This event is sponsored in part by the State Foundation of Culture & Arts and Hawaii United Okinawa Association. Dates are subject to change. Contact HUOA for updates.
Okinawan Summer Day Camp for Children

Camps are scheduled for all major Islands – Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii at three locations.

From the island of Kauai to east side of the Big Island – the sounds of our Okinawan music will be heard throughout the state in the month of June. Children ages seven to thirteen will be able to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of our culture. This year it may take the form of Eisa drumming, Kobudo-styled drumming, sanba playing, or Okinawan dance our culture will be shared. 

“Warabi Ashibi” is an Okinawan term meaning “children at play.” The spirit of this theme has governed the Hawaii United Okinawa Association’s Okinawan Cultural Summer Day Camp Program for Kids.   Developed in 1996, the program is designed to teach children about the Okinawan culture and heritage in a fun learning atmosphere.

Campers (children from the ages of 8 to 13) are introduced to Okinawan history, dance, language, drumming, martial arts, crafts, flower arrangement, cooking and plantation games.   Projects are designed to provide a hands-on fun and educational experience for the participants and will vary from camp to camp.

Projects this year will include: the making and performing of an eisa odaiko drum (Oahu); a daruma doll (Oahu and Kohala); a sanba or sampan (Kauai and Maui); a “shimi-daiko” or two-sided corded drum (Hilo); and a kobudo styled odaiko drum (Kohala and Hilo). According to State Director Karen Kuba-Hori, “We are very excited this year, camps have preparing for their projects since the beginning of the year.     Having the opportunity to introduce such important elements of our Okinawan culture to our children is immeasurable.   Every year each program gets better and better.   The programming this year is exceptional – lots of fun stuff for the kids play, learn and teach their parents.”

“Warabi Ashibi” was first established by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association for Oahu, the program is now offered statewide with the assistance from neighbor island Okinawan clubs and a financial grant from the State of Hawaii, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Coordinators from each island develop the program that will best suit their population.

For additional and updated information, please visit our website at www.huoa.org or call the HUOA office at 676-5400 or email at kuba-huoa@hawaii.rr.com.

For more information Please call the HUOA office at 676-5400 or email at kuba-huoa@hawaii.rr.com.

Listing of Camps and General Information:

Oahu
Location: Hawaii Okinawa Center
Date of Camp: June 9 – 13, 2015
(sleepover at the Hawaii Okinawa Center scheduled on Thursday)
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 8:30am to 2:30pm
Friday: 8:30am – noon.
Coordinating Club: Hui O Laulima
Directors: Connie Chun and Kate Ardona
Registration: $100 (discount for multi-child households)
Number of Kids: 80
Ages: 8 years to 13 years of age
Contact: Karen Kuba-Hori, (808) 676-5400
kuba-huoa@hawaii.rr.com
(see application form provided on this page)

Download Registration Form
Download Application Form

Maui
Location: Maui Okinawa Center
Date of Camp: June 9 – 13, 2015
Hours: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Coordinating Club: Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai & Maui Ryukyu Culture Group
Directors: Elaine Fujita and Janet Miyahira
Registration: $95 for MOKK members; $120 for non-members,
includes one year MOKK membership.
(discount for multi-child households)
Number of Kids: 30
Ages: Entering 1st grade – 8th grade
Contact: MOKK, (808)242-1560
MOKK, PO Box 1884, Wailuku 96793

Download Application Form (Maui)

Hawaii – Hilo
Location: Honpa Hongwanji, Hilo Betsuin
Date of Camp: June 7 – 12, 2015
(Excursion scheduled for Thursday – with a Wednesday Fun Night)
Hours: 8:30am – 2:30pm
Coordinating Club: Hui Okinawa
Registration: $100 (discount for multi-child households)
Number of Kids: 48
Ages: 8 years to 13 years of age
Director: Ruby Maekawa and Dwayne Miyashiro
Contact: Ruby Maekawa, (808) 959-4855
rmaekawa@hawaiiantel.net
Download Registration Form 2015

Hawaii – Kohala
Location: Hawi Jodo Mission
Date of Camp: June 20 – 21, 2015
Hours: Saturday – 8:30am to 2:30pm
Sunday – 8:30am to 3:00pm
Coordinating Club: Kohala Okinawa Kenjin Kai
Registration: $40 (discount for multi-child households)
Number of Kids: 24
Ages: 7 years to 13 years of age
Director: TBA
Contact: Karen Kuba-Hori, (808)-676-5400
kuba-huoa@hawaii.rr.com

Download Application (Kohala)

Hawaii – Kona
Location: Konawaena High School
Date of Camp; June 27 – 28, 2015
Hours: Saturday – 8:30am to 3:30pm
Sunday – 8:30am to 4:30pm
Coordinating Club: Kona Okinawa Kenjin Kai
Registration: $45
Number of Kids: 20
Ages: 8 years to 13 years of age
Directors: Doris Grace and Pat Nagy
Contact: Doris Grace, gracedoris48@gmail.com
Pat Nagy, (808) 325-0060 or pnagy808@hotmail.com

Kauai
Location: Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall
Date of Camp: June 16 – 18, 2015
Hours: 8:30am to 4:00pm
Coordinating Club: Hui Alu, Inc.
Registration: $100 (discount for multi-child households)
Number of Kids: 50
Ages: 8 years to 13 years of age
Director: Gloria Hiranaka
Contact: Gloria Hiranaka, (808) 652-1223 or gjhiranaka@hotmail.com