’s Reception
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
5:00pm (HST)
We are excited to invite you to our virtual 2021 New Year’s Reception! Although we cannot celebrate together in great halls as we have in years past, we are busily crafting virtual festivities to bring the elation and grandeur of our annual reception to you at home. We’ll have more details including registration coming soon, so stay tuned for more information!
Shared Events
Hosted by the U.S.-Japan Council
Virtual Program
Finding Mindful Solace During a Torrid COVID Storm
Thursday, January 21, 2021
3:00pm HST
Free
With Japan experiencing one of its most dangerous months of suicide in 2020, and depression tripling among adults in the U.S., mental and emotional well-being is of dramatically heightened concern to communities and businesses all over the world. Reverend Cristina Moon and Dr. Sean Sullivan are leading experts in their respective fields of Zen Buddhism and mental health. While Cristina is a millennial, ordained Rinzai Zen priest living in Honolulu, Sean lives in the Bay Area with a mastery in digital mental therapeutics. From these diverse backgrounds, Cristina and Sean will share their experiences, inspirations, and learnings from applying old and new school approaches to not just coping, but thriving through Covid-19 and beyond.
Hosted by the Japan Foundation, New York (JF) and The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP)
Face Mask Design Contest:
Mask Up 2020
Deadline: Friday, January 22, 2021
1:00pm HST
Free
The CDC recommends the use of face masks to curb the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. CGP has launched “Mask Up 2020,” an original face mask design contest to encourage mask-wearing through fun, creative mask designs. “Mask Up 2020” is open to all amateur creators, from children to adults, and it is free to participate. The winning designs will be printed on masks and distributed to interested medical institutions and nonprofit Japan-related organizations such as Japan-America Societies, Japanese gardens, etc. Winners will receive 25 of their designed face masks and gifts cards for Kinokuniya Books and Blick Art Materials.
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