Yomitan Club’s 2022 Uchinanchu of the Year is long-time member Paula Lewis. Paula is the mother of son Sam, daughter Tia, and grandmother to Quinten. She has always been eager and willing to help with Yomitan Club for many years taking charge of our lucky number drawings or the pupu section at our annual Shinnenkai.

Paula has a cheerful personality and excels in whatever she takes on. She has faithfully volunteered with our club at the HUOA Okinawan Festival Country Store, especially with sorting out the past year’s t-shirts and getting ready for brisk sales. Paula loves our annual picnic at Ala Moana Park, volunteering and participating in many games – remembering some from her childhood.

Paula is a fourth-generation Uchinanchu, and her ties with Yomitan Club come from one of our founding members, Chosho and Tsuru Takara. Her mom Jeannette Kobayashi is the number two daughter of Asao, the number one son, and Fusae Takara. Paula has many uncles, aunts, and cousins, who are all still active with Yomitan Club. She is an outstanding Yomitan Club member. Congratulations Paula!