A Diasporic Dialogue – Article and video – A ‘Must See!’

Gusuuyoo, chuu wuganabira,

Some wonderful news, folks.  Ukwanshin Kabudan was the special feature in Halekulani Living, the in-house magazine for Halekulani Hawaii and Halekulani Okinawa hotels. Interestingly, this publication is called their “official storytelling source’  which is akin to much of how Ukwanshin imparts knowledge through their performing arts and cultural education.  

This feature includes an excellent article by Tina Nakada Grandinetti who was a special guest speaker at this year’s Loochoo Identity Summit, ‘Munugatai: How we remember, How we share, How we create.’   Tina artfully captures the essence of Ukwanshin in her elegant writing style. Besides the article, the feature also includes a warmly rich video depicting Ukwanshin in action and highlights our own ‘storytellers’ Eric Wada and Norman Kaneshiro as they thoughtfully and sincerely express their cultural and emotional connection to Okinawa.

Please click this link to read this informative article and view the video.  Enjoy!!

A Diasporic Dialogue

‘UTA-SANSHIN & UDUI” – a free performance on Jan. 25, 11am @ UH West Community College

This is an in-person event at UH West Oʻahu’s Library (B-Building). Directions to campus can be found below; parking is free. Please take the following purple route – annotated as if you were walking from the parking lot – to access our facility. This is a link to the non-annotated map. Note: we are the building with the beacon designed by Carol Bennett. 

The workshop will be in the Libraryʻs second floor event space. For directions, please stop by the Circulation Desk upon entering the building. 

Reservations now Open! SOUGWACHI UYUYĒ – A New Year Celebration

Please register to reserve a seat and select your bento choice. You can place your order with the online registration or mail in the attached reservation form. Seating is limited so reserve your seats now!

To register online, click on this link: 2024 New Year celebration.
Or

Complete and mail the attached reservation form with your payment to:
Ukwanshin Kabudan

PO Box 892725

Mililani, Hawaii. 96789

If you have any questions, please reply to this email or call (808) 781-9658. We will be glad to assist you.

DECEMBER 2023 – JANUARY 2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Happy Holidays!

Anyone is welcome to attend these cultural classes.  Please complete our Contact Form to enroll in any of these classes.

DECEMBER 2023 – JANUARY 2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 10         LOOCHOO STUDIES (Okinawa) Studies @ UH Hilo, 10am-4pm

January 8                SHIMAKUTUBA – Uchinaaguchi Study Session

                                7pm (Hawai`i time) online: [https://bit.ly/2XkyQHQshimakutuba]

                                Instructor: Brandon Ufugusuku Ing

Sanshin classes

December 5          7:30 – 8:30 pm  Ufubushi (classical uta-sanshin) 

                              instructor: Keith-shinshii

                              http://bit.ly/3vBOIWnSanshin

LAST CLASS OF 2023

December 6          6:30-7:30pm Intermediate Fa-uta (bon dance songs)

                              7:45-8:15pm Beginners’ Foundations class

                              instructor: Norman-shinshii

December 13        6:30-7:30pm Jiutee (advanced)

                              instructor: Norman-shinshii

UP-COMING EVENTS in 2024

February 10            Uchinā Sōgwachi Shinnenkai

March 22, 23, 24.    Loochoo Identity Summit

October-November Calendar of Events

Oct. 24 – Nov. 5 –GAKUMUN (study tour) to Okinawa
Intimate visit to Uchinaa conducted by Ukwanshin Kabudan directors  Eric Wada and Norman Kaneshiro
[2023 and 2024 tours are sold out]

Friday, Nov. 10  –NUFANI, Okinawan dance workshop
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Windward Community College, Hale Pālanakila free, open to the public, no registration necessary
Instructor:  Eric Wada

Monday, Nov. 13 –SHIMAKUTUBA – Uchinaaguchi  Study Session [https://bit.ly/2XkyQHQshimakutuba]
Instructor: Brandon Ufugusuku Ing

Sanshin classes
*Regularly scheduled classes are canceled from October 25 – November  7 and will be on hiatus for the month of December.

Ist & 3rd Tuesdays: 7:30 – 8:30 pm  Ufubushi (classical uta-sanshin with Keith-shinshii) http://bit.ly/3vBOIWnSanshin

1st & 3rd Wednesdays: 6:30-7:30 pm Intermediate Fa-uta (bon dance songs)

7:45-8:15 pm Beginners’ Foundations class

2nd Wednesdays: 6:30-7:30 pm Jiutee (advanced)

4th Wednesdays: 6:00-7:00 pm Ufubushi (classical uta-sanshin w/ Keith-shinshii)
7:15-8:30 pm Jiutee (advanced)

Please note:

  • We start at 6 pm only on 4th Wednesdays
  • Wednesday classes are hybrid (held online and in-person) 

2023 Juuguya – Autumn Moon Festival – Reserve your tickets now!

There are 2 ways to submit your reservation.  Please select the one that is most convenient for you:

1. online at (click on this link)  2023 Juuguya reservation

2. download, complete and mail the attached registration form to Ukwanshin Kabudan, PO Box 892725, Mililani, HI 96789. 

Every attendee must purchase a ticket for admission entry and buffet dinner.  Confirmation of reservation will be acknowledged upon receipt of payment.  
If you have any questions, please reply to this email.

Hope to see you there!