Taniguchi appointed as trustee for Parker Ranch trust

WAIMEA — The beneficiaries of the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust, or PRFT, announced Thursday that Toby Taniguchi has been appointed as a trustee, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

The beneficiaries of PRFT are Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital, Hawaii Community Foundation, Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Parker School.

Taniguchi is chief executive officer of KTA Super Stores. KTA is well-known by Big Island residents for its long-standing support and advocacy for local food through its Mountain Apple brand.

Taniguchi has served on the Board of Directors of Parker Ranch Inc. since 2018.

Taniguchi has worked for KTA since 1996, and has held various positions at all levels within the organization. He is actively involved in numerous public service and nonprofit organizations, and currently serves as chairman of Community First, a nonprofit formed to serve as a catalyst for solutions to improving health and lowering medical costs on Hawaii Island.

Taniguchi joins the three current trustees of PRFT: Mike Fujimoto, Mike Gibson and Tim Johns.

“Several years ago, the beneficiaries established a structured process for trustee selection. We followed those procedures and undertook a very extensive search and vetting process, and we are pleased Toby will be joining the organization as a trustee,” Saundra Gulley, chair of the PRFT’s Distribution Committee and beneficiary representative from Parker School, said in a statement.

“Toby is uniquely qualified to assist PRFT in its mission to support the beneficiaries, given his business experience, the various roles he has held in the governance of complex organizations, and his knowledge and understanding of our culture and doing business in Hawaii,” she said. “We are grateful for his willingness to serve.”