Staff Spotlight: Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong

Hanako standing in front of the guard tower at Minidoka National Historic Site

NPS Photo/Emily Teraoka

How did you find yourself at NPS?

While in college, I was introduced to a professor, Dr. Bob Sims, who was considered at the time the preeminent researcher of Minidoka. At the time, I was a history and political science major and wanted to be a high school history teacher. Dr. Sims encouraged me and nominated me to be on the board of the Friends of Minidoka, assisting with supporting Minidoka National Historic Site. From there, Anna Tamura suggested that I apply for a new position at Tule Lake National Monument, where in 2013, I was offered a position as a management assistant from Mike Reynolds, who is currently the Superintendent of Death Valley National Park. This was my first job in NPS and it was a term position. I ended up leaving to the US Navy to secure my permanent status and was recruited back to NPS to be the Chief of Interpretation and Education at Minidoka National Historic Site.

Hanako is awarded the Esto Perpetua, lifetime achievement award, from the Idaho State Historical Society. Left to right: Paul Smoth, board of trustee, ISHS, Hanako, Teresa Little, First Lady, Gov. Brad Little of Idaho

Photo courtesy of Idaho State Historical Society

What do you do for the NPS?

I am the superintendent of Hono`uli`uli National Historic Site, leading the efforts to stand up a new park unit. A lot of the work that I do is on the back end for administrative needs with documentation and project management. We are completing a few projects to stabilize a few historic features at the park like the historic wall and aqueduct. We are also in the process of completing the Cultural Landscape Inventory and starting the Transportation Study at the site. Once the Transportation Study is completed, then we can move into the General Management Planning process. I serve at the NPS Japanese American Confinement Sites Working Group's lead. The working group is made up of parks that interpret the Japanese American incarceration history at their sites. We have worked on initiatives regarding several topics like terminology that was recently adopted in the Harpers Ferry Style Guide, assisted on reviewing comments regarding legislation, assisted on a presidential proclamation, and interagency programming. I also serve as the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) Region 9 Lead for Hawai`i and the Pacific Islands. In this position we try to be the bridge between the public and the federal government to break down barriers to federal programs. We are able to help people out in their daily lives like USAjobs training, small business loans, and other assistance programs. I have the distinct honor and privilege to begin a 6-month detail with the White House as an NPS employee, serving as the AANHPI Advisor to Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President. I am excited to start this detail and cannot adequately express the honor it is as a civil servant to serve my country in this capacity, actively trying to make a better future for my community a reality.

First gathering of the Asian American Employee Resource Group at Yosemite National Park, Aug 2021

Photo courtesy of Barbara Takei

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

The most rewarding thing about my job is that representation matters. Having a spot at the table is a huge step in visibility and connecting with our communities. I love it when I can do community work in uniform so children and community members can see themselves in me. I just want to tell diverse stories in an accurate and meaningful way.

What does it mean to you to represent your community?

It means a lot because I am able to tell this story from a more community-based way that can make a meaningful connection to the communities that I serve. Many times, you see interpretation of the history from a top-down approach that is disconnected and not a true to the experiences of the people who lived it. I want to tell the stories in a culturally competent way that is respecting the lived experiences of my elders and ancestors.

What advice do you have for youth and young adults thinking about a career at NPS?

Although being in NPS will be an uphill road, it can be worth it. Just stick with it if you can. It is a big ask, but something that I think will make our nation better! I have been in NPS for 6 years and had to address racism and sexism that included mediation. That is three mediations too many. But I love the NPS and sometimes I am not sure if it loves me back, but I want to hold our agency accountable to all the great things that we say we represent. I think if we all do that, we can effect a culture change in our agency.

What are your hobbies?

I love playing tennis, experimental cooking, and traveling.