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What’s Happening at the JCCH
Welcoming a New Tenant to Our Campus




Say Hello to Koʻakā, Your New Neighbor Downstairs

This month, the JCCH’s Weinberg Building welcomes the opening of
Koʻakā, a new coffee shop and event space run by Purple Maiʻa Foundation in partnership with Drip Studio HNL.

Koʻakā is the result of a three-year journey rooted in a simple idea: create a vibrant space where diverse Mōʻiliʻili communities can gather, work, and connect over good coffee. It’s a space that looks back at the
moʻolelo of place while building toward the future.

Koʻakā’s coffee shop will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM starting in late July. The space will also host events throughout the year — including a lineup during Honolulu Tech Week, August 31 - September 6 — so keep an eye out.
 
What’s Happening at the JCCH




Save the Date!

Invite your friends and family to
Natsumatsuri, our summer night market in Mōʻiliʻili! Support small local craft, food, and drink vendors at our pet and family-friendly event. View the list of our food, drink, and retail vendors on our event page.

Learn More

Friday, August 28, 2026
4:00 - 8:00 PM
BEER GARDEN**
: $9 per drink ticket. Enjoy local craft beer by Beer Lab HI. A portion of all sale proceeds will support the JCCH.

LIVE PERFORMANCE: Check out beat maker, DJ, and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning artist Ohtoro performing live in the JCCH courtyard from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

*Free event admission. 4-hr parking validation with a JCCH Gift Shop purchase.
**21+ area. A valid physical photo ID will be required for beer garden entry.
 
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

This monochromatic arrangement uses anthurium brownii flowers and leaves, moa, tillandsia, and rocks.




 
感謝 - With Gratitude




JCCH x Reyn Spooner

Mahalo to everyone who joined us for a joyful afternoon at
Reyn Spooner. Through our partnership, the new Aloha Doraemon print supports our nonprofit’s mission and educational programming. If you missed the chance to stop by, this design is available in-store and online through Reyn Spooner. Shop men’s, women’s, and kids’ styles!




Presentation at Kāhala Nui

On July 17th, the JCCH gave a presentation about WWII Japanese American incarceration to approximately 90 residents at the
Kāhala Nui Continuing Care Retirement Community. Archives Manager Devynn Kochi provided a historical overview and volunteer Sheila Chun introduced the audience to our Hawaiʻi Internee Database and the information it provides. Special thanks to residents Carol Kuroda, Barbara Marumoto, Maile Ito, and Mark Tsushima for describing their families’ unjust detainment and hardship during and after the war. We are grateful for the opportunity to spread awareness of this untold history and our archives and research.
 
Community Announcements
Anime Momotaro

Back by popular demand, this original staging of Japan’s most famous folktale by
Alvin Chan, Eric Johnson, and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth Company draws inspiration from the visually rich world of anime as well as traditional Japanese theatre techniques and music. Tickets are available online.

Buy Tickets

September 5 - 27, 2026




 
Obon Voyage

Summer in Hawaiʻi welcomes bon dances, lanterns, and temple gatherings. Writer
Martha Cheng explains how this Japanese tradition has evolved while remaining deeply rooted in honoring and welcoming the spirits of our ancestors. Read the full article online in Hana Hou! Issue 28.3, a publication by Hawaiian Airlines.
 





Gyotaku Workshop with Naoki Hayashi

Learn the Japanese art of fish printing at our JCCH-exclusive workshop! With hands-on guided instruction, each participant will make their own original
gyotaku print to take home. Registration is required to attend. Spaces are limited.

Register Here

Saturday, August 1, 2026
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 



Kupuna Aikido Safe Falling Classes

Kupuna Aikido is planning to open registration for its next session at the JCCH Kenshikan Dōjō soon. These classes are designed to help participants learn safe falling techniques, improve balance and confidence, and reduce the risk of injury from falls. Classes will be held every Tuesday from August 25 - October 20, 2026 (8 weeks, excluding September 22), at 9:30 and 10:30 AM. Join their mailing list and check their website for information about classes and registration.

Learn More
 





Pidgin Poetry with Lee A. Tonouchi

Hawai‘i Poet Laureate Lee A. Tonouchi wrote "Hod Work" to try to capture his grandfaddah’s voice, the voice of a loved one he lost. Watch him recite this poem in our YouTube Shorts video. If you’d like to share your talk story poetry, send your voice poem to hpl@hihumanities.org.

Watch Video

Support more educational content like this to keep Japanese culture and traditions alive! Become a JCCH member today:
bit.ly/jcchmember.
 

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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


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