Kaua’i Democrats have officially passed the torch to a younger generation of island leaders, with Clyde Kodani taking over as interim chairman of the party organization here. Kodama, whose election was announced last week by the the island’s central committee,
Kaua’i Democrats have officially passed the torch to a younger generation of island leaders, with Clyde Kodani taking over as interim chairman of the party organization here.
Kodama, whose election was announced last week by the the island’s central committee, will serve until a new chairman is formally selected at the county convention in May.
He succeeds Betty Matsumura, who held the position of county chairwoman for decades and had also been treasurer and central committee member. She’ll take a lower profile in party matters while working for Kaua’i County Councilman Ron Kouchi’s campaign for mayor.
“No one person can simply replace Betty,” said Kodani, a former University of Hawai’i regent and owner and operator of Kodani & Associates, a Lihu’e engineering and consulting firm. “One does his best to follow her lead and fulfill the goals she has help set for the party.”
Long-time party cornerstone Turk Tokita said Kodama offers “strong skills as a businessman and long-time community leader.”
Kodani also is a member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a regional college accreditation service.
Tokita praised Matsumura for her years of service to the party and the community. Matsumura has served on several and worked for the state Department of Education as cafeteria manager at Wilcox Elementary School.
