Okinawa Association of America (OAA) Craft Fair (Courtesy of OAA)
The Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will host their 7th Annual Okinawan Craft Fair on April 25 (Saturday), 2026, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the OAA Center’s parking lot in Gardena (outdoors), free admission. Featuring 19 booths with 24 creatives from across Southern California as well as Colorado, San Diego, and Temecula. The event will also include a white elephant sale, used books, and plants. (Vendors and parking info listed below)
This outdoor boutique stands out in that it always features Okinawa-themed items such as accessories, art prints, bags, buttons, ceramics, clothing, greeting cards, jewelry, pins, postcards, stickers, woodwork, and more. The OAA hopes that this will be a big draw, as Okinawan items are rarely available at local stores, festivals, and other fairs.
The organization also hopes that the event will provide an unintimidating, community-based platform for youth artists, independent creators, and hobbyists to showcase their talents.
“It's great to see the community support growing [and] how big it has gotten since our first one in 2018,” says Melissa Oshiro Tran, who started this event as a high school student. OAA’s first-ever craft fair was held in December 2018 with a humble six vendor tables. OAA’s first large-scale event after the pandemic lockdown was the 2022 fair, which was moved to springtime and held outdoors for safety purposes. Due to an overwhelmingly positive response, it was decided to keep the fair as an outdoor spring event.
Masako Tobaru (Ghost Light Craft Co), whose father is a decades-long OAA member and frequent performer at OAA events, started participating at the 2025 fair and plans to return this year. “The craft fair was a great way to reconnect with the organization and community after I had lost touch when I moved away for college. It also gave us an opportunity to merge our love for crafting with my culture.”
“It's important to keep the culture alive and share a piece of my heritage through my work,” says Oshiro Tran, who is also an artist. “People are able to really connect with the designs, especially since it is extremely difficult to find these types of work outside of Okinawa.”
The OAA Center is located at 16500 S. Western Ave., Gardena 90247. The event will be held outdoors in the parking lot (outdoors). Street parking and limited parking across the street at Faith Works Church. Pets not allowed (service animals permitted). More information: (310) 532-1929, oaamensore.org/craftfair, Facebook/Instagram @oaamensore
The Okinawa Association of America, Inc. (OAA) is an award-winning 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and perpetuating Okinawan culture in the greater Los Angeles area. Formed by first generation immigrants (issei) over a century ago, the OAA has grown into a multi-generational organization that hosts numerous events throughout the year including cultural presentations, performances, and senior-focused activities. The OAA's decades of service have garnered accolades including the 2025 Community Organization Recognition Award (Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California), 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year (nominated by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, 66th District) and 2019 Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award (Nisei Week Foundation). OAA leaders have also been recognized by the Okinawa Prefectural Government as Overseas Goodwill Ambassadors and Next Generation Representatives.
Confirmed Vendors
Vendors or items subject to change without notice
Vendor websites and social media links: oaamensore.org/craftfair
- Beehaus Atelier – Beaded jewelry, handwoven/crochet items (scarves, dolls, floral bouquets), embroidered art
- Aimee Buday – Coasters, bookmarks, keychains, wax wraps, napkins, journal covers, mug rugs, placemats, potholders, oven mitts, paper bag ornaments
- Bukustance – Items made from vintage kimonos, thrifted denim, and recycled fabric (totes, handbags, zipper bags, accessories)
- Chiruu Tattuu – Ryūkyū-themed art prints
- Ghost Light Craft Co – Creating custom plush for a kinder tomorrow (bingata bats, gōyā pocket pals, anthro animals wearing bingata print yukatas, whale shark)
- Haisai Little Lotus (from San Diego!) – Books by various marginalized authors/illustrators, buttons, vinyl stickers, bookmarks, zines, handpainted hajichi vinyl records, magnets, fans, pins, body art/face paint station
- Hapa Mama Cookies – Homemade cookies
- Hapa Mama Crafts – Crochet items (hibiscus trivet and pin, minsaa ori mesh market bag and head bandana, mosu bag, scrubby, flower coaster), sewn items (hot bowl holder, microwave potato bag, water bottle carrier, wallet/money holder, scrunchies)
- Hello Sushi Store – Playful gift items inspired by Asian cuisine and culture (beach towels, blankets, pillows, stickers, t-shirts, and more)
- Irene Higurashi and Judy Kaainoa – Okinawan fabric bags and key fobs, repurposed Okinawan fabric necklaces and jewelry, magnets, zippered pouches, note and photo cards, scarves
- Hina Doll Studio – Original prints, tote bags, tapestries and trinkets with bingata/hajichi design motifs
- Rumiko Hirano – Handmade bags, crocheted items, Okinawan handbag and wooden chopsticks
- Jootoo Clothing (from Temecula!) – Culture-blended fashion brand fusing the uniqueness of Okinawan culture with the SoCal life style (shirts, hoodies, hats, tote bags)
- KimiKaraya – Greeting cards, stickers, pins, patches
- Masu Originals – Handcarved painted woodwares (napkin holders, fridge magnets), original artwork
- Melissa’s Creations – Original trading cards, stickers, post-it notes, pens
- Hana Morita – Stickers, prints, jewelry, bag charms
- Mumin + Ki – Handmade shiisaa, bags with bingata pattern fabric scraps
- Ninazuma Pottery (from Colorado!) – Handmade mugs and tumblers with hajichi and Okinawan proverbs, kijimunaa charms,
- Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Los Angeles – Shirts, keychains, stickers, pins, hoodies
- Shima Playlist Dushi-nu-chaa (Friends) – Ryūkyū-themed buttons/pins, keychains, postcards, prints, stickers, zines by artists around the world
- Shop Megumi – Okinawa art prints, greeting cards, vinyl stickers, jewelry/keychains, and more
- White Mountain Treasures – Dish towels, wrist lanyards, aprons, bags
- Diana Yamashiro – Handmade bags including made with kimono fabric
- OAA white elephant sale, used books, and plants
- OAA merchandise
