The Okinawan Genealogical Society of Hawaii (OGSH) emerged from a genealogy workshop conducted by Dr. Bernice Hira.  In 1993, a month after the workshop, thirty-six individuals signed up to become the first members of the Okinawan Heritage Club (Club).  In 1994, the Club participated in the Okinawan Festival held at Kapiolani Park.  In 1997, the Club created its bylaws, added a genealogy component, and changed its name to the Okinawan Genealogical Society of Hawaii (OGSH).

The OGSH motto is “We link with the past to perpetuate our heritage”.  The mission of OGSH is to promote, preserve, and perpetuate our Okinawan family heritage through education, research, and networking.

From 1998 to 2024, OGSH participated in ethnic and genealogical events, conducted outreach to the neighbor islands’ kenjijkais, organized field trips, and conducted tours to Okinawa.  

Translation of migration information began in the year 2000.  Creation of a database began in the years 2003-2004.  Six volumes of Okinawan migration data became an important source of information about immigration to Hawaii between 1900 to 1925.  The emigration publications contained 50,000 records of Okinawans who traveled to twenty-nine countries between 1900 and 1925.  From these publications, OGSH volunteers translated the records of Okinawans who immigrated to Hawaii.  These records were entered into a database.  By 2017, the revised database contained 16, 500 records of Okinawans who immigrated to Hawaii between 1900 and 1925.

In 2004, OGSH published the first volume of Short Stories which depicted the experiences of Okinawans living in Hawaii, perpetuated Okinawan culture, and strengthened the bonds among Okinawans.  Currently, there are seven volumes of Short Stories.  In 2011, Ryukyuan name bookmarks were created to promote understanding of the history of Ryukyuan names from the period of the Ryukyuan kingdom to Okinawa’s annexation in 1879.

In 2011 and 2016, OGSH participated in a genealogical symposium at the Okinawan Taikai in Okinawa.  Also in 2016, OGSH collaborated with the Okinawan Prefectural Library (OPL) to develop the Okinawan immigration research database.  In 2018, additional data from the original records were received from OPL.

In 2014, OGSH published the “Beginner’s Guide for Genealogical Research-Okinawa”.  In 2024, a second book, titled “Genealogy Connections” was published.  It included Okinawan history, culture and its impact on genealogy.

In 2020, the OGSH website was created.  In 2022, the OPL website was available in four languages.  It contained emigration records around the world between 1900 and 1925 including Hawaii records.  This brought the total records to 63,000.  Also in 2024, an OGSH Instagram account was created to attract younger members.  

OGSH is indebted to its volunteer members who spent hours translating records, creating a database and inputting records into the database.  Volunteer members also published the short stories and research guidebooks.  OGSH’s website and social media accounts are also results of the work of its volunteer members.