The 100th Seeds of Aloha, a new film by Steve Sue

The 100th Seeds of Aloha, a new film by Steve Sue

by | Aug 23, 2026 | Classes & Events, Featured

The 100th Seeds of Aloha

A special test screening, with live music, and Q&A with producer/director Steve Sue

Sunday, November 15, 1 pm

Be among the first to experience THE 100TH: Seeds of Aloha, a feature-length documentary honoring Hawaiʻi’s legendary 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The afternoon will include a welcome, a live music soundtrack performance by Music Director Harold Payne, a 110-minute screening of the film, and a Q&A with producer/director Steve Sue. Guests are invited to participate in the discussion and share their feedback to help refine the film before its official release.

Amid the chaos of World War II, the 100th Infantry Battalion – a unit predominately made up of Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJAs) from Hawaiʻi – fought heroically to liberate Italy and France, earning the name “The Purple Heart Battalion.” Their losses were so dire that they were eventually combined with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team including the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion (both also primarily AJA soldiers from Hawaiʻi) to become one of the most decorated units in US military history. But this isn’t just a tale of war – it’s a testament to soldiers who raised the bars on heroism and valor through applying the Spirit of Aloha, both during the War and for 80 years after.

Join us for an afternoon of film, live music, community, and remembrance as we honor the extraordinary legacy of the WWII Nisei veterans.

RSVP for screening.  Limited seating available.

Chef Assistant

by | Aug 20, 2026 | Employment Opportunities

 

 

Chef Assistant

(printable version)

(Part Time – 30 Hours Per Week, with partial benefits)

EMPLOYMENT OVERVIEW

  • Status:  30 hours per week
  • Salary: $22-$27/hour 
  • Benefits: Partial health benefits, paid sick leave, holiday pay, vacation time
  • Reports To: Chef & Senior Nutrition Program Manager 
  • Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-1:00 pm

INTRODUCTION
Join a wonderful community of amazing people working to help keep seniors well nourished. J-Sei seeks a prep cook to assist with the preparation of Japanese lunches for our fast-growing senior congregate and home-delivered meal program. Duties include assisting the chef and sous chef with the preparation of ingredients and helping to maintain a clean and orderly kitchen. This position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment under the direct supervision of the chef.

NUTRITION PROGRAM DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Days/times of shifts may vary, must be flexible.
  2. Works to prepare ingredients for lunch service and maintain a clean, orderly, and sanitized kitchen.
  3. Working and communicating within a team and with multiple volunteers.
  4. Must have a general understanding of food preparation fundamentals and have proficient knife-handling skills.
  5. Must be able to work independently and follow a prep list.
  6. Must be able to wash, peel, and chop fruits and vegetables according to the specifications of the chef.
  7. Must be able to lift over 50 pounds on a regular basis.
  8. Know and comply consistently with food safety and sanitation guidelines.
  9. Other duties as requested by the Chef and Sous Chef.

KITCHEN FACILITY MANAGEMENT
1. Maintain kitchen in a safe and clean manner consistent with county health standards
2. Notify supervisor of any supply, equipment or maintenance needs.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Physical Demands
    • Ability to stand and walk for an extended period of time.
    • Ability to reach, bend, and frequently lift up to 50 pounds.
    • Regularly required to use hands and frequent washing of hands.
  • Legal/Safety
    • Must pass a criminal background check
    • Must have, or will attain within the first month of hire ServSafe Food  Handlers Card. Training is provided.

To Apply:
Please email your cover letter and resume to Tara@j-sei.org. Applications will be accepted
until the position is filled.

Support Save OUR National Archives (SONA)

Support Save OUR National Archives (SONA)

by | Aug 10, 2026 | News

The National Archive and Records Administration (NARA)  has announced its closure of National Archives at San Francisco and its Federal Records Building in San Bruno and Chicago. While advocacy is underway, more support is needed to stop the closure.  The National Archives at San Francisco houses many important documents such as the Alien Case Files, and records of Angel Island Immigration Station, Chinese “Paper Sons” immigration, Japanese “Picture Brides” and Native Americans.  The local archive has been an invaluable resource to researchers, genealogists, and individuals seeking their own famiy records.
Hear from Grant Din on the Save OUR National Archives (SONA) campaign and find out how you can lend support.  Join us for conversation and tea, and stay for letter writing. Together, we can make a difference.  For more info, visit https://www.saveournationalarchives.org/

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Support SONA” in the subject line.

Sunday Funday with a screening of “Meals That Made Us”

Sunday Funday with a screening of “Meals That Made Us”

by | Aug 10, 2026 | Classes & Events

Pre-order closes at 12 noon on 8/14.  Walk-ups available at event. Or try tasty bites from the Pop-Up Vendors.  See you on Sunday!

Sunday Funday

Sunday, August 16th

12 to 4 pm

Enjoy time outdoors for food, music, and fun with our multigenerational community.

FOOD VENDORS

Always Aloha Shave Ice Co

Bar Tanuki

Daruma Kiosk

Milk Cloud Bakery

Shared Cultures

Vinaka Island Mochi

Volcano Kimchi

ENTERTAINMENT

Mahjong with 13 Orphans

Lounge

Let’s Groove

Reserve tickets for the film screening of “Meals That Make Us”. You can pre-order or visit the vendors for good eats and gifts.

Meals That Made Us, a screening with Nisha

Sunday, August 16, 11 am or 2 pm

Meals That Made Us, directed/produced by Nisha Balaram is a three-part documentary short series exploring how Asian American chefs, farmers, and community leaders use food to reclaim heritage, reimagine identity, and build community across generations.

Set against the rich culinary backdrop of San Francisco and its surroundings, everyday people find meaning in unexpected places, whether it’s foraging as a connection to ancestral experiences, elevating institutional meals with cultural care, or creating third spaces that nourish bodies and hearts.

Moving between intimate interviews and sweeping cultural commentary, Meals That Made Us, funded by the Center for Asian Amercian Media (CAAM), shows that cooking and eating are evolving traditions that are both connections to the past and the groundwork for new communities. Yuji Ishikata, chef at J-Sei, is featured in this documentary.  Filmmaker Nisha Balaram and featured guests will join us. Celebrate with us!

Sunday Funday

PRE-ORDER MENU

by Casa de Kei, Ox & Tiger,

Hannah Tang, and Yuji Ishikata,

Tuna Poke Bowl  $20

Vegetarian Poke Bowl $12

Spicy Shrimp Maki $20

Salmon Skin Maki $20

Somen with Kurobuta Pork $20

Sea Stephanie Santa Barbara

Live Sea Urchin $28

Pre-Order Here

Join us for the community screening of

“Meals That Made Us”.

Reserve tickets for 11 am or 2 pm.

New screening added for 4 pm!

Donations welcome.

Reserve Your Ticket

Nisha Balaram is a documentary filmmaker who brings extensive experience as a producer and director, having worked with organizations such as PBS, the Center for Asian American Media, National Geographic Society, and APIAVote. Her work has been featured on PBS VOCES and PBS Vitals, High Country News, Disney+, and Mongabay.