Contact Us  Subscribe  COUPONS 
Back to the top
What’s Happening at the JCCH
This Sunday: New Year’s ʻOhana Festival

Welcome the Year of the Horse at the
33rd Annual New Year’s ʻOhana Festival. Enjoy a day of cultural activities, live entertainment, ʻono food and drinks, shopping, and more!

View Our Festival Guide




INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY: To kick off the New Year, we’re giving away one (1) round-trip to your favorite neighbor island destination, courtesy of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines!* Click here to enter the giveaway on our Instagram reel (an Instagram account is required to enter).

PARKING + TRANSPORTATION: Free parking will be available at Washington Middle School. A complimentary shuttle will run between shuttle stops at the JCCH (near the red Torii gate along South Beretania Street) and Washington Middle School (entrance along South King Street). Paid parking will be available at Varsity Building (Flat $8.99 all day, including tax and service fees). Please consider carpooling, rideshare, and other transportation options!

Learn More

Sunday, January 11, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

*Giveaway closes on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 9:00 AM HST. Must be 18+ years old to enter. Winner will be notified via Instagram. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram. Additional terms and conditions may apply.




 




Irasshai: Eat, Drink, Kanpai! Early Bird Tickets Now Available

Join us in April for an evening of culinary discovery at the
4th Annual Irasshai: Eat, Drink, Kanpai!, a fundraiser for the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi. Wander throughout two levels of Japanese street festival-inspired tastings by local chefs, toast with refreshing beverages, and enjoy live music, all designed to delight your senses. A silent auction, golden ticket drawing, and cultural activities will add excitement to this one-of-a-kind experience.

Your participation will support our nonprofit organization’s programs and educational resources, serving thousands of people year-round.

Learn More

Friday, April 3, 2026 | 6:00 - 9:00 PM
 
Community Announcements




50th Annual Kisei Title Match Go Workshop

The Yomiuri Shimbun is bringing the Kisei title series to Honolulu! Along with the tournament, there will also be go lessons and opportunities to play with locals and visitors. No experience is required. Attendance is free. Contact honolulugoclub@gmail.com for participation information.

Learn More

January 22 - 23, 2026




Upcoming Seminar on Go

The
UHM Center for Japanese Studies Seminar Series presents Game of Go in Japan: History and in "Active Aging," featuring speakers Dr. Cullen T. Hayashida, Dr. Michiyo Tomioka, and Sid Kobashigawa. This presentation will be held in the Tokioka Room (Moore Hall 319). Free and open to the public.

Learn More

Tuesday, January 13, 2026
1:30 - 2:45 PM
 




Japanese Language Classes

The
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Outreach College International Programs is offering Japanese language classes during the Spring 2026 semester. Courses range from Elementary to Advanced conversational levels.

Learn More

Regular registration ends on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM HST




UHM Outreach College International Programs

The
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Outreach College International Programs is seeking volunteers. Please email uhmjapanese@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.
 
Honouliuli National Historic Site 10th Anniversary Exhibition

Downtown Art Center hosts the finale event of the Honouliuli 10th Anniversary Celebrations, marking a decade of collaborative efforts to preserve and share the powerful history of  Honouliuli National Historic Site. The exhibition, located on the second-floor main gallery, will feature works by community artists alongside notable Hawaiʻi artists. Free and open to the public.

Learn More

On view now through Saturday, January 17, 2026
 
Honor Vietnam Veterans at The Wall That Heals

Join
AARP Hawaiʻi at the UH West Oʻahu Campus Great Lawn as they honor our local heroes and help them heal. The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., spreads the healing legacy of the memorial and educates about the impact of the Vietnam War. Admission is free.

Learn More

January 14 - 19, 2026




IMAGE: AARP Hawaiʻi
 
Meet Our Corporate and Tane Members




Mahalo to our members for believing in our mission and giving back to the community! Learn about our Corporate and Tane membership programs at bit.ly/jcchmember.
 

Support the JCCH

























Copyright (C) 2026 Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi. All rights reserved.


Back to the top

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


Like Our Facebook

  • RELATED LINKS
  • Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i (JCCH)
    Honoring our heritage. Embracing our dirversity. Sharing our future. 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.
  • Kaimuki Hawaii.Com Home Page
    View our featured events, news, businesses and primary links on our home page.
  • Featured Sponsors Offers
    Great offers from our sponsors who support the Kaimuki Honolulu, Hawaii community. More...
  • Kaimuki Hawaii Directory
    View Kaimuki, Hawaii primary directories. businesses, non profits, public, government and jobs.
  • Calendar
    Check out things to do in Kaimuki on the calendar of events.
  • News
    Keep up with the latest news and happenings in your Kaimuki community.
  • Kaimuki Hawaii Featured Pages
    View our directory of feature pages showcasing all the great things Kaimuki, Honolulu, Hawaii has to offer. Go Green in Kaimuki, restaurants, shopping, WiFi Hot Spots, fitness, health, real estate, home and garden, 80+ more directories... More...

Please send questions about this website to webmaster
Copyright© 2005 - 2026 KaimukiHawaii.com. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use / Legal Disclaimer / Privacy Statement
Site Designed and Managed by MacBusiness Consulting