Community Focus

Shingon Shu Hawaii will host a Saito Goma service, also known as the “Great Outdoor Fire Ceremony,” on Sunday, April 5, in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Sheridan Street...

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s ‘Ohana Festival on Jan. 10 marked the kick-off of the 64th Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival is a project of the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. This year’s...

Colbert Masayuki Matsumoto was conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by the Government of Japan in a ceremony at the Japanese Consulate on Dec. 21. The Imperial Decoration, which was presented at the Japanese Consulate by Consul General of Japan Koichi Ito, recognized Matsumoto’s work in strengthening ties between Hawai‘i,....

The Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjin Kai held its general membership meeting and shinnen enkai at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s Manoa Grand Ballroom on March 8. The event began with committee reports from the...

The United Japanese Society of Hawaii held a grand birthday party for 31 O‘ahu Nikkei who are turning 80 years old this year. The birthday party — UJSH’s 41st annual Nenchosha Ian Engei Taikai...

Jared S. Higashi recently joined the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association as director of government and community affairs. Higashi will represent HLTA members and serve as a liaison with government and elected officials. He will...

Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii is welcoming interested participants to join Bishop Daiya Amano and shrine members on a special tour to the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine in Shimane, Japan, from Oct. 14 to...

The Hanayagi Dancing Academy Hawaii Foundation recently announced the promotion of Hanayagi Mitsujyuro (Bryson Teruo Goda) to shihan (master dance instructor). Goda, 26, is a graduate of McKinley High School and Hawaii Pacific University, where...

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i honored five individuals at its annual “Sharing the Spirit of Aloha” annual gala dinner at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom on July 25. Honored were Maui-born sumotori...

The Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjin Kai held its annual general meeting and shinnenkai at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s Manoa Grand Ballroom on Feb. 8. Highlights included the installation of president Fusayo “Fussy” Nagao and...