Local Political Pioneer to Retire

Gardena-born Mas Fukai began his career as an auto body and fender repair man and eventually became a major figure in the effort by Asian Americans to find a voice in local politics, both as a member of the Gardena City Council and as a senior aide to the late Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn.

But after nearly a quarter of a century of public service, the man who was one of the first Asian Americans to hold elective office in the county will say goodbye to politics today when he steps down from the City Council and into retirement.

“My work is done in Gardena,” said Fukai, 71, who will be honored by the City Council and the Board of Supervisors today for his commitment to the community. “It’s time for me to move on.”

Though he retired from his county post more than five years ago, Fukai has stayed on the City Council, playing a role in issues such as redevelopment and senior housing. But since suffering a stroke nearly three years ago, Fukai has had limited use of his right arm, which has affected his ability to do his elected job.

“I can’t participate like I used to,” said Fukai, whose weakened physical condition has forced him to leave most council meetings early over the last two years. “I just couldn’t stay until 12 o’clock in the morning. It slowed me down.”

Fukai, along with Mayor Don Dear, is one of the two most senior members of the council. City officials have not yet decided whether to appoint someone to fill the remaining year in Fukai’s term or hold a special election.

“It will be quite a change to have him gone,” said Dear, who added that a decision will be made on the position within a month. “He’s been here so long.”

An avid golfer and baseball fan, Fukai became involved in the community long before he joined the council in 1974. At the time, he was running a junior sports league aimed at getting youths off the streets. His involvement in that program in 1968 had gotten the attention of Hahn, who named Fukai to a post on the county’s Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Commission.

A few years later, Fukai ran for City Council and won. Shortly thereafter he quit his job selling insurance to join Hahn’s staff full time, and he became the former supervisor’s chief deputy in 1987.

“Supervisor Hahn was such a wonderful, caring man,” Fukai said. “He looked after the small people, the people in need. . . . I learned so much from him. I just loved the man.”

Fukai said he tried to follow Hahn’s example. He became an ardent supporter of redress for the tens of thousands of Japanese Americans who, like him, were interned in relocation camps during World War II, by testifying at numerous federal hearings. He also encouraged many Asian Americans to enter politics.

“He’s been a mentor to many Asian Pacific Islanders,” said Mike Mitoma, former mayor of Carson, whom Fukai prodded to run for office. “Through his example and encouragement, many of us have run for office.”

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Fukai’s influence reached beyond Asian Americans. When Supervisor Don Knabe was working as an aide to former Supervisor Deane Dana, Fukai was the one who showed him the ropes.

“He taught me . . . how to get through the bureaucracy, who was stonewalling and how to play hardball,” Knabe said.

Knabe said that many of the programs Fukai began while working with the county remain in place and that his impact will be felt well into the future.

“Mas was one of the highest-ranking Asian Americans,” Knabe said. “He got people involved in the political process and showed them how important it was to get involved. He raised that consciousness . . . and that is his legacy both at the city and county level.”