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I was sworn in as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at about 8:15 am at the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, Ali’i Place, 1060 Richards Street, 10th Floor in Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro’s personal office.

I have been thinking a lot about all my friends and constituents who shared their experience of suffering to me in the last two decades, ranging from assault, sexual assault, abuse, stalking, and harassment.  Others have gone through broken relationships, financial hardship, low self-esteem, and personal struggle.  I also think of the many people I have never met who are suffering.  So many people are going through depression, some relying on alcohol and drugs to ease their pain. 

They motivate me to keep trying to make our world better.  I will continue to counter all the negative people in our world full of hatred, anger, and jealously.  Together we can spread compassion with the hope that a majority of us human souls can achieve peace within in our short time in this world.

I dedicate the song “Firework” by Katy Perry below to everyone facing tough challenges. You will come back stronger than ever.

Sincerely, Jon Riki Karamatsu

  “Firework” – Katy Perry

In my desk are the signatures of former House Judiciary chairmen Eric Hamakawa who chaired from 1998-2004, and Tommy Waters who chaired from 2006-2008.  Like them, I am leaving the House of Representatives as a sitting Judiciary Chairman. Other House Judiciary chairs before me include Kate Stanley, Wayne Metcalf, Terrance Tom, and Paul Oshiro.  The position of Judiciary Chair in the House is considered very challenging because so many controversial issues are referred to you and with only a two-year term, there is extreme pressure with all the criticism that comes with the job.  A number of past chairs either leave voluntarily or are not re-elected. 

In my case, I knew I would run for higher office in 2010 back when I was in college in 1996.  However, I do admit, along with fiscal pressure, some of the events that surrounded my tenure as Judiciary chair made my decision crystal clear to leave the House to try new opportunities.  Although difficult, I enjoyed this leadership post the most in my legislative career because I always take on the most difficult challenges with extreme determination.  A number of people have told me that I have no fear and if I get knocked down, I come back.  I follow the same determination my parents, grandparents, mentors, and ancestors did before me.  I dream of a more compassionate and peaceful world.  And within me, I constantly seek to better myself.  I will stop at nothing to help make the world more positive.

I can’t believe how fast time flies.  I was born on December 21, 1974.  The 1980s was a time of growing up from a young boy to a teenager attending public schools in Pearl City.  I enjoyed playing soccer during those years.

I graduated from Pearl City High School in 1992, launching into my young adulthood.  That year I entered the University of Hawaii at Manoa and attained the Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts.  I served as Senator and Vice President of the Associated Students of the Univeristy of Hawaii at Mano (ASUH).  I also served on the Pearl City Neighborhood Board from 1997-1998.  I campaigned for my regional politicians and worked at the Hawaii State legislature.  I entered Gonzaga University School of Law in 1998.   The 1990s was a time for learning and planning for my career.

In 2001, I graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law and passed the Hawaii State Bar examination.  I started my Internet retail business in 2002.  Also in 2002, I was elected into the Hawaii State House of Representatives.  I was fortunate to have served in leadership posts such as Chairman of the Economic Development & Business Concerns Committee, Majority Whip, Vice Speaker of the House, and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which I am serving now.  The 2000s was a time of going all out in public service, community organizations, and business.

I am excited for the decade of 2010.  I end my term as State Representative for Waipahu, Waikele, Village Park, and Waipahu on November 2, 2010.  The next day I begin my new position as Deputy Prosecutor for the City & County of Honolulu Prosecutor department.  I am glad I can continue serving the public.  Ironically, as a young student leader at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I worked on campus safety and the sexual harassment policy because I was affected by the violent experiences my friends went through such as sexual assault and abuse.  It was one of the biggest motivators for me to be involved in politics in addition to economic diversification and project-based learning for our public schools.  I will do all I can to make Hawaii a safer place.

I have so much I want to do.  I am going try hard to accomplish all I can in my short life.  Thank you for your friendship and support.

As I am cleaning out my capitol office, looking at all the memorabilia, awards, gifts, legislation, research meterials, letters, and files brings back so many memories.  Some items are from friends who have passed away or others remind me of them.  I had a great experience in the Hawaii House of Representatives in the last eight years.

Now I am looking forward to working as a Deputy Prosecutor in my role as legislative liaison.  Violence such as sexual assault, domestic abuse, and assault has affected many people I know.  Since my days as a young student leader at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I am determined to reduce the violence in Hawaii.  I will do all I can to make our community safe.

On Sunday, October 25, 2010, I took my mom to see “Hanamizuki” at the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF). We saw “Time Traveler: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” at HIFF on Friday, October 15, 2010.

On Saturday, October 23, 2010 from 6:30 P.M., I attended a gathering at U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s residence.

On Friday, October 22, 2010, from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., I took Brian Schatz around Pearl City and Waipahu to help his campaign for Lieutenant Governor with his ticket with Neil Abercrombie for Governor.  We both served in the House together.  He would hang out at my office after work at times, but I have to admit, spending the day with Brian campaigning is now my favorite time with him.  We ended with some coffee and breakfast at Rocky’s in Waipahu.  I had a good talk with him.  Being out in the field re-sparked my political fire.

On Thursday, October 21, 2010 from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. I joined a number of legislators in welcoming the Shanghai Film Festival delegation at the Hawaii State Capitol, which was organized by Senator Carol Fukunaga.  They are attending the Hawaii International Film Festival.  I took my mom to see a Japanese drama and we will see another one soon.  In 2005, I walked the red carpert at the Shanghai Film Festival.

After weighing a couple of career opportunities presented to me, I have accepted a position as an attorney/legislative liaison in the Department of the Honolulu Prosecutor, which I will begin on November 3, 2010, the day after my fourth term as State Representative ends.

On Sunday, October 17, 2010, I walked door-to-door in Wahiawa campaigning for Neil Abercrombie for Governor and Brian Schatz for Lieutenant Governor.

I attended the 104th Annual Izuma Taisha Autumn Festival on Sunday, October 10, from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

Yesterday, October 5, 2010, I had some meetings and attended a gathering for Region 5 volunteers for Neil Abercrombie for Governor.

Thinking of my friend in the hospital with pregnancy complications. Meditated to her and her twins.

I just finished thanking everyone across the state and taking down our signs. It was nice to fly out to the neighbor islands again. I sincerely appreciate all the support you have given us.

On Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26, 2010, I was in Hilo, Hawaii thanking people and taking down signs.  We also put up Representative Jerry Chang’s signs with Chang and his friends.  My Campaign Chair Brandon Mitsuda flew up with me.  We followed Rep. Chang’s black Ford truck, Harley Davidson special edition, while we were in a yellow Camaro, a fun car to drive.  That night, I attended Rep. Chang’s Hilo fundraiser.  I returned to Oahu on Sunday, September 26th.

Yesterday, Friday, September 24, 2010, I spent the whole day in Kauai thanking people and taking down signs. 

During some free time, I saw Waimea Canyon and Hanalei Bay.  At sunset at Hanalei Bay, as it was getting dark, I saw three shooting stars.  One was fast, bright, and short.  A second was a dot floating very slowy across the sky for a decent distance.  Right after I meditated, trying to replenish myself, the last shooting star fell straight down for a very long time, ending in a sparkle very close to the water of Hanalei Bay.

I spent the whole day in Maui thanking people and taking signs down with my Campaign Chair Brandon Mitsuda and a friend in Maui.  I had good conversations with friends in Maui.  It really feels good to be out there in the field.

Today, Wednesday, September 22, 2010, I thanked people in Aiea, Honolulu, and Windward Oahu.  I have finished taking down all of my signs on Oahu.

In the evening from 5 PM, I attended the fundraiser for the House of Representatives PAC at the Plaza Club in Downtown Honolulu.

Yesterday, Tuesday, September 21, 2010 was Day 3 for me to thank people and take down signs. My friend Brandon and I went around Wahiawa, Ewa, and Honolulu.

This is day 3 for me to thank people around the island of oahu and take down my signs. Tonight, I will be making a speech for the Peace Day Hawaii 4th annual event, which I am serving as an honorary chair. I chaired the past the three events. Hawaii State law recognizes September 21st of each year as Peace Day Hawaii coinciding with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace to educate and promote peace domestically and internationally. If each of us practice compassion, we can spread happiness everywhere.

The Peace Day Hawaii 2010 event is today, September 21, 2010 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Campus Center Auditorium.

Once I finish thanking people and taking down all my signs, I am ready to campaign for Neil Abercrombie and Brian Schatz for Governor and Lieutenant Governor respectively.  My campaign team is also ready.

On June 28, 2009, I announced my candidacy for Lieutenant Governor for the 2010 election.  We challenged 6 other candidates, some with big name recognition because they ran in larger races before, although unsuccessful attempts, their names were now known.  Our leading opposition out-spent us 8 times more.  All opponents were great candidates and the race was very cordial.

I passed out about 72,000 pens and several thousand cheese crackers to people throughout the state from June 1, 2009 to September 17, 2010.  My loyal campaign team passed out 20,000 hand fans to people.  Our core of the campaign was the old school style of grassroots campaigning where the candidate meets as many people as he can one-on-one.  With grassroots at a statewide level there is a lot of hit and miss because not all individuals are likely voters.  Out of almost 1.3 million people, only a couple of hundred thousand people vote in the Democratic Primary Election.  In a smaller race, a candidate can walk to homes that are registered voters or even likely voters because they voted before.  There needs to be a mixture of grassroots and media. 

For our television (TV) commercial, we aired 30 spots on KGMB9, 4 spots on KHON2, 1 spot on KITV4, and 4 spots on KIKU, far less than our opposition.  The opposition barraged the air waves with hundreds of thousands of dollars in TV commercials.  Repetitive TV commercials are effective in a statewide race because it is difficult to meet most of the likely voters.  Name recognition is fed to the voter very quickly and often with the strategy of airing many TV commercials, which is better than the voter having to take the time and go out of his or her way to read a brochure or research the candidate.

We aired zero radio commercials.  Some of our opposition aired radio commercials.

We had only one print advertisement.  Our opposition had more print ads.

I mailed my economic and education goals for Hawaii to 67,357 households.   My opposition also mailed brochures. 

We received zero endorsements just like my first House race in 2002, which we won.  However, in this race, endorsements may have played a role, especially with so many undecided voters in the Lieutenant Governor’s race?  In a State House race, one can walk and meet so many voters multiple times to get voters to vote based on who you are rather than relying on the union endorsement.  However, in a statewide race, I learned that grassroots can only go so far.  Television commercials are very important and endorsements play a role, especially with the undecided voters. 

Brian Schatz, a former colleague of mine in the House of Representatives emerged as the winner for the Democratic Primary race for Lieutenant Governor.  After eight years, he left the House in 2006 and ran an unsuccessful bid for Congress in Congressional District 2.  In 2007, he emerged as the spokesperson for the Barack Obama campaign for President of the United States and in 2008, as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. 

My father taught me to always learn from any loss in life.  My mom taught me to look at all the positive you gained despite the loss you experienced.  These lessons my parents taught me makes the experience positive despite how difficult it was.  Losing the Lieutenant Governor’s race was a big learning experience for me.  On the positive side, I am grateful for all who supported me, the new friends I made, and being able to get reacquainted with old friends.  We need to keep moving forward no matter what.   I will continue to do all I can to touch people’s lives.  I wish compassion, good health, and happiness to everyone.

This is my second day to thank people and take down my signs on Oahu. I went around Nanakuli.  In the afternoon, I am going to spend time with a constituent I have become friends with and the Waipahu students at the Waipahu Olelo Studio. We are going to share ghost stories.

Hi Everyone, thanks so much for your comments. Thank you for your support from the bottom of my heart. I am going to drive around Oahu and fly to the neighbor islands to thank everyone I can for all their help and pick up my signs. I wish I could track down every person who supported me. As of now, I am keeping my career options open. Regardless, I will do my best to touch people’s lives.

(I went around Pearl City and Waipahu with my friend Michael).

Congratulations to Brian Schatz on winning the office of Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii.  I will support you and Neil Abercrombie for Governor in the general election.  Make Hawaii the best it can be.

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

I have personally passed out 71,500 pens to people throughout the State of Hawaii.  I have met so many good people and got reacquainted with many old friends or friends of friends, friends of family.

As of Tuesday, September 8, 2010, I have personally passed out 71,000 of my pens to people throughout the State of Hawaii, 1,000 pens short of my goal of passing out 72,000 pens. In the meantime my targeted multimedia and other campaign methods will continue.  9 more days to go.

I am touched by the many seniors I have become friends with during my campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Some seniors cry when I meet them. Today, a 100th Infantry Battalion veteran teared up when I talked to him. We are who we are because of the seniors who paved the way for my generation.

Yesterday morning, a friend of mine called me explaining that she was worried for me because of a dream she had.  She saw me going up towards a house full of ghosts despite having fear within me.  She asked me if there was anything bothering me?  I told her the only thing on my mind right now is campaigning as hard as I can.

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.

Yesterday I had a dream of my mentor, the late Senator Nadao “Najo” Yoshinaga. I woke up calling his name.

This is the link to the full Hawaii Lieutenant Governor debate Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu participated in hosted by the Kauai Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, August 12, 2010 from 5:00 PM:

http://hawaii.ezstream.com/play/index.cfm?fuseaction=embstay&id=181CA0D4F3&resize=1&SClipID=-1&dsplvl=affil&ptype=sl

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu’s 2010 television commercial for his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii.

My television commercial for Lieutenant Governor highlights my economic goals for Hawaii. I mention industries I have worked on such as technology, science, film & tourism. I expanded state grants for start-up science and technology companies in Hawaii that can be matched with federal funds. I helped pass the film production tax credit to make Hawaii a top location to film in the world.  I promoted Hawaii as a visitor destination throughout Asia.

We filmed on Ewa farm lands on Oahu. I have fought to protect prime agricultural lands & helped pass legislation supporting farm operations through state-backed loans & tax incentives for agricultural production costs.

We also filmed at the solar farm in Kona, Big Island, which I supported by passing $10 million in special purpose revenue bonds to help in its development.

I hired a company started by a graduate of the Academy of Creative Media (ACM) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  I suported the creation of ACM. The sound was done by a teacher for the Mele program (Music) at Honolulu Community College, another program I supported the creation of.

The blue light in my TV commercial symbolizes positive energy. We can overcome negativity with positivity.

Aloha!

Our campaign for Lieutenant Governor has been exciting and challenging.  Since June 1, 2009, I have personally greeted over 49,000 people throughout the state as I passed out pens, hand fans, and other campaign materials.  I am determined to greet at least 72,000 people by Primary Election on September 18, 2010.

If elected Lieutenant Governor, I will continue to encourage more agricultural and renewable energy production to keep our monies within our state.  I will work to protect lands for farming and renewable energy production to help achieve this.

I will do all I can to stimulate Hawaii’s economy through incentives and programs that attract more visitors, generate revenues for our technology and film industries, and develop our urban core for more housing.  As our economy prospers, I will work to diversify our investments, set aside more reserve funds, and lower our income taxes. 

To help me continue my goals in bettering Hawaii, our campaign committee will be having a fundraiser on my behalf.  We are seeking campaign contributions to complement our grassroots campaign work.  We would be honored to have you join us.

Fundraiser for Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu for Lt. Governor

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.

Jodo Mission of Hawaii

1429 Makiki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

Suggested Donation: $25

Parking is available at Jodo Mission of Hawaii, Hawaii Mission Academy (Makai or South of Jodo Mission of Hawaii at 1415 Makiki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii), and on nearby streets.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my campaign manager, Brandon R. Mitsuda through his cellular phone at (808) 387-0755 and email at brandonmitsuda@gmail.com.  I can be reached through my cellular phone at (808) 542-8532 and email at jonriki@gmail.com.  Mahalo!

With Warmest Aloha,

Jon Riki Karamatsu

State Representative and Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

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Donate using PayPal Thank You!

Checks can be made payable to “Friends of Jon Riki Karamatsu” and mailed to:

Friends of Jon Riki Karamatsu
P.O. Box 970146
Waipahu, Hawaii 96797

  AT&T Commercial (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

Dear Friends,

It has been an honor serving you in the Hawaii House of Representatives for the past eight years. Many of you have seen me grow up from a young and eager twenty-seven year-old politician to a leader in the Hawaii House of Representatives. The following are some of my policy accomplishments for our community and the State of Hawaii:

Economy and Sustainability

• Encouraged multi-millions of dollars of investments into Hawaii through tax credits for film production, 15% on Oahu, and 20% on neighbor islands;
• Expanded the Small Business Innovation Research Grants and Small Business Technology Transfer Research Grants to maximize federal matching dollars to help Hawaii’s start-up technology and science businesses;
• Floated $55 million in special purpose revenue bonds for local technology and renewable energy companies to help build research facilities and solar farms in Hawaii;
• Created incentives for important agricultural lands;
• Funded $1 million to be matched with private funds for beach restoration; and
• Required the department of Agriculture to authenticate Ni’ihau shell leis to empower Hawaii Ni’ihau shell lei makers and protect consumers from fraudulent sales using the Ni’ihau shell branding.

Education

• Supported project-based learning in our public schools such as art, culture, history, computer programming, robotics, and television production;
• Appropriated funds for capital improvements for our public schools; and
• Voted in favor of the $67 million appropriation to be used to restore instructional days for the 2010 to 2011 school year.

Public Safety

• Incorporated into the sexual assault law, the use of a substance in subjecting one to a sexual assault;
• Created a criminal impersonation law;
• Updated our harassment and stalking laws to include electronic communication;
• Extended temporary restraining orders to be applied to pet animals;
• Required that pet animals be humanely treated when placed in confinement;
• Secured funding for our specialty courts, which has been proven successful in turning individuals’ lives around to be productive citizens rather than abusing illegal drugs.

It has been an exciting journey. My love and support for you and this great community will continue regardless of where my career leads to. I wish you and your family good health and happiness.

With Warmest Aloha,

Jon Riki Karamatsu

State Representative

I found out this past Sunday that I lost another friend who passed away this weekend who is only a little older than me and she leaves a husband and young child. She was a strong supporter and friend of mine. I am deeply saddened.

Wavin’ Flag – K’Naan featuring Will.I.Am, and David Guetta

Together We Can Overcome Negativity

One of my biggest motivators into politics is feeling the pain and suffering of so many people.  When I was younger, I always thought that someday, I would change the world around from negative to positive.  I will share with you some of my experiences.

My parents grew up poor and made the most of everything they had in life.  When things got economically better with the success of their parents’ careers, they had already become adults.  They always reminded me to appreciate what I had, food, clothing, and shelter.  My father was very strict with me in the old school way, physically and mentally.

I attended public school from grade school up until undergraduate college.  Some of the other kids were not financially stable.  I saw how the cycle of violence continued with the fights in school.  I remember using Aikido to defend myself against another kid.

In high school, I sat next to a girl in social studies who was on crystal meth.  She told me how she would not sleep for days.  In my science class, there was a smart student who was a year younger than the rest of the class.  He placed a “HB” tattoo on his hand and told me he was now a part of the gang, Hawaiian Brothers.  I saw young girls get pregnant.  I sometimes wonder how they are all doing.  In my political career, I learned how depression, post traumatic stress disorder from violence, broken homes, and such were factors with individuals who used drugs.  I later supported programs to help individuals get off of drugs and turn their lives around.  I also supported programs that helped troubled youth and single mothers.

I read about how the generations before me fought against discrimination.  Workers were mistreated.  Minorities sacrificed during World War II by fighting for their country even as she placed them in concentration camps.  When they returned, the veterans used the GI Bill to gain their college education.  However, upon graduation, they had difficulty getting hired because of on-going discrimination.

In college, girls told me their stories of sexual assault and domestic violence.  I remember being at a party with a girl I was dating.  When she went to use the restroom downstairs, a guy followed her and tried to rape her.  She got away, ran up the stairs into my arms, crying uncontrollably.  When we left, she told me what happened.  I wanted to go back to confront the guy but she wouldn’t let me.  I wanted to call the police but she stopped me.  I still have regrets of that night.  Later, I helped organizations that support survivors of violence.

While I was a Senator and Vice President at the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I was heavily involved in working to make the campus safer.  I worked with campus security to ensure there were a strong security presence, an escort program, and adequate lighting and emergency phone booths on campus (cellular phones were just beginning to pick up, but were still expensive).  I served as the student representative on the Sexual Harassment Policy Committee with administrators and attorneys.

My very good friend was almost shot by several individuals in a car because of a driving dispute on the freeway.  He showed me how the bullet penetrated the car metal above his head and landed on the ground.

I dated a girl and for a number of years her ex-boyfriend and his friends tried to hunt me down in his jealousy.

While in law school, I experienced racism in the Northwest, with name calling, threats, and even not being served at a restaurant.  I have always been a strong advocate for equality.  Justice does not judge by what she sees, but rather applies the laws fairly to all.  It is for this reason; I have supported expanding rights to all, including the same-sex community.

In my first term as a politician, I dated a girl who shared her story of being raped by a couple of guys who took advantage of her by using a date rape drug.  I later changed the law to prohibit the use of a substance when committing sexual assault.

I know girls who had individuals; often their ex-boyfriends who posted nude pictures of them on the Internet.  I have seen how individuals would even go as far as super-imposing a girl’s head onto a naked body.  Another girl I dated had to endure numerous emails to government and media offices that included naked pictures of her.  I changed the harassment and stalking by harassment laws to include electronic communication.  I also created a new criminal impersonation law.

As a politician, I have faced my share of threats.  A man threatened to shoot me with his shotgun.  Another man tried to engage me into a fight while I was waiting in line at a Longs Drugs store.  I realize that threats come with my job, even death.

We politicians face constant verbal attacks by many individuals.  I’ve had individuals attack me on my DUI mistake rather than on the issue at hand for many of the controversial bills such as the shark fin ban and civil unions that came before my House Judiciary Committee, which I chaired.  Then there are individuals who hide behind code names on their computers and do personal attacks against me on the Internet.  I have more respect for the people who yell at me in my face or reveal their names in their emails and on the Internet.

I have dated girls who didn’t like the gossip, sometimes mean-spirited attacks.  It has made it difficult for my personal life.

Throughout my life, there were a number of wars.  It is my goal to reduce violence not only domestically, but internationally.  I passed the Peace Day Hawaii law that recognizes September 21^st of each year to be a day to educate and promote awareness of peace.  The emphasis on peacemaking changes year-to-year.  For example, one year we focused on international peace and another year we focused on reducing bullying in our public schools.

We all have a choice.  We can be negative and cause so much pain for others, or we can be positive and help bring joy and happiness to people.  Only if we achieve inner peace, can we spread peace to others.  So let’s join together as warriors of peace.  Let’s spread compassion and make a majority of the people in the world compassionate and happy, then a majority of the world can be at peace.

Let's defeat negativity.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                 

Contact: Tracy H. Okubo, Campaign Press Secretary

808.778.9531 or jonriki.news@gmail.com           

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu Files Nomination Papers to Run for Lieutenant Governor

HONOLULU—State Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu (House District 41-Waipahu, Village Park, Waikele) filed his nomination papers on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, officially putting him in the race for Lieutenant Governor in the 2010 elections.  Last June, Representative Karamatsu authorized his campaign team, Friends of Jon Riki Karamatsu, to form an exploratory committee to explore his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor in the 2010 elections.

“My campaign team and I decided that we had to go out and meet the people of Hawai‘i.  Over the past year I have met over 40,000 people throughout the State at various events, meetings, or even just in passing” said Karamatsu.  “Based on the positive feedback we have received regarding my candidacy, I have decided to officially enter the race for Lieutenant Governor in the 2010 elections.”

“My campaign’s strength is not only based on my hard work ethic, but my strong track record in passing legislation to encourage investments into Hawai‘i’s economy, protect our money from leaving the state, maintain project-based learning in our public schools, enhance public safety, address our physician shortfall, and promote equality for all,” said Karamatsu.  

Representative Karamatsu was elected to the Hawai‘i House of Representatives in 2002 and is currently serving his fourth term.  He currently chairs the House Judiciary Committee and has held a variety of leadership positions during his tenure, including Vice Speaker of the House, Majority Whip, Chairman of the Economic Development & Business Concerns Committee, Vice Chairman of the Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Tourism & Culture Committee.

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