Junior Achievement of Hawaii recently held a dinner at the ARC of Hilo. Sidney Fuke was inducted into the Junior Achievement of Hawaii’s Business Hall of Fame and Irene Nagao was honored as the Advocate of the Year.

My pal Sid has lived his entire life in Hawaii. He was born and raised in Hilo and is a proud graduate of Hilo High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. After receiving his Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois, he started A 13-year career at the County of Hawaii as a Planner. He then worked his way up to Deputy Planning Director and then Planning Director serving in the head role for eight years. Since 1985 he has served as a private land use consultant. Fuke takes great joy and pride in his community service and involvement. He is a member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a former Board Member of Hospice of Hilo, Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Kyodan, Hawaii Health System, Na Leo Hawaii, County of Hawaii Liquor Commission, and is the current Chair of the County of Hawaii Liquor Adjudication Board and member of the State Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

Irene Nagao was born in Honolulu and graduated from the Honolulu Business College majoring in Accounting.  Nagao worked at Big Island Toyota and then JCPenney for 23 years. Nagao has touched many young lives over the years with her volunteer efforts. She has been actively involved with JAHI serving on the Board of Directors for over 25 years. She was an active volunteer in the Business Education Partnership and she headed the education committees for both the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce as well as the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Nagao also assisted in rehabilitation efforts serving on the Friends of the Big Island Drug Court for 17 years while also working closely with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on their programs for the reintegration of incarcerated people. Nagao formed STARS (Surviving to Thriving: Advocacy, Resources and Support), a support group for families of homicide victims. Nagao balances her life by being involved in other programs like the Zonta Club of Hilo for 44 years, the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, and the Red Hat Society “Ula La” Chapter.  She has been awarded the coveted Athena Business Woman of the Year (1990); Hawaii County Outstanding Female Senior (2008); Hawaii Island Going Home Consortium Recognition (2015) and the Zonta Club of Hilo Rose Award of Excellence (2018). 

I was happy that my crown flower plant had flowers and I could sew double-strand leis for the two honorees. It made me feel good to gift these lei grown in my yard and made with my hands. This evening of gratitude, respect, and giving in the company of friends and loved ones was a wonderful way to spend an evening. Living Hilo Style.