newsletter
April 2026 Issue
UJSH Hosts 68 Annual Installation & Recognition Banquet th
The United Japanese Society of Hawai’i (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. The program will commence at 10:00 am and is expected to conclude at 1:30 pm
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.
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Special Incentive
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Win a Trip to Japan!
Everyone who attends in traditional Japanese attire will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a trip to Japan 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 Japan! 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://pcijotformcom/form/260727716480158 The deadline to register is June 5, 2026
For more information, please contact the UJSH Office at (808) 941-5889 or Lynn ArakiRegan at (808) 280-1299.
UJSH’sAnnualHanashikataProgramtobeheldApril3
By: HeatherFurutani
The United Japanese Society of Hawai’i strives to promote the study of Japanese language and culture throughout the State of Hawai’i.
Once again, we will recognize students who excel in the Japanese language at our 2026 Hanashikata Japanese Language Achievement & Speech Program Please save the date of this year’s program that will be a virtual program on our Youtube Channel The video will be posted on Friday, April 3rd at 6:00pm Students from grades 3-12 from various schools across the state 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
CalendarofEvents
UJSHtoHoldAnnualObonMemorialServiceHonoringEarly JapaneseImmigrants
By: KeithSakuda
As Hawaiʻi approaches the Obon season, the United Japanese Society of Hawaii (UJSH) will host its annual Obon Hōyō memorial service to honor the Gannenmono, who first arrived in Hawaiʻi in 1868, and the Kanyaku Imin, who began arriving in 1885.
The ceremony will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at Makiki Cemetery, 1630 Pensacola Street, Honolulu.
This meaningful annual tradition, conducted with the assistance of the Hawaii Buddhist Council, brings the community together to offer prayers and pay respects to the early Japanese immigrants whose perseverance and contributions helped shape modern Hawaiʻi.
The service will be co-officiated by Bishop Takami Inoue of the Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, along with participation from members of the Hawaii Buddhist Council.
The event is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend this brief but meaningful observance.
AnnualShinnenEnkaiHonorsImperialDecoration Recipients,YoungAchievers
By: LynnAraki-Regan
The United Japanese Society of Hawaiʻi (UJSH) hosted its 67th Annual Shinnen Enkai on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi’s Generations Ballroom The celebration welcomed the community to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse and honored individuals recognized for their exemplary contributions to society
This year’s event highlighted three esteemed recipients of the 2025 Imperial Decorations bestowed by the Government of Japan:
Dr. Mary G. McDonald – The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette
Dr. Bertrand Yoshito Kobayashi – T Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette
George B. Rowell, IV – The Order of Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
In addition, UJSH recognized outstanding Young Achiever Honorees from its member clubs:
Lisa Michelle Miyako Furukawa –Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi
Kayla Settsu Hernandez –Wahiawa–Waialua Hiroshima Kenjin Ka
Jerald James – Madoka No Kai
Rae Sumiko Smith – Honolulu Fukushima Kenjin Kai
Lauren Akemi Sugai – Japanese Women’s Society Foundation
Natalie Teruya – Hawaiʻi United Oki Association
Rena Tomlinson – Tamagusuku Ryū
Frances Nakachi Ryubu Dōjō
Kelsey Uehira – Hawaiʻi Fukuoka Kenjin Kai
The Shinnen Enkai featured entertainment by talented local performers, including Darin Miyash Hanayagi Mitsusumi Dance Studio, Iwakuni Odo Aiko Kai, Jill Teraizumi, Keith Regan & Lynn Arak Regan, Madoka no Kai, Tamagusuku Ryū Senju
Frances Nakachi Ryubu Dōjō.
The annual Shinnen Enkai continues to serve as a tradition for the community, bringing together UJ members, member organizations, honorees, and guests to celebrate cultural heritage, service, and promise of the new year
CelebratingOurHeritageatthe30 Anniversary HonoluluFestival th
This past weekend, UJSH proudly took part in the 30th Anniversary Honolulu Festival This gathering is a vital thread in the fabric of our community and a beautiful way to show prid our Japanese culture and heritage.
Nature and circumstances presented us with unique challenges this year. The ongoin construction at the Convention Center creat limits for parking and logistics, and the sever storm regretfully led to the cancellation of th grand parade and fireworks. Yet, like water finding its way around stones, our communi adapted beautifully. The indoor exhibition ha remained vibrant, full of life, and wonderfully attended on both Saturday and Sunday
By: DavidJones
Our member Kenjinkai clubs proudly displayed the unique spirit of their prefectures. At the UJSH booth, our goal was simple: to share our mission and gently guide visitors toward our member clubs True community strength comes from lifting one another up
Connecting Our Community
The Prefecture Map: We featured a "Where are you from in Japan" banner filled with pictures that made many people pause We asked guests to place a red dot on their family prefecture If they placed a dot on a region with an active member Kenjinkai, we happily pointed them to that booth to connect with their roots.
Passport Stamp Rally: We designed this game with the clear purpose of sending families directly to our Kenjinkai booths. Children needed to visit participating clubs to collect stamps before returning to us for a Japanese toy This created a natural flow of visitors and sparked wonderful conversations for our member clubs.
Over the two days, we handed out over 360 toys! By directing this joyful energy toward our partners, we hope our Kenjinkai friends welcomed many new members It is so important that we nurture our member clubs so they can continue to grow
A heartfelt thank you to the UJSH volunteers who ran the booth. It was a wonderful weekend of greeting familiar faces and inspiring new ones. We also want to thank the Honolulu Festival Foundation for their tireless efforts in navigating the challenges and still creating a successful event that we can all be proud of. We are deeply honored to support them, our member organizations, and the entire UJSH family.
WelcomeConsulGeneralHideakiChotokuto Hawai’i
By: LynnAraki-Regan
On February 18, 2026, community leaders and members gathered at the Generations Ballroom of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i for a special Welcome Luncheon honoring Consul General Hideaki Chotoku, the newly appointed Consul General of Japan in Honolulu
The event celebrated the arrival of Consul General Chotoku, who assumed his post in November 2025 and has already begun actively engaging with Hawai‘i’s community while strengthening the enduring relationship between Japan and the United States.
The program featured a warm welcome, cultural performances, and remarks from community leaders, reflecting the rich heritage and strong bonds shared between Hawai‘i and Japan.
Guests enjoyed a thoughtfully curated program that included traditional dance, music, and a message from Consul General Chotoku, followed by a luncheon and entertainment
Hosted in collaboration with Kizuna Community Organizations and numerous local partners, the luncheon highlighted the spirit of connection kizuna and reaffirmed a collective commitment to fostering friendship, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding across generations
To view photos from the event, click here.
StrengtheningtheBridge:RepresentingHawai’iatthe JapanEmbassyinD.C.
By: DavidJones
In February 2026, I was incredibly honored to serve as a delegate at a prestigious national meeting hosted at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC This gathering brought together Ambassador Shigeo Yamada, all of the United States Consuls General, and a select group of 20 Japanese American leader delegates from across the country to discuss the future of our bilateral relationship I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Consul General Hideaki Chotoku of Honolulu for the invitation to represent the United Japanese Society of Hawai’i (UJSH) at this significant event.
Gathering with leaders from across the nation to discuss how we can be better partners was a powerful experience It was especially meaningful to share this journey with our Hawai’i cohort, including Consul General Chotoku, UJSH Councilor and Honorary Consul General Art Taniguchi from Hilo, and US-Japan Council Board Member and Hawaii Leader Yoh Kawanami
During our sessions, Ambassador Yamada posed a critical question to the delegates: What are our various Japanese American organizations and regions doing to promote U.S.-Japan relations?
I responded by emphasizing that the strength of the US-Japan alliance relies on a grassroots foundation of people who have a genuine passion and love for Japan. In Hawai’i, we are not just preserving history; we are fostering a modern Japanese culture that maintains a deepseated commitment to this relationship. Our unique "Hawai’i Model" shows how Japanese traditions have seamlessly blended with the host Native Hawaiian culture to become the fabric of our daily life. In Hawai’i, Japanese culture is the mainstream.
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To demonstrate this active growth, I highlighted the success of the Hawai’i United Okinawa Association (HUOA). I shared that their vibrancy driven by a leadership where 60% of the Executive Board is in their 20s and 40s is the key to ensuring the next generation remains emotionally and professionally invested in Japan We thrive because we hand the keys to young decision-makers who are passionate about protecting this special bond.
I also advocated for the future by sharing my personal "light switch" moment of traveling to Okinawa in my twenties, which sparked my own obsession for leadership and advocacy To secure the US-Japan partnership for the next forty years, I proposed that the Embassy help us bridge the "Young Professional Gap" by creating a “Junior JALD” or Emerging Leaders delegation for those in their twenties and thirties. JALD or Japanese American Leadership Delegation is an annual program hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that connects highlevel Japanese American leaders with Japan's top officials to strengthen the strategic partnership between both nations.
Beyond the formal meetings, it was wonderful to connect and share perspectives with other Japanese American leaders from all around the country I am excited to see how we can collaborate and build on the momentum from this gathering
A big thank you to the U.S.-Japan Council (of which I am also a member) and their staff for coordinating this important event for the Embassy, and to Consul General Chotoku for his ongoing focus and dedication to our local community I look forward to bringing these insights back to UJSH as we continue to strengthen our local ties and our friendship with Japan.
2025Ehime–HawaiiGoodwillYouthBaseballExchange
-DeepeningFriendshipandPeaceThroughBaseball-
By: BishopKosenIshikawa
From November 13–17, 2025, Oʻahu hosted the Ehime–Hawaiʻi Goodwill Youth Baseball Exchange, welcoming 53 participants from Ehime Prefecture, including eight staff members. This long-standing program fosters international friendship and mutual understanding through youth baseball, connecting children and families in both regions
The exchange traces its origins to 2000, when former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine held a youth clinic in Matsuyama Following the 2001 Ehime Maru tragedy, discussions between Valentine and Ehime Prefectural Assembly member Junnosuke Kaino led to the creation of a Hawaiʻi–Ehime youth exchange dedicated to remembrance and strengthening Japan–US ties The first tournament was held in Ehime in 2002, and the program has since alternated annually between the two regions, expanding to include homestays, school visits, and cultural exchange. After a pause due to COVID-19, the program resumed in 2024.
The 2025 visit began with a memorial ceremony at the Ehime Maru Memorial in Kakaʻako Waterfront Park, where participants offered flowers and prayers. The delegation also visited the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, participated in a welcome reception at the Hawaiʻi Okinawa Center, and experienced local life through homestays.
Friendly games for 12U and 15U divisions were held at Central Oʻahu Regional Park, highlighted by a ceremonial first pitch by Consul General Hideaki Chotoku. Off the field, participants enjoyed fellowship activities, strengthening bonds that transcended language and culture.
The exchange concluded with a heartfelt farewell at Honolulu International Airport, reflecting the deep friendships formed More than a sporting event, this program continues to nurture lasting connections and carry forward the spirit of friendship between Ehime and Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi teams are scheduled to visit Ehime later this year, continuing this enduring tradition