today we learned more about local immigration history as there was a display setup complete with old photos, some clothing, and a list of the first wave of immigrants. i quickly scanned the list and did not see the last names of my grandfather or grandmother so i don't think any of my relatives are on the list, unless they are quite distant in relation. we even did a little ohaka mairi complete with senko lighting. (translation: we went to a cemetery with graves of pioneer immigrants, lit incense, and prayed.) we also visited where nikkei had been imprisoned during world war 2. later in the day, some locals showed how they continue their cultural roots by demonstrating song, dance, and martial arts.

display of local immigration history