My prayers go out to all my friends who are facing health, financial, legal, and career challenges. Money and power is an energy for good and bad. When you are on top, everyone wants to be around you. Negative people and “negativity” in general will constantly try to take you down. When you fall, people bail out on you. Then when you are back on top, everyone wants to be with you again. In the end, you only have a handful of true friends. Keep your true friends close because when you die, your spirit lives on with them.
I attended the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Annual Meeting at Hilton Hawaiian Village today, Friday, October 30, 2009 from 6:00 P.M.
Attended Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman’s State of the Rail event at Mission Memorial Auditorium, Honolulu Hale today, October 29, 2009 from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M.
I am attending the Poi Dog, Popoki & the 19th Puka golf tournament for the Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals (Oahu SPCA) at Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach on Monday, October 26, 2009 from 12:00 P.M.
I couldn’t sleep on the night of October 11 and in the early morning of October 12, 2006. As I laid down for hours, I came up with a fictional story that includes tragedy, romance, spirituality, unfinished business, the duality of good and evil, and a touch of politics. It is the ultimate love story. I have been slowly working on this project but it has always been on the least of my priorities since I am so busy with legislative work, campaign work, business, and community projects. I need to improve my time management skills.
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As far as my real life, I have no personal life. Girls have come and gone. I have been so focused on my career. However, according to 3 people who claim they can see the future: a lady I met at a fundraiser for Iolani Palace on the palace’s grounds (August 2007); a lady living in Vietnam (March 2008); and an older man living in Los Angeles, California (October 2008), my true love will happen in 2009. To add another twist, an old lady I met in New Orleans, Louisiana on 7/25/2008 when I was there for the NCSL conference said I’ll be with a girl I know but she didn’t say when. Hmm?
I attended Ryan and Jodie’s wedding on Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. at Waialae Country Club. I went early to help set up their Kahala Hilton reception suite and led the invocation at their wedding reception.
My invocation:
I am honored to do the invocation for this wonderful evening. Could you kindly join me in prayer.
To our lord, our teachers of compassion, Ryan and Jodie’s loved ones who passed away, and all of Ryan and Jodie’s ancestors, thank you for the love and friendship between Ryan and Jodie. Thank you for this wonderful couple’s family and friends who care so much for them. Also, thank you for watching over Ryan and Jodie throughout their lives and sending them so much positive energy. We truly appreciate the happiness we all share with each other.
Finally, thank you for the food we are about to partake in tonight. Itadakimasu. Please enjoy your meals. Mahalo.
I cancelled my attendance to a subcontractors event on Friday, October 23, 2009. I needed a litle break from the campaign for my family. I am took my mom and aunty Jamie to see a Japanese movie, “Cobalt Blue”, a love story. Speaking of love story, I have to continue working on my ultimate love story, which I have postponed my internal deadline to 2011 because of my Lt. Governor race.
I attended the Waipahu Neighborhood Board meeting at the Filipino Community Center on Thursday, October 22, 2009 from 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. I talked to a couple of board members until midnight in the parking lot.
In a competitive field such as politics, there are many battles, some you will win and some you will lose, but the goal is to win the war. To win, one has to work extremely hard, present good ideas, and raise money. But among all this is the psychological warfare of name dropping, flashing one’s financial warchest, and releasing information favoring one’s team.
Winning political battles are great, but when you lose a battle, take it, brush it off, and keep working relentlessly. The song “All the Right Moves” by One Republic seems to describe the political game.
“All the Right Moves” – One Republic
All the right friends in all the wrong places
So yeah, we’re going down
They’ve got all the right moves and all the right faces
So yeah, we’re going down
Just paint the picture of a perfect place
They’ve got it better than what anyone’s told you
They’ll be the King of Hearts, and you’re the Queen of Spades
And we’ll fight for you like we were your soldiers
I know we’ve got it good
But they’ve got it made
And the grass is getting greener each day
I know things are looking up
But soon they’ll take us down
before anybody’s knowing our name.
They’ve got all the right friends in all the right places
So yeah, we’re going down
We’ve got all the right moves and all the wrong faces
So yeah, we’re going down
They said, everybody knows, everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah, we’re going down
They said, everybody knows, everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah, we’re going down
Do you think I’m special?
Do you think I’m nice?
Am I bright enough to shine in your spaces?
Between the noise you hear
And the sound you like
Are we just sinking in an ocean of faces?
It can be possible that rain can fall,
Only when it’s over our heads
The sun is shining everyday, but it’s far away
All the world is dead.
They’ve got,
They’ve got all the right friends in all the right places
So yeah, we’re going down
We’ve got all the right moves and all the wrong faces
So yeah, we’re going down
They said, everybody knows, everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah, we’re going down
They said, everybody knows, everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah, we’re going down
It don’t matter what you see.
I know I could never be
Someone that looks like you.
It don’t matter what you say
I know I could never face
someone that could sound like you.
All the right friends in all the wrong places
So yeah, we’re going down
We’ve got all the right moves and all the wrong faces
So yeah, we’re going down
All the right friends in all the wrong places
So yeah, we’re going down
We’ve got all the right moves and all the wrong faces
So yeah, we’re going down
They said, everybody knows everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah we’re going down
They said, everybody knows everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah we’re going down
Yeah we’re going down
Yeah we’re going down
All the right moves, hey
Yeah, we’re going down
All the right moves, hey
Yeah, we’re going down
I attended an Evening with FACE (Faith Action for Community Equity) at Empress Restaurant in the Chinese Cultural Center on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 4:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
I attended the 11th Annual “It’s Not Your Fault” Benefit Luncheon for the Sex Abuse Treatment Center at Oahu Country Club from 12:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 20, 2009.
Today, October 19, 2009, I had a lunch meeting with friends in the realty industry, meeting with a person entering the government relations business, and meeting with leaders in the Hawaii State Department of Public Safety.
My campaign team and I will volunteered at Jodo Mission of Hawaii’s Bazaar at Jodo Mission of Hawaii on Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
I attended the Ola Pono Ike Medical Gala 2009, Presented by Hawaii Medical Association and Honolulu Medical Society at Hyatt Regency Waikiki on Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. I will be receiving a Legislator of the Year award.
I attended the special showing of the film “An Untold Triumph”, the Story of the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments, U.S. Army at Mission Memorial Auditorium at Honolulu Hale from 5:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. This event is a part of the Filipino American History Month.
I chaired the joint House Committees Judiciary, Public Safety, and Human Services informational hearing on the The Hawaii Meth Project at the Hawaii State Capitol Room 325 on Wednesday, September 13, 2009 from 2:00 P.M.
On Sunday, October 11, 2009, I attended Izuma Taisha Mission’s Autumn Festival at Izuma Taisha Mission’s temple from 2:00 P.M. to 6:15 P.M. (From June 1, 2009 to October 11, 2009, I met approximately 20,000 people)
I attended the panel discussion with Governor Ben Cayetano at the Hawaii State Library on Saturday, October 10, 2009 from 1:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. – a program of the Filipino-American History Month.
As a moderate Democrat, the following is my experience campaigning events throughout the state. It would probably be different for other candidates.
In my experience campaigning statewide, greeting over 19,000 people, the political awareness is extremely extremely high with the seniors. At the senior fair, I got the most positive feedback by far than any other event. Many seniors knew who I was, which made talking to them so much easier. I love being with seniors. For me, a senior event is the best. I enjoy mingling with grandmas and grandpas, partly because I miss my grandparents so much.
The second best feedback is at the various cultural events. Culture means so much to people, especially when traditions are at risk of being continued by younger generations. Also, it is nice to see various demographics practicing each other’s culture.
The third best type of events are family oriented events. People who attend these events really enjoy spending time with their grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren. Many care so much for their family that they naturally care about their community and understand the role government can impact them. Even some of the teenagers have shown interest.
The fourth type of events that are good to attend are business or union events because the members have a vested interest in government since they understand how it directly affects their industry.
The fifth best type of events are issue related, especially if you are on the right side of the issue.
The sixth type of events I mingle at are social or business mixers made up of young professionals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. These individuals want to network, especially the ambitious young professionals.
After the Filipino American veterans’ event on Friday, October 9, 2009, I attended the Alternative Taste Street Festival at the urging of one of my colleagues in the Senate. I cancelled my exercise time and went to the event. It can’t hurt to meet more people I thought. At the event, a few people I knew came up to me. I approached a number of people I didn’t know as I usually do throughout the state. A few individuals knew who I was, several had no idea who I was, and after rejections from three individuals I called it quits. The pattern has been similar for me at events with extreme liberals, a few people keep track of politics, some sort of keep track, but a good number of them don’t care. Ironically, as House Judiciary Chair, I passed legislation that has never been done before, which benefits this community. Politically, I am beginning to wonder the true political strength of the so called liberal community in Hawaii.
My grandma Bessie Karamatsu’s baby brother Roy Okubo has been in my thoughts. Recently, at the reception for the new Consul General of Japan at the consulate I talked to Katsugo Miho, a former family court judge and a veteran of the 522nd Artillery Battery B, 442nd Regimental Combat Team with my great Uncle Roy Okubo. I mentioned my relation to my uncle. He responded, “Oh, he was one of my closest friends. We spent months in the trenches, you become really close.” Tears poured out of his eyes.
I attended Filipino History Month: Hawaii’s Filipino and Filipino-American Soldiers “A Legacy of Valor and Loyalty”, opening reception at Honolulu Hale Courtyard on Friday, October 9, 2009 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. I was touched especially when my friend Domingo Los Banos (former Department of Education district superintendent & whose wife owns Children’s House School, which I attended preschool) made a prayer for all the Hawaii boys from the plantations who sacrificed for their country, many who passed away and are probably here tonight. He mentioned how war is ugly and how we should avoid it. My eyes got watery. I am honored to have met some of these men or “boys” as they call themselves. Like the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion, I sense so much energy in these brave veterans as they have seen so much. Domingo told me some history as he glanced at the pictures, some with him in it. I could feel his stories just by looking at his eyes. His eyes told me everything.
I attended the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce’s Chopsticks & Wine at Sheraton Waikiki Hotel tonight Wednesday, October 6, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
Finishing my work at the capitol. For a break, I danced by myself to some songs on my Ipod. It reminds me of when I got caught dancing by myself in the 2008 Legislative Session in my old office, Capitol Room 427 when another office staffer of middle age walked in my office wanting a signature for a House certificate and I was in the middle of my dance. That was really funny! Any way to relieve stress right! 😛
I met with the Vice President of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of North America at my capitol office on Monday, October 5, 2009 from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. I also got to meet her nice mother and daughter and show them around the State Capitol including the House chambers and the Governor’s office.
I attended the Japanese Cultural Center’s 2009 Celebration of Leadership and Achievement Dinner at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 5 P.M. to 9:15 P.M.
I attended the Filipino American History Month Opening Reception at the Hawaii State Library courtyard on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 1:45 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
I attended the Plumbers Local 675 Membership Benefits Conference at Dole Cannery’s Iwilei Ballroom on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:15 P.M.
I will attend 4 events tomorrow from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. I hope to meet another 1,000 people tomorrow. I personally met about 19,000 people so far since June 2009 based on campaign materials I handed out.
On Friday, October 2, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., I will be attending the 60th National Day of China & Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet at Empress Restaurant in the China Town Cultural Plaza Shopping Center.
I met with an old time developer for lunch at Hukilau Restaurant on September 28, 2009 from 12:00 P.M. That day I also met with Chief Justice Moon at the Hawaii Supreme Court from 2:30 P.M.
I attended the Hawaii International Film Festival Film launch & sneak peak screening at Dole Cannery Theatres on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 from 6:30 P.M.
On September 30, 2009, I co-chaired the Joint House Human Services and Judiciary Committee informational hearing on the Office of Youth Services from 11:00 A.M. at the Hawaii State Capitol.
Since June 2009, Jon personally met approximately 18,000 people while campaigning based on the amount of campaign materials he passed out. (Campaign Statistics and Budget Coordinator)
All quotes and statements in printed mainstream newspapers such as the Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Star Bulletin must have a legitimate source. Quotes and statements from individuals show their legal names and their organizations. However, comments on the online websites of these newspapers have a majority of comments from individuals that cowardly hide behind fake names and they type negative and crass statements, and use codes that represent dirty words. I strongly believe such comments have reduced the professionalism that should be associated with journalism. Like letters to the editor in printed mainstream newspapers, individuals that comment on these newspapers’ online version must post their legal names because a vast majority of these comments are full of filth by individuals who have unsatisfied lives and have nothing to offer our society but place their ill-will onto others. All of these negative individuals should be restricted to low-rated communication mediums and blogs and not the mainstream media’s websites. If they are going to talk, they should show the world who they are rather than be cowards. We encourage our children to read these mainstream news sources, but we shouldn’t have these individuals’ filthy writings be available for our children to read.
I’ve been quiet on this issue for too long. I have an idea to get rid of all these negative individuals who comment in the mainstream online news media unless they post their real names. Every year I strategize and create at least one fun project. This is my latest one. With my relentless determination, I have pulled a lot of rabbits out of hats in my career. Watch when I pull these guys out of this hat. Stay tuned.
From a young age, my mom would tell me that I am so one-track mind when my mind is set on something. Sometimes I would be focused on unnecessary issues or mistakes, and I would get affected negatively. On the other hand, when I focused on positive goals, I would often achieve them or go very far towards my goals. Over time, I learned to improve from my mistakes and accept my imperfection. When I was young this was very difficult for me, but I have greatly improved since then.
Thus, I have learned to better myself from my mistakes and accept my imperfection, and place intense focus on my positive goals. Since I was a little kid, I would dream away with goals I want to achieve and work at it constantly. Today, the same goes for my goals for Hawaii and the United States and my efforts in my campaign for political offices. I am so obsessed with my goals that I can’t stop thinking about them and working towards them. I am relentless, especially when the odds are against me. I like to take on overwhelming odds. It is stressful but exciting like a natural high.
Life is full of challenges. Sometimes, we can feel burnt out or even depressed. Don’t let the negativity take you down. My mom always told me since I was a kid, “Look at a half a glass of water as half full rather than half empty.” Below are statements I say or what other people say that inspire me and keep me going strong. I hope some of these quotes will help you when you are going through some challenging times.
“Let’s take it to the next level!” – Jon Riki Karamatsu
“Life life to the fullest!” – Jon Riki Karamatsu
“We can overcome negativity with positivity.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu
“When a majority of us are at peace, a majority of the world will be at peace.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu
“I don’t believe in no-win scenarios.” – James T. Kirk
“Let’s make the impossible possible.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu
“The longer we live, the more we can do.” – Brandon R. Mitsuda
“We get knocked down, but we get back up again” – Jon Riki Karamatsu
“We can come back a thousandfold stronger and nothing will stop us.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu
“Boys til we die!” – Jon Riki Karamatsu (I say this to my loyal boys)
“Not even death will stop us.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu (When we leave a positive impact while we are alive, we live on after death)
“We must keep death in mind at all times.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu (When you keep death in mind at all times, you appreciate life and make the most of it)
“We’re 24-7!” – Brandon R. Mitsuda
“I wish we didn’t have to sleep. Imagine how much more we could do?” – Brandon R. Mitsuda
“When our enemies are sleeping, we are still working.” – Brandon R. Mitsuda
“Taaarrific!” – Late Grandpa Tadao Sakai
“Study hard and Hollywood will beckon you.” – Late Grandpa Maurice Karamatsu (The last words grandpa Karamatsu told me.)
“Where there is a will, there is a way.” – Laraine E. Karamatsu (My mom always told me this since I was a kid)
“Do it once and do it well.” – Richard E. Karamatsu (My dad would always yell at me when I was young. I still mess up the first time. I learn from my mistakes and improve myself.)
“Jon, don’t forget your dreams.” – Late Representative Bob Nakasone (The last words Rep. Bob Nakasone told me)
“Always forgive.” – Speaker of the House Calvin K.Y. Say
I don’t believe in no-win scenarios. Sure, we can fail. However, there is always a way to succeed. We can make the impossible possible. Whether you succeed or fail does not matter. What matters is how hard you tried.
Hawaii is going through its worst economic downturn. I am determined to make Hawaii more sustainable by reducing our reliance on imports such as oil and out-of-state food by supporting renewable energy development and local farmers. I will do all I can to strengthen our tourism, technology, science, health, and film industries. I will continue to support project-based learning in our public grade schools and ensure we have a stable public community college and university system. Finally, I am committed to reduce violence in Hawaii.
In summary, these are my short-term goals for Hawaii: 1. Make Hawaii a top 100 economic power per capita in the world; 2. Ensure 30% of our food is grown in Hawaii; 3. Have 10% of our energy produced in Hawaii; and 4. Reduce Hawaii’s violent crimes by 40%.
My long-term and far-fetched goals for Hawaii: 1. Make Hawaii a top 25 economic power per capita in the world; 2. Ensure 45% of our food is grown in Hawaii; 3. Have 20% of our energy produced in Hawaii; and 4. Reduce Hawaii’s violent crimes by 75%.
Success of the above goals will give Hawaii the flexibility to provide more services in areas of transportation, health coverage, and long-term care. My goal is to have a diversified transportation system, ensure 97% of Hawaii’s people are covered with health insurance, and create a program to help expand long-term care insurance coverage to 90% of Hawaii’s population.
My long-term & far-fetched goals for the world: Reduce the violence in the world by 75%, unite 90% of the world’s countries, expand space exploration beyond our galaxy. Dreams are what makes me look forward to tomorrow.
I don’t believe in no-win scenarios even for our personal lives. Negativity may knock us down, but we will get back up and come back a thousandfold stronger and nothing will stop us. I wish everyone happiness and compassion.
As I campaigned throughout the state, it has been interesting to meet so many people. The seniors really touch me because of the sacrifice they have done for us. Many seniors tell me they see me on T.V. Even though I am in the media often, they really appreciate my old school style of campaigning and we are often linked through my passion for culture, which means so much to them. A number of them told me that I am like the old school times. One lady told me, “Good you do this [meet the people]. This is how it [politics] used to be in the old days.” A middle-aged lady told me I am like a blast from the past and that I am like the old school guys. I signed my autograph on a number of my fans for seniors at the Portuguese Festival. With the Filipino community, I am touched when the nanas and tatas hug me. I am honored to represent many of them in the House of Representatives. I also really enjoy talking to all the Hawaiian seniors. I met a number of them at a hula performance. Some of the elder Japanese ladies like to speak to me in Japanese even though it is pretty clear that I am a Yonsei (fourth generation Japanese) or Gosei (fifth generation Japanese). They bow and I bow back. With my background in Jodo Shu Buddhism and Shintoism, many senior AJAs bring up our connection and seem so happy I continue many traditions that are fading with the younger generations. A number of seniors told me I handled my mistake (DUI) well and to keep going. I have met so many of my grandparents’ friends, especially grandpa Maurice Karamatsu with his big network from his days as former Vice President of Duty Free Shoppers, executive for Hawaiian Airlines, and President of the Hawaii Buddhist Council. Some of the elder ladies are so blunt when they talk to me, it is funny, and it reminds me of my grandma Ellen Sakai.
Recently a number of seniors at the Senior Fair told me, “Thank you for running.” I told them, “No, thank you for all you have done for my generation so we can can go to public school and do well.” I will never forget the look on their faces. The were touched and some of their eyes welted up a little. My eyes got teary but I held them in. The most touching was at the Okinawan Festival when en elder AJA lady started to cry when I knelt before her and gave her my pen.
History and culture is so important. Okage sama de. Domo arigatou gozaimashita. I am who I am because of the seniors before me and all those before them. Thank you so much.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 