Main Stage Program
(1st Floor)
On behalf of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association, we thank you for joining us this past festival! In this year's program, we seek to share the Uchinanchu Aloha that is embodied in the state of Hawaii as various local Okinawan performing arts groups and other special guests share their ways of perpetuating the Okinawan culture and more!
SATURDAY (9/3)
10:00 am
Hawaii Time
10:05 am
Hawaii Time
Welcome / MC Introduction
RYUKYU SOKYOKU KOYO KAI HAWAII SHIBU
The Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyo Kai, Hawaii Shibu, is the Hawaii chapter of the society for the preservation of classical Kutu (Okinawan koto) music. Consisting of five Oahu senseis and their respective studios, the members support each other through collaborative practice and performance to perpetuate this traditional art.
10:25 am
Hawaii Time
RYUKYU KOTEN ONGAKU NOMURA RYU ONGAKU KYOKAI HAWAII SHIBU
Founded in 1967, Ryukyu Koten Ongaku Nomura Ryu Ongaku Kyokai Hawaii Shibu is dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of classical Okinawan music. Classes are offered weekly through in-person and virtual formats.
10:45 am
Hawaii Time
OPENING PROCESSION
Marks the official beginning of the festival. Watch Panaku Clubs of Hawaii, Hawaii Okinawa Creative Arts, and members from the Hawaii United Okinawan Association bringing in their club's banners as they bear in the opening of the festival.
Music by: Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii
11:00 am
Hawaii Time
PARANKU CLUBS OF HAWAII
Established from 1978 to preserve the Okinawan culture, the late Josho Matsumoto Sensei taught a group of ladies to learn the dance and joy of paranku. The club hopes to continue inspiring all generations to stay active and connected to the Okinawan culture and community.
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11:10 am
Hawaii Time
FORMAL OPENING CEREMONY
The official opening of the Okinawan Festival Program.
Featuring speeches by:
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HUOA President David Jones
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CPB Foundation
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Governor of the State of Hawaii David Ige
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Mayor of City and County of Honolulu Rick Blangiardi
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Deputy Consul General of Japan in Honolulu Yutaka Aoki
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United Japanese Society of Hawaii President Kanzo Nara
11:40 am
Hawaii Time
MITCHAI KWATTAI
The members of Mitchai Kwattai come from various musical experiences ranging from folk to classical, jazz to blues and rock, as well as traditional Okinawan music. Sharing a reverence for Okinawan culture, Mitchai Kwattai creates a unique blend of arrangements of traditional Okinawan songs, as well as original songs written in the Okinawan language. Through their music, the group aims to raise awareness and interest in the unique cultures of Ryukyu.
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12:05 pm
Hawaii Time
SONOROUS QUARTET
The Sonorous Quartet is a Hawaii-based saxophone quartet founded in 2020 by four like-minded saxophonists who enjoy playing music together. We perform a variety of music, primarily in the classical and jazz styles, and have commissioned several new pieces for saxophone quartet. Our mission is to continue sharing our music with others and to continue commissioning new music for the saxophone.
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12:25 pm
Hawaii Time
HOOGE RYU HANA NUUZI NO KAI
NAKASONE DANCE ACADEMY
Hooge Ryu Hana Nuuzi no Kai Nakasone Dance Academy will serve as a bridge of knowledge and awareness from the East to the West to preserve and perpetuate the Okinawan dance, culture, and history in Hawaii.
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1:00 pm
Hawaii Time
HAWAII OKINAWA CREATIVE ARTS
Established in 2012, the Hawaii Okinawa Creative Arts provides opportunities and venues to promote cultural exploration through fellowship, fun, and Okinawan performing arts with an emphasis on perpetuating Shishimai performances (Okinawan Lion). HOCA strives to preserve Okinawa heritage by encouraging the next generation to strengthen the worldwide Uchinanchu network.
1:35 pm
Hawaii Time
RYUSEI HONRYU RYUKO KAI
Ryusei Honryu Ryuko Kai, under the direction of Mitsuko Toguchi Nakasone, Kaishu has been teaching Okinawan dancing to students, ranging from 12 years old to 84 years young, for over 34 years. Toguchi sensei has participated in every Okinawan festival and looks forward to these festivities. Through the Okinawan Festival she strives to perpetuate the Okinawan culture through music, and dance for the young and old.
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2:10 pm
Hawaii Time
COUNCIL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADVANCEMENT
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians. CNHA is proud to partner with community organizations to promote authentic Hawaiian culture and arts, and investing in meaningful and reciprocal relationships between all cultures found in our home. It is through this that we are able to celebrate, remember, and educate our community of what makes Hawaiʻi so special.
Featuring: HĀLAU HIʻIAKAINAMAKALEHUA
2:45 pm
Hawaii Time
RYUKYUKOKU MATSURI DAIKO HAWAII
Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko originated in 1982, combining traditional Eisa and Karate forms with contemporary influences and music to create a new and unique taiko style. The club has grown tremendously and now includes chapters all around the world. Our own Hawaii chapter was founded by Akemi Martin Sensei and now includes branches on Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island. Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko and its members work together to build and maintain cross-cultural friendships and perpetuate Okinawan culture through the art and spirit of taiko.
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3:20 pm
Hawaii Time
TAMAGUSUKU RYU KANSEN ATAE NO KAI
YONAMINE KEIKO, KAISHU
NISHIJO JOSEPH
Tamagusuku Ryu Kansen Atae no Kai is a traditional Ryukyu Buyo performing group which started its roots in Okinawan, Japan. Once migrating to the USA in the 1980’s Yonamine Keiko has been teaching and perpetuating the Ryukyuan Performing arts in Southern California and has enjoyed sharing the Ryukyuan dance in every corner of the United States.
4:05 pm
Hawaii Time
RYUKYU KOTEN AFUSO RYU ONGAKU KENKYUU CHOICHI KAI HAWAII
Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai USA, a classical (koten) okinawan sanshin group, is the first Afuso Ryu chapter outside of Okinawa, and is founded by Japan Living National Treasure Choichi Terukina Sensei. We have over 200 students, on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, & Hawaii islands, California, Washington State, & New York, and are honored to have been able to perform together with Terukina Sensei at Carnegie Hall, New York in 2019 in celebration of his 88th Birthday.
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5:05 pm
Hawaii Time
KACHASHI
Please join us in our closing number as we welcome EVERYONE to the stage to for Okinawan freestyle dancing - also known as KACHASHI.
Featuring Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii
SATURDAY (9/3)
Bon Dance
5:30 pm
Hawaii Time
OPENING & WELCOME
5:35 pm
Hawaii Time
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HAWAII EISA SHINYUU KAI
Hawaii Eisa Shinyuu Kai started in 2003, and is a group specializing In Eisa style drumming. performed in Okinawa during obon season, our members practice drumming, dancing, singing, as well as shishimai (okinawan lion), and sanshin. We have over 100 members, ranging in age from 3 years old to 90+ young, and encourage everyone to participate.
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6:10 pm
Hawaii Time
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IWAKUNI ODORI AIKO KAI
Iwakuni Odori Aiko Kai is a bon dancing, drumming and singing club celebrating 70 years of goodwill and dedication. We continue to perpetuate the cultural heritage of the performing folk arts of Japan by promoting the traditional Iwakuni style bon dances, related minyo and originally choreographed dances.
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6:45 pm
Hawaii Time
HAWAII SHIN KOBUKAI
Hawaii Shin Kobukai (HSK) was established more than 50 years ago by the late Mabel Yamada. The club is committed to the perpetuation of bon dance in Hawaii for all ages and generations. HSK is unique as members do not share common homeland ties and the group's dances are all set to relatively modern recorded music.
7:10 pm
Hawaii Time
AIEA TAIHEIJI YAGURA GUMI
The Aiea Taiheiji Fukushima Ondo Yagura Gumi, performs live drum music at Buddhist Temple Bon Dances, and other Japanese community cultural events throughout Oahu. Its purpose is to perpetuate and promote Buddhist obon festivities and dances, including the traditional Japanese folk song known as 'Fukushima Ondo,' with the unique style and melody as taught by the ground founding members. The Yagura Gumi is a non-profit group that has supported the rich cultural heritage of 'obon' in Hawaii for more than sixty years.
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7:45 pm
Hawaii Time
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YOUNG OKINAWANS OF HAWAII
We are a cultural organization working to perpetuate our Okinawan heritage in Hawai'i through bon dance and community service. Come listen and dance to traditional eisaa songs performed live accompanied by teeku drumming as we shout our heeshi to honor and celebrate our uyafaafuji and all those who came before us!
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8:45 pm
Hawaii Time
KACHASHI
Please join us in our closing number as we welcome EVERYONE to the stage to for Okinawan freestyle dancing - also known as KACHASHI.
SUNDAY (9/4)
10:00 am
Hawaii Time
KILAUEA OKINAWA DANCE CLUB
The Kilauea Okinawa Dance Club is a group of retirees who enjoy keeping an active lifestyle while learning about the Okinawan culture through dance, music and language.
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10:20 am
Hawaii Time
10:45 am
Hawaii Time
11:20 am
Hawaii Time
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11:55 am
Hawaii Time
12:30 pm
Hawaii Time
1:05 pm
Hawaii Time
1:35 pm
Hawaii Time
1:55 pm
Hawaii Time
HUOA ICHIGO ICHI E CLASS
HĀLAU O NĀ PUA KUKUI
CHINAGU EISA HAWAII
Chinagu Eisa Hawaii is a contemporary Okinawa Eisa (taiko drumming) group formed in 2008 with the mission to perpetuate the Okinawan culture to the younger generation and local community. We are a multi-generational group and “Chinagu” means connect in the Uchinaa language.
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COUNCIL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADVANCEMENT
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians. CNHA is proud to partner with community organizations to promote authentic Hawaiian culture and arts, and investing in meaningful and reciprocal relationships between all cultures found in our home. It is through this that we are able to celebrate, remember, and educate our community of what makes Hawaiʻi so special.
Featuring: HĀLAU HIʻIAKAINAMAKALEHUA
TAMAGUSUKU RYU SENJU KAI -
FRANCES NAKACHI RYUBU DOJO
An Okinawan Dance Academy established by Francews Nakachi Kuba Sensei 25 years ago. Their mission is promoting, preserving and perpetuating the rich Okinawan culture through "Heartfelt Artistry." their vision is to enrich lives, inspire hope and bring joy to the community one dance at a time.
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UKULELE HALE
Ukulele Hale is a ‘ukulele studio founded in 2007 by Jody Kamisato, a fourth-generation Okinawan descendant from Hawaii. His talented team of instructors include Gina Sunada and Kent Uyehara (both Uchinanchu) along with Cody Chung. Together they continue to bring joy to thousands of students around the world, by sharing their love and passion for music and the ‘ukulele.
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HONOKA
Honoka is a ‘ukulele musician, singer-songwriter and entertainer from Hawaii. Honoka hopes to live a life that is inspired, and with music has her voice, inspire others along the way. This will be Honoka’s second appearance in the Okinawan Festival.
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AZAMA HONRYU ALLISON YANAGI
RYUKYU DANCE STUDIO
The Mission of the dojo is to share and teach classical and traditional Okinawan performing arts with Hawaii and beyond. Aside from learning how to perform, we also study the meaning of songs and dance.
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NOMURA RYU DENTO ONGAKU KYOKAI HAWAII SHIBU
The mission of the dojo is to share and teach classical and traditional Okinawan performing arts with Hawaii and beyond. We focus on how dance and music interact and interplay with each other to create a cultural and artistic experience.
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2:30 pm
Hawaii Time
JIMPU KAI USA KIN RYOSHO RYUKYU GEINO KENKYUSHO
Jimpu Kai USA Kin Ryosho Ryukyu Geino Kenkyusho, Hawaii Shibu, under the direction of Cheryl Nakasone sensei, perpetuates the tradition of Okinawan dance and kumiwudui (classical dance drama) as passed down by Master Ryosho Kin. The group successfully performed Hanaui nu En at the National Theatre Okinawa in 2015 and this year Nakasone sensei marks 45 years of teaching with Jimpu Kai USA.
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2:55 pm
Hawaii Time
OKINAWA MINYO KYOKAI HAWAII &
URIZUN MINYO GROUP
The late Derek Ichiro Shiroma Sensei formed Urizun Minyo Group in 2005. The purpose was to reach out into the community, especially the younger generations to show and inspire them with the beautiful Okinawan melodies and the culture so that the spirit of Okinawan music will always be remembered.
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3:25 pm
Hawaii Time
KACHASHI
Please join us in our closing number as we welcome EVERYONE to the stage to for Okinawan freestyle dancing - also known as KACHASHI. .
Featuring Ryukyu Koten Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii
Special thanks to Sara Toma for the artwork on this page.