Tomodachi – Eighty Years of Friendship, Commerce and Alliance
Each year, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) honors an individual, company, or organization with the Bridge Award for promoting understanding and friendship between Hawaii and Japan. In the spirit of building bridges of friendship, we are pleased to announce this year’s Bridge Awards theme.
A Benefit For
OVERVIEW
Event Date | December 3, 2025
Location | Sheraton Waikiki
Registration at 5:00pm
Program starts at 6:00pm
Japanese Inspired or Aloha Attire.
ONLINE SILENT AUCTION
All are welcome to participate in JASH's online silent auction!
The Bridge Awards Dinner & Silent Auction supports JASH’s beloved community programs that serve people of all ages and backgrounds. And aims to build bridges of friendship between the U.S. and Japan through the unique perspective Hawaiʻi.
Preview on November 25th, Noon (HST)
Opens at November 26th, Noon
Closes at December 3rd, 7:30 PM
LUCKY DRAW FUNDRAISER
Join our JASH Lucky Draw for the chance to win $100 gift cards to Costco, Whole Foods Market, Target, Amazon or Ala Moana!
Donate More, Get BONUS Entries!
You don’t need to be present at the Bridge Awards Dinner to win!
2025 BRIDGE AWARD recipients
Each year, JASH honors an individual, company, or organization with the Bridge Award for promoting understanding and friendship between Hawaii and Japan. In the spirit of building bridges of friendship, we are pleased to announce this year’s Bridge Award recipients.
Josh Green, M.D.
GOVERNOR | KE KIAʻĀINA
Governor Josh Green, M.D., is a dedicated husband, father, physician, and the ninth Governor of Hawaiʻi. Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he earned degrees in biology and anthropology from Swarthmore College and his M.D. from Penn State. After completing his residency in Family Practice, he was awarded a National Health Service Corps scholarship and chose to serve the underserved community of Ka‘ū on Hawai‘i Island. From an early age, Governor Green understood the transformative impact of access to quality healthcare. As a family physician and emergency room doctor, he became an integral part of the rural communities he served, witnessing firsthand the challenges local families faced—from the high cost of living and lack of affordable housing, to mental health struggles and addiction. These experiences inspired him to seek solutions through public service. Governor Green began his political career in the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives (2004-2008) and later served in the State Senate (2008-2018), where he held leadership roles such as Majority Floor Leader and Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. His legislative accomplishments include championing health insurance for every child in Hawai‘i, passing “Luke’s Law” to provide autism coverage, spearheading the creation of the Cancer Research Center, and enacting groundbreaking anti-tobacco legislation to raise the legal purchase age to 21. He also played a key role in establishing Hawai‘i’s statewide trauma healthcare system. Elected Lieutenant Governor in 2018, Governor Green focused on tackling homelessness through innovative solutions like “kauhale” tiny home villages and the H4 clinic, which integrates housing and healthcare for the most vulnerable. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic as the state’s healthcare liaison resulted in Hawai‘i achieving the nation’s lowest COVID fatality rate. Additionally, he led a critical medical mission to Samoa during a measles outbreak, vaccinating 37,000 individuals in 48 hours. Since taking office as Governor in December 2022, he has prioritized making Hawai‘i more affordable, addressing the housing crisis, improving healthcare access, combating climate change, and leading recovery efforts following the devastating Maui wildfires.
Headquarters, United States Indo-Pacific Command
The United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) encompasses about half the earth's surface, stretching from the waters off the west coast of the U.S. to the western border of India, and from Antarctica to the North Pole. There are few regions as culturally, socially, economically, and geo-politically diverse as the Asia-Pacific. The 38 nations comprising the Asia-Pacific region encompasses 52% of the earth’s surface, home to more than 50% of the world's population, 3,000 different languages, several of the world's largest militaries, and five nations allied with the U.S. through mutual defense treaties. Two of the three largest economies are located in the Asia-Pacific along with 10 of the 14th smallest. The AOR includes the most populous nation in the world, the largest democracy, and the largest Muslim-majority nation. More than one third of Asia-Pacific nations are smaller, island nations that include the smallest republic in the world and the smallest nation in Asia.
USINDOPACOM is one of six geographic Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Armed Forces. Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (CDRUSINDOPACOM) is the senior U.S. military authority in the Indo-Pacific Command AOR. CDRUSINDOPACOM reports to the President of the United States through the Secretary of Defense and is supported by five component commands: U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Army Pacific, U.S. Marine Forces, Pacific and U.S. Space Forces, Indo-Pacific. These commands are headquartered in Hawai'i and have forces stationed and deployed throughout the region.
Approximately 375,000 U.S. military and civilian personnel are assigned to the USINDOPACOM area of responsibility. U.S. Pacific Fleet consists of approximately 200 ships (to include five aircraft carrier strike groups), nearly 1,100 aircraft, and more than 130,000 Sailors and civilians dedicated to protecting our mutual security interests. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific includes two Marine Expeditionary Forces and about 86,000 personnel and 640 aircraft assigned. U.S. Pacific Air Forces comprises of approximately 46,000 airmen and civilians and more than 420 aircraft. U.S. Army Pacific has approximately 106,000 personnel from one corps and two divisions, plus over 300 aircraft and five watercraft assigned throughout the AOR from Japan and Korea to Alaska and Hawaii. Of note, component command personnel numbers include more than 1,200 Special Operations personnel. Department of Defense civilian employees in the Indo-Pacific Command AOR number about 38,000.
Steve Sombrero
Steve Sombrero is a respected leader in Hawaii’s business and real estate landscape, serving as President and principal owner of Cushman & Wakefield ChaneyBrooks—Hawaii’s oldest and largest locally owned real estate brokerage and management firm. With a career spanning over three decades, Steve has advised Fortune 500 corporations and major Asian conglomerates on some of the most significant real estate transactions across the Hawaii-Pacific region.
Recognized for his expertise in complex, cross-border real estate deals, Steve has been active in the industry since 1987. His experience includes a wide array of high-profile projects such as master-planned communities, multi-family developments, regional and mega-shopping centers, commercial office buildings, resort hotels, and military housing privatization initiatives with the U.S. Department of Defense. One of his most notable achievements—the sale of the Genshiro Kawamoto estate in Kahala (2013)—garnered both national and local media attention.
In addition to his real estate career, Steve is the founder of Aloha Beer Company, established in 2010. As Hawaii’s most distinctive local craft beer brand, Aloha Beer Co. is proudly owned and operated by the Sombrero family, reflecting their passion for innovation and island hospitality.
A strong advocate for community, leadership, and cultural exchange, Steve serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the Japan-America Society of Hawaii and the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation. He is also the author of What Day Are You?, an inspirational book that became an Amazon Best Seller in 2023, celebrated for its insights into personal growth and purpose. Steve holds the prestigious Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) designation, a mark of distinction awarded to top-tier professionals recognized for their integrity, experience, and influence in the field.
PRESIDENT
A MESSAGE FROM OUR
Join Us in Celebrating Friendship, Legacy, and the Future. The JASH Bridge Awards Dinner & Silent Auction is more than a celebration — it is a tribute to nearly 50 years of unwavering commitment to friendship, mutual respect, and cultural understanding between Japan and the United States. As we near our golden anniversary, we proudly honor the individuals and institutions who have built bridges across oceans, generations, and communities.
On December 3rd at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, we invite you to be part of a powerful evening of connection and celebration. This year’s theme, “TOMODACHI (友達): 80 Years of Friendship, Commerce, and Alliance,” reflects the enduring bonds that have shaped our shared history and continue to guide our future.
We are honored to recognize the exceptional contributions of Governor Josh Green, MD and Mr. Steve Sombrero, whose work embodies the spirit of cooperation and unity that JASH stands for.
The 2025 JASH Bridge Awards Dinner & Silent Auction will be held in person, and we are excited to gather with our members, partners, and friends to celebrate the power of community. Your presence and support fuel our mission— to foster deeper understanding between Japan and the United States through Hawaiʻi’s unique cultural lens. Together, we can inspire the next generation. Proceeds from our exclusive silent auction will directly support JASH’s impactful programs including educational programs, from K–12 to college and beyond—nurturing globally minded leaders equipped to shape a better tomorrow.
Let’s honor the past, uplift the present, and shape the future— side by side.
REYNA KANEKO
PRESIDENT
FEATURED ENTERTAINMENT
Taiko Center of the Pacific
Consummate taiko artist, Kenny Endo, is at the vanguard of taiko, paving new paths in Japanese drumming blending taiko with rhythms influenced from around the world. Taiko Center of the Pacific is Endo’s school and performing group of traditional and contemporary Japanese drumming.
The school offers public classes in taiko drumming starting from age two and has drawn people from around the world to study taiko in Hawaii. This year Kenny celebrates his 50th year of taiko drumming.
Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Choichi Kai USA
Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Choichi Kai USA is dedicated to preserving and sharing the classical tradition of Okinawan uta-sanshin, following the teachings of Grandmaster Choichi Terukina, National Living Treasure of Japan. Under the leadership of uta-sanshin Master Grant “Masanduu Murata,” the Hawaii chapter carries forward this rich musical lineage through disciplined study, heartfelt performance, and a commitment to cultural education. Through classical vocal music and the timeless sound of the sanshin, members strive to honor their teachers and ancestors while inspiring new generations to appreciate the beauty of Okinawan performing arts. The group is honored to perform at the Japan-America Society of Hawaii’s Bridge Awards, celebrating the cultural connections that unite our communities.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Ms. Jean Rolles
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
Student Tables
All Nippon Airways
Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation
Mr. John Durkin
Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP
Mr. Ed Hawkins
H.I.S. Hawaii
Mr. Chad & Mrs. Kazuko Love
Lung Rose Voss Wagnild
Pulama Lanai
Roy’s Restaurants
Sachi Hawaii Pacific Century Properties LLC
Taiko Ventures, LLC
Ms. Barbara Tanabe
Monetary Donors
$10,000 and above
Ms. Jean Rolles
Stanford Carr Development, LLC
$5,000-$9,999
ABC Stores
Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.
$4,999 and below
Finance Insurance
Mr. Jonathan Kindred
Mr. Greg & Mrs. Karen Knudsen
Mr. Earl Okawa
Noguchi & Associates Inc.
R.M. Towill Corporation
Silent Auction Donors
88 Tees Hawaii
Akira Japanese Restaurant
Aloha Tofu Factory, Inc.
Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
ANA InterContinental Tokyo
Anne Namba Designs
Anonymous
Asahi Beverages America
Asahi-Shuzo Sake Brewing Co., Ltd.
Mr. David Asanuma
Assaggio
Auto Perfection
Bar Bae LLC
Beauty Touch Hawaii
Bernini Honolulu
Bess Press
Big Island Candies
Blue Note Hawaii
Bradley & Lily
Break'N Anger, Inc.
Ms. Betty Brow
cakeM
Captain Bruce
Castle Resorts & Hotels (Castle Hospitality Group)
Mr. Neill Char
The Cherry Co., Ltd.
CHOGAJIP Korean Restaurant
Consolidated Theatres
Culture Girl Boutique
Currents/Aloha Bento
Daily Whisk Matcha
Mr. Peter Dames
Dave & Buster’s
Diamond Head Theatre
Dinell Consulting LLC
Don Quijote Hawaii
Dr. Cecile Sebastian, DDS
Mr. Stephen Dyer
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Espacio The Jewel of Waikiki
Expressions by Rochelle
Fete Hawaii
First Hawaiian Bank
The Friends of Iolani Palace
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
Mr. Dennis Francis
Fujioka’s Wine TIMES at Market City
Fujiya Hawaii, LLC
The Gate Hotel Tokyo by HULIC
Giovanni Pastrami Restaurant Group
Go Law Group
Haleʻiwa Beach House
Halekulani Corporation
Halekulani Okinawa
HANGANG Korean Grill House
Ms. Ann Hartman
Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF)
Hawaii News Now
Hawaii Theatre Center
Hawaiian Host Group
Hawaiian Shochu Company
Mr. Tyler Hiranaka
Hobbs Tea Company
Honolulu Coffee Co.
Honolulu Cookie Company
Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach
Mr. Robert and Mrs. Grace Ichikawa
Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Islander Sake Brewery
ITO EN
Japan Airlines
Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH)
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai`i (JCCH)
JTB Hawaii
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Kaka’ako Wine
Kakou Collective
Mr. Howard Kam
Kamukura Surf + Dine
Kapa Hale
K. Minamoto Hawaii, LLC
Ms. Karen Knudsen
KOHANA Rum
Ko’olau Distillery
Kokoro Care
Ku'uipo Collection
Ms. Christine Kubota
Mr. Akemi Kurokawa
KYO BAMBOO Corp. Nanzan Giro Giro
Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP
KYOCERA International, Inc.
Ms. Joy Ishihara Labrador
Ms. Colleen Laclair
Lighthouse Hawaii
Ms. Gina Maeda
Mana Up
Market City, Ltd.
Michel’s at the Colony Surf/Watabe Wedding Hawaii
Ms. Takako Miyazawa
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
Musubi Cafe Iyasume
MW Restaurant
Ms. Charlotte and Toddi Nakagawa
Mr. Roy Nishimura
NOHO HOME By Jalene Kanani
The Odom Corporation
Olay’s Thai-Lao Cuisine
Outrigger Hospitality Group
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel
Paper Crane Soaps
Prince Resorts Hawaii
Pure Joy Day Spa
Rainbow Crack Seed
Mr. John Rankin
Reecie B's Onolicious Food
Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa
Reneux Med & Day Spa
Mr. Ryan Roberts
Royal Hawaiian Center
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort
Roy’s Kaanapali
Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel
Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort
Mr. Steve Sombrero
StretchLab Hawaii
Sugar Bar Hawaii
Sumofish
Sun Noodle
The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club / Hoshino Resorts Hawaii, LLC.
Talk Kaimuki
Ms. Barbara Tanabe
Tanaka of Tokyo Restaurants
Tanaka Saimin
TATCHA
Tempura/Sushi Ichika
Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle Hawaii
Tokyu Hotels & Resort Co., Ltd.
Touch A Heart
Toys and Things HI
Ua Hawai'i / Ms. Leala Humbert
Dr. Eiko Ushida
Via Gelato
Mr. David Watanabe
The Wedding Ring Shop
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Wine & Roses
Westman Corporation
Woodcraft by Roy Tsumoto
Yo Mama's Mochi & Snacks, LLC
ZETTON, INC.