Nicole Van was announced as the winner of the JAL miles.Ĭounty Supervisor Hilda Solis presented certificates to the Nisei Week Court and said she is hopeful that the opening of the Metro Regional Connector will bring more people to Little Tokyo. Nisei Week Queen Kaitlyn Chu, the 2023 Nisei Week Court and Master Bando Hirohichiro performed “Maneki Neko Ondo” and the drawing for raffle prizes was held with Frank Fujii and Dolly Oishi of Japan Airlines pulling the ticket for the grand prize. Nancy Okubo served as emcee for the event, which was live-streamed. What we were concerned about was the safety of everyone who would attend.” “Needless to say, when the Angels and Dodgers cancel their Sunday games, it kinda gave us the indication that maybe we should make some changes. We got to Day 8 and Hurricane Hilary cramped our style,” said Yamahata. The ceremony was canceled last week due to Hurricane Hilary and concerns for the safety of volunteers and community members. On Saturday, approximately 100 attended the closing ceremony, held at the Japanese American National Museum. Tamlyn Tomita, a Nisei Week Ondo regular, sported an inflatable kabuto (samurai helmet). Dance groups were notified, the plaza was reserved and a Fire Department permit was approved. Nisei Week expressed gratitude to Councilmember Kevin de Leon and his staff, who helped tremendously in speeding up the process to make this event happen. The Nisei Week Ondo was postponed for one week due to Tropical Storm Hilary. Members of Centenary United Methodist Church handed out free water bottles to all in attendance. Speakers included Tamlyn Tomita, Wesley Nishinaka and Nisei Week Foundation President David Yamahata. Bando Hidesomi was among the dance instructors participating. On a warm Sunday afternoon, more than 200 gathered under the tent at the JACCC Plaza to dance some Obon favorites, including “Sho Tokyo Ondo,” “Shiawase Samba” and “Taiko Bushi.” In addition, Nisei Week volunteers collected $281.56 for the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.ĭance groups came with their students. 26 at the Japanese American National Museum. From left: David Yamahata, Frank Fujii, Queen Kaitlyn Chu and Dolly Oishi draw the grand prize winner of the Nisei Week raffle on Aug. With board approval and only three days following Sunday’s storm, the “Nisei Week Ondo at the JACCC” was officially announced. Vicky Nishinaka Leon, manager of the Nisei Week office, volunteered to take the lead to reschedule the ondo. The way it came together reflected the determination of the volunteers to overcome obstacles and make things happen. ![]() ![]() Over the weekend, Nisei Week concluded its 81st festival with dancing, taiko and raffle prizes. (MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo)Īfter three years of pandemic impacts, Nisei Week wasn’t going to let something like a historic hurricane stop the festivities. Wesley Nishinaka dances at the Nisei Week Ondo on Aug.
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