Deep Roots in Kaua‘i
JoAnn’s roots on Kaua‘i go back four generations. On her mother’s side, JoAnn’s grandmother was born in Makaweli Camp 5, and grew up in Hanapēpē Valley. As a young girl, Takayo Masuda Yoshioka used to chase birds away from the rice fields and eat sweet, “worm-free” mangoes from the ground because the fruit fly had not yet arrived in Hawai‘i. From her Yoshioka obachan, a devout Buddhist, whose lineage comes from Hiroshima, Japan, JoAnn learned patience, tolerance, humility and concern for others.
JoAnn’s grandparents on her father’s side owned a small grocery store in the Līhu‘e mill camp of Kilipaki. Both her grandmother and grandfather—Shima and Hisakichi Yukimura—came from Yamaguchi, Japan. Devout Christians, they helped to found the Līhu‘e Christian Church. Although JoAnn’s grandfathers died when she was very young, her Yukimura obachan lived to be 103. On Kaua‘i, Shima Yukimura was a Japanese language teacher. Her great skill at sewing and crocheting earned her orders from the kama‘āina families such as the Wilcoxes. From her Yukimura Obachan, whose lineage comes from Yamaguchi, Japan, JoAnn inherited a love for learning, reverence for God and gratitude for all things.
Jennie and Jiro Yukimura: Parents and Community Mentors Par Non
JoAnn’s parents, Jiro Yukimura and Jennie Tomoe Yoshioka, met at the University of Hawai‘i School of Social Work where they were both earning their 5th–year degrees. Jiro had returned from the war where he had served with the Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific theater and was a witness to the surrender of Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. After receiving their degrees, they returned to Kaua‘i where they raised five children. Jiro first worked with his brother, Yoshio, at Yukimura Store and later became a Family Court probation officer who helped many young people through their difficult juvenile years. After being a full-time mother for several years, Jennie was hired as one of the interviewers for the renowned study, The Children of Kaua‘i. Later she joined the Kaua‘i Children’s Mental Health Team of the Department of Health. In 1999, Jiro and Jennie celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Like many of their generation, Jiro and Jennie have lived their lives in service to the community. The list of their community involvements is long: the East Y’s Men Club, the League of Women Voters, the AARP, the Līhu‘e Christian Church, the Līhu‘e Senior Center Ukulele Troupe, the Democratic Party, the Military Intelligence Service, the Yamaguchi Kenjin Kai. By their example, Jiro and Jennie taught their children the importance of serving the community, being involved, and making a difference.
An Early Leader
JoAnn’s parents encouraged each child to develop his or her talents. From the beginning, JoAnn exhibited leadership abilities. A product of the public schools, JoAnn attended Wilcox Elementary School and Kaua‘i High School. From the sixth grade until she graduated from Kaua‘i High School, JoAnn held the office of president or vice president of her class or school. Besides graduating from Kaua‘i High School as student body president and valedictorian, she was also the Baush and Lomb science winner, the Lion’s Peace Essay state winner, the KHS Band concertmaster, and the William Randolph Hearst U. S. Senate female delegate for the state of Hawai‘i.
JoAnn earned her psychology degree from Stanford University where she participated in the first Earth Day and marched against the Vietnam War. During her junior year summer she chaired the U. S. Senate campaign of Tony Hodges on Kaua‘i and was inspired to apply to law school. In 1974, she earned a law degree from the University of Washington and returned home to Hawai‘i.
Coming Home
Upon returning to Hawai‘i, JoAnn worked for one session as legislative counsel to the House Republicans and at the same time helped to secure passage of the Shoreline Protection Act of 1975. Then she returned to Kaua‘i to work as a VISTA volunteer for the Legal Aid society. Doing divorces by day and community organizing by night, she worked with citizens opposed to large developments and helped stop attempts to eliminate Kaua‘i’s famous 4-story height limit.
Frustrated by the limitations of being a mere citizen, at age 26, JoAnn Yukimura entered the race for the County Council. Her long straight hair, granny glasses, and mini-skirts made her look like a young girl, causing some residents to ask whether she was old enough to vote.
But when she spoke, there were no doubts. Yukimura called for controlling growth, preserving open space, public access, and the rural quality of Kaua‘i when few other politicians broached these subjects. She promised buses and bikeways and farmer-to-consumer markets. Yukimura touched voters’ hearts, receiving the highest number of voted of the seven winning at-large candidates, both in the primary and general elections.
Learning the Political Ropes
As Yukimura quickly learned, getting elected did not solve the problems. There were many 6-1 votes as Yukimura refused to go along with the status quo. While her stand helped to build awareness, it did not stop the massive re-zonings that occurred in the late '70’s and early '80’s. Even when the majority of the Council voted with her, as with her resolution calling for a solid waste plan and her bill requiring solar water heating on new multi-family construction, the mayor ignored the resolution and refused to enforce them.
After two terms on the Council, at age 30, JoAnn Yukimura ran for mayor. This was a “wake-up” call to all favoring the status quo who rallied behind Eduardo Malapit, the incumbent. Although August polls showed Yukimra leading she lost by a mere 5% of the vote. A great controversy at this time was the battle of Nukoli‘i and the ten-year war about whether that area between Hanamā‘ulu and the Wailua Golf Course should be developed. Two years later, when Malapit retired and senior State House member and Finance Chair Tony Kunimura returned home to run for mayor, Yukimura was again defeated by 5% of the vote. With that loss, Yukimura began a private law practice and gave birth to her daughter and only child, Maile Wehrheim. In 1984, Yukimura returned to the County Council for the next four years.
Finally—Victory!
The third time was the charm. In 1988 Yukimura again ran for mayor and won by a 2 to 1 margin over Mayor Tony Kunimura. That election night, Yukimura made history by announcing that she would take applications for her cabinet positions. Until then, mayors had used those positions as ways to win votes, making pre-election promises of cabinet positions to people who would then amass votes. Instead Yukimura chose her cabinet members by open solicitation (which allowed incumbent cabinet members to apply) and assessment of qualifications after being elected. A new day had begun in county government.