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Japanese Cultural Center Of Hawaii (JCCH) -COMING SPECIAL EVENTS/NEWS -
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感謝 - With Gratitude
Setsubun 2026 at the JCCH
Mahalo to the 73rd Cherry Blossom Festival for partnering with us to film a video about Setsubun, a Japanese holiday that marks the beginning of spring. Queen Ariel and Princess Mika showed our viewers how to eat ehomaki (lucky direction rolls).
Watch Our Instagram Reel
By eating this special sushi roll in the year’s lucky direction, it is believed that you will have good fortune.
Learn About Setsubun

Community Announcements

IMAGE: Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Removed by Force Film Screening at the Smithsonian
The film will be screened at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Filmmaker/Co-executive producer Ryan Kawamoto, former DOJ Administrator of Redress Bob Bratt, and Co-executive producer William M. Kaneko will be on a panel discussion following the film.
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Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM
JCCH Discount Code Offered for Two Nails, One Love
Kumu Kahua Theatre offers JCCH members and friends a 40% discount on tickets to the play, Two Nails, One Love, by Lee A. Tonouchi. Use code JCCH when ordering. The dynamic play, based on the novel by Alden M. Hayashi, is a moving portrayal of a Japanese American family’s experiences during World War II.
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Now showing through Sunday, February 22, 2026


Early Registration Now Open
Tanoshii Hawaiʻi invites keiki ages 8-13 to learn about Japanese and local Hawaiʻi culture through hands-on experiences in music, art, food, language, and traditions. Over five engaging days at the JCCH, campers build creativity, confidence, and teamwork through interactive workshops, games, and cultural activities while learning from skilled instructors.
JCCH members now have access to early registration for our summer day camp program. A discount code for registration was recently emailed to our members. Please email giving@jcchawaii.org if you would like to receive the discount code. You may sign up or renew your membership at bit.ly/jcchmember to receive this offer.
Learn More
Camp Dates: July 20 - 24, 2026

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:
Carol Murakami, Sogetsu
感謝 - With Gratitude


Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival
Mahalo to the Waimea community for warmly welcoming us at this year’s Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival! We loved connecting with our members, past program participants, and new faces who stopped by our booth to try uchiwa (fan) and hachimaki (headband) stamping.
Community Announcements

Splendors of Ikebana
Ikebana International Honolulu Chapter 56 will host its annual ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) exhibition at Mānoa Public Library. This year, they will feature "fan"tasy arrangements. Admission is free.
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February 27 - 28, 2026
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Films of Remembrance
The 15th annual Films of Remembrance presented by the Nichi Bei Foundation consists of a curated selection of 10 films commemorating the forced incarceration of more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent. From February 21 to March 29, 2026, in-person screenings will be held in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Gardena. Tickets are available for purchase online.
February 19th marks the annual Day of Remembrance, commemorating the date when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 in 1942. The films featured in this showcase will shed light on a little-known chapter of American history.
Learn More
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Copyright (C) 2026 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
Questions? Ready for an appointment?
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Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH)
Honoring our heritage. Embracing our dirversity. Sharing our future. The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH), a non-profit organization, strives to share the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawaii.
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