honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, May 20, 2005

Japanese center taps former judge Amano

Advertiser Staff

Former Big Island judge Riki May Amano has been appointed president and executive director of the Japanese Cultural Center, the center announced yesterday. She started in the position on Monday.

Riki May Amano

"Judge Amano brings a passion and exciting vision to take the center to the next level," said Colbert Matsumoto, chairman of the center's board of directors, in a news release. "The board voted unanimously for her."

Amano served as a judge in the Circuit Court and District Court in Hilo for more than 11 years. Before that, she was in private practice specializing in family law and worker's compensation insurance defense. She and also worked as a deputy attorney general.

Amano said her priorities are "to increase membership benefits, grow membership, and provide relevant programs, events and exhibits that will enjoyed by the center's members and the greater Hawai'i community."

Amano has served on the center's board since July 2004.

Keiko Bonk, who had served as executive director at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i for about a year, was terminated in January by the board of directors.

The board named one of its directors, Susan Scott, to serve as interim president and executive director.

The center, run by a nonprofit organization since its opening a decade ago, was founded to preserve and promote Japanese culture in Hawai'i through programs and community activities. It draws income from memberships and from the rental of a banquet hall and office space, but revenue shortfalls led to financial troubles.

Two years ago, facing foreclosure, a volunteer group of supporters embarked on a fundraising campaign and ultimately averted a plan to sell the facility.