What's New at PBA? Thursday, August 26, 2021

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Dear readers of the What’s New, One of the reasons PBA has experienced so much success since 2003 is because of outstanding board leadership. Our school community has long benefited from the wisdom, community connectedness and strategic thinking of PBA trustees. It is a tradition we intend to continue. This issue focuses on three new trustees we want to introduce to you. In order of their addition to our board (and alphabetical order as it turns out), they are: Scott Nishimoto, Executive Director of Ceeds of Peace; Jon Teraizumi, SVP and Senior Commercial Banking Manager, Central Pacific Bank; and JoAnn Yosemori, Principal Consultant, Junebee LLC. I asked Advancement Director Megan Lee, who has been writing the alumni features we have published each issue this past year and more, to reach out to our new trustees and ask a few questions giving them the opportunity to introduce themselves. They do just that in their own words below. All three have made contributions to the PBA sangha in their tenures as trustees already. They attended the board strategic retreat this summer and offered valuable insights. I am very excited to work with them and want everyone to know PBA’s Board of Trustees continues to provide strong leadership and strategic direction. On behalf of our school community, I express gratitude to Jon, Scott, and JoAnn, and an eagerness to roll up our sleeves and continue our good work together! Warmly, Josh Hernandez Morse Head of School

Jon Teraizumi SVP and Senior Commercial Banking Manager, Central Pacific Bank

I was born in Japan and moved to Hawaii when I was eight years old with my mother’s side of the family being from Hawaii. I grew up in Moili’ili, attending Moili’ili Hongwanji and was involved with the Jr. YBA growing up. I still remember going to Jr. YBA socials at the house where PBA stands today! My grandfather was heavily involved in the Moili’ili community and the Hongwanji and has been my source of inspiration for me in how selfless he was in giving back to helping others. I need to learn how to be more like him and he has been the main reason why I wanted to become involved with PBA. I hope I can make positive contributions to the organization. I’m currently with Central Pacific Bank and lead a team in the Commercial Banking area that helps business customers with their banking needs.  Buddhism has been my core in how I live my life. With all of the things that are happening in the world and with COVID, we really need to come together as human beings and love and support each other. The Golden Chain of Love is one of my favorite Buddhist prayers and I recite it daily to myself to help me reflect on how I should live my life.

Scott Nishimoto Executive Director, Ceeds of Peace

I was born and raised here in Hawaii. Today, I live in Kaimuki with my wife, Tiare, and my daughter, Elle (plus a baby boy on the way). I'm the Executive Director of a nonprofit called Ceeds of Peace, a nonprofit whose mission is to raise peacebuilding leaders. Here at Ceeds, we create and facilitate platforms and opportunities for our community – educators, parents, caregivers, community orgs, and youth – to take action and build peace together. I joined PBA's board because, like Ceeds, I see PBA as a platform for youth to be peacebuilding leaders. I resonate most with PBA's mission to develop their courage to nurture peace. In my work, I've learned that youth are sometimes the most creative, most motivated, and most skilled organizers in our community. They've built movements to address gun violence, climate change, student mental health, and discrimination, just to name a few. PBA's mission to nurture the necessary mindsets and skill sets to create this peace is something that inspires me.

JoAnn Yosemori Principal Consultant, Junebee LLC

My childhood memories are intertwined with Paia Hongwanji, Makawao Hongwanji, and Jikoen Hongwanji (Kalihi). My father worked at all three temples at different stages of my youth as their resident minister. By being part of these communities, my calabash family is pretty large! I was so fortunate to have a wealth of temple uncles and aunties who, along with my parents, taught me a range of skills that I use every day (many of my friends tease me about my vast knowledge of Nisei crafts). But more importantly, they instilled in me a set of values that continue to guide me in my work with my family and in my community service.   Making the decision to be a trustee of PBA was not something I did lightly. I have known the school since it was a mere dream and saw first-hand the effort and pure determination that it took to get it realized. But I was reminded of the Japanese word, “Wasureruna: don’t forget.” It’s a term my father, the late Rev. Chikai Yosemori, attributes to conversations he had with the late Dr. Albert Miyasato. Both were founders of PBA and they both always stressed to me the importance of learning from the past. Just as those before them, they showed up and took action because they cared about making life better for the next generation. I look forward to following their example by being part of all of us who want to continue the effort to strengthen PBA and its students. I hope to honor their and my entire calabash family’s memory by helping to pass along their values and commitment to build a better future. Right now, when we are all experiencing an unprecedented chapter in history and making serious decisions for ourselves, our families, our friends, our work colleagues, our everything: who doesn’t feel overwhelmed? PBA’s mission to nurture self-aware leaders with the courage, skills, and compassion to nurture peace is so needed. This mission energizes me to want to help to make that happen.

School Activity Highlights

Students in the urban gardening class learn about different plants Students enjoying the new tech-free workshop

A beginning filmmaking student uses the techniques learned in class

Important Dates September 6 - Office Closed September 10 - Teacher In-Service Day