Mary G. McDonald, who taught geography and later directed the Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, has received one of Japan’s top honors for her decades of work advancing ties between the U.S. and Japan.
At a special ceremony on September 26 at the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu, McDonald received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. The award recognizes her decades of work advancing academic exchange, cultural understanding and international collaboration.
“This recognition is entirely due to the tireless dedication to strong community and educational ties,” said McDonald. “I thank the government and people of Japan and Hawaiʻi for the opportunities our UH students and faculty have enjoyed in Japan. I thank the late Dr. Genshitsu Sen for his generosity to UH Mānoa students, emphasizing peace through The Way of Tea. UH Mānoa is truly an excellent place to study Japan, it has been a privilege to play a small part.”
Building bridges
McDonald served on the UH Mānoa faculty for 26 years. She guided countless students and scholars through programs that deepened ties between Japan and Hawaiʻi. As director of CJS, she strengthened inter-university exchange programs and supported initiatives that brought Japanese culture and research into the heart of the university. She also served on the selection committee for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, also known as JET, helping many participants begin their journeys living and working in Japan.
Mark Levin, the current director of CJS, recalls how McDonald represented the perfect role model in directing the UH Mānoa Center for Japanese Studies.
“She engaged with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community in her soft-spoken but persuasive manner. Among the accomplishments of her term was overseeing the renovations of Jaku’an, the teahouse located on the UH campus, smoothly overcoming a host of logistical challenges from start to finish,” Levin said.
Leadership honored
At the ceremony, Consul General Yoshinori Kodama praised McDonald’s leadership, especially in study abroad programs and her dedication to advancing Japanese studies in Hawaiʻi.
The celebration also featured a congratulatory message from Robert Huey, a professor emeritus of the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures and a kampai (cheers) toast by Jean Ariyoshi, former First Lady of Hawaiʻi.
