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ANNOUNCEMENT
2011 Autumn Conferment of Japanese Imperial Decorations Awarded to Three
from Hawaii
2011 Autumn Conferment of Japanese Imperial
Decorations Awarded to Three from Hawaii
On
November 3, 2011, the Government of Japan will confer decorations to
individuals of merit in recognition of their national or public services and
in honor of their distinguished accomplishment in various areas of society.
The following three from Hawaii are among those who will receive such
decorations:
●
Mr. Kenneth Francis Brown, chairman of Mauna Lani Resort,
Inc., former chairman of the East-West Center Board of Governors and former
member of the Hawaii State Senate, will receive the Order of the Rising Sun,
Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for his contributions to the promotion of mutual
understanding between Japan and the United States and the improvement of the
social status of Japanese Americans in Hawaii. Mr. Brown served as a special
assistant to Governor John Burns from 1966 to1968 and a State Senator from
1968 to1974. Through his years of service, Mr. Brown supported the
democratic movement in Hawaii, which in turn helped raise the stature of the
Japanese Americans in Hawaii. Mr. Brown also helped Tokyu Corporation
develop the world-renowned Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island in the 1980s.
This development helped enhance economic relationships between Japan and the
United States. In addition to his other contributions, Mr. Brown served as
the Chairman of the East-West Center Board of Governors and oversaw various
activities which increased mutual understanding between the two countries.
●
Mr. Albert Masaji Aoki, Director of the United States Judo
Federation, and former chairman of the 50th State Judo
Association, will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
for his contribution to the promotion of Judo in the United States and the
enhancement of the friendly relations between Japan and the United States.
Mr. Aoki is a Hawaii born third generation Japanese-American. In 1950s when
Judo was still a minor sport, he started to work on upgrading the
infrastructures of Dojos (training
halls) in Hawaii Island and was very active in holding Judo tournaments and
training sessions in collaboration with various organizations, including
Kodokan in Japan. After he moved to Honolulu, he established the 50th
State Judo Association in 1979 and served as its chairman until 2009. He
made Judo more accessible to the people of Hawaii by opening his dojos to
the public. The Association became one of the biggest Judo organizations in
the United States, producing thousands of students and having a
long-standing partnership with universities in Japan. He has also been a
member of the United States Judo Federation for more than 59 years and
currently serves as a director. Through his years of service, Mr. Aoki has
contributed to promote Judo culture not only here in Hawaii, but also all
over the United States.
●
Dr. Kyoko Hijirida, who was a Japanese instructor at the
University of Hawaii from 1970 to 2010, will receive the Order of the Sacred
Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for her contributions to the promotion
of Japanese language education in the United States and for the advancement
of academic exchange between Japan and the United States.
During her tenure, Dr. Hijirida dedicated herself to educating and
nurturing future instructors of Japanese, as well as developing Business
Japanese curricula to benefit not only UH students but the business
community here as well. She promoted the Okinawan language and culture
program at UH, later becoming the Director of the Center for Okinawan
Studies. Dr. Hijirida also
founded the Hawaii Association of Teachers of Japanese in 1975.
Through her strong commitment in furthering of Japanese language
education, Dr. Hijirida contributed to the strengthening of academic bonds
between Japan and the United States.
For
information regarding
1742 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96817 USA
Tel: 808-543-3111