Hawaii Okinawa Center Legacy Ballroom

Since this center's opening in 1990, we've frequented this venue to celebrate relatives' and co-workers' children's high school and college graduation or birthday parties, a wedding reception, and festivities during the local Okinawan Festivals. Tsk, I don't know why I hadn't reviewed this venue before, where we've also enjoyed the Hawai'i-style catered food by A Catered Experience. Recently, my husband's sister's in-laws are Okinawan, and they invited us to attend their taiko drum recital at this center's ballroom. We were pleased to support their artistic and musical talents, camaraderie, and home-cooked local snacks presented by the Hawaii Taiko Kai group. The taiko group consisted of 14 males and females led by a sansei. We weren't familiar with Okinawan taiko drumming and were surprised to see each group member with a large and small drum instead of the large and fixed-in-place Japanese taiko drum. We learned that Okinawan taiko drumming follows dance and incorporates martial arts movements instead of the Japanese drum performers who drum to music, traditional folk, and modern rock. Also, the Okinawan performers maintain stoic faces while performing. The group presented traditional folk music to contemporary musical pieces. Afterward, the fourteen members broke into three groups to entertain the audience with conventional Okinawan string instruments and Hawaiian music and dance (hula). The group also engaged the audience with mini Okinawan language (Uchināguchi) lessons with song and dance.As for the venue, the ballroom had good acoustics for all to enjoy the musical performances, clean and well-spaced dining facilities, and tasty assorted local-style or familiar appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts. The catering company, A Catered Experience, is the catering arm of local Zippy's restaurants. The only complaint that we heard about was that the ballroom's temperature was too cold for most of the attendees. Many complained that their food got cold quickly, and they frequently stepped outside into the open-air garden to warm themselves. We had no other complaints as this Okinawan Center offers lots of free parking, well-maintained and spacious ballrooms, clean restrooms, and good food. Everyone enjoyed the recital, and this venue was the perfect spot to accommodate the group with friends and family. We enjoyed the venue that we consider it a welcoming, clean, and secure destination that is best shared among family and friends. BONUS: These are some of the useful Uchināguchi or Okinawan words or phrases that we learned. Nifee Deebiru ・ にふぇーでーびる Thank you.Haisai (Male) / Haitai (Female) ・ はいさい・はいたい HelloMensooree ・ めんそーれー Welcome Maasaibiin! ・ まーさいびーん Delicious!Kwatchiisabira くゎっち一さびら Said before a meal by those eating itMata yaasai! ・ また　やーさい See you again!

We had our hula studio's 70th year celebration here. It says it's in Waipahu but it's in the newer part, off Ka Uka Blvd. It has lots of parking and it's huge- they were able to accommodate our large gathering and another party next door. The venue was great- there is a stage and dressing rooms behind it for dancers to change. Bonus- a long bank of mirrors in a nicely lit room so we could do our make up. The outside women bathroom had enough stalls to accommodate us without having a super long line. The food was pretty good -looks like it's by The Catering Experience ( at least that's what the napkins said). The staff were very nice and were very good about clearing the tables. The AC kept cool, in fact a little too cool!It's a very nice place to hold gatherings and celebrations!

We had our wedding reception here. The venue and staff were great. The chairs and table set up and our head table was set up great. They even provided a stand to put our wedding cake. The only down fall was the food. My husband specifically wanted prime rib so we got that menu which had, prime rib, we choose mochiko chicken, baked fish, sushi, fruit salad, somen salad, toss salad and assorted cakes and pies. They served us our food which was also nice. But I mean when we're paying $40 a head with a 17.5% service fee. And the main thing that my husband wanted was over cooked and dry is pretty sad to have paid all that money for it to be terrible. I could barely take a bite out it of it was so hard and dry. The mochiko chicken was also not that great and in the pan was A LOT of batter pieces you had to sift through to find a decent piece. The location is great but food was mehhh. Definitely avoid the prime rib menu by all means.We do appreciate Ron calling us to apologize for the prime rib being overcooked.

What a great place to have a wonderful celebration!I haven't been to the Hawaii Okinawa Center Legacy Ballroom in years, as I wanna say that the last time I was here, I had attended one of my best friend's - first sons one year old birthday party.20+ years later, I am back here to celebrate my best friend's - 2nd son's high school graduation party.My, how time flies.......I'm really getting OLD! Lol!Not much has changed through the years, and since returning back to the Hawaii Okinawa Center Legacy Ballroom, I wanna say that this venue is clean, & well maintained.There is lots of free parking in the super large parking lot, so access to this center is very easy. The food that they serve here I believe is from the Catering Experience (affiliated with Zippy's), and I must say it's fantastic!If you're ever have needs for a large scale party, having it at the Hawaii Okinawa Center Legacy Ballroom is a great place!

Great location for our annual company event! Beautiful ballroom setup and ono food. Got to take home leftovers. Great service and easy to find. Looked like a wedding lol. Brings back good times met my husband here almost 30 years ago. Buffet style with main entrees and dessert and prime rib station lots of fresh horseradish. They also catered for my wedding almost 27 years ago and food still great. Please support them soooo they can keep on going for many years to come! Arigato.

Attended a Firefighter graduation. The Legacy ballroom was clean and spacious as this class was a small one. The tables were setup so you wouldn't bump into your neighboring chairs. Staff was attentive on the clearing of the tables. If the food was provided it was delicious, setup for the buffet, allowed the line to move smoothly. It was comfortable, with the hot summer they had air-conditioning which was a major plus. They had ample parking for this group.

Camehere for a lunch. Food was good, catering experience, [Zippy's]. Surprisingly the room was cold, too cold, luckily I had a jacket in the car. Parking is limited, there's a small lot across the street otherwise it street parking. Nice stage for performances. Restrooms located outside of the ballrooms but near. The garden is well kept.

What can I say? This is the place to hold an affordable party without doing much preparation. I held my daughter's 1st birthday party here and was very happy. I was told to book early, a year in advance. I did and still didn't get the date I wanted. This venue is quite popular. I believe it's popular because they provide setup and break down and runner staff to replenish food and take away plates during your party. You just need to bring in the decorations and have one hour before the party to decorate. There are two ballrooms to choose from or if you have a lot of people it can open up to one large ballroom. I chose the smaller ballroom, in front of the center. There is a divider between the ballrooms and there was another party the same time as mines but we didn't hear any noise other than beating drums for a lion dance. You can BYOB and also bring additional food (appetizers and/or dessert) for a nominal fee. There is also lots of parking and bathrooms towards the back of the center. The food is catered by Catered experience, the same owners as Zippy's so the food menu is familiar. We ordered Hawaiian food and it was good. We received a lot of compliments from our guests who couldn't believe it came from Zippys. They also provide cake and decorate one for no charge. At the end of party, the staff packs up the leftovers so you can take it home.The staff ran the party like an well oiled machine. I did most of the planning via email throughout the year with a final face to face sit down two weeks prior to the party. Even then, I had minor changes a week prior to the party and the staff was very accommodating. Highly recommend if you're looking for a party venue.

We recently had our baby girls 1st birthday party at the Okinawa center. We were never more pleased with the food and service was excellent. Our guest were very happy. The staff was very friendly and helpful.I would definitely recommend this banquet hall to everyone.

We were at a function the evening of 10/25/2024. The banquet hall was split in two for separate functions. The group on the other side of the wall played there music so loud we could not hear our speaker on our side of the partition.