LIHU‘E — The autograph tree which was planted by dignitaries of Moriyama City, Japan and the County of Kaua‘i on Friday will hopefully strengthen and continue the Moriyama City and Rotary Clubs of Kaua‘i Student Exchange Program. Rev. Lady Ipo
LIHU‘E — The autograph tree which was planted by dignitaries of Moriyama City, Japan and the County of Kaua‘i on Friday will hopefully strengthen and continue the Moriyama City and Rotary Clubs of Kaua‘i Student Exchange Program.
Rev. Lady Ipo Kahaunaele-Ferreira of Ke Akua Mana Church, referring to her connection to Japan, said like the roots of the tree work into the ‘aina, the student exchange program will continue to flourish as more and more students become part of it.
Art Umezu, the Kaua‘i Film Commissioner from the county’s Office of Economic Development, served as the translator, effectively tying the dignitaries together in their common bond of celebrating the exchange student program.
“This looks very hopeful,” said Kaui Tanaka of the Mayor’s Office. “Moriyama City Mayor Kazuhiro Miyamoto and Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. had meetings about this on Thursday and Mayor Miyamoto is receptive to the idea. Of course, our mayor is 100 percent for the students.”
Umezu said the planting was especially significant as it represented the 50th trip by Tsugio Kawashima who inaugurated the program many students ago.
Kaua‘i High School was the first school to participate in the exchange student program and Lani Nagao was the first Kaua‘i student to make the trip to Japan, returning with a koto which she continues to play, a gift from her Japanese hosts.
Nagao was on hand, along with Kauai High School student Grant Basquez who dogged Kawashima with an umbrella to shade the Japanese guest from the heat of the morning sun.
Kanani Strickland, a graduate of Kapa‘a High School, was another student from Kaua‘i to benefit from the student exchange program and was also on hand along with former Mayor Mary Anne Kusaka, Kaua‘i Area Complex Superintendent William Arakaki, who admitted to the visiting Japanese contingent that he was born in Japan, Kaua‘i High School principal Debbie Lindsey who came on the heels of the school’s Homecoming Assembly, and Kaua‘i County Council Chair Jay Furfaro.
Umezu said the student exchange program, a longtime vision of Kawashima, allows students of Moriyama City an opportunity to come to Hawai‘i where they learn more than just the English language.
“They learn English, but also the local lifestyle and culture which leads to better understanding,” said Umezu. “Similarly, Kaua‘i students have an opportunity to spend time in Japan where they return with a better understanding of our sister city.”
Tanaka said it would be nice to see the program re-emerge following six years where it was dormant.
Representing the Rotary Clubs, Ron Morin, president of the Rotary Club of Kaua‘i, and Kazumichi Tateiri of the Moriyama City Rotary Club, joined the celebration, the Rotary Clubs serving as the student bridge between Kaua‘i and Japan.
Kawashima, both honored and humbled by the experience, said through Nagao’s interpretation that he was 85 years old, had survived stomach cancer and surgery, but with whatever remaining strength he has, will continue to support the program for the students.
Following the ceremonial planting by the dignitaries, Kawashima promptly took out a pen and proceeded to sign the leaves of the autograph tree — one leaf in Japanese, one leaf in English.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
