2011 Model Citizen of the Year

You Soukaseum

You Soukaseum

The United Chinese Society of Hawaii is pleased to announce the selection of its 2011 Citizen of the Year, Mr. You Soukaseum. 
Mr. Soukaseum was born in the Republic of Laos on August 18, 1929. A successful businessman in lumber, air cargo, and importing and exporting, Mr. Soukaseum immigrated to Hawaii in 1976.  He established You Soukaseum Farm, Inc., becoming the first Laotian-American in agri- business in Hawaii in 1979.  His farm in Kahuku supplied numerous varieties of fresh produce to local and national markets.  At the young age of 82, Mr. Soukaseum continues to oversee daily operations at his Kahuku farm.
You Soukaseum is married to Sengkeo Soukaseum .They have three children, Prasong Hsu, Prany Soulatha, and Sana Chang. 

Prasong Hsu is the owner of You Produce Inc.  Prasong graduated from National ChengChi University in Taiwan.  He and his wife Sunny Hsu have two children,   Jeremy and Ivy.  Jeremy is a freelance Video Producer/Editor in New York.  Ivy is a Teacher/Coordinator at McKinley High School in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Prany Solatha and her Husband Loun Soulatha are farm owners in Waimanalo.  Prany also graduated from National ChengChi University in Taiwan. Their daughter, Lathda graduated from Boston College and earned her Master degree from University of Sydney in Australia.  She is working in Washington DC.

Sana Chang graduated from Taiwan Normal University and Hawaii Pacific University.  She is married to Paul Chang.  They have two daughters, Michelle & Natalie.  Michelle is currently pursuing her post graduate degree at the University of San Francisco and Natalie is working in Honolulu.                         

Mr. Soukaseum’s hobbies include  swimming, badminton, farming, and Buddhism Studies.

His memberships and roles include:   

  • Advisor,   Republic Of China Foreign Chinese Affair Commission
  • Founding President, the United Chinese Coalition ( UCC) In 2004
  • President,  Buddha Light Int’l Association, 1997- 2003 
    • 2003 : Senior Advisor
    • since 2003, First to organize annual “ Buddha Birthday Celebration” in Chinatown
  • 1993-1997  President, Chinese Association From Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos
    • from 1997: Honorary Chairman
  • Founding member & Chairman Laos Buddhist Temple
  • Founding member & Honor Advisor Chao Tew Association

Awards: 

  • 1985 – Distinguished contributor to help new refugee by Governor John Waihee
  • 1998 – National Small Business Award by US Small Business Administration

Major Donation:

  • Over 30,000 lb of various vegetables to Food Bank every year since 2000
  • Major disasters relief funds in US, Taiwan, China, Japan, Thailand, Laos, and the Philippines.
  • Acquisition of building for Chinese Association from Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos in Chinatown.
  • Laos Buddhist Temple in Hawaii
  • Hawaii Buddhist Cultural Society Center in Honolulu
  • Kahuku Hospital
  • Kapiolani Children’s Hospital
  • Mun Lun School
  • Palolo Chinese Home

Mr. Soukaseum’s wish is to help connect the bridges that mutually benefit new immigrants and local communities.