Japanese Culture in Hawaii

Information about Japanese culture in Hawaii and the influence of Japanese culture on the Hawaiian culture of today. Includes Japanese attractions, events, and organizations in Hawaii, books about Japanese culture in Japan, Japanese restaurants in Hawaii, and recipes for Japanese dishes popular in Hawaii.

People of Japanese ancestry were the second largest ethnic group in Hawaii as of the 2000 census, but as of the 2010 census, Filipinos were Hawaii's second largest ethnic group (after "white alone") and people of Japanese ancestry were Hawaii's third largest ethnic groups.

Many Japense residents of Hawaii were interned after the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II.

Japanese Immigration to Hawaii

Japanese Organizations in Hawaii

Attractions Events Immigration Organizations

Japanese Events in Hawaii

Memorial Day Lantern Floating Ceremony (Oahu Island
This annual festival on Magic Island in Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu features live Hawaiian and Japanese entertainment and a traditional Japanese lantern floating ceremony to honor ancestors and remember those who have passed away. As the sun is going down, more then 700 lanterns lit with candles are set afloat. For the first three years this event was held in Keehi lagoon but since 2002 it has been held at Magic Island.

Honolulu New Year's Ohana Festival (Oahu Island)
The New Year's Ohana Festival at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii and Moiliili Field is the largest annual event organized by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. It typically lasts all day and it features live entertainment, cultural and martial arts demonstrations, crafts, books sales, and Japanese and multicultural food booths. The 2009 New Year's Ohana Festival took place on Sunday, January 11, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Joy of Sake (Oahu Island)
This annual event at the Hawaii Convention Center sponsored by the International Sake Association and it features Sake sampling and exhibits. For more information call 808-739-1000.

Hilo Festival of the Pacific (Hawaii Island)
This annual event on the Big Island of Hawaii celebrates Japanese influences on Hawaiian culture and it features a lantern parade, a Japanese tea ceremony at the Liliuokalani Park Tea House, contests, arts and crafts, and food booths. For more information call 808-934-0177.

Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival (Hawaii Island)
This annual festival on the Big Island of Hawaii is a celebration of Japanese culture and it features a parade, bon dancing, Taiko drums, karaoke, art, crafts, and food booths. Call 808-961-8706 for more information

Other Japanese Culture Events in Hawaii
- Cherry Blossom Festival
- Cherry Blossom Queen Pageant
- Girl's Day: March 3
- Boy's Day and Children's Day: May 5
- Buddha Day: April 8
- Bodhi Day: First Sunday in December

More About Japanese Culture in Hawaii

Japanese Immigration to Hawaii
Articles and information about Japanese immigration to Hawaii.

Japanese Restaurants in Hawaii
Where to find Japanese restaurants, sushi houses, and Japanese cafes and fast food outlets in Hawaii.

Japanese in Hawaii: A Bibliography (PDF)
These materials related to Japanese in Hawaii are available in the Hawaii and Pacific Section of the Hawaii State Library at 478 South King Street in the historic capitol district of Downtown Honolulu.

Japanese Food Recipes
Recipes for Teriyaki Meatballs. and for the breaded and fried chicken cutlet dish known as Chicken Katsu.

Books About Japanese Culture in Hawaii
- Japanese Pilot Crash landing on Niihjau in 1941
- Jan Ken Po: The World of Hawaii's Japanese Americans
- Cane Fires: The Anti-Japanese Movement in Hawaii: 1865-1945
- No Sword to Bury: Japanese Americans in Hawaii During WWII
- The Japanese in Hawaii: A Century of Struggle
- Unlikely Liberators: The Men of the 100th and 442nd
- Wikipedia "Japanese in Hawaii" Article

Cookbooks About Japanese Cooking in Hawaii
- Japanese Cooking Hawaii Style
- Hawaii's bento Box Cookbook: Fun Lunches for Kids

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Asian Culture in Hawaii

About the Cultures of Hawaii

Destinations in Hawaii

Hawaii for Visitors

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