Community Focus

The Hawaii United Okinawa Association will honor eight people for their contributions to the Okinawan and larger local and global community at its 2019 Legacy Awards luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 2, in the Coral Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The HUOA will honor four individuals from Hawai‘i and four from Okinawa. Honorees from Hawai‘i....

To see all photos from this year's event, subscribe today to the Hawaii Herald!

To see all photos from this year's event, subscribe today to the Hawaii Herald!

Jodie Chiemi Ching The Zentoku Foundation is on a mission and leading the charge is its president, Mark Nakakihara. “The organization’s mission to gather and write stories is urgent,” he said. According to its website, “The Zentoku Foundation was created to help grow and strengthen the Japanese American community by developing a convenient, user friendly,....

Urasenke Foundation of Hawaii president Dr. Genshitsu Sen hosted a dinner reception for friends and members of the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Hawaii Association on July 21. Participants of the University of Hawai‘i’s 47th tea seminar were also invited to the event which was held at the Sheraton Waikiki. 

The Japanese Women’s Society Foundation installed 18 officers and committee directors for 2019-2020 at its general membership meeting and luncheon on Sunday, July 28, at the Oahu Country Club. JWSF members and guests enjoyed the Nuuanu Ballroom’s panoramic view of the ocean and mountains under a clear blue sky. The newly installed officers included Melanie....

The grand opening of Halekulani’s first overseas property was celebrated in Honolulu on July 25 with a festive reception held just hours after the Halekulani Okinawa opened for business in the resort area of Onna. Halekulani Waikïkï’s general manager Ulrich Krauer hosted the reception for Hawai‘i travel and tour industry representatives and other guests, introducing....

Karleen Chinen Hui Makaala’s 50th anniversary Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show attracted a sold-out audience of 700 people who filled the Coral Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village on July 21. In celebration of the milestone anniversary event, which was co-chaired by Karen Shishido and Jane Tamanaha Lee, Hui Makaala arranged for YOKANG designer Kanna....

The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii will hold the 80th Ireisai Hoyo Memorial Service at ‘Alae Cemetery in Hilo on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 2 p.m. The annual observance was initiated by the late territorial Sen. Sanji Abe, who had the 14-foot, 7-and-one-half-inch marble monument cast in Japan in August of 1938. The memorial was....