Herbert Matayoshi
Encyclopedia
Herbert Tatsuo Matayoshi (November 21, 1928 - July 11, 2011) was an American
politician and businessman. Matayoshi served as the Mayor of Hawaii County from 1974 to 1984. He was the third Mayor of Hawaii County, as well as its second elected Mayor overall. Matayoshi was also the longest serving Mayor of Hawaii County to date, holding the office for ten years.
in 1946. Matayoshi received in bachelor's degree
from the University of Michigan
in 1950. He then pursued graduate studies at Temple University
in Philadelphia, before completing his Master of Business Administration
(MBA) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
.
Matayoshi worked as a stockbroker by profession.
, became Mayor following Kimura's resignation until a special election could be held. Herbert Matayoshi, a county councilman at the time, won a special election held a few months later to complete the remainder of the term.
Matayoshi opposed allowing a large number of telescope
s at the Mauna Kea Observatory
on the summit of Mauna Kea
. He also fought the construction of the Prince Kuhio Plaza
during the 1970s and 1980s, arguing that the shopping mall
would siphon away business from stores in downtown Hilo. Matayoshi dealt with controversy over the expansion of Hilo International Airport during his tenure. The expansion of Hilo's runways expanded the airport to the edge of a Hawaiian Homelands
settlement, leading to protests from Native Hawaiian groups. He also mediated a dispute between residents and developers on the Kohala Coast, on the northeast portion if the Big Island. Residents and Native Hawaiian advocated had argued that the development to build resorts in the 1970s of Kohala threatened recreational activities enjoyed by locals.
Matayoshi's managing director during portions of his tenure, Jack Keppeler, told the Honolulu Star Advertiser that Matayoshi sought policies to deliver services to island residents, such as fire and police protection, in a fiscally conservative manner. Another former Hawaii mayor, Lorraine Inouye, noted that Matayoshi's background in business obscured his commitment to environmental protection
, in the eyes of some observers. Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie
credited Matayoshi with implementing many of Hawaii County's major social service programs, including the Elderly Activities Division, championing small businesses and improving the island's infrastructure.
Matayoshi resigned from the mayor's office in 1984, to pursue an unsuccessful candidacy for Hawaii Senate
. He lost the state Senate election to Richard Matsuura. His managing director, Megumi Kon, was sworn in to succeed Matayoshi until Dante Carpenter was elected a few months after his resignation.
Herbert Matayoshi died from heart failure at Straub Clinic & Hospital
in Honolulu on July 11, 2011, at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife, Mary Y. Matayosh; daughter, Kathryn; three sons - Jerold, Ronald and Eric; his sister, Edith Harano; eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild. His daughter, Kathryn Matayoshi, is the superintendent
of the Hawaii Department of Education. Another son, Ron Matayoshi, is the director of international programs at the University of Hawaii's School of Social Work. Herbert Matayoshi resided in homes in both Hilo and Kahala, a neighborhood in Honolulu.
Governor Neil Abercrombie ordered all American and Hawaiian flags to be flown at half staff on August 15, 2011, in Matayoshi's honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and businessman. Matayoshi served as the Mayor of Hawaii County from 1974 to 1984. He was the third Mayor of Hawaii County, as well as its second elected Mayor overall. Matayoshi was also the longest serving Mayor of Hawaii County to date, holding the office for ten years.
Early life
Matayoshi was born on November 21, 1928, in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii. He graduated from Hilo High SchoolHilo High School
Hilo High School is a public, co-educational high school of the Hawaii State Department of Education, and serves grades nine through twelve. Established in 1906, its first class graduated in 1909. Hilo High School is near the Wailuku River in Hawaii County on the Big Island of Hawaii. The campus...
in 1946. Matayoshi received in bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1950. He then pursued graduate studies at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
in Philadelphia, before completing his Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
(MBA) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Hawaii at Manoa
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is a public, co-educational university and is the flagship campus of the greater University of Hawaii system...
.
Matayoshi worked as a stockbroker by profession.
Political career
He was elected to the Hawaii County Board of Supervisors, the predecessor of what would become the Hawaii County Council, in 1962. Matayoshi was elected to the newly created Hawaii County Council in 1968, which he held until becoming Mayor in 1974.Mayor of Hawaii
In May 1974, Hawaii County's first Mayor Shunichi Kimura resigned following appointment to the 3rd Circuit Court. Kimura's managing director, Bruce McCallBruce McCall
Bruce McCall is a Canadian author and illustrator, best known for his frequent contributions to The New Yorker.Born and raised in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, he was fascinated by comic books and showed an early aptitude for drawing fantastical flying machines, blimps, bulbous-nosed muscle cars and...
, became Mayor following Kimura's resignation until a special election could be held. Herbert Matayoshi, a county councilman at the time, won a special election held a few months later to complete the remainder of the term.
Matayoshi opposed allowing a large number of telescope
Telescope
A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
s at the Mauna Kea Observatory
Mauna Kea Observatory
The Observatories at Mauna Kea, , are an independent collection of astronomical research facilities located on the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawai'i, USA. The facilities are located in a special land use zone known as the "Astronomy Precinct," which is located in the Mauna Kea...
on the summit of Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii. Standing above sea level, its peak is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. However, much of the mountain is under water; when measured from its oceanic base, Mauna Kea is over tall—significantly taller than Mount Everest...
. He also fought the construction of the Prince Kuhio Plaza
Prince Kuhio Plaza
Prince Kūhiō Plaza is a shopping center in Hilo, Hawaii. With approximately 80 tenants, it is the largest enclosed mall on the Island of Hawaii. Prince Kūhiō Plaza, along with Waiākea Centre located across the street, forms the core retail area of Hilo and its suburbs. Prince Kūhiō Plaza is owned...
during the 1970s and 1980s, arguing that the shopping mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
would siphon away business from stores in downtown Hilo. Matayoshi dealt with controversy over the expansion of Hilo International Airport during his tenure. The expansion of Hilo's runways expanded the airport to the edge of a Hawaiian Homelands
Hawaiian Homelands
Hawaiian Homelands were lands dedicated to Native Hawaiians by legislation known as the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921.-History:Upon the 1893 Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the idea for "Hawaiian Homelands" was first born...
settlement, leading to protests from Native Hawaiian groups. He also mediated a dispute between residents and developers on the Kohala Coast, on the northeast portion if the Big Island. Residents and Native Hawaiian advocated had argued that the development to build resorts in the 1970s of Kohala threatened recreational activities enjoyed by locals.
Matayoshi's managing director during portions of his tenure, Jack Keppeler, told the Honolulu Star Advertiser that Matayoshi sought policies to deliver services to island residents, such as fire and police protection, in a fiscally conservative manner. Another former Hawaii mayor, Lorraine Inouye, noted that Matayoshi's background in business obscured his commitment to environmental protection
Environmental protection
Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental level, for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and our technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently...
, in the eyes of some observers. Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie
Neil Abercrombie
Neil Abercrombie is the 7th and current Governor of Hawaii. He was the Democratic U.S. Representative of the First Congressional District of Hawaii which comprises urban Honolulu. He served in Congress from 1986 to 1987 and from 1991 to 2010 when he resigned to successfully run for governor...
credited Matayoshi with implementing many of Hawaii County's major social service programs, including the Elderly Activities Division, championing small businesses and improving the island's infrastructure.
Matayoshi resigned from the mayor's office in 1984, to pursue an unsuccessful candidacy for Hawaii Senate
Hawaii Senate
The Hawaii State Senate is the upper chamber of the Hawaii State Legislature. The senate consists of twenty-five members elected from an equal number of constituent districts across the islands. The senate is led by the President of the Senate, elected from the membership of the body, currently...
. He lost the state Senate election to Richard Matsuura. His managing director, Megumi Kon, was sworn in to succeed Matayoshi until Dante Carpenter was elected a few months after his resignation.
Herbert Matayoshi died from heart failure at Straub Clinic & Hospital
Straub Clinic & Hospital
Straub Clinic & Hospital is a medical group based in Honolulu, Hawaii.-History:George F. Straub founded the clinic in 1921. Dr. Straub was educated in Germany and came to practice in Hawaii in 1907. In 1910, he conceived the idea of forming a group of physicians to provide better, more specialized...
in Honolulu on July 11, 2011, at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife, Mary Y. Matayosh; daughter, Kathryn; three sons - Jerold, Ronald and Eric; his sister, Edith Harano; eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild. His daughter, Kathryn Matayoshi, is the superintendent
Superintendent
Superintendent may refer to:*Superintendent , Superintendent of Police, SP, Senior Superintendent of Police or SSP - a police rank*Superintendent or Superintendent of Prison, Superintendent of Jail, Senior Superintendent of Jail - a rank in prisons - head of a district, central or special prison...
of the Hawaii Department of Education. Another son, Ron Matayoshi, is the director of international programs at the University of Hawaii's School of Social Work. Herbert Matayoshi resided in homes in both Hilo and Kahala, a neighborhood in Honolulu.
Governor Neil Abercrombie ordered all American and Hawaiian flags to be flown at half staff on August 15, 2011, in Matayoshi's honor.