Colin Y. Sewake

Colin Sewake is a keiki o ka ‘āina from Wahiawā, who was assigned to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa in December 1994 to fulfill his U.S. Air Force ROTC commitment. There, he met his future wife, Keiko, and decided to make Okinawa his permanent home. Colin is now retired from the Air Force and the Air Force Reserves. He and Keiko have two children and live in Yomitan.

Updated May 2023

Stories from This Author

Mules on Izenajima, Okinawa

July 3, 2023 • Colin Y. Sewake

Did you know there are mules on Izenajima (Izena Island)? Well, recently there were two roaming around there. My Leilehua High School friend, Valdeane Odachi, and I were in a concert band together. We haven’t seen each other since I graduated, but got reconnected via Facebook several years ago. One of the dining establishments I frequent is Yoshihachi Sushi Restaurant in Chatan so I often post pictures of my outings there to highlight the delicious menu but also recognize my …

families identity Izena Island Japan Okinawans Okinawa Prefecture Uchinanchu

Experience Okinawa!

May 23, 2023 • Colin Y. Sewake

Many Hawai‘i Uchinānchu (Okinawan persons) have visited their ancestral homeland, but relatively few are fortunate to stay for an extended period of time to experience more that it has to offer. One such person is Hawai‘i born Yonsei (4th generation), Erica Kunihisa. Born and raised in Honolulu, Kunihisa graduated from Mililani High School in 2008 and then received her bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2012. She didn’t pay much …