The Living Treasures of Hawaii program was created in 1976 by the Buddhist temple Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii to honor residents of

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state ...

. It was inspired by the

Living National Treasures of Japan is a Japanese popular term for those individuals certified as by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as based on Japan's . The term "Living National Treasure" is not formally mentioned in the law, but is an inform ...

award, and is awarded annually. The criteria for selection are, "First, the designee must demonstrate continuous growth in his or her field; second, the potential Living Treasure must have made significant contributions toward a more humane and fraternal society (and this perhaps is the most important criteria); and finally, he or she must have shown an on-going striving for excellence and a high level of accomplishment." Honorees are nominated by members of the general public by August 1 of each year, and chosen by a committee designated by the temple. These are the people who have been so honored.

1976

* Charles Kenn

1977

* Wright Elemakule Bowman, Sr. *

Jean Charlot Louis Henri Jean Charlot (February 8, 1898 – March 20, 1979) was a French-born American painter and illustrator, active mainly in Mexico and the United States. Life Charlot was born in Paris. His father, Henri, owned an import-export business ...

* Johanna Drew Cluney *

Samuel Hoyt Elbert Samuel Hoyt Elbert (8 August 1907 – 14 May 1997) was an American linguist who made major contributions to Hawaiian and Polynesian lexicography and ethnography. Born on a farm in Des Moines, Iowa, to Hugh and Ethelind Elbert, Sam grew up riding ...

* Kenneth Pike Emory * Iolani Luahine * Rosalie Lokalia Lovelle Montgomery *

Mary Kawena Pukui Mary Abigail Kawenaulaokalaniahiiakaikapoliopele Naleilehuaapele Wiggin Pukui (20 April 1895 – 21 May 1986), known as Kawena, was a Hawaiian scholar, author, composer, hula expert, and educator. Life Pukui was born on April 20, 1895, in her ...

1978

* Theodore Kelsey

1979

* Abraham Kahikina Akaka * Emma Kalani-kau'i-ka'alaneo-kilioulaninui-amamao-ho'opi'i-wahine-keakaleihilinaka deFries * John Dominis Holt, IV * Edward Leilani Kamae * Edith Kekuhikuhi-i-pu'uone'ona'ali'i-o-kohala Kenao Kanaka'ole * Clorinda Low Lucas * Aldyth Vernon Morris * Alice Kuʻuleialohapoʻinaʻole Kanakaoluna Nāmakelua *

Gabby Pahinui Philip Kunia Pahinui (; April 22, 1921 – October 13, 1980), known as Gabby Pahinui, was a slack-key guitarist and singer of Hawaiian music. Born into a struggling family, Gabby was born Charles Kapono Kahahawai Jr. and later ''hānaied'' wi ...

1980

* Gabriel I * Maxine Hong Kingston * Donald Kilolani Mitchell * Pilahi Paki *

Alfred Preis Alfred may refer to: Arts and entertainment *'' Alfred J. Kwak'', Dutch-German-Japanese anime television series * ''Alfred'' (Arne opera), a 1740 masque by Thomas Arne * ''Alfred'' (Dvořák), an 1870 opera by Antonín Dvořák *"Alfred (Interl ...

1981

* Solomon Kekipi Bright, Sr. * Oswald Bushnell * Leo Ohai * Leon J. Edel * William H. Meinecke *

Isamu Noguchi was an American artist and landscape architect whose artistic career spanned six decades, from the 1920s onward. Known for his sculpture and public artworks, Noguchi also designed stage sets for various Martha Graham productions, and severa ...

* Juliet Rice Wichman

1982

* Juliette May Fraser * Annie Lehua Asam Kanahele * Richard Lyman, Jr. *

Silver Kiniohi Piliwale Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin ', derived from the Proto-Indo-European ''h₂erǵ'': "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical cond ...

* James Ka'upena Wong, Jr.

1983

Homer Ahu'ula Hayes Homer (; grc, Ὅμηρος , ''Hómēros'') (born ) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the ...

* Rubellite Kawena Kinney Johnson * Zaneta Ho'oululahui Cambra Richards * Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona * Emily Kau'i Zuttermeister

1984

Satoru Abe Satoru Abe (born 13 June 1926) is a Japanese American sculptor and painter. Biography Abe was born in Moiliili, a district of Honolulu, Hawaii. He attended President William McKinley High School, where he took art lessons from Shirley Ximena ...

Bumpei Akaji Bumpei Akaji (1921–2002) was an American sculptor from Hawaii. He was known for welding large copper and brass sculptures which can be seen all over Hawaii as part of Hawaii's Art in Public Places program. Biography Akaji was born in Lawai, ...

Irmgard Farden Aluli "Auntie" Irmgard Keali'iwahinealohanohokahaopuamana Farden Aluli (October 7, 1911 – October 4, 2001) was a Hawaiian composer who wrote over 200 songs. In Hawaii, she was considered a ''haku mele'', or maker of songs. Aluli is considered the most p ...

Francis Haar Francis Haar born as Haár Ferenc (July 19, 1908 – December 22, 1997) was a Hungarian socio-photographer. He studied interior architecture at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Hungarian Royal National School of Arts and Crafts between ...

* Herb Kawainui Kane *

Tadashi Sato Tadashi Sato (February 6, 1923 – June 4, 2005) was an American artist. He was born in Kaupakalua on the Hawaiian island of Maui. His father had been a pineapple laborer, merchant, and calligrapher, and Tadashi's grandfather was a sumi-e ...

* Emma Kapi'olani Farden Sharpe

1985

* Gladys Kamakakuokalani Ainoa Brandt * May Moir *

Sarah M. Wood Nalua'i Sarah (born Sarai) is a biblical matriarch and prophetess, a major figure in Abrahamic religions. While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a pio ...

* Katashi Nose *

Soichi Sakamoto Soichi Sakamoto (August 6, 1906 – September 29, 1997) was an American swimming coach who pioneered training methods that have now become standard throughout the sport. Many of his students went on to have great success nationally and internation ...

* Allan Frederic Saunders

1986

* Claude F. DuTeil * Edward L. Kealanahele *

Milton M. Howell Milton may refer to: Names * Milton (surname), a surname (and list of people with that surname) ** John Milton (1608–1674), English poet * Milton (given name) ** Milton Friedman (1912–2006), Nobel laureate in Economics, author of '' Free t ...

* Margaret Machado

1987

* Agnes C. Conrad * Agnes Kalanihoʻokaha Cope * Edmund M. K. Enomoto * Joe Harper *

Claude Horan Claude Horan (29 October 1917 – 11 June 2014) was an American ceramic and glass artist who was born in Long Beach, California. He received a BA from San Jose State University in 1942 and an MA degree in art from Ohio State University in 194 ...

David Kuraoka David Kuraoka (born 1946) is an American ceramic artist. He was born in Lihue, Hawaii, grew up on the island of Kauai, Hawaii in Hanamaulu and Lihue, and graduated from Kauai High School in 1964. Kuraoka spent his formative years in Hanamaulu w ...

* John Keolamaka'ainanakalahuiokalani Lake * Kahauanu Lake *

Toshiko Takaezu Toshiko Takaezu (June 17, 1922 – March 9, 2011) was an American ceramic artist, painter, sculptor, and educator who was known for her rounded, closed forms that viewed ceramics as a fine art and more than a functional vessel. She is of Japan ...

1988

* Kenneth F. Brown *

David Kauweloa Kaupu David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

* Murray Turnbull

1989

* Reiko Mochinaga Brandon * Healani Onohiaulani Chilton Doane * Yehan Numata * Reuben Tam * Tseng Yu-ho (Betty Ecke)

1990

* Richard Kekuni Blaisdell * Edmond Lee Browning * Frances Damon Holt * Kyo Kawabata

1991

* Daniel G. Chun * Dwight Pauahi Kauahikaua * Moses Kapalekilahao Keale, Sr. * Puanani Kanemura Van Dorpe

1992

* Helen Hoakalei Kamau'u * David Nu'uhiwa Enoka Kaohelauli'i * Marie Emilia Leilehua McDonald * Harry Seisho Nakasone * Matsuno Yasui * David Nu'uhiwa Enoka Kaohelauli'i

1993

* Elaine Arita * Yoshiko Matsuda * Stewart Valentine Medeiros, Sr. * Edith Hanae Tanaka * Shige Yamada

1994

* Todd Toshiaki Akita * Daniel J. Dever * Yoshiaki Fujitani * Roy T. Fukumura * Deborah Kepola Kekalia * Yukio Ozaki * Marion Grace Saunders

1995

* Donald Tai Loy Ho * Sally Fletcher Murchison * Leone Kamana Okamura

1996

* Wallace F. Froiseth *

Hiroki Morinoue Hiroki Morinoue (born 1947, ヒロキモリノーエ) is an American artist of Japanese descent who has helped to pioneer in the United States the fusion of western Impressionism with modern Japanese design. Early life Morinoue was born in Keala ...

* Shinichi Suzuki

1997

* Robert Aitken * Henry A. Auwae * Martha Kaumakaokalani Aoe Poepoe Hohu * Ralph Chikato Honda * Iwao Mizuta

1998

* Hubert Victor Everly * George Sanford Kanahele * Beatrice Kapua'okalani Hilmer Krauss * Jerry Okimoto *

Vladimir Ossipoff Vladimir ‘Val’ Nicholas Ossipoff (russian: Владимир Николаевич Осипов; November 25, 1907 – October 1, 1998) was an American architect best known for his works in the state of Hawai'i. Biography Early life and s ...

* Ruth Tabrah

1999

* Earl E. Bakken * Samuel S. A. Cooke * Shimeji Ryusaki Kanazawa * Yutaka Kimura * Abraham St. Chad Pi'ianai'a * Adam A. "Bud" Smyser

2000

* Glenna Fusae Kimura Ewing * James K. Fujikawa * Ah Quon McElrath * Rose Nakamura * Charles Nainoa Thompson

2001

* Ronald E. Bright''Thirty Second Annual Living Treasures of Hawai'i 2007'' (Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i, 2007) * Sean Kekamakupa'a Lee Loy Browne * Rocky Ka'iouliokahihikolo 'Ehu Jensen * Bob Krauss * Jesse "Takamiyama" Kuhaulua Azumazeki Oyakata * Clarence K. M. Lee

2002

* Alfred Bloom * Takeshi Fujita * Takashi Nonaka * Lynne Yoshiko Nakasone * Yoshihiko Sinoto * Myron "Pinky" Thompson

2003

* Beatrice "Beebe" Freitas * Mary Lou Kekuewa * Dr. Albert H. Miyasato * Dr. Margaret Y. Oda * Ted T. Tsukiyama * Masaru "Pundy" Yokouchi

2004

* The Rev. Mitsuo Aoki *

Genoa Keawe 'Aunty' Genoa Leilani Adolpho Keawe-Aiko (October 31, 1918 – February 25, 2008) was a Hawaiian musician. Keawe was born on the island of Oʻahu in the Kakaʻako district of Honolulu and grew up in Lā'ie. She was an icon in Hawaiian mus ...

* Pat Namaka Bacon * Fujio Matsuda *

Edith Kawelohea McKinzie Edith Kawelohea Kapule McKinzie (October 22, 1925 – October 21, 2014) was a Kanaka Maoli genealogist, educator, author, and an expert in hula and chant. She published two books on Hawaiian genealogy, was Director of the Hawaiian Language Newspape ...

Tau Moe Tau Moe ("Papa Tau") (pronounced Mo-ay) (August 13, 1908 – June 24, 2004) was a singer and musician who formed The Tau Moe Family musical troupe which toured the globe for decades. Early life Tau Moe (pronounced Mo-ay) was born August 13, 1908 ...

2005

* Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott * Gabriel "Gabe" Baltazar Jr. * Momi Cazimero * Dr. Thomas Klobe * Sione Tui'one Pulotu * Dr. Benjamin B.C. Young

2006

* Richard K. Paglinawan * James T. Kunichika * Carol Kouchi Yotsuda * Edward T. Kaanana "Uncle Eddie" * Walter H. K. Paulo "Uncle Walter" * Dr.

Terry Shintani Terry Shintani (born 1951) is an American physician, nutritionist and author from Hawaii who advocates for whole food plant-based nutrition. Shintani is best known for his books, which include, ''Eat More, Weigh Less Diet'' (1993), ''The Hawaii D ...

2007

* Malia Craver * George Na'ope * Dr. Terence Rogers * Norman Sakata * Barbara Smith * Dorothy "Aunty Dottie" Thompson *

Wally Yonamine , was a Japanese American multi-sport athlete who played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. Early life Kaname Yonamine, a Nisei Japanese American, was born in Olowalu, Maui, Hawaii to par ...

2008

* Edwin Mahiai Beamer * Dr. Charles P.K.M. Burrows * Rev. Sam Cox * Benjamin Kodama * Elsie T. Tanaka

2009

* Amy Agbayani * Puanani Sonoda Burgess * Sister Joan Chatfield * Bert N. Nishimura * Nalani Olds

2010

* S. Stanley Okamoto * Elizabeth Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins * Paul Weissich * Reverend Toshihide Numata * Patti Lyons

2011

* Josephine Kaukali Fergerstrom * Dr. Claire Ku’uleilani Hughes * Masaru Oshiro * Dr. Jack H. Scaff Jr., * Dr. Livingston M.F. Wong, MD, FACS

2012

* Barbara Kawakami * Ben Finney * Goro Arakawa * Gordon Mark * Lynette Paglinawan

2013

* Dennis Kauahi * Nola A. Nahulu *

Michael Nakasone Michael Nakasone is a band director. Born in Hawaii, he led the Hawaii Youth Symphony, the Pearl City High School (Hawaii) Band, the Royal Hawaiian Band, and most recently the Punahou School Wind Ensemble. Early life Nakasone was raised in ...

* Oswald K. Stender * Gary Washburn

2014

* Ida Keliʻiokalani Chun * Samuel ʻOhukaniʻohiʻa Gon III * Robert Mitsuru Hamada * Arthur & Rene Kimura * Chikai Yosemori

2015

* Haunani Apoliona * Blossom Puanani Alama-Tom * Laura Ruby * Bernice Hirai * Paulette Kahalepuna * Barry Taniguchi

2016

* Paul Leland Breese * Sooriya Kumar * Puakea M. Nogelmeier * Dennis Masaaki Ogawa * Lillian Noda Yajima

2017

* Ryokan Ara * Beatrice Kanahele Dawson * Nobuko Kida * Roy Sakuma * George Yokoyama

2018

* Mitchell Eli *

Mary Jo Freshley Mary Jo Freshley (born September 25, 1934) is an American instructor of Korean dance. She teaches at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the Halla Pai Huhm Dance Studio. Freshley is one of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii's Living Tre ...

* Hailama Farden * Gordon Umialiloalahanauokalakaua Kai * Takejiro Higa

2019

* John M. Hara * Earl Kawa{{Okinaa * Gertrude Yukie Tsutsumi * James "Jimmy" T. Yagi

2020

* Robert Cazimero * Larry Kimura * Carolee Nishi * Sachie Saigusa

2021

Not awarded

2022

Kenny Endo Kenny Endo (born April 2, 1953) is an American musician and taiko master. He is the leader of several taiko ensembles and regularly tours, performing traditional and contemporary taiko music. Endo is also the first non-Japanese national to recei ...

* Patrick Kirch *

Kealiʻi Reichel Carleton Lewis Kealiinaniaimokuokalani Reichel (born June 26, 1962) popularly known as Kealii Reichel, is a popular and bestselling singer, songwriter, choreographer, dancer, chanter, scholar, teacher, and personality from Hawaii. He has spent ...

References

Lists of people from Hawaii People from Hawaii Orders, decorations, and medals of Hawaii 1976 establishments in Hawaii Awards established in 1976