Millennium Magazine_5th Ed

114 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine D r. Alton M. Okinaka believes that life is about the journey, and moments happen because of everything one has done; special moments are a continuation of everything that has come before and after. An example of these moments is when Dr. Okinaka received a BA in sociology and mathematics at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in 1979. Pursuing further education on the mainland, he obtained an MA and PhD in sociology in 1984 and 1991, respectively, both from Indiana University Bloomington. Starting off as a visiting professor in 1987 at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Dr. Okinaka was most recently the chair of the education department from 2004 to 2007. He also served as chair of the Social Sciences Division from 2003 to 2006, chair of the sociology department from 1999 to 2003 and director of institutional research from 1992 to 1994. With teaching as his passion, Dr. Okinaka was an assistant professor and associate professor of sociology, a role he has held since 1993. For his dedication to the Hilo campus, Dr. Okinaka was named the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Outstanding Advisor/Mentor in 2005 and received the Service to Student Life Award in 2003. Dr. Okinaka’s career highlight was having a rather eccentric, shy student recommend him for a university award. The two ended up having a gentle relationship, and Dr. Okinaka found his nomination to be a true honor. Dr. Okinaka credits much of his present-day success to his undergraduate professor Kiyoshi Ikeda. He helped Dr. Okinaka realize what was important in choosing a graduate program and encouraged him to conduct independent research on local issues and agencies. Dr. Okinaka also attributes his success to the example of his local community growing up, as they always made an effort to contribute without complaining. Dr. Okinaka is a former vice president and treasurer of the Hawaii Sociological Association, and member of the American Educational Research Association and American Sociological Association. He served on the American Sociological Association’s executive board for race class and gender section and mathematical sociology section. ALTON M. OKINAKA ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo, HI EDUCATION Millennium Magazine Featured Listee