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 - Hiromi Peterson, Toka Shodo

  • 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

  • Japanese American Identity - Dr. Dennis Ogawa

  • Japanese Business Etiquette - Asako Shimazu, Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel

  • Karate - Les Nishikawa

  • Kendo - Garrett Matsumoto & Leighton Hara

  • Kimono - Yuko Miskolczy, Watabe Wedding Hawaii

  • Legacy of the Issei - Nate Gyotoku

  • Manju & Origami - Sakura Hawaii Alumnae

  • Mochitsuki - Moses Nakao

  • Nihon Buyo - Jacqueline Morikubo

  • Okinawan Cultural Class - Jon Itomura, Hawaii United Okinawa Association

  • Sushi - Cosmo Hirai

  • Taiko - Kenny & Chizuko Endo, Taiko Center of the Pacific

  • Tea Ceremony - Takemi Nakasone, Urasenke Foundation of Hawaii

  • Visual Presentation Training - Marissa Machida, Manifest LLC