Meeting Mayor Casey Tanaka at the Orange Avenue Starbucks at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon, I expected the local to walk in clad in his Hawaiian shirt, and that’s exactly what he did. After greeting several people as he made his way to the back of the store, Tanaka sat at the table with me to answer a few questions as a “Coronadoan” rather than the Mayor.
How did you find yourself in Coronado?
Moving from Hawaii at 7 years old, Casey Tanaka lived with his aunt and uncle on Coronado. He completed elementary, middle, and high school on the island and then attended UCSD. Since he graduated from college in three years, Tanaka only spent two years living off the island on the UCSD campus. Upon completing his teaching credential, Tanaka was hired at Coronado High School, where he still teaches.
What is your favorite thing about teaching at Coronado High School?
Tanaka felt comfortable with the Coronado school system. After being a student himself, Tanaka knew what he was getting himself into.
“The attitude of the students and parents is very different than other high schools,” Tanaka said, “The kids do care.”
What makes teaching at Coronado High School unique?
The small size of the school combined with the positive attitude of the students he teaches makes Coronado High School a unique place not only to be a teacher but a student as well.
Other schools in San Diego follow the closed-campus policy; the students are not allowed to leave for lunch. Do you think its good CHS students have that freedom?
Tanaka believes the freedom the students have during lunchtime is a good thing. Keeping up with the small-town community feeling, letting the sophomores, juniors, and seniors leave for lunch gives the students a privilege they may not know others don’t have.
Do you have free time? Where do you spend it?
“I would say I have a lot more free time than people think,” Tanaka said, “I’m not sure whether that is good or bad.”
Since a majority of Tanaka’s friends live off the island he often spends time relaxing on the other side of the bridge.
How have you seen Coronado island change during your years here?
The development of Coronado has changed tremendously since Tanaka moved to the island in 1983.
“Coronado has always had the long, medium, and short term residents inhabiting the island,” Tanaka said.
But, the major difference he has seen is the lot size and increasing disappearance of the small houses on larger lots.
Any interesting or unique facts people would not know about you?
“Well, I usually only eat one meal a day,” Tanaka said. Taking his one meal “to go” and eating at home is typical for Tanaka.
Lastly, do you plan to stay in Coronado?
“I definitely do not plan to leave,” Tanaka said.
