JASH Japan Day Fall 2025
On October 30, 2025, JASH held its 64th Japan Day program, generously sponsored by the McInerny Foundation and the Freeman Foundation. Approximately 180 students from Castle High School, H.P. Baldwin High School, Kailua High School, King Kekaulike High School, Le Jardin Academy, Makua Lani Christian Academy, and Washington Middle School gathered at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii’s Generations Ballroom to enjoy a day of cultural activities.
Held twice a year, Japan Day is JASH’s longest-running educational program and is offered free of charge to middle and high schools across Hawaii. Since its inception in 1993, over 8,500 students from 71 different public and private schools have participated in this enriching program. Generous support from the McInerny Foundation has allowed JASH to expand Japan Day’s reach to more schools, positively impacting an even greater number of students. Additional funding from the Freeman Foundation enabled more neighbor island schools to participate as well.
Top Row (L-R) Welcome remarks by Reyna Kaneko and Deputy Consul General Hiroki Haruta
Bottom Row (L-R) Kendō demonstration by DCG; Taiko demonstration by Taiko Center of the Pacific
The program began with welcome remarks by JASH President Reyna Kaneko. JASH was also honored to welcome Deputy Consul General Hiroki Haruta, who shared his greetings, expressed support for the event, and performed an impressive Kendō demonstration while dressed in a traditional Kendō uniform, using a katana, a traditional Japanese sword. A dynamic taiko performance and demonstration by members of the Taiko Center of the Pacific followed, featuring three exciting pieces that energized the audience and set a lively tone for the day. Following the opening ceremony, students attended four of eight cultural sessions presented by more than 30 volunteer experts. Hands-on workshops included bon dance, calligraphy, hanafuda (Japanese playing cards), ikebana (flower arranging), karate, soroban (Japanese abacus), tea ceremony, and yukata. After the Japan Day program, neighbor island students from Hawaii and Maui received private gallery tours of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii’s exhibit Okage Sama De: I am what I am because of you. These students also explored other cultural sites on Oahu, including Don Quijote and STIX Asia, before returning to their respective islands.
Top Row (L–R) Students try bon dance moves and steps; Students practice calligraphy strokes.
Bottom Row (L-R) Students learn how to play hanafuda; Students explore the basics of ikebana
Japan Day offers students a hands-on introduction to traditional Japanese arts and culture, reinforcing and broadening what they learn in the classroom. A student from H.P. Baldwin High School reflected in the post-program survey, “Overall, I think Japan Day was a fun and insightful experience. Learning different parts of Japanese culture kept the day feeling fresh, and the museum journey at the end helped shed some light on Japan's relationship with Hawaii.” The program also emphasizes how cultural traditions can inspire and enrich lives across communities.
Top Row (L-R) Students learn some karate moves; Students learn how to use the soroban
Bottom Row (L-R) Students learn about the art of tea ceremony; Students try on yukata
JASH extends its sincere gratitude to the generous sponsors of Japan Day: the McInerny Foundation and the Freeman Foundation. A heartfelt mahalo also goes to the dedicated volunteer experts who made the program possible: Ms. Lydia Morikawa and members of Hawaii Shin Kobukai (bon dance); Ms. Tsugumi Hasebe and members of Toka Shodo Calligraphy (calligraphy); Ms. Helen Nakano and members of Hanafuda Hawaii (hanafuda); Ms. Dawn Kanno and family of MOA Hawaii (ikebana); Mr. Jordan Silva of Japan International Karate Center (karate); Mr. Hideaki Oshima and Mrs. Yasuko Oshima of Araki Hiroya Soroban School (soroban); Mr. Hitoshi Murata and members of the Urasenke Foundation (tea ceremony); and Ms. Mutsuko Narumi and former members of the UH Kimono Project (yukata). JASH also thanks the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii for providing private gallery tours of the Okage Sama De: I am what I am because of you exhibit for the neighbor island students.
