Remarks for the 2011 Fall Imperial Decoration Award Ceremony

December 1, 2011, 10:00 a.m., Official Residence

Yoshi Kamo

Mr. Kenneth Francis Brown,

Dr. Kyoko Hijirida,

Mr. Albert Masaji Aoki,

Your respective family members, friends, and supporters,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning. おはようございます。

It is a privilege and honor for me to be here this morning at this auspicious occasion to present Mr. Brown, Dr. Hijirida, and Mr. Aoki, with an Imperial Decoration.

First of all, on behalf of His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, and the Government of Japan, I would like to express my deepest, most heartfelt congratulations to each one of you for your tireless efforts and steadfast commitment to furthering the bonds of friendship and cooperation shared between Japan and Hawaii, and between Japan and the United States.

These bonds of friendship and cooperation obviously led to outpouring compassion and support for Japan after she was struck by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March. I would like to take this opportunity to convey our gratefulness to the people of Hawaii.

Mr. Kenneth Francis Brown

Mr. Kenneth Francis Brown, currently the Chairman of the Mauna Lani Resort, Inc., is being presented with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for his contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding and strengthening the relationship between Japan and Hawaii and Japan and the United States.

Mr. Brown is a well-known architect, businessman, and civic leader who has dedicated much of his life to serving the community.  From 1966 to 1968, Mr. Brown served as a special assistant to the late Governor of Hawaii John Burns.  He went on to become a State Senator from 1968 to 1974, during which he supported the Democratic movement in Hawaii, which in turn contributed to the improvement of the stature and position of Japanese-Americans in Hawaii. 

In the 1980’s, Mr. Brown was highly-instrumental in helping the Tokyu Corporation develop the world-renowned Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island, working to enhance the economic relationship between Japan and Hawaii.

Mr. Brown has been active in the community, serving in various capacities within many organizations.  He was a former Chair of East-West Center’s Board of Governors and a former Director of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii.  Mr. Brown’s contributions in both the local political and economic arenas have worked to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between Japan and Hawaii and Japan and the U.S.

Dr. Kyoko Hijirida

Dr. Kyoko Hijirida, who was a Japanese instructor at the University of Hawaii from 1970 to 2010, will receive the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for her contributions to the promotion of Japanese language education in the United States and for the advancement of academic exchange between Japan and the United States. 

During her tenure, Dr. Hijirida dedicated herself to educating and nurturing future instructors of Japanese, as well as developing Business Japanese curricula to benefit not only UH students but the business community here as well.  She promoted the Okinawan language and culture program at UH, later becoming the Director of the Center for Okinawan Studies. 

Dr. Hijirida also founded the Hawaii Association of Teachers of Japanese in 1975.  Through her strong commitment to the furthering of Japanese language education, Dr. Hijirida contributed to the strengthening of academic bonds between Japan and the United States.

Mr. Albert Masaji Aoki

Mr. Albert Masaji Aoki, the Director of the United States Judo Federation, is being presented with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, for his contributions to the promotion of judo in the United States, and the enhancement of cultural relations between Japan and Hawaii and between Japan and the U.S.

In the 1950’s, Mr. Aoki, a Hawaii-born third generation Japanese-American, began upgrading the infrastructures of dojos (training halls) on the Big Island and holding judo tournaments and training sessions in collaboration with various organizations, including the Kodokan in Japan.  After moving to Honolulu, he established the 50^th State Judo Association in 1979, of which he served as its Chairman until 2009. It became one of the biggest judo organizations in the United States, attracting thousands of students and developing long-standing partnerships with universities in Japan.

Mr. Aoki has been a member of the United States Judo Federation for more than 59 years and currently serves as a Director.  Through his commitment to promoting judo in Hawaii and the United States, Mr. Aoki contributed to the strengthening of the bonds of friendship and cultural exchange between our two countries.

It is our sincere hope that Mr. Brown, Dr. Hijirida, and Mr. Aoki will continue to lend their steadfast focus and defined leadership qualities so that we may continue to maintain a strong Japan-Hawaii and a strong Japan-U.S. relationship, in the coming years. 

(c) Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu
1742 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96817 USA
Tel: 808-543-3111