Memorial monument of “Pigs from the Sea” conveys bond between Okinawa and Hawaii

Memorial monument of “Pigs from the Sea” conveys bond between Okinawa and Hawaii

Uruma City Mayor Toshio Shimabukuro (center) and others announcing the musical show and the unveiling ceremony.


March 3, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

A memorial monument was built in the property of the former Uruma Citizens’ Art Theatre in order to commemorate a historical event in which Okinawans in Hawaii sent 550 pigs to Okinawa, in an attempt to aid people suffering food shortages in the post-WWII period. Residents and corporations donated approximately 7,800,000 yen to build the monument. The chairman of the “Pigs from the Sea” monument committee, Hidehiko Arakaki, made an announcement about the monument at a press conference held on February 22 at the prefectural government office.

A musical performance based on the history will be performed on March 5 and 6, and the unveiling ceremony for the monument will be held at the theatre from 4:30 p.m. on March 5.

Chairman Arakaki shared gratitude, “We were able to secure a budget for our forthcoming activities, such as establishing the monument, as well as providing educational materials for children, thanks to 258 donations. We used our familiar Katsuren travertine stone and designed a monument that helps to remember the history.”

Uruma City Mayor Toshio Shimabukuro also commented, “We would like to show the bond between Hawaii and Uchinanchu to future generations through the monument and the musical performance.” The unveiling ceremony will be held from 4:30 p.m. on March 5, in front of the Hibiki Hall.

For details about the monument, contact the Okinawa Prefectural Government Public Relations Office on 098 866 2020. The musical show will take place two times: one at 7 p.m. on March 5 and the other at 3 p.m. on March 6. For the details of the show, contact Uruma Citizens’ Art Theatre on 098 973 4400.

(English translation by T&CT and Sayaka Sakuma)

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