Fukushima Kids Fundraiser: Join Us for Classical Concert by Opera Singers and two Flutes

Sunday August 10 at 3pm, you are invited to Aloha Keiki Ensemble 2nd Concert to support and welcome Fukushima Kids.  This summer 12 people are coming from Fukushima.

If you make a reservation by e-mail, you will enjoy $5 discount.
Send an e-mail to: rawinfo@harmnicslife.net
with your name, phone and number of tickets.

Here is the flyer.  Please share widely!

Keep Article 9 As Is

You may have seen Japanese people on the street against the decision of our government to change the interpretation of the article 9 of Japanese Constitution.  We are not only against reopening of the nuclear power plants in Japan, but also against the decision made by Prime Minister Abe to make it possible for Japan to fight with USA against their enemy.  I do not admit this change!

Aljajeera says Japan has taken a step for more militant country.
http://t.co/VmXdOUZIDn

ABC reports:
http://t.co/vj13say8gk

In India:
https://t.co/DukFwabVSE

In China:
http://t.co/AwAX6wVNhu


Yahoo (around the world)
http://t.co/XBBA26Jp3W


These people in the demonstration do not belong to one political party or labor unions. They are voluntarily joining the demonstration, which is really democratic in a way.

Japan does not have to become an ordinary countries which have army and they go to other countries to fight. Our Self Defense Force protect our nation (land) in Japan, not to go abroad (with USA) and fight (kill people) who have not done anything to Japan.  

I really believe Japan's role is to practice article 9 as it says, and lead the world to more peace and sustainability no matter how strange (and idealistic) it seems.  We are a small and unique country in the world who strive for world peace (is what I want Japan to be, like Costa Rica, who abolished military in 1948).

Article 9 (of Japanese Constitution): "Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.

In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized."

http://www.japan-101.com/government/article_9_of_japan.htm

In this circle

At the end of the June retreat of Bay NVC 2014 Leadership Program (Jun 1-8, 2014), I learned a song (I think I learned this last year, so, to be accurate, I relearned the song) which I am going to write the  lyrics here so that I remember.

Joshua, who was leading the children's program in LP2014, sang this song at the closing of the retreat.  It is a follow-after-me kind song line by line.

A few things Joshua shared in the morning play/game with children are my favorite moment of the retreat. I really want to bring my children next June and would like to start saving for that.  There are other deep moments of celebration for my own learning and growth in NVC practice.

I am grateful for all the participants, assistants and trainers of LP2014. Mahalo nui loa (thank you in Hawaiian)

                       IN THIS CIRCLE (may be the title.... am not sure, though)

In this circle no fear

In this circle deep peace

In this circle great happiness

In this circle safety

In this children no fear

In this children deep peace

In this children great happiness

In this children safety

In our family no fear

In our family deep peace

In our family great happiness

In our family safety

In this body no fear

In this body deep peace

In this body great happiness

In this body safety

In this land no fear

In this land deep peace

In this land great happiness

In this land safety

In my energy no fear

In my energy deep peace

In my energy great happiness

In my energy safety

Great Success for 1st Aloha Keiki Ensemble Concert @Kona, Hawaii

I did not write about the concert given by Aloha Keiki Ensemble on May 25, 2014 at Hawaiian Queen Coffee Garden in Kona, which was a fundraiser for Fukushima Kids Hawaii.
http://fukushimakidshp.blogspot.com/2014/05/kona-classical-musicians-united-to.html

I want to say that it was a great success. The hall was able to hold 50 seats, but 60 people came (more than expected) and they all said they enjoyed the music so much. The musicians were great (I had so much fun and joy playing with them), Violinist Ursula, Harpist Mo, Pianist Annu and Flutist Yumi (me).

Our harmony was beautiful together. As a result, we were asked to play at Sheraton Hotel in Kona in November for Kona Coffee Festival.

 In the silent auction held at the same time of the concert in the next room, we were able to raise more than 1000USD, and ticket sales was 1120USD plus donation of about 900USD, all together we raised more than 3000USD in one day. This is the most successful fundraising event we have had so far for Fukushima Kids Hawaii.

I thank all the people who came, who shared the information and who donated silent auction items (Mayumi Oda and Hiroki Morinoue and other artists who donated their art works), and who bought them.  You are making a difference for the children of Fukushima.

With 3000USD, we can support 3 chidden from Fukushima to Kona (to subsidize the airfare from Japan to Kona which is about $2500 for each child) and we need to raise 12000USD by the end of July for just airfare subsidary.

I will have another fundraiser on July 11, 2014 with Katie Moore, an inspirational ZUMBA instructor in Kona at Kona International Market.  Join us for ZUMBATHON to support Fukushima Kids if you are in Kona that day.

Now I am sitting down in a dining room of Mountain Home Ranch in Calistoga, just finished my 1st day of NVC Leadership Program's June retreat. This community is where I belong and where I feel home, where I get most of my emotional support which help me to continue my work, which sometimes is very challenging!

When this retreat is over, I will be speaking at several locations in California.

My schedule would be:

Jun 11, 2014 @ Mendocino
Jun 13, 2014 @ Marin
Jun 14, 2014 @ Berkeley (Library, west wing)
Jun 15, 2014 @ open day (I am available for speaking/sharing)
Jun 20 or 21, 2014@Sacrament
Jun 28 or 29 @ Los Angeles

If you want to attend one of those events, please e-mail me.  I will inform you where it is going to be held (most of them are held at a private home)

Join us for ZUMBA Special Lessons to support Fukushima Kids

Fukushima Kids Hawaii holds ZUMBA SPECIAL LESSONS in 7 cities in Japan starting March 10. Join us and support Fukushima Kids!