Monthly Archives: June 2010

On Tuesday, June 15, 2010, I attended the funeral for a friend, Kristen Low at Mililani Memorial Park and Mortuary from 5:45 P.M. She leaves a husband, Chris and a young son, Christian.

I first met Kristen when she was in the John A. Burns Medical School with my younger sister Mia.  They went to do some medical work for a summer in Japan.

Later when Kristen received her M.D. and began practicing psychiatry, I got to know her better and we became friends.  She was friends with my friend Dr. Lori Murayama.  I worked with her on some medical issues at the legislature. Kristen also became good friends with Representative Clift Tsuji.  She was very supportive of my political endeavors.  I liked her a lot because she was so positive and always smiling.  She exuded so much great energy.  I enjoyed hanging out with her, her husband Chris, Lori, and others at social gatherings.  I will miss her.

Goro Sumida of the 100th Infantry Battalion and Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu at the 125th Anniversary of the Kanyaku Imin at Iolani Palace on Saturday, June 5, 2010.

I am with my friend Goro Sumida of the 100th Infantry Battalion. One of my favorite memories with him was a night before one of the anniversary dinners honoring the 100th and 442 in I believe 2007. I was with Goro, Robert Arakaki, and the veterans drinking and singing karaoke at Hanagasa Inn. When I sang, “Shimauta” they went nuts, cheering and some of them dancing along side a couple of waitresses. At a get-together recently, he told me, “You know why we are alive? Because we were not afraid to die. You could die anytime. That’s why we went go for broke. Even now, you can die anytime.”

Aloha!  

I am having a fundraiser on Wednesday, June 9 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Bonsai Restaurant at Restaurant Row.  We are trying to sell $1000 tickets and $100 tickets.  Any support would be greatly appreciated.  Please forward this to supporters of mine.  Thank you so much!

Sincerely,

Jon Riki Karamatsu