Mahalo Yabusame

On behalf of the Honolulu Foundation, Ogasawara America, and the entire Yabusame Hawaiʻi 2026 Executive Committee, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported, attended, and took part in Yabusame Hawaiʻi 2026, held on June 13–14, 2026.

It was in 1996 that yabusame (Japanese mounted archery) was first performed in Hawaiʻi. Three decades later, this event celebrated that legacy — and in a deeply moving moment, Master Kiyomoto Ogasawara, who rode as one of the archers in that very first performance, once again took to the field. The dream of bringing yabusame back to Hawaiʻi was rekindled when Master Ogasawara visited the islands in 2023 for a series of seminars that left attendees longing to witness yabusame once more. From 2024, full-scale planning and fundraising began, and three years in the making, the dedicated efforts of countless hands brought that renewed dream to this day. Thanks to your support, the event concluded as a resounding success, with more than 700 people — audience members, performers, volunteers, and vendors — gathering at Kualoa Ranch despite the rain.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Honolulu Foundation, which has devoted two decades to introducing the beauty of Japanese culture to the people of Hawaiʻi. Yabusame Hawaiʻi 2026 stands as a proud reflection of that mission.

A Weekend of Cultural Celebration

On the morning of June 13, archers of the Ogasawara School (Ogasawara-ryū), garbed in medieval Japanese court and samurai attire, marched in the King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade from downtown Honolulu to Kapiʻolani Park alongside the giant kites of the Shirone Kite Group from Niigata, Japan, sharing this 850-year-old tradition with thousands of spectators. That afternoon at Kapiʻolani Park, the Ogasawara-ryū presented Hikime-no-Gi — a sacred purification ceremony performed outside Japan only four times in history — together with Momote-shiki, a formal ceremonial archery rite.

On June 14 at Kualoa Ranch, the program opened with a Hawaiian oli (chant) and hula kahiko offering prayers to the land and people of Hawaiʻi, followed by Japanese purification rituals — a meaningful bridging of Hawaiian and Japanese traditions. The day also featured shakuhachi music, a hula offering by the hālau of Kumu Tracie Lopes, the giant kites of Shirone, a tea offering by Urasenke, and Shinto rites by Izumo Taisha, with vendors offering visitors many ways to experience Japanese culture.

A Historic Milestone

In a moment of historic significance, three generations of the Ogasawara headmaster lineage performed together: 31st-generation Headmaster Kiyotada Ogasawara, his successor Kiyomoto Ogasawara, and Kiyomoto's son Kiyochika Ogasawara. This is believed to be the first three-generation performance in the school's 850-year history to take place outside Japan. Both the yabusame and Hikime-no-Gi ceremonies were dedicated as prayers for peace and tranquility, abundant harvests, and the happiness and prosperity of all the people of Hawaiʻi.

Reaching Beyond the Venue

Because attendance at Kualoa Ranch was limited for safety, the event was live-streamed by ʻŌlelo Community Media, reaching viewers in Japan, California, and beyond, with approximately 1,900 views to date. ʻŌlelo will also rebroadcast the program four times on Channel 53 in August 2026, so that even more people across Hawaiʻi can share in this celebration.

In Loving Memory

We pause to honor the memory of our beloved Honorary Executive Committee Chairs, the late Master Sen Genshitsu and the late Governor George Ariyoshi. Their vision and support were indispensable to this project, and their legacy lives on in every arrow released that day.

This event, three years in the making, would not have been possible without the generous support of many organizations and individuals since preparations and fundraising began in 2024. We extend our sincere thanks to:

• The Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, for its official patronage and unwavering support
• The many foundations, corporations, and organizations that honored us with grants and sponsorship
• Mr. John Morgan and the warm-hearted team at Kualoa Ranch, for providing this magnificent venue
• The Ogasawara-ryū delegation from Japan and America, Kumu Tracie Lopes and her hālau, shakuhachi artist Mamino Yorita, the Shirone Kite Group, Urasenke, Izumo Taisha, and all performers
• Our many donors and supporters, whose generosity since 2024 sustained this project from its earliest days
• Our dedicated volunteers, including members of Urasenke Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Kyudo Kai, and the Women Support Center of Hawaiʻi
• The Japanese and Japanese-American community organizations whose support and outreach helped bring this event to the community — the United Japanese Society of Hawaii, the Japan America Society of Hawaii, Yushinkai, the Urasenke Tankokai Hawaii Association, the Japanese Women's Society Foundation, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi, and Light House Ltd
• Our vendors, community partner organizations, and media supporters
• And above all, every one of you who attended in person or watched online

It is our sincere hope that Yabusame Hawaiʻi 2026 has deepened the bond between the people of Hawaiʻi and Japan and will inspire the next generation to cherish and carry forward the extraordinary traditions that connect us across oceans and time. A full list of our grantors, sponsors, and donors is published separately on our Donor List page.

Mahalo nui loa, and thank you.

Honolulu Foundation Yabusame Hawaiʻi 2026 Executive Committee