ABOUT US

Japan-America Society of Hawaii(JASH) is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and we serve the people of Hawaii by offering educational-programs for students from K to 12th grade as well as special-interest programs for our members and the general public.

Our educational programs focus on teaching the concept of "Different Perspectives." There is no right or wrong way to look at things, just different ways to look at things. Our special-interest programs aim to feature different aspects of Japan, America, and Hawaii-related topics in areas such as business, economics, politics, culture, and environmental issues all with the purpose of enhancing understanding.

ハワイ日米協会はハワイ州ホノルルにあり、幼稚園から高校生までの生徒を対象とした教育プログラムや、会員および一般の方々を対象とした特別プログラムを提供しながら、ハワイの人々に貢献しています。

私たちの教育プログラムは、「異なる視点」を教えることに重きを置いています。物事の見方には正解も不正解もなく、さまざまな見方があるということです。私たちの特別プログラムは、ビジネス、経済、政治、文化、環境問題など、日本、アメリカ、ハワイに関連するさまざまな側面を取り上げ、理解を深めることを目的としています。

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Society is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders. Directors are elected by the membership for a three-year term. Initial terms can range from 1-3 years depending on which class the Director is placed in. The Directors are further divided into three “classes” so that one-third of the Board comes up each year for reelection, which allows for continuity.

​Officers are elected by the Board of Directors and serve for a one-year term that coincides with the Society’s fiscal year that runs from January 1st to December 31st. Positions include the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.

ハワイ日米協会は、地域社会のリーダーで構成されるボランティア理事会によって運営されています。理事は会員によって選出され、任期は3年です。最初の任期は、理事がどのクラスに属するかによって、1～3年の期間となります。理事はさらに3つの「クラス」に分けられ、理事会の1/3が毎年再選されるため、継続性が保たれています。

役員は理事会によって選出され、1月1日から12月31日までの会計年度に合わせて1年間の任期を務めます。役職には、会長、副会長、幹事、会計が含まれます。

  • CHAIR

    Ms. Karen Knudsen

    Former Director, Office of External Affairs

    East-West Center

    VICE CHAIRS

    Mr. Peter Dames

    President & CEO

    Servco Pacific, Inc.

    Dr. Denise Konan

    Dean

    College of Social Sciences - University of Hawaii at Manoa

  • Mr. Shigeto Aoki

    Senior Vice President

    Halekulani Corporation

    Mr. Takeshi Aoki

    Vice President & Regional Manager

    Japan Airlines

    Mr. David Asanuma

    Former Director, Community Relations

    JTB Hawaii

    Ms. Sachi Braden

    President & Principal Broker

    Sachi Hawaii Pacific Century Properties LLC

    Ms. Betty Brow

    Financial Advisor

    Merrill Lynch

    Mr. Stanford Carr

    President

    Stanford Carr Development LLC

    Mr. Neill Char

    Vice Chairman of the Retail and Commercial Banking Group

    First Hawaiian Bank

    Mr. Daniel Dinell

    President

    Trees for Honolulu's Future

    Mr. Stephen Dyer

    Partner

    Chong Nishimoto Sia Nakamura & Goya, LLP

    Mr. Dennis Francis

    President & Publisher

    Honolulu Star-Advertiser

    Mr. Gerard Gibson

    General Manager

    Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

    Ms. Ann Hartman

    Director and Dean of Professional Development and Education Programs

    East-West Center

    Mr. Cosmo Hirai

    Bishop

    Hawaii Todaiji Bekkaku Honzan

    Mr. Tyler Hiranaka

    Managing Director

    Sky Elements Hawaii

    Mr. Robert Ichikawa

    Managing Partner

    Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda LLP

    Ms. Atsuko Igarashi

    Past Chair

    Tomodachi Committee

    Mr. Alexander Jampel

    Attorney at Law

    Jampel Law Firm LLLC

    Mr. Go Kobayashi

    Founder

    Go Law Office LLLC

    Mr. Tetsuya Kubo

    President & CEO

    JTB Hawaii Inc.

    Mr. Akemi Kurokawa

    Trustee

    Urasenke Foundation of Hawaii

    Mr. David LeNoir

    Vice President – Financial Planning & Analysis

    Hawaiian Airlines

    Mrs. Kazuko Love

    Chair

    Tomodachi Committee

    Mr. Sal Miwa

    President

    Miwa Associates, LLC

    Mr. Ken Niimura

    Senior Vice President, International Private / Client Group Manager

    Bank of Hawaii

    Mr. Roy Nishimura

    Founder

    River Capital LLC

    Mr. Owen Ogawa

    President

    Nippon Golden Network Inc.

    Mr. Lawrence Okinaga

    Partner

    Carlsmith Ball LLP

    Mr. John Rankin

    Real Estate Advisor

    Cushman & Wakefield ChaneyBrooks

    Ms. Jean Rolles

    Chair

    Youth Education Committee

    Mr. Steve Sombrero

    President

    Cushman & Wakefield ChaneyBrooks

    Ms. Barbara Tanabe

    President & Owner

    Hoakea Communications LLC

    Mrs. Ina Tateuchi

    President

    Atsuhiko & Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation

    Mr. Hikaru Utsugi

    SVP, General Manager, International Banking

    Central Pacific Bank

    Mr. David Watanabe

    Regional Broker in Charge

    Hilton Grand Vacations LLC

    Mr. Alex Yee

    Principal

    KKDLY LLC

OUR MISSION

The Japan-America Society of Hawaii was founded in 1976 to promote understanding and friendship between the people of Japan and the United States through the special and unique perspective of Hawaii.

— Message from former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, on the occasion of the JASH 2014 Annual Dinner

— Message from U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Ambassador William Haggerty, on the occasion of the JASH 2018 Annual Dinner

MEET THE TEAM

  • Ms. Reyna Kaneko

    PRESIDENT

  • Ms. Marsha Yokomichi

    VICE PRESIDENT

  • Ms. Lila Frisbie

    DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP & PROGRAMS

  • Ms. Cindy Oshima

    EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

  • Mr. Ryan Matsuzaki

    ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST

  • Ms. Madoka Muroya

    MEMBERSHIP & PROGRAMS ASSISTANT

  • Ms. Saki Honma

    EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR