Brigadier General Kenji Sumida

Brig. Gen. Kenji (Ken) Sumida is chief of staff for the Hawaii Air National Guard. He is responsible for directing and coordinating the state headquarters staff which provides policy guidance and supervision for the two groups and a weather flight that constitute the Hawaii Air National Guard.

Sumida was born on Aug. 1, 1931, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He graduated from McKinley High School, Honolulu, in 1949. He then attended the University of Hawaii and received his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1953 and a master’s degree in business administration in 1970. Sumida’s professional military education includes the Intercept Weapon Controller course, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., 1957; Squadron Officer School, 1963; Air Command and Staff College 1974; and the National Security Management Course, 1978.

Sumida began his military career in June 1953 when he received his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Hawaii. He entered pilot training in October 1954 at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. He was then assigned to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, where he completed the B-29 transition course in December 1954. In January 1955 he was assigned as a KC-97 pilot with the 40th Bomb Wing at Smokey Hill Air Force Base, Kan.

Sumidawas released from active duty in October 1956 and joined the Hawaii Air National Guard in June 1957, as an intercept weapons controller with the 109th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. In July 1962 he was assigned to the 154th Fighter Group as air operations officer and detachment commander of a dispersed operating base. In October 1973 he assumed command of the 154th Combat Support Squadron. He then went to Headquarters, Hawaii Air National Guard, Honolulu, in February 1976 as air operations staff officer. He was subsequently assigned as director of operations in May 1979, and then as chief of staff, his current assignment, in May 1982.

Sumida is a command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours. During his career he has flown the KC-97, T-33, C-47, C-54, C-7 and C-130 aircraft. His military decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hour glass devices and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. Sumida has also been awarded the Hawaii National Guard Service Medal and the Hawaii National Guard State Active Duty Ribbon.

After release from active duty in October 1956, Sumida began a civilian career as a personnel technician with the City and County of Honolulu. In 1965 he accepted a position as institutional analyst at the University of Hawaii. After holding a variety of administrative positions including associate vice president for Planning, Policy and Budget, he retired from the University of Hawaii in 1986. He is currently president of Information System Support Services, Inc., a computer services company in Honolulu.

Sumida’s civic affiliations include the Atherton Branch Young Men’s Christian Association, board of managers; and the University of Hawaii Federal Credit Union, director. He is a lifetime member of the National Guard Association of the United States and the Air Force Association.

Sumida was promoted to brigadier general and federally recognized on Jan. 31, 1985.

Sumida is married to the former Kathleen T. Ikeda of Paia, Hawaii. They have three children including a son, Kenneth, and two daughters, Koreen and Keri Lee. The Sumidas reside in Honolulu.

Last updated December 1987