Grant Assists Okinawa Center

A contribution of $200,000 has boosted a major fundraising effort for Hawaii Okinawa Center, a 22-year-old community and cultural center at the heart of Central Oahu at Waipio Gentry Business Park.

The Hawaii United Okinawa Association has set a goal of $950,000 for needed improvements and repairs to the facility, which is located on Ukee Street in Central Oahu. On the list of to-do projects are replacing the air conditioning chiller, upgrading the air handling unit, remodeling the stage, replacing outdated lights and interior and exterior resurfacing.

The generous grant came from the Albert T. & Wallace T. Teruya Foundation, a longtime supporter of HOC. The late brothers, who founded Times Supermarket, also were among the largest donors when the center was built in 1990. The goal now is to restore the beauty of the cultural center’s Teruya Pavilion.

HOC can seat 1,200 people and serve up to 850 guests at banquets. It has hosted many community events, workshops, concerts and weddings over the years, serving the West and Central Oahu communities.