Proud to be Kauaian

My US permanent resident card is going to be expired.   Though it says "permanent," but it has to be renewed every ten years. So I had been seriously thinking to get US citizenship since I liked America, Americans, multi-cultures, and so on. Besides my children are Americans, too.  I thought I was ready.    

But I stopped thinking it after watching Olympic games last year.   It was exactly August 9 when I happened to watch women soccer game between US team and Japan around 4:00 a.m. when I stayed at Fukuoka.   Originally I had no intention to either watch it or to cheer for any team, but I happened to wake up and watched it.   And as team Japan was behind 2 to 1, I found myself cheering up for Japan. While I didn't know it, I was completely standing for Japanese team .   At that very moment, I knew "I cannot become an American."  

In the beginning of April, there was a very interesting event happened.   It was Merrie Monarch Festival , a dream hula competition (for me. ) I totally enjoyed many of amazing performances through watching TV and among them, I was cheering for Halaus from Kauai, especially Kumu Leina'ala for whom I was an interpreter last year.  When I heard ,"3rd place...Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina'ala"  I was so happy and very glad for Kumu and I was very proud to be on Kaua'i.   This made me think, " I am not Japanese, but now Kauaian."  

My belated but sincerest congratulations to Kumu Leina'ala and Halau. I look forward to assisting translation for Kumu and some students from Japan, next week.