Hawaii Jaycees State Board

Aloha Hawaii Jaycees!

I joined the Rising Phoenix Jaycee Chapter in 2007 and it’s been an incredible journey. Chapter President in 2009, State Membership Vice President 2010, State Region Director in 2011, and it is an honor to serve you in 2012 as your 69th State President!

I grew up in Kalihi, attended St. John the Baptist School from Kindergarten through 8th grade and then went to McKinley High School – Class of 2000! My greatest accomplishment in High School was creating the Unarmed Exhibition Drill team, which went on to win State Championship three years in a row!

The turning point in my life was when my father died. He had been sick for a long time and before he left, he told me that I was strong enough that he doesn’t need to be here anymore. Since then every time I was in doubt I always remembered him and my upbringing “work hard!” If I keep telling myself that “I can do this”, I am capable of doing anything.

After college there was something inside of me that just wanted to go out and make an impact in the community. I’ve searched some volunteer groups and did over a 1000 community service hours and I was still longing for more. Was there an organization out there that believed that “service to humanity is the best work of life”?

Then one day I met a Jaycee member and he got me involved. After a couple of projects, I realized that this was the impact I wanted to do and these were the people who are just as crazy as me when it comes to the passion in making positive changes happen within our communities. I must admit there were times that I thought I couldn’t achieve my goals, but through the Jaycees training and friendships I’ve received I overcame obstacles that I thought I could never overcome.

I look forward to the challenges in 2012 that we are to face, the friendships we will make, and the perfection we know we will never be, but always strive to achieve.

Proud to be a Jaycee!

The Jaycee profile of the 2011 State President is one that I am excited to share. But, let’s not get into all of that, yet. Rather, here are 12 fun bits of trivia about me outside of Jaycees:

1. Pescetarian lifestyler

2. Favorite response to “How are you?”, is “Absolutely divine!”

3. Favorite color is pink, then Tiffany blue and I love Tiffany jewelry

4. Tremendously love my friends, especially for the surprise paparazzi on skydive day… [READ MORE]

Aloha,

I’d like to extend a warm greeting to everyone. My name is Michele Itsuno, and I have the pleasure of serving you on the Hawaii Jaycees State Board this year as your Executive Vice Presidnet. Serving with Yvette on her board last year on the state level holds a special meaning for me as the very first board I ever served on was when she was Chapter President of Honolulu Chinese Jaycees in 2004. She asked me… [READ MORE]

Aloha, my name is Lori Unemori. This year I will be serving the Hawaii Jaycees as your Chaplain… [READ MORE]

Ryan Ng joined the organization in 2007 as a new member with the great Honolulu Chinese Jaycees. During his first year with the organization, he chaired the signature Healthy Baby Contest and was awarded as Chapter Member of the Year.

He garnered accolades as a Hawaii Jaycees speak-up and write-up winner and eventually competed at both the TOYA and Year-End Conventions for the US Jaycees, where he placed… [READ MORE]

Aloha my name is Shawn Unemori, This year for the first time ever I will be your awesome 2012 Video Production Director. I’m very excited for this year. I came on board when your 68th Hawaii Jaycees President asked me about what I do? My hobby was doing film editing. From trainings to promoting all chapter projects from Hawaii and showing the world in what we do. It sells who the Hawaii Jaycees.

I joined the C.O.O.L. Jaycees in February 2005. C.O.O.L. stands for Community Organization Of Leaders. We are leaders in positive networking, a leadership of understanding, tools in helping yourself to develop, and to break the boundaries and barriers to utilize your passion of interest to succeed. In fact, this is meant for all Jaycees worldwide. I was a Membership Director and won the Rodney Miyamura Award, Why? I believed in what the Jaycees has taught me.

I was also Membership Vice President and Chapter President. I received the R. Allen Watkins Award for being Chapter President. That award was for not giving up on my chapter. It takes a lot of struggle to get where you need to be. Through yourself you need something positive that you can believe in to get you to move forward.

Every Chapter has a beginning and a ending. From that start what can you do? From that middle, what would it take to get there? From that end, was it all worth it when you didn’t gave up and when succeeded in what you have accomplished?!

If you can imagine what can be captured on film of how you experience in what you saw, and show that positive value in what we do, would you join the Jaycees in order for you to capture that moment and seek the opportunity to relive it? I would! Would you?

Mahalo,

Shawn Unemori
2012 HIJC Video Production Director