Thank you message from GNA President Monte Mesa

Hafa adai GNA members and perspective members,


We would like to thank all the following GNA family members who had
participated on exhibiting their Chamorro-Japanese family heritage display
at GPO on Saturday, February 22, 2014.

The event had a great turn out from GNA families and their younger
generation members signing up to become new GNA members.

We had several great positive comments from the community visiting our GNA
exhibits and complimented the all families for sharing their interesting
Chamorro-Japanese family tree displays and for those families who have
maintained their family connections with their Japan-side families. Like the
Shimizu, Fujikawa and Tajima families.

1.  Shimizu - Chairman Frank & Paul's Family

2.  Fujikawa - Sister Jeanette & Jesse's Family

3.  Noda - Ben, Mae and Monte's Family

4.  Okada - Monica's family

5.  Tajima/Tayama/Sugiyama - Gloria, Julie & Angie's family

6.  Kimura - Florence's family


Also a special thanks to the following support organizations: 

1.  Office of Japan Counsel General - Kikue Cepeda

2.  DPR Japanese Historical Exhibit - Tony Ramirez 

We are compiling some pictures taken during the GPO event for our GNA
website and if you have some photos you would like to share please send them
to me, Vice President David Okada or to Dr. Matilda Rivera (via email) so we
can include them on the GNA website accordingly.

In addition, we've already submitted some photos of the GNA family exhibit
event to the PDN and MVN and are pending publication soon.

Thank you again to all the GNA families who participated.

Best regards,

Monte Mesa

GUAM NIKKEIJIN EXHIBIT 2014 A SUCCESS!

The Guam Nikkeijin Exhibit held at GPO on February 22, 2014 was meaningful! GNA members and friends showcased their Japanese family tree, priceless photos, information, memorabilia, records, and oral history. Domo Arigato for joining us!  Enjoy the following snapshots taken during this special event!

Click on the video below to view our GUAM NIKKEIJIN EXHIBIT 2014 on PhotoPeach.

GNA Display Sign

Japan Consulate General Office

GNA President Monte Mesa Views Display

GNA Vice President David Okada with Treasurer Fred Nishihira

Flo Cornwell with Kikue from the Japan Consulate General Office

Noda Family Display

Okada Family Display

Shimizu Family Display

Kimura Family Display

Tajima/Tayama Family Display

Fujikawa Family

Fujikawa Family in Front of Display

DPR Japanese Historical Display by Tony Ramirez

Coconut Floating Light Ceremony Sample Display

Fujikawa Family in front of Display

Fujikawa Family Display

Fujikawa Family Display

GNA Webmaster, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, with son, Joaquin Naputi Abraham Rivera

GNA Vice President David Okada

Kimura-Cornwell Family

Okada Family Display

Snapshots from last year's Guam Nikkeijin

2014 Guam Nikkei Association (GNA)

Project Name: Guam Nikkeijin Exhibit 2014

Objective:  The GNA members will have the opportunity to present their Japanese family tree information, memorabilia, records, oral history and photographs as a public awareness campaign to promote membership interest in the GNA.

Exhibit Date:  Saturday, February 22, 2014 

Exhibit Venue:  GPO

Exhibit Time:  11am to 3pm (setup time can be as early as 10am)

Number of Exhibitors :  Limited to the first 25 families signing up. This is FREE (no cost charged) to GNA members for this community event.

Each family exhibition display area is restricted to within a 6’ foot table top display area which will include a 6’ table and two folding chairs provided by GPO. Each family exhibit must have at least two people present at all times during the exhibition time available to present their Japanese family tree information to the general public. All display and exhibit material presentation will be at each GNA family’s expense.

GUAM NIKKEIJIN EXHIBIT 2014

The Guam Nikkei Association will be presenting the Guam Nikkeijin Exhibit II at the Guam Premier Outlets on Saturday, February 22, from 11am to 3pm. The organization consists of membership comprised of those with Japanese ancestry and living on Guam. Its membership includes those originating from Japanese communities on the mainland and Hawaii, Palau, Republic of the Marshalls, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Okinawa, other areas in the global community and even from Japan. Issei, nisei, sansei, yonsei, gosei and extended members of local families have gotten together to share histories, lineages, connections to prefectures, surnames and other information relative to the organization’s mission and objectives. Family trees, photographs, records, memorabilia, textiles, heirlooms, historical accounts and rosters of descendants’ names will be featured at the Exhibit that is free and open to the general public.

Members of the board of directors that include Frank S. N. Shimizu, Thomas V. C. Tanaka, Joseph Hara Salas, Julia Akiyama Cruz Caguioa, Monte Noda Mesa, Dr. David L. G. Shimizu, Peter R. Onedera, David Okada and Fred Nishihira will be on hand to recruit new members, encourage membership involvement and to field questions about the organization’s plans for the year.

The exhibit will be situated between Nike and Levi’s Stores at GPO. Those wishing to be included in the exhibit are invited to contact Peter R. Onedera, historian, at 477-4234, 486-3210 or peteronedera@gmail.com or president Monte Noda Mesa at 888-1944 or monte@guam.net.

GNA Award Ceremony

GNA Awards:  GNA awarded those who contributed to the organization on January 9, 2014 at the Tamuning Community Center.  Standing L-R : Greg Sudo Perez, Tom Yoshida (sitting), Treasurer Fred Nishihira, Director Tommy Tanaka and Chairman Frank Shimizu.

Seated L-R : Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Webmaster; Kimmie Okada; VP David Okada; and President Monte Mesa.

GNA Meeting a Success!

Thank you to those who joined us for our first GNA meeting of the year held January 9, 2014 at the Tamuning Community Center.  A special award ceremony also took place to honor those who were instrumental in the organization.  Members introduced each other and discussed various activities, including the following:

*Family Exhibit & Membership Drive at GPO - February 22, 2014
*Issei Memorial Tribute at Yigo Peace Memorial Park - July 2014
*Nikkeijen Japanese Food Fair Night at GCC - October 24, 2014
*Coconut Floating Light Ceremony - November 2014
*Nikkeijen Sushi & Saki Night - June/July 2014
*GNA Delegation to attend the 55th Tokyo Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad - Oct. 29-31, 2014
*COJ Japanese Leadership Program - November 2014

ARIGATO!

GNA Meeting:  Members listen attentively as GNA President Monte Mesa (standing) discusses activities during the organization's first meeting of the year.