On June 28 (Sunday), 1:00 p.m., the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) in Gardena will host their annual Irei no Hi: Remembering the Battle of Okinawa event. This free event will be in-person at the OAA Center’s Yamauchi Building (16500 South Western Avenue; on-site parking accessible behind Western Ave. buildings off 165th Place) and online via Zoom. Registration required: tinyurl.com/oaa-irei-26, (310) 532-1929.
This year’s event is titled “Remembrance through Language and Music” and will focus on Uchinaaguchi, one of the endangered native Ryūkyūan languages. This special presentation features a language lesson by instructor Chogi Higa and live performances of traditional, post-war, and modern Okinawan songs with lyric translations on screen.
World War II’s Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest land battles in the Pacific, with historians calling it a “war of attrition” by the Imperial Japanese Army to prevent the U.S. from reaching the Japanese mainland. Ryūkyūans/Okinawans were caught in the middle, experiencing massive devastation from U.S. invasion and artillery fire as well as atrocities committed by their own country.
By this time in history, the Ryūkyūan languages had already been banned by the Japanese government. Okinawan civilians were even accused of being spies if caught speaking (the languages are mutually unintelligible from Japanese) and some were executed by Imperial Japanese soldiers. Because the military had ordered civilians to commit suicide to avoid being captured, U.S. soldiers of Okinawan descent in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) spoke Uchinaaguchi to convince terrified Okinawans to safely come out of the caves they were hiding in.
In Okinawa, there are several memorial sites, historical landmarks, and museums dedicated to preserving this harrowing history. A memorial day known as Irei no Hi (慰霊の日) is observed annually on June 23 with messages of peace from government officials and students. This date was officially documented as the end of the battle in 1945, although Okinawa’s suffering continued long after. This year marks the 81st anniversary.
The goal of the OAA’s Irei no Hi events is to memorialize the nearly 150,000 Okinawans who were lost, and to ensure that communities never forget Okinawa’s history and its connection to current issues (the disproportionately large U.S. military presence in Okinawa is directly linked to the war). Past speakers have included the late Governor Masahide Ōta, Government Representative Keiko Itokazu, historian and educator Harumi Miyagi, and documentary filmmaker Hanayo Oya.
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.