Jill Tokuda’s family history in Hawaii stretches back over 80 years to her great-grandparents emigration from Okinawa. From the Kakazus in Maunawili to the Tokudas in Puhi on Kauai, and the Takasatos and Higas in Downtown/Palama, that first generation worked hard to create a better life filled with endless opportunities for their children and grandchildren.

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Jill, Husband Kyle and son Matt at '09 Opening Day

Jill’s grandparents handed down family values and traditions, and taught her to appreciate their uchinanchu culture. Her grandfather Roland Takasato was a Japanese interpreter during World War II, and a charter member of the Mason’s Union here in Hawaii. Grandmother Jean Takasato spent decades working at Yamashiro Building Supply and Megumi’s Restaurant in Kaneohe. On certain days, you might still catch her behind the counter making cone sushi or serving up their delicious okazuya. Jill’s grandfather Paul Tokuda, Sr. was a landscaper and small business owner, and grandmother Alice Tokuda worked at a Spenceclif Restaurant.

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Jill and her Husband Kyle with their son Aden

 

Jill’s mother, the late Cheryl (Takasato) Tokuda, and her father Paul Tokuda have been a source of constant love and support for Jill and her younger brothers Reid and Kyle. Cheryl continues to provide Jill with inspiration by reminding her what it means to be a good mother, as she remembers lessons learned and recalls fond memories of the times they shared. Paul taught the Tokuda children the importance of being involved in their community, and instilled in them the belief that we must work to find solutions instead of focusing solely on the problems. Jill continues to bring that approach to her service in the Hawaii State Senate.

A proud product of our public school system, Jill attended Kaneohe Elementary, King Intermediate and Castle High School. She continues to thank the teachers and faculty of her Windward schools who provided her with guidance and support, many of whom continue to do so today. As a first generation college student, Jill went on to study at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., receiving her degree in International Relations before returning home to Hawaii.
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Jill's brother Kyle comming home from Kuwait

In 2005, Jill married Kyle H. Michibata, her best friend since their days at King Intermediate School. Recently, their lives have been further enriched by the arrival of sons Matt Akira Michibata (1 ½ years old) and Aden Kenjiro Michibata (2 months).

 

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  • Education

    • George Washington University, Washington D.C. 
      Bachelor of Arts - Major in International Relations, Minor in Japanese Studies
    • James B. Castle High School, (Kane'ohe, Hawai'i) 
      Magna Cum Laude Graduate
    • Samuel Wilder King Intermediate School
    • Kane'ohe Elementary School

  • Professional

    • Current Employment: 
      • Director of Community Relations, Reynolds Recycling
       
    • Past Employment: 
      • President and Founder, Charitable Ventures, Inc. (CVI)
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      • Director of Development, National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii
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      • Executive Aide, Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono

  • Legislative

    • Chair, Senate Committee on Higher Education (2009-Present)
    • Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture & Hawaiian Affairs (2009-Present)
    • Member, Ways and Means Committee (2007-Present)
    • Member, Senate Special Committee to Consider Approaches to Teacher Furloughs
    • Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs (2008)
    • Vice Chair, Committee on Education (2007-2008)
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    • Co-Chair, Joint Senate-House Investigative Committee on the Bureau of Conveyances (2007 - 2008)
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    • Co-Chair, 2007 Women's Legislative Caucus
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    • Senate Member, Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force
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  • Community Involvement & Recognitions

    • Member, Hawaii P-20 Council
    • Member, Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education's Legislative Advisory Committee
    • Member, Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education's Veterinary Medicine Advisory Council
    • Member, Complete College America Hawaii Team
    • Advisor & Planning Committee Member, 96744 Fair, A 5R’s Festival of Giving
    • Aloha Aina Day Sponsor & Volunteer: KEY Project, Castle HS Band & Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club
    • Planning Committee, 2010 Kapunahala Elementary School Health Fair
    • Team Manager, Team Hawaii-U.S. Transplant Games (2004)
    • Board Member, State of Hawaii Executive Office on Aging Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs (1998-2004)
    • Board Member, Friends of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii
    • Volunteer, Lanakila Meals on Wheels (2000-Present)
    • Volunteer Mentor, Koolau Youth Correctional Facility (1999)
    • Windward District Advisor, Hawaii State Student Conference (1999)
    • Volunteer, 487th Field Artillery Family Awareness Group  
    • 2009 Kaneohe Citizen of the Year, Kaneohe Neighborhood Board
    • Hawaii Jaycees Three Outstanding Young Persons Honoree (2002)
    • Pacific Business News Top 40 Under Forty Awardee (2000) 
    • Honolulu Civic Entrepreneur, Pew Civic Entrepreneur Initiative (1998-2000)
    • 2007 Legislator in Residence, University of Hawaii at Manoa Public Policy Center

  • Annual Volunteer Projects & Sponsorships

    • Castle High School Elementary Speech Festival
    • Hawaii Foodbank: Annual Statewide Drive
    • Kapunahala Elementary School Love of Reading
    • Kaneohe Elementary School Take a Break for Books
    • Kaneohe Kiwanis Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast
    • Waikalualoko Fish Pond Earth Day Clean Up
    • Castle HS, Kailua HS & Kalaheo HS Project Graduations
    • Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation Leadership Seminar