Okinawa Kempi Scholarship 2019

Kempi students from Argentina, China, Bolivia, Peru, and U.S. participating in the Grand Sanshin Gathering during the 2016 Worldwide Uchinaanchu Festival. Photo courtesy of Maiya Gessling

Every year, the Okinawa Prefectural Government offers scholarships for young Okinawans (ages 18 to 35) to study in Okinawa for one year. This is a wonderful opportunity for young kenjinkai members of full or partial Okinawan descent to learn about their ancestral heritage as well as develop relationships with local and international Uchinaanchu.

Click below for more information and application requirements.

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2018 L.A. Homestay Program Schedule

A photo from a different homestay program that the OAA participated in

In coordination with the Okinawa Prefectural Government, the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will be hosting 10 high school and college students from Okinawa and organize activities for them to learn about and interact with the OAA, the Uchinaanchu community, and Nikkei- and Uchinaanchu-owned businesses.

Click below for a schedule of activities and more information.

2018 OAA Members Picnic

Artwork by Richard Yamashiro

Okinawa Association of America’s Annual Members Picnic
Sunday, July 15 • 11 a.m. ~ 4 p.m. (opens @ 10) • Whittier Narrows Park
750 Santa Anita Avenue, Area E-1, South El Monte • On-site parking fee: $6

(Non-members are also encouraged to attend the event and apply for membership)

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PICNIC

2018 Scholarship for Students of Japanese Culture

Photo courtesy of Michelle Akamine, a past recipient of the scholarship

The Okinawa Association of America (OAA) is currently seeking applicants for the Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California (JPASC, Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai) scholarship award for exceptional students of Japanese and Okinawan culture.

DEADLINE: AUGUST 31, 2018

Each Southern California-based kenjinkai (prefectural association) can recommend up to two (2) of their members and the final selection will be done by the JPASC.

Click below for application requirements.

2018 Onna Village Kenshuu Program

Cape Manzamō, located near Onna Village in Okinawa (Wikipedia)

Applications are now available for the 2018 Onna Village Kenshuu Program. This is an all-expenses-paid scholarship for young Uchinaanchu to study in Okinawa for six months.

DEADLINE:
Please contact the OAA by May 7, 2018 to begin the application process: oaamensore@gmail.com, (310) 532-1929. The application is very intensive, so please do not wait until the last minute.

Click below for more information and application requirements.

OAA Annual Scholarship for Graduating High School Students (Deadline: May 31, 2018)

DEADLINE: Application materials must be postmarked or delivered to the OAA office by May 31, 2018 (Thursday), 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)

REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicant must be of full or partial Okinawan descent
• Parents or guardians must be OAA members
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Applicant must be graduating high school in 2018

The awards will be based primarily on academic accomplishments with due consideration given to extracurricular, community activities, and financial needs. The scholarship awards will be presented at the OAA’s Annual Members’ Picnic at Whittier Narrows Recreation Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018 (date subject to change).

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

• OAA HS scholarship application checklist (PDF)
• 2018 OAA Scholarship App (PDF)
• 2018 OAA Scholarship App (Microsoft Word)

Please contact the OAA for more information at (310) 532-1929 or oaamensore@gmail.com

2018 Rummage FUNdrive and E-Waste Collection

In observance of Earth Day, the OAA is teaming up with recycling company, Savers, to recycle, reuse, and reduce unwanted items in your home. For every donation made, Savers will purchase 20 cents per pound for soft goods, 5 cents per pound for miscellaneous, and 5 cents per pound for books and media. (Damaged or incomplete items will NOT be accepted)

Our goal is to raise $1,000 which is a equivalent of 400 13-gallon bags!

We are also teaming up with All Green Recycling to collect and recycle electronic waste. (Various electronics will be accepted, but specifically TVs, monitors, laptops and tablets will earn OAA 12 cents per pound!)

Volunteers needed in the first two weeks of April to organize and bag items, and on April 14 to help with loading the truck. Service hours are available for students. Please click here to sign up: https://goo.gl/forms/vEqznleNK0msXYVR2

Dates | Acceptable Items | Unacceptable Items