Thank you for your support. Also, mahalo to my volunteers and donors.
This campaign has been challenging. We faced big opposition with huge amounts of money and big endorsements.
We aired some television commercials and mailed brochures to over 67,000 homes. However, the core of our campaign has been a grassroots effort. I wanted to highlight the old school style of campaigning like that of my heroes who returned from World War II and campaigned to end discrimination, promote peace, and make Hawaii a better place. I personally passed out 72,000 pens, several thousand of cheese crackers, and several hundred salad dressings. My campaign team passed out 20,000 hand fans, and several thousands of brochures.
I have been campaigning since June 2009. As a result, I have made so many more friends. I have so many great memories. As I campaigned, I was surprised when a number of people gave me money on the spot in different parts of the state. I think of Mrs. Miyashiro who is 88 years old as she held my hand while we met several hundred people at the Haari Boat Festival in Hilo. A senior at Kahala McDonalds talked to me about the discrimination minorities endured. At McCully McDonalds, a 100th Battalion veteran teared up as I mentioned our mutual friends who are veterans of World War II and our reflection of life. He told me to go all out no matter what.
I am touched by the seniors who cried when they saw me. All my grandparents passed away. When I see the seniors, I see my grandparents in a number of them. This generation and the generations before them paved the way for so many of us. I dedicate my campaign to them. My old school style of campaigning by passing materials out one-on-one all over the state may have reminded them of politics of the past. Okage sama de. I am who I am because of you.
I also dedicate this campaign to all my loved ones who passed away. I miss them dearly. This year was tough because I lost so many close friends.
Finally, I campaigned hard for all of the goodness in you. Many of you have renewed my belief that there is more good than bad in the world. We can all come together to spread compassion and happiness so that others who are angry and sad, can also enjoy life more. I love you all. Whether I continue in politics or not, I will always be involved in public service. I wish you good health and happiness.
Love,
Jon Riki Karamatsu
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 