Resources in Hawaiʻi
Consulate-General of Japan in Honolulu
The Consulate-General of Japan represents the Government of Japan in Hawai’i. It issues entry visas to Japan and provides information on scholarships and grants. The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program provides college graduates the opportunity to work as assistant English teachers in schools or as coordinators to promote international exchange for the local governments in Japan. Applications for JET are available in the fall. Consulate-General of Japan; 1742 Nuuanu Ave.; Honolulu, HI 96817; tel: (808) 543-3111; fax: (808) 543-3170. web: http://www.honolulu.us.emb-japan.go.jp/
East-West Center (EWC)
EWC was established by the US Congress in 1960 to foster mutual understanding and cooperation among the governments and peoples of the Asia-Pacific region and the United States. Officially known as the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, it is a public, non-profit institution with an international board of governors. Principal funding for the Center comes from the US government, with additional support provided by private agencies, individuals and corporations, and more than twenty Asian and Pacific governments.
The Center works to strengthen relations in the region and serves as a national and regional resource for information and analysis on Asia and the Pacific. It provides a neutral meeting ground where people with a wide range of perspectives exchange views on topics of regional concern. Center staff members work with collaborating institutions and scholars, government and business leaders, educators, journalists, and other professionals from throughout the region each year in programs of research, education and training, dialogue, and outreach. Researchers address issues of contemporary significance in such areas as international economics and politics, the environment, population, energy and mineral resources, journalism, and Pacific islands development. Office of External Affairs; East-West Center; 1601 East-West Road; Honolulu, HI 96848-1601; tel: (808) 944-7111; fax: (808) 944-7376; web: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/
Hawaiʻi Okinawa Center
The Center is the home of the Hawai’i United Okinawa Association and was founded in 1990 to honor the first Okinawan immigrants to Hawai’i. The Center is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and perpetuation of the Okinawan culture. The Center’s library houses displays of artifacts as well as historical and cultural materials on Okinawa and Okinawans. The Center features the Takakura Okinawa Garden, the only Okinawan-type garden outside of Okinawa. Hawai’i Okinawa Center; 94-587 Ukee St.; Waipahu, HI 96797; tel: (808) 676-5400; fax: (808) 676-7811; web: http://www.huoa.org/
Honolulu Museum of Art
Internationally recognized for the excellence and diversity of its holdings, the Honolulu Academy of Arts is best known for its collection of Asian art, which includes the James A. Michener collection of Japanese ukiyo-e prints. The museum presents over fifty temporary exhibits every year, many related to Japan. The Honolulu Academy of Arts; 900 S. Beretania St.; Honolulu, HI 96814; tel: (808) 532-8700; fax: (808) 532-8787; web: http://honolulumuseum.org/
Japan-America Institute of Management Science (JAIMS)
JAIMS, established by Fujitsu Ltd. in 1972, is a private, nonprofit postgraduate institute that educates and trains global managers for the Asia-Pacific region. Through its comprehensive academic programs, JAIMS brings together individuals from throughout the world to study business management, language and communication, and culture. JAIMS and the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa Shidler College of Business jointly offer the Japan-focused MBA (JEMBA) program. JAIMS; 6660 Hawaiʻi Kai Drive; Honolulu, HI 96825; tel: (808) 395-2314; fax: (808) 396-7111/7112; email: info@jaims.org; web: http://www.jaims.org/
Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi (JASH)
JASH is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization with a mission to promote understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and the United States. The Society does this through various programs including corporate breakfast forums, luncheon presentations, afternoon roundtable sessions, and special programs, such as international symposiums. Programs cover topics that span the entire spectrum of the US-Japan relationship. Art and cultural programs are also conducted. Programs for high school and elementary school students are a high priority.
JASH membership is open to all. Current membership is approximately 1,100 and is a representative cross-section of our community. The Society’s Board of Trustees includes many of our community leaders. Membership for students is $10 per year, which is tax-deductible. There are opportunities to meet with community and corporate leaders and to volunteer with the Society’s school programs–Japan Day, Japan Bowl and Japan in a Suitcase.
The Society is affiliated with the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to Americans in UH graduate programs to study in Japan and Japanese graduate students to study at the University of Hawai’i. For more information about the Society, contact: Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi; 1600 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 204; Honolulu, HI 96814; tel: (808) 524-4450; fax: (808) 524-4451; email: admindir@jashawaii.org; web: http://www.jashawaii.org/
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi (JCCH)
JCCH preserves and promotes Japanese culture in Hawai’i, and strives to build a bridge of understanding among cultures. It serves as a focal point in the state for public access information, resources and activities relative to the learning, appreciation and perpetuation of the cultural heritage and legacy of the Japanese in Hawai’i. JCCH works to fulfill its mission through cultural and educational programs, as well as through its Historical Gallery exhibits, martial arts classes and demonstrations in the Kenshikan Dojo, and tea ceremony classes and demonstrations in the Seikoan teahouse. To assist with its many projects, JCCH welcomes new volunteers interested in the history of the Japanese in Hawaiʻi. Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi; 2454 S. Beretania St.; Honolulu, HI 96826; tel: (808) 945-7633; fax: (808) 944-1123; email: info@jcch.com; web: http://www.jcch.com/
Pacific and Asian Affairs Council (PAAC)
PAAC is an independent educational organization whose goal is to promote a greater awareness of international affairs and US foreign policy, with special emphasis on Asia and the Pacific. In public meetings, conferences, and seminars, it provides a forum for nationally and internationally renowned diplomats, business and government leaders, journalists, and scholars. PAAC also conducts educational outreach for Hawai’i’s public and private high schools and community colleges to help enrich the curricula in the area of international affairs. Pacific and Asian Affairs Council; 1601 East-West Rd., 4th Floor; Honolulu, HI 96848-1601; tel: (808) 944-7780; fax: (808) 944-7785; email: admin@paachawaii.org; web: http://www.paachawaii.org/
University of Hawaiʻi Kimono Culture Program
The University Laboratory School Kimono Project USA, which belongs to the Curriculum Research & Development Group, College of Education, UHM, provides services such as workshops, demonstrations, lectures, school visitations for formal kimono dressing. Their annual Children’s Kimono Dressing Festival called shichi-go-san (girls of 3 and 7 years old; boys of 5 years old) held on the 2nd and 3rd Saturday in November is very popular every year. They also hold New Year Kimono Dressing Festival for girls of any age and the Seijin-shiki or Coming of Age (men and women who are 20 years old are celebrated on the 2nd Monday of January in Japan) dressing for 20 year old men and women on the 3rd Saturday of January. Aside from the above, Bridal Kimono Dressing for photo taking will also be offered throughout the year, when the bridal specialist is available. Donations for the above are appreciated. Saturday mornings are open to people of the community to learn how to wear kimono and how to tie obi-sash. Kimono and obi are available for student use. These lessons are free of charge. For more information, contact Ms. Jean Sakihara; tel: (808) 956-8288; email: sakiharam001@hawaii.rr.com
Urasenke Foundation of Hawaiʻi
The Urasenke Foundation promotes interest in Japanese culture and the Way of Tea through the History of Tea Ceremony class (HIST 323/ASAN 323) at UHM, public exhibitions and demonstrations, and publications. A tea practicum course (ASAN 324) is offered at the UH Tea House Jakuan under the direction of the resident Urasenke tea instructor, Mr. Yoshibumi Ogawa. Urasenke Foundation offers scholarships to students who wish to pursue their knowledge of the tea ceremony in Japan (see section on scholarships). Urasenke Foundation; 245 Saratoga Rd.; Honolulu, HI 96815; tel: (808) 923-3059/1057; fax: (808) 923-3784; web (international headquarters): http://www.urasenke.or.jp/texte/index.html
Online Resources
The Japan Foundation & CGP, NY
The Japan Foundation & CGP, NY posts their recorded webinars to their YouTube channel. They also have a series of videos on “Why Study Japan?”
The Japan Foundation Los Angeles has also recently started the project “STAGE BEYOND BORDERS—Selection of Japanese Performances,” which presents Japanese stage performances online for people throughout the world who are seeking opportunities to enjoy Japanese stage performances amid the spread of COVID-19. See their website here.
International Japanese Studies Events Database
This database is part of a digital resource commons and is crowd-sourced, developed by the Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies in cooperation with the Weatherhead Center Program on US-Japan Relations, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the shift to online event programs. Database link: https://datastudio.google.com/u/0/reporting/621571f0-8678-4efd-a158-c90f85b53513/page/DbleB