Some people dream in color. Kenji Kuroshima is one of those people. In his daily life, Kenji is a photographer with a deep and abiding love for hula.
Kenji at the annual Kamehameha Day Festival on Mokuola in Hilo
He and his wife host many guests, particularly from Japan, and provide guide services to Hawai`i Island locations. Kenji and Michelle are tea practitioners and are deeply involved with Urasenke of Hilo at Shoroan, the tea house in Lili`uokalani Gardens.
Kenji gave a tour of photo locations in Lili`uokalani Gardens for the annual Banyan Drive Art Stroll
Kenji’s “Walking with Poliahu,” a photo of Waihonu reflections with snow-capped Mauna Kea in the background, was selected for inclusion in the 2019 calendar of Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens
Kenji also is a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens. His ideas have guided several events and activities.
It was Kenji’s idea to fly koinobori for Children’s Day, for example. That idea grew this year to include all of Banyan Drive from Suisan Fish Market to Seaside Hotel with the most impressive display on the bridge from Kainehe to Mokuola. This year, Hawaiian fish were included with the Japanese carp windsocks.
Koinobori (carp windsocks) fly from late April to Children’s Day in early May
His guidance for proper maintenance is essential to the restoration of the bamboo thicket. The next volunteer day is Saturday, August 24. Please meet at the bamboo thicket at 8 a.m. and wear closed toe shoes and eye protection. Bring your own gloves. Other tools will be provided.
If you have a home project requiring bamboo poles, you may stop by Banyan Drive starting at 9 a.m. Bring your own saw to cut the poles to size.
Kenji is our bamboo maven who guides the volunteer days in the bamboo thicket, resulting in a healthy patch that sings
U.S. Japanese Gardens 