George Kodama

Class of 1958

Nominated by Alice Tkachenko Clay

George was born in the year 1940.

This is the view of Waikiki during that same year, in the background you will see the Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian Hotels.

Up on the mountain tops, you will notice that there are no houses unlike todays current view.

Kodama Photo Studio and Supply.

Kodama Photo Studio and Supply opened in 1930 on North King Street in the Palama Theater Building.

During the invasion of Pearl Harbor, George’s father( an alien from Hiroshima, Japan) had all his photo equipment confiscated by the FBI

His father and mother persevered through the hard times during the war and continued their photo business

George and his brother eventually took over the business after his mom and dad retired.

Brian is currently a Sales Manager at a Hawaiian clothing company called Two Palms located at the Ala Moana Shopping Center

Kodama Kids as adults

Donna is the Advertising Director for Honolulu Magazine.

Kathy is a flight attendant at Hawaiian Airlines

Kodama Grandkids

George with his five grandkids.

Nicole, Hank, Madison and Wyatt

They are now adults with three of them living in Las Vegas.

George currently has 2 great grand kids

In 1997 George attended the Honolulu Police Academy and received a certificate from Chief Michael Nakamura.

Police Academy

Chief Michael Nakamura was a graduate of Farrington High School

George took Chief Nakamura’s senior yearbook photo

Kalihi Business Association Board of Directors

George has been a member of the Kalihi Business Association since 1964 and served as President in 1980

His participation in the community includes serving as president of the Kalihi Jaycees, Hawaii State Jaycees, Hawaii Professional Photograpgers as well as Executive Vice President and General Chairman of the Hawaii Junior Miss Program

George’s duties as the information Specialist and photographer included answering 200 to 300 calls per day from constituents asking for information

Governor’s Office

But the best part of the job was being able to photograpgh a variety of people including celebrities such as Akebono, Shaquille O’Neal, Tom Selleck, Celine Dion, Tia Carrera and many others

This photo was taken during the last month of Governor Ben Cayetano’s last term at the new residence for incoming Governors.

George was on Ben’s staff for 8 years

George worked at the Daniel K. Inouye Airport for 15 years and retired as of 2022 and enjoying travel and leisure

Governor Ben Cayetano and First Lady Vicky Cayetano

�� George Kodama

Congratulations !