RICHMOND – Kelly Greene, BC New Democrat MLA for Richmond-Steveston, presented the King Charles III Coronation Medal to three exceptional citizens Sunday during a ceremony at the Seine Net Loft.
“Steveston is a better place thanks to these three outstanding citizens who have dedicated much of their lives to enriching our community,” says Kelly Greene, MLA for Richmond-Steveston. “The opportunity to nominate these community members for their leadership, advocacy, and generosity was an honour. I am grateful to celebrate their phenomenal impact.”
Jim Kojima, Al Sakai, and Harold Steves are the local recipients of this honour for their talents, generosity, and service to the community and to our country.
Jim Kojima is a rare eighth degree black belt, who has been deeply involved in the development of Canadian Judo and was a founder of the Steveston Martial Arts Centre and Steveston Judo Club. He has received numerous honours for his contributions to Judo in BC and Canada, was made a Member of the Order of Canada, was decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan) and was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Recently, he received the BC Good Citizenship Award for his lifetime of contributions to sport and to the community. Today, he is actively involved with service on the boards of the Steveston Judo Club, the Steveston Community Society, the Gulf of Georgia Society, the Minoru Seniors Society, and the Richmond Sister City Committee. Kojima’s service to the community of Richmond, and beyond, has been significant and our community is stronger for his contributions.
Al Sakai is a Canadian judoka, who has been honoured by the BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA), by the City of Richmond with a place of honour in the Richmond’s Sports Wall of Fame, and many more honours for his decades of service to the advancement of Judo, as an Olympic athlete, coach, and board leadership. He also serves on the board of Steveston Community Society and is an active member of the Steveston Martial Art Centre and the Steveston Judo Club. He has been a long-time instructor and President of the Steveston Judo Club and has served as a director at the Maple Residences. His over 40 years as a Richmond educator, dedicated volunteer, and community builder have contributed greatly to the fabric of the Steveston community.
Harold Steves is a fixture in Richmond politics and started on this path as a community advocate. Steves was first elected to Richmond city council in 1969, served as a BC NDP MLA from 1972 to 1975, and was re-elected to city council in 1977. As MLA, he co-wrote the bill that established the landmark British Columbia Agricultural Land Reserve, which protected BC farmland for the benefit of future generations. He went on to become a longtime Richmond City Councillor and in 2022 retired from his six decade political career. Steves continues to be an advocate for heritage preservation, healthy ecosystems, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable city planning. He is currently advocating for a historical site to be built in Richmond where historic artifacts, such as from Hong Wo General Store, would be displayed. Steves dedicated and ethical leadership has left an indelible mark on our city and province.
These three leaders have all played a part in making Steveston an amazing place to live and have built legacies that will be appreciated for generations to come. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for their service and leadership in making our home a better place to live.
The Coronation Medal, a Canadian honour created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, recognizes those who have made significant contributions to Canada and their home province and is the first Canadian honour to mark a coronation. The event was attended by dignitaries Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Councillor Bill McNulty, Councillor Andy Hobbs, Japanese Deputy Consul General Satomi Okagaki, and Richmond CAO Serena Lusk.
Photos of the event: https://www.kellygreene.ca/