Daily Archives: July 12, 2009

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, Chantelle deJesus, Russell Tanoue, Lynsey Kwock, and Lara Karamatsu (Jon's sister)

On Friday, July 10, 2009 from 8:00 P.M., I attended Russell Tanoue’s birthday at Bonsai.

With my thoughts on my loved ones who passed away and my ancestors, I can’t help but feel deep sadness.  I am fourth generation or Yonsei on my father’s side of the family and 5th generation or Gosei on my mother’s side.  On my father’s side, Karamatsu is from Yamaguchi-ken and Okubo is from Hiroshima-ken, and on my mother’s side, Sakai and I believe Hayashida is from Kumamoto-ken. 

Now that my campaign has gone statewide since the first week of June 2009, I have met so many more people in our diverse and beautiful state.  I have attended many cultural events and ceremonies in my life: Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Irish, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Hawaiian, Okinawan, and Japanese to name a few.  I am so touched by all the kind words I have received.  I am familiar with hearing Ilocano, Tagalog, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and Hawaiian since I have friends who can speak it fluently.  I love culture and I have incorporated many of these cultures in my life, which is reflected by the displays and items in my house and office.  Culture is so important.

I have friends who can speak Japanese in its modern form.  However, since my grandparents passed away, I miss hearing the Nisei generation’s style of the Japanese language in their unique local style mixed with Hawaiian words, pidgin words, and old school Japanese words.  As I campaign across the state, I would hear some of the familiar Japanese language from the Nisei generation: “Karamatsu-san, ganbatte ne!” (Do your best!).  Some of them would bow to me as I walked up to them.  I would bow to them with deep emotion. 

I am friends with members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the 1954 Democratic Revolution class, a dream come true for me.  Friends of my grandparents, especially grandpa Maurice Karamatsu (Former Vice President of DFS Hawaii) continue to approach me at events.  With these moments, I feel more complete.

As I reflect on this generation who faced racism, death, and so much struggle, I feel deep gratitude.  They helped to change the United States to make it better for the unborn generations to come such as mine.  To the generation of my grandparents: “Okage sama de.  Because of your sacrifice and love, I am who I am.  Domo arigatou gozaimashita.” 

Below is a mix of two songs, “Hana” & “Warabigami” sang by Rimi Natuskawa with ukulele music by Hawaii’s own Jake Shimabukuro.  I dedicate this song to the Issei and the Nisei Generation for everything they have done for us.  “Hana” means flower and “Warabigami” is about a young child born into this world.  The Issei and Nisei generations sacrificed for us, the unborn children in their thoughts as they preservered and died for us.  I pray to them.

“Hana” & “Warabigami” – Rimi Natsukawa and Jake Shimabukuro

“HANA”

Kawa wa nagarete doko doko iku no
Hito mo nagarete doko doko iku no
Sonna nagare ga tsuku koro niwa
Hana toshite hana toshite sakassete aguetai
Nakinasai Warainasai
Itsuno hi ka itsu no hi ka hana wo sakasoyo [Included in the mix)

Namida nagarete doko doko iku no
Ai mo nagarete doko doko iku no
Sonna nagare wo kono uti ni
Hana toshite hana toshite Mukaette aguetai
Nakinasai Warainasai
Itsuno hi ka itsu no hi ka hana wo sakasoyo

Hana wa hana toshite warai mono dekiru
Hito wa hito toshite namida mo nagassu
sorega shizen no utananossa
kokoro no naka ni kokoro no naka ni hana wo sakasoyo
Nakinasai Warainasai
itsu itsu mademo itsu itsu mademo
hana wo tsukamoyo
Nakinasai Warainasai
itsu itsu mademo itsu itsu mademo
hana wo tsukamoyo
Nakinasai Warainasai
Itsuno hi ka itsuno hi ka hana wo tsukamoyo

“WARABIGAMI”
Ten kara no megumi ukete kono hoshi ni
Umaretaru waga ko inori kome sodate
Irayoo hei irayoo hoi
Irayoo Kanashi umi nashiwa
Nakunayo~ya heiyoo heiyoo
Teida no hikari ukete
Yuuiriyo~ya heiyoo heiyoo.
Sukoya ka ni sodate

Atsuki natsu no hi wa suzukaze wo okuri
Samuki fuyu kureba kono mune ni daite
Irayoo hei irayoo hoi
Irayoo kanashi umi nashiwa
Nakunayo~ya heiyoo heiyoo
Tsuki no hikari abite
Yuuiriyo~ya heiyoo heiyoo.  Ten takaku sodate. [Included in the mix]
Sukoyaka ni nemure

Arashi fuki susamu wataru kono uki yo
Haha no inori kome towa no hanasakaso
Irayoo hei irayoo hoi
Irayoo Kanashi umi nashiwa
Nakunayo~ya heiyoo heiyoo
Ten no hikari ukete
Yuuiriyo~ya heiyoo heiyoo
Ten takaku sodate

“Warabigami” English Translation
A blessing from heaven
Into this world
You are born, my baby,
I will take care of you
Irayo hei, irayo hoi, irayo
My dearest child
Don’t you cry, heiyo heiyo,
May the sun shine on you
Be a good boy, heiyo heiyo
Please grow up
In miraculous health

When summer comes,
I will send you a cool breeze
When winter comes,
I will hold you to my chest
Irayo hei, irayo hoi, irayo
My dearest child
Don’t you cry, heiyo heiyo,
May the moon shine on you
Be a good girl, heiyo heiyo,
Please grow up
To adulthood

Though stormy winds may blow
As you go through this world
I will shelter you from the storm,
so you may bloom like a flower
Irayo hei, irayo hoi, irayo,
My dearest child,
Don’t you cry, heiyo heiyo,
May the heavens shine on you
Be good human beings,
heiyo, heiyo,
To lead a worthy life

On Friday, July 10, 2009 from 6:00 P.M., I volunteered as a parking attendant for Jodo Shu’s 7:00 P.M. obon service (prayers of peace to all the suffering souls and prayers of gratitude to all our ancestors). 

I prayed at my family’s otoba to my loved ones and ancestors. 

I attended the 7:00 P.M. service.  As I closed my eyes, I could picture all my grandparents and I thought of my ancestors, a great number I have never seen.

On Thursday, July 9, 2009 from 8:00 P.M., I attended a 35th Anniversary of a Waikiki Bar & Grill.

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, Panya Owners Alice Yeung and Annie Yeung, and Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say

On Wednesday, July 8, 2009, Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say and I presented a House certificate to Panya Owners Alice Yeung and Annie Yeung for 12 years of service in Hawaii.  As small business owners, Speaker and I understand some of the struggles small businesses go through.  Every so often, we like to surprise businesses by recognizing their hard work.  Best wishes to Owners Alice Yeung and Annie Yeung and the Panya Group for much success!