{"id":223131,"date":"2025-10-03T15:03:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T01:03:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=223131"},"modified":"2025-10-09T13:34:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T23:34:54","slug":"mcdonald-order-of-the-rising-sun-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/10\/03\/mcdonald-order-of-the-rising-sun-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan\u2019s Order of the Rising Sun award presented to UH<\/abbr> scholar"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Mary
Mary G. McDonald accepts the commendation from Consul General of Japan Yoshinori Kodama, right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mary G. McDonald, who taught geography<\/a> and later directed the Center for Japanese Studies<\/a> (CJS<\/abbr>) at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa, has received one of Japan\u2019s top honors for her decades of work advancing ties between the U.S. and Japan.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. The award recognizes her decades of work advancing academic exchange, cultural understanding and international collaboration.<\/p>\n

“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 Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> for the opportunities our UH<\/abbr> students and faculty have enjoyed in Japan. I thank the late Dr.<\/abbr> Genshitsu Sen for his generosity to UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa students, emphasizing peace through The Way of Tea. UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa is truly an excellent place to study Japan, it has been a privilege to play a small part.”<\/p>\n

Building bridges<\/h2>\n
\"People
Center for Japanese Studies hosts a semi-annual cleanup of the Ehime Maru Memorial in Kaka\u02bbako with students and staff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

McDonald served on the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa faculty for 26 years. She guided countless students and scholars through programs that deepened ties between Japan and Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>. As director of CJS<\/abbr>, 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<\/abbr>, helping many participants begin their journeys living and working in Japan.<\/p>\n

Mark Levin, the current director of CJS, recalls how McDonald represented the perfect role model in directing the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Center for Japanese Studies. <\/p>\n

“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<\/abbr> campus, smoothly overcoming a host of logistical challenges from start to finish,” Levin said.<\/p>\n

Leadership honored<\/h2>\n
\"Mary
McDonald is celebrated at recognition ceremony.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the ceremony, Consul General Yoshinori Kodama praised McDonald\u2019s leadership, especially in study abroad programs and her dedication to advancing Japanese studies in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The celebration also featured a congratulatory message from Robert Huey, a professor emeritus of the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures<\/a> and a kampai (cheers) toast by Jean Ariyoshi, former First Lady of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa associate professor Mary G. McDonald received the Order of the Rising Sun Imperial Decoration from the Government of Japan. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[776,1471,281,38,134,1073,9],"class_list":["post-223131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-center-for-japanese-studies","tag-college-of-arts-languages-and-letters","tag-east-asian-languages-and-literature","tag-geography","tag-international","tag-international-exchange","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t