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On Sat, May nine, the County of Maui honored the Nagasako family under the Banyan Tree in a anniversary hosted past Na Kupuna O Maui.

LAHAINA – It was an erstwhile schoolhouse, standing room but celebration nether the Banyan Tree in Lahaina terminal weekend in honor of the Nagasako 'ohana.

Dignitaries, celebrities, kupuna and community gathered to salute the family's 115 years of contributions to our Westward Maui community.

Cultural practitioner Kimokeo Kapahulehua opened the ceremonies with a traditional blessing, chant and prayer.

Maui Canton Mayor Alan Arakawa and his wife, Ann, attended as well, with the mayor presenting the storied Lahaina family with a Certificate of Recognition and leis.

"The Nagasako Family has been anchored in our community for a long, long time. Over 100 years, this family has provided so much for our community. Not but running a shop but support to countless youth organizations and nonprofits – really making the customs what it is," he noted.

"They spent years and years dedicated to the edifice of the community," the canton chief executive added. "They can be really proud to exist called contributors to what Lahaina has become. They are an example of the kind of family that we have that made Maui Canton one of the all-time counties in the entire world."

Ninety-vii-year-old Tomie Nagasako, matriarch of the Nagasako 'ohana, accepted the certificate of honor.

Tomie is the wife of Takehiko Nagasako, son of Mitsuzo and Ayako Nagasako and blood brother to Masao Nagasako.

Mitsuzo and Ayako opened their first retail store, a candy shop, on Lahainaluna Road in the early on 1900s.

Businesses have come up and gone in Lahaina, but the Nagasako family unit has been a mainstay on the West Side, adapting to irresolute times from a candy shop to a supermarket and now a full general store and okazu-ya deli at the Old Lahaina Center.

Grammy Award-winning slack fundamental musician George Kahumoku Jr. played nether the tree on Saturday, and he described the festivities.

"Twenty-2 Nagasako (family) members showed up, with some flying in from Honolulu. Even Masao Nagasako's sis and her daughter came! Likewise myself, entertainers included 2015 Na Hoku Lifetime Accomplishment Awardee Uncle Richard Ho'opi'i, Wilmont Kahaialii, Uncle Mathew and even members and casts from the Quondam Lahaina Luau," Kahumoku said.

Kahumoku described the family's special, down-dwelling house way comparatively; "So much of our isle's businesses are going corporate with Walmart, Safeway, Costco, Target, etc., and very impersonal. It's dainty to run into at to the lowest degree one mom and pop local store surviving with local nutrient and home-cooked recipes and food!

"Sharing the aloha," Kahumoku added with import. "This is a lost part of Lahaina and island culture that is being perpetuated by the Nagasakos, who yet call back your proper name every time you lot visit! They are an integral part of the by, present and future of our Lahaina community, moving our people and children from the old plantation days and camps into modern times, still serving our Lahaina community.

"The Nagasakos gave united states a lot and take managed to survive as a family business organization, which is unique and rare in these modernistic times, serving us with their family favorites for over 115 years," he concluded.

The sons and daughters of other mom and pop stores that were seated in a VIP department nether the tree were recognized for adding to the community heritage, including Bob Kawaguchi (Kawaguchi Fish Market), Jean Miyahira (Seaside Bar), Carolyn Kam (Hop Wo Store), Anita Yamafuji (Liberty House Restaurant), Lynn Morikawa (Morikawa Restaurant) and Mrs. Kawamura (Yamamoto Shave Ice).

Hulu kupuna were acknowledged, including 100-year-old Adelaide Sylva of Lahaina and 86-twelvemonth-old Adeline "Aunty Addie" Rodrigues.

Aunty Patty Nishiyama of Na Kupuna O Maui was the behind-the-scenes force organizing the function.

Kahumoku was impressed by her cultural connectivity and skills.

"I would like to thank Aunty Patty Nishiyama for getting upwards at 4 a.k. to put out the cones on Front Street to reserve parking spaces for the mayor and the Nagasakos and special guests, and always helping to phone call to action all of the states who love our Lahaina community," he said

Nishiyama considers it her kuleana to keep the legacy alive: "Nosotros cannot forget where we came from, the mom and popular stores of our youth, including those not in attendance like Kishi Market, Ichiki Store, Lahaina Bakery, Miyaki Store, Kondo Okazu-ya, Lynette Kondo Yamaguchi Dazzler Salon, Agena Barbershop, Lahaina Manner, Kiyonaga Service Station (Union 76) and Kidani Store.

"Nana i ke kumu (expect to the source)," she said. "If it wasn't for these mom and pop stores who endemic the buildings, Front Street wouldn't be what it is today."

Source: https://www.lahainanews.com/news/local-news/2015/05/14/nagasako-family-honored-for-its-important-role-in-the-community/