Hajimemashite!

Hi volunteers!

My name is Jenny Seki and I am the Volunteers Coordinator here at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i.  We have over 250 volunteers on our roster and I think I have only met about 40% of you, so I hope we will have a chance to meet in the future!  Below is the introduction of me that was printed in the November issue of Legacies.

Jennifer (Jenny) Seki joined the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i as part-time Volunteers Coordinator  in September 2009. She has been a member of the Cultural Center and has volunteered at the New Year's 'Ohana Festival and Kodomo no Hi: Keiki Fun Fest for the past few years. Jennifer is excited to have the opportunity to help support and expand the Volunteers Program at the Cultural Center.

As a Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program participant from 2001 to 2004, Jennifer lived and worked in the small town of Kiyama in Saga Prefecture and gained not only an appreciation of the Japanese culture and people, but a love for teaching as well. She is currently pursing a Master of Education Licensure in Secondary Education degree at Chaminade University with plans to teach either middle school or high school science in the future.

In addition to her ties with the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, she is active with the JET Program Alumni Association of Hawai'i and the Japan America Society of Hawai'i and hopes to facilitate more exchange between these organizations through volunteer activities.

Home Invasion Prevention Seminar on July 26, 2009

The Descendants Chapter of the 100th Infantry Battalion WWII Veterans invite you to a Home Invasion Prevention Seminar on Sunday, July 26, 2009 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. The seminar will be held at the Veterans' Clubhouse located at 520 Kamoku Street (blue building across from the 'Iolani School parking structure). This event is FREE and open to the public.

Free parking is available at Ala Wai Elementary School, Diamond Head end of lot.

Even in beautiful Hawaii, home invasion are becoming more prevalent. Please join Major Frank Fujii of the Honolulu Police Department to learn how you can protect your personal property and more importantly, yourself and your loved ones from ciminals who will do anything ot get into your home or apartment.

To attend, please contact Bert Hamakado by July 20, 2009 at 368-0235 or e-mail hamakadobm@hawaiiantel.net.

THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 27 - VOLUNTEER LUNCHTIME LEARNING

Please join us for the Second Session of Volunteer Lunchtime Learning on Saturday, June 27 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm in the JCCH Conference Room. The event is open to all JCCH volunteers, their friends and family members. Admission is free.

This session will feature 100th Infantry Battalion WWII veterans, RAY NOSAKA and TOKUJI ONO, who will "talk story" about their experiences on Cat Island, Mississippi where they served as "dog bait" for the US Army's secret war mission. The program will start with a showing of Mr. Nosaka's episode of History Detectives which aired this past Monday.

Please bring your questions and a lunch.

New Volunteer Coordinator

Hi everyone,

My name is Kevin Kamita. I am the new Volunteer Coordinator and I will be starting work on July 7, 2009. I'll be in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, all day as well as Friday afternoons. I am looking forward to meeting all of you and I want you to know how much I appreciate the time you generously give to JCCH.

Aloha from Volunteer Coordinator, Jayne Hirata-Epstein

Saturday, June 27 will be my last day at the JCCH. I have accepted an offer of employment with the 100th Infantry Battalion WWII Veterans and will start at their Clubhouse on Kamoku Street on Monday. I have been a volunteer with that organization for over five years and am a descendant of two 100th veterans so it is a place that is very near and dear to me. I hope you will stop by and visit whenever you are in the area.

KEVIN KAMITA has been hired as the Interim Volunteer Coordinator. You may have already met him at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon or at the JCCH Offices. Kevin has a very impressive background and worked with LENNY YAJIMA ANDREW at Merck Pharmaceuticals. He also has served in the US Navy and Naval Reserve. I know you will enjoy working with Kevin as he is very enthusiastic and dedicated to doing his best for you.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your support and assistance during my brief stay at the JCCH. I will continue on with the Volunteer Program - this time as an on-call Special Events volunteer - so I will still be a part of the JCCH family.

Doomo Arigatoo Gozaimashita.