The Living Treasures of Hawaii program was created in 1976 by the Buddhist temple

Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii ( ja, 本派本願寺ハワイ別院, ''Honpa Honganji Hawai Betsuin'') is a district of the Nishi (West) Hongwanji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, a school of Mahayana Pure Land Buddhism. History Jodo S ...

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 stat ...

. 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 informa ...

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 * 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 h ...

Kenneth Pike Emory Kenneth Pike Emory (November 23, 1897 – January 2, 1992) was an American anthropologist who played a key role in shaping modern anthropology in Oceania. In the tradition of A. L. Kroeber and other pioneering anthropologists who trained him, E ...

Iolani Luahine Iolani is a masculine Hawaiian name meaning "royal '' hawk''." It comes from the Hawaiian words ''ʻio'', meaning "Hawaiian hawk," and ''lani'', meaning "royal." It may refer to: *ʻIolani School, a private school located in Hawaii *ʻIolani Pala ...

* Rosalie Lokalia Lovelle Montgomery * Mary Kawena Pukui

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 John Dominis Holt IV (June 4, 1919 – March 29, 1993) was a Native Hawaiian writer, poet and cultural historian. In 1979, he was recognized as a Living Treasures of Hawaiʻi for his contribution to the Hawaiian Renaissance. Family He was bor ...

* 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

1980

* Gabriel I *

Maxine Hong Kingston Maxine Hong Kingston (; born Maxine Ting Ting Hong;Huntley, E. D. (2001). ''Maxine Hong Kingston: A Critical Companion'', p. 1. October 27, 1940) is an American novelist. She is a Professor Emerita at the University of California, Berkeley, wher ...

Donald Kilolani Mitchell Donald is a masculine given name derived from the Gaelic name ''Dòmhnall''.. This comes from the Proto-Celtic *''Dumno-ualos'' ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). The final -''d'' in ''Donald'' is partly derived from a misinterpretation of the ...

* Pilahi Paki *

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

1981

* Solomon Kekipi Bright, Sr. * Oswald Bushnell *

Leo Ohai Leo or Léo may refer to: Acronyms * Law enforcement officer * Law enforcement organisation * ''Louisville Eccentric Observer'', a free weekly newspaper in Louisville, Kentucky * Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Arts an ...

* Leon J. Edel * William H. Meinecke * Isamu Noguchi *

Juliet Rice Wichman Juliet Rice Wichman (October 23, 1901November 5, 1987) was a Hawaiian conservationist, botanist, and author. Wichman worked to preserve Hawaiian culture, flora, and fauna through the creation of the Limahuli Garden and Preserve and through wri ...

1982

Juliette May Fraser Juliette May Fraser (January 27, 1887 – July 31, 1983) was an American painter, muralist and printmaker. She was born in Honolulu, which was then the capital city of the Kingdom of Hawaii. After graduating from Wellesley College with a de ...

* Annie Lehua Asam Kanahele * Richard Lyman, Jr. * Silver Kiniohi Piliwale * James Ka'upena Wong, Jr.

1983

* Homer Ahu'ula Hayes * Rubellite Kawena Kinney Johnson * Zaneta Ho'oululahui Cambra Richards * Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona *

Emily Kau'i Zuttermeister Emily Kau'i Zuttermeister (March 8, 1909 – March 3, 1994) is Hula Master who was recognized as a Living Treasure of Hawaii by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission, and a recipient of a National Heritage Fellowship in 1984. Personal life On March 8, 19 ...

1984

* Satoru Abe * Bumpei Akaji * Irmgard Farden Aluli * Francis Haar *

Herb Kawainui Kane In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal ...

* Tadashi Sato * Emma Kapi'olani Farden Sharpe

1985

* Gladys Kamakakuokalani Ainoa Brandt * May Moir * Sarah M. Wood Nalua'i * 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 * 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 1946. ...

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 wh ...

* 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 was a Japanese industrialist and Buddhist missionary. Early life Born in Hiroshima Prefecture, Numata was the third son of a priest of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism. He studied at Kyoto Heian Junior High School (today Heian High School) and ...

Reuben Tam Reuben Tam (January 17, 1916 – January 3, 1991) was an American landscape painter, educator, poet and graphic artist. Early life and education He was born in Kapa'a on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. He earned a BA degree from the Universi ...

* Tseng Yu-ho (Betty Ecke)

1990

Richard Kekuni Blaisdell Richard Kekuni Akana Blaisdell (March 11, 1925 – February 12, 2016), was professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Honolulu, and a longtime organizer in the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement. Blaisdell was the co-foun ...

Edmond Lee Browning Edmond Lee Browning (March 11, 1929 – July 11, 2016) was an American bishop. He was the List of Presiding Bishops in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, 24th presiding bishop and primate (bishop), primate of the Episcopal Chur ...

* Frances Damon Holt *

Kyo Kawabata Kyo can refer to: ;Anime, game and manga * Kusanagi 'Kyo', KOF 1994, one of the main characters of the ''King of Fighters'' series of video games * ''Kyo'', a manga comic created by Ryōji Minagawa in 1996 * Kyo Sohma, a character in the manga an ...

1991

Daniel G. Chun Daniel is a masculine given name and a surname of Hebrew origin. It means "God is my judge"Hanks, Hardcastle and Hodges, ''Oxford Dictionary of First Names'', Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, , p. 68. (cf. Gabriel—"God is my strength"), ...

* 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 * 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 Ruth M. Tabrah (February 28, 1921 – April 8, 2004), was an American writer and ordained Buddhist minister. Life and career Ruth Tabrah was born in Buffalo and studied at the University at Buffalo. Most of her life was spent in Hawai'i, livi ...

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 Myron Bennett "Pinky" Thompson (February 29, 1924 - December 25, 2001) was a social worker and community leader in Hawaiʻi and a cultural leader among the Native Hawaiians. He is best known for his work as a member of the Board of Trustees of Bi ...

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 Mitsuo Aoki, nicknamed Mits (December 4, 1914 – August 19, 2010) was an American theologian. He was born on a sugar-cane plantation near Hawi on the Island of Hawaii, and lived there until graduating high school. He then relocated to Honolulu f ...

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 musi ...

* 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

2005

* Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott * Gabriel "Gabe" Baltazar Jr. *

Momi Cazimero Momi Cazimero is an American graphic designer and firm owner, who established the first woman-owned graphic design firm in Hawaii. Early life Cazimero is of Hawaiian, Okinawan, and English descent. She spent her early years with her grandpare ...

* 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

2007

* Malia Craver *

George Na'ope George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Presiden ...

* 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 parents ...

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 Hilo ...

* 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 Roy Sakuma (born 1948) is a Hawaiian ukulele teacher and founder of the Ukulele Festival, the largest annual ukulele concert in the world. His support and teaching over the last forty years has helped fuel the ukulele's resurgence in Hawaii and i ...

* 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 Tr ...

* Hailama Farden * Gordon Umialiloalahanauokalakaua Kai * Takejiro Higa

2019

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

2020

Robert Cazimero The Brothers Cazimero was a Hawaiian musical duo made up of Robert Cazimero on bass and Roland Cazimero on twelve string guitar. Robert also played piano as a solo musician. The Cazimeros got their start during the Hawaiian Renaissance with ukule ...

Larry Kimura Larry Kimura is a professor of the Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies at the University of Hawaii, Hilo in the Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani, College of Hawaiian Language. Kimura has been an advocate for the preservation of the Hawaiian lang ...

* 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

References

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