President's Message

Aloha Everyone!

Welcome to the 2022-2024 calendar year of Honolulu Chapter 56 and its sixty-first year of membership with Ikebana International. I’m honored and humbled to become our chapter’s 30^th president, not counting the two additional terms served by Ohara Sensei Reverend Theodore Chinen and Ohara Sensei Elaine Arita.

Friendship through Flowers, the motto and universal theme of Ikebana International is powerful in creating friendships not only on the international level, but locally as well. I am grateful for the friends I have made serving on the Board and their kind support. I look forward to meeting more of you members and am thankful to be working with new faces on our incoming board.

I’m so grateful to those 60^th anniversary committee members who have faithfully served these past 22 months. Their dedication and perseverance has paid off.  Nearly 750 people attended Hanakago Splendors of Ikebana. Our 60^th anniversary luncheon and demonstration conducted by Ichiyo Iemoto Naohiro Kasuya was attended by 200 members, guests, and Ala Moana Hotel staff.

Many members worked behind the scenes to prep materials gathered from Lyon Arboretum for Iemoto’s demonstration. Those who made any contribution can appreciate how their part added to a highly successful celebration.

It was such a blessing to see each other at Splendors and our 60^th celebration. I hope that you members continue to contribute your time, talents, and participation to our future luncheons and workshops.

In the meantime, I look forward to working with our new Board of Directors and am so grateful for the perseverance of our past ‘pandemic’ Board. Their determination was inspiring.

Blessings and Friendship through Flowers,

Joyce