On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Howard Okamura joins host Brandi Higa to reflect on 60 years (and counting) working for the City and County of Honolulu, how much his job has changed over the years, the technological advances, and the physical location changes.
6 decades as a City worker
Howard Okamura recently celebrated 60 years working for the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services. Okamura started in 1964, just two years out of high school. He is a proud Farrington Governor. When it comes to retiring, he says he’s not sure when that will happen.
“First I thought I was going to work for just 35 years. Before you know it, it’s 40 years, and before you know it, it’s 50 years. And now, 60 years!” exclaimed Okamura.
On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Howard Okamura describes his first day on the job where he showed up in a suit and tie, only to discover an Aloha shirt and slacks will do.
Technology on the job
Howard Okamura started his career as an Assistant Clerk/Typist.
“Before was mostly IBM punch card and typewriter,” said Okamura. “Normally they have a computer that punches the holes in the computer cards. We had to file those manually and match holes in a card. And if it doesn’t match the cards, we have to make (the) correction.”
Okamura goes on to explain that he originally took the job 6 decades ago because the pay was higher than similar positions elsewhere.
Jump around
Since his first day with the City and County of Honolulu, Howard Okamura has had to physically pack up his office and move several times. On day one, he reported to work at the former Sears Building on Beretania Street, which was a former Honolulu Police Station.
Then, his job duties as a weighmaster had him going back and forth to a former weigh station in Kaka‘ako where one of the perks included being in close proximity to the lunch trucks.
“(There was) one they called, the place was Yanaye’s, they don’t have it now,” explained Okamura. “Ho, their lunch was something else! Was only two dollar something and you got maybe eight pieces of Portuguese sausage, about three scrambled eggs with rice (and) salad. Ho, for dollar something, you can’t go wrong.”
Also on this episode, Okamura shares his secrets for a couple of special dishes he used to prepare for office parties.
