The 2nd Worldwide Uchinanchu Conference is being held in Brazil August 2008.

Saturday August 23rd there was a parade and Okinawan festival in Sao Paulo, attended by thousands of Okinawans from around the world, as well as many local Brazilians (Okinawan and non). There were several outstanding performances, capped off by a fireworks display.

It was a great chance for the many Uchinanchu who attended to meet each other.
See some matsuri photos HERE

Aloha!
The 26th HUOA Okinawan Festival will be held at Kapiolani Park (Waikiki) on August 30 and August 31, 2008 (Saturday and Sunday).

There will be continuous live performances by entertainers from Okinawa and Hawaii, lots of food booths selling everything from Andagi to huli huli chicken, a cultural booth, craft fair, children's games, and a bon dance.

See schedule below. For maps, program, photos, menus and other information, please see the official website http://www.OkinawanFestival.com

Saturday, August 30, 2008 8:30 am – 9:30 pm

Next year (2009) will be 25th Anniversay of the Strongman Triathlon on Miyako Island Okinawa, Japan. The competition features a 3km swim, 155km bicycle course, and a full-distance marathon run. The event is patterned after the "Grand Daddy" Ironman Triathlon on Kona, Hawaii. The All-Japan triathlon on Miyako Island is an event higly rated all over the world.

Hui Okinawa will be hosting the exciting Haari Boat festival in Hilo, Hawaii 15-16 August:

Join Us for an exciting celebration of Okinawan Culture in Hilo, August 15th and 16th for the 2008 International Haari Boat Festival and Races!

Hosted by Hui Okinawa, an International cultural organization promoting Okinawan culture and relationships worldwide, the races will be held on the beautiful Wailoa River in downtown Hilo, on Hawai`i's Big Island...

Today is the birthday of Toyama Kyuzo, who is regarded as the "Father of Okinawan Emigration." Toyama was born on November 9, 1868, in Kin Town, Okinawa.

Toyama-san faced much opposition when he first proposed his idea to send Okinawans abroad. But finally, after much persuading, the first 26 Okinawans departed Naha Port for Hawaii on December 5, 1899. They would first stop at Yokohama Port, then eventually leave for Hawaii.

The second day of the 11th WUB International Conference in Shanghai China (Sept 19, 2007), included a Panel Discussion led by Bob Nakasone, on the Future of WUB, The Future of Okinawa, with emphasis on the younger generation.

Some photos from the panel discussion can be seen here:
PHOTOS

The 11th WUB (Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Association) International Conference is being held in Shanghai, China from Sept 18-19, 2007. This year's annual conference is being coordinated by WUB-Shanghai, along with help from WUB-Okinawa and WUB-Tokyo. WUB has 21 Chapters worldwide.

The 25th HUOA (Hawaii United Okinawa Association) Okinwan Festival was held from August 30 - September 2, 2007, in Hawaii. Many visitors and dignitaries came from Okinawa, as well as from other places such as Georgia, USA.

Photos from Brazil have been posted.

Ricardo Nakata took photos from two recent events in Brazil. The 2nd Kin-Cho Matsuri, and the 90th Oroku Immigration Celebration. Click "READ MORE" to see more sample photos and links to the rest of the photos.