On August 30, 2017, I had a meeting at the State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation, Airports Division. In some ways, I’m continuing where my grandfather Maurice Karamatsu left off in his career at Hawaiian Airlines, Duty Free Shoppers, and the world of politics and business. Like him, I’m building projects around the sector of air transportation. It’s like he’s with me, guiding me through the ups and downs. Also, I’m lucky to have great business partners who strive for a win-win and the greater good.
My friend Representative Ken Ito asked me to come with him to a Mindful Hawaii community meeting chaired by Jimmy Toyama on Saturday August 26, 2017 from 1 p.m. at Kaito Gakko, next to the Manoa Chinese Cemetery. Saw some old friends and one of our Peace Day Hawaii co-founders. There was a presentation by Hui Aloha, a non profit led by James Koshiba that is working on spreading Aloha with events and workshops. They are helping the homeless issue in Honolulu, Hawaii. Marina Piscolish outlined her training course “Toolz For Tough Conversations” for conflict resolution.
I’ve always been filled with imagination since I was a little kid. As an adult, I still dream and work hard until it’s hard to believe I’m living things I’ve imagined. Fiction plays a huge role in inspiring our reality. And vice versa, writers often infuse reality into fiction. Storytelling has a way of bringing us humans closer because it draws out our emotions. I believe as adults, we should never stop imagining, and if we have a story, don’t be afraid to share it. You never know, you may change the world.
Here’s a nice music video of Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow, characters of the Game of Thrones novel and television show. The song “If You Leave Me Now” by Foxes matches the scenes from this awesome show. Last Sunday, in Episode 6 of Season 7, Daenerys and Jon’s romance blossomed. I love romance. Nothing beats that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you love someone.
I don’t watch much television or movies that much, but Games of Thrones is the exception. I also have the books. They’re so good, and a nice break from work. Though, Games of Thrones inspires me to work harder. Author and Executive Producer George R.R. Martin is so inspirational!
Starbucks is the company I go to, to develop my mind. 24 Hour Fitness is the company I go to, to develop my body. Jon Riki Karamatsu is the company I go to, to develop my soul. Sending you positive energy in all that you pursue!!! (This is how I cruise at my house, Hawaiian style. 😁🤙).
My friend Brandon Mitsuda gave me a good luck piggy bank to attract capital, cookbook with recipes from the top chefs in Hawaii, and a beverage to be drank for wins along the journey. I’m motivated to keep working hard every day, enjoy life, and have gratitude for the opportunities and little wins along the way.
As my 5-year old niece Elyse says since she was 2 years old, “I’m so happy!” I’m so happy to finish drafting a 75-page business plan that was overhauled to include 48 more pages of data, strategy, and content; and 6 financial spreadsheets for a project my business partners and I are moving closer to launching after 1 year and 10 months of sweat equity work. Gratitude for the small wins.
Jodo Mission of Hawaii’s Bon Dance on Saturday August 18 and 19, 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii was a success. It feels so good to support culture and tradition that make Hawaii and our country so unique for all to enjoy! I’m honored to serve as President of Jodo Mission of Hawaii for the past 7 years and board member for the past 12 years.
The food was great with barbecue sticks, saimin, gyoza, chili and rice, andagi (Okinawan donuts), shave ice, and more. The dancers and taiko did performed well. I’m sure our ancestors are happy.
Mahalo to everyone who volunteered, and to all who came to enjoy the festivities! See you next year and may peace be with you and all those you touch.
Last day for Jodo Mission of Hawaii’s Bon Dance is today, Saturday August 19, 2017 from 6:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. at 1429 Maliki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii; food booths open from 4:30 P.M. The office number is 808-949-3995.
The Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bon Dance will be today August 18 and tomorrow 19, 2017 from 6:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. at 1429 Maliki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii; food booths open 4:30 P.M. for both nights, with Jizo bon prayer service at 5:45 P.M. on August 18, 2017. The office number is 808-949-3995.
(Besides practicing business law and entrepreneurship, I am working hard to expand myself and get out of my comfort zone by being vulnerable with my creative writing, fiction writing, nonfiction writing, poems, quotes, and photography, which has given me comfort and joy, and I hope it does for you too.)
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started to watch “Cyborg She” or “Boku no kanojo wa saibôgu,” a romantic movie in which Jiro, a lonely university student meets a beautiful and interesting woman who turns out to be a Cyborg from the future who lacks manners and emotions.
It was really good that I cried at the ending part of the movie.
The movie was written and directed by Jae-young Kwak and starred Haruka Ayase and Keisuke Koide.
I loved this song, “Yamaoku Shounen no Koi Monogatari” by Nakagawa Izumi from the scene where they go back in time and visit his hometown during his childhood.
We put up the yagura for the Bon Dance at Jodo Mission of Hawaii on Sunday August 13, 2017 from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M., followed by a lunch. The Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bon Dance will be on August 18 and 19, 2017 from 6:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. at 1429 Maliki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii; food booths open 4:30 P.M. for both nights, with Jizo bon prayer service at 5:45 P.M. on August 18, 2017. The office number is 808-949-3995.
Take down of Otoba for Jodo Mission of Hawaii Obon on Sunday July 30, 2017 from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M., followed by a lunch. Next will be Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bon Dance on August 18 and 19, 2017 from 6:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. at 1429 Maliki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii; food booths open 4:30 P.M. both nights, with Jizo bon prayer service at 5:45 P.M. on August 18, 2017. Call 808-949-3995.
Waiting for members of the 💔💖 club to share what I’ve learned in my journey of self-reflection. I’m trying to attain a higher level of inner peace. Transcend past all that we desire and all that pains us, and have gratitude for what currently exists around us.
Yesterday, August 3, 2017, I treated myself to Dunkin Donuts as a reward after I finished drafting a 28-page legal and business analysis for a land deal my business partners and I are trying to execute for a start-up company we are building. I worked 3 days in a row at Starbucks in Waipio typing this document for 7 to 8 hours straight a day. Dunkin Donuts recently opened a store near Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii, making its return back to the State of Hawaii. I gave my mom 2.5 donuts today when she came by to drop off food she made.
And maybe I lost who we are
I jumped to the end
When that’s not how we left it
And maybe the sound of your heart
Gets stuck in my head
So I can’t forget
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 