2008 Honorees
COLD TOFU is the nation’s
premier Asian American comedy improv group. It is dedicated
to promoting diverse images of Asian Pacific Americans through
comedy and to developing multiethnic talent through education
and performance. A nonprofit organization, COLD TOFU was founded
in 1981 by Marilyn Tokuda, Denice Kumagai, Judy Momii and
Irma Escamilla.
 Since
its inception, COLD TOFU’s members have created unforgettable
characters, improvised scenes and sketch materials. In addition
to performing all over Southern California, COLD TOFU has
performed throughout the nation in cities like Seattle, Houston
and Washington, D.C. (the Smithsonian Institute). The group
has also performed and taught workshops at several campuses
such as USC, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside, Pomona
College and the University of Washington.
Under the leadership of its current Artistic Director Helen
H. Ota and its Core Cast members, COLD TOFU continues to grow
and develop its style of comedy. Today, COLD TOFU has grown
close to 30 members who perform improv shows regularly in
historic Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles, as well as
at various events for community organizations, colleges, and
museums throughout the nation. Providing workshops throughout
the year, COLD TOFU shares the thrill of performing improv
and sketch, while training up-and-coming performers. For more
information about COLD TOFU, please visit www.coldtofu.com.
Japanese Chamber of Commerce of
Southern California
Tatsuhiko "Ted" Wakao
President, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California
www.jccsc.com
Keiro Senior Healthcare - www.keiro.org
 The
history of Keiro Senior HealthCare, dating back to the opening
of the Japanese Hospital in 1929, is a proud testimony of
the Japanese American community banding together to meet the
needs of its people. In 1961, a group of civic-minded Nisei
leaders recognized the community’s need for quality
health care and responded by organizing Japanese Community
Health Enterprises (later Keiro Services). Almost immediately,
these Keiro founders launched a community-wide campaign to
raise funds for an unprecedented endeavor: the start of a
nursing home to provide compassionate, culturally-sensitive
long-term care for those released from the hospital. Thanks
to many personal sacrifices, including generous donations
from community members and even the mortgaging of private
homes, Keiro Nursing Home began operating in 1969. Keiro was
the first facility of its kind in the country and remains
the only one of its kind, offering a full continuum of care.
Keiro is also the largest not-for-profit organization serving
the Japanese American community.
With widespread support from the community, Keiro Senior HealthCare
has continued to grow, encompassing four facilities and expanding
operations to include The Institute for Healthy Aging at Keiro.
Together, Keiro Retirement Home, Keiro Intermediate Care Facility,
Keiro Nursing Home, and South Bay Keiro Nursing Home serve
2,500 residents annually. The organization offers a comprehensive
range of senior health care services which include 24-hour
skilled nursing care, post-acute rehabilitation (physical,
occupational, and speech therapy), Alzheimer’s care,
residential and assisted living services, respite care, and
hospice care. Keiro has also provided information and resources
to over 5,000 caregivers in our community through The Institute
for Healthy Aging. Keiro’s 600 employees and hundreds
of dedicated volunteers, who annually donate over 70,000 hours
of service, together carry on the tradition of caring for
our elders on a daily basis.
Frances Hashimoto, Mikawaya Bakery
& Confectionary
Frances Kazuko Hashimoto was born to Koroku and Haru Hashimoto
in Poston, Arizona. After the war, her parents returned to
Little Tokyo and reopened Mikawaya, a family business that
has made traditional Japanese confections and pastries in
Little Tokyo since 1910.
Frances grew up in and around Little Tokyo. She attended
Hollenbeck Junior High and Roosevelt High School in Boyle
Heights. After High School Frances went on to receive a Bachelor
of Science degree in 1966 from the University of Southern
California along with a general teaching credential from the
state of California. After graduation, she taught elementary
school until 1970.
In 1970, she entered the family business full time. Under
her guidance, the company expanded operations and built a
manufacturing plant in 1974.
In 1972, Frances married Joel Friedman, who holds the position
of chief financial officer of Mikawaya. Together Hashimoto
and Friedman have expanded Mikawaya to five retail locations
They have brought mochi, a Japanese sweet pastry , to a new
level of national recognition as being the creators of mochi
ice cream
Frances has been an integral and active member of the Japanese
American Community, especially in Little Tokyo. She gives
many hours of her time and energy.
• Presently, she is the immediate past president of
the Little Tokyo Business Association and had been President
since 1994.
• She has been a Director in the Japanese Chamber of
Commerce of Southern California since 1974.
• She has been active in the Nisei Week Japanese Festival
since 1978 as well as the Nisei Week Foundation Executive
Committee. She was General Chairwoman in 1982 and 1990.
• She has also been involved with the Japanese American
Cultural and Community Center since 1980
• She has been on the Mayor’s Little Tokyo Community
Development Advisory Committee member since 1980 and is currently
the Chairperson. It is currently known as Little Tokyo Community
advisory Committee.
• She is a member of the Community Review Advisory Committee
for the Metro Gold Line Eastern Extension.
• The Little Tokyo Community Council Executive Committee
since 1999.
• She also chaired the Little Tokyo Centennial Committee
in 1984 celebrating the first 100 years of Little Tokyo.
• She was selected to be included in Who’s Who
of American Women 16th Edition 1989/90. Who’s Who in
California 20th Edition 1991 and Who’s Who in the World
10th Edition 199l/92.
Awards received include:
• City of Los Angeles 9th District Resolution of Commendation
1982.
• State of California 56th Assembly District Resolution
of Commendation 1982.
• Little Tokyo Service Center Community Service Award
1987.
• Congressional Recognition 33rd Congressional District
1995.
• California State Senate Certificate of Recognition
22nd Senate District 1995.
• California Legislation Certificate of Recognition
46th Assembly District 1996.
• City of Los Angeles 9th District Certificate of Commendation
“Woman Pioneer” 1996.
• JACCC Pacific Pioneer 200l.
• Nisei Week Japanese festival Grand Marshall 2005
• Union Bank/ KCET Local Hero of the Year Asian Pacific
Heritage Month 2006
• Asian Business Association’s business of the
year 2006
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