Join us for our Annual Holiday Celebration Dinner & Auction on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at The Westin Seattle. This cherished tradition brings our community together for an inspiring evening of celebration and philanthropy.
More than 300 guests from our vibrant community will enjoy a festive dinner, exciting live and silent auctions, and special entertainment that highlights the rich cultural ties between Japan and our region. As JASSW’s most important fundraising event of the year, your participation provides vital support for the Society’s diverse programs in business, education, and the arts. Come celebrate the season with us and help strengthen bonds of friendship for years to come.
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Venue: The Westin Seattle, 1900 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 | Map
Featured MCs
This year’s JASSW Holiday Celebration will be guided by two distinguished Masters of Ceremonies. We are honored to welcome Elaine Ikoma Ko, a respected leader in philanthropy with deep community roots from her family’s legacy with the North American Post. She is joined by Harold Taniguchi, the former Director of King County’s Department of Transportation. Together, their extensive experience in public service and renowned community engagement make them the ideal hosts to lead us through a memorable evening of friendship and philanthropy.
Harold Taniguchi
Harold Taniguchi is our honored Master of Ceremonies for this year’s celebration, bringing decades of leadership and community dedication to our event. Best known as the former Director of King County’s Department of Transportation, he concluded a distinguished 35-year career in public service, with 16 of those years spent in the Director role. In this critical position, he oversaw a vast network including the Metro transit system, Boeing Field, county roads, and the water taxi, profoundly shaping the mobility of our entire region. Throughout his tenure, he earned a reputation as a thoughtful and inclusive leader, recognized with awards for his work in mentoring and advancing professionals in the transportation field.
Beyond his extensive professional accomplishments, Harold’s commitment to the community is deeply personal and continues today through his active service on the board of the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS). With deep family roots in Seattle’s International District, he has a lifelong connection to the heritage and vitality of the Japanese American community. A familiar and beloved face at local gatherings, he is celebrated for his warmth and engaging presence. We are thrilled to have his expert guidance for our evening and look forward to a memorable celebration of friendship and culture.
Elaine Ikoma Ko
Elaine Ikoma Ko is our honored Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Holiday Celebration. A nationally recognized leader in philanthropy, she brings a wealth of experience and a unique, multi-generational perspective to our event. Professionally, Elaine serves as a Senior Program Officer for the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at the University of Texas at Austin, where she manages a grantmaking portfolio focused on improving the well-being of children and families. Prior to this, she had an impactful career in the Pacific Northwest, holding leadership positions at the Port of Seattle, United Way of King County, and the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda).
Her dedication to service is exemplified by her extensive leadership in numerous community organizations, including the U.S.-Japan Council, the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, and the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple. Her family has a significant legacy in Seattle, as her grandfather, Sumio M. Arima, founded the North American Post in 1902, giving her a deep, personal connection to the history of our community. This deep connection, combined with her celebrated warmth and engaging presence, makes her the ideal host to guide our celebration. We are thrilled to have Elaine lead us through this special evening.
