Receiving recognition due

WAIMEA — A dedicated Hawaii resident and worldwide ambassador of the YMCA, Bob Masuda of Waimea earned a spot in the National YMCA Hall of Fame at Springfield College in July. He was inducted during a ceremony at the General Assembly of YMCAs in Kansas City, Missouri.

The National YMCA Hall of Fame honors YMCA professionals and volunteers who exemplify a lifetime of commitment to the mission and cause of the YMCA. During his 40-plus years working for the YMCA, Masuda built and operated YMCA organizations in Hawaii and throughout the U.S.

His hall of fame nomination was based on his work representing the U.S. YMCA with national and local leaders throughout emerging nations from 1983-2003. During this time frame China was re-establishing its contact and relationship with the American Movement; Central and Eastern Europe YMCAs were being re-established and properties reclaimed; and the Soviet Union was changing with the independent states of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Baltic States and others engaged in partnerships with American YMCAs for programs aiding in national transition processes. He personally negotiated sensitive issues of repatriation of assets on behalf of emerging national YMCAs and lead the early development and training events with leadership of these re-emerging YMCAs.

Masuda served as president and CEO of the YMCA of Honolulu; executive director of the International Division, YMCA of the USA; and director of the YMCA of the USA’s International Office for China and the Pacific. He was president of the Big Island chapter from 1993-2003.

Most recently, Masuda initiated and currently serves as president of the Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forestry. The Foundation supports research activities of the Tropical Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, a partnership of private, non-profit, federal and state organizations. He also serves on the Hookakoo board of directors for state conversion charter schools for Waimea, Molokai and Waianae.