Daily Archives: November 27, 2003

Several months ago, I brought up a philosophical discussion with some of my friends. We discussed the difference between “Dying to Live” versus “Living to Die.”

I believe if one is dying to live, there are things that are obstructing one’s hope to live happily. Whereas, when one is living to die, one is making the most of life and if one is to die, there would be no regrets because he or she lived life to the fullest. I tell my mom that I push myself hard in my personal goals, and in my dreams for Hawaii and our country because if I die tomorrow, I would leave a positive impact on a good number of people.

I always remind my friends to always work hard, have fun, make an impact in your community, and love your loved ones.

I often say Governor John A. Burns is my hero. He has impacted Hawaii in his many roles as Police Chief, Small businessman, Delegate to Congress, and Governor of Hawaii. His push for social justice and statehood for Hawaii will forever be remembered. I memorized this quote from Burns, a devout catholic, stated after he allowed pro-choice to pass in Hawaii without his signature, “Whereas the Pope works in black and white, a politician must work in shades of gray.”

Tupac Amaru Shakur, in my opinion, is one of the artists that had a political and social conscious. His talent shined in his music, movies, and poetry. In the mid-90s, his music helped me to cope with some of my struggles. I stayed strong in my goal to be a politician.

He said that the Vietnam War would have lasted longer had it not been for the media reporting all the horrors of war. Likewise, through his music, he was reporting the horrors happening in the United States. In his songs, he mentions rape, young girls getting pregnant, drugs, violence, broken families, death, prostitution, and spending millions of dollars for wars while our own people are suffering.

Tupac stated, “I am not saying that I am going to change the world, but I guarantee I will spark the brain that will change the world.”