A Journey Through History 

HJCC Founding Members: Kenji Imanishi, Kantaro Kishi, Wasuke Motoshige, Masao Kawahara

March 12, 1900 – The Honolulu Japanese Merchants Association, which would later be known as the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce (HJCC), is established.

1949 – The HJCC establishes the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce (HJJCC).  The Junior Chamber focuses on community service and events, including the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Original HJCC Building

1960 – The HJCC builds its office and banquet hall at 2454 South Beretania Street, Honolulu.

1981 – The HJCC establishes Sister Chamber affiliation with the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Joint affiliation with the Fukui Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

1988 – The HJCC conceptualizes and establishes the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH).  The HJCC donates its own facility and the property on South Beretania Street as an act of its commitment to the JCCH.

2001 – The HJCC Charitable Corporation, a 501c(3) is established.

The Torii Gate

2002 – In observance of the Chamber’s 100th anniversary, the Torii Gate is constructed.  The gate, donated and built by the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Hiroshima Prefectural & City Government, is situated on the corner of South King and Beretania Streets and symbolizes the friendship and goodwill between Hiroshima and Hawaii.  It is later donated to the City & County of Honolulu.

2008 – Following up on a commitment made to the city of Hiroshima, the HJCC Charitable Corporation adopts the Torii Gate from the City & County of Honolulu in order to maintain and preserve its legacy.

2010 – The HJCC celebrates its 110th Anniversary.

Aloha for Japan Fundraising Collection

2011 – The HJCC is actively involved with the Aloha for Japan Steering Committee to help with tsunami and earthquake relief efforts, serving as a key collection point for donations and lending use of the Aloha for Japan name at various fundraising and benefit events.

The HJCC celebrates its 30th Sister Chamber Anniversary Relationship with the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce & Industry and its 30th Affiliated Chamber Anniversary Relationship with the Fukui Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

2014 – The HJCC receives a certificate of recognition from the Hawaii State Legislature for our outstanding and meaningful work benefiting Japan-Hawaii relations.

2017 – The HJCC creates the Hawaii-Hiroshima Emerging Young Business Leaders Program (EYBLP), tied to the 20th Sister-State anniversary between Hawaii and Hiroshima. The program focuses on leadership development through week-long programs held in both Honolulu and Hiroshima.

2020 – The HJCC celebrates its 120th Anniversary highlighted by a highly successful remote gathering on April 2021.