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• Eugene Nishimura and Shannon Okinaka Appointed to Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i Board of Directors

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NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact: Denise Tagomori Park/Office: (808) 945-7633 Ext. 27

Eugene Nishimura and Shannon Okinaka Appointed to Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i Board of Directors

Honolulu – The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i (JCCH) is proud to announce Eugene Nishimura and Shannon Okinaka have been appointed to serve on the Cultural Center’s Board of Directors.

Eugene Nishimura is owner and general manager of Hokulani Kigyo, LLC dba Professional Commercial Services, a truck repair and general merchandise transportation company. With over 24 years experience in the banking and finance industries, he most recently served as chief financial officer of David Deluz Enterprises and previously served as vice president/regional manager with Hawaii National Bank. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Hawai‘i and graduated from the Pacific Coast Banking School. Nishimura is active in the community, serving organizations such as the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce, East Hawai‘i Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, Hawai‘i Shima Kumamoto Doshi Kai, and the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Senior Young Buddhist Association. Nishimura will represent Hawai‘i’s Big Island and serve a three-year term on the board.


Shannon Okinaka is vice president/controller at Hawaiian Airlines. She has been with the company since 2005 and previously served as a senior director. Prior to joining Hawaiian Airlines, Okinaka served as a manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and before that as a senior auditor at Hawaiian Electric Co. A certified public accountant, Okinaka graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at M noa, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Management Information Systems and accounting. She was raised on Hawai‘i’s Big Island and graduated from Waiakea High School in Hilo. In addition to her service to the Cultural Center, she is a volunteer and board member for ‘Ohi‘a Productions. Okinaka will serve a three-year term on the board.

“We are excited and honored to welcome Eugene and Shannon to the Board of Directors,” said Curt Otaguro, chairman of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i Board of Directors. “These two individuals, both outstanding leaders in the business community, have an incredible passion for the Cultural Center’s mission and will be a tremendous asset to this board.”

The Board of Directors consists of 19 community leaders from O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i counties who lead the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i by establishing policies and strategic direction. Each director either chairs and /or is a member of the Executive committee, Governance committee, Membership Development committee, Fundraising committee, Facilities & Operations committee, and Budget & Finance committee. The board members are elected by the membership as a whole.

The Board of Directors includes Curt Otaguro, chair; Diane Murakami, treasurer/vice chair; Ronald Ushijima, secretary/vice chair; Glenn Inouye, vice chair, Gordon Kagawa, vice chair, Brennon Morioka, vice chair; Tyler Tokioka, vice chair; and at-large directors Donn Ariyoshi, Dawn Matsuyama Dunbar, David Erdman, Dennis Esaki, Kyoko Kimura, Michele Sunahara Loudermilk, Lance Mizumoto, Ken Niimura, Eugene Nishimura, Lynne Hanzawa O’Neill, Shannon Okinaka, and Christine Yano.

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, a non-profit organization, strives to strengthen our diverse community by educating present and future generations in the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. Founded on May 28, 1987, the Center celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2012. The Cultural Center has more than 4,800 members and annually connects to more than 30,000 residents and visitors through its programs and events. The Cultural Center features a historical museum, an exhibition gallery, library/archive center, the Kenshikan martial arts d j , the Seik an Japanese teahouse, and a Gift Shop. For more information call (808) 945-7633, email info@jcch.com or visit the website at www.jcch.com.

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MORE ABOUT JCCH
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i (JCCH), a non-profit organization, strives to share the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. Located at 2454 South Beretania Street in Mō‘ili‘ili, the Cultural Center features a Community and Historical Gallery, Resource Center, Kenshikan martial arts dōjō, Seikōan Japanese teahouse and Gift Shop. The Cultural Center presents various programs, festivals and exhibitions throughout the year.

Motto
Honoring our heritage. Embracing our diversity. Sharing our future.

Vision
We aspire to co-create a society where a deeper knowledge of one's heritage and a profound understanding of oneself will enable enlightened connections among all people.



Mission Statement
To be a vibrant resource, strengthening our diverse community by educating present and future generations in the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i. We do this through relevant programming, meaningful community service and innovative partnerships that enhance the understanding and celebration of our heritage, culture and love of the land. To guide us in this work we draw from the values found in our Japanese American traditions and the spirit of Aloha.


History
The seeds of thought and planning which had since developed into the solid concrete of Phase I and the working committees of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i were sown over two generations ago. Minds and hearts of Issei and Nisei (first and second generations) forebearers set themselves to the tasks of survival, later to national heroism, and later still to the responsibility of restoring the concept of cultural pride in themselves and their community. Emotions generated by the Kanyaku Imin (125 Years of Japanese In Hawai‘i) celebration in February of 1985 spurred the devotion of major Japanese groups in the community to initially conceptualize the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i.

In 1986, The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce (HJCC) initiated the Japan-Hawaii Cultural Center project, "The Dream," for the purpose of bringing together related organizations in Hawai‘i to work in a common effort to preserve the legacy and history of the pioneers who came to Hawaii from Japan, and whose sacrifices and contributions made it possible for the younger generations to become integral members of American society. It was planned to be a legacy where future members of our community could look back and be fully conscious of their roots. The Center would also foster relations by promoting harmony and mutual understanding between Japan, Hawai‘i, and the United States.

The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce was willing to accept the enormous responsibility of immortalizing and cultivating the legacy of the Japanese in Hawai‘i by making a commitment to plant and nourish the seedling. Many community organizations supported the creation of a Japanese cultural center, as indicated by a survey to assess the need and expectations for a center.

Courses of action plans were implemented to create Ad Hoc Committees composed of the various Japan related organizations, and to organize a fund-raising organization to raise funds from the community within the State of Hawai‘i as well as in Japan. Committees set in motion to carefully plan, develop, and research in establishing the Cultural Center. The inception of some committees were: Steering, Planning, Public Relations, Historical Research Program, Program, Membership and Property Management. A schedule of "Milestone" tasks for these committees were implemented to prepare for the tremendous work that lay ahead in the formation of the Cultural Center.

On May, 28, 1987, the birth of a new direction and a new step toward the dreams of our forefathers emerged as the Cultural Center was incorporated under the laws of the State of Hawai‘i as a non-profit corporation to develop, own, maintain, and operate a Japanese cultural center in Hawai‘i. As an independent entity, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i would play a most crucial role in perpetuating the cultural heritage we inherited from our Issei forefathers into the lifestyles and values of our children's children.

Revamped, Revved and Ready... the Cultural Center Boards and staff moves forward with great aspirations
The Board of Directors consists of 15 community leaders from O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i counties who lead the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i by establishing policies and strategic direction. Each Director either chairs and /or is a member of the Executive Committee, Governance Committee, Membership Development Committee, Fundraising Committee, Facilities & Operations Committee, and Budget & Finance Committee. The Board members are elected by the membership as a whole.

The Board of Governors currently has forty (40) members who advise and make recommendations to the Board of Directors, and oversee the implementation of programs and activities of the Cultural Center. The Board of Governors also assist and maintain the fiscal well-being of the Center by supporting its fundraising activities. The Board of Governors are appointed by the Board of Directors.

The staff of nine full-time and two part-time employees is led by the President & Executive Director who administers the day-to-day operations of the Cultural Center.

The Board of Directors, Board of Governors and the staff, and volunteers work in unison to carry out the many exciting plans at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. When put together these individuals, though all unique in their background, create a dynamic, capable and passionate group who are dedicated to the Cultural Center's mission of sharing the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i.

HOURS
Community & Historical Gallery and Gift Shop: Tuesday -- Saturday, 10 a.m. -- 4 p.m.
Resource Center: Wednesday -- Friday, 10 a.m. -- 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Office: Monday -- Saturday, 8 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m.

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Carole Hayashino
President & Executive Director
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Neil Takekawa
Chief Operating Officer
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KEY WEBSITE LINKS

• Membership - Join the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i as a member today!
  
• Education - Our Educational packages combine Historical Gallery tours and Discovery Box interactive sessions
  
• Gallery - The JCCH features a unique mixture of historical displays, contemporary art exhibitions and annual sales in its Community Gallery
  
  
• Gift Shop - Find unique Japanese antiques and collectibles, including kimono, Japanese dolls, tea sets and woodblock prints.
  
• Giving - The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i depends on donations from the community to support our mission of sharing the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i.
  
• Volunteers - volunteers to achieve its mission of educating the public of the ever-changing Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i.
  
• Resources - The Resource Center seeks to serve the community by providing public access to a repository of resources about the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai'i
  
• Facilities - Professionally designed to evoke the Japanese influence on modern Hawai‘i, the JCCH serves as a gathering place, offering educational programs, services and cultural events to the community-at-large.

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• Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i (JCCH)
  Honoring our heritage. Embracing our dirversity. Sharing our future. The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i (JCCH), a non-profit organization, strives to share the history, heritage and culture of the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawai‘i.

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