Alumni say farewell to journalism secretary

By Kapono Dowson
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i journalism department's just-retired secretary, Sharon Ishida, points out the KHON-TV employees who once were UH journalism students. Kyle Sackowski • The Honolulu Advertiser

But for many of those who run major newspapers, TV news stations and public-relations firms in Hawai'i and elsewhere, Ishida's retirement has been cause for hand-wringing. To them, Ishida is the mother hen of Hawai'i journalism.

Over the years, they say, Ishida has encouraged and groomed many UH students, helped them get their first jobs and made sure that they stayed connected to the journalism program after graduation. She has rallied graduates to help other students get into the industry. Many still feel strong personal ties to Ishida.

"The memorable and impressive thing about Sharon was that even though you were not one of those who hung around the department, she still remembered and knew who you were," said KHON-TV investigative reporter and news anchor Tina Shelton. "Sharon was keenly serious on taking care of all the students, not just the visible ones."

Ishida, 55, humbled by the praise, chuckled, saying, "I was just fortunate to work with wonderful people who came to me as young adults, but who have blossomed, many of whom I call friends now."

The University of Hawai'i Journalism Alumni Association plans to throw Ishida a pau hana party Sunday at the Hale Koa Hotel. There are more than 200 people signed up for the event, said Jan Kagehiro, an event coordinator who was a UH journalism student in the '80s and now is media relations and advertising director for the Kaiser Permanente public affairs department.

Ishida, who graduated from Kalani High School, always worked as a secretary and never studied journalism.

"We were like her chicks," recalled Jim McCoy, KHON-TV news director. "It was always good to know she was in your corner."

McCoy remembers being a poor student back in the '70s, struggling for tuition, book money and the next month's rent, and credits Ishida with helping him get started in the profession through an internship from the Honolulu Press Club. Students often get nervous at going off campus and sometimes need a push to get beyond the protective boundaries of the university, he said.

Over the years, many a news editor has called on Ishida to recommend graduates for jobs. McCoy said he has trusted Ishida's eye for talent. Many of his latest "young tigers" came to him by way of Ishida, he said.

Other former UH journalism students who have done particularly well include Linda Taira, vice president at PBS, and Mike Tsukamoto, editor of photography and graphics at USA Today.

Mark Matsunaga, KHON-TV managing editor and a former city editor for The Advertiser, said he remembers Ishida's strictness. "She'd get after you. She'd tell you if you needed to be in class or remind you to do your paper."

Matsunaga was a student Ishida took under her wing in the '70s. He said he used eat lunch and play Scrabble in the journalism department. He recalled the department's library she started and the extra hours she put in to improve the department.

Tom Brislin, UH School of Communications chairman and journalism professor, said that when Ishida joined the journalism program in 1974, it had been recently separated from the English department. Ishida was instrumental in the journalism program's receiving its first national accreditation in 1980, said Brislin, who has known her since 1977.

"She was specifically cited in the accreditation team report as a strong, continually valuable presence," he recalled.

Brislin said the accreditation changed the official status from program to department. To the university, "program" meant probationary status. "Department" status meant the university considered it something it wanted to keep.

"She was extremely student-centered, always making sure students were getting a fair shake from faculty," Brislin said, calling her their advocate.

Calling herself more of a "mother hen," Ishida said, "The best part of working at the university is the contact with students. Every day brought in a new face." She recalls that when her first group of students graduated, it broke her heart. But soon another young person needed help, and "my heart would melt again."

No longer taking care of many fledglings, Ishida now spends her days taking care of her first grandchild — Amanda Norton, who was born in July. "She melts my heart every day," Ishida said.

• On the Web:
University of Hawai'i journalism alumni have created a Web site for retired journalism department secretary Sharon Ishida: www.sharonishida.com