Chief Master-at-Arms Brandon Johnson, attached to Afloat Training Group (ATG) Yokosuka, and his wife, U'I Johnson, helped organize and perform a hula concert to benefit the town of Kessenuma, July 26.

Kesennuma was severely impacted by the tsunami that devastated Japan's eastern coastline in 2011.

The earthquake on March 11, 2011 was the strongest earthquake to ever hit Japan, and the fourth strongest in the world to be recorded. The earthquake had triggered giant tsunami waves as high as 133 feet and sent it directly into the east coast of Japan's Honshu Island.

The event was held in the Kesennuma Central Civic Center, which was the only structure left standing after the tsunami. The center had also became refuge for over 400 survivors during the disaster.

"Can you imagine something like that happening and taking everything around you away?" asked Chief Johnson. "I believe if you can do something to help, no matter how big or small, you should do it."

Johnson and his wife, both natives of Hawaii, have participated in the event the previous two years and plan to continue support during the remainder of his tour at ATG Yokosuka. The concert in Kesennuma is free of charge and for the entertainment of the locals. The hula group hosts another concert in Fujisawa, Japan that raises money for donation through ticket sales.

"This is a great opportunity for both of us to do what we love to do and also help and interact personally with our host nation," said Chief Johnson. "The town has been rebuilding for the past five years, there is still a ways to go though."

Chief Johnson's role in the fundraising came from a specially made Navy challenge coin. He had 100 of the coins created for the sole purpose of selling and donating the proceeds to the town of Kesennuma.

One side of the coin is stylized to show off his Hawaiian roots. On the other side the words, "when we unite, everything is possible," are inscribed onto the coin above a picture of Mount Fuji and the collar devices of the three ranks of chief petty officer.

Johnson presented the donation directly to the mayor of Kesennuma, and also presented him with one of the custom coins.
Kesenumma has come an extremely long way with the help of many people, but the rebuild is only halfway there said the mayor.

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