About EWI of Honolulu
The Honolulu Chapter of Executive Women International was chartered on November 3, 1967 and became EWI's 54th chapter, with 24 member firms.
Much has evolved over the chapter's history, and today, EWI of Honolulu is comprised of representatives of many of the state's leading businesses. EWI of Honolulu contributes to the community through its sponsorship of two major scholarship programs: EWISP – for high school students and ASIST – for adult students in scholastic transition, whose goal is to complete their higher education studies.
The Honolulu Chapter is proud to be a part of Executive Women International, the premier organization for networking and leadership development for today's business professionals and their firms.
Officers and Directors
Meet your 2024-2025 EWI of Honolulu Officers and Directors
Appointed Position
Advisory Committee
Member Firms
*Listing as of May 2025
Kamehameha Schools
We believe in the potential of individuals to embrace their identity,
define their future, and positively impact our community.
Our Mission
Executive Women International® (EWI®) brings together key individuals from diverse businesses for the purposes of: promoting member firms, enhancing personal and professional development, and encouraging community involvement.
3 C’s Careers, Connections, and Community
Our Vision
To enhance professional growth and development within a diverse group of women while empowering them to make a difference as they inspire others.
History of Executive Women International
EWI was established in California in 1938 when Lucille Johnson Perkins recognized the importance and potential of an association of key women working with their executives to promote their firms and improve their community.
On April 29 of that year, Articles of Incorporation were filed with the state of California under the name of Executives' Secretaries, Inc.
In May 1939, the Los Angeles business community recognized the value of such an organization, and that city's chapter was chartered, and EWI was on its way.
The organization achieved its "international" status when the first Canadian chapter was chartered in Calgary, Alberta in August 1964. Since then, additional cities throughout the United States and Canada joined, forming a prestigious and exclusive networking organization of key firms and individuals.
During the 30th Annual Meeting of the corporation (May 1977), the organization's name was changed to "Executive Women International." This change reflects the international expansion of the organization and recognizes the changing roles of women in business and the diverse careers held by its representatives.
Today, over 800 companies and 1,100 representatives are members of EWI in 34 chapters located in major cities in the United States and Canada. EWI is the premier organization for networking and leadership development for today's business professionals and their firms.
EWI is unique in its membership structure in that for the majority of its membership, the firm, not the individual, holds the membership. Members (firms) are businesses , government agencies, non-profit enterprises or associations actively engaged in the conduct of business. Firms designate a representative (male or female), who is a key individual, to represent them at meetings and other activities.
However, to accommodate the changing times, chapters may allow individuals to join based on criteria defined by the chapter.
Past Presidents
*Corporate President 1993-1994
+Chapter Life Member
Past Presidents 1967-2024
2023-2024 Francine Lee-Kadota Keller Williams Honolulu
2022-2023 Jenni Liu Tiki’s Grill and Bar
2021-2022 Karen Mendes American Solutions for Business
2020-2021 JaDawn Perez American Carpet One Floor & Home
2019-2020 Roseann Freitas Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific
2018-2019 Kim Asuncion Aston Waikiki Sunset
2017-2018 Michelle Nakahara Starwood Hotels in Waikiki
2016-2017 Wanda Sanchez SageView Advisory Group
2015-2016 Maegan Brandt Insurance Solutions, LLC
2014-2015 Cora Kim Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki
2013-2014 Leianne Pedro Honolulu Star-Advertiser
2012-2013 Nadine Uratsuka Accuity, LLP
2011-2012 Tracy Wong Insurance Solutions, LLC
2010-2011 Shelley T. Okubo Aqua Hotels & Resorts
2009-2010 Sherilyn Tamayose First Hawaiian Bank
2008-2009 Valerie Tanaka Outrigger Enterprises Group
2007-2008 Lois Asato Hawaii Convention Center
2006-2007 Adele Tsukamoto Castle & Cooke, Inc.
2005-2006 June Takekawa Island Movers, Inc.
2004-2005 Kay Sasaki Aon Risk Services, Inc. of Hawaii
Oct. 2003-2004 Shera (Tamanaha) Hiam Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.
Jan.-Sept. 2003 Susan Tanigawa C. S. Wo & Sons, Ltd.
2002 Cathy Iwai Pearl City Nursing Home
2001 Julie Loo Sheraton Hotels in Waikiki
2000 Doreen Tavares Pacific Business News
1999 Dawn Kaniaupio Alphamedia Corporation
1998 Julie (Smith) Krucky Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.
1997 Elena Seu Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.
1996 Gwen (Clarke) Fujie The Queen’s Medical Center
1995 Emily Sakai Allied Builders System
1994 Ruth (Fick) Young Title Guaranty of Hawaii, Inc.
1993 Laraine Heirakuji Aloha United Way
1992 Patricia Watson United Airlines, Inc.
1991 Karen Nakagawa Title Guaranty of Hawaii, Inc.
1990 Leona Hee Miller-Hee Realty
1989 Kimiko Uto First Hawaiian Bank
1988 Brenda Kanno* Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii
1987 May (Calles) Blackman Alexander of Hawaii, Inc.
1986 Kathy Oshiro C. Brewer & Company, Ltd.
1985 Janice (Agena) Pearson Beatrice Dairy Products
1984 Judy Gold Security Diamond Company, Ltd.
1983 Ethel Sasaki Pacific Guardian Life Insurance Company, Ltd.
1982 Barbara Domingo Architects Hawaii, Ltd.
1981 Sharon Takeuchi Spencecliff Corporation
1980 Iris Soares Aloha United Way
1979 Maria Ching The Queen’s Medical Center
1978 Gertrude Haia Holsum (Hawaii) Baking, Inc.
1977 Stella Aiu Sears, Roebuck & Company
Mid July 1975-1976 Bernice Ebinger Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates, Inc.
Jan.-mid July1975 Martha McGee Pacific Sea Transportation, Ltd.
1974 Eleanor Urakawa+ Aloha Airlines, Inc.
1973 Juanita Cobb Lemman, Freeth, Haines, Jones & Farrell Architects,Ltd.
1972 Helen Puhl Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii
1971 Mary Morneau Meadow Gold Dairies-Hawaii, Ltd.
1970 Violet Viotto Sears, Roebuck & Company
1969 Lucille Goodman First Hawaiian Bank
1968 Joycelyn DeAngelis Hawaiian Cement Corporation
1967 Joycelyn DeAngelis Hawaiian Cement Corporation