Author Archives: loochoo77

‘Who Are the Okinawans?’

Posted on October 19, 2017

The following are excerpts from Nasrine Bendjilali et al., “Who Are the Okinawans? Ancestry, Genome Diversity, and Implications for the Genetic Study of Human Longevity From a Geographically Isolated Population,” The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 69, Issue 12, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

‘Rikka, Uchinaa-nkai! Okinawan Language Textbook for Beginners’ (2017)

Posted on September 13, 2017

Last updated 3/25/19 10:55am

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Okinawan Festival 2017: Opening Ceremony

Posted on September 2, 2017
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Okinawan Festival 2017: Opening Procession

Posted on September 2, 2017
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Okinawan Festival 2017 Program

Posted on August 30, 2017
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Kutuu (Koto): A Story Told in English, Uchinaaguchi, & Nihongo

Posted on June 24, 2017

I wrote this for the Uchinaaguchi “cause.” Note that there is a Japanese translation at the bottom. -Rodney Inefuku Kutuu By Rodney Inefuku Uchinaaguchi translation by Toma Shisei of Yomitan, Okinawa It was the first day of spring in Chicago. Uree … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Alfredo Casero & Kazufumi Miyazawa: ‘Shima Uta’

Posted on May 21, 2017

Last updated 6/3/17 6:58am “Alfredo Casero // Shima Uta en Japón,” YouTube, uploaded by aeroder flax on 6/18/15. Alfredo Casero, an Argentine musician, actor and comedian, recorded “Shima Uta” in 2002, the first single from his album, Casaerius. His cover … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Hogen Coffee Shop to Perpetuate Uchinaaguchi?

Posted on December 11, 2016

Here is an idea for perpetuating Uchinaaguchi in Okinawa. Try to have Hogen (Uchinaaguchi) coffee shops in every town in Okinawa where anyone who wants to speak, learn, or practice it is welcome. The purpose is to create an environment … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Language, Op-ed, Shimakutuba, Uchinaaguchi | 2 Comments

Ukwanshin Kabudan: January & March 2017

Posted on December 11, 2016

From: Eric Wada Okinawan New Year Celebration/ Lunar New Year January 28th This year, the lunar New Year falls on Saturday, January 28th, which begins the year of the Rooster! Come join us for traditional Okinawan dances, music, lots of … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcement, Conference, Culture, Dance, Festival, Food, International, Language, Lecture, Music | Leave a comment

Norman Kaneshiro: Sanshin, Song, & Talk – 12/11/16 EWC 2-3pm

Posted on December 11, 2016

Hi All, Hope you all can find time between Christmas shopping to stop over at the East-West Center gallery this Sunday to listen to me talk and sing. The event is titled “Mimi-gusui: Life Sustenance Through the Ears” and will … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Robert Walker’s ‘Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands’ — Review

Posted on December 11, 2016

The next time I visit Okinawa, I am taking Robert Walker’s Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands along with me. If anything, because in the back of the book, tucked in a cover, is a large beautiful folded map of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, International, Publication, Review, Travel | 2 Comments

Uchinanchu Taikai 2016 Videos – Oct 28

Posted on October 28, 2016

161028NEWS▽ウチナーンチュの日制定への思い▽今月のキングス振り返り (ヨシオバー2 102816)

Posted in Culture, Dance, Festival, International, Taikai, Travel, Uchinaaguchi, Video | Leave a comment

Uchinanchu Taikai 2016 Videos – Oct 27

Posted on October 27, 2016

[updated 12/11/16] 161027NEWS▽世界のウチナーンチュ大会開会式！▽メイン会場の熱気を中継 (ヨシオバー2 102716) 第６回世界ウチナーンチュ大会　開会式 (琉球新報 102716) [6th World Uchinanchu Taikai Opening Ceremony, 21min] Uchinanchu Festival 2016 Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko (CESAR AUGUSTO VELIZ FERNANDEZ 102716) 世界のウチナーンチュ大会　開会式　フィナーレのエイサー　20161027 sekai uchinanchu eisa (EverydayEisa 102716) 世界のウチナーンチュ大会２０１６ 前夜祭バレード UTINANCHU FESTIVAL Festival Eve Parade [USA] … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Dance, Eisa, Entertainment, Festival, International, Music, Taikai, Travel, Video | Leave a comment

Uchinanchu Taikai 2016 Videos – Oct 26

Posted on October 26, 2016

第6回世界のウチナーンチュ大会　前夜祭パレード (動画チャンネル 第6回ウチナーンチュ大会 102616) [6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Taikai Eve Parade, 2hr 6min] 6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival Parade, Oct 26 2016 (Just another day! 102616) The 6th WORLD WIDE UCHINANCHU FESTIVAL (shin3maniaTV 沖縄冒険編 102616) [HAWAII GROUP] 2016年10月26日那覇高校吹奏楽部 (ター坊 102616) [Naha high … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Festival, International, Japan, Taikai, Travel, Video | Leave a comment

Beauty of Okinawa Oct. 2016

Posted on October 26, 2016

Updated 12/11/16 OKINAWA IS AWSOME (CHUNKIT CHAN 102516 – Video By gopro 4 black Fpv + drone] Okinawa Maha Island (Maha Kikugawa 102616)

Posted in Culture, International, Recreation, Tour, Travel | Leave a comment

Mass Karate Demonstration on Kokusai Street 10/23/16

Posted on October 26, 2016

空手演武３９７３人 ギネス更新　国際通りで記念祭 (球新報 102316) [Kinen Festival karate demonstration on Kokusai Street: 3973 karateka attempt to break a Guinness world record.]

Posted in Culture, Exhibition, Festival, International, Karate, Video | Leave a comment

Illustrated Talk by Joyce Chinen on ‘Okinawans in Hawai‘i’ 10/2/16, 2-3pm at EWC Gallery

Posted on October 1, 2016

Sunday, October 2, 2:00–3:00 p.m. Illustrated talk: “Okinawans in Hawai‘i” by Joyce Chinen, Director UH Mānoa Center for Okinawan Studies and Professor of Sociology, UH West O‘ahu. Free and open to the public; no reservations; general seating. East-West Center Gallery … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcement, Culture, History, International, Lecture | 2 Comments

‘AYANUJI: Okinawa’s Traditional Culture Past and Present’ – EWC (Honolulu) Gallery 9/25/16 – 1/8/17

Posted on October 1, 2016
Posted in Announcement, Culture, Dance, Entertainment, Exhibit, History, International, Music | Leave a comment

Honolulu City Council Ignoring Voters Urging a Resolution in Support of the People of Okinawa?

Posted on August 31, 2016

Fellow Hawaii Okinawans, Ever wonder why unlike Berkeley and Seattle (which don’t have the Okinawan population that we do), cities that have already voiced their support for Okinawa and its people, our illustrious Honolulu City Council is dragging its feet … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, International, Japan, Op-ed, Protest, Resolution | 3 Comments

Public Forum 9/1/16: Peace & Security for Okinawa (UH-Manoa 5:30-7:30pm)

Posted on August 30, 2016

CONTACT: HOA (HAWAI`I OKINAWA ALLIANCE); Aiko Yamashiro: 358-0871; aiko.yamashiro@gmail.com OKINAWAN REPRESENTATIVES APPEAL FOR DEMOCRACY, PEACE, & HUMAN SECURITY Honolulu, September 1, 2016- Community leaders from Okinawa are in Honolulu to appeal for the protection of their island from further US … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcement, Government, International, Japan, Lecture, Politics, Protest, Rally | 3 Comments

‘Ōshima Hikki’ – Account of an 18th-Century Ryukyuan Ship

Posted on August 6, 2016

Rodney Inefuku’s latest post, “Okinawan and Japanese Boats” (8/6/16), prompted me to google Okinawan boats, and in the process I stumbled on one of the best sites on both Okinawan history and Okinawan karate — Ryukyu Bugei. The owner is … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Images, Japan | Leave a comment

Okinawan and Japanese Boats

Posted on August 6, 2016

I was always curious how Okinawans used to travel about Okinawa island during the old days. There was a road built by one of the Okinawan kings, which ran from Naha to Nago city past Nago through Taira village and … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, History, Images, International, Japan, Op-ed, Photos | 1 Comment

Discussion on US Military Bases in Okinawa – Pre-register by 7/15/16

Posted on July 6, 2016
Posted in Announcement, Information, International, Japan, Lecture, Politics | Leave a comment

Taikai 2016 Places to Visit: Makishi Monorail (Yui Rail) Station on Kokusai Dori

Posted on June 30, 2016
Posted in Architecture, Culture, International, Photos, Taikai, Technology, Travel | Leave a comment

Taikai 2016 Places to Visit: Shopping Arcades on Kokusai Dori

Posted on June 30, 2016
Posted in Culture, Film, International, Taikai, Travel | Leave a comment

20-year-old Rina Shimabukuro Raped and Killed by Former US Marine

Posted on June 20, 2016

Fellow Okinawans near and far: When will it end? WHO will support the Okinawan people? Should we just resign ourselves that as long as the US military remains in Okinawa, these crimes will continue? DOES ANYBODY CARE? If you see … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Op-ed, Photos, Politics, Protest | 4 Comments

Taikai 2016 Information (update June 15)

Posted on June 12, 2016

6/15/16 – Route Finder Okinawa website to get around Okinawa by bus. 6/15/16 – Additional information from June McVey, communication coordinator of Okinawa Tomonokai of Ohio: 1. The 6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Fesitval committee in Okinawa will hand nametags and bus … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcement, Conference, Culture, Dance, Entertainment, Festival, Information, Instruction, International, Minyo, Music, Taikai, Travel | Leave a comment

‘UchinaAloha’ – Aug 25-Oct 1. 2016 (Honolulu)

Posted on June 12, 2016

UchinaAloha World Premiere by Lee A. Tonouchi Directed by Reiko Ho August 25 – October 1, 2016 Charming Tradition vs. Change Comedy “Da Pidgin Guerilla” Lee A. Tonouchi brings us a warm tale of generations of an Okinawan family in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

US Military Bases on Okinawa: Is Anybody Listening?

Posted on June 3, 2016

Fellow Okinawans near and far, The question is often asked, “When will all this end?” But nobody listens. Look at the Japanese gov’t, the American gov’t, our Honolulu City Council. No one seems to take to heart the plight of … Continue reading →

Posted in Battle of Okinawa, Government, Hawaii, History, International, Japan, Op-ed, Politics, Protest | 1 Comment

Resolution 15-322, CD1 Deferred

Posted on May 11, 2016

Folks, Got word that Resolution 15-322, CD1 has been deferred by the Honolulu City Council. Obviously, the city council members do not have an appreciation for the pain that the Okinawan people have been experiencing the past 72 years. Is … Continue reading →

Posted in Battle of Okinawa, Hawaii, History, Japan, Memorial, Op-ed, Photos, Politics, Protest, Resolution, Video, World War II | 1 Comment