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Kokoro Yamazaki travels to Italy for UH study abroad program

By BY WALTER CHIHARA - | Jan 13, 2023

University of Hawaii at Manoa student Kokoro Yamazaki recently spent three months studying in Florence, Italy. She plans to graduate from UH in 2025 with her degree in biology.

LAHAINA — A rising star is emerging here on the West Side. Seventeen-year-old Kokoro Yamazaki returned recently from a three month University of Hawaii at Manoa study abroad program in Florence, Italy.

The daughter of Megumi and Minister Ai Hironaka of Lahaina Hongwanji Mission Church completed her sophomore year requirements in art and history on her climb to a degree in biology from UH Manoa.

She was an honor student graduate at Lahainaluna High School two years ago and now continues on her pathway goal to a college degree with her studies overseas in Italy.

“It was a study abroad program in Florence, Italy,” explained Yamazaki last week. “I stayed in an apartment with three other students and had a wonderful time. The food was so good, and it was fun and exhilarating to walk around and stay in shape because everything is really close by. It was wonderful to experience the culture during my time over there.”

Yamazaki also holds the rank of Shodan, or first degree black belt, in Shotokan Karate Do that she earned while practicing with the Lahaina Dojo of the worldwide organization.

Kokoro was also honored as a princess in the 2020 Nisei Week Chrysanthemum Festival on Maui.