Salutes

Advertiser Staff

Festival honors bon dancer

James Toshiichi Kunichika has received the Silversword Award for Cultural Excellence from the 24th annual Pan-Pacific Festival. He is recognized for his contributions to the community and life-long efforts to preserve Japanese culture in Hawai'i.

Kunichika is a founding member of the O'ahu-based Iwakuni Odori Aikokai bon dance group, and his audio recordings have been preserved in the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress.

UH architect wins top award

Elmer E. Botsai, University of Hawai'i professor emeritus, has been awarded the medal of honor, the highest award from the Hawaii State Council of the American Institute of Architects. Internationally recognized for his work, Botsai has five decades of experience in architecture and architectural education.

Botsai is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects and counsel to the local architecture firm Group 70 International. He is the former dean of the UH School of Architecture and was once national president of the AIA.