Vultures in the
Japanese Cultural Center
Sightings from The Catbird Seat
~ o ~
From the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii website:
About Us
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 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 JCCH 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 (100 Years of Japanese In Hawaii) celebration in February of 1985 spurred the devotion of major Japanese groups in the community to initially conceptualize the JCCH.
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 Hawaii 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 will be a legacy where future members of our community can look back and be fully conscious of their roots. The Center will also foster relations by promoting harmony and mutual understanding between Japan, Hawaii, and the United States....
August 15, 2007
Eric K. Martinson elected JCCH chairman of
board of directors for 2007-2008
HONOLULU – Eric K. Martinson has been elected the chairman of the board of directors of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i (JCCH) for fiscal year 2007-2008. Martinson started the position on July 31.
Martinson has served on the JCCH board of directors as vice chairman since the 2002-2003 term.
"Eric Martinson's commitment and leadership skills have been demonstrated through his extensive involvement at the JCCH over the past five years, and the JCCH will benefit from his abilities in guiding the organization's ongoing progress and growth," said outgoing Board of Directors Chairman Dean K. Hirata, who will continue to serve as a board member. "Eric is representative of a new generation of leadership that will lead the JCCH into its next phase of development."
President and Executive Director Lenny Yajima Andrew said, "We are excited to work with Eric in his new position. The JCCH is so fortunate to have someone with his tremendous leadership skills and experience at its helm."
Martinson participated on the Committee to Save the Center in 2002 and in 2003, after the JCCH announced had cleared its $9 million debt, was one of the new directors elected to the board by the JCCH's membership. Prior to becoming the board chair, Martinson served as chairman for the JCCH facilities and operations committee of the board of directors.
"I look forward to my work as the new chairman of the JCCH board of directors," said Martinson. "We have set specific goals for JCCH this year, including the implementation of a planned giving campaign and lifetime memberships. I am excited to get started on our plans that will ensure that the JCCH remains a strong and stable resource to our community for generations to come."
A leader in professional and community organizations, Martinson is managing director of Tradewind Capital Group, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Island Holdings Inc., engaged in private equity and real estate investment and asset management activities. Prior to joining Tradewind Capital, Martinson co-founded and was managing director of MN Capital Partners LLC following a career at Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, where he was director of the financial asset division.
Martinson currently serves on the boards of Sopogy Inc., DSH International Inc., Mid Pacific Communications Inc. and Royal Hawaiian Showroom LLC. In addition to serving as chairman of the JCCH, he is also active on the boards and leadership of other community and non-profit organizations, including Hawaii Imin Shiryo Hozon Kai, Enterprise Honolulu, Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce Business Mentor and the Honorary Board of Sierra Club Hawaii. Martinson holds a bachelor of business administration in finance from the University of Hawai'i and a master's degree from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.
The 2007-2008 JCCH board of directors consists of Chairman Martinson, and members Donn Ariyoshi, Susan Eichor, Dean K. Hirata, Gordon Kagawa, Wayne Kamitaki, Lee Moriwaki, Wayne Muraoka, Miki Okumura, Curt Otaguro, Susan Yamada Scott, Sherman Shiraishi, Yuki Lei Sugimura, Alan Tomonari and Ronald Ushijima.
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i (JCCH), 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. Located in Mo'ili'ili, the JCCH features a Community and Historical Gallery, Resource Center, Kenshikan martial arts dojo, Seikoan Japanese teahouse and Gift Shop. For more information call (808) 945-7633, visit the website at www.jcch.com.
http://www.kaimukihawaii.com/news/200708/1213.html
For more, see:
http://www.kycbs.net/Appraise-This.htm
http://www.kycbs.net/Tradewind-Capital.htm
http://www.kycbs.net/CV05-00030-Witness-Matsumoto-Colbert.htm
http://www.kycbs.net/CV05-00030-Witness-Nakaoka-Bruce.htm
May 30, 2002
Veto for cultural
center bailout
Cayetano says criticism swayed him against approving
Japanese Cultural Center funds
Staff and news reports
Gov. Ben Cayetano said yesterday he will veto the surprise $8 million construction appropriation slipped into the state budget and approved by lawmakers to bail out the financially troubled Japanese Cultural Center.
The governor said he is taking the action in "response from the public and, in particular, Japanese Americans who have contacted me and told me that they thought that the way it was done was not right."
Senate Ways and Means Chairman Brian Taniguchi (D, Manoa-Moiliili-McCully-Pawaa) inserted the appropriation into the budget after learning of the problems the nonprofit center had in making its mortgage payments. He had been criticized for slipping it into the budget unnoticed.
Taniguchi said last night that $8 million appropriation "wasn't inserted in the last minute. It's factually not true.
"My goal is to try to be sure that the center is preserved. If he (the governor) vetoes it, that's one less option that the cultural center will have. But it's his prerogative to do so."
Sen. Sam Slom (R, Kalama Valley-Aina Haina) said Taniguchi is "technically correct" because the appropriation was added to the budget before conference committee meetings, however, "there was never a public hearing on it.
"No one came forward and said, 'This is why we want the appropriation.' It was totally inappropriate to be in the budget. I applaud the governor's action," he added.
The money was earmarked for planning, land acquisition, design and construction for the center.
"I think the senator had the best of intentions. I just think that it is an appropriation that does not have the support of the community, including the Japanese-American community," Cayetano said.
Susan Kodani, the center's president, has said the center did not directly ask for the money but had welcomed the support.
Although $10 million was raised largely through private donations to support the 8-year-old cultural center, it had only enough capital to operate on a day-to-day basis, Kodani said in March.
Kodani said last night that she and other members of the center are discussing "many kinds of other options" to meet the center's mortgage payments, but would not comment on those alternatives.
Cayetano also said he is still weighing a veto of $5.5 million in the budget for the University of Hawaii's purchase of the old Paradise Park property in Manoa Valley because he is not sure it is a university priority.
The university reportedly was negotiating to buy 150 acres in upper Manoa Valley that includes the former Paradise Park as the site for a Pacific Center for Ecosystem Science to coordinate state, federal and private research into preserving Pacific island ecosystems.
Conservation biologists and archaeologists would use the rain forest setting for their studies, according to Kenneth Kaneshiro, director of the UH Center for Conservation Research and Training. He said the concept of the shared site came up more than 10 years ago.
The center also would provide a site for the UH medical school to study linkages between ecosystem health and human health, addressing such problems as dengue fever, Kaneshiro said.
Cayetano said he needs to discuss the proposal with UH President Evan Dobelle.
"I want to know why the university did not include it in its capital improvement program," he said.
"This was a legislative proposal that came primarily from the (House) speaker's office," Cayetano said. "I think if the university wants to do it, then the university should move forward and get the Board of Regents to support it."
The Paradise Park purchase is not included in the university's priority list of capital improvement projects, and if approved would displace projects with a higher priority, he said.
http://starbulletin.com/2002/05/30/news/story1.html
March 23, 2002
Japanese Cultural Center struggles
to pay mortgage
By Rod Ohira, Advertiser Staff Writer
The Japanese Cultural Center is struggling to meet mortgage payments and is hoping to cover $8 million in debt obligations by promoting its catering business, renting out its banquet hall more often and partnering with community organizations to raise more money, according to the president of the nonprofit center.
"When you have a home with a big mortgage, the question every month is, 'Can we make the mortgage payment?' " said Susan Kodani, the center's president. "We have a mortgage payment we can't afford. There's enough to allow us to operate month to month but not enough to cover the debt service. We can run for only so long in that condition."
The center, on South Beretania Street in Mo'ili''ili, consists of two towers, one of which is office space. The other houses the historical gallery, resource center, banquet hall and 250 parking stalls.
Although $10 million was raised, largely through private donations, to purchase the land and build the first tower, the center still needs money.
"We need $8 million, but short of someone writing us a check for that amount, we're looking at more global long-term remedies rather than patching the short term," Kodani said. "The people who hold the mortgage are very supportive of our mission and keeping the cultural center continuing."
Kodani said University of Hawai'i officials have looked over their property but no discussions have been held with university officials about a possible sale.
December 20, 2002
Japanese Cultural Center
gets Lingle's kokua
By Vicki Viotti, Honolulu Advertiser
The appearance of new friends in high places, supporters bearing large gifts and the resumption of talks with lenders aimed at extending a critical deadline is providing renewed hope that the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i will be saved from foreclosure.
A fund-raising campaign, which seeks to erase a $9 million debt by Dec. 31, yesterday passed the $5 million mark.
Gov. Linda Lingle added her name to the roster of honorary chairpersons — a list including U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, former Gov. George Ariyoshi and others — rallying to the cause of saving the center in Mo'ili'ili.
A donor who wants to remain anonymous has given more than $1 million in the past week, said Colbert Matsumoto, who chairs the Committee to Save the Center.
Yesterday, the committee accepted a $75,000 gift from the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of Gannett Co. Inc., owner of The Honolulu Advertiser.
Major gifts in the six-week-old campaign have included $500,000 from Makiki Japanese Language School and two $250,000 gifts, from City Bank and Island Insurance.
But what Matsumoto finds even more remarkable than the major donations is the constant stream of gifts, large and small, that has poured into the committee in recent weeks. For example, Lingle kicked in $1,000 from her own inauguration fund yesterday.
"What's been fantastic is it really is a word-of-mouth effort," Matsumoto said. "I know what's happening is people are talking to family members and friends."
Support from industry also is essential, said Lingle, who plans to use her position to beat the drum for more gifts from the business community. "I will spend my next few days encouraging them to help in this effort," she said.
She acknowledged Advertiser president and publisher Mike Fisch, present at the announcement, for setting an example with the Gannett Foundation donation....
Yesterday's update marks a substantial fund-raising leap since Dec. 10, when the committee reported a collection total of $2.5 million. Matsumoto said the momentum has helped to draw lenders back to negotiations, adding that talks aimed at extending the Dec. 31 deadline resumed last week.
"The Japanese community in Hawai'i is very well known as a community willing to make sacrifices for the good of the entire community," Lingle said. "That is what we are asking today: that the community, regardless of ethnic background, come forward so that the center is able to live on."
One of Lingle's fellow honorary chairpersons, the Rev. Yoshiaki Fujitani of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, said he feels encouraged by what the sudden reversal of fortunes signifies. "I was wondering whether this might be the way we are here: Hawai'i-style, laid back," Fujitani said. "We have been quite complacent about valuable things that ought to be saved.
"Seeing young people getting involved — like Colbert, like Donn Ariyoshi (committee member and the former governor's son) — these guys are saying it's important.
"I'm very happy that this crisis has created this positive response."
December 31, 2002
Japanese center
gets time
The Japanese Cultural Center
avoids foreclosure thanks to a
last-minute agreement with banks
Star-Bulletin staff
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii today avoided foreclosure in a last-minute agreement with banks that are owed $7.5 million.
Colbert Matsumoto, chairman of a volunteer committee that set out in November to save the center, said that more than $6 million has been raised in donations and pledges, and that the group of banks headed by City Bank agreed to restructure the loan.
In a news conference this morning, Matsumoto said the banks agreed to waive $1.5 million in interest and the committee will deposit the donated money and pay off $6 million in principle.
The center will make a partial payment today and pay the rest of the debt by Jan. 31, he said.
The banks are Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, Central Pacific Bank and City Bank.
The center also owes $1.5 million to other creditors, he said. Fund-raising activities will continue until that debt is also paid.
Two subcommittees -- a major donor committee and a grassroots committee -- were formed to generate financial support from the community. About 20,000 appeal letters were sent to businesses, residents and major corporations statewide.
Committee members have said it is vital to keep the cultural center open to educate successive generations about the Japanese heritage.
The center, at 2454 S. Beretania St., houses a collection of historic artifacts from Japanese immigrants, a tea ceremony room, a martial arts dojo, a banquet hall and commercial office space.
August 20, 2003
Japanese Cultural Center at a crossroad
By Vicki Viotti, Advertiser Staff Writer
More than a year after financial troubles spawned a crisis at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, those holding the reins at the newly debt-free Mo'ili'ili facility are dealing with turnover in executive leadership and pressure to avoid the deficit spending of the past.
Susan Kodani, the center's president for more than three years, has resigned. Starting Monday, University of Hawai'i administrator Richard Kosaki will serve as acting president while the center searches for a permanent president and executive director.
Kodani will take a position as director of institutional advancement at St. Andrew's Priory School for Girls, a job combining fund raising and special events.
Kodani and Colbert Matsumoto, the new chairman of the board of directors, say the resignation was Kodani's decision; a panel appointed to rate her performance had not completed her job evaluation.
However, Kodani has been the target of critics who say she did too little to reverse the center's financial crisis, which last year put it at risk of foreclosure.
Board leaders sought state help from lawmakers and in late September decided to sell the facility. A last-ditch effort by the ad hoc Committee to Save the Center, organized last October, cleared the bulk of the $9 million debt by the end of the year.
Teruo Himoto, committee member and past member of the center's board of directors, acknowledged that blame for the center's financial tailspin has to be shared among staff and board members over the years. But he said that Kodani was hired expressly to improve fund-raising efforts and never fulfilled that expectation.
"Personally I wanted her to resign as soon as we saved the center," Himoto said. "I felt she didn't do her job."
In response to the criticism, Kodani would say only that the center has made a "tremendous turnaround," and that she felt "pleased to have been part of that whole difficult period."...
Kosaki, who underscored that he has no designs on the permanent position, defended Kodani for her "dedication."
Matsumoto said the center is clear of all debts — including mortgage, property tax and back payments to various vendors — and now must find money to spend on various repairs and maintenance that were put off during the financial crisis.
June 24, 2005
Japanese Cultural Center Learns 7 Years After
the Fact About Estate Bequeathed to
Non-Profit by Masumi Murasaki
Hawaii Reporter Broke the Story on the Estate;
Organization Plans Tribute to Thank Murasaki
for First Gift of Its Kind
By Malia Zimmerman, Hawaii Reporter
Hawaii Reporter has learned that the Honolulu-based Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, after a 7-year delay, will receive more than $250,000 from the sale of a Kahala estate bequeathed to the non-profit organization by Masumi Murasaki, who died at the age of 85 in January 1997.
The non-profit, which has overcome dire financial straits in the last three years thanks to private donations, in its monthly newsletter, acknowledges the organization did not know about the large contribution -- the first of its kind contributed to the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii -- until late 2004.
That is when Hawaii Reporter released a series of investigative reports on Masumi’s caretaker, Jennifer Alonso-Toma, who on Feb. 14, nine months prior to the 2004 election, married Honolulu Mayoral Candidate Duke Bainum, changing her name to Jennifer Toma-Bainum....
In the Summer of 1995, Jennifer was hired by Dennis Murasaki to be the caretaker for Masumi, his ailing 83-year-old father, in return for $350 a month and bed and board. At that time Masumi had more than $300,000 in fairly liquid assets. Masumi died on Jan. 28, 1997, just 18 months later, having assets of only $6,000 with the bulk of his funds having been drained by Jennifer during that time, according to documents provided in court.
The Murasaki family went to court before the father died to prevent his assets from being drained further by Jennifer and lost. Her case was made stronger for her by two attorneys and a psychologist. One attorney is currently being charged civilly by the state on more than 278 counts of defrauding consumers, including the elderly, of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The second has violated state ethics rules in more than a half dozen cases and has been disbarred permanently as an attorney in Hawaii, pending final approval from the Hawaii Supreme Court, which isn’t expected to challenge the ruling of the Office of Disciplinary Council. The psychologist is currently being sued for releasing Byran Uyesugi from mental treatment just before he killed seven co-workers at the Xerox building.
In his will, Masumi left his property to the Japanese Cultural Center, but the organization was never notified. Instead, Jennifer continued to rent out and collect checks from the Kahala property Masumi, according to neighbor and former association president Lee Manfredi and a former tenant of the Murasaki property who were interviewed for this story.
Without further explanation, the Japanese Cultural Center, whose chairman of the board Colbert Matsumoto has so far not returned calls to Hawaii Reporter, has reportedly helped to obtained possession of the Kahala property 7 years after the fact.
In the June 2005 issue of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii's quarterly publication called Legacies, a statement by Matsumoto reads: In a wonderfully generous gesture and the first gift of its kind received by JCCH, the late Mr. Masumi Murasaki bequeathed his estate, comprised of his townhouse residence in Kahala, to JCCH. Murasaki died at the age of 85 in 1997, but JCCH did not learn of his gift until late 2004. As a result, we regrettably know little about him other than that he was a former cab driver for Charley’s Taxi in Honolulu. We have been told that his pride in his Japanese heritage motivated Murasaki to make provisions in his trust for this exceptional gift to help JCCH fulfill its mission. We hope that any reader who may have known him will contact JCCH to share any insights you may have about this very generous man. It is expected that JCCH will receive $250,000 in net proceeds for this gift. The board of directors has earmarked the funds for JCCH’s Endowment Fund. Plans for an appropriate tribute to honor Murasaki for his generosity are currently being developed. Our gratitude is extended to the late Masumi Murasaki whose generosity will go a long way in helping the JCCH continue fulfilling its mission of preserving and promoting the evolving Japanese American experience in Hawaii for present and future generations....
A spokeswoman for the Japanese Cultural Center, who referred legal-oriented calls to Matsumoto, who is an attorney, did confirm the money from the Murasaki property will be used to establish a cultural program at the center in honor of Masumi.
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Last update October 13, 2008 by The Catbird