Kristi Yamaguchi
SAN FRANCISCO — Kristi Yamaguchi and Jesse Kahaulua will lead a 18-member Project Aloha delegation from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 to visit cities and towns in northern Japan that have been most affected by the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster.
Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, and Kahaulua (also known by his professional sumo name, Takamiyama), a Hawaii native and former sumo champion, will serve as the co-chairs of a delegation of musicians, hula dancers and community activists. The delegation will bring messages of hope, support and the aloha spirit during its nine days in Japan, which will include stops in Tokyo, Iwaki, Kesennuma, Sendai and Ishinomaki.
The project is being sponsored by the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund (NJERF), established by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC). The fund, which has received more than $3.7 million from more than 11,000 donors in the past seven months, is the largest Japanese American community-based relief fund in the U.S.
The project is being co-organized by the With Aloha Foundation in Honolulu and Japan Airlines as the official airline sponsor.
“This will be my first trip to northern Japan, although I have been to Japan twice before,” Yamaguchi said. “When I saw the images of people’s houses being washed away and their life memories disappear in front of them, I knew that I had to do something. I hope that my Always Dream Foundation can support activities for young children to help them overcome the challenges they face, so that they can fulfill their dreams and goals like other children.”
For the complete article, please click here.