Jon Riki Karamatsu and U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye on 10/08/2004 at Inouye’s campaign headquarters.
I am deeply saddened by the passing of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye and I feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to work with him. In 1988, when I was 13 years old, I was inspired by Sen. Inouye when I read his book “Journey to Washington” while I was attending Pearl City High School. In 1996, I was moved by his speech to my University of Hawaii at Manoa Ethnic Studies class and got to meet him in person. From 2002 to 2010, I got to work with him and his staff when I served as a Hawaii State Representative. My favorite moment with Sen. Inouye was when he invited me to a reception at his beautiful suite in Waikiki on the evening of Saturday, October 23, 2010.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 