JCSM Signature Events
Oshougatsu The annual Oshougatsu Mochi Pounding doubles as the organization's General Membership meeting. Pre-COVID, we get together and experience mochi pounding together, build our own mochi with sweet and savory toppings, enjoy ozoni and play some games. Shinnen Enkai The annual Shinnen Enkai is typically on the last Saturday of January, to welcome the new year. Attendees wear their best kimono for this evening formal banquet. Each year, JCSM honors Nihon Bunka awardees - outstanding individuals who have perpetuated (life-long) the Japanese culture. There's welcome sake, entertainment, and fukubiki - a fun evening for everyone. | Maui Matsuri This Japanese Festival began in 1999. With a grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the County of Maui, this annual celebration has contests, performances, art displays, food vendors, and much more. Learn more about it here. |
2021 Virtual Shinnen Enkai and Resilience Awards Watch the entire virtual program here: |
Gannenmono Celebration (2018) 2018 marked the 150th year since the first Japanese immigrants - our ancestors who have sacrificed to find a better life in 1868, settled in Hawai’i to work for the sugar plantation. This is a big and momentous milestone for the Japanese community of Hawai’i. The first immigrants, about 150 of them, are known as the “Gannenmono.” A series of commemorative events were planned throughout the State of Hawai’i by various organizations, which included JCS Maui. The Honolulu Consulate General of Japan has made it possible for the state to welcome 140 Japanese crew members of the distinguished Kaiwo Maru training ship, which docked at the Kahului Harbor in May. The purpose of the Kaiwo Maru’s visit is to celebrate the Gannenmono with our community. JCSM received grant monies from the County of Maui to help celebrate the events!
With partnership with JTB bus tours, the Kaiwo Maru crew enjoyed what Maui has to offer. Student and Senior tours were also conducted aboard the ship.
To honor international relations protocol, the Kaiwo Maru crew visited to the county building’s Mayor’s Office and Council Chamber. In the evening, the crew joined the celebrations for the Maui Matsuri Kick-Off, with program and entertainment, including obon dancing.
| 50th Anniversary Celebration (2019) For the last 50 years, the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui upheld its mission to perpetuate the Japanese culture to help preserve traditions and values for our kodomo. As we reach this 50th golden milestone, we hope you can join us to honor those who have paved the way for our future. The JCSM 50th Anniversary Gala was held on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 at the King Kamehameha Golf Club Waikapu Ballroom. The fundraising evening featured a buffet dinner, entertainment, silent auction and a program that honors Maui’s Japanese community. The Gala honored Yukie Ueoka, the last living founding board member, who helped establish JCSM in 1969. We raised funds for the restoration of the iconic tea house in the Japanese Garden at the Kepaniwai Park in Iao Valley. It is our goal to hold a traditional tea ceremony in the tea house to commemorate the Gannenmono, the 150th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. With your support, we can turn this ambitious plan into reality. PHOTOS! Click here are some wonderful photos from the event. Here's a video of past president Brian Sato in Sept. 2019 giving a tour of the renovations needed for the tea house project: VIDEO Here's an introduction video of Yukie Ueoka, our honored guest: |
Other Past Events |