Hilo High School Foundation Distinguished Alumni Awards will be awarded by foundation President Allan Ikawa at the foundation’s 10th Annual Recognition Dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, at Sangha Hall in Hilo.
Barry Taniguchi and John Masuhara have posthumously been named recipients of the award and will be honored at the dinner.
The late John T. Masuhara, died Nov. 7, 2019, at the age of 75. He was born in Aiea, Hawaii, on Jan. 1, 1944, and graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Ohio State University, where he received a Ph.D in education curriculum and instruction.
He was an educator for the Hawaii Department of Education, and served as the principal of Hilo High School from 1996 to 2000. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the Taishoji Soto Mission in Hilo and sixth-degree black belt in Judo.
He is survived wife, Charlene Masuhara of Hilo; daughter, Janel Masuhara of Hilo; sisters, Karen Higuchi of Honolulu and Cora Sakai of Hilo; brother, Myles (Lynde) Masuhara of Hilo; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The late Barry K. Taniguchi, (HHS Class of ’65) died Sept. 20, 2019, at the age of 72. Taniguchi was the former chairman and chief executive officer of KTA Super Stores. He was the president of the Hilo High School Foundation from 2010 up to and including his passing. He was very active in the community, and served as an officer and director of numerous charitable and civic organizations throughout the state.
During the course of his career, he received many awards for his compassion and community service. Taniguchi truly exemplified the Viking spirit and tradition of community service.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy, and children Toby, Tracy, Terri, Amanda and Ryan.
Please consider attending this dinner. Tickets are $50 and include a special dinner catered by Don’s Grill.
Special tables for group sponsors are available: Platinum, $2,000; Blue, $1,500; Gold, $750; and Viking, $500.
This would be a great time for alums to put together a table with classmates while helping Hilo High and the foundation.
The Hilo High foundation is a nonprofit tax-exempt foundation dedicated to enhancing the educational opportunities for students at Hilo High.
For sponsors and purchasing tables, please contact Art Taniguchi at 987-0287, For individual or small group ticket information, please contact foundation Secretary Newton Chu at 961-0406.
