Awakuni Appointed to Gardena Planning and Environmental Quality Commission

GARDENA — Steven I. Awakuni has been appointed by Councilman Ronald K. Ikejiri to the Gardena Planning and Environmental Quality Commission.

His appointment was unanimously approved by the Gardena City Council on Jan. 24, and he was sworn into office.

Awakuni is a 50-plus-year resident of the city. His civic service began when he was appointed by former Gardena Mayor Ken Nakaoka to the city’s Youth and Community Services Advisory  Board, while he was in high school.

He formerly served as on the LAUSD’s Asian American Education Commission, was a board member of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, and was president of the Japanese American Optimist Club of Los Angeles.

Awakuni is an attorney in private practice with the law firm of Torii and Awakuni LLP.

The five appointed commission members serve as an advisory agency to the City Council on all matters of land use and the environment. Their responsibilities include making investigations and reports on the design and improvement of proposed subdivisions, and submitting reports and recommendations to the City Council on matters relating to zoning, land use, environment, the city’s General Plan and other related matters.

Awakuni said, “I look forward to serving on the commission and help chart the city’s future growth.”