Shower Trees Planted To Commemorate Anniversary Of Honolulu-Naha Sister City Relationship

Press release from the City and County of Honolulu:

December 31, 2020

WAIPAHŪ – This year marks the 120th anniversary of the first Okinawan immigration to Hawai‘i, and the 60th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Honolulu and Naha, capital of Okinawa. To commemorate these events, Mayor Kirk Caldwell directed the planting of a grove of trees at Patsy T. Mink Central O‘ahu Regional Park near the Hawai‘i Okinawa Center in Waipi`o. Yesterday, 16 Rainbow Shower Trees were planted near the southern entrance of the popular park. Managing Director Roy Amemiya was joined by members of the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association, Council Chair Emeritus Ron Menor, Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation Director Michele Nekota, park and urban forestry staff for the planting and dedication.

History of Okinawan immigration begins in January 1900, when the first 26 migrants from Okinawa arrived in Hawai‘i to seek better lives for themselves and their descendants. Now Hawai‘i residents of Okinawa ancestry number approximately 50,000, one of the largest ethnic groups in Hawai‘i. Okinawan workers faced significant discrimination when they arrived, but they successfully created a life for themselves and their descendants. Okinawans (Uchinanchu) are proud of their distinct culture, independence, and legacy in Hawai`i. The Hawai‘i Okinawa Center is one of the largest cultural centers in Hawai‘i and the annual Okinawan Festival is one of the largest ethnic community events on O‘ahu.

To mark these milestone events, a delegation from Naha led by its Mayor Mikiko Shiroma was planning a visit to Honolulu in May. The Coronavirus pandemic put a halt to those plans; instead, this planting of trees at Patsy T. Mink Central O‘ahu Regional Park and the dedication of a plaque to mark the event took place.

“Relations between the Uchinanchu in Hawai‘i and Okinawa run strong and deep,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “After WWII, the local Uchinanchu community sent pigs to Okinawa to restock its livestock. Okinawans supported the building of the Hawai‘i Okinawa Center, and most recently the Uchinanchu sent funds to rebuild Shuri Castle in Naha that was severely damaged by fire. These mutual acts show the deep and lasting relationship that exists between Hawai’i and Okinawa, and Honolulu and Naha. I had hoped to welcome Naha Mayor Shiroma this year to mark these significant milestones. Although the pandemic halted those plans, I’m glad we are able to honor this heritage and relationship in this way.”

The tree planting was led by Managing Director Roy Amemiya whose wife’s relative is originally from Okinawa. Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association members also participated including President Lynn Miyahira, President-Elect Patrick Miyashiro, Executive Director Jon Itomura, and joined by and Oroku Doshi Kai President Kelly Brown.

This press release was produced by the City and County of Honolulu. The views expressed are the author's own.