United Japanese Society of Hawai’i
newsletter October 2026 Issue
Members, Public Invited to Tsukimi no Kai on October 25 By: Bishop Kosen Ishikawa The United Japanese Society of Hawaii (UJSH) is pleased to announce its annual Tsukimi no Kai (Moon Viewing) Celebration, to be held on Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Jodo Mission of Hawaii. Tsukimi is a traditional Japanese custom of appreciating the beauty of the autumn moon, expressing gratitude for nature’s blessings, and celebrating the changing seasons. Passed down through generations, Tsukimi represents more than simply gazing at the moon; it also reflects the Japanese appreciation for nature, gratitude, and the importance of gathering together. This year, UJSH has chosen a Sunday to make it easier for everyone to attend. Our celebration will take place one day before the full moon known as the Harvest Moon. Traditionally, Tsukimi is associated with Jugoya, or the Fifteenth Night of the Eighth Month according to the traditional Japanese lunar calendar. Today, however, moon-viewing gatherings are also enjoyed as a way to celebrate the beauty of the autumn moon. Weather permitting, attendees will have an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful rising moon from Honolulu around 7:00 p.m. We look forward to sharing the beauty of the autumn night sky while introducing and celebrating Japanese cultural traditions. The evening’s program will begin with an opening blessing by Bishop Daiya Amano of Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii. Other activities will include a traditional tea ceremony presented by the Omotesenke Domonkai Hawaii, an ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) experience led by Karen Kuba-Hori, and a presentation on the history and traditions of Tsukimi by Bishop Kosen Ishikawa. Participants will also have the opportunity to photograph the moon using super-telephoto lens. Please bring your own SD card so you can save your photos of the moon! The evening will conclude with an exciting taiko drum performance by Ryugen Taiko, followed by LIVE mini Bon Dance, offering everyone another opportunity to experience and enjoy Japanese culture. Why not join us for an evening of Japanese cultural traditions, moon appreciation, and meaningful connections across generations and cultures? If you would like to attend, please register by October 18 using the link https://pci.jotform.com/form/262808640860158 or the QR code.
Calendar of Events October 17
Central Oahu Kumamoto Kenjin Kai Ehime Maru Cleanup Project
November / December
24
Sakura Hawai’i Alumnae Ehime Maru Cleanup Project
UJSH Zippy’s Fundraiser
25
Cultural Fusion Show & Fundraiser by Senjukai Hawaii, 10:30 a.m., Hawaii Okinawa Center
December 10
Strings of Hope Presents “Surviving Hiroshima”, 6 p.m., Honpa Hongwanji Hawai’i Betsuin
12
Holiday Craft & Collectibles Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Japanese Culltural Center of Hawai’i Courtyard
Tsukimi no Kai, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Jodo Mission of Hawaii 31
Hawaii Ehime Maru Kenjinkai Mikan Trees Project
November
12-13 Honolulu Marathon “Volunteer at Clothing Return Booth” at Kapiolani Park
14
JCCH Aki Matsuri (Autumn Festival) and Shichi Go San Keiki Kimono Dressing & January Portraits, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i Kenchikan Dojo and Courtyard. Featuring the 10 New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 Yamaguchi Kenjinkai! p.m., Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i
15
Madoka No Kai 5th Year Celebration, 30 1 p.m., Pearl City High School’s Michael D. Nakasone Performing Arts Center
16
King Kalakaua Birthday Celebration, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., ‘Iolani Palace
22 29
Hale Pulama Mau Goodwill Visitation, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Free parking
UJSH Shinnen Enkai, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i
March 5-7
Honolulu Festival
April
Shufu Society of Hawai’i Christmas Party, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kahala Hotel & Resort
Hanashikata 2027
November / December
June
Wolfhounds Toy Drive for the Holy Family Home Orphanage in Osaka, Japan
11-13 Pan-Pacific Festival 69th Annual Installation & Recognition Banquet
80, 88, 99 Year Old Celebrants Honored at 52nd Annual Event By: Lynn Araki-Regan
The United Japanese Society of Hawaiʻi (UJSH) honored the wisdom, contributions, and enduring legacy of our kūpuna at its 52nd Annual Nenchosha Ian Engei Taikai (Senior Citizen Festival) on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Hawaiʻi Okinawa Center in Waipahu. Held in observance of Japan’s Respect for the Aged Day, the celebration recognized Nenchosha honorees attaining the milestone ages of 80, 88, and 99 in 2026. A special luncheon, lively entertainment, and fellowship provided a meaningful opportunity to celebrate these remarkable seniors and express appreciation for their contributions to our families, organizations, and community. The festival also honored the values and traditions our kūpuna have passed down through generations. Their perseverance, generosity, and dedication have helped preserve Japanese culture in Hawaiʻi while strengthening the bonds that connect our community. For UJSH, this cherished annual tradition is an expression of gratitude and a reminder of the important role our elders continue to play in our lives. Celebrating their milestones affirms that their experiences, guidance, and stories remain treasured gifts to future generations. UJSH extends heartfelt thanks to the Nenchosha committee led by Karen Kuba-Hori, donors, volunteers, entertainers, and all who helped make the celebration possible. Their collective efforts created a special occasion centered on appreciation, connection, and respect. Above all, UJSH congratulates this year’s honorees. Mahalo for the lives you have touched, the wisdom you have shared, and the legacy you continue to build.
UJSH to Honor King Kalakaua on November 16
By: Elisabeth Iwata
The United Japanese Society of Hawaiʻi (UJSH) invites members and friends to join in a special celebration honoring the birthday and legacy of King David Kalākaua on Monday, November 16, 2026, at ʻIolani Palace. The tentative event time is 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Throughout the day, kamaʻāina will have an opportunity to enjoy free self-guided audio tours of ʻIolani Palace. Festivities are expected to include opening ceremonies, a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band, a review of the Royal Guard, welcome remarks from UJSH, a presentation on the historic relationship between King Kalākaua and Emperor Meiji, and cultural performances and activities to be announced. King Kalākaua and Hawaiʻi’s Japanese Community King Kalākaua played an important role in establishing the enduring relationship between Hawaiʻi and Japan. During his historic 1881 journey around the world, Kalākaua visited Japan and met with Emperor Meiji, becoming the first reigning foreign monarch to visit the country during the Meiji era. His visit strengthened diplomatic ties between the Hawaiian Kingdom and Japan and helped lay the groundwork for government-sponsored Japanese immigration to Hawaiʻi. Beginning in 1885, thousands of Kanyaku Imin, or government-contract immigrants, came from Japan to Hawaiʻi, establishing communities that would become an integral part of Hawaiʻi’s history, culture, and identity. UJSH will host an outreach table near the entrance to the Palace tours, where visitors can learn more about the relationship between King Kalākaua and Emperor Meiji, as well as UJSH and UJSH’s member organizations. Volunteers and performers are needed! If you are interested in volunteering at the UJSH outreach table or participating as a performer, please contact Beth Iwata at Beth@jcchawaii.org. Honoring King Kalākaua in Waikīkī Also on November 16, UJSH officers will pay their respects to King Kalākaua at the Oʻahu Kanyaku Imin Centennial Committee Statue at Waikīkī Gateway Park. A lei will be presented in his honor and in recognition of his important role in fostering the relationship between Hawaiʻi and Japan. The time for this observance will be announced. Because parking in the area is very limited, attendance at the statue ceremony will be restricted. Please save the date and join us as we celebrate King Kalākaua’s legacy and the historic bonds of friendship between Hawaiʻi and Japan!
Hawaii Ishikawa Kenjin Kai Welcomes Students from Nanao City By: Mitsue Varley Ten high school sophomores from Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, visited Oʻahu in September to participate in English-language studies at the University of Hawaiʻi and a variety of educational and cultural programs. During their stay, six members of the Hawaiʻi Ishikawa Kenjin Kai joined the students for a dinner gathering. Members enjoyed hearing the students share their experiences and reflect on what they had learned during their time in Hawaiʻi. The evening provided a warm opportunity for fellowship and cultural exchange.
Strengthening Global Nikkei Connections at 66th Convention of the Nikkei and Japanese Abroad
By: Lynn Araki-Regan
The 66th Convention of the Nikkei and Japanese Abroad brought together members of Nikkei communities from around the world in Tokyo, Japan, from October 7–9, 2026. Organized by the Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad (Kaigai Nikkeijin Kyokai), the three-day gathering provided an important opportunity to strengthen friendships, exchange ideas, and celebrate the shared heritage connecting people of Japanese ancestry across generations and national borders. This year’s convention embraced the theme, “Participating in Building a Society of Coexistence,” emphasizing the important role Nikkei communities play in promoting mutual understanding, cultural appreciation, and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world. The convention featured keynote presentations, international panel discussions, cultural exchanges, and opportunities for participants to share experiences and perspectives from their respective communities. One particularly meaningful discussion, “Wisdom Expanded through the Experiences of Nikkei Communities,” explored how the experiences, challenges, and accomplishments of Nikkei communities can inspire future generations. UJSH President Lynn Araki-Regan was one of four panelists. The gathering also commemorated significant milestones in Japanese immigration history, including the 70th anniversary of Japanese immigration to the Dominican Republic, the 90th anniversary in Paraguay, and the 140th anniversary in Argentina.