Traci Toguchi, Hawai'i Forget-Me-Not representative, knows the value and importance of grandparents to a young person's life.
     For the first 10 years of her life, Traci and her family lived wither her grandparents before moving into their own home. Traci's close relationship with her grandfather led to her choice of the platform "Aging with Dignity" when she ran for, and won, the title of Miss Hawai'i in 1995. But a year before she received her crown, her grandfather, who she calls her hero, had already begun showing symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. In an ironic twist, the month Traci won the Hawai'i pageant was the same month she lost her hero.
     Traci has since committed herself to educating the public about elderly and intergenerational issues. She continues to volunteer for projects supporting Hawai'i's elderly, serves as a board member for the Aloha Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, works with the State Executive Office on Aging, and wrote "Aging with Dignity: Social Options for Seniors," a handbook provided as a community service.
     Traci was nominated for the Fruit of the Loom Quality of Life Award for her "Aging with Dignity" platform and recognized for her achievements by the Hawai'i State Senate.
     Trace Toguchi was born and raised in Honolulu.