McKinley salutes two alumnae

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Photographs of dozens of former students who have distinguished themselves locally, nationally and internationally line the long hallway leading to the administrative offices at President William McKinley High School.

Harriet Natsuyama

Patsy K. Young

The accomplishments of Natsuyama, class of '55, and Young, class of '47, will be recognized at an assembly at the school Jan. 30.

Natsuyama is an expert on systems analysis, computer modeling and applied mathematics. She earned a doctorate in astrophysics from Japan's Kyoto University in 1965 and degrees in math and physics from the University of Hawai'i. She worked for the RAND Corp. and Hughes Aircraft and was the chief engineer at California computer company Infotec Development Inc.

Young served in the state House and Senate from 1971 to 1988 and was on the Public Utilities Commission until 1994. She was the first woman to serve in a leadership position in the Senate as vice president, the first woman of Asian ancestry appointed to the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents and the first woman member of the utilities commission. Young earned a degree in human development from UH in 1972.

Tom Katsuyoshi, president of the McKinley Alumni Association, said this year's honorees were very successful in making progress for women in government and business.

"We were looking for someone that contributed to humanity and these two stood out," said Katsuyoshi. "They did us proud."

Katsuyoshi said the Hall of Honor inspires students because they can walk by the photos and see people who once were students just like them and have gone so far in life.

"The hall does help a lot of young people. It inspires them to excel," he said.

The McKinley Alumni Association will honor the women at their annual brunch at 10 a.m. Jan. 31 at the Hale Koa Hotel.

For more information, call Lisa Toma at 566-1353.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.