About the Samurai Classic

In 1976, the late Masato Kamisato , former Executive Vice President of the HJCC, and the late Charles Matsuura, then Golf Committee Chair were instrumental in organizing a golf tournament to raise funds for the HJCC. The tournament was held at the Hawaii Country Club and netted around $1,200. This tournament was the forerunner of the present day Samurai Classic.

In August 1977, Mr. Clancy Fuchigami, then Ways and Means Committee Chair, formalized the golf tournament as a fundraiser and named it the "Samurai Classic."

The first tournament under the Samurai Classic banner was held in 1978 at Hawaii
Country Club.

Throughout the years, the Samurai Classic has become one of the premier golf tournament in Honolulu. It has helped HJCC tremendously with an additional revenue source to maintain its programs, while promoting fellowship among the participants and goodwill between the HJCC and the community.