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

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2018 Uchinaa Junior Study Program

ATTENTION OAA MEMBERS!

The Uchinaa Junior Study Program (formerly the Junior Study Tour) is an annual immersion program that brings middle and high school students to the islands of Okinawa.

Sponsored by the Okinawa Prefectural Government, elected students are given an all-expense-paid trip to study Okinawan history, culture, society, and diaspora, with an emphasis on nature, peace, and identity. Students will also be given the opportunity to interact with Uchinaanchu from around the world as well as students from Okinawa, with the hope that bonds and understandings will develop between overseas Uchinaanchu and their mother island.

Please contact your nearest kenjinkai/association to apply!

TOUR DATES: July 29 ~ August 4, 2018

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 23, 2018 (FRIDAY)
It may be delivered in person, mailed, or emailed, but it MUST be in the OAA office by 4:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time). The application process is extensive, so please do not wait until the last minute.

If you are an OAA member, please continue reading for eligibility, documents, and more information ⤵️

2018 Homestay Program in L.A.

Okinawa Association of America (OAA) in Los Angeles, California is considering a homestay program that is being organized by the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG).

We are searching for local families who are interested in potentially hosting high school/college students and adult chaperones from Okinawa during a two-week period in August 2018.

During their stay with host families this will be a great opportunity for cultural exchange, especially for families who have roots in Okinawa!

Please continue reading for the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and to download the Application Form. ⤵

2018 OAA New Year’s Party

The New Year’s Party is one of the OAA’s largest annual events, drawing 600+ participants!

Okinawa Association of America’s
Annual New Year’s Party 2018
Sunday, January 21 • 11AM ~ 3:30PM • Quiet Cannon
901 Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA 90640
Facebook Event Page

Click on a link below to learn more:
ABOUT | ENTERTAINMENT | RAFFLE PRIZES
SILENT AUCTION | VOLUNTEER

2017 Okinawa Bazaar

Artwork and design by Jeff Shimane

Okinawa Association of America’s
Annual Okinawa Bazaar & Fundraiser
Sunday, October 8 • 11AM ~ 4PM • OAA Center Parking Lot
16500 South Western Avenue, Gardena 90247
Facebook Event Page

Click on a link below to learn more:
ABOUT | ENTERTAINMENT | RAFFLE PRIZES
FOOD BOOTHS | SHOPPING | KIDS’ ACTIVITIES
VOLUNTEER | DONATE | DISCOUNTS | PROMOTE

Okinawan Identity & Our Languages

September 9 (Saturday), 6PM
Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute
Nisei Veterans Memorial Hall
$5 for OAA members, $10 for the public
RSVP: 310-532-1929, oaamensore@gmail.com

A special event focusing on the native languages of Okinawa featuring guest speaker/musician from Hawaii, Brandon Akio Ing!

Gachimayaa – original song written in Uchinaaguchi (with English subtitles)

Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi, Lesson 1 – animated language lessons

The story of Shūshin kaniʻiri – a song explaining a classical Ryūkyūan musical drama

Watch more:

• Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi, Lesson 2
• Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi, Lesson 3
• Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi, Lesson 4
• Preview of Ing’s album, “Tiichi”
• Tinsagu nu Hana (traditional song)

Kempi Scholarship 2018 – 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 adults of full or partial Okinawan descent to learn about their ancestral heritage as well as develop relationships with local and international Uchinaanchu.

The program offers two options:

1. Study at one of the prefecture’s universities
2. Study a traditional art (e.g., sanshin, dance, textiles, lacquer, sanshin making, cuisine, etc.)

Application requirements include conversational Japanese skills (higher proficiency required for universities) and a relative or family friend who lives in Okinawa to act as a guarantor.

Applications are now available for Southern California applicants at the OAA office or via email by request: 310-532-1929, oaamensore@gmail.com

The application deadline is September 11, but interested parties are encouraged to pick up and read through the application as soon as possible because it will be a highly extensive process.

Information Sessions:

• July 29, 1PM at the OAA Center, Room 103
• Mid-August (to be announced)

Here’s a short segment from OTV (Okinawa Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd) that talks about the program and interviews one of the OAA’s nominated participants (Japanese language only):