Okinawa Association of America - OAA

Okinawa Association of America - OAA To preserve, perpetuate, and promote Okinawan culture The Okinawa Association of America, Inc. was formed in San Francisco.

(OAA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote Okinawan culture and to contribute to local and international cultural exchanges. The OAA was formed by Okinawan immigrants 110 years ago and has since grown into a multigenerational organization that provides cultural, educational, and social programs for its members and the larger community. Although the OAA has changed its

name, structure and mission to reflect the changing times, the basic goals of mutual aid and retention of Okinawan identity have remained the same. During the period between 1896 - 1900, the first Okinawan settlement in the continental U.S. An Okinawan kenjinkai (mutual aid organization) was founded in 1902, but the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 prompted many Okinawans to move to Los Angeles, joining about 30 others who had settled there from Mexico. In 1909, the two groups united to form the Nanka Okinawa Kenjinkai, the predecessor to the OAA. During World War II, organizational activities were halted as most of the members were placed in American internment camps. Returning from the camps to Los Angeles after the war, the Okinawans started not only rebuilding their own livelihood but also organizing relief efforts to aid war-devastated Okinawa. From 1945 to about 1953, activities were almost entirely devoted to helping their homeland rebuild. The OAA found a permanent home in 1999 with the opening of the OAA Center in Gardena. A number of volunteer-run groups within the OAA work hard to serve the organization’s mission: Cultural and event committees are in charge of creating programs and coordinating performances; different clubs host social and informational gatherings that are geared toward seniors, women, and young people; special committees are tasked with managing membership, preserving the OAA’s history, and developing the center’s growing library of Okinawa-focused books. The organization also presents annual high school scholarships and Okinawa Prefecture-sponsored study abroad opportunities for young members of Okinawan descent. The OAA leadership believes that the issei (first generation) pioneers would be proud to see how dynamic and diverse the community has become. Factors like an increase in programs, an active Internet presence, and the strengthening of local and international connections have helped the organization reach a wider audience. With over 900 members and more young people taking an interest in their heritage, the OAA continues to abide by the theme of their 100th anniversary, “Ichi nu ichimadin: from generation to generation,” ensuring that the Okinawan culture will live on for generations to come.

06/17/2026
NEXT SUNDAY! In-person and online: tinyurl.com/oaa-irei-26
06/17/2026

NEXT SUNDAY! In-person and online: tinyurl.com/oaa-irei-26

𝓘𝓻𝓮𝓲 𝓷𝓸 𝓗𝓲: 𝓡𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓞𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓪𝔀𝓪

This year’s Irei no Hi event is titled “Remembrance through Language and Music” and will focus on Uchinaaguchi, one of the endangered native Ryūkyūan languages.

This special presentation features a language lesson by instructor Chogi Higa and live performances of traditional, post-war, and modern Okinawan songs with lyric translations on screen.

🗓️ June 28, 2026 (Sunday)
📍 OAA Center's Yamauchi Bldg. + Online via Zoom
✅ RSVP: tinyurl.com/oaa-irei-26

World War II’s Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest land battles in the Pacific, with historians calling it a “war of attrition” by the Imperial Japanese Army to prevent the U.S. from reaching the Japanese mainland. Ryūkyūans/Okinawans were caught in the middle, experiencing massive devastation from U.S. invasion and artillery fire as well as atrocities committed by their own country.

By this time in history, the Ryūkyūan languages had already been banned by the Japanese government. Okinawan civilians were even accused of being spies if caught speaking (the languages are mutually unintelligible from Japanese) and some were executed by Imperial Japanese soldiers. Because the military had ordered civilians to commit su***de to avoid being captured, U.S. soldiers of Okinawan descent in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) spoke Uchinaaguchi to convince terrified Okinawans to safely come out of the caves they were hiding in.

The goal of the OAA's Irei no Hi events is to memorialize the nearly 150,000 Okinawans who were lost, and to ensure that communities never forget Okinawa’s history and its connection to current issues (the disproportionately large U.S. military presence in Okinawa is directly linked to the war). Past speakers have included the late Governor Masahide Ōta, Government Representative Keiko Itokazu, historian and educator Harumi Miyagi, and documentary filmmaker Hanayo Oya.

👘 𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐈 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒 @ 𝐎𝐀𝐀 👘Majun wuduyabira (let's dance together) for our uyafaafuji (ancestors) at the OAA Picnic 🙏𝗡...
06/16/2026

👘 𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐈 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒 @ 𝐎𝐀𝐀 👘

Majun wuduyabira (let's dance together) for our uyafaafuji (ancestors) at the OAA Picnic 🙏

𝗡𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬! 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘!

Join us for in-person practices at the OAA Center in Gardena:
🌺 June 27 (Sat) @ 2 p.m.
🌺 July 11 (Sat) @ 2 p.m.
🌺 July 18 (Sat) @ 2 p.m.

𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣: tinyurl.com/bonpractice26

🎟 Each practice you attend = 1 entry for a special Bon Odori giveaway!
(NOTE: This entry does not qualify for the main picnic raffle, which is $1 per ticket 盆踊りのラッフルはピクニックのラッフルと違います)

🎨 Dance with us at the picnic = 1 commemorative button (while supplies last)

–

𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪?

Bon Odori is not done in Okinawa. Instead of a communal dance circling a yagura, Eisaa/Yeisaa is danced by local youth groups on the streets of their village or town with spectators enjoying the performance. This is done in the central parts of Uchinaa (Okinawa Island) while other regions have their own traditions such as Angama in Yaima (Yaeyama), the Miyaguni Tug-of-War in Myaaku (Miyako), and Usudeeku in northern Uchinaa.

–

🌺 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗔𝗔 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗡𝗜𝗖 🌺

🗓️ July 19, 2025 (Sunday)
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

📍 Whittier Narrows Recreation Area (Group Picnic Area)
750 Santa Anita Ave.*, South El Monte 91733
Parking (Cash Only): $7 per car, $5 for seniors 65+ and disabled persons with placard

🎶 Ryūkyūan music, dance, taiko
👘 Okinawa-style Bon Odori
⛳️ Games
🎟 Raffle drawings
💦 Water balloon toss tournament
💪 Chinahichi (tug of war)
🎓 High school scholarship awards

𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗗:
➡️ tinyurl.com/oaavolunteer ⬅️

* If using smartphone map: 622 Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte

Study abroad opportunity for young adults of Ryūkyūan and Japanese descent (ages 18 - 35)! ✈️DEADLINE: JULY 31, 2026http...
06/11/2026

Study abroad opportunity for young adults of Ryūkyūan and Japanese descent (ages 18 - 35)! ✈️

DEADLINE: JULY 31, 2026
https://nikkeischolarship.org/en/oubo012

–

Note: This is NOT an OAA-hosted, -sponsored, or -endorsed program. Please contact the organization for questions and to apply.

✨✨【重要！】✨✨5月29日より2026年度日本財団・日系スカラーシップ「夢の実現プロジェクト」の募集を開始しました！締め切りは7月31日です。詳細は、下記、募集要項をご覧ください。

なお、昨年度より、採用人数を30名に大幅に増やしました。
※北米（カナダ・アメリカ（ハワイを含む）の日系人も応募可能です！写真は今年度の新規生30名です！

新しい仲間を迎えることができ、とても嬉しく思います。皆さんの夢や目標に向かって挑戦できるよう、全力でサポートしていきます！

ご応募お待ちしております。

✨✨【Important】✨✨Applications for the 2026 Nippon Foundation Nikkei Scholarship “Dream Realization Project” opened on May 29! The application deadline is July 31. Please see the application guidelines below for details.

In addition, compared with the previous fiscal year, we have significantly increased the number of hires to 30 positions.

Applicants of Japanese descent residing in North America (Canada and the United States, including Hawaii) are also eligible to apply.

Meet our 30 new ryugakuseis for this academic year!

We're excited to welcome you all and are committed to supporting your dreams and goals every step of the way. Wishing everyone a successful and rewarding year ahead!

We look forward to receiving your application.

【日本語】https://nikkeischolarship.org/jp/oubo012
【Español】https://nikkeischolarship.org/es/oubo012
【Português】https://nikkeischolarship.org/pt/oubo012
【English】https://nikkeischolarship.org/en/oubo012

Study abroad opportunity for young Ryūkyūans (ages 20 - 33)! ✈️DEADLINE: JULY 31, 2026 @ 24:00 (Japan Time)https://www.i...
06/11/2026

Study abroad opportunity for young Ryūkyūans (ages 20 - 33)! ✈️

DEADLINE: JULY 31, 2026 @ 24:00 (Japan Time)
https://www.iclc-uchinaa-program.com

–

Note: This is NOT an OAA-hosted, -sponsored, or -endorsed program. Please contact the organization for questions and to apply.

𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 𝗨𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥’𝗦 𝗢𝗔𝗔 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗡𝗜𝗖 𝗔 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦!🌺 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗭𝗘All proceeds from raffle ticket sales benefit the OAA!🌺 𝗩𝗢...
06/11/2026

𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 𝗨𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥’𝗦 𝗢𝗔𝗔 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗡𝗜𝗖 𝗔 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦!

🌺 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗭𝗘
All proceeds from raffle ticket sales benefit the OAA!

🌺 𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗥
More helping hands lighten the workload for everyone!

🌺 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗔 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥
Promote your business while supporting the OAA Picnic!

If you’re interested in supporting us with a donation or sponsorship, please contact the OAA office: [email protected]

If you’d like to volunteer, please fill out this form: tinyurl.com/oaavolunteer

𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘:
🗓️ July 19, 2026 (Sunday)
📍 Whittier Narrows Recreation Area (South El Monte)
📬 More info to be announced

𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦:
🌺 Live entertainment
🌺 All Okinawa-style Bon Dance
🌺 Raffle drawings
🌺 Family games
🌺 Water balloon toss
🌺 and more!!!

☀️ ℂ𝕦𝕝𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖, 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕦𝕟 𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕆𝔸𝔸 ℙ𝕚𝕔𝕟𝕚𝕔! ☀️𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘:🗓️ July 19, 2026 (Sunday)📍 Whittier Narrows Rec...
06/10/2026

☀️ ℂ𝕦𝕝𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖, 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕦𝕟 𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕆𝔸𝔸 ℙ𝕚𝕔𝕟𝕚𝕔! ☀️

𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘:
🗓️ July 19, 2026 (Sunday)
📍 Whittier Narrows Recreation Area (South El Monte)
📬 More info to be announced

𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦:
🌺 Live entertainment
🌺 All Okinawa-style Bon Dance
🌺 Raffle drawings
🌺 Family games
🌺 Water balloon toss
🌺 and more!!!

𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠:
None of our activities would be possible without our amazing volunteers! Please consider lending a helping hand: tinyurl.com/oaavolunteers

On Saturday, June 27, please support our friends down the street at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJC...
06/09/2026

On Saturday, June 27, please support our friends down the street at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI)!

📆Save-the-Date for the 2026 GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser 🏮on Saturday, June 27, 2026! Join us from 10am-7pm.

Invite your friends and family & enjoy delicious food, fun games, live entertainment, martial arts demonstrations, bingo, beer garden and more. 🍡🍧

Everyone is welcome! See you there! Our matsuri is cashless. Visit our website for more information.

SUNDAY, JUNE 28! tinyurl.com/oaa-irei-26
06/09/2026

SUNDAY, JUNE 28! tinyurl.com/oaa-irei-26

𝓘𝓻𝓮𝓲 𝓷𝓸 𝓗𝓲: 𝓡𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓞𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓪𝔀𝓪

This year’s Irei no Hi event is titled “Remembrance through Language and Music” and will focus on Uchinaaguchi, one of the endangered native Ryūkyūan languages.

This special presentation features a language lesson by instructor Chogi Higa and live performances of traditional, post-war, and modern Okinawan songs with lyric translations on screen.

🗓️ June 28, 2026 (Sunday)
📍 OAA Center's Yamauchi Bldg. + Online via Zoom
✅ RSVP: tinyurl.com/oaa-irei-26

World War II’s Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest land battles in the Pacific, with historians calling it a “war of attrition” by the Imperial Japanese Army to prevent the U.S. from reaching the Japanese mainland. Ryūkyūans/Okinawans were caught in the middle, experiencing massive devastation from U.S. invasion and artillery fire as well as atrocities committed by their own country.

By this time in history, the Ryūkyūan languages had already been banned by the Japanese government. Okinawan civilians were even accused of being spies if caught speaking (the languages are mutually unintelligible from Japanese) and some were executed by Imperial Japanese soldiers. Because the military had ordered civilians to commit su***de to avoid being captured, U.S. soldiers of Okinawan descent in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) spoke Uchinaaguchi to convince terrified Okinawans to safely come out of the caves they were hiding in.

The goal of the OAA's Irei no Hi events is to memorialize the nearly 150,000 Okinawans who were lost, and to ensure that communities never forget Okinawa’s history and its connection to current issues (the disproportionately large U.S. military presence in Okinawa is directly linked to the war). Past speakers have included the late Governor Masahide Ōta, Government Representative Keiko Itokazu, historian and educator Harumi Miyagi, and documentary filmmaker Hanayo Oya.

Address

16500 South Western Avenue, Suite #103
Gardena, CA
90247

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Okinawa Association of America - OAA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category