Hawaii Welcomed High School Students from Japan with Aloha
The Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) and Soshi Educational Group (SEG) launched its inaugural Hawaii Cultural Exchange Camp (HCEC). This initiative is the reciprocal program of the Hokkaido Snow Camp (HSC), which was successfully carried out in January 2024. Ten students from Hawaii had the opportunity to visit Hokkaido and engage in Japanese cultural experiences, as well as participating in an Environmental Summit with local Japanese high school students. Now, with the HCEC program, ten students from SEG Clark Memorial International High School Japan campuses participated in this enriching cultural experience from April 11 to April 19, 2024, exploring Hawaiian and local cultures and strengthening the bonds of friendship and understanding between the two regions.
The HCEC program aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and friendship between Japan and Hawaii by providing immersive experiences in Hawaiian and local cultures. Participants also explored the history of the US-Japan relationship, while engaging in meaningful exchanges with high school and university students in Hawaii. During HCEC, the students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, including cultural workshops, historical tours, and interactive discussions. They also visited key landmarks and institutions to deepen their understanding of Hawaiian traditions and contemporary life in Hawaii.
Day 1 - Thursday, 4/11
The itinerary started with learning about food as an important part of Hawaii’s culture. The group met at the JASH office for a welcome lunch and explored Hawaii cuisine, guessing the most popular dish among “loco moco”, “spam musubi”, and “poke”.
(L-R) Reyna Kaneko, JASH President talked about popular Hawaii food; Students tasted popular Hawaii food
After lunch, they visited Kalani High School and had fun cultural exchange activities with members of Japan Club, organized by Donovan, the president of Japan Club who participated in HSC. He presented three recommended spots to see in Hawaii, followed by a Hawaiian language phrases and hula lesson titled, “May Day is Lei Day” by another student. Then, the HCEC students worked on an online quiz game paired with Kalani students. All students received Hawaiian sweets as prizes and enjoyed learning more about Hawaiian food culture.
(L-R) Kalani High School Japan Club welcomed HCEC students; President of Japan Club reunited with HSC friends
Day 2 - Friday, 4/12
The group learned the history of Waikiki in the morning from Ms. Sayuri Roberts, an experienced guide, while walking along Kalakaua Avenue from Kapiolani Park to Royal Hawaiian Center. Students learned what Waikiki looked like and why it has changed, and stories behind well-known statues.
(L-R) Learned the history of Hawaii along Kalakaua Ave; Visited Bishop Museum
After learning about Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop at Helumoa, the group visited the Bishop Museum in the afternoon to learn more about the history and culture of Hawaii. After being inspired by Hawaiian culture, the group reunited with HSC students and met host families in the evening and learned about Hawaii’s potluck culture.
(L-R) HCEC students inspired to learn the Hawaiian language; HSC students happily reunited in Hawaii
Day 3 & 4 - Saturday, 4/13 & 4/14
Some families of HSC students and families who were affiliated with JASH educational programs hosted HCEC students as host families and spent the weekend together. The students learned about how families spend time together and the meaning of ‘ohana’ within the family while also exploring different parts of Oahu. Mahalo nui loa to the wonderful host families!
Day 5 - Monday, 4/15
Coming back from their homestays, the group visited Pearl Harbor in the morning. They visited the Arizona Memorial and USS battleship Missouri Memorial to learn about the history of WWII and the US-Japan relationship through different perspectives.
In the afternoon, the group took a surfing lesson at Waikiki beach. They started with a safety presentation, followed by a land lesson before they went into the water. The lesson was only 2 hours long, and some students were able to surf successfully. Some lucky students also saw a honu, a turtle, during the lesson and were very excited.
(L-R) Learned about the history of WWII through different perspectives; Surf lessons at Waikiki Beach
Day 6 - Tuesday, 4/16
The group visited Loko i'a Pā'aiauʻ, a 400 year old Royal Hawaiian fishpond in Aiea in the morning. After experiencing the traditional entrance protocol chant, everyone sensed that this place was a very special and sacred aina (land), for Native Hawaiians. During the cultural introduction, students found that they had something in common between Hawaiian culture and Japanese culture such as respect towards nature and offering at the ahu (altar). Kumu (teacher) showed the group what to do and they worked on the restoration for about 30 minutes. After working, everyone received a special gift, “HO'OPONOPONO IS HARMONY”, a creative narrative about this fishpond. Uncle Bruce also shared this story with them at the hale (traditional house). They were treated as ohana (family) and invited to come back anytime to continue helping them restore the fishpond.
(L-R) Students worked on restoration of the fishpond; Learned about the aina and harmony
Then, the group visited the University of Hawaii, Manoa (UH) in the afternoon to take the admission session and explored the vast campus with some UH students who are studying Japanese.
(L-R) Campus tour with UH students; Shopping at the UH Bookstore with UH students
Day 7, Wednesday, 4/17
The group visited Punahou School all day. The visit started with a warm welcome at the Wo International Center, followed by a campus tour given by two Punahou students who participated in the HSC, Hili and Connor. They invited their friends and took the group up to Rocky Hill for lunch and showed the group magnificent views of the Diamond Head and the city of Honolulu.
In the afternoon, HCEC students joined four different Japanese language classes for an exchange conversing with Punahou students in Japanese AND English for nearly three hours. Clark students were motivated to speak in English while Punahou students tried to speak in Japanese on various topics to the best of their abilities. There were a lot of laughs, surprises, smiles, friendship, and aloha.
(L-R) Language exchange in English and Japanese at Punahou School; Punahou visit escorted by HSC students
Day 8 - Thursday, 4/18
On the last day of the program, the group visited Hanauma Bay and participated in the education program in the morning. While walking during the outdoor tour, students were stunned by the quality of water of Hanauma Bay, making them wish to dive and swim with sea creatures. They learned how Hanauma Bay used to be and how it has been improved. Also, they were invited to come back to join the beach clean-up and do snorkeling someday.
After learning many aspects of Hawaiian and local cultures during the HCEC program, each student gave a three-minute presentation about what they have learned. Ms. Karen Knudsen, JASH Chair, and Mr. Steve Sombrero, JASH Board Director, gave opening remarks and commented on students' presentations.
(L-R) Learned how to protect nature at Hanauma Bay; Students presented on what they learned from the program
The HCEC program concluded with a farewell party at Waikiki Beach/Kapiolani Park where the group previously had their surfing lesson. HSC students and host families joined them again to enjoy local Hawaii dishes, malasadas, and spent time together until sunset.
HCEC & HSC students and friends enjoying the sunset at Waikiki Beach
“HSC students were reunited and were able to further strengthen their bonds of friendship as well as everyone got to meet four new Clark students and make even more new friends!” as Reyna Kaneko, JASH President continued, “This is a true example of cultural exchange and building bridges of friendship between Hawaii and Japan.”
JASH extends a big THANK YOU to everyone who supported this year’s HSC and HCEC programs. Special thanks to Japan’s Soshi Educational Group who partnered with JASH to make this educational and cultural exchange program happen.
To read the article on the Hokkaido Snow Camp (HSC), please visit here.
