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‘Mits’ Sumada,
longtime head of
Hilo college,
dies at 73

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By Rod Thompson
Big Island Correspondent

Mitsugu "Mits" Sumada, 73, of Hilo, who served for 22 years as the head of Hawaii Community College, died Monday at Hilo Medical Center.

Sumada was born in Tacoma, Wash., and he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Minnesota. He began his teaching career with the territorial Department of Education in 1951 at Hana High School, moved to Kauai in 1957, and moved to Pearl City in 1961.

In 1964 he moved to Hilo to become principal of Hawaii Technical School, the institution which was to become Hawaii Community College in 1969. His title at the renamed school became provost, a position he held until his retirement in 1986.

Sumada then spent five years as executive director of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. An endowed scholarship was set up at the community college in his name.

Sumada is survived by wife Annette; sons John, Jiro, Richard and Don, and two grandchildren. Memorial services: 4 p.m. Monday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 2 p.m. Casual/aloha attire. No flowers.