Haneji Club

              
Year Started: June 1928, with 26 member families.
Organizers: the Reverend Kihichi Oyakawa, Ushisuke Taira, Genei Miyagi, Eishin Uechi, Matsusuke Tamashiro.
Original officers: the Reverend Kihichi Oyakawa, president; Ushisuke Taira, vice president; Genei Miyagi, secretary, Eishin Uechi, treasurer; Matsusuke Tamashiro, assistant treasurer.
Past Presidents: Kinsei Nakasone (1947-48, 1952), Choyu Shimabukuro (1949), Ushisuke Taira (1950), Tokujiro Matsuda (1951, 1953), Toyokichi Matsuda (1954), Matsuju Miyashiro (1955-56), Yonenaga Arashiro (1957, 1964-65), Zentoku Taira (1958, 1963), Toyoshi Taira (1959), Matsukichi Miyashiro (1960), Fukujiro Soken (1961), Sensuke Soken (1962), Chester Yahiku (1966-67, 1975-78), Fumio Teruya (1968-69), Raymond Inafuku (1970-73), Paul Miyashiro (1973-74), Genko Yafuso (1979).
Notes: Notes by Kiei Oyakawa: The name of the Haneji Club has undergone serval modifications to reflect the changing legal designation of Haneji, Okinawa. From 1928 to 1949, since Haneji was a son, the club existed as Haneji Sonjinkai. In 1949, when Yagaji, which was previously part of Haneji-son, was made a separate son, the name of the club was changed to Haneya Sonjinkai, Haneya being a combination of Haneji and Yagaji. In 1950, when the Haneji and Yagaji groups split into two independent clubs, the Haneji group named themselves the Honolulu Haneji Sonjinkai. Today, Haneji-son no longer exists; the area has been incorporated into Nago-shi. Nevertheless, the Haneji people in Hawaii still feel a strong identity as a separate group; therefore, they are continuing as the Haneji Club. A highlight of the past was the welcome dinner in 1946 to celebrate the return of the Haneji sons of Hawaii who fought in World War II.
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