Students interested in attending the Wailuku Hongwanji Gakuen (Japanese Language School) can register from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on June 18 at the Wailuku Hongwanji Mission at 1828 Vineyard St.
The school, which begins Aug. 9, is open to students in kindergarten through grade 8 and teaches writing, reading, speaking, and folk songs. Classes last 30 minutes and start at 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Reverend Shinkai Murakami, the school principal, has created new programs for all students to experience Japanese culture, such as somen nagashi, mochi making, sushi making, calligraphy, spam musubi, origami, onigiri making, okonomiyaki and others.
The teachers are from Japan and will teach students with the standard Japanese language.
The registration fee is $50 per student. Monthly tuition is $80 for a member’s child and $85 for a non-member’s child. Textbooks and other learning materials can be purchased at the time of registration.
Students aged 9 and up who are learning Japanese for the first time will have a special class called “Wing 1” and will learn two levels in one year.
Bus services are available for elementary school students in Kahului, Wailuku, Waihee, Lihikai, Pomaikai, and Puu Kukui.
For more information, call Murakami at (808) 244-0406 or email shinkai528@gmail.com.