Instagram • LinkedIn • Threads • Facebook • Published 1/26/2024
The Jaku’an Japanese Tea House in the Seien Japanese Gardens behind the East-West Center, hosted a lunch gathering for Center for Japanese Studies Director Mark Levin, Way of Tea Instructor Akiko Riley, and wonderful guests from the East-West Center on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
Pictured from left to right are:
Paul Adrians, Director of Development & Implementation in Human Resources at the East-West Center
Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, President of the East-West Center
Mark Levin, Director of the Center for Japanese Studies
Akiko Riley, Asian Studies Lecturuer and Way of Tea Instructor at the Jaku’an Tea House
Burton White, Deputy Administrator and Manager of the Imin International Conference Center at the East-West Center
We were delighted to share each other’s company and forge stronger bonds while enjoying a special tea ceremony overlooking the beautiful Japanese garden.
CJS Director Mark Levin enjoying a traditional tea ceremony snack along with East-West Center President Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum
Established in 1972, the Jaku’an Japanese Tea House is host to tea ceremonies in the Urasenke tradition. A two credit practicum course under the Asian Studies department is held here every semester, where Way of Tea Instructor Akiko Ono teaches students how to serve and receive tea in the Urasenke tradition.
Kara Shaw (left), originally from Oregon, is co-Vice President of the Way of Tea Club, and is studying Business Management. Kara is wearing a “KI MU’U MU’U,” a fusion of a Japanese Kimono and a Hawaiian Mu’u Mu’u, designed by Instructor Akiko Riley (right)
The Jaku’an Tea house also hosts special events, including the Maui Strong Tea Ceremony in October 2023 to raise funds in support of the victims of the August 2023 Maui Wildfires.
Visit the Way of Tea Club website to see more of the amazing things that Instructor Akiko Riley and her students have done.