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What’s Happening at the JCCH

Holiday Hours Notice

The JCCH Gift Shop, Gallery, Resource Center, and Administrative Office will be closed on
Thursday, June 11, 2026, in observance of King Kamehameha Day.
 
Book Reading and Signing

Meet
Brandi-Ann Uyemura, a fifth-generation Japanese American and author, at our free upcoming book reading and signing event. Her new children’s book, I Am a Bon Dancer, tells the story of a Japanese American girl’s first experience at an Obon festival.

Copies of her book will be available for purchase at the
JCCH Gift Shop, and a keiki activity will follow the reading. Admission is free, but registration is required. Spaces are limited.

Register Here

*2-hour parking validation with a JCCH Gift Shop purchase.




 








Next Saturday: JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair

Happy June! Join us at the next JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair on the second Saturday of this month. Browse a selection of Japanese and Japanese-inspired items while supporting small business owners. 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. Event highlights include:

GUIDED GALLERY TOURS: Learn about the rich history, culture, and stories of the Japanese American experience in Hawaiʻi. Free 30-minute docent-led tours of the Okage Sama De Historical Gallery will be offered between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Pre-register for a tour here, or sign up in person during the fair.

TSUME-HODAI AT THE RC: The Tokioka Heritage Resource Center is hosting a book fundraiser inspired by 詰め放題, a Japanese custom meaning “all you can pack.” Bring your own bag to the RC, make a $25 donation, and pack as many preloved books as you can from a designated area.**

FEATURED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION: Visit the League of Women Voters of Hawaii booth to learn about voter registration, voter information, election security, and League membership.

Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

*2-hour parking validation with a JCCH Gift Shop purchase.
**Selected items must fit within your bag and may only be taken from the designated area. See Resource Center for full details and limitations.








 
One Month Away!

Join us in July at the
13th Annual Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest, hosted at Waiānuenue at Kapaʻakea Parking Lot (1100 University Ave)! Our booth will feature a special JCCH Gift Shop pop-up store and family-friendly activities.

Learn More

Saturday, July 4, 2026
5:00 - 10:00 PM

View Hawaiʻi’s 2026 Bon Dance Schedule




 




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:

Yukari Sato, Sogetsu
 
感謝 - With Gratitude




Ma-Ke Die Dead Poetry Workshop

We were honored to host
Hawaiʻi Poet Laureate Lee A. Tonouchi’s Ma-ke Die Dead Poetry Workshop: Writing Poetry About Loved Ones Who Stay Gone this past weekend.

Through guided writing exercises, participants explored grief and healing, finding connection and comfort in remembering their loved ones through poetry.




Mahalo to our Resource Center Donors!

On Saturday, we welcomed donors and their families to the
Tokioka Heritage Resource Center (RC) for the official unveiling of the Legacy for Our Future donor wall. JCCH staff and volunteers shared updates about the Hawai‘i Internee Database, JCCH Oral History program, and our recently added collections. If you are interested in supporting the RC and the important resources and services it provides to our community, we invite you to make a donation today.
 
Community Announcements
Bridging Generations Through Hanafuda

In a recent interview with
Helen Nakano, founder of Hanafuda Hawaii, guest author Jessica Yamamoto shares the history of the traditional Japanese flower card game Hanafuda, and how Helen's family incorporates local plants, animals, and natural elements in their card deck designs. Read the full article online at San Times. Interested in sharing this tradition with your family? The Hanafuda Hawaii Style Card Deck is available in store and online through the JCCH Gift Shop.
 




Koto Performance

Experience the elegance of Japanese traditional instruments at a joint concert with
Sawai Koto Kai Hawaii and Koto Ensemble Toikin (Japan) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Orvis Auditorium. Admission is free.

Learn More

Saturday, June 13, 2026
7:00 PM
 
Pan-Pacific Festival

Celebrate the rich traditions of Hawaiʻi and cultures from across the Pacific Rim through music, dance, food, and community at the
43rd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival. Free and open to the public. Festivities will be hosted at Ala Moana Center and throughout Waikīkī.

Learn More

June 12 - 14, 2026



Support the JCCH


Kanzashi Workshop

Learn how to create a traditional Japanese hair accessory at the JCCH! In this workshop,
Angel Weber will teach you how to make your own pair of silk habotai cherry blossom hairpins. Spaces are limited.

Worn in updos,
kanzashi (hair ornaments) are styled to decorate the hair with designs that often reflect the season.

Register Here

Saturday, June 13, 2026
Two Sessions Available




 




We’re a Lifesaver Club!

The
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi has joined Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi (BBH) as a member of the Lifesaver Club, and we’re encouraging all who are able to make a blood donation appointment this month. When you arrive for your appointment, please give the BBH staff our sponsor code: 3544

Make an Appointment

Blood supplies are especially critical during the summer, when donations can drop by as much as 15%. Your donation will make a real difference.
When you donate blood at ANY BBH location during the month of May, BBH will make a financial contribution to the
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund. Appointments may be made online or by calling (808) 848-4770.
 
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:

Arlene Horiuchi, Ohara




 
感謝 - With Gratitude




JCCH 2026 Intern Reflection - Porter Itano

Mahalo to
Porter Itano, a recent graduate from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Shidler College of Business, for completing a marketing and international business internship with the JCCH. As a fourth-generation Japanese American (Yonsei) originally from Idaho, Porter brought a professional philosophy rooted in farm-raised self-reliance and a commitment to mission-driven work. Read about his internship experience here.

We wish Porter success as he enters the workforce!
 
‘Ireichō’ Book Tour Stops In Honolulu

Mahalo to
Sachi Morton of Midweek for capturing the experience of the Idemoto family during their visit to the JCCH for the Ireichō Book of Names Tour. Family members across multiple generations, including those who were incarcerated as children, each stamped next to a name in the Ireichō and touched the ceramic tile in the book that contained soil from 75 Japanese American incarceration sites across the U.S. Read the full article online in Honolulu Voice.
 




U.S.-Japan Council Hawaiʻi Region Event

On May 19, 2026, the JCCH hosted an evening of learning, reflection, and connection with members of the
U.S.-Japan Council Hawaiʻi Region. The evening began with a presentation by Nate Gyotoku (JCCH President & Executive Director) and a gallery experience, highlighting key historical milestones, cultural values, and generational shifts within the Japanese American community. After, the group engaged in small group discussions focused on leadership, cultural identity, and how traditional values continue to shape decision‑making in Hawaiʻi today. Mahalo to the USJC Hawaiʻi Region for partnering with us!
 
Community Announcements




Hawaii Matsuri Taiko Festival

Hawaii Matsuri Taiko and Somei Taiko present the Hawaii Matsuri Taiko Festival, the group’s long-awaited grand taiko concert with special guest groups Wako Daiko from Japan, Ryukyu Koten Afuso-Ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai USA, and taiko artist Michael Gonhata, hosted at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Waikiki Beach. Tickets are available for purchase online.

Buy Tickets

Saturday, June 13, 2026
 



“Tanko Bushi” Dance Tutorial

"Tanko Bushi," a Japanese folk song about coal mining, is a local
obon favorite, perhaps because it is reminiscent of the plantation era. The dance reflects this history through movements such as digging, shoveling, and wiping your brow. Learn the dance step-by-step with guidance from instructor Nishikawa Minokimi.

Watch Instagram Reel

We’ve compiled a list of local
bon odori 盆踊り(bon dance) events from now through October. Plan a fun evening out with your friends and family!

View Hawaiʻi’s 2026 Bon Dance Schedule

*All dates and times are subject to change. Please confirm details with individual temples before attending. Mahalo to Derrick Iwata and Bon Dance Hawaii & Japanese & Okinawan Culture (Facebook) for compiling the list.
 
Let’s Make Oyako Donburi!

Muriel’s Mainichi Cooking presented by Hawaiʻi Gas is a 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 11

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

View Recipe






Mahalo for visiting!

On Friday, we welcomed
Hiroshima Vice Governor Takeshi Yamane to the JCCH for a tour of the Okage Sama De Historical Gallery. We extend our appreciation to Mr. Yamane and his team for coming to the Center to learn about the history of Japanese Americans in Hawaiʻi.




Maui Matsuri

The JCCH was honored to participate in this year’s
Maui Matsuri, where we hosted a fun and interactive keiki activity celebrating Japanese culture and creativity. Children and families enjoyed stamping their own uchiwa (fans) and hachimaki (headbands) with colorful designs, creating personalized souvenirs to take home.
 
Community Announcements




IMAGE: Taikoza
Hawaiʻi Debut: Taikoza

New York’s premier Japanese taiko ensemble,
Taikoza, will perform in Hawaiʻi for the first time in its history this June. Voice of the Earth is a breathtaking concert celebrating the change of seasons and the power of nature through the ancient art of taiko drumming. The ensemble brings its acclaimed concert to Hilo and Oʻahu. Tickets are available online.

Buy Tickets
Hawaiʻi Performances

Friday, June 20, 2026 | Performing Arts Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Saturday, June 21, 2026 | Waipahu Soto Zen Temple-Taiyoji
 
Watch Third Act Online

Directed by
Tad Nakamura, son of Robert A. Nakamura, Third Act is the story of how a "filmmaker honors his father’s legacy of art, activism, and resilience across generations." Stream this documentary for free through PBS from now until Saturday, August 22, 2026.

From WWII incarceration to cultural awakening and a Parkinson’s diagnosis,
Third Act is a tender portrait of legacy, inherited trauma, and the final chapter of a shared creative life.

Watch the Film

Support the JCCH



















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


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