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 Hiroshi
Harold Hishinuma
2006 Silversword Award of Cultural Excellence Recipient
Honolulu Fukushima Bon Dance Club
Hiroshi “Harold” Hishinuma was born on April 10, 1928 in Ewa on the island of
Oahu. His parents came to Hawaii from the Fukushima prefecture in Japan. Upon
arriving in Hawaii, they lived in a plantation house next to the sugar cane
fields, in Ewa, where they raised three boys. Every year, Harold, as he is
known to everyone, danced the Fukushima Ondo at the Ewa Bon Dance with his
parents and brothers. Harold was 13 years old when the war started on December
7, 1941, which put an end to bon dance for 7 long years. In 1948, bon dance
started up again in Ewa, where Harold began playing the Kotaiko (small drum)
with the Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Club. In 1950, Harold joined the Honolulu Bon
Dance Club, and on October 26, 1964, the club petitioned the State of Hawaii
for a Charter of Incorporation, becoming known to this day as the Honolulu
Fukushima Bon Dance Club.
Harold attended Waipahu High School, and moved to Maui in his junior year,
graduating from Maui High School in 1946. Upon graduation, Harold
returned to Oahu and began working at Hawaiian Pineapple Company, later known
as Dole Pineapple Company. Harold worked for Dole for 41 years, where he moved
up the ranks, retiring in 1990 as Superintendent in can manufacturing.
Through the years, Harold continued to perform in the bon dance club, where he
also learned to play the Otaiko (big drum) and Fue (flute). In June 2001,
Harold also started singing because the club did not have enough singers to
perform. Also in 2001, Harold re-skinned the club’s Kotaiko (small drum) when
the skin wore out. Harold kept a record of the process, so that others in the
club may also learn the art of re-skinning the drums. Harold is currently the
Vice President of the Honolulu Fukushima Bon Dance Club, where he is also known
as a “Jack of all Trades.” Harold still plays the drums, flute, and sings
occasionally, while his wife Jane, also a member, dances. Harold and Jane have
three children, Craig, Dean, and Coleen.Harold’s eldest son, Craig and his wife
Gwen also play the drums in the bon dance club.
The Honolulu Fukushima Bon Dance Club performs at the different Buddhist
churches during bon dance season, and at events during the year such as Matsuri
in Hawaii, the Ho’olaulea, and at various Nursing Homes.
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