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What’s Happening at the JCCH
Mochitsuki Workshop

Mochitsuki 餅つき (mochi-pounding) is the traditional method of making mochi in preparation for the New Year. Join us and Konko Mission of Wahiawa for this year-end custom. Registered participants will receive a hands-on mochi pounding lesson and may take home the mochi they learn how to shape by hand.

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Saturday, December 14, 2024
Two Sessions: 10:00 and 11:00 AM

*Advance registration is required for hands-on participation. We recently emailed JCCH members a coupon code for $10 off the registration fee. You may sign up or renew your membership at bit.ly/jcchmember to receive the discount.

2025 Year of the Snake T-Shirts

Our 2025 Year of the Snake t-shirts designed by
Sumofish are now available for purchase online and in-store at the JCCH Gift Shop. Quantities are limited.

Shop Online Now

*We recently emailed JCCH members a 10% off discount code. You may sign up or renew your membership at
bit.ly/jcchmember to receive the discount.
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:
Earl Shimabukuro
Sogetsu

感謝 - With Gratitude

JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair

Last Saturday, we were overjoyed to see crowds of people at our monthly fair. We especially want to thank those who supported the
JCCH Craft Table, which raised over $2,100 for the Center! If you missed our event, there are a few remaining handcrafted items for sale at the JCCH Gift Shop. Save the date for our last craft fair of the year on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

Empowering Community Resilience in Times of Crisis

Mahalo to the
Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles and its LA Next Generation Japanese American Leaders Initiative for inviting JCCH President and Executive Director Nate Gyotoku to speak on a panel at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles about the JCCH's experience with community recovery through the TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui program.


Shichi Go San: Keiki Kimono Dressing

Mahalo to all the families who joined us for
Shichi Go San this past Sunday! We also want to thank all our partners that continue to make this special coming-of-age event possible.
Community Announcements

Temari Treasures Sale

This year,
Temari Treasures will honor five veteran makers who have contributed and were featured in the past 40 years of Temari Hawaii's fairs. Nakeʻu Awai, The Fukumitsu Family, Grant Kagimoto, Karen Matsunaga, and Jan Yamauchi will be selling their handmade treasures in this special sale at Nui Mono.

Learn More

November 19 - 23, 2024
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Q&A: Hello Kitty turns 50, UH expert explores icon’s legacy

In celebration of
Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary, Christine Yano, professor emerita of anthropology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offered insights into this popular character created by the Japanese company Sanrio. Christine's book, Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty’s Trek Across the Pacific, is available for purchase at the JCCH Gift Shop. Read the full article online at University of Hawaiʻi News.

Online Japanese College Fair - Fall 2024

Lighthouse presents a free online college fair for students to meet 15 distinguished universities that are eager to open their doors to international talent. Each participating university has a designated program for international students and will be providing the latest information for those who are interested in enrolling in 2025. Pre-registration is required to attend.

Learn More

November 19 - 21, 2024

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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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