Hawaii United Okinawa Association

Beautiful facility for the wedding we attended. The backyard area is laid out nicely. There is a nice water feature and it's great for the ceremony and for pictures. The ballroom splits into sections so it fits your individual needs. I'd say definitely check it out for your next function.

Tis the season for graduation parties......falalalala...lalalala......I attended yet another graduation party this past weekend at this venue. The Hawaii Okinawan Center is located in Waipio Gentry and is easily found by either traveling on Kam Highway or the H-2 Freeway. However, I would probably recommend a route via Kam Hwy for convenience reasons.The party I attended was in the Legacy II ballroom, of which the entrance faces the parking lot. I later discovered that the Legacy Ballroom is actually 1 huge ballroom, and it was divided into 2 separate areas on this evening as another party was taking place in the other half. Incidentally, the side where the other party was taking place was larger and had a stage as well.Although the portion of the ballroom where our party was held was much smaller, I liked the high ceilings so there was the illusion that the room was slightly big and grand. I believe there were about 18 tables (seating for 10) set up for the party, but since this section was smaller, there wasn't much room to have more tables set up if the need arose. Food and drinks were provided by A Catering Experience, which (from what I was told later that evening) is the catering division if Zippy's. The food served to guests at the party included Chinese chicken salad, assorted fruits, rice, noodles, fried chicken, roast pork, mahimahi, and adobo (which most of us thought it was sweet and sour pork). Besides water, fruit punch (very watery!), coffee, and tea was also provided.Lastly, the banquet staff was very gracious, polite, and kind. I was very impressed with the attentiveness of the staff that night, and their quality service contributed to a wonderful evening spent with friends and family.PARKING: FREE parking available in the HI Okinawa Center lot. First come first serve.Bottom Line: Clean venue. FREE and ample parking.

The garden out front is my favorite part of this venue. Great for a photo op and kids to keep occupied. I've attended a few birthday parties, banquets, and a wedding. Not my type of wedding venue but whatever suits your likings and budget.. It's not hard to find. Right in Waipio near Kamehameha highway and across from McDonalds. I honestly would not have known about this spot unless I was invited to an event.. I've always wanted to pop in for a fair they had but didn't make it on that day..maybe next time! Haven't had any issues scoring parking but from what I remembered, the stalls were pretty tight.. good luck!

I had to write this review because of their cold AC. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate cold AC especially on a hot summer day. But then, why would you waste precious energy when you can turn down the AC and save some money? Anyhow, this is a pretty nice place to have parties with high ceilings so you can have Chinese lion dance or high/tall center pieces. Personally, I love high ceiling banquet rooms. There's also a good size stage.There's also a nice garden outside with small water fall looking over leeward side. Most importantly, this place has its own free parking. I would like to say parking lot accommodates to the maximum capacity but not sure. I was able to park inside all the times I've been here.

Unfortunately for a perfectly beautiful place in the middle of the island, the Banquet Manager here detests her job and/or life and/or people and/or working and/or all of the above. I know that I don't know her story, but I work in the event services industry, and every time I book a gig here, I cringe a little at the thought of encountering The Manager. She has managed to make every encounter with her an unpleasant one. Next time you see her, please try to kill her with kindess and give her a dose of happy dance. The food here also leaves something to be desired. I am not a picky eater, but the chicken katsu, which is one of my favorite comfort foods ever, usually barely eeks past the "edible" level. It's often tough, overbreaded, overfried, dry, and congealed with too much breading and skinfat. Pros: landscaped Japanese Garden, a big stage if you're hiring a magician or band, the ability to divide the banquet ballroom in half, and an attached parking lot. Cons: Staff, location in Wahiawa, mosquitoes, really super cold aircon.

Another wonderful Thanksgiving Craft Fair! My favorite earring vendor Carol Morimoto was there as usual. Love, love her designs. Delicious andagi and Maki sushi filled out after shopping yummy. We parked on Oli Loop in the Waipio Gentry neighborhood. Don't forget the upcoming Dec. 6 evening Fair 5:30-9:00pm!

The Hawaiian Okinawan Center in Waipio is home to their annual craft fair the weekend of Thanksgiving. That is the extent of my experience at that facility.The parking lot is full of vendor tents for the craft fair, so I can't speak about their parking situation.The auditorium is packed with vendors too, but there is a nice stage as the focal point at the front of the auditorium.The grounds are clean and well manicured and the oriental garden is pretty for photo ops. As at most venues, there is always a dire shortage of lavatories in the women's bathroom, but during the craft fair the men's bathroom is designated for women's use as needed!

In March our church had our annual Spring Banquet and it was here at Okinawa Center. The grounds were very pretty and well kept. The ballroom we had was wonderful. The foods were great! We had 4 main courses to choose from and that was great! Everything was so great and everyone was so nice (the workers) thank you!! Sorry I have no pictures but, it was all a great evening.

Recently came here for a 1st baby party and just realized they have more than one banquet hall (Legacy 1&2). Was here before for a work X-mas party several years ago and wasn't impressed with the food. This time around, the food wasn't bad (and oddly familiar; done up by the Catered Experience aka Zippy's). Place is clean and the grounds are well taken care of with a beautiful garden with a running waterfall. Very hard to tell you're in the middle of a pseudo industrial area. Place grew packed with kids running around participating in organized games and face painting. A rather nice option for a low key affair with just the right amount of amenities.

Good hall to hold any type of party. Food is provided by A Catered Experience. They allow you to bring your own Pupus and dessert which is great. Parking is limited which can be a huge problem if there's another party going on. I like that there are security guards to ensure the party doesn't get out of hand. Good size bathroom, pretty clean, just outdated but it gets the job done. Beautiful landscapes area with waterfall, makes a beautiful family photo op.