United Japanese Society of Hawaii (布哇日系人連合協会）

04/09/2026

Our Hanashikata 2026 Videos are now live! Thank you to all of our donors for making this event possible as well as all of our hard working students and Sensei's who entered this years program!
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r53Z2zZ6y00&t=147s
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_SOCDBi8gs

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

04/09/2026

The United Japanese Society of Hawaii (UJSH) announces that its 68th Annual Installation and Recognition Banquet will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Generations Ballroom, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i.

Check-in begins at 9:00 a.m. and doors will open at 9:30 a.m. The program will commence at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to conclude at 1:30 p.m.

This special event will recognize Outgoing President Brian Taniguchi and the current Board of Directors, and install Incoming President Lynn Araki-Regan and the incoming Board. UJSH will also honor individuals from UJSH and its member organizations for their outstanding contributions. In addition, the program will recognize both Hawaii Miyagi Kenjin Kai and Hawaii United Okinawa Association in celebration of their organizations’ 75th anniversary.

A buffet lunch and Japanese cultural entertainment will be included.

Everyone who attends in traditional Japanese attire will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a trip to Tokyo sponsored by JTB.

How to Qualify for the Drawing: Simply arrive at the event wearing your favorite traditional Japanese attire:

Women: Yukata or Kimono with obi
Men: Yukata, Kimono (with or without hakama), or Haori / Happi coat

Dress to impress, celebrate this special occasion, and you just might be packing your bags for Tokyo! We can’t wait to see everyone’s stunning attire.

Those wearing Western-style garments made from kimono and obi fabrics or Japanese inspired outfits will be entered into a drawing for other prizes.

Ticket prices:

$80 per person through May 20, 2026
$85 per person after May 20, 2026
$35 for children ages 3–8 through May 20, 2026
$40 for children ages 3–8 after May 20, 2026
Free for children under age 3

To register: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260727716480158. The deadline to register is June 5, 2026.

For more information, please contact the UJSH Office at (808) 941-5889 or Lynn Araki-Regan at (808) 280-1299.

04/04/2026

Our Hanashikata 2026 Videos are now live! Thank you to all of our donors for making this event possible as well as all of our hard working students and Sensei's who entered this years program!
Part 1: https://youtu.be/xBJ1S7VYbxM
Part 2: https://youtu.be/shVEpHUUaoI

Hanashikata 2026 (UPDATED) - PART 2

03/27/2026

This morning, on Prince Kuhio Day, UJSH President-Elect Lynn Araki-Regan and Past President Kanzo Nara met with officials from Kochi Prefectural Government and Assembly to discuss the possible establishment of a club for people with ties to Kochi Prefecture. Thank you to Shizuoka “Sue” Eguchi and Norie Masamitsu of the Hawaii Sakura Foundation for joining us as well!

03/19/2026

The United Japanese Society of Hawaii (UJSH) announces that its 68th Annual Installation and Recognition Banquet will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Generations Ballroom, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i.

Check-in begins at 9:00 a.m. and doors will open at 9:30 a.m. The program will commence at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to conclude at 1:30 p.m.

This special event will recognize Outgoing President Brian Taniguchi and the current Board of Directors, and install Incoming President Lynn Araki-Regan and the incoming Board. UJSH will also honor individuals from UJSH and its member organizations for their outstanding contributions. In addition, the program will recognize Hawaii Miyagi Kenjin Kai in celebration of its 75th anniversary.

A buffet lunch and Japanese cultural entertainment will be included.

Everyone who attends in traditional Japanese attire will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a trip to Tokyo sponsored by JTB.

How to Qualify for the Drawing: Simply arrive at the event wearing your favorite traditional Japanese attire:

Women: Yukata or Kimono with obi
Men: Yukata, Kimono (with or without hakama), or Haori / Happi coat

Dress to impress, celebrate this special occasion, and you just might be packing your bags for Tokyo! We can’t wait to see everyone’s stunning attire.

Those wearing Western-style garments made from kimono and obi fabrics or Japanese inspired outfits will be entered into a drawing for other prizes.

Ticket prices:

$80 per person through May 20, 2026
$85 per person after May 20, 2026
$35 for children ages 3–8 through May 20, 2026
$40 for children ages 3–8 after May 20, 2026
Free for children under age 3

To register: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260727716480158. The deadline to register is June 5, 2026.

For more information, please contact the UJSH Office at (808) 941-5889 or Lynn Araki-Regan at (808) 280-1299.

03/16/2026

🌸 Mahalo for an unforgettable 30th Anniversary Honolulu Festival! 🌸

Despite the weekend storms and venue challenges, our community came together beautifully. We were thrilled to see the indoor exhibition hall full of life and cultural pride!

At the UJSH booth, our core focus was lifting up our member organizations. Through our "Where are you from in Japan" map and the Passport Stamp rally, we proudly directed hundreds of families to our participating Kenjinkai booths so they could connect with their roots. We even handed out over 360 toys to smiling keiki! We love seeing our member clubs thrive and welcome new faces.

🙏 A heartfelt thank you to:

The Honolulu Festival for tirelessly navigating the obstacles and still hosting a fantastic event for us all to enjoy.

Our dedicated UJSH volunteers whose warm energy and aloha made our booth such a joyful gathering place.

Our Kenjinkai member organizations for sharing your incredible heritage and spirit with everyone who attended.

Together, we continue to grow and celebrate our beautiful Japanese culture!

03/07/2026

[SAVE THE DATE]
The United Japanese Society of Hawaii strives to promote the study of Japanese language and culture throughout the State of Hawaii.
Once again, we will recognize students who excel in the Japanese language at our 2026 Hanashikata Japanese Language Achievement & Speech Program. This year’s program will be a virtual program on our Youtube Channel. Students from grades 2-12 from various schools around the state of Hawaii have submitted a video and English/Japanese Translation of a prepared individual speech or a situational skit with a partner.
We hope that you enjoy the videos that the students worked hard to create and we applaud these students for their hard work and dedication to the Japanese language.

02/21/2026

Congratulations to UJSH Past President Sheree Tamura who was honored at Honpa Hongwanji as a Living Treasure of Hawaii yesterday!!

For over sixty years, Sheree Tamura (Hanayagi Mitsusumi Sensei) has been a guiding light in Japanese classical dance, shamisen music, and cultural education in Hawaiʻi. Founder of the Hanayagi Mitsusumi Dance Studio, she has trained generations of students in nihon buyō while fostering respect, discipline, and appreciation for Japanese values.

Her artistry has graced countless stages — from Merrie Monarch-style community events to international festivals and diplomatic receptions, including performances honoring Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Japanese Imperial Family. In 2018 she personally escorted Prince and Princess Akishino during their visit to Hawaiʻi, symbolizing her lifelong role as a bridge between Japan and its global Nikkei communities.

At home, Tamura is equally admired for her selfless leadership. As president and long-time board member of the United Japanese Society of Hawaiʻi, she coordinated major legacy events; through the Japanese Women’s Society Foundation she brings dance, music, and joy to kūpuna at Kuakini Home; and with Waipahu Hongwanji Mission she shares her artistry at temple celebrations. During the pandemic, she created online cultural videos for children and seniors to continue learning from home.

Honored with the 2018 Consul General of Japan Commendation and 2017 UJSH Outstanding Member of the Year, Tamura has become one of Hawaiʻi’s foremost keepers of Japanese arts. Yet her greatest achievement is the community she’s built — one where tradition thrives and gratitude guides every step. Through grace, discipline, and aloha, Sheree Tamura embodies the spirit of a Living Treasure of Hawaiʻi.

02/15/2026

Honoring the memory. Polishing the promise.
This morning, members of the United Japanese Society of Hawaii (UJSH) gathered at Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park to care for the Ehime Maru Memorial.
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the tragedy that took nine lives and shook our communities. While the official ceremonies have passed, our commitment to remembering them continues in these quiet moments of service.
As we scrubbed the stones and looked out toward the site of the accident, we were reminded that this memorial stands for more than just loss. It stands for the resilience of the families, the importance of safety, and the “silver lining” of deep friendship and understanding that has grown between Hawaii and Ehime Prefecture over the last quarter-century.
We clean to ensure that the mistake is never repeated. We clean to show the families in Uwajima that we are still here, and we will never forget.
Japan SisterState Kakaako CommunityService Peace Friendship

02/14/2026

On the 25th anniversary of the Ehime Maru tragedy, we pause to remember and honor the nine lives that were tragically lost off the coast of Oʻahu. Although poor weather conditions forced the cancellation of last week’s official anniversary ceremony, the memorial at Kakaʻako Waterfront Park remains a beautiful site of reflection, adorned with flower offerings placed by various thoughtful organizations.

In this brief video, members of the United Japanese Society of Hawaii (UJSH)—alongside their families—gathered to maintain the memorial. It was a profoundly moving sight to watch our youngest generation carefully use their small hands to clean the engraved letters of the monument, ensuring the names of those lost are treated with the utmost care and respect.

This meaningful cleanup was coordinated by UJSH President Brian Taniguchi, David Jones, and members of the UJSH Board of Directors. We are deeply humbled to share that for the past 24 years, UJSH has coordinated the weekly maintenance of this sacred site, with various community organizations taking turns each week to clean and care for the memorial year-round.

Through these collective efforts, we ensure their memory is never forgotten.

01/18/2026

We congratulate UJSH Past President Frances Nakachi Kuba on successfully completing her one-year term as HUOA President. We also extend our best wishes to Bob Shiroma as he begins his term as HUOA President!