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What’s Happening at the JCCH
Learn About Shichi Go San

Shichi Go San 七五三 (seven-five-three) is a Japanese coming-of-age event to celebrate the health and good fortune of young children.

Visit our website to learn about the history of this event and meaning behind its traditional practices.

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One Week Left to Register:
Shichi Go San Event at the JCCH

Register your
keiki for our annual kimono dressing event! Traditionally, this event is to recognize three-year-old and seven-year-old girls, and five-year-old boys, but children around these ages (3-7 years old) are welcome to participate, too. Spaces are limited!

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Sunday, November 10, 2024*

*Registration is required to attend. We recently emailed JCCH members a coupon code for 15% off the registration fee. You may sign up or renew your membership at
bit.ly/jcchmember to receive the discount.

JCCH 2025 Year of the Snake T-Shirts Sneak Peek

The new year is just around the corner! In celebration of the 2025 Year of the Snake, the
JCCH Gift Shop will be releasing a new t-shirt designed by Sumofish. This year, we are offering three styles and expanded sizes.

JCCH members will receive early access to pre-order t-shirts next week. You may sign up or renew your membership at bit.ly/jcchmember to receive the early access email and a special coupon code.
JCCH Office Featured Ikebana

Each week, our
ikebana volunteers generously donate an ikebana arrangement to display in our administrative office lobby. We hope you enjoy this special design!

Ikebana by:
May Hiraoka-Tomita
Ikenobo

More Upcoming JCCH Programs and Events
JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair | Saturday, November 9, 2024
Join us on the second Saturday of the month from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM for the next JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair! Shop with local small business vendors that will feature Japanese and Japanese-inspired items. Check out the JCCH Craft Table, a special pop-up fundraiser that will feature a curated collection of handcrafted items made by JCCH volunteers. 100% of sale proceeds from this fundraiser will support the JCCH!

JCCH Scholarship Program
Do you know any undergraduate junior or senior students enrolled at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa or West Oʻahu and pursuing a major or minor related to Japanese language, Japanese Americans, or Japan? They may be eligible to apply for the Spring 2025 JCCH Scholarship Program. Please review our additional program qualifications here.
感謝 - With Gratitude

Ghobake Stories

Mahalo to all who joined us on Tuesday night for
Ghobake Stories with Aunty Ipo and the Gho[Bake] Sale. Listening to Aunty Ipo’s stories about Hawaiʻi, our ancestors, and the personal encounters she and her family have experienced inspired us to be intentional in our actions, aware of our surroundings, and sensitive to our gut feelings.

JASH Japan Day

In partnership with the
Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH), students from Pahoa High & Intermediate School and Kohala Middle School visited the JCCH's Okage Sama De Historical Gallery to learn about the history of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaiʻi. Led by JCCH volunteer docents Kathy, Marilyn, and Betsy, the students enjoyed browsing around the exhibit and forming personal connections with the immigrant story.


Courtyard Nights at the JCCH

Last Thursday, we hosted the first
Courtyard Nights event in the JCCH courtyard! We welcomed 44 guests to the Center to enjoy Japanese Whisky, cigars, and pupus under the night sky. Mahalo to our partners Bamboo Catering and Fujioka's Wine Times for providing curated tastings, and to Chris Uhde, Vice President/Co-Owner of ImpEx Beverages, for sharing your knowledge about each pour.
Community Announcements

Mai Na Kūpuna Mai

Join
Gallery ʻIolani for a conversation between Renee Iijima and Shuzo Uemoto moderated by Karen K. Kosasa. Iijima and Uemoto will discuss how the medium of photography allowed them to capture important experiences. This talk is hosted as part of an exhibition featuring 11 of Hawaiʻi's photographers who mastered the silver gelatin process to create artistic records of our people and our history over the past 50 years. Free and open to the public.

Learn More

Saturday, November 2, 2024 | 2:00 - 3:30 PM

IMAGE: Windward Community College

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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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