The University of Hawai'i at Manoa will tomorrow mark the establishment of the nation's first Center for Okinawan Studies with a campus ceremony.

The event, set to begin at 5 p.m. at the Center for Korean Studies auditorium, will include a performance of a traditional Okinawan dance for opening Ryukyuan court rituals.

Since 1961, the UH has offered courses in Okinawan anthropology, dance, music, history, language and linguistics. In addition, UH-Manoa's library houses the Sakamaki/Hawley Collection, consisting of more than 5,000 rare items — one of the most important collections of Okinawan materials outside Japan, according to a UH news release.

In conjunction with this event, Hamilton Library is featuring a two-month exhibit, "Mii-gusui, mimi-gusui, Sustenance for the Eyes and Ears: Okinawan Performing Arts," displaying objects and photographs related to Okinawan music and dance.

Okinawan immigrants first arrived in Hawai'i in 1900.