events, they come to
find healing and joy
in the landscape and
aloha that is so much
a part of Hawaii.
They also learn
sustainable life skills.
The summer session is
a month long and with
John Avery Maguire’s
historic Huehue Ranch
as a backdrop they
harvest vegetables
and fruits or shop at
local farmers markets.
In addition, “Farm to
Table” skills are gained
by using those fresh,
local ingredients to
enhance the health
and immunity of
their young bodies.
The disaster has not
stopped the children
from being active and
curious, taking in all
Hawaii has to offer.
What do the children
find most enjoyable
about the program?
“Swimming in the
ocean,” said Morita,
adding they also
enjoy “cooking and
eating fresh, organic
healthy meals and
to learn something
new, something
they do not know.”
The empathy for
the children is echoed
in the words of
accomplished violinist
Ursula Vietze. The
Kona resident has
donated her talent
to an upcoming
fundraiser slated Aug.
9 in Kailua-Kona to
support Fukushima
Kids Hawaii. During
the event, she will be
performing three of
the four concertos
of Antonio Vivaldi’s
Four Seasons.
“If you share aloha,
it will return to you”
she said. “Catastrophe
can happen to
anyone. They were
told to evacuate in
an hour. It’s still not
safe to return.”
The Aloha-Keiki
Ensemble evening
gets underway at 4
p.m. Sunday at the
Hawaiian Queen
Coffee Garden in
Kailua- Kona at 4 p.m.
The date also marks
the 70th anniversary
of the atomic bombing
of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. The late
afternoon event
features a silent
auction, art songs
by Kaiulani Trainer,
as well as a special
performance by
the children from
Fukushima.
Tickets are $20 at
the door; children
enter free. Tickets can
also be purchased in
advance and are valid
for the Sunday event
and future concerts.
Advance single tickets
are $15; five tickets
for $60 and $10
tickets for $100.
A second fundraising
event is slated 6 to
8:30 p.m. at Puu
Waa Waa Ranch
where ukulele star
Kris Fuchigami will
perform for the
children visiting from
Fukushima. Tickets
start at $25; $30 for
children. Attendees
can also sponsor meals,
maintenance and
flights for those taking
part in the Fukushima
Kids Hawaii program.
Visit
com/event/103891
for more details.
Fukushima Kids Hawaii
co-founder Yumi
Kikuchi, left, shows
Makua Lani Christian
Academy third grade
students how to fold
an origami crane
during an event held
at the school in April.
PHOTOS BY LAURA SHIMABUKU/
WEST HAWAII TODAY
Fukushima Respite
student Hinata Abe,
10, right, shows Makua
Lani Christian Academy
student Bella Shurley
how to fold an origami
crane.
FUKUSHIMA:
Kids also learn sustainable life skills
➠
Continued from page 3
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