WHITFIELD-MANJIRO
FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY, INC.
HIGHLIGHTS
DEDICATION OF THE WHITFIELD-MANJIRO FRIENDSHIP HOUSE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER.
On May 7, 2009 Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara led a delegation of 100 supporters and an 8-piece orchestra to dedicate the home of Capt. William Whitfield which had been purchased and renovated through his incredible fund-raising efforts.
DR. HINOHARA'S 100TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
On September 30, 2011 Dr. Hinohara was joined by more than 100 dignitaries and friends to celebrate his 100 years of caring as a still-practicing physician. The party took place at the Fairfield-Marriott Hotel in New Bedford. Those in attendance included three members of the Nakahama family and five members of the Whitfield family. After an evening of accolades for his outstanding career of service to humanity Dr. Hinohara finished the gala by conducting a chorus of his fellow Japanese travelers. For photos click here.
13TH MANJIRO FESTIVAL
On October 1, 2011 the Society hosted the Manjiro Festival in the downtown of Fairhaven. Guests included 12 visitors from Tosashimizu, our sister city, and our Honorary President, Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, with 85 fellow travelers. The day concluded with the traditional "Friendship Dinner" in the elegant halls of the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven. In order to view photos of the events click here.
3RD WHITFIELD-MANJIRO FRIENDSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT
On November 24, 2011 Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara hosted this annual event at the Lakewood Golf Club in Kanagawa, Japan. Among the players was the 100 year old doctor who continues to amaze everyone having shot a 64 for the nine holes he played. The sponsor of the event was United Airlines which presented a pair of Tokyo - Boston business class tickets for the winner. As in the past, total net proceeds are to be forwarded to the Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship House Museum in Fairhaven as part of the on-going support by the Society for the Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship House.
Top: 100 year-old Dr. Hinohara tees off. Bottom: Group photo of all participants.
On August 14, Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara journeyed from Japan with 30 other visitors to the Cooke Memorial Park in Fairhaven to dedicate the cherry trees he had donated to the town. Also in attendance were Fairhaven Selectmen Dr. Brian Bowcock (chairman), Mr. Charles Murphy, Jr. and Mr. Robert Espindola as well as, Consul General and Mrs. Hikihara, Ms. Tomoko Nakahama, her daughter, Kei Konishi (5th generation descendant of Manjiro) and Gerry Rooney, President & CEO of the Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society. The group was joined by Mr. Junji Kitadai (Manjiro historian and current member of the Executive Committee of the Society) and six members of the Kochikenjinkai of New York.
During the earlier weeks 14 cherry trees had been planted in Fairhaven and New Bedford. One tree had been planted at each oif the following sites:
In his remarks Dr. Hinohara's stated, "...Japanese cherry trees were planted on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. exactly 100 years ago as a token of friendship between two great nations. In the same spirit, we are happy today to be able to plant 17 cherry trees at meaningful places in Fairhaven and New Bedford. I sincerely hope these cherry trees will grow strong and bloom beautifully and become constant reminders of the spirit of Captain Whitfield and Manjiro."
The dedication ended with the presentation of a granite bench with plaque in Dr. Hinohara's honor from the Town of Fairhaven. The bench is located in the Cooke Memorial Park.
Dr. Hinohara's remarks.
Dr. Hinohara enjoys his bench.
Bench monument plaque
Bench view to cherry trees
