I am honored to be a member of the Portland Taiko Board of Directors. Whenever I attend taiko performances, I am filled with joy and warmth in my soul and feel pride in and a connection to my heritage. I am grateful to Portland Taiko for the steadfast way they carry on the tradition of taiko in Oregon – giving community members like my daughter opportunities to feel connected to their ancestry.  

I was born and raised on O'ahu, Hawai'i, where my family has lived for four generations. I am deeply grateful to my family for their support, which has afforded me opportunities to work, study, and travel in many countries, including Japan, where I taught English for two years after college.

I am the founding director of the Women’s Justice Project at the Oregon Justice Resource Center, where I provide legal services for incarcerated women and advocate for more just and humane treatment of women in Oregon’s criminal legal system. Throughout my professional career as an attorney and a social worker, I have assisted women who are greatly marginalized in our communities. I am grateful for the professional opportunities which have allowed me to share their stories and amplify their voices.