Audrey Takamine, new president of Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, right, presenting Russell Arikawa, immediate past president, with mahalo plaque. Courtsy photo.
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawai‘i welcomed state and Japanese leaders of government and commerce at its 67th installation at the end of June.
JCCIH’s mission is to promote values-based business and interconnection.
Audrey N. Takamine of Takamine Construction Inc. was inducted as the 2017-18 president of the JCCIH, becoming the fourth woman to lead the organization.
“When Craig and I founded Takamine Construction,” she said, “we set our philosophy as ‘building long-term relationships, and that’s a major goal I have for the chamber. These friendships across the state and with Japanese business leaders foster that goal.”
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Lt. Gov. Shan S. Tsutsui, a Maui native, presented the keynote remarks, calling on businesses to “acknowledge the rich history of the community and the state and remain grateful for the contributions and sacrifices of generations past.”
From Japan, dignitaries and delegates from sister city Higashi-Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce & Industry (HHCCI) joined the celebration.
Lt. Gov. Tsutsui noted that he was encouraged by the relationship between Higashi-Hiroshima and Hilo business communities “in exploring unique business opportunities while gaining a better understanding of one another.”
Also in attendance was Sherry Menor-McNamara, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i (CoCH), which represents statewide business interests.
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JCCIH works with CoCH to promote mutually beneficial programs and legislation.
The group from HHCCI included the chamber Chair Kazuyuki Kihara; Executive Councilor Katsuhiko Muneto; Councillor Takashi Shohara and his wife, Yuko Shohara; Councilor Masao Ninomiya and his wife, Ruriko Ninomiya; Councilor Atsushi Isobe; and Managing Director Kazunari Ohara.
First Vice President: Stephen N. Ueda, Suisan Company Ltd.
Second Vice President: Donn S. Mende, HFS Federal Credit Union
Treasurer: Joseph F. Skruch
Immediate-Past President: Russell M. Arikawa, Ginoza Realty Inc.
The installation drew a record crowd of more than 250, requiring a change of venue.
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“We are very grateful that the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel opened its doors to accommodate our Installation,” said Takamine. “I look forward to working with our new officers. I also welcome the many new members that JCCIH has attracted over the past year. We intend to continue that growth.”
JCCIH now has more than 300 members from businesses and professions.
Takamine is a 2002 graduate of the University of Hawai‘i-Hilo College of Business and of Waiakea High School.
About the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawai‘i
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawai‘i fosters economic sustainability as well as perpetuating the Japanese cultural heritage and traditions in Hawaii. Its mission is to promote the wellbeing of our community through business and personal relationships that embody the values of kahiau and okage sama de. In Hawaiian, Kahiau means giving without expecting anything in return. Okage sama de is a Japanese proverb meaning, “I am what I am because of you.”
The chamber sponsors the popular annual Taste of Hilo, set this year for Sunday, Oct. 22. The chamber hosts business and cultural events and information sessions throughout the year and works with other business organizations as a watchdog over state and county legislation.
For information about JCCIH programs and membership, go online.
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