On Saturday, May 18, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will host a free multi-author talk and reading in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Titled “Finding Okinawa,” the event will feature writers of Ryūkyūan descent across North America. All speakers will be participating online from their respective locations.
Jami Nakamura Lin (Illinois) and Shō Yamagushiku (Victoria, British Columbia) will share their latest works, “The Night Parade: A Speculative Memoir” and “Shima: Poems” respectively, in Part 1.
Part 2 will focus on “Chiburu: Anthology of Hawai‘i Okinawan Literature” with Lee A. Tonouchi, Mistee N. Uyehara, Daniel Akiyama, Delaina Thomas, Nicki Uechi, Ashley Nakanishi, and Grant Kagimoto (Hawai‘i).
The goal of this event series is to inspire a deeper interest in Okinawa by showcasing creatives who explore their roots and identity through contemporary projects. The first was held in 2019 with local documentary filmmaker Gena Hamamoto, illustrator Flor Kaneshiro (Argentina), and the late author Jon Shirota (Hawai‘i).
The organization also hopes to promote their OAA Kamiya Library and encourage donations. The library was established in 2002 and contains several English- and Japanese-language books about Okinawan culture, history, and diaspora.
This free event will be held online via Zoom. To provide accessibility for community members without internet, an in-person viewing will be at the OAA Center’s Yamauchi Bldg. in Gardena (16500 S. Western Ave.; on-site parking accessible behind the buildings off 165th Place).
Registration required for Zoom and in-person: tinyurl.com/findingokinawa24, (310) 532-1929. Watch live on YouTube: oaamensore.org/live (Note: YouTube will not be interactive with chat or Q&A)
Awarded as one of 2023’s California Nonprofits of the Year, the OAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to preserving and promoting Okinawan culture. Formed by first generation Okinawan immigrants (Issei), the OAA has grown into a multi-generational organization that hosts numerous events throughout the year including cultural lectures, performances, social gatherings, and senior-focused activities.
2024 marks the organization’s 115th anniversary as well as the 25th anniversary of the OAA Center in Gardena. For updates, visit www.oaamensore.org or follow @oaamensore on Facebook/Instagram.
Nifee deebiru (thank you) to community supporters Ichariba Choodee Podcast (shimanchupodcast.com) and Shima Playlist (tinyurl.com/shimaplaylist).