Chinese Civic Club names president
Chinese Civic Club names president
Russell Oda has been installed president of the Chinese Civic Club of Hawaii. Following the club’s tradition, he took office on the auspicious first day of the Chinese New Year, which fell on Jan. 23 this year.
A well-known Big Island architect, Oda has been active in the club for a number of years. He also is involved in various other community organizations and has served on several public commissions.
“This is the year of the dragon,” Oda said at the civic club’s annual Chinese New Year banquet attended by 200 guests. “It’s a symbolically significant year in Chinese mythology because dragon brings forth power and wealth. I hope all good things will happen to our club and our community during this year.”
Throughout the past several decades, the civic organization has held a number of events to promote the Chinese culture, including the Taste of Asia food shows and its annual Moon Festival. Money raised through the events has been used to fund scholarships for students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Serving with Oda on the board of the civic club are Jeannie Yagi, Julie Tulang, Newton Chu, Norman Yee, Wilbert Lau, Ruisheng Peng, Yen Wen Fang, Yu Yok Pearring and Gene Tao.