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What’s Happening at the JCCH
Modified Hours Notice

The JCCH Gift Shop and Gallery will be closed for inventory from
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, through Saturday, July 4, 2026. The JCCH Gift Shop, Gallery, Resource Center, and Administrative Office will be closed in observance of Independence Day on Friday, July 3, 2026. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest

Join us this Saturday 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.

PARKING OPTIONS: $10 flat-rate parking will be available at the JCCH Parking Garage. No in and out privileges. Payment by credit card only. Additional parking options may be available through MSF.

Learn More

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




Learn about Tanabata, one of our cultural activities at this festival, in an article written by Kevin Kawamoto for San Times. Read the full article here.
 








Next Saturday: JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair

Gather your family and friends for a day of shopping at the next
JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair! 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:

FEATURED VENDORS: Meet a few of our returning vendors like Amai Star Cafe (matcha + hojicha), FRENCH OHANA (crêpes + croque-monsieur), and Mari’s Breads & Things (baked goods).

POP-UP EXHIBIT: Voices from War, hosted by Aimeer Maymay Zhou of the San Francisco High School History Club, is a student-curated six-panel installation that focuses entirely on the profound, everyday human experiences of the era.

GET READY FOR OBON!: Visit the Gift Shop to stock up on bon dance essentials like happi coats, kanzashi, fans, and tenugui.

Learn More

Saturday, July 11, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
(Gift Shop open until 3:00 PM)








 




JCCH x Reyn Spooner Aloha Doraemon Launch Event

In partnership with
Reyn Spooner, we are joining a special in-store launch event hosted at Ala Moana Center to celebrate the new Aloha Doraemon print, a design that supports the JCCH. This print is available in men’s, women’s, and kids’ styles. A portion of all in-store sales made at the launch event will be donated to the JCCH. All merchandise will count towards this donation, so it’s the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe and shop for gifts!

Learn More

Friday, July 17, 2026 | 4:00 - 7:00 PM
 




Let’s Make Guava Cream Cheese Pie!

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 12

All Season 1 episodes are now posted! Watch our recipe videos on Instagram or visit our website.

View Recipe
 
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:

Caroline Abe, Sogetsu




 
感謝 - With Gratitude




Book Reading and Signing Event

Last Saturday, the
JCCH Gift Shop welcomed guests and their families to meet Brandi-Ann Uyemura, the author of I Am a Bon Dancer. Mahalo to Brandi for sharing her bon dance memories and the inspiration behind her new children’s book, which will be available for purchase at the JCCH booth at the Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest this Saturday.
 
Community Announcements
UHM Online Courses

The
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Outreach College is offering two online courses via Zoom designed to make reading Japanese fun, approachable, and totally doable. Seats are limited. Enroll online:

•   
Kanji Made Fun & Easy: Introduction

•   
Master Hiragana & Katakana

Saturday, July 18, 2026 - Saturday, August 22, 2026
 




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
 

 
Last Chance to RSVP!

Join us this Saturday for a free book reading and signing with
Brandi-Ann Uyemura, a fifth-generation Japanese American and the author of I Am a Bon Dancer. Her new children’s book 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. Admission is free. Walk-ins will be accepted, but please note that space is limited.*

Register Here

Saturday, June 27, 2026
10:30 - 11:30 AM





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




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.
 
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:

May Hiraoka-Tomita, Ikenobo




 
Community Announcements




Curated Closet Cleanout

Join
Temari Hawaiʻi for a collaborative pop-up event in Mōʻiliʻili with PITACUS Chop Art and a curated selection of local sellers offering high-quality, pre-loved fashion. Cash is recommended, as some vendors may be cash-only.

Learn More

Sunday, June 28, 2026
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
 
Nippon Foundation Nikkei Scholarship

This scholarship program grants opportunities to young Japanese descendants abroad who dream of playing active roles in their local communities and working as a bridge between their country and Japan. Application requirements and additional details are available online. Applications are due by
Friday, July 31, 2026.

Learn More




 

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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