How do you give back to your community?  

Wherever there’s a need. I’m involved with a number of organizations: American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, and March of Dimes to name a few. Wherever there’s a need, I’m always prepared to help whenever I can to the best of my ability.

What does giving back mean to you?

 The Three Ts: Giving my talent, treasure, and time.

What motto do you live by?

A very simple motto: Service Above Self. There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the highest creed (Albert Schweitzer). 

I adopted this creed when I was eight years old, and for 75-80 years my mission has been to live a life of service. The depth and breadth of this mission and my life were summed up by President Ronald Reagan who wrote to me in October 1983, upon my being the first American awarded the International Red Cross Medal of Honor: “You exemplify the true spirit of volunteerism for humanitarian aid to your fellow man.” My goal has been to give freely of my time, talent, and treasure, with the purpose of truly living a life of service above self. 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Service above self is what life is all about. We all can make a difference in small, but significant ways, acts of kindness.

How old were you when you started to give back to the community?

I joined the Junior Red Cross in 1938 at Lincoln Elementary School, Honolulu. I assembled “care” kits for the children of China who were victims of the Japanese invasion. I joined Cub Scouts at age 8 and Eagle Scouts at age 15, which reinforced my motto of service above self. I joined March of Dimes at age 8 where I went door-to-door collecting dimes with my mother to fight polio.

What has been the biggest reward? 

Knowing I made a difference. That’s all I want, in some way.

Now, as a more experienced leader, how do you define success?

Meeting challenges when you reach my age. Every day is a challenge. I’m 93. 

What do you love most about your job? 

We’re concerned about the health of our clients. We’ve created several programs—health and welfare of our clients is top priority. We want to ensure the healthy well-being of everyone in Hawai‘i. We want our clients to have access locally, nationally, and internationally to determine their health condition. HMAA provides a very unique program.

What has been the biggest sacrifice you’ve made for your career?

I don’t see it as a sacrifice, I see it as an opportunity to serve. I learned at a very tender age from my mother that service is above self. She was a very devout Christian.

Do you believe in luck and fate? Why? 

We make our luck, and I believe in fate. Things are bound to happen that you don’t anticipate, so you have to be prepared for those kinds of issues. We didn’t expect Covid to hit, so you have to be quick to address any issues.