Spotlight

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival on Jan. 11 was the setting for the kick-off of the 63rd Cherry Blossom Festival, an annual project of the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber...

SPOTLIGHT BY Karleen C. Chinen Beloved Hawai‘i astronaut Ellison Onizuka’s 71st birthday was remembered and celebrated on June 24 with the opening of “The Ellison Onizuka Remembrance” at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. The collection is now part of the center’s “Okage Sama De: I am what I am because of you” permanent exhibit.....

Gwen Battad Ishikawa The 63rd Cherry Blossom Festival came to a close on March 22 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, when the new queen and court were announced at the Festival Ball. The festival, sponsored by...

Grant Murata has joined The Hawai‘i Herald and the Hawaii Hochi as advertising and promotions manager. He replaces Karlton Tomomitsu, who left to pursue other business interests. Murata previously worked in advertising sales for JN...

Karleen C. Chinen Aloha is that special Hawaiian word that expresses many sentiments. We say “Aloha . . .,” or “Aloha ‘oe,” in bidding someone special a fond farewell. And, we also say “Aloha ....

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,....

Gwen Battad Ishikawa “Grateful” and “excited” are two words that Alexis Sayuri Okihara used throughout her interview at the Hawaii Hochi, Ltd. offices a week after she was crowned the 64th Cherry Blossom Festival queen. The...

The United Japanese Society of Hawaii installed its 2016-2017 officers on June 25 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Kenny Endo and Taiko Center of the Pacific presented the “call to celebration” with...

The 2017-2018 officers and directors of the United Japanese Society of Hawaii were installed on June 24 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Two celebratory dances were performed at the start of the program: “Kotobuki Samba,” a Japanese dance, which was performed by Bando Michie II, and the auspicious Okinawan dance, “Kazadihuu,” was performed....

The 66th Cherry Blossom Festival got its official kick-off on Jan. 14 with the introduction of the 15 queen contestants at the New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival, presented by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. The Cherry Blossom Festival is sponsored annually by the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. This year’s festival theme is Inspire.....