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What’s Happening at the JCCH
April Modified Hours Notice

The JCCH Gift Shop, Gallery, Resource Center, and Administrative Office will be closed on
Saturday, April 4, 2026, the day after our fundraising event. The Okage Sama De Historical Gallery will be closed from Monday, April 6, 2026, through Saturday, April 11, 2026, for the Ireichō Book of Names Tour. We apologize for any inconvenience.
 
Irasshai Silent Auction

Browse 100+ items, including a two-night stay and golf at the
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, pieces from the Nishime Collection by Kaelyn Sachiko Okuhata x Ten Tomorrow, beauty treatments, one-of-a-kind experiences, and more in our online silent auction, hosted in conjunction with our annual fundraising event. Take a sneak peek at this year’s lineup in our Instagram reel, then head over to our auction website to browse the full list of items. You can be the first to bid on many items! The auction will close on Friday, April 3, 2026, at 7:45 PM HST.

View Silent Auction

We’re excited to share that sponsorships and general admission tickets for the
4th Annual Irasshai: Eat, Drink, Kanpai! presented by Bank of Hawaiʻi are completely sold out. We send a special mahalo to our sponsors and ticket buyers for their incredible support!




 




Tsume-Hodai Sale Ending Soon

Through
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 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 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
*See website for holiday hours. 2-hr parking validation with a JCCH Gift Shop purchase. Tsume-Hodai Sale selected items 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. Discount cannot be combined with other offers. All sales final. See store for full details and limitations.
 
JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair

Join us in April for a
Hanami 花見 (flower viewing) celebration! Enjoy cherry blossom decorations in the JCCH courtyard, shop with local businesses, and watch live entertainment at the upcoming JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair x Hanami.

The JCCH Gift Shop and Historical Gallery will be open until 3:00 PM. A list of this month’s vendors is now available on our event page.

Learn More

Saturday, April 11, 2026
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM




We extend our sincerest mahalo to everyone who stopped by the JCCH Gift Shop and shopped with our pop-up vendors this past Saturday for a scaled-down version of our monthly fair. Although the weather presented unpredictable conditions, we were grateful for blue, sunny skies on the day of our rescheduled event.
 




Shikata Ga Nai Film Screening

In partnership with the
Nisei Veterans Legacy, we invited JCCH members to register early for an upcoming film screening of Shikata Ga Nai. Registration filled up quickly, so we’ve opened a waitlist in case spots become available. For those who’ve registered, please let us know if you can no longer make it.

Join the Waitlist

Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:00 - 11:30 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:

Charmaine Yee-Hollison, Sogetsu
Happy Easter

This arrangement uses carnations, gingers, Song of India, Song of Jamaica, and Miffy!




 
Community Announcements

We send our thoughts out to those who are recovering from the effects of the Kona low storms across Hawaiʻi. If you or someone you know is seeking information or support, please go to the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency website.
 




10th Anniversary Concert

At the end of 2025, Wahiawā's own
Ryugen Taiko celebrated 10 years of teaching and performing taiko in Hawaiʻi. Celebrate this milestone at Leeward Community College Theater by attending their special event featuring guest performers. Tickets are available online.

Learn More

Saturday, April 18, 2026
2:00 PM
 
High School Summer Program in Japan

Designed and delivered by graduates of the
Stanford Graduate School of Education, this two-week immersive summer cohort program invites U.S. high school students to study abroad in Japan. The program dates are scheduled for July 25 - August 7, 2026. Join their live online informational meeting to learn more about the program.

Learn More

Saturday, April 4, 2026
7:00 - 8:00 AM HST




 

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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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