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What’s Happening at the JCCH
A Resilient Spirit Talk Story and Book Signing

Join editors
Claire Sato and Violet Harada for an engaging "talk story" session as they reflect on the making of A Resilient Spirit: The Voice of Hawai‘i’s Internees. Through personal anecdotes, readings from the book, and behind-the-scenes insights into the authoring process, they will explore how this powerful collection came to life—and how it can inspire others to share this knowledge as well as preserve and impart their own stories. Limited seating is available.

RSVP Here

Saturday, August 23, 2025
10:00 - 11:00 AM




 




Tsume-Hōdai Sale Ending Soon

Saturday, August 16, 2025, is the last day to shop the JCCH Gift Shop’s special in-person sale inspired by 詰め放題, a Japanese custom meaning “all you can pack.” Using a provided box, pack as many preloved items as you can fit from a designated area for a cost of only $25 plus tax.*

Gift Shop Hours
Wednesday through Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

*Items selected must be preloved items within the designated shopping area. Participants must fit all items within the provided box (not included with purchase) to qualify for the sale price. 2-hr parking validation with a JCCH Gift Shop purchase. Discount cannot be combined with other offers. All sales final. See store for full details and limitations.
 
JCCH Featured Ikebana

Each week, our
ikebana volunteers generously donate an arrangement to display in our administrative office lobby. We hope you enjoy this special design by:

Litheia Nakamoto, Ikenobo
Style: Free Style
"Expressing Oneself"




 
感謝 - With Gratitude




Lahaina Obon Festival

It was an honor to participate in the
Lahaina Obon Festival this past Saturday at Lahaina Jodo Mission! Thank you to everyone who visited our table. We loved seeing our fans and headbands in action!

A big mahalo to our volunteers from
Lahainaluna High School and the TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui program for their help!




JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Saturday at our monthly fair! We welcomed new vendors,
Gifts By Karen M and Y’s made. Lanakila Meals on Wheels also joined us to share information about their senior services and volunteer opportunities.

Please note that there is no craft fair in September, but we hope you’ll join us at
Megabon!

 




Lights For Peace

Mahalo to
Pearl Harbor National Memorial in partnership with Manhattan Project National Historical Park Sites for hosting a special event in remembrance of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We were moved by the Hawaiʻi Technology Academy students’ messages of peace, musical performances, and historical stories shared by NPS rangers.




JCCH Visit and Gallery Tour

On Wednesday, we welcomed
Mikiharu Nakai, the Deputy Mayor of Hiroshima, to the JCCH for a tour of the Okage Sama De Historical Gallery. Mahalo to Mr. Nakai for visiting the Center to learn about the history of Japanese Americans in Hawaiʻi.

 
Rise from Ashes: Pearl Harbor attack: A turning point of WWII

Mahalo to
Alasdair Baverstock (CGTN) for interviewing JCCH President & Executive Director Nate Gyotoku about the Japanese American perspective of World War II. Watch the full news piece here.
 
Community Announcements




Voices Behind Barbed Wire: Stories of Hawai‘i Film Screening

Voices Behind Barbed Wire, directed by Ryan Kawamoto, tells the story of Japanese Americans living in Hawaiʻi after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and how their families were affected by martial law. Admission to this film is free with registration, courtesy of support from Pacific Historic Parks as part of the Honouliuli National Historical Site 10th Anniversary Celebration.

Learn More

Sunday, August 17, 2025
2:00 - 4:00 PM
 
Nisei Natsu Matsuri

Celebrate summer at the
Nisei Natsu Matsuri at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center in Kahului, Maui! Enjoy a vibrant day of local craft vendors, delicious food, and community spirit in support of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, Kansha Preschool, and Maui Adult Day Care Center.

Learn More

Saturday, August 23, 2025
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM




 




Hawaiʻi Buddha Peace Festival

Hosted at
Chinatown Cultural Plaza, the 2nd Annual Hawaiʻi Buddha Peace Festival invites community members to a multicultural celebration of dance, music, free workshops, and more.

Learn More

Saturday, August 16, 2025
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 


Let's Make Cucumber Namasu!

Muriel's Mainichi Cooking presented by Hawaiʻi Gas is a new JCCH video series inspired by Muriel Miura's mainichi まいにち (everyday) recipes. Widely recognized as the face of The Gas Company (now known as Hawaiʻi Gas), Muriel gained popularity through classes, demonstrations, conferences, cooking shows, pamphlets, and cookbooks.

Watch Episode 1

Episodes will be released on
Instagram every fourth Friday of the month.

View Recipe




 








Next Saturday: JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair

Join us next Saturday at our monthly JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair. Shop with local small business vendors that will offer Japanese and Japanese-inspired items. The
JCCH Gift Shop and Historical Gallery will be open until 3:00 PM.

NEW JCCH DARUMA T-SHIRT: A new t-shirt inspired by our Art by Sachiko mural is now available for purchase in-store and online through the JCCH Gift Shop. Styles include Unisex Adult in Navy (S-3XL), Unisex Youth in Red (S-L), and Women’s Dolman in Navy (S-2XL). Quantities are limited.

FREE GALLERY ADMISSION: Did you know that the JCCH’s Okage Sama De Historical Gallery offers free admission during the craft fair? Learn about the multi-generational history of the Japanese in Hawaiʻi through our self-guided exhibit. Donations are appreciated.

Saturday, August 9, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM*

*Admission is free. 2-hr parking validation with a JCCH Gift Shop purchase.
 
Tsume-Hōdai Sale

Beginning on
Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the JCCH Gift Shop welcomes you to a special in-person sale inspired by 詰め放題, a Japanese custom meaning “all you can pack.” Using a Gift Shop provided box, pack as many items as you can fit from a designated area for a cost of only $25 plus tax. This offer is available for a limited time only.*

Gift Shop Hours
Wednesday through Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

*Items selected must be preloved items within the designated shopping area. Participants must fit all items within the provided box (not included with purchase) to qualify for the sale price. 2-hr parking validation with a JCCH Gift Shop purchase. Discount cannot be combined with other offers. All sales final. See store for full details and limitations.




 




Talk Story and Book Signing

Join editors
Claire Sato and Violet Harada for an engaging "talk story" session as they reflect on the making of A Resilient Spirit: The Voice of Hawai‘i’s Internees. Through personal anecdotes, readings from the book, and behind-the-scenes insights into the authoring process, they will explore how this powerful collection came to life—and how it can inspire others to share this knowledge as well as preserve and impart their own stories. Limited seating is available.

RSVP Here

Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM
 
JCCH Featured Ikebana

Each week, our
ikebana volunteers generously donate an arrangement to display in our administrative office lobby. We hope you enjoy this special design by:

Susan Hirate, Ohara

"A cool composition to offset these hot summer days."




 
感謝 - With Gratitude




Tanoshii Hawaiʻi 2025

From July 21 - 25, we welcomed 59
keiki campers to the JCCH for a week of activities inspired by Japanese and local culture. This year, our campers learned how to draw kawaii and anime art, made temaki sushi, and practiced Tanoshii Daiko, a song created for our taiko and bon dance closing program performance. Mahalo to our sensei, camp counselors, volunteers, grantors, and camp families for helping to make this camp an unforgettable experience! Watch highlights from our third year of camp in our YouTube recap video.
 
Community Announcements
Experience Japanese Tea Workshop

Urasenke Hawaii Association presents a new cultural experience at the JCCH. Observe a Japanese tea ceremony and make your own matcha. No experience is necessary.

Register Here

Hosted every second Saturday of the month at the Seikōan Tea House




 
Genealogy Class

Sponsored by
The Hawaii Japan Heritage Group, DISCOVER YOUR ROOTS is comprised of four genealogy classes at Makiki Christian Church to assist people with research and documentation of their family lineage. RSVP by Monday, August 4, 2025, using their printable form.

View Printable Form

August through November 2025 (four sessions)
 




Seeking Volunteers

Megabon is moving to a new location at Leeward Community College and volunteers are needed to assist with various tasks on Saturday, September 13, 2025! The greatest need right now is in parking, sanitation, entrance attendants, and survey takers. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete their Megabon Volunteer Sign Up Form.
 

Support the JCCH


















Copyright (C) 2025 Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi. All rights reserved.


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The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i (JCCH), a non-profit organization, strives to share the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. Located at 2454 South Beretania Street in Mō‘ili‘ili, the Cultural Center features a Community and Historical Gallery, Resource Center, Kenshikan martial arts dōjō, Seikōan Japanese teahouse and Gift Shop. The Cultural Center presents various programs, festivals and exhibitions throughout the year.

Motto

Honoring our heritage. Embracing our diversity. Sharing our future.

Vision

We aspire to co-create a society where a deeper knowledge of one's heritage and a profound understanding of oneself will enable enlightened connections among all people.

Mission Statement

To be a vibrant resource, strengthening our diverse community by educating present and future generations in the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. We do this through relevant programming, meaningful community service and innovative partnerships that enhance the understanding and celebration of our heritage, culture and love of the land. To guide us in this work we draw from the values found in our Japanese American traditions and the spirit of Aloha.

History

The seeds of thought and planning which had since developed into the solid concrete of Phase I and the working committees of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i were sown over two generations ago. Minds and hearts of Issei and Nisei (first and second generations) forebearers set themselves to the tasks of survival, later to national heroism, and later still to the responsibility of restoring the concept of cultural pride in themselves and their community. Emotions generated by the Kanyaku Imin (125 Years of Japanese In Hawai‘i) celebration in February of 1985 spurred the devotion of major Japanese groups in the community to initially conceptualize the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i.

In 1986, The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce (HJCC) initiated the Japan-Hawaii Cultural Center project, "The Dream," for the purpose of bringing together related organizations in Hawai‘i to work in a common effort to preserve the legacy and history of the pioneers who came to Hawaii from Japan, and whose sacrifices and contributions made it possible for the younger generations to become integral members of American society. It was planned to be a legacy where future members of our community could look back and be fully conscious of their roots. The Center would also foster relations by promoting harmony and mutual understanding between Japan, Hawai‘i, and the United States.

The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce was willing to accept the enormous responsibility of immortalizing and cultivating the legacy of the Japanese in Hawai‘i by making a commitment to plant and nourish the seedling. Many community organizations supported the creation of a Japanese cultural center, as indicated by a survey to assess the need and expectations for a center.

Courses of action plans were implemented to create Ad Hoc Committees composed of the various Japan related organizations, and to organize a fund-raising organization to raise funds from the community within the State of Hawai‘i as well as in Japan. Committees set in motion to carefully plan, develop, and research in establishing the Cultural Center. The inception of some committees were: Steering, Planning, Public Relations, Historical Research Program, Program, Membership and Property Management. A schedule of "Milestone" tasks for these committees were implemented to prepare for the tremendous work that lay ahead in the formation of the Cultural Center.

On May, 28, 1987, the birth of a new direction and a new step toward the dreams of our forefathers emerged as the Cultural Center was incorporated under the laws of the State of Hawai‘i as a non-profit corporation to develop, own, maintain, and operate a Japanese cultural center in Hawai‘i. As an independent entity, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i would play a most crucial role in perpetuating the cultural heritage we inherited from our Issei forefathers into the lifestyles and values of our children's children.

Revamped, Revved and Ready... the Cultural Center Boards and staff moves forward with great aspirations

The Board of Directors consists of 15 community leaders from O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i counties who lead the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i by establishing policies and strategic direction. Each Director either chairs and /or is a member of the Executive Committee, Governance Committee, Membership Development Committee, Fundraising Committee, Facilities & Operations Committee, and Budget & Finance Committee. The Board members are elected by the membership as a whole.

The Board of Governors currently has forty (40) members who advise and make recommendations to the Board of Directors, and oversee the implementation of programs and activities of the Cultural Center. The Board of Governors also assist and maintain the fiscal well-being of the Center by supporting its fundraising activities. The Board of Governors are appointed by the Board of Directors.

The staff of nine full-time and two part-time employees is led by the President & Executive Director who administers the day-to-day operations of the Cultural Center.

The Board of Directors, Board of Governors and the staff, and volunteers work in unison to carry out the many exciting plans at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. When put together these individuals, though all unique in their background, create a dynamic, capable and passionate group who are dedicated to the Cultural Center's mission of sharing the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i.

HOURS

Historical Gallery & Gift Shop: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Resource Center: By Appointment Only

Administrative Office: By Appointment Only


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