In 2026 we will proudly celebrate our 20th anniversary. Thanks to your unwavering support and encouragement we have been able to conduct a rich and varied program of events. As we look forward to marking this milestone, I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude and reflect on the journey we have taken over the past two decades.
Honolulu Foundation’s origin can be traced back to 2005, when we had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Tsuruhiko Kiuchi, a well-known Japanese comet hunter who gained fame after writing about his near-death experience at the age of 22 while serving in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Among the celestial discoveries associated with his name is the Cernis-Kiuchi-Nakamura Comet (1990b). Additionally, he has authored books such as The Way of Life is Taught by the Starry Sky, which explores his insights from both his astronomical work and near-death experience.
As founders of Honolulu Foundation, both Yoko Fujita and I came from accounting backgrounds and had never encountered such extraordinary stories about the creation of the universe and its future until we met Mr. Kiuchi. His perspective was astonishing and deeply thought-provoking. This led the discussion of the works of Ryohei Kamitani, author of “The Resonance of the Universe,” which detailed the life of Tempu Nakamura, a man born in the Meiji era who became one of the most influential philosophers of early 20 th century Japan. Nakamura’s incredible and dynamic life, so unconventional and beyond modern imagination, instantly captivated us.
Inspired by the idea of introducing the remarkable figure of Tempu Nakamura to an international audience, we took the first step toward establishing Honolulu Foundation, sponsoring our first major lecture event Finding Your Inner Power: Lessons from Tempu Nakamura, held on December 9, 2006, at the East-West Center’s Immigration Hall.
The event welcomed a number of esteemed guests including author Ryohei Kamiwatari from Japan, then-Consul General of Japan in Honolulu, Mr. Shigeo Iwatani, and representatives from the Japan-America Society, Mr. Earl Okawa, and Mr. Ed Hawkins. It was a warm and engaging gathering that set the foundation for our future endeavors.
As we approach our 20th anniversary, we continue to pursue our vision of being the bridge between Hawaii and Japan, and look forward to further sharing our mission with the world.