HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

118

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

RECOGNIZING nORMAN SAKATA FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE KONA COFFEE CULTURAL FESTIVAL.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the Legislature is proud to recognize those special individuals who selflessly use their talents, knowledge, and sincere compassion to faithfully serve and support their community; and

 

     WHEREAS, since 1970, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival has sought to preserve, perpetuate, and promote Kona's unique 183-year coffee heritage; and

 

     WHEREAS, NORMAN SAKATA transformed the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, which showcases over 60 coffee farms in Kona, into the largest, oldest, and most renowned food festival in Hawaii, and has honored pioneer coffee farmers who dedicated their lives to cultivating coffee by naming them Grand Marshal of the festival; and

 

     WHEREAS, a third-generation coffee farmer, NORMAN SAKATA has served for 18 years as president and chairman of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, and has received numerous service awards for his commitment to helping others; and

 

     WHEREAS, NORMAN SAKATA served the Boy Scouts of America for over five decades with 22 years as a scout leader, producing 22 eagle scouts, including Hawaii's first astronaut, Elison Onizuka, who grew up in the coffee fields of Kona and successfully campaigned for Kona coffee to be the official coffee of the space program; and

 

     WHEREAS, inspired by his blind grandmother, NORMAN SAKATA became the founder of the Lion's Club Eye Bank, which through funding and moral support, contributed the gift of vision to more than 4,000 recipients, and helped raise over $300,000 in donations; and

 

     WHEREAS, NORMAN SAKATA's mission in life is to recognize the founding pioneers' efforts in cultivating Kona coffee, promote the Kona community and its coffee to a broader market, and continue to improve the quality of life in the community; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that this body hereby expresses its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Norman Sakata for his unfailing dedication and generosity to the people of west Hawaii, and extends to him its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Recognizing Norman Sakata for his contribution to the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival