Special to Hawaii 24/7

Inspired by the story of Sadako, a Japanese girl who made 1,000 paper cranes as a prayer for peace and healing after WWII, North Kohala resident Saravady Ratha organized friends and dojo members from Kohala Aikikai aikido club to make 1,000 origami cranes as a meditation for those suffering in Japan.

The 12-year-old’s gesture, which started simply as a heartfelt need to acknowledge the suffering of the children has inspired people to donate money as a practical way to help alleviate the suffering.

The cranes will be on display at Kohala’s Takata Store for the community’s enjoyment. Takata Store has also agreed to have donation boxes set up at the checkout registers for those who would like to join the members of Kohala Aikikai in offering donations.

Twenty-seven Kohala Aikikai club members including Saravady recently attended Aikido Celebration 2011 on Oahu. The event commemorated the 50th year anniversary of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba’s visit to Hawaii.

At that time he said he had come to help build a silver bridge of friendship. He said “I wish to build a bridge to bring the different countries of the world together through the harmony and love contained in aikido. I think that aiki (harmonious energy), offspring of the martial arts, can unite the people of the world in harmony, in the true spirit of budo (the path of peace), enveloping the world in unchanging love.”

Following the 2011 celebration, the Aikido community in Hawaii sent more than $20,000 to the Japan Red Cross.

To help “build a silver bridge of friendship,” donations collected through Kohala Aikikai and inspired by Saravady’s care for the children in Japan, will specifically be sent to “Save the Children.”

There are extensive efforts underway through this program to provide food, shelter, and comfort to the many children in need. If you would like to donate to this fund, send tax deductible donations to the North Kohala Community Resource Center, which will direct gifts to the Kohala Aikikai Japanese children’s relief fund.

For more information contact:

Kohala Aikikai
P.O. Box 1434
Kapaau, Hawaii 96755
(808) 889-5958
www.kohalaaikikai.org

North Kohala Community Resource Center
P.O. Box 519
Hawi, Hawaii 96719
(808) 889-5523
www.northkohala.org

Save the Children
54 Wilton Rd.
Westport, Connecticut 06680
1 (800) 728-3843
www.savethechildren.org