Business: Sems Manager
Business
Sems Manager: Dennis Yoshida
Dennis Yoshida attended Waiakea High on the Big Island. Soccer got him started, well sort of. He was a standout player, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) recruited him. Find out where his love of soccer eventually landed the Hilo boy.
Shaving Dilemma
Off Dennis went, to Kings Point, New York, for 4 years at the USMMA. Yoshida recalls, "The first day I got there, we had to shave our heads. I had a mustache in high school, and I really didn't realize that. The first night, during inspection, my drill instructor told me: 'Go back in the room and shave!' And I was like, 'Man, my head IS shaved!' But I went back in and shaved my chin, telling myself, 'I think I'm shaved here.' I simply didn't realize I had a mustache, so he 'kicked me in my butt' repeating, 'Go back in there!' It was the THIRD time he told me when it FINALLY clicked. I had this mustache — not full-grown, more like baby hair…"
NCLA SEMS
Yoshida is now the SEMS (Safety and Environmental Management System) Manager at Norwegian Cruise Line America (NCLA). He deals with all the rules and regulations that ships comply to. "Among the things I look for when I go on board, are basically that the ships are in environmental compliance: they're not dumping oil, throwing trash over the sides, or putting anything detrimental into the environment. Also, making sure the crew is working in a safe environment, such as wearing the proper protective equipment when doing a job." He deals with the U.S. Coast Guard and the State Department of Health, as well as all the other federal and state regulatory agencies.
I Knew Everything
Dennis is also a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve. "Coming out of the USMMA, you can go into any armed forces, or you get directly commissioned into the Naval Reserve." He 'fesses up, "I wasn't the model student in high school, I can tell you that much. I'm sure more than one teacher disliked me….I thought I knew everything, I honestly did. But really, going to New York from Hilo was just a culture shock, pretty traumatic, but it was also an experience that I'd never regret."
Soccer and Sailing
Yoshida says "Roughly 98% of the USMMA graduating class got jobs. It was a school where I'd still be around the sea. I'd get to sail, see different countries….you sail on board merchant vessels….BUT the original motive was being able to play soccer in college."
Bring 'Em On
Yoshida has a degree in marine engineering and a 3rd engineer's license to sail on ships. His former jobs took him to Norway, Texas, and California, but his goal was always to move closer to home. He's the kind of guy who shows up at work 7 days a week if needed. "I'm a person who enjoys challenges; I don't accept failure; I don't quit…If somebody says something can't be done, bring 'em on!"
Designated Person
Maybe that's why Dennis is NCLA's Designated Person, who has a direct link to the company President. He's the liaison between the ship and shoreside for any safety or environmental matters. Anyone can contact him to report unsafe conditions or any violation of regulations that are not being quickly and properly addressed.
Dennis Recommends…
"I'd say, whether it's a 2-year or 4-year degree…go away for college to get the experience. It's always good to bring something new and fresh back to Hawaii to grow the state. Once you go away, you have to be on your own, getting to grips of who you are, to know yourself. What kept me going was just knowing that hopefully, I'd have a better life in the end; also the support of my soccer teammates — my coach was great, the whole team concept was there — that really helped me out."
Quality teamwork has its rewards, and Dennis Yoshida has certainly scored well so far.