On September 11, 2012, I went to Minamisanriku in Japan's Tohoku region to volunteer for three days in an area hard hit by the huge tsunami of March 11, 2012.

In Minamisanriku I stayed in temporary housing with five other young men who were about my age. Green weeds spread out across the land in front of our housing. It was a spectacular view, but I soon recognized that this was supposed to be a residential area. Houses, cars, trains, and people in this area were all swallowed up in an instant.

The survivors in Minamisanriku have not given up trying to move forward. One day, one of my friends and I visited a playground to play with the kids. These children were so energetic. It did not take any time to become friends with them. Their smiles and sounds of laughter made me smile and gave me energy. As I sat on a bench to take a rest for awhile, I recalled what their kindergarten teacher had said to me: “Kids can escape from nightmares while they are playing.” This quote has stuck with me. People can be reassured by others just by being listening to.

I did volunteer work for just three days, but I learned a lot from the people in Minamisanriku. They still have a long long way to go, however they keep moving forward in order to survive. Even though they live in a difficult situation, they never forget about showing gratitude to others.

This experience has been engraved in my heart and I want to tell my friends about what I learned through this volunteer work. I really appreciate all of the people who I met in Minamisanriku and the staff who worked at the Christian Center. Hang in there Minamisanriku, we are always with you.

by Ryota Takahashi, LA Student

On August 25, 2012, Tomomi Hibikiya, a recent HTIC alumna, and Mikako Kuruma and I, both current HTIC Liberal Arts’ students, joined the members of Halau Ke’ala Oka ’iliahi in performing hula at the Malama Ohana Festival in Kapiolani Park.

This was the first time for me to perform hula onstage. Kapena, a popular local group, played live as we danced and entertained many people who came to see our performance. This was a special memory for me as a hula dancer. Although I just started hula in April of this year, I am happy to be in HTIC’s Polynesian Club. I look forward to learning even more about Polynesian dance with my “kumu,” which means “teacher” in Hawaiian.

Anyone interested in Polynesian dance is welcomed in our club. I look forward to performing again in the local community!

(By Kurumi Kanamori, HTIC Liberal Arts Student)

"One of the reasons I joined Projects Abroad was to research opportunities for our students to do volunteer work overseas and, of course, to contribute in some way myself," says Douglas Fuqua, the Vice Chancellor
at the Hawaii Tokai International College. Coming to Projects Abroad Cape Town for two weeks, Douglas volunteered at the Children's Centre in Vrygrond, a township in Cape Town.

Dr. Toake Endoh, an HTIC professor of political science, participated in the June 2012 CISS/Keynote Conference held in Prague, Czech Republic. Dr. Endoh presented her recent research regarding foreign immigrants displaced by natural disasters in a panel discussion focusing on international migration. The panel offered a very vibrant and amicable discussion among scholars of multiple disciplines and offered these scholars a chance to build a network among peer researchers from Asia, Europe, and the Continental U.S. In addition to the conference, "centuries-old, gorgeous Prague architecture, as well as refreshing Czech beer, became other trip highlights!"

Tokai University Junior College, Shizuoka Campus and Hawaii Tokai International College (HTIC) invite all interested Hawaii residents 65 years of age and older to participate in the 24th Annual Shizuoka Friendship Postcard Art Competition. The purpose of the competition is to foster friendship between the people of Japan and Hawaii by using the common language of artistic expression to facilitate cultural exchange, and to encourage seniors to lead healthy and creative lives through their engagement with art.

All art forms, including watercolor, acrylics, oil, chigirie, harie, woodblock print, and computer graphics, are acceptable as long as they are submitted on official postcards available from HTIC. All entries must be postmarked or delivered no later than Saturday, September 29, 2012. One submission per person; artwork submitted will not be returned. Submission of an entry signifies that entrants have given Tokai University permission to use their artwork for activities related to hosting and sponsoring the contest and exhibition.

Prize winners will receive certificates and special prize sets from Shizuoka, Japan. Top prize winners will receive award plaques sent from Japan.

For more information and/or entry materials, please contact Angelica Miyagi by phone at 983-4121, by email at miyagi(at)tokai.edu, or write to Postcard Art Contest, Hawaii Tokai International College 2241 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96826.