I made my biggest mistake in my life last year with my DUI. I called the police, stayed by my car, and cooperated with the police when they arrived. I really got blasted by the media and some individuals that remained anonymous. The media made mistakes in their reporting, took my quotes out of context, quoted politicians against me without citing their names, and one reporter through a political insider tried to link the situation of my palm pilot that was stolen to my DUI incident, which didn’t make sense. In politics and entertainment, everything is magnified and sensationalized by the media. Opponents capitalize on any sign of weakness. Dissappointed with myself, I resigned as Vice Speaker of the House with the blessing of Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say. I still feel really bad about my mistake. I have increased my reflection on myself.
Following my DUI incident, a number of high profile people got into DUI incidents such as television actor Daniel Dae Kim who helped me raise donations for the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, local entertainer Kimo Ka’ahoano who I met through mutual friends and we participate in many events, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee John Waihe’e IV, a friend of mine who helped support my bill that became law supporting the Ni’ihau shell lei-makers, my colleague Senator Ron Menor who has helped me on a number of my legislation, especially in the area of renewable energy. The only person I did not meet was playwriter Lisa Matsumoto who had done wonderful plays that lifted the spirits of our community. Maybe if there was more time, I would have met her?
I converted all the negative energy towards working on laws and appropriations for my community and state. I passed five personal bills: 1. Protection of personal information by the government; 2. Harassment by impersonation; 3. $35 million in special purpose revenue bonds for Sopogy Inc. to build a solar farm on Oahu; 4. Requiring tow trucks to drop your car if you arrive on the scene; and 5. $1 million for resort beach restoration that requires private sector matching funds. I also got appropriations for my community that were not released by the governor, re-authorized in the budget bill. I worked on two constitutional mandates that has not been resolved since 1978. We came close to defining the 20% revenue from ceded lands. Most importantly, we triggered the process in identifying important agricultural lands.
I reflect back to May 29, 2005. I was feeling disenchanted with politics after getting worn down by several House chairs and a couple of senators who lost their temper. I was also exhausted with the power jockeying of the dissidents in the House who were in control of the three most powerful committees at the time. Financial and personal stresses were on my shoulders as well. Finally, people that were negative really drained me further. I was at a nice gathering with my friends John Waihe’e IV and Jennifer Waihe’e at their parents’ house. Late in the evening, Governor John Waihe’e came in to greet everyone. My friend Brandon and I had a nice talk with the governor until about 3:00 A.M. in the morning. He said things that really re-inspired me to keep working hard for my community, Hawaii, and my country.
Fast forward to the early morning of July 9, 2008. I was looking forward to the groundbreaking of Sopogy Inc.’s groundbreaking of their solar farm. I helped them by authoring a $10 million special purpose revenue bond bill that can be used in building their solar farm. I was pleasantly surprised to see Governor George R. Ariyoshi at the airport with Darren Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy Inc. I have met the governor numerous times. My mom told me that when I was a toddler, I was playing with a toy at a hotel and it rolled in front of Governor Ariyoshi and I ran to grab it, stopping the governor in his tracks. In 1997, I went to get the governor’s book and his signature at a book signing at a bookstore at Ala Moana Shopping Center. He signed it and stated that my grandfather Maurice Karamatsu was a good friend of his. As a politician, I have seen the governor many times a year. I also became friends with his son Ryozo soon after I got elected, after meeting him at the Consul General of Japan’s residence for an event celebrating the Emperor of Japan’s birthday.
Talking with Governor R. Ariyoshi really inspired me. I am so impressed with his career as a World War II veteran in the military intelligence service, State Senator, Lt. Governor, Governor, attorney, president of the East West Center, and businessman in banking, gas, real estate development and investment, and consulting. Recently, he has done business in computer data management, health products, and medical research just to name a few. He has done so much for the state in government and business. I told the governor, “You should write another book, part II.” He laughed. By 2009, the 50th anniversary of Hawaii’s statehood, he hopes to write his vision for Hawaii for the next 50 years in hopes that he can inspire the youngest generation.
Governor Ariyoshi is probably the most diverse leader I have met so far. He has made a positive impact on everything, politics, business, and community. He told Darren and I, entrepreneurs don’t reach their goals in a straight line. There are many failures. Those that succeed, reach their goals in zig zag lines. He motioned his hand in a zig zag manner. We learn from our mistakes and we find a way to reach our goals.
Governor Ariyoshi told me a children’s story printed in an elementary school book in Japan. There was a boy and his friends that would often walk pass this house where the dog would always bark at them. One day, his friends started throwing rocks at the dog. The boy stopped his friends and told them that the dog is only making a warning of their presence. “That boy was me,” he said. “Kindness,” the governor stated with a smile. Reading between the lines, I wanted to believe that the governor was talking to me. Some people bark because it is in their nature. I have to do my best to be kind to even those barking at me.
Waiting at the Kona airport on our way back to Honolulu, Governor George R. Ariyoshi mentioned his opponents and how they attacked him. “I didn’t respond,” he said, “It (the attacks) disappears.”
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 