Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu’s 2010 television commercial for his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii.
Senator Nadao “Najo” Yoshinga (442nd Regimental Combat Team, attorney, & 1954 Democratic legislator until 1974) and I enjoyed talking politics between 2002 – 2009. He enjoyed drinking coffee with me. He shared with me many of his political stories.
Senator Yoshinaga created big legislative accomplishments such as the Prepaid Health Act, Hawaii natural reserves, art in public places, Commission on the Status of Women, the initial appropriation for the University of Hawaii West Oahu, and 2000 commission to study the sustainability of Hawaii in correlation with its population.
Many of my legislation has overlapped or continued where Senator Yoshinaga left off.
On health, I have worked on reducing the cost of healthcare, bringing more medical services to the neighbor islands and rural areas, and health information technology.
For the environment, I appropriated funds for beach restoration and supported renewable energy projects.
In regards to art, I supported funding for art programs and art education in our public schools. I helped pass the film production tax incentives to make Hawaii competitive in the world as a location for filmmaking.
I have worked on issues that affect women such as supporting programs for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I updated the harassment and harassment by stalking laws to include electronic communication. I prohibited the use of a substance to commit sexual assault. I also created a criminal impersonation law.
I supported the funding for the start of construction for a new campus for the University of Hawaii West Oahu.
“Sustainability” has been a top priority for both Senator Yoshinaga and I. Senator Yoshinaga would tell me, “Food and energy is very important.” I have supported farming operations and pushed for legislation protecting our best agricultural lands. I have encouraged the development of renewable energy. Among a number of industries I am pushing hard to strengthen, I highlighted the importance of food and energy in the commercial by filming on agricultural lands and at a solar farm I worked with.
Senator Yoshinaga often told me, “Make Hawaii the best place in the world.” At the ending of the TV commercial, I state, “And together, we will make Hawaii the best place in the world.”
Senator Yoshinaga’s words lives on in my words, as our vision for Hawaii overlaps one another.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 