From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Living Treasures of Hawaiʻi program was created in 1976 by the Buddhist temple Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii to honor residents of Hawaii. It was inspired by the Living National Treasures of Japan award, and is awarded annually. [1]

The criteria for selection are, "First, the designee must demonstrate continuous growth in his or her field; second, the potential Living Treasure must have made significant contributions toward a more humane and fraternal society (and this perhaps is the most important criteria); and finally, he or she must have shown an on-going striving for excellence and a high level of accomplishment." [2] Honorees are nominated by members of the general public by August 1 of each year, and chosen by a committee designated by the temple.

These are the people who have been so honored.

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

  • Helen Hoakalei Kamau'u
  • David Nu'uhiwa Enoka Kaohelauli'i
  • Marie Emilia Leilehua McDonald
  • Harry Seisho Nakasone
  • Matsuno Yasui
  • David Nu'uhiwa Enoka Kaohelauli'i

1993

  • Elaine Arita
  • Yoshiko Matsuda
  • Stewart Valentine Medeiros, Sr.
  • Edith Hanae Tanaka
  • Shige Yamada

1994

  • Todd Toshiaki Akita
  • Daniel J. Dever
  • Yoshiaki Fujitani
  • Roy T. Fukumura
  • Deborah Kepola Kekalia
  • Yukio Ozaki
  • Marion Grace Saunders

1995

1996

1997

  • Robert Aitken
  • Henry A. Auwae
  • Martha Kaumakaokalani Aoe Poepoe Hohu
  • Ralph Chikato Honda
  • Iwao Mizuta

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

  • Beatrice "Beebe" Freitas [5]
  • Mary Lou Kekuewa
  • Dr. Albert H. Miyasato
  • Dr. Margaret Y. Oda
  • Ted T. Tsukiyama
  • Masaru "Pundy" Yokouchi

2004

2005

2006

  • Richard K. Paglinawan [5]
  • James T. Kunichika
  • Carol Kouchi Yotsuda
  • Edward T. Kaʻanana "Uncle Eddie"
  • Walter H. K. Paulo "Uncle Walter"
  • Dr. Terry Shintani

2007

2008

2009

  • Amy Agbayani [10]
  • Puanani Sonoda Burgess
  • Sister Joan Chatfield
  • Bert N. Nishimura
  • Nalani Olds

2010

  • S. Stanley Okamoto
  • Elizabeth Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins
  • Paul Weissich
  • Reverend Toshihide Numata
  • Patti Lyons

2011

  • Josephine Kaukali Fergerstrom
  • Dr. Claire Ku’uleilani Hughes
  • Masaru Oshiro
  • Dr. Jack H. Scaff Jr.,
  • Dr. Livingston M.F. Wong, MD, FACS

2012

  • Barbara Kawakami
  • Ben Finney
  • Goro Arakawa
  • Gordon Mark
  • Lynette Paglinawan

2013

2014

  • Ida Keliʻiokalani Chun
  • Samuel ʻOhukaniʻohiʻa Gon III
  • Robert Mitsuru Hamada
  • Arthur & Rene Kimura
  • Chikai Yosemori

2015

2016

2017

  • Ryokan Ara
  • Beatrice Kanahele Dawson
  • Nobuko Kida
  • Roy Sakuma
  • George Yokoyama

2018

  • Mitchell Eli
  • Mary Jo Freshley
  • Hailama Farden
  • Gordon Umialiloalahanauokalakaua Kai
  • Takejiro Higa

2019

  • John M. Hara
  • Earl Kawaʻa
  • Gertrude Yukie Tsutsumi
  • James "Jimmy" T. Yagi [1]

2020

2021

Not awarded

2022

2023

References

  1. ^ a b "2019 Living Treasures of Hawaii to be Honored at 44th Annual Program". Hawaii Pacific Press. February 1, 2019.
  2. ^ Stone, Scott S.C. Living Treasures of Hawaii 25th Anniversary of the Selections of Outstanding Persons as Honored by The Honpa Honwanji Mission of Hawai'i Island Heritage, Honolulu (2000)
  3. ^ for 1976 through 2000: Stone, Scott S.C. Living Treasures of Hawaii 25th Anniversary of the Selections of Outstanding Persons as Honored by The Honpa Honwanji Mission of Hawai'i Island Heritage, Honolulu (2000)
  4. ^ Scott Ishikawa (January 16, 2003). "Kupuna Brandt dies at 96". Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d Thirty Second Annual Living Treasures of Hawai'i 2007 (Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i, 2007)
  6. ^ "6 more named 'Living Treasures'". archives.starbulletin.com. January 25, 2004. Retrieved 2022-09-05.
  7. ^ "Six named Living Treasures". Honolulu Advertiser. January 16, 2005. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  8. ^ "Keepers of culture named". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. January 13, 2007.
  9. ^ "2008 Living Treasures chosen by Honpa Hongwanji". Honolulu Advertiser. January 15, 2008.
  10. ^ "5 in isles named Living Treasures". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. January 20, 2009.
  11. ^ Closed access icon "Honpa Hongwanji names 5 'Living Treasures'". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Staradvertiser.com. 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2013-10-17.