Daily Archives: August 20, 2009

I greeted members of Ginowan (Okinawa) Kenjinkai at their picnic at Ala Moana Beach Park on Sunday, August 16, 2009.  I saw friends, friends of my father, and Rep. Ryan Yamane and his family, and Arnold Wong and his family.

Friends from left to right: Stan Higa, Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, Christine Higa, and Stan's brother.

With my friend Shannon Higa and her friend.

I greeted members of Urasoe (Okinawa) Kenjinkai at their picnic at Ala Moana Beach park on Sunday, August 16, 2009.  I saw Rep. Maile Shimabukuro and her family there as well.

I attended the Hiroshima (Japan) Kenjinkai Picnic on Sunday, August 16, 2009 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. at Ala Moana Beach Park.  I have ancestors from Hiroshima, Japan through my grandma Bessie Karamatsu’s family or the Okubo family.

I attended Jodo Mission of Hawaii’s Bon Dance on August 15, 2009 from 6:15 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.  I greeted as many people as I could and helped clean up.  Fourteen friends and family in my campaign team cooked barbecue sticks or helped the bon dance in other areas.  Ian Kitajima, Brandon Mistuda, Scott Murakami, and I are on the board of directors for Jodo Mission of Hawaii.  I saw Senator Carol Fukunaga volunteering at a food booth again.

With my friend Michelle Matsuo

My sister Lara, myself, and Jon Nishihara dancing.

Ellen Tengan and Tricia Murakami (formerly Masaki) dancing.

The team dancing.

My father Richard, mother Laraine, myself, and sister Lara

Jon Nishihara, Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, Brandon Mitsuda, and Ellen Tengan.

I attended Tom Gill’s Memorial Service on Saturday, August 15 from 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.  He was a veteran, attroney, community activist, U.S. Congressman, and Lt. Governor.  He had two attempts at governor in 1970 and 1974 but lost.  Although Gill was a maverick that wasn’t taken well by a number of leaders in the past, he fought for what he felt was right.  It is his vision and policy that garners my respect for him.

I made a statement on the Gill family video memory collection.  I explained how Tom Gill fought for equality and how we are still working on equality in issues regarding single mothers, pregnancy, and the same-sex community.