The 2026-28 JACL National Board is all smiles after being sworn in by Nevada Assemblymember Duy Nguyen. Pictured (from left) are CCDC Gov. Brian Tsukimura, PSWDC Gov. Nancy Takayama, EDC Gov. Paul Uyehara, NCWNPDC Gov. Mariko Fujimoto, Legal Counsel Ken Massey, MDC Gov. Gary Nakamura, NY/SC Chair Alex Tokita, National Board President Sheldon Arakaki, NY/SC Rep. Simon Kutz, Pacific Citizen Editorial Board Co-Chair Gil Asakawa, VP Membership Seia Watanabe, VP Public Affairs Carol Kawase and Secretary-Treasurer Jonathan Okamoto. (Photo: Darrell Miho)
With no ’27 JACL convention planned and
’28 likely virtual, this confab staple is the last for the time being.
By George Toshio Johnston, P.C. Senior Editor
Every in-person National JACL Convention over the decades has had a version of a Sayonara Gala on the event’s last night.
The 2026 version, held in a mercifully air-conditioned ballroom at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino on the evening of Aug. 1 was no different: a chance to have a last supper with far-flung JACL friends before returning to Fresno, Seattle, Milwaukee, Philadelphia or Albuquerque, bask in the aftermath of passed resolutions, enjoy some live entertainment, present awards to deserving individuals and, this being an election year, relax after voting for new National Board officers and witness them being sworn in.
But with the organization’s financial dire straits still extant, the next in-person Sayonara Gala portion of the annual JACL National Convention, which have been money-losers for several years running, won’t happen in 2027 (no convention planned) or 2028 (it will be virtual) and won’t likely happen until 2029.
Members of Sazan Yosakoi perform at the 2026 JACL National Convention’s Sayonara Gala.
Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. Minister Kyoichiro Kawakami (Photo: Darrell Miho)
Performing the national anthem was vocalist Lauren Hanako Kinkade. Lively singing and dancing was by Sazan Yosakoi. Providing a projected video greeting was Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), which was followed by a goodbye message from outgoing National President Larry Oda, who said, “The conversations we had this week reaffirm our mission remains as important today as ever,” before introducing a welcome greeting by Minister Kyoichiro Kawakami of the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. Perry Yung of the Slant Performance Group followed with a solo performance on shakuhachi.
Perry Yung of the Slant Performance Group (Photo: Darrell Miho)
One of the evening’s more moving moments came after a video commemorated JACLers, friends and community members who died in recent months, a poignant roll call that included Tadashi Tanaka, Tom Okubo, Lilly Yuriko Kato, Akiko Keene, Michael Faden, Alice Takemoto, Jean Matsumoto, Atami Ueno, Paul Ase, Linda Iwasaki, John Nakada, Richard Nishimoto, Todd Isao Endo, Yulie Kiyasu Nosé, Agnes Mizuho Uchida, Kyoko Nancy Oda, Douglas Urata, Somao Ochi, Caryl Suzuki and David Lin (see tinyurl.com/4bk4yebx).
Outgoing JACL National President Larry Oda eulogizes past JACL National President David Lin. (Photo: Darrell Miho)
It was the last name in the list that brought a hush to the conventiongoers. “While David’s influence reached far beyond this organization, JACL was one of the communities closest to his heart. He devoted countless hours, years of dedicated service and extraordinary care to strengthen this organization. His leadership helped to shape our direction. His judgment guided our decisions, and his friendship touched the lives of so many,” said Oda.
“Completing his presidency, David never considered his service finished until the day of his tragic passing. He continued to serve as national vp for planning and development, led fundraising efforts for the Centennial Education Fund, chaired the investment policy committee and served as vice chair of the Legacy Fund review. David never sought recognition. … He simply believed in doing work that needed to be done.”
Lin, who served as JACL national president in two consecutive biennial terms (2012-14 and 2014-16), and his wife, Jean, were victims of a double-homicide in September 2025 (see Nov. 14, 2025, Pacific Citizen, tinyurl.com/2w9a7w6k).
Ruby Pin awardees for 2026 (from left) Mark Kobayashi, Deborah Ikeda and Sheldon Arakaki display the certificates they were presented along with their pins, accompanied by Larry Oda. (Photo: Darrell Miho)
Oda then reprised the recognitions given earlier that day during the National Council session and called up Deborah Ikeda, Sheldon Arakaki and Mark Kobayashi, all of whom were awarded JACL Ruby Pins. “To qualify, one must be a current active JACLER who has maintained a minimum of 20 years of consecutive service, at least 10 years at the district and/or national levels, and has achieved an outstanding lifetime of service that has made a significant and positive impact on the lives of Japanese Americans and/or the Asian American community, as well as the JACL,” he said.
Master of ceremonies Tamlyn Tomita (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
Next, Tamlyn Tomita, who served as master of ceremonies, called up JACL Awards Committee Chair David Kawamoto to present the first of the evening’s two 2024-26 Japanese American of the Biennium Awards to Dr. Debra Kawahara and Ryan Kawamoto (see July 17, 2026, Pacific Citizen, tinyurl.com/3x3z7vxv). Kawahara’s award, in the field of medicine and science, was for her “contributions to the study of psychology that have enhanced the quality of life in our society.” Kawamoto’s award, in the field of arts, literature and communications, was for the filmmaker’s contributions in “sharing, recording and preserving the history of the Japanese American community of Hawaii” (see “‘Removed by Force’ Coming to the Mainland in ’24,” Dec. 15, 2023, Pacific Citizen, tinyurl.com/yup7hvdh).
Larry Oda, Lilly Simmering and David Kawamoto flank 2026 Japanese American of the Biennium co-awardee Debra Kawahara. (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
“Tonight, I think of the generations of Japanese Americans who face discrimination, incarceration and injustice, yet moved forward with dignity, strength and hope. Their sacrifices opened up doors and created opportunities for all of us to move forward,” Kawahara said in her acceptance remarks. “Thank you for this honor. I will treasure it always, and I will continue to do my best to honor the legacy of those who paved the way and the generation who will follow.”
Outgoing VP of General Operations Ryan Yoshikawa called up the evening’s other awardee, Ryan Kawamoto, who said, “I am humbled to accept this honor, deeply, deeply humbled, and a special thank you to previous recipient, Carole Hayashino, whom many of you know for her continued encouragement and support on many of these projects.”
Larry Oda, Lilly Simmering and Ryan Yoshikawa flank 2026 Japanese American of the Biennium co-awardee Ryan Kawamoto. (Photo: Darrell Miho)
“These films that I produced — ‘The Untold Story,’ ‘Voices Behind Barbed Wire’ and ‘Removed by Force’ — were created to preserve the voices of those who endured injustice and to capture that courage, their sacrifices, and to let them know that their resilience is never forgotten. This award belongs to them as much as it belongs to me,” he said. Kawamoto also revealed that the topic of his next film project would be the history of Okinawan immigration to Hawaii.
NY/SC Chair Remy Kageyama (left) applauds as NY/SC Rep. Claire Inouye shows off the evening’s raffle tally. (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
Tomita welcomed back to the stage National Youth Representative Claire Inouye and National Youth/Student Council Chair Remy Kageyama to then announce the winner of the NY/SE’s 50/50 raffle: Rick Pauly, who won $2,862.50.
Tomita then welcomed Nevada Assemblymember Duy Nguyen, who praised the actor for using her “platform for decades to confront anti-Asian stereotypes, speak out against injustices in Hollywood and fight for civil rights across our nation.”
Larry Oda and Nevada Assemblymember Duy Nguyen (right) display the proclamation the state presented to JACL at the Sayonara Gala. (Photo: Darrell Miho)
He then presented a state of Nevada proclamation that was accepted by Oda. “It is my absolute privilege to present this official state of Nevada proclamation to the Japanese American Citizens League,” said Nguyen. “We officially recognize the 2026 JACL National Convention. Thank you for nearly a century of steadfast service to civil rights, and we express our deepest gratitude for leading the way so generations to come can follow.”
Sheldon Arakaki makes his first remarks as JACL’s newly elected national president. (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
Nguyen followed that by swearing in the new JACL National Board for 2026-28 and introducing newly elected National President Sheldon Arakaki to speak. “Over the past few days, we celebrated our history, learned from one another, welcomed new voices and had meaningful conversations about where JACL is headed,” he said. “This convention has reminded us that our greatest strength has always been our people, our members, you, our chapters, our volunteers, our partners who believe in the importance of justice, community and preserving our shared history. … I look forward to the work we will accomplish together. We’ll see you at some sort of virtual gala in two years.”
Tomita next called on Executive Director Lilly Simmering to speak. “I want to kind of go back to where I started with JACL when I took the position,” she said. “Everybody’s telling me like, ‘JACL needs to change,’ and every time I ask people, ‘Change into what?’ Nobody can tell me what. They just knew that it needed to change. This afternoon, you know what I realized? I realized that JACL does not need to change. JACL is change.”
JACL Executive Director Lilly Simmering (Photo: Darrell Miho)
Before inviting everyone to move one ballroom over to see the Slant Performance group, Tomita asked everyone in the audience to sing “Happy Birthday” to her “best friend from kindergarten,” Pacific Citizen business manager Susan Yokoyama.