"Has it really been 20 years since we opened our doors to a community that embraced us in such a welcoming fashion that has led to our success?" says Yoshi Hirashima, owner of Daruma Japanese restaurant at 95 Middle Neck Road in the Plaza. Celebrating this landmark restaurant's 20th anniversary, Yoshi is bringing back his original sushi chef, Masa, for one week, starting Monday evening, May 16.

For the entire week, Yoshi will be celebrating with raffle prizes each night. The ever-popular Masa will be serving his sushi specialties and greeting old friends after 5 p.m. on May 16, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22. Masa was a true super star at Daruma for his 12-year run, before he left to open his own restaurant in California with another former Daruma sushi chef, Iwa.

Yoshi is quick to thank the Great Neck community for their support and their patronage. And the Great Neck community can thank Yoshi and Daruma for support offered over the last 20 years, including a long list of parties and many fundraisers such as the ones following Sept. 11, 2001. Yoshi has also been a great friend to the peninsula, working especially hard to always be there whenever Great Neck Plaza calls. Currently the outside of his restaurant is set as the site of the first mural project for the Plaza and last summer he sponsored a Concert in the Park, complete with sushi for the crowd.

Plaza Mayor Jean Celender had many kind words for her friend, Yoshi: "Yoshika Hirashima has been a tremendous friend to the village since he opened his restaurant 20 years ago. He is always a generous, thoughtful, kind man who is active in many aspects of community life. He embodies the spirit of his adopted country, America, and we remember celebrating his joy with him when he became a proud citizen. Whenever tragedy strikes anywhere in the world, a phone call comes in from Yoshi asking, 'How can I help?' Years ago we ran a 'Gloves, Hats and Scarves' drive for the homeless. Without ever being asked to contribute, Yoshi delivered cases full of toiletries (half for men, half for women) and donated them to the drive. He is full of compassion and love for his fellow man, and we are so proud to know him and celebrate 20 years of friendship. Here's to many more years of health and prosperity to Yoshi and Daruma Japanese restaurant!"

Now known worldwide (through his Shea Stadium booth, UN catering and special meals on Northwest Airlines), Daruma is still a real hometown favorite around Great Neck. Families with children of all ages frequent this popular spot and Yoshi is always delighted to host a birthday party for his younger patrons. The middle school and high school crowds that frequent the restaurant on weekends are treated royally and watched over with great care. More than one longtime customer reports that their children "really grew up at Daruma ... and want to come whenever they are in town."

As for Yoshi, he is proud that "the friendships we have made have benefited us manifold" and he is happy to report that the input from the community "has served to keep our menu varied and of high quality." According to Yoshi, "the relationships formed between our clientele and all of us at Daruma have made it a place to meet, greet and catch up on the special events in our lives ... and it makes Daruma more than just another restaurant."

For lunch or dinner at Daruma, there is always a large menu of authentic Japanese dishes and a wide variety of sushi, sashimi and special sushi rolls, and now even a selection of fusion dishes. And for the special anniversary week, customers can enjoy the "famous Masa roll" prepared by Masa himself.

Yoshi invites old friends, old and new, to come and greet Masa at Daruma next week.

As the community continuously says "thank you" to Yoshi for all that he does, Yoshi now says arikato in return to Great Neck.

Yoshi Hirashima and Daruma restaurant may be reached at 466-4180.