Sharon Ishida hatched
new journalists

Sharon Ishida served as unofficial cattle prod and mother hen for aspiring reporters, editors and public-relations specialists during 27 years as secretary for the Journalism Department at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

An impressive assembly of Hawaii media types honored Ishida with a retirement party at the Hale Koa Hotel on Sunday. They included TV anchors, newspaper editors, public relations executives and even a couple who took different turns along the way and went into other professions such as politics.

Each has stories to tell about how Ishida had, often in small yet unforgettable ways, helped shape their lives. Some former students got advice on available scholarships. Others were lectured about changing their attitudes toward certain professors. Some management types acknowledged they relied on Ishida's keen eye for potential talent. Paula Akana said simply that the area around Ishida's desk offered a comforting, lunchtime safe haven from the day's troubles.

No, the world wasn't brought to J-School students on a platter. But it sure was nice to sometimes have someone coddle you or throw ice water in your face when you needed it.

--Gordon Pang

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