Former state Sen. Tokuda to lead nisei veterans center
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The Maui News
Former state Sen. Jill N. Tokuda has been named the new executive director of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center.
Starting this month, Tokuda replaces Deidre Tegarden, who has become Mayor Mike Victorino's chief of staff.
"The center has always been more than a place," Tokuda said. "It really is a movement that seeks to pass on the stories and teach the values of our nisei veterans. I am humbled and excited to be joining such an amazing community of volunteers and supporters and look forward to where we go next as an organization."
Many Maui nisei, or second-generation Japanese-Americans, fought heroically during World War II in Europe and the Pacific. The center was established to document for posterity the exploits of Maui nisei veterans and to offer their valor, values and sacrifice as lessons for others in the community.
Tokuda served in the state Senate for 12 years, from 2006 to '18, representing parts of windward Oahu, including Kaneohe and Kailua. She chaired the powerful Ways and Means Committee as well as the Labor, Education, Higher Education and Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs committees and served as majority whip.
She gave up her seat to make an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor last year.
"The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center is happy and proud to have former state Sen. Jill Tokuda as its new executive director," said the center's board president, Brian Moto. "She is a person of strength and vision. We look forward to all that will be accomplished under her leadership."
Outgoing executive director Tegarden was gratified that Tokuda was taking over for her.
"I have the utmost confidence that former Sen. Tokuda will take the center's mission to new heights and honor the service and memory of our nisei veterans," she said.
A graduate of Castle High School, Tokuda received her Bachelor of Arts in international relations with a minor in Japanese studies from George Washington University.
Tokuda's private sector experience includes running her own consulting business assisting nonprofits and organizations and serving as development director for the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii and as an adviser to now-U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono when she was lieutenant governor.
Her volunteer and professional work has garnered numerous awards, including the 2017 Healthcare Association of Hawaii Achievement in Advocacy Award, the 2017 AARP Capitol Caregiver Award, the 2017 Hawaii Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year Award, the 2015 Joint Venture Education Forum Outstanding Contributor Award, the 2014 National Alliance of Public Charter Schools Champion for Charters Award and the 2014 Kiwanis of Kaneohe Distinguished Service Award.
She has two sons, 10 and 8 years old, and is a Boy Scouts den mother. Tokuda will be serving as center director but will not be moving to Maui.
For more information, contact Tokuda at (808) 383-8690 or email info@nvmc.org.