About Us
Where Language, Culture, and Community Come Together
Hawaii Keisho is a community-based Japanese heritage language and cultural program in Hawaiʻi that provides opportunities for learners of all ages to explore, experience, and share Japanese language, culture, and heritage together.
We believe Japanese language is more than a subject to study. It is a way to communicate, build relationships, and deepen understanding of culture, heritage, and community. Through language, learners connect with people, discover different perspectives, and develop meaningful relationships with Japan and one another.
Our approach extends beyond traditional language instruction. Rather than relying on textbooks alone, we create authentic, community-based learning experiences that encourage learners to use Japanese in meaningful ways. Through conversations, hands-on activities, cultural experiences, creative projects, and community participation, learners naturally develop confidence in communicating while deepening their understanding of Japanese traditions, values, customs, history, and contemporary culture.
We believe heritage is not something that is simply passed from one generation to the next. It grows through shared experiences, relationships, and opportunities to participate in community life. Whether reconnecting with Japanese heritage, exploring Japanese language and culture for the first time, or seeking a deeper understanding of Hawaiʻi’s rich Japanese history and community, every learner is welcomed into an inclusive environment where they can explore their own identity, develop a sense of belonging, and build their own meaningful connections with Japan.
As a community-based program, Hawaii Keisho welcomes learners and families from diverse backgrounds to learn, share experiences, and grow together. We believe learning is enriched through authentic experiences, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to connect across generations, cultures, and communities.
Our Story
Hawaii Keisho was founded after relocating to Hawaiʻi with a desire to support and contribute to Hawaiʻi’s Japanese heritage community. Building on many years of experience in Japanese language education and community-based heritage language programs in the Washington, DC area, we hope to share our experiences, create learning opportunities and resources, strengthen community connections, and collaborate with individuals and organizations who share a commitment to Japanese language, culture, and heritage.
At the same time, we look forward to learning from Hawaiʻi’s rich and diverse communities, growing together, and continuing to build meaningful relationships along the way.
Our Team
[Akane, left and Masa, right]
Akane Shirata
Founder & Lead Instructor
Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Akane Shirata is an educator with more than 20 years of experience in Japanese language education, early childhood education, and community-based heritage language programs in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Throughout her career, she has worked with learners of all ages, creating learning opportunities that support language development, cultural understanding, identity, belonging, and community.
Her educational philosophy is rooted in a whole-child approach and progressive education. She believes that meaningful learning happens through authentic experiences, curiosity, and active engagement with language, culture, and community. Building trusting relationships with every learner is at the heart of her teaching. She strives to create welcoming and inclusive spaces where every learner feels valued, supported, and comfortable being themselves, fostering confidence, a sense of belonging, and a lifelong love of learning.
Rather than viewing language as an isolated subject, Akane sees it as a bridge to communication, cultural understanding, identity, and lifelong learning. Her research focuses on Japanese heritage language education, identity development, belonging, and community-based heritage language programs, reflecting her passion for creating environments where learners can explore and strengthen their connections to language, culture, and community.
Through Hawaii Keisho, Akane brings together her experience as an educator, researcher, and program developer to create learning opportunities where learners of all ages can strengthen their Japanese language skills, deepen their understanding of Japanese culture, connect with contemporary Japan, and build meaningful relationships that extend beyond the classroom.
Masayoshi Kamizono
Co-Founder
Born and raised in Maryland, Masayoshi Kamizono is a Japanese American whose parents immigrated from Kumamoto, Japan. Growing up between Japanese and American cultures gave him a firsthand understanding of the experiences of many Japanese American families and the importance of maintaining meaningful connections to language, culture, and heritage across generations.
As Co-Founder of Hawaii Keisho, Masayoshi brings his lived experience, thoughtful perspective, and commitment to building community. He believes that language and culture are best shared through relationships, everyday experiences, and opportunities for people of all ages to learn from one another.
Masayoshi supports the development of Hawaii Keisho’s programs and community events, helping create welcoming spaces where learners and families can connect, explore both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture, and develop a deeper appreciation for their own stories and those of others.