‘Our Okinawan Ohana’ spotlights history of Okinawans in Hawaii

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A local play that recently wrapped up on Oahu brought the history and experiences of Okinawans in Hawaii to the stage.

Playbuilders of Hawaii’s production, “Our Okinawan Ohana,” was written by Hawaii Poet Laureate Lee Tanouchi after nearly two years of gathering stories from Okinawans, or Uchinanchu, across the state.

The play explores the challenges Okinawan immigrants faced in Hawaii, along with the accomplishments and communities they built.

One of the characters was based on Hawaii News Now reporter Jonathan Masaki.

Actor Devon Izumigawa portrayed Masaki in a scene featuring a fictionalized reporter asking people at the Okinawan Community Center about the differences between Japanese and Okinawan identity.

The production has wrapped up its Oahu run but is expected to head to Maui in early 2027.