Autumn Okinawa Dance Festival 2026

The Hawaiʻi United Okinawa Association, founded in 1951 by descendants of Okinawan plantation workers who began arriving in 1900, built the Hawaiʻi Okinawa Center with over $9 million raised by its member clubs — opening in 1990 to mark 90 years of Okinawan immigration. This community-hosted dance is a more intimate counterpart to HUOA's sprawling late-summer Okinawan Festival, held annually at Kapiolani Park since 1982.

On the evening of the Matsuri, crowds dressed in kimono, happi coats, and eisa outfits gather at the center, dancing to the beat of taiko and swaying to the sounds of sanshin, with the call of "iya sassa-ha iyaa!" rising into the night. Traditional Okinawan numbers are woven with Japanese favorites for an evening of culture and fellowship. HUOA member clubs staff food booths selling andagi, Okinawan soba, spam musubi, taco rice, jimami tofu, bento, shave ice, bubble tea, and andadog, with food sales beginning at 4 p.m. Admission is free; donations are appreciated.