WRITTEN BY Diane Aoki

Joni knows that Alzheimer’s Disease runs in her family and she fears it will take hold of her mother, and herself. To counteract this, she collects “memory beads” — her family’s immigration story from Okinawa, anecdotes her mother shares about growing up in Hilo, histories unearthed in a family genealogy, and narratives of her own journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment. Collectively, we see that the relationships between mothers and daughters through five generations are the cords that tie these “memory beads” together.

PERFORMANCE DATES

Thursdays / Fridays / Saturdays at 7 p.m. HST
May 28, 29, 30, June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27

Sundays at 2 p.m. HST
May 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28

Open to all members and guests of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association and affiliated Okinawan clubs, this annual golf tournament brings the community together for friendly competition across multiple flight divisions, including championship, senior, and women’s categories. Participants will compete over multiple rounds, with awards presented at a closing banquet.

Entry Fee:
$160.00 includes green fees, cart fees, City and County of Honolulu user fees, and the awards banquet. Additional banquet tickets are available at $25.00 each.
Super Seniors (75+): $80.00, green fees & cart fees, Sunday user fees & awards banquet.

Entry Deadline: First 120 players or by May 8, 2026, whichever comes first.

Hawai’i and Japan come together once again for a landmark gathering of leaders, innovators, and changemakers when we convene the 2026 Hawai’i–Japan Sister State and Sister City Summit, which will include a Hawai’i–Japan Economic Policy Forum. Building on the extraordinary success of the inaugural 2023 Summit—the largest Hawai’i–Japan international convening in more than two decades—this next chapter promises even greater impact.

From governors and mayors to business, nonprofit, and community leaders, the Sister Summit is where we will sustain, deepen, and expand ties and shape the future together.

With inspiring keynote speakers, timely policy and economic dialogue, dynamic panel discussions, a vibrant marketplace showcasing Hawai’i and Japan, and multiple networking opportunities, this is the place to be for those that have an interest in the Pacific region’s future. Join more than 400 leaders from Hawai’i and Japan as we work toward Creating Our Future – by charting a bold course forward together.

Join the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center as they chat with cartoonist and author Gwen Muranaka about her book “Drawing by Heart.”

Gwen Muranaka is a fourth generation Japanese American. For the over 20 years, as a senior editor and journalist she has covered numerous events in the Southern California Japanese American community. Throughout her journalism career, Muranaka has drawn cartoons, including “Noodles,” published weekly in the Japan Times in Tokyo and “Small Kid Time” for Pacific Citizen. Currently she illustrates “Dad’s Three Cats” for The Hawaii Herald and The Rafu Shimpo. She is also a writer for San Times.

Kawaii Kon is an annual three-day celebration of Japanese culture, anime, and pop culture. The event will feature panels, tabletop games, esports, concerts, guest appearances, artists, and exhibitors.