As I campaigned throughout the state, it has been interesting to meet so many people. The seniors really touch me because of the sacrifice they have done for us. Many seniors tell me they see me on T.V. Even though I am in the media often, they really appreciate my old school style of campaigning and we are often linked through my passion for culture, which means so much to them. A number of them told me that I am like the old school times. One lady told me, “Good you do this [meet the people]. This is how it [politics] used to be in the old days.” A middle-aged lady told me I am like a blast from the past and that I am like the old school guys. I signed my autograph on a number of my fans for seniors at the Portuguese Festival. With the Filipino community, I am touched when the nanas and tatas hug me. I am honored to represent many of them in the House of Representatives. I also really enjoy talking to all the Hawaiian seniors. I met a number of them at a hula performance. Some of the elder Japanese ladies like to speak to me in Japanese even though it is pretty clear that I am a Yonsei (fourth generation Japanese) or Gosei (fifth generation Japanese). They bow and I bow back. With my background in Jodo Shu Buddhism and Shintoism, many senior AJAs bring up our connection and seem so happy I continue many traditions that are fading with the younger generations. A number of seniors told me I handled my mistake (DUI) well and to keep going. I have met so many of my grandparents’ friends, especially grandpa Maurice Karamatsu with his big network from his days as former Vice President of Duty Free Shoppers, executive for Hawaiian Airlines, and President of the Hawaii Buddhist Council. Some of the elder ladies are so blunt when they talk to me, it is funny, and it reminds me of my grandma Ellen Sakai.
Recently a number of seniors at the Senior Fair told me, “Thank you for running.” I told them, “No, thank you for all you have done for my generation so we can can go to public school and do well.” I will never forget the look on their faces. The were touched and some of their eyes welted up a little. My eyes got teary but I held them in. The most touching was at the Okinawan Festival when en elder AJA lady started to cry when I knelt before her and gave her my pen.
History and culture is so important. Okage sama de. Domo arigatou gozaimashita. I am who I am because of the seniors before me and all those before them. Thank you so much.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 