WAIMEA — As a child, Rich Matsuda traveled from Oahu to the Big Island on vacation, catching his first glimpse of the telescopes atop Mauna Kea. It was then, his head tilted toward the heavens, that his curiosity was first piqued.
Years later, when presented with the chance to return home and contribute to the work at W.M. Keck Observatory in Waimea, which was redefining the way astronomy was executed at the time, Matsuda couldn’t refuse. Now, more than 20 years after coming back to Hawaii, the electrical engineer and operations manager at Keck has another opportunity he can’t pass up.
Matsuda was chosen as one of 14 Omidyar Fellows, a program committed to developing leadership skills and networks across the state to ensure a better future for Hawaii. It was founded in 2012 by Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay.
“The goal is really to help form the next generation of emerging leaders in Hawaii to be more collective and collaborative with each other,” said Director Bill Coy. Selections are made based on contributions an applicant made to his or her field along with four key competencies: sense making, visioning, problem solving and building relationships, he said.
The 15-month program not only helps participants identify leadership blind spots, but also connects leaders from different sectors to bring multiple perspectives to issues that will define Hawaii’s future — economic sustainability, climate change and energy sustainability, to name a few.
Matsuda said both aspects made the opportunity attractive to him as his job responsibilities continue to evolve with the astronomy industry in Hawaii, particularly in regard to the debate about the Thirty Meter Telescope.
Matsuda said as someone who was born and raised in Hawaii, it’s crucial for him to assume a larger role in the discussion.
“Bigger questions are now being asked about how astronomy fits in Hawaii, and I’ve had to go beyond my comfort zone to try to get involved and be a positive force in trying to address some of these questions,” Matsuda said.
After graduation, Matsuda will become part of the forum of fellows, a group that includes 50-60 members from past cohorts, some of whom are already engaging in what Coy described as Omidyar’s grander vision for the program since its inception.
Matsuda will be joined at Omidyar Fellows by two other Big Island residents: Brad Bennett, complex area superintendent for the Department of Education Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area, and Kyle Chock, assistant executive secretary-treasurer of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, both of Waimea.
Email Max Dible at mdible@westhawaiitoday.com.
