The Kaua’i Historical Society is joining the Okinawan community in celebrating the 100 year anniversary of Okinawans in Hawai’i. The Society will sponsor a history lecture on Thursday, May 18, at the Kaua’i War Memorial Convention Hall at 7 p.m.
The Kaua’i Historical Society is joining the Okinawan community in celebrating
the 100 year anniversary of Okinawans in Hawai’i.
The Society will sponsor
a history lecture on Thursday, May 18, at the Kaua’i War Memorial Convention
Hall at 7 p.m. The Kaua’i Okinawan Festival is May 19 and 20, at the Kukui
Grove Pavilion.
Wesley Ueunten will discuss the cultural ties between
Okinawa and Kaua’i.
His lecture will cover a brief history of Okinawana,
the condition is Okinawa during the immigration period of 1900-1924, labor
conditions, and the sister city relationship with Kauai and Ishigaki, Okinawa.
An added highlight at the evenings lecture, will be the Ueunten family
demonstrating Okinawan music and dance.
Ueunten was born on Kaua’i,
attended Kalaheo School and graduated from Mid Pacific Institute in 1978 and
the University of Hawai’i in 1983. He then studied in Okinawa for two years and
in Tokyo receiving a MA. in Sociology. Ueunten has been active in the Okinawan
community in Hawaii, Tokyo and Northern California. He now resides in Northern
California with his wife, who is from Ishigaki and their two daughters.
The lecture is free and all are welcome. Call KHS at 245-3373 for more
information.
