Introduction

Ehime Memorial

Sometimes, it takes tragedy to bring us together, and such will be the case from here on out for this humble blogger.  On February 9, 2001 there was a tragic accident here in Hawai'i.  The USS Greeneville, a submarine of the United States Navy and the Ehime Maru, a fisherman training boat from Ehime, Japan tragically collided and simultaneously ended the lives of 9 of the Japanese crew members and scarring our history for an eternity.  The remains of the boat are deep in the ocean off of O'ahus coastline, and one victim was never discovered.

From this sprouts the inspiration for this blog.  In summary, in an effort to foster good relations between the State of Hawai'i and the Ehime Prefecture of Japan several programs and events have been created since the incident.  Of these, I am the benefactor of a particularly amazing opportunity for students of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa to go to Ehime, and intern as an ambassador of sorts to exchange our culture with that of their land, and to instill fellowship amongst our nations.  May 15, 2012 I will leave Hawai'i and remain in Ehime for 3 months, throughout which time I intend for this blog to be a window into my thoughts and whatever interesting events should come into light.

JUST, letting you know.

(^_^)