Taniguchi named president of Boy Scouts Aloha Council

The voting members of the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council elected KTA Super Stores Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Barry K. Taniguchi as the new president and board chairman, a voluntary position.

“We are thrilled to have Barry Taniguchi as Aloha Council’s new president,” said Jeff Sulzbach, Scout executive and CEO of the Aloha Council. “A former Scout and a natural leader, we are fortunate that Barry will continue to serve the Scouting community in his new role.”

“I’m honored to have been chosen to serve an organization that has given so many young people the chance to grow and learn more about themselves and the world they live in,” Taniguchi said. “Scouting gives children and adolescents the opportunity to gain knowledge in a variety of areas and provides a broader perspective on how to lead their own lives as they grow into adulthood.”

Born and raised on Hawaii Island, Taniguchi joined the Cub Scout pack chartered at Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin when he was 8 years old. He later became a Boy Scout and continued Scouting until his freshman year of high school. Taniguchi became involved in the Scouting community again when his two sons joined Scouting. One reached the highest rank of Eagle Scout.

“As a Scout, I learned values such as respecting all living things and how to be a leader for others,” Taniguchi said.

“These values have become a part of who I aim to be throughout my life.”

Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council was established in Hawaii in 1910 by Hawaii artist and outdoorsman, D. Howard Hitchcock.

Hitchcock founded the Rainbow Patrol, the first local troop, chartered by Punahou School.

Scouting quickly took root in Hawaii and has grown to currently serve 12,000 young people and 5,000 volunteers on Oahu, Kauai, Hawaii Island, Guam and American Samoa.

For more information about Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council, visit www.alohacouncilbsa.org.