Nihon Bunka Awards

Each year, the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui bestows its prestigious Nihon Bunka Award/s to outstanding individuals for their excellence and lifetime dedication to the perpetuation of the Japanese arts and culture, and for their unselfish willingness to share their talents with the community to inspire future generations. Use the button below to submit a nomination.

Nihon Bunka awardees are lifetime members of JCSM. 

Shannon Loo

2024 NIHON BUNKA AWARDEE

With innate organizational and creative skills, Shannon has driven life into numerous community gatherings - weddings, corporate events, and travels with his leadership. But it was his love for

Japanese culture that remained constant throughout his life and career, which inspired him to take up space in perpetuating Japanese cultural attire.

Being a regular part of the Bon Dance community from a very young age, and now president and head sensei of Maui Minyo Kai, Shannon for 9 years have danced at every Obon on Maui, and have kept ties with the Bon Dance community on Oahu as well. Telling stories and honoring ancestors with every movement, he inspires many with every colorful kimono.

Even the global shutdown from the pandemic didn’t stop Shannon from sharing the joy of Japanese dance. Along with fellow dancers, he organized “Zoomdori”, a virtual bon dance experience. Gracing computer screens with dances from Maui and beautiful garb, they provided dance step tutorials, played games, and provided comfort and hope during a difficult time.

Speaking of kimono, his expertise on this subject matter and being a seamster for over 25 years fuels his life-long dream and passion to impart the art to as many people as possible. Shannon embraced his gift of influence and with his entrepreneurial drive and partnership with his sister, opened his boutique business Mise Kimono.

Founded with the purpose of perpetuating the legacy and feisty spirit of his grandmother, Tomiko Mise, Mise Kimono is the only store in the state of Hawaii largely dedicated to the craft of Kitsuke, the art of kimono dressing. Vintage and second-hand kimono are also upcycled into bags, accessories, and modern fashions.

As a kimono shop owner, Shannon forges ahead with every opportunity to educate others with his craft, while celebrating his Japanese heritage, ensuring cultural traditions transcend generations.

Reverend Gensho Hara

2024 NIHON BUNKA AWARDEE

The first-born son of a temple priest in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, Reverend Gensho Hara came to Maui in 1963 when he answered

a plea to fill a vacant minister’s position in Lahaina Jodo Mission. What was poised as a temporary assignment has turned into 60 years of leadership and service, making him a spiritual and cultural icon, not only for the Japanese community of Maui, but for a town of significant historic value.

Rev. Hara created a robust spiritual home in Lahaina that became a gathering place for cultural and educational events, which helped his Lahaina community to thrive. Over the years, he has opened his doors to nonprofit group meetings, film showings, farmers markets, weddings and parties, workshops, concerts, and many more. Rev. Hara has been instrumental in organizing many successful events that celebrate Japanese traditions, especially Lahaina Jodo Mission’s summer Obon festival, known for its tōrō nagashi, or floating lanterns ceremony.

For sixty years, his name became synonymous with the Maui Japanese community, where many have sought through him the teachings of Buddha. He was made an honorary member of the Japanese Cultural Society by its founding members and has participated in many of its events over the years. He has also appeared in countless local and international news and other publications, and film productions, generously sharing his knowledge of Japanese and Nikkei culture and history. Most important, he has imparted values of resilience through adversity, determination, and hard work.

Armed with a hose pipe, Rev. Hara fought hard to battle the fires last Aug. 8 before evacuating safely with his family. The church’s iconic temple and pagoda, nearby structures, and historical records have all turned to ashes.

But just like in Buddhism, the white ashes are a reminder of impermanence and life that is fleeting. As Rev. Hara has reiterated, “attachment to material things causes suffering.” At 87 years old, Rev. Gensho Hara vows to restore and rebuild. He has done it before and will do it again as his church and ministry shall continue to live in the faces of the community he loved.

Reverend Shinkai Murakami was born in Fukuoka, Japan and is the current residing minister for the Wailuku Hongwanji Mission since 2004.

During his previous assignments, he helped reorganize the Japanese Language School and was appointed to the board of the Hawaii Japanese Language School Association in 1988. Rev. Murakami also served as president of the Hawaii Japanese Language School Association.

As the principal of the Japanese Language School for the Wailuku Hongwanji, he has implemented new programs that have significantly increased student enrollment over the years.

He was a former president of the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui and assists many community programs and organizations, volunteering to teach calligraphy, Japanese cooking and many others.

Sensei Murakami’s contributions to the community doesn’t go unnoticed and we thank him for his years of service.

Former State Senator and Maui County Councilmember Joe Tanaka has served the Maui County community for decades with an emphasis on economic and cultural development.

He found the Maui Japanese Chamber of Commerce and led to the creation of a sister-chamber relationship with Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, Japan in 1997. This relationship then led to the creation of the Fukuyama City – Maui County sister city relationship in 2008.

In recent times, Senator Tanaka has also spearheaded the effort to build the Rose Garden fronting the County building to showcase our friendship with Fukuyama and other sister cities.

Joe Tanaka had a vision for Maui to have international relationships because he realized that it would help our local residents to not only appreciate our own culture and traditions, but also learn from others across the world, especially Japan. It is because of his spirit of caring for the community and a lifetime of service that Senator Joe Tanaka is receiving the Nihon Bunka Award.

Kirk Kurokawa, a local boy of Hawaiian, Japanese and Chinese descent, was born and raised on Maui. He received a BFA with distinction in Illustration from the California College of Arts and Crafts. In 2001, he returned home to Maui, became a self-taught oil painter and pursued his dream of becoming a fine artist.

Kurokawa’s paintings focus predominantly on the “simple, everyday life moments” and have been showcased in various exhibitions throughout the state. Most recently, his installment at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center’s mural has brought the 442nd Regiment Combat Team and 100th Infantry Batallion’s history to life.

Many of his paintings feature aspects of the Japanese culture such as scenes from bon dance, Maui Matsuri, Tokyo life, Japanese wood carver, among others.

With his desire to achieve goodness and truth through his art, he hopes to make a difference in the community. Most importantly, he would like to pass on the knowledge of art to the future artists of Hawaii in the hopes of creating a much more diverse art community that is truly creative.