Cultural and Professional Instructors
The Queen Contestants are awarded various cultural classes in which they learn about their Japanese heritage and gain a better understanding of the values and customs associated with these traditions. Additionally, professional development classes are provided to prepare the Queen Contestants for public speaking, stage presence, interviewing and leadership opportunities. These classes take place during the six months of training before Festival Ball in March. We thank every instructor for their time, dedication to Japanese culture, and their willingness to share their knowledge.
Aikido - Randolph Scoville, Nu'uanu Aikido Club
Calligraphy - Tsugumi Hasebe, Toka Shoda
Communications - Will Yeh, Manifest LLC
Cooking Class: Art & History of Ramen Making - Keaka Lee
Gyotaku - Naoki Hayashi, Gyotaku by Naoki
Hanafuda – Helen Nakano
History of the Cherry Blossom Festival - Sakura Hawaii Alumnae
Ikebana - Roy Otaguro, MOA Hawaii
Kendo - Garrett Matsumoto & Leighton Hara
Kimono - Yuko Miskolczy, Watabe Wedding Hawaii
Legacy of the Issei - Nate Gyotoku
Mochitsuki - Moses Nakao
Okinawan Cultural Class - Jon Itomura, Hawaii United Okinawa Association
Taiko - Kenny & Chizuko Endo, Taiko Center of the Pacific
Tea Ceremony - Takemi Nakasone, Urasenke Foundation of Hawaii
Visual Presentation Training - Marissa Machida, Manifest LLC
Bon Odori (after aikido) - Betty Dela Cuesta & Lydia Morikawa