Okinawa Association of America’s Annual Members Picnic Sunday, July 16 • 11AM ~ 4PM (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)
REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be fully or partially of Okinawan descent
• Parents (guardians) or applicant must be OAA member(s)
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Must be graduating high school in 2017
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 16, 2017 (date subject to change).
The annual OAA picnic is coming up on Sunday, July 17, at Whittier Narrows Recreation Group Picnic Area #E-1. The picnic open at 10AM; program begins at 10:45 AM. Below is the general lineup of the full entertainment schedule for the picnic.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change
10:45
President’s Welcome
VIP Welcome
Rajio Taiso- Radio Exercise warm-up for all!
11AM – 12PM
Puniwai Hula Halau
Blaise and Phoenix Baker – ukelele
Ai Teshima – solo tahitian
Toyomu Kai – Ryukyu dance
Martial Arts Committee
Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko
Toyomu Kai – Ryukyu dance
Na Wahine ‘O Kawena Hula Halau
12PM – 1PM
Shosetsu Kai – Ryukyu dance
DJ Neal – karaoke
Scholarship Awards
Kids Games (Round 1)
1PM – 2 PM
Aikoh Kai – Okinawa minyo music
Raffle Drawing
Kids Art Contest Winners announced
Shosetsu Kai – Ryukyu dance
Kalyn Aolani Oshiro – ukelele
Kids Games (Round 2)
2PM – 3PM
Logan Brothers – contemporary music
Raffle Drawings
Special overseas guests: Nema Mamoru & Motomura Atsuko – Uta-sanshin
3PM – 4PM
Bon dancing
Tug O’ War- Tsunahiki
Raffle: Grand Prize
Check out our Facebook page for more details of the picnic. For more information, see 2016 Picnic Flyer Inserts.
2014 OAA High School Scholarship awardees at our Annual Picnic!
DEADLINE: May 22, 2015
REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be graduating high school in 2015
• Must be of full or partial Okinawan descent
• Parents or applicant must be OAA member(s)
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
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 Picnic at Whittier Narrows Recreation Park on Sunday, July 12, 2015 (date subject to change).
Please contact the OAA at oaamensore@gmail.com or 310-532-1929 for the application!
The Okinawa Association of America (OAA)‘s Annual Picnic has been a tradition for local Okinawans and Okinawans-at-heart since its first incarnation in the 1930’s. The picnic has always been a highly anticipated event for families enjoying summer afternoons of homemade treats, family games, and Okinawan cultural performances. It has also become the venue for the OAA to award its annual scholarships to graduating high school students.
This year will mark the seventh year of Okinawa-style bon dancing at the OAA Picnic. Regardless of age or experience, everybody is invited to participate! Okinawa-style bon dancing is accompanied by dancing drummers (eisa) and sanshin (banjo-like instrument) musicians. The origin of bon dancing is a Buddhist ritual to soothe the souls of ancestors during the summer Bon (or Obon) Festival.
The OAA Picnic will be held on Sunday, July 7, 10AM – 4PM, at the Whittier Narrows Recreation Park (download park map), Area E-1, 750 Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte. Teriyaki bento orders ($7 each) and pre-sale raffle tickets ($1 each) are now available to purchase until June 28. Top raffle prizes are an iPad Mini donated by Kamiya Insurance Agency, and a flatscreen HD TV donated by the OAA Seisonenbu Activities Committee. Parking is $6. Please contact the OAA office at (310) 532-1929 or mensore@earthlink.net for more information.
Please submit your pre-order form, raffle ticket form, and payment (made payable to the “Okinawa Association of America”) to: 16500 South Western Avenue #203, Gardena, CA 90247.
Bon dance practices will take place on June 24 and July 1, 7:30 PM, at the Higashi Bldg. of the OAA Center, 16500 S. Western Ave., Gardena. Practices are open to the public. Practice videos are posted here.
The annual OAA picnic is coming up on Sunday, July 17, at Whittier Narrows Recreation Group Picnic Area #E-1. The picnic open at 10AM; program begins at 10:45 AM. Below is the general lineup of the full entertainment schedule for the picnic.
