Fundraising Campaign for Victims of Hiroshima Flooding and Landslides Initiated

Honolulu, HI ~   The public is invited to join in a fundraising initiative to support the victims of the recent torrential rains in Hiroshima Prefecture.
 
In early July, heavy rains in Hiroshima Prefecture and other western Prefectures caused widespread flooding and landslides, which subsequently damaged homes and businesses and caused the deaths of 101 residents and injuries to 102 residents.  Additionally, as of July16, 2018, 13 residents are missing.  Also, thousands of residents of Hiroshima Prefecture vacated their homes and moved to temporary shelters.
 
In view of this tragedy, a committee, “Hawai’i for Hiroshima”, consisting of concerned organizations with roots and ties to Hiroshima Prefecture, has been organized to assist in fundraising efforts for this cause.
 
 
Donations checks should be made payable to HONOLULU HIROSHIMA KENJIN KAI and noted for Hawaii for Hiroshima. The Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.  100% of your donation will benefit Hiroshima Prefecture.  We plan to close all fundraising on August 6, 2018 in respect to the unfortunate bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. [Update: Due to overwhelming amount of support and kindness, fundraising has been extended to September 2018.]

All monetary gifts for this fundraising effort are tax-deductible. You may mail your check (made payable to HONOLULU HIROSHIMA KENJIN KAI) to the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, who will collect the payments and send them to Hiroshima:
 
Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce
2454 South Beretania Street
Suite 201
Honolulu, Hawaii 96826
Attn:  HAWAII FOR HIROSHIMA
 
One of the fundraising organizers, Wayne Miyao, chairman of the Hiroshima Hawaii Sister State Committee, said, “As we have so many ties, relationships and friends in Hiroshima, we are saddened by this recent tragedy.  We welcome and humbly ask for the support of the people, businesses and organizations in Hawaii whose hearts are with the victims in Hiroshima.  We especially are appealing to the support of all Hiroshima Kenjin Kais located throughout the State of Hawaii.  We are proud that in the past, we have received such statewide community support for our previous fundraising efforts, namely the Sadako Sasaki Crane Display at Pearl Harbor in September 2013 and the Hiroshima Landslides in August 2014.”
 
Another organizer, Wayne Ishihara, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce added, “We look forward to the support of businesses and chambers of commerce with ties to Hiroshima Prefecture as well as those interested in Hiroshima and in Japan.”
 
Finally, Art Taniguchi, Honorary Consul General of Japan at Hilo, commented, “As this is a statewide fundraising effort, we want to encourage those on the neighbor islands especially the Big Island of Hawaii, which has many “sister” relationships in Hilo and Kona with Hiroshima organizations.  I am pleased to announce that Jon Arizumi of the East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai and Claudia Chang of the Kona Hiroshima Kenjin Kai have joined us to raise funds for Hiroshima Prefecture.”
 
The “Hawai’i for Hiroshima Fundraising Committee” is chaired by Wayne Miyao, Chairman of the Hiroshima-Hawaii Sister State Committee as well as President of the Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, with Vice Chairmen, Arthur Taniguchi, Honorary Consul General, and Wayne Ishihara, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
 
 
Background information:
 
The City and County of Honolulu and the City of Hiroshima established a “sister” city relationship in 1959, which is one of the oldest such “sister” city relationships between a city in the United States with a city in Japan.  On August 6, 2014, Mayor Kirk Caldwell attended and participated in the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Ceremony to honor the victims of the bombing of Hiroshima.
 
The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce and the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry created a “sister” chamber of commerce relationship with each other in 1981.  Through the years, numerous exchanges promoting business opportunities have been completed in Hawaii and in Hiroshima.  In May 2017, the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, working with the Department of Economic Development, Business and Tourism of the State of Hawaii and its “sister”chamber, Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry, initiated its “Hawaii-Hiroshima Emerging Young Business Leaders Program” for businesses in Hawaii and in Hiroshima.
 
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii (in Hilo) (JCCIH) established a “sister” chamber of commerce relationship in May 2000 with the Higashi-Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce & Industry.  Along with numerous exchange visits to Hilo and Higashi-Hiroshima, the JCCIH attends and participates in the world famous Saijo Sake Festival in Higashi-Hiroshima each year.
 
The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce (KKCC) established a “sister” chamber of commerce tie with the Hatsukaichi Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hiroshima (HatsCCI) in May 2006.  The KKCC helped the HatsCCI establish the Hatsukaichi Tri-athlon in 2007 
 
The State of Hawaii and Hiroshima Prefecture established a “sister” state relationship in 1997.  Its goals have been to promote programs and causes centering on business and economic development, education, cultural and arts, athletics, and peace initiatives. In 2017,  20^th anniversary commemorations were held In Oahu and the Big Island as well as in Hiroshima Prefecture.
 
The Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai was established in 1955.  The purpose of this organization, which will be celebrating its 65^th anniversary of its establishment in 2020, is to promote and perpetuate the unique customs, history and traditions of Hiroshima. The Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.