HONOLULU — The National Park Service has selected Christine Ogura as the new permanent superintendent of Honouliuli National Historic Site, effective September 1.

Born and raised in Oahu, Ogura graduated from Punahou School and received a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations in 1997 from Claremont McKenna College in California.

After graduating, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked with the late Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink. She then entered the nonprofit sector, first with National Park Trust and then Conservation International. In those areas, she worked to acquire lands for the NPS and supported international conservation efforts in over ten countries.

In 2003, after earning a Master of Science in Natural Resource Policy and Behavior with a focus on collaborative natural resource management and conflict resolution from the University of Michigan, Ogura returned to Hawaii and supported conservation locally.

She has worked as a planner for the Hawaii Wildlife Action Plan and managed the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Watershed Partnerships program that involved over 60 public-private landowners/partners.

In 2010, Ogura joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a planner with the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. She is currently the deputy assistant regional director for the Pacific Region USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System, based in Portland, Oregon.

“Though new to NPS, Christine’s breadth of experiences brings an appreciation for different perspectives, strong partnering skills and a collaborative approach,” said Pacific West Regional Director David Szymanski in a news release. “She has a proven track record of leading and implementing successful initiatives and 25 years of experience working with others at various levels in different organizations.”

In her new role, Ogura will oversee a site dedicated to sharing the history of incarceration, martial law and the experience of prisoners of war in Hawaii during World War II. Once fully developed, Honouliuli will be a place to reflect on wartime experiences.

“Growing up in Hawaii, I had no idea that we had a history of incarceration sites and camps throughout the islands,” said Ogura. “To me, incarceration of Japanese Americans was a mainland experience. When Honouliuli was discovered, it really changed my understanding of this history, and it became so much more personal.”

Her reflection points to the fact that if she had been born a generation earlier, she and her mother would have been sent to an incarceration site such as Honouliuli.

Ogura said it would be extremely meaningful to return home and play a role in sharing this important part of American history, which is what compelled her to apply for the position.

“I very much look forward to working with and listening to families, community members, organizations, and many others who have dedicated their lives to telling this story,” said Ogura. “Working with others to best understand how to share this history for remembrance and reflection is an honor I am immensely humbled by and grateful for.”

Ogura has also served on two nonprofit boards – the Pacific Seabird Group and Oʻhu Oʻhu Koʻolau Inc., which supports watershed conservation. She has also volunteered to facilitate strategic planning for the Friends of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the Honolulu Museum of Arts and volunteered with the County of Honolulu’s K-9 Urban Search and Rescue group.

Honouliuli National Historic Site is currently closed. However, the public can visit the Honouliuli Education Center at the Japanese Cultural Center in Honolulu or visit the park website to learn more.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.