Posted on: Tuesday, June 17, 2003

Japanese center honors Weinbergs

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i yesterday said it will name its main building the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Community Building, after the foundation that made the largest donation to the center's recent fund-raising campaign.

The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Inc. earlier had anonymously donated $1.8 million to the center, which last year had faced a $9 million debt, said Colbert

Matsumoto, chairman of the Committee to Save the Center. The committee's efforts staved off foreclosure at the end of last year; as of last week, only $100,000 in bills remained unpaid.

The foundation has been a longtime supporter of the center. In 1993 it gave $1 million toward construction of the administration building, which also bears the Weinberg name.

The center's main building houses its historical gallery, an educational resource center, a martial arts dojo and space for various youth-oriented educational programs and community activities.

The Weinberg Foundation supports charitable organizations that serve youth in the community.

The center last week elected a new board of directors, and on June 27 the outgoing board will decide on a reorganization plan to present to the new directors.