The Okinawan Genealogical Society of Hawaii (OGSH) emerged from a genealogy workshop conducted by Dr. Bernice Hirai. In 1993, a month after the workshop, thirty-six individuals signed up to become the first members of the Okinawan Heritage Club. In 1994, the Club participated in the Okinawan Festival held at Kapiolani Park. In 1997, the Club created by laws, added a genealogy component, 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 Okinawa family heritage through education, research, and networking. 

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

 In 2000, 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 1900-1925. From these publications,  OGSH volunteers (June Arakawa, Bob Kishaba, Nobuo Takeno, and Nancy Tome) translated the records of Okinawans who immigrated to Hawaii. Those records were entered into the initial database created by Ron Miyashiro. In 2005, Steve Miyashiro enhanced the database to become searchable. By 2017, the revised database contained 16,500 records of Okinawans who immigrated to Hawaii between 1900-1925.

In 2004, OGSH published the first Short Stories about the experiences of Okinawans living in Hawaii to perpetuate Okinawan culture and strengthen the bonds among Okinawans.    Currently there are seven volumes.  In 2011, Ryukuan name bookmarks were created to promote understanding of the Ryukuan kingdom prior to Japan annexation in 1769.

In 2011 and 2016, OGSH participated in a genealogical symposiums at the Okinawan Taikai.  Also in 2016, OGSH began a working relationship with the Okinawan Prefectural Library (OPL) to collaborate on conducting Okinawan immigration research.  In 2018, additional data from the original records were brought to Hawaii by an OPL staff, Hiroaki Hara.

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

In 2020, Jennifer Kumura created the OGSH website.  In 2022, the OPL website was created in four languages.  It contained emigration records around the world from 1900-1925 including the Hawaii records bringing the total to 63,00 records.  Also in 2024, an OGSH Instagram account was created to attract younger members.