Howard Hanada and Leigh-Ann Miyasato Appointed to Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i Board of Directors

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Howard Hanada and Leigh-Ann Miyasato 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

Honolulu - The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i (JCCH) Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of two new members, Howard Hanada and Leigh-Ann Miyasato, for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

Howard Hanada joins the JCCH Board of Directors as the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce appointed perpetual member representative. Born and raised in Wailuku, Hanada earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at Oklahoma State University and his MBA from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Following his service in the U.S. Army, Hanada worked at Grant Thornton LLP, a national certified public accounting firm, from 1976 and served in various positions including audit partner, office managing partner, and quality assurance partner. After retiring from Grant Thornton LLP, in 2010, he began working with the Arcadia family of companies. Hanada served as chairman of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for the 2001-2002 fiscal year. Hanada will serve as chair of the JCCH Governance Committee and sits on the Executive and Budget & Finance committees.

Leigh-Ann Miyasato is president of Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawai'i, a nonprofit organization that encourages entrepreneurial companies to engage in community service and philanthropy. She was formerly vice president of DragonBridge Capital, a merchant bank for Chinese technology companies, and executive director of HiBEAM, an accelerator for early stage Hawai'i technology companies. She also served as program director of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies in Washington, D.C. and as the Washington, D.C. lobbyist for the Japanese American Citizens League. She was previously an attorney concentrating on commercial and other civil litigation. Miyasato will be serving a new three-year term. She sits on the Facilities & Operations and Budget & Finance committees.

"We are pleased to welcome Howard and Leigh-Ann to the board," said Tyler Tokioka, chairman of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i Board of Directors. "These two individuals both have an incredible passion for the Cultural Center's mission and will be tremendous assets to this organization."

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, with the exception of the HJCC perpetual member who is appointed by the HJCC.

The Board of Directors for the fiscal year 2012-2013 includes Tyler Tokioka, chair, Diane Murakami treasurer/vice chair; Howard Hanada, secretary/vice chair; Glenn Inouye, vice chair, Gordon Kagawa, vice chair, Brennon Morioka, vice chair; Eugene Nishimura, vice chair; and at-large directors, Dawn Matsuyama Dunbar, David Erdman, Dennis Esaki, Kyoko Kimura, Michele Sunahara Loudermilk, Leigh-Ann Miyasato, Lance Mizumoto, Diane Murakami, Ken Niimura, Lynne Hanzawa O'Neill, Curt Otaguro, and Christine Yano.

ABOUT JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAII

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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