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JAO established on April 14th 1954 is one of more than 3000 Optimist Clubs throughout the U.S., North America, and beyond. Together, the clubs make up Optimist International (OI), one of the largest voluntary community service organizations in the world. Under the leadership of International President Ronnie Dunn, OI's 100,000 men and women bring hope and joy to an estimated 6 million youth every year.

OI is administered through geographic districts. JAO and 55 other clubs from the Los Angeles area to southern Nevada belong to the Pacific Southeast District (PSED). PSED's Governor is Linda Molthen. PSED is subdivided into 8 zones. JAO and 5 other clubs make up the Great Zone 8, now headed by Lt. Governor Roland Soo Hoo.

Over the years, JAO has helped to further the Optimist spirit by building new chapters. Its flourishing stable of "baby clubs" includes the Optimist Clubs of Montebello Bella Vista, Buena Park Suburban, Gardena Evening, and Optimist Club of Honolulu.

JAO is also the sponsor of the Jr. Optimist Club at LA Elementary, giving more than 60 5th-grade students the opportunity to learn valuable leadership skills and integrate community service into their lives.

Japanese American Optimist Club of Los Angeles is a Section 501(C)(3) non-profit group under Optimist International.


JAO Past Presidents

1954-55 Eiji Tanabe
1955-56 Yosh Inadomi
1956-57 Willie Funakoshi
1957-58 James Mitsumori
1958-59 Edwin Hiroto *
1959-60 Joe Itano
1960-61 Fred Funakoshi
1961-62 Richard Kaku
1962-63 Kiyo Yamato *
1963-64 Shig Imamura *
1964-65 Kazuo Watanabe *
1965-66 Frank Hirashima *
1966-67 John Fukushima *
1967-68 Kiyo Maruyama
1968-69 Kiyomi Takata
1969-70 Cy Yuguchi
1970-71 Don Kaneoka
1971-72 Mit Yoshida
1972-73 Howard Ogawa
1973-74 Jim Nomachi *
1974-75 Kenji Taniguchi
1975-76 Jim Uyeda
1976-77 Martin Ono
1977-78 Mikio Tochioka
1978-79 Thomas Iwasaki
1979-80 Henry Takemura
1980-81 Derick Tagawa
1981-82 Ronald Skaife *
1982-83 Eugene Sekiguchi
1983-84 Paul Kawakami
1984-85 Nolan Maehara *
1985-86 Mark Kojima
1986-87 Paul Yamaguchi *
1987-88 Tim Manaka, Jr.
1988-89 David Koda *
1989-90 Dentler Erdmann
1990-91 Henry Okamura
1991-92 Leiton Hashimoto
1992-93 Craig Kotani
1993-94 Leland Lau
1994-95 Tom Yamaguchi
1995-96 Chris Takahashi
1996-97 Russel Fujii
1997-98 Keith Inatomi
1998-99 Dean Higuchi
1999-00 Mark Yoshida
2000-01 John "J.T." Tamaki
2001-02 Wayne Fujita
2002-03 Michael Richards
2003-04 Howard Hiyoshida *
2004-05 Terry Hara
2005-06 Jae Lee
2006-07 Jeff Tani
2007-08 Steve Awakuni

* Distinguished President
   
       
Japanese American Optimist Club of Los Angeles
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