Hoʻohana Cohort Program

About the Program

Rooted in the principles of aloha and cross-cultural relationship building, Hoʻohana prepares participants to become thoughtful, effective leaders through mentorship, experiential learning, and nonprofit board engagement.

Eligibility & How to Apply

Applicants must:

• Age: 21-39 years old
• Reside in Hawaiʻi
• Be able to attend in-person sessions on Oʻahu
• Demonstrate an interest in community leadership, cross-cultural engagement, and nonprofit board service

Applicants do not need to be of Japanese ancestry to apply.

Core Themes

Past Cohort Members

Explore each year's cohort below.

Hoʻohana Alumni Testimonials

“The opportunity to participate as a member of the Hoʻohana Cohort Program is definitely an amazing experience and blessing to me. The program, designed to engage, connect, and equip the next generation of community organization activators, provided me the invaluable opportunity to explore and strengthen my self-identity while delving deeper into the principles of Aloha and shared cultural values with other cohort members sharing these same desires. Emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and cultural understanding, the diverse perspectives shared in our monthly meetings and training sessions were instrumental in this journey. This experience has profoundly shaped my sense of responsibility to our community, inspiring me to focus on giving back and uplifting others.”

Michael De Guzman, 2024 Cohort

“As part of the Hoʻohana Program, our cohort met with a number of diverse community leaders who shared their stories with us, imparting wisdom, practical knowledge, and inspiration. A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the concept of self-discovery and knowing who you are. At its core, the Hoʻohana Program provided me the time, space, and environment to explore my personal identity and reflect on what it means to be both Japanese-American and Native Hawaiian. Through a deeper comprehension of my own identity, I gained a greater understanding of the responsibility I have to our community and how I may best serve. The Hoʻohana Program facilitated my personal growth and inspired me to focus my energy on giving back and uplifting others.”

Maile Kawasaki, 2023 Cohort

Why Hoʻohana Was Created

In 2022, a panel discussion hosted by the United Japanese Society of Hawaiʻi focused on the sustainability of member organizations. Concerns centered on waning support among younger community members and a lack of future leaders for these organizations.

Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi's President and Executive Director, Nate Gyotoku, expressed that empowering younger community members in board positions, regardless of experience, is a way to engage a new generation and shift organizational strategy to attract a younger audience.

Recognizing that many emerging professionals are passionate about giving back but lack opportunities for governance experience and mentorship, the JCCH launched the inaugural Hoʻohana pilot cohort in 2023.

Today, the program continues to equip emerging leaders with the cultural grounding, relationships, and tools to serve community organizations across Hawaiʻi.