On Saturday, Jan. 17, the Hawaii United Okinawa Association held its Uchinanchu of the Year and 76th Installation Celebration, embracing the 2026 guiding theme of Chimugukuru — Polish, Protect, and Be Proud. Approximately 750 attendees filled the Albert T. and Wallace T. Teruya Pavilion at the Hawaii Okinawa Center, joining together to honor HUOA’s legacy of service while looking toward the future with heart.
As HUOA President Bob Shiroma shared, Chimugukuru reminds us to polish what we cherish, protect what we hold dear, and take pride in our community and Okinawan identity — as we move forward together into 2026.
Twenty-twenty-five HUOA Outgoing President Frances Nakachi Kuba passed her gavel and presidential duties to Robert “Bob” Shiroma. With decades of leadership experience and deep ties to the Okinawan community, Shiroma brings both professional expertise and heartfelt commitment to his role as HUOA President. A lifelong member of Gaza Yonagusuku Doshikai — where he has served as treasurer since 1988 and president since 2024 — Shiroma is rooted in service and community stewardship. His extensive career, spanning senior roles at First Hawaiian Bank and as Facilities Director at Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, reflects strong organizational, managerial, and financial acumen. Combined with his years on the Hawaiʻi Okinawa Plaza Board, Shiroma steps into the presidency with a thoughtful vision for HUOA’s future, grounded in heritage, humility, and a dedication to uplifting the next generation of Uchinanchu.
HUOA recognized 39 Uchinanchu of the Year who contributed unselfishly to the success of their respective clubs. Karen Nakasone, Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals for the State of Hawaiʻi, installed the 2026 HUOA Officers.
The 2026 Executive Council includes: Robert “Bob” Shiroma, president; Jeannene Oshiro, president-elect; Jennifer Kumura, vice president; David Shinsato, vice president; Jessica Yamamoto, vice president; Kim Yamamoto, vice president; Sandra Yanagi, executive secretary; Jason Adaniya, assistant executive secretary; Mikiko Kakurai, Japanese-language secretary; Brianne Yamada Nitahara, treasurer; Kirstie (Maeshiro) Oshima, assistant treasurer; Frances Nakachi Kuba, immediate past president; David Jones, past-president advisor; Lynn Miyahira, past-president advisor; Tom Yamamoto, past-president advisor; Jodie Ching, advisor; Dr. Yuko Kakazu, advisor; Roy Arakaki, at-large member; Chris Iwamura, at-large member; Natalie Teruya, at-large member; Kathleen Matsuda, Hawaiʻi Island representative; Robert Kaneshiro, Hawaiʻi Island representative; Jason Hondo, Maui representative; Jonathan Chun, Kauaʻi representative; Wendy Horikami, club representative; Lee Ann Kakimoto, club representative; Kylie Sato, club representative; Mark Higa, Business Advisory and Audit Committee (BAAC) member; Brandon Nakasone and Lisa Tamashiro, BAAC members.
Many of Hawaiʻi’s dignitaries and community leaders were in attendance, including: Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and husband Mike; U.S. Congresswoman Jill Tokuda; Former Gov. David Ige and Former First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige; Former Gov. John Waiheʻe III and wife Lynne Waiheʻe; Deputy Consul General of Japan in Honolulu Hideaki Chotoku; The Honorable Karen Nakasone and her mother Chieko Nakasone; Sen. Glenn Wakai and wife Miki; State House Vice Speaker Linda Ichiyama; Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters; Misaki Takabayashi, Chancellor of Kapiʻolani Community College; United Japanese Society of Hawaii President Brian Taniguchi; and Dr. Mark McNally, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Okinawan Studies Director.
The opening segment featured two dance performances — “Bashin Tui” and “Nada Sou Sou / Kanohona Pilikai” — by Tamagusuku Ryu Senju Kai Hawaii Frances Nakachi Ryubu Dojo and Shelby Oshiro of Hālau O Pōhai Kealoha.
The dances were followed by a children’s play titled Mumutaruu, based on the book Mumutaru of Okinawa. The playscript, presented in Uchinaguchi, Japanese, and English, included translations by Dr. Kyoko Hijirida, and was performed by keiki of Tamagusuku Ryu Senjukai Frances Nakachi Ryubu Dojo and Chinagu Eisa of Hawaii.
The newly sworn-in President Shiroma announced his guiding theme for 2026, reminding attendees, “With the heart of chimugukuru, we move forward together — polishing what we cherish, protecting what we have, and being proud of our community and our Okinawan identity.”
Cynthia Arnold and David Shinsato emceed the Sports Awards portion of the program. Award recipients included: Sean Sadaoka, HUOA Golf Tournament Grand Champion; Robin Miyahira, Senior Flight Champion; Brianne Yamada, Women’s Flight Champion; Nakagusuku Sonjin Kai, HUOA Inamine Golf Cup winner; Wahiawa Kyo Yu Kai, HUOA Invitational Slow-Pitch Softball League champion; and Kochinda Chojin Kai, HUOA Volleyball champion.
The event concluded on a high note, with Shiroma front and center, leading young Uchinanchu keiki in a spirited “Chibariyo Haka,” chanting “CHIBARI-CHIBARI-CHIBARI-YO!” followed by a lively grand finale Kachāshī led by Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyu Choichi Kai USA–Hawaii.
The Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving as the umbrella organization for 50 member clubs statewide and comprises over 40,000 members. It is governed by a Board of Directors representing each HUOA Member Club, an elected Executive Council. HUOA is proud to annually host the Okinawan Festival, our biggest event of the year, traditionally held on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend. For more information visit huoa.org.
