Meet the
Team

Jodie Chiemi Ching serves as Editor and Writer for San Times, where she brings decades of experience telling stories that celebrate Hawaiʻi’s Japanese American community.

Previously a staff writer for The Hawaiʻi Herald: A Japanese American Journal, Jodie earned a bachelor’s degree in Japanese and a Graduate Certificate in Accounting. She is also the recipient of the 1998 Okinawa Prefectural Government Scholarship for Okinawan Descendants.

After spending 15 years working in retail and accounting while writing as a volunteer, Jodie made the life-changing decision to pursue writing full-time following a diagnosis of discoid lupus at age 43.

Beyond journalism, Jodie is deeply involved in Hawaiʻi’s Japanese and Okinawan communities. She serves as an advisor on the board of the Sjögren’s and Lupus Foundation of Hawaiʻi, is treasurer for Tamagusuku Ryu Senju Kai Frances Nakachi Ryubu Dojo and Ryukyu Ongaku Afuso Ryu Gensei Kai Hawaii Shibu, and twice each month teaches Japanese language classes to residents at 15 Craigside retirement community in Honolulu.

Kristen Nemoto Jay is a writer for San Times and former editor of The Hawaiʻi Herald: Hawaiʻi’s Japanese American Journal.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Chapman University and a master’s degree in journalism from DePaul University. Before joining The Hawaiʻi Herald, Kristen worked as an editor for Morris Media Network, a freelance writer, and later as a journalism lecturer at Windward Community College.

Her passion for education continues today through her work as a data consultant at her alma mater, Kailua High School, and as a social media consultant for the Nisei Veterans Legacy.

Gwen Muranaka serves on the San Times Advisory Committee and contributes as a writer, bringing decades of experience in Japanese American community journalism.

A fourth-generation Japanese American, Gwen previously served as senior editor of The Rafu Shimpo, the bilingual Japanese newspaper based in Little Tokyo, where she managed reporters, graphic designers, and contributors while overseeing both the newspaper and numerous special publications.

Prior to The Rafu Shimpo, Gwen worked as a staff editor for The Japan Times in Tokyo, where she also illustrated the weekly cartoon Noodles. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from UCLA and studied at Waseda University in Tokyo.

Gwen remains active in Little Tokyo as a board member of the Little Tokyo Community Council. She began her career in community journalism as assistant editor of Pacific Citizen, the national publication of the Japanese American Citizens League.

Summer Nakaishi is a writer for San Times and a Yonsei of Japanese and Okinawan heritage who was born and raised in Honolulu.

Previously a staff writer and digital media editor for The Hawaiʻi Herald, Summer also served as an assistant editor for Morris Visitor Publications and has worked as a freelance writer.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and her master’s degree in writing and publishing from DePaul University.

Summer enjoys staying connected to her Japanese and Okinawan roots by participating in cultural events throughout Hawaiʻi with her husband and children, bringing that same appreciation for community and heritage to the stories she tells for San Times.

Jessica Yamamoto is a writer for San Times with a passion for storytelling, community connection, and bringing people together through meaningful communication.

Currently leading communications and community relations at FCH Enterprises, Inc. (better known as the home of Zippy’s), Jessica’s background spans entertainment, events, public relations, and digital marketing. She specializes in transforming big ideas into engaging stories, campaigns, and experiences that resonate with audiences both online and in the community.

Whether she’s launching a new initiative, producing a community event, or helping shape a brand’s voice, Jessica is driven by the belief that great storytelling has the power to connect people, celebrate culture, and strengthen community.

Jade Ishimine is a writer for San Times and a recent graduate of the University of Oregon. She currently lives and works in her hometown of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, where she serves as Marketing & Operations Coordinator for Aloha Sotheby’s International Realty and Communications Chair for Kulia College Pathways.

Raised by a Nisei mother and Sansei father, Jade grew up embracing Japanese traditions while building deep roots in Hawaiʻi’s local community. As she begins her professional career, she is passionate about strengthening those connections, celebrating the stories that shape her community, and helping preserve the rich history and culture of Hawaiʻi’s Japanese American community through her writing.

Patsy is an English Department faculty member at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, with a PhD in Learning Design and Technology and an MEd in Education. Her teaching and research awards include the UH Hilo Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi Award for Excellence and Innovation. Her research interests, publications, presentations and teaching practices include instructional design; documentary film; English studies; comics/manga and migration stories; diverse, place- and community-based, culturally relevant resources in education; and cross-cultural exchange and educational collaboration between the United States, Asia and Europe. Patsy is a Hawai‘i Herald contributing writer and was the gallery coordinator at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i in Honolulu. She is active in the community, serving on the boards for several organizations dedicated to diversity, education, the Japanese American community and youth. She is the scholarship chair of the Hawai‘i Island AJA (Americans of Japanese Ancestry) Veterans Legacy Association of the AJA Veterans Council and Sons & Daughters of AJA Veterans. She lives in Hilo and struggles to balance her work, family and watching The Mandalorian.