3rd Annual JASH NexGen Natsumatsuri

(Originally Published August 18, 2022)

On August 17, 2022, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) hosted our Third Annual Natsumatsuri Summer Festival planned and produced by the JASH NexGen Advisory Committee. This year, the Ginza-themed festival was held in-person at the BSIDE lounge + venue at Ward Centre. Almost 200 guests enjoyed reconnecting with each other.

The program included entertainer Daz Toguchi who performed two wonderful Japanese dances, followed by Anju Madoka from Madoka no Kai who engaged the audience to dance while she played the shamisen. In between performances, our talented emcees Gina Maeda and Chris Anjo pulled names for the Lucky Draw Prize Drawing. Over 23 prizes were given away with 60,000 HawaiianMiles as the Grand Prize. We are grateful to all of our prize donors who helped make the Lucky Draw exciting. Our final performance was the thunderous drum beat by Ryugen Taiko who performed two songs.

Guests enjoyed delicious festive dishes prepared by Ward-area restaurants including Ginza Sushi, Piggy Smalls, Fat Cheeks, Maile Thai and Kamitoku Ramen. In addition, NexGen Committee members created signature cocktails especially for the event: Sunset Aviators, which was a cocktail with Cassis Orange, and The Bar Captain, which was a highball with lemon.

The Natsumatsuri Summer Festival is a project that brings together JASH’s next generation of leaders. This year, there were over 50 volunteers to help make the event a success. Special thanks to event co-chairs Jenna Nakagawa, Toby Tamaye and Delle Tanioka for leading the team.