FAQ

What are your hours?

We are open Wednesday-Saturday, 11AM-3PM. Closed on Holidays.

How do I get to the center?

We are located at 751 Kanoelehua Ave. Hilo, Hawaii 96720 on the same side of the street as Big island Toyota across from the Lehua Center (Vibe Café). Note: The entry comes up quickly, so slow down and keep an eye out for the gate.

How are you funded?

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization funded by donations, fundraising activities/events, memberships, and grants.

How can I support the Center?

1) Purchase a membership. We offer five different annual membership levels with different perks.
2) Donations: We welcome monetary donations that can be used to support the center and its activities. We also welcome noncash donations such as books, artifacts, documents, and any other items that are related to Japanese culture and history in Hawaii. If possible, we like to know the history of the donated artifacts. For example, “This was my grandma’s kimono (name) that she made for her wedding (date), She was a seamstress and opened her own business for 15 years when she moved here.”
3) Volunteering: Volunteers are essential to the Center’s ability to fulfill its goals. Please contact us if this is something you are interested in.

What types of events do you hold?

We hold a variety of events such as exhibitions, gift shop sales, book signings, film screenings, speakers, and workshops. To be notified about our events, contact us and we will add your name to our email list.

What types of items do you sell in the gift shop?

The gift shop is mainly filled with items donated to us such as vases, kitchenware, dolls, books, kimonos, etc. We also feature handcrafted items made by local artisans.

Is your library accessible to the public?

To access the library, you need a Research Patron Membership, and we recommend you call or email to make a reservation.

Will my donated goods be displayed in the exhibit?

Not all gifts are automatically added to the Center’s collection. Your gift might be retained for inclusion in a future exhibit, or it will be held in storage. Also, it may be sold in our gift shop with proceeds used to further our goals.

How do I become a member?

Fill out a quick membership form and choose which membership you want. We have five different annual membership levels: Individual ($40), Family ($50), Research patron ($100), Business/organizations ($250), and a lifetime membership ($1,000).

Do you offer any membership benefits?

1) Members have free admission to our permanent exhibit, “Seeds of Local,” and other exhibits and events.
2) Gift shop discounts of 10% on regular priced items. Does not apply to items on sale.
3) Members on our email list will receive notification of upcoming events.

Exhibit FAQs

Do you need a reservation/appointment before visiting the center?

Walk-ins are welcomed, but reservations/appointments are encouraged.

Does the exhibit have guided tours? How long does it take to visit the exhibit?

1) Yes, we offer guided tours, but you can also do a self-guided tour. It can take from 30-60 minutes.
2) An exhibit catalogue is available for purchase for $15 ($10 for members). All the exhibit panels are present in the catalogue.

What items are prohibited in the exhibit?

Food, drinks, weapons, and animals (with the exception of service animals as defined by the Department of Justice) are prohibited.

Can I take photos or videos of the exhibit?

Yes, photos are allowed provided they are not reproduced for profit or use in any publication.