Loochoo nu Kwa Podcast

In this episode, Keith Nakaganeku Shinshii talks story with us about his experience and connection to uta sanshin.  Keith grew up with sanshin in his family through his grandfather, who was a well known sanshin instructor.  His grandmother played kutu and also helped to support Keith in his journey through uta sanshin.  Listen also as Keith talks about a void he had in his life and how he discovered what it was.

Dane Nakama is a young up and coming artist in the Hawaiʻi scene and is just finishing up a show at the Hawaiʻi Theater Gallery in the heart of Honolulu.  Listen in as we discuss his art pieces and perspective on cultural identity and indigeneity as it connects to art and the art world.

In this episode we yuntaku (talk story) with Brandon Ufugusuku-Ing about Shimakutuba and how it connects to indigenous identity.  When we think of language, what do we think of?  Is it just words or is there something deeper than that?  How does our language and indigeneity connect us to other communities?  

I take a break this episode and talk with Norman Kanegusuku(Kaneshiro) Shinshii about Uta Sanshin.  For those of you who think of the sanshin as just a musical instrument, youʻll be in for a pleasant surprise.  Norman Shinshii goes into a deeper explanation about how the sanshin is an instrument that actually connects to relationships.  He also shares his candid thoughts and knowledge of what uta sanshin means to him and the changes it has gone through.  I hope you enjoy this informal talk story with Norman Shinshii.

Water is often taken for granted.  How many time have we thought about what if there was no water?  If we think about it, water is our connection to each other as we all come from water.  If we look at water, we can see itʻs various forms, just as we have different forms.  So much to learn from water, as our source of life and values, especially in these times as we journey to reclaim our identity.

Most of us have always supported and had some sort of advocacy for our ethnic culture and identity.  Has our advocacy went farther than that to some sort of engagement to put to action waht we support?   Iʻll be talking al little about that in this episode and sharing a story of  one of my favorite songs, "Tsuru Kame", which became even more meaningful after it was explained to me by 2 unforgettable Okinawan dance teachers.  Wishing all of you "Yii Soogwachi Deebiru!"

History holds both great things to be celebrated, but there are also many events which people would rather forget.  However, for many indigenous communities, we need to remember the tragedies and sufferings of history so it doesnʻt repeat itself.  By also understanding our histories, we can also find commonalities which can help to support each other, and also, many times, to bring us to understand ourselves and who we are in this current society.

As we begin our New Year of 2021 and prepare for the coming of the Year of the Ox next month, letʻs look at our responsibility we have for our spaces we live in, community, friends, family and for who we are as Shimanchu.  

Taking action to protect your native language, rights and history isnʻt always easy, especially when itʻs usually an uphill battle that takes sacrifice, time and courage.   In this episode, I am so excited to talk with a young warrior for her Shimanchu roots, Kaiya Yonamine.  Kaiya is the producer of the short film, "Our Islandʻs Treasure" which can be found on Vimeo.  This is one of the longer podcasts I have so far, but time flies as you listen to Kaiya share her thoughts and feeling about being a young protector for Okinawa.  Enjoy!