GOVERNOR HONORS PAST PRESIDENT OF JAPAN-AMERICA SOCIETY OF HAWAI`I

June 28 - At a luncheon for the Japan-America Society of Hawai`i (JASH) Governor Lingle shared highlights of her recent trip to Japan and Indonesia and honored JASH past president Earl Okawa, who retired this year after serving 15 years as the society's president.

"Part of our plans to transform the economy includes strengthening relations in the Asia-Pacific region and increasing the global competitiveness of our residents and businesses," Governor Lingle said.  "Earl's work has laid a strong foundation, and my recent trip to Tokyo and Okinawa built on his work and the accomplishments of JASH."

Prior to joining JASH, Okawa was a career officer in the United States Air Force, serving 21 of his 24 years of service in the Pacific, with 10 years in Japan.