Here are some resources if you would like to start a book club for your Club.

• What does the phrase “born again Uchinanchu” mean to you before reading the book? How does the prologue and early chapters begin to shape or challenge that idea?

• The 1980 study tour participants felt both excitement and apprehension before meeting their Okinawan relatives. Have you ever experienced a moment where you reconnected with your heritage in a way that felt unfamiliar or intimidating?

• Many Sansei grew up two generations removed from their immigrant grandparents. How does distance—geographic, linguistic, or emotional—shape cultural identity?

• What role do you think family stories play in keeping cultural memory alive?

• Chapter 3 highlights the early Okinawan Festival and the power of community networks. What makes a cultural festival more than just an event? What makes it a vessel for identity?

• The book emphasizes the warmth and generosity shown to the Hawai‘i group during their homestays. What does “home” mean in the context of diaspora? Can you have more than one?

• The book highlights chimugukuru (heart, spirit) and ukaji deebiru (deep gratitude). How do these values show up in your own life or community?

• Why do you think gratitude is such a central part of Uchinanchu identity?

• The chibariyo spirit could be described as “indomitable.” What examples of perseverance stand out in these chapters?

• How does perseverance differ from resilience? Are they the same?

• Maui’s community story is highlighted as uniquely powerful. What does this tell us about how different islands or regions shape cultural expression?

• The 1990 Okinawan Celebration and the building of the Hawaii Okinawa Center were major milestones. What does it take for a community to create something that lasts beyond one generation?

• The book asks what it means to “live the culture” rather than simply observe it. What does “living the culture” look like in everyday life? How do you personally live your culture—or how would you like to?

• The book highlights four cornerstone values: yaaninju (family), yuimaaru (working together), ukaji deebiru (gratitude), chibariyo (perseverance). Which of these feels most essential for the next generation? Why?