After 24 Years, Fukai to Leave City Council
Mas Fukai, a longtime Gardena City Councilman and former chief deputy to late County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, has announced that he is retiring March 10.
Fukai, 71, suffered a stroke in 1995 and has difficulty walking and using his right arm. Fukai surprised those at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting by saying that he plans to retire so he can get more rest and work on improving his health.
“I want to get better,” Fukai said.
The Gardena native got his start in politics in 1971 when Hahn named him to a post on the county’s Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Commission. Three years later he ran for the City Council and won, prompting Hahn to appoint Fukai to his staff to act as a liaison with the growing Asian American population in the supervisor’s district. Hahn promoted Fukai to chief deputy in 1987.
During his 24 years on the council, Fukai has been credited with spearheading a youth anti-drug program, several capital improvement projects and the expansion of the city’s community center.
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