Japanese center to reorganize
By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i is in the home stretch in a race to clear a $9 million debt by Friday, and its leaders hope a reorganization plan will convince potential donors to come through.
• To donate: Make checks payable to the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i. Mail the check (with the note "Save the Center") to: The Committee To Save the Center, 3660 Wai'alae Ave., Suite 301, Honolulu, HI 96816. • Information: Walter Tagawa, 737-4338, Ext. 224; Albert Miyasato, 595-4574; Wayne Miyao, 535-2590; and Warren Iwasa, 845-2255.
The Committee to Save the Center spokesmen say the campaign is a little less than $1 million short.
Center still owes $1 million
"The last million is always the hardest," said chairman Colbert Matsumoto.
He said the center's board would meet at 11:30 a.m. today to consider new organizational strategies aimed at opening the Mo'ili'ili center to a broader segment of the community.
Fujio Matsuda, vice chairman of the fund-raising group, said his committee is suggesting ways to bring in a more representative sample of opinions from younger supporters.
Among the ideas for the board, he said, is establishing committees on finance, programs and other aspects of operations that could include more members of the community.
Some potential donors might be waiting for a sign the center is willing to make changes before committing money, Matsuda said.
"I think the primary thrust of many of them is they feel it's their center, they want to be part of it," he said. "They want to participate in the process of redirecting the center. Some have said, 'How do I know we're not going to be in the same condition in a few years?' "
Despite a slowdown in donations — partially offset by a $500,000 gift last week from the First Hawaiian Foundation — Matsuda expressed confidence that money is available. The committee is making a second pass at individual and foundation supporters who could not donate at the end of 2002 but might reconsider, he said.
"And some people who may have given some because of constraints can give a little more now," he said.
Matsuda is optimistic the center will be able to plan for a long future once the debt burden is clear.
"We've gone past the point of no return," he said. "We've cashed the checks."
Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.
