Past Events

Experience the heartbeat of Hawaiʻi’s Okinawan community in this deeply personal, original theatrical production. Beginning in late 2024, a dedicated team hosted intimate community story circles and talk-story interviews with members of Hawaiʻi’s
Okinawan community across the islands. More than 80 local Uchinānchu elders, family members, and cultural practitioners opened their hearts to share personal histories. Playwright Lee Tonouchi skillfully weaves these exact multi-generational voices, memories, and shared truths into a singular, cohesive narrative quilt. Directed by Harry Wong III and Terri Madden, Our Okinawan ʻOhana brings stories of family, immigration, culture, humor, resilience, and belonging to the stage.

Showtimes: 
Saturday, October 17, 2026 • 6:00 PM
Sunday, October 18, 2026 • 2:00 PM
Where: Palikū Theatre
Price: $25/ticket
Learn more: https://www.playbuilders.org/our-okinawan-699ohana.html
Get your tickets at the link below.

Join bento artist Keiko Johnson for hands-on keiki & junior cooking classes filled with creativity and healthy, colorful food. Attendees will learn how to turn everyday ingredients into an adorable birthday bear bento in honor of Geoffrey the Giraffe’s birthday at Macy’s Ala Moana. They will build and decorate their very own bento box while learning simple techniques that will encourage them to be adventurous eaters and explore their culinary imaginations. Each child will take home their own bento box and a small set of fun bento accessories to keep the fun going.

Keiki Class: Ages 5-7
Saturday, October 17, 2026 • 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Macy’s Ala Moana, 4th Floor Demo Kitchen
$84/per child

Junior Class: Ages 8-12
Saturday, October 17, 2026 • 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Macy’s Ala Moana, 4th Floor Demo Kitchen
$84/per child

A unique immersive theatrical experience bringing the history of the Honouliuli Internment Camp to life through a powerful fusion of dance, music, and poetry. The performance will illuminate the experiences, resilience, and humanity of those who were incarcerated — offering audiences an unforgettable and deeply moving journey into this important chapter of history. Proceeds from this event will support the educational and preservation programs at Honouliuli National Historic Site.

Featuring Jake Shimabukuro, Kenny Endo, Hawai’i Youth Symphony, Hui ʻIwa Academy, Jill Togawa’s Purple Moon Dance Project, Halla Huhm Korean Dance Studio, Will Espero, and Sharon & Lauren Fujimoto-Johnson.

Tickets starting at $50.50
Doors Open at 3:00 PM
Start at 4:00 PM
End at 6:00 PM

Join PlayBuilders of Hawaiʻi for a free community preview featuring highlights from Our Okinawan ʻOhana by Lee A. Tonouchi and Directed by Harry Wong III. Inspired by story circles and interviews conducted with members of Hawaiʻi’s Okinawan community, this heartfelt production celebrates Uchinānchu family, culture, humor, hardship, and resilience on the stage.

When: Sunday, September 27, 2026 • 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: Hawaii Okinawa Center Legacy Ballroom
Learn more: https://www.playbuilders.org/our-okinawan-699ohana.html
Please register using the link below.

Join schools, temples, workplaces, and homes across Hawaiʻi and around the world in ringing bells for five minutes in recognition of Peace Day on September 21. The program includes a minute of silence, bell ringing, peace messages, and special performances, including music by Jake Shimabukuro. Join via Zoom, Facebook Live, or at a participating site.

The Hawaii Japanese Center (HJC) is hosting “Sansei Connections” from September 19 to November 14, 2026. Sansei Connections is a collection of the works of Clayton Amemiya, Hiroki Morinoue, Lonny Tomono, and Glenn Yamanoha. They have journeyed separately along similar paths since their earliest years. Now in their 70’s and 80’s they have worked together, supported each other, exhibited together, and maintained a friendship over these many years. This exhibition reflects the many connections in their lives.

The Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyo Kai Hawaii Shibu (“Koyo Kai Hawaii”) is the organization that unites the schools of Ryukyu Sokyoku (traditional Okinawan kutu) in Hawaii. Its mission is to share and perpetuate the music and culture of Okinawa in Hawaii. Koyo Kai Hawaii will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2026. 

Koto Workshop – Saturday, 9/12

Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyo Kai Hawaii is honored to welcome Hideaki Miyazato Sensei from Okinawa for a free public workshop featuring instruction in dan no mono (instrumental repertoire) and kouta. Whether you’re a performer, student, or simply interested in Ryukyuan music, we hope you’ll join us for this unique opportunity to learn from a koto master. 

Today, Koyo Kai Hawaii is comprised of 7 schools of Ryukyu Sokyoku in Hawaii. The Kaishu of the schools are certified by Honbu to teach koto. However, the Kaishu are second and third generation instructors, passing down the teachings of their predecessors from Okinawa who have since passed away. Over the past 50 years, the koto techniques and style of playing in Okinawa have evolved. 

By bringing koto instructor Hideaki Miyazato Sensei from Okinawa, the Kaishu and members of Koyo Kai Hawaii will have an opportunity to learn and continue perpetuating traditional Okinawan koto music in Hawaii. By making the workshop open to the public, we hope to promote traditional Okinawan koto music and bring more awareness of Okinawan culture. It will also give the Kaishu an opportunity to strengthen relationships with Okinawa, helping to foster communications and future projects.

Yo-In Echoing Through Time to Enter the Hearts of the Future – Sunday, 9/13 (SOLD OUT)

50th Anniversary Celebration Event

Yo-in refers to the lingering resonance that remains after a sound fades—like the gentle echo of koto strings—carrying forward through time and into the hearts of the future. 

The program includes performances featuring koto players from Hawaii, Okinawa and Los Angeles, as well as Ryukyu Buyo and Eisa. The program will be followed by lunch and fellowship.  

The Hawaii United Okinawa Association’s (HUOA) Okinawan Festival Committee will move forward with planning the 2026 Okinawan Festival in a modified format as the Hawaiʻi Convention Center undergoes construction and renovation of its lobby and third-floor ballrooms. The Okinawan Festival will happen on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6, 2026.

While the format of the 2026 Okinawan Festival will look different from years past, the Festival remains at its heart, a celebration of the culture, history, and community of Uchinanchu in Hawaiʻi. The decision to proceed with planning reflects the organization’s continued commitment to promote, preserve, and perpetuate the Okinawan culture in Hawaiʻi while ensuring a safe, welcoming, and accessible experience for its community, volunteers, performers, vendors, and attendees. The committee is confident that the Convention Center provides the infrastructure and capacity needed to support a modified festival format, visitor comfort, and allows the Hawaiʻi United Okinawa Association the opportunity to showcase its rich history and cultural heritage on a scale that reflects its significance in Hawaiʻi. The committee appreciates the patience and understanding shown throughout this decision-making process by the community.

Ippee Nifee Deebiru and mahalo for the continued support of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association, the Okinawan Festival, and its mission to promote, perpetuate, and preserve the Okinawan culture in Hawaiʻi. The Hawaii United Okinawa Association looks forward to welcoming everyone to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center at its upcoming annual Okinawan Festival in September. For up to date information and details regarding the 2026 Okinawan Festival visit www.OkinawanFestival.com or follow @HawaiiUnitedOkinawaAssociation and @OkinawanFestival on Facebook and Instagram.

Participate in the 10th annual Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden, a relay race inspired by the Japanese tradition of ekiden, where teams of runners complete a looped course from Kapiʻolani Park to Diamond Head. Teams pass a tasuki (sash) between runners as they complete their 5k legs, emphasizing teamwork and connection. The event includes the team ekiden, a 5K fun run/walk, and a children’s race.

In partnership with the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra (HSO), Kinetic Productions, and the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i, a live musical performance by HSO concertmaster Iggy Jang and cellist Joshua Nakazawa will welcome audiences as part of a screening of “Voices Behind Barbed Wire”. A violin that was used at Honouliuli Internment Camp is the inspiration for this special HSO performance. This special film screening will be followed by a panel session, including Ryan Kawamoto, the director of the film; Karen Murashige, whose father was incarcerated at Honouliuli and whose violin is featured; and a member of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.