2011 / Fundraiser for Tsunami Damage to Toba, Santa Barbara’s Sister City in Japan
Sea in Toba before March 11
Santa Barbara’s oldest Sister City of 45 years, Toba, Japan, suffered $24 million in losses to their oyster and seaweed (nori) ocean farms during the tsunami. The Santa Barbara-Toba Sister City Organization is sponsoring a disaster relief fundraising event on Thursday, April 28, at the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion from 5:00 to 8:00.
Mayor Helene Schneider, the Honorary Chair of the event, said, “The Santa Barbara community is once again coming together to generously assist others in need, this time by raising funds towards the recovery efforts throughout Japan. There are close to 200 sister cities between the United States and Japan and we’re honored to do our small part assisting the people of Toba, our oldest Sister City. We hope this event will enhance the Sister City mission of ‘promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, & cooperation – one individual, one community at a time’.”
Sea in Toba after March 11
Oysters grown for food and nori are a major part of the economy of Toba, which is several hundred miles south of the earthquake area of Sendai. Many small family businesses around the Toba coastline have floating platforms from which rows of oysters grow in frames dangling in the water. The process is a delicate one, and they are usually protected in the sheltered bays and inlets. Toba is famous for its seafood and for the sheets of nori used in making sushi that are grown in the shallow waters and processed in small factories on the islands off Toba.
Toba’s Mayor Ken Kida wrote last week, “The tsunami that followed the terrible earthquake wreaked havoc on the coast of our city. Over two thousand rafts for culturing oysters and sea weed were seriously damaged. The people of Santa Barbara’s sympathy is greatly appreciated and Toba city would humbly accept donations from Santa Barbara. Any help would be appreciated by the victims.” Mayor Kida studied agriculture in Iowa for two years during his college years. He has visited Santa Barbara several times.
Linda Mathews, President of the Santa Barbara-Toba Sister City organization said, “At first Mayor Kida was reluctant to tell us about Toba’s damage because they were so concerned about the tragedy in Northern Japan. But the livelihoods of many families and small business in Toba have been severely impaired. Toba has not fared well during the downturn in the Japanese economy this past decade and this is a serious blow to the city’s economy. We would like to help them as they helped us after the Painted Cave fire.”
Sea in Toba after March 11
Former Mayor Sheila Lodge remembers 1990 when the Painted Cave fire broke out in the middle of a visit from a delegation of Toba citizens. “Our 42 visitors were at a dinner the night of the fire. As reports on its destruction came in they passed the hat and raised over $1,000 in cash. When they got home the City of Toba gave $7,500 and the people gave another $8,700 in small contributions. Their spontaneous and generous donations were greatly appreciated. I hope Santa Barbarans respond in kind to the need resulting from the tsunami in Toba.” The Toba money was used to replant trees in Tuckers Grove and behind Alpha School.
Past Mayor Marty Blum visited Toba in 2004 and toured an oyster farm. She recalls, “When I visited Toba I was struck by how similar Toba is to Santa Barbara. Toba is picturesque with offshore islands and engaged residents. Like Santa Barbara they are dependent on tourism and the ocean. It is a tragedy that their oyster beds have been destroyed. So many families depend on oysters for their livelihood. I hope the people of Santa Barbara will reach out to our sister city in Japan with their donations.”
Santa Barbara citizens may contribute to the disaster fund by attending the event, or sending contributions to the address below.
Where: Cabrillo Arts Pavilion, 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd.
What: Buffet provided by local restaurants, a silent auction, and entertainment taiko drumming group “Taiko Center of Los Angeles”
When: Thursday, April 28th from 5pm to 8pm
RSVP: by sending a check ($50 per person) made to “Toba Tsunami Relief” to:
Oysters and Pearls, 10 Fairwood Lane. Santa Barbara 93103.
Donations: People unable to attend are invited to donate to the Toba Tsunami Relief at the above address. Please state that it is a donation and not a reservation.
For information, contact: Takako Wakita, wakita@cox.net. 805 964 7559
The Santa Barbara Toba Sister City Organization is 501c3 # 93-1171553
