The Diamond Jubilee is a luncheon that will celebrate both HUOA’s 75th Anniversary and 2026 Legacy Award recipients.

The year 2026 marks the 75th Anniversary of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association. Since 1951, HUOA has grown from ten founding clubs to a vibrant network of 50 member clubs representing more than 40,000 Uchinanchu and Uchinanchu at heart across Hawai‘i. Through beloved programs such as the Okinawan Festival, the Hawaii-Okinawa Student Exchange Program, Kugani Ashibi Children’s Camp, cultural classes, and year-round events, HUOA continues to share the spirit of chimugukuru—compassion, connection, and care—with our broader community.

The “Diamond Jubilee” name echoes the spirit of the original Hui O Laulima Jubilee, which helped introduce Okinawan culture to Hawai‘i and ultimately paved the way for what we now know as the Okinawan Festival.

The Legacy Award honors leaders and cultural masters whose service and achievements have strengthened our Uchinanchu community, the greater Hawai’i community, and abroad. We proudly recognize them as significant contributors to present and future generations. Our 2026 Legacy Award honorees are:

Dr. Ryokichi “Rick” Higashionna, Former Director of the State Department of Transportation, UOA President 1985-86
Barbara and Kenji Maeshiro, Trans Pacific Tours and Pacific Money Exchange
Ryan Shimabukuro, U.S. Long Track National Team Coach for U.S. Speedskating

Please join us in celebrating both the contributions of our Legacy Award recipients and the larger Okinawan community as we commemorate HUOA’s 75th Anniversary milestone.

Details to come…