By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i last night honored six Island residents as "Living Treasures of Hawai‘i."
The six were named at a dinner ceremony at the Hale Koa Hotel. The awards program was created in 1976 to recognize and honor individuals for their sustained contributions to building a more humane society.
Since its inception, more than 120 people have received the honor.
Recipients this year are:
 Clarence Lee, a graphic artist who has done work for airlines, banks and other businesses. He also is designing all 12 Chinese lunar calendar stamps for the U.S. Postal Service. |
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| Ronald Bright, artistic director of the Castle Performing Arts Center in Kane‘ohe since 1987. Bright was honored for his work with Hawai‘i youth. |
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| Sean Lee Loy Browne, a sculptor and educator at the University of Hawai‘i and Kapi‘olani Community College. Browne was cited for his commitment to re-creating his island heritage and culture in his work. |
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| Bob Krauss, longtime columnist with The Honolulu Advertiser. Krauss was honored for his newspaper work and his civic activities, which included raising money to save the Falls of Clyde and to create the Ulu Mau Village. |
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| Jesse Kuhaulua, a longtime resident of Maui who was the first American to enter the sumo world in Japan. Kuhaulua wrestled as Takamiyama and now is known as sumo stable owner Azumazeki. His stable included fellow Hawaiian Chad Rowan, who became the first foreign-born grand champion, or yokozuna. |
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| Rocky Jensen, a leader in the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture and the arts. Jensen has produced more than 150 exhibitions featuring Native Hawaiian contemporary arts in Hawai‘i, the West Coast and Europe. |
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