Families open homes, hearts

Hawaii families welcomed 68 Japanese residents into their homes Monday, providing them respite from the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami of March 11.

Many of the host families met their Japanese guests yesterday at Honolulu Airport at a ceremony organized by the Aloha Initiative, a program started by the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui.

Cyndi Hewitt, the Aloha Initiative Oahu coordinator, said the Japanese visitors can stay up to the 90-day limit of their visas, but many will go home later this month for obon season, a time when people pay homage to their ancestors.

The participants, who filled out an application and went through a screening process, were chosen according to those with the greatest need. Some had lost their homes or a loved one; some live in areas with elevated radiation levels where they have to keep windows closed and their children inside. Some will never go back to their homes because of the radiation risk.

"Their whole life is starting over," Hewitt said. "The whole purpose is just to get them out of their situation, give them a break from it and hopefully give them some renewed hope and direction for what they are going to do next."

Daisuke Tanaka, 36, lost his wife, Shizuka, 33, and 2-month-old daughter, Rio, in the tsunami after his house was washed away in Rikuzen Takata, one of the hardest-hit areas.

He and his wife married in Honolulu in 2007 and came back to run in the 2009 Honolulu Marathon. He wears his wife’s Hawaiian wedding ring on a chain around his neck. Tanaka brought his wife’s ashes to scatter them in the ocean off Hawaii as requested in her will.

Through an interpreter, he said he "doesn’t know what to do" and "cannot accept the whole thing yet."

Nora and John Haraguchi of Kaimuki are hosting Tanaka in their home.

"It was very devastating, seeing all the tragedy," Nora Haraguchi said. "We felt that we should do our share and open our homes and hearts for them. Hopefully, that’s going to help some of those people heal and get a peace of mind … even if it’s just for temporarily."

She planned to leave the agenda up to Tanaka, a construction consultant who says he is seeking a new direction in life.

Hewitt said the Aloha Initiative would like to continue as long as there is a need and donations from individuals and businesses. She choked back tears while recalling the donations that gave the Japanese citizens a free trip to the islands.

Japan Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offered discounted fares between Japan and Hawaii, while Hawaiian also donated free interisland flights for the participants. First Hawaiian Bank donated $25,000, Relativity Media gave $50,000 and Mana Foods contributed $20,000.

"There was no way this could have happened without the corporate sponsors," Hewitt said. "The outpouring of support is a little overwhelming, that people are so generous."

Todd Funasaki of Makiki requested a family with children to expose his kids, ages 8, 5, and 3, to people from another country.

"We’ll have a full house," Funasaki said. "Hopefully they become friends, ideally for life."

Nearby, Kana Igarashi, 38, an event planner from Sendai, awaited a chance to relax in the islands.

"My house down," she said. "No tsunami, (but) earthquake."

Earthquakes continue to occur along with dust clouds in her hometown, making the situation "cruel," Igarashi said.

With her 1-year-old daughter, Ten, in her arms, she expressed gratitude for those who helped in the program and wept.

To donate or learn about being a host family, visit alohainitiative.com.