1904 - 1968 (?)
Hawaii Karate Seinenkai
Kamesuke Higashionna (also known as Kamesuke Higaonna, Hiroshi Higashionna, and Hiroshi Higaonna) was one of the founding Shihan of the Hawaii Karate Seinenkai. He arrived in Hawaii on August 18, 1933, accompanying Mizuho Mutsu. At the time, he was a student at Toyo University in Tokyo. Although Mutsu left Hawaii after only one month, Higashionna remained for several months. During that time, he taught at various locations on Oahu. On Saturday, September 9, 1933, he and Mutsu, assisted by Seishin Uehara, Thomas Shigeru Miyashiro, and other members of the Hawaii Karate Seinenkai, gave a lecture and demonstration at the Honolulu Civic Auditorium. Over 1200 fans attended. He assisted Mutsu in many other demonstrations during his visit.Higashionna's mother resided in Olaa on the Big Island. He visited Hawaii about four times after his 1933 visit, each time meeting and training with Thomas Shigeru Miyashiro and his students. At various times he taught on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island (in Olaa and Kona). Higashionna's photograph appears in James Mitose's 1953 (1947) book entitled What Is Self Defense (Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu), where is is described as a master of Karate Kenpo. Mitose was also originally from the Big Island.
The Hawaii Karate Seinenkai salutes Kamesuke Higashionna and expresses its gratitude to him for coming to Hawaii to spread the art of Karate.
Books by Higashionna:
Articles about Higashionna:
- Higashionna is not believed to have written any books.
- Higashionna's visit to Hawaii is discussed in Karate's History and Traditions, by Bruce A. Haines. Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1968.
- Higashionna's visit to Hawaii is discussed in Karate and Its Development in Hawaii to 1959, by Bruce A. Haines. University of Hawaii, 1962.
- Higashionna's visit to Hawaii is discussed in The Roots of Okinawan Karate in Hawaii, by Charles C. Goodin. Okinawan Mixed Plate: Generous Servings of Culture, Customs and Cuisine, Hui O Laulima, August 2000.
- Higashionna's visit to Hawaii is discussed in The Roots of Okinawan Karate in Hawaii, by Charles C. Goodin. Hawaii Pacific Press, August 1, 1999.
- Higashionna's visit to Hawaii is discussed in The Roots of Karate in Hawaii, by Charles C. Goodin. Pacific Citizen Holiday Issue, Japanese American Citizens League, December 1999.
- Higashionna's visit to Hawaii is discussed in The Roots of Okinawan Karate in Hawaii, by Charles C. Goodin. Masters of Combat, July 2000.
- Higashionna's visit to Hawaii is discussed in Thomas Shigeru Miyashiro: Hawaii's First Nisei Karate Sensei, by Charles C. Goodin.
- Higashionna's visit to Hawaii is discussed in Hawaii's First Nisei Karate Sensei (Thomas Shigeru Miyashiro), by Charles C. Goodin. Hawaii Pacific Press, September 1, 1999.
The spirit of Karate is the Aloha spirit
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