Category Archives: Uncategorized

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I attended the Hawaii’s Plantation Village’s Awards Dinner at Hale Ikena in Fort Shafter on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. after I spent the day at Hawaii’s Seniors’ Fair at Neal S. Blaisdell Center.  I presented House certificates to the awardees and made a short speech: “There is one phrase that summarizes everything.  It is a a Japanese phrase, okage sama de.  We are who we are because of the leaders before us and the leaders before them.  Okage sama de, domo arigatou gozaimashita.”

I spent three days at the Hawaii Seniors’ Fair, The Good Life Expo at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center on Friday, September 25, Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, 2009 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. with a couple of breaks in between.  It was good to see so many people.

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I attended the Islam Day Festival put on by the Muslim Association of Hawaii at McCoy Pavilion in Ala Moana Beach Park from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sept. 24, 2009.

I chaired the Peace Day Hawaii 2009 Ceremony on September 21, 2009 from 4:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. at the Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda. The 3rd Annual Peace Day Hawaii ceremony included a keynote speech by Nobel Peace Laureate Betty Williams, entertainment, Peace Day Hawaii Award to Scot Matayoshi, and a silent candlelight vigil.

On Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 11:30 A.M. – 3:00 P.M., I attended Sustainability for Schools, a forum of Peace Day Hawaii, which discussed peace through peace gardens & sustainability. I introduced Nobel Peace winner Betty Williams to the stage. I also interviewed her for Olelo television.

I attended Soka Gakkai International – USA (SGI-USA) Culture of Peace Distinguished Lecture Series with honorary guest speaker, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Betty Williams at their center in Nu’uanu on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

I attended the Portuguese Festival put on by the Hawaii Council on Portuguese at McCoy Pavilion on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 11:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.

I attended the Hawaii Chinese Association Moon Festival Banquet at the Pacific Beach Hotel on Friday, September 18, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.  Lots of good ballroom dancing.

I attended the AARP forum on healthcare reform at the state capitol from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM on Friday, September 18, 2009.

On Wednesday, September 16, 2009 from 4:30 P.M., our Peace Day Hawaii Committee decorated the Hawaii Peace Tree at the State Capitol located on West side of the grounds, West of the Korean War memorial near the street.  The tree is a Kukui Nut tree donated by the University of Hawaii at Manoa CTHAR in 2007.

On Thursday, September 3, 2009, I stopped by Rep. Angus McKelvey’s fundraiser at Ruth’s Chris Restaurant at about 7:00 P.M.  He and I are co-founders of the “Tiny Business Caucus” (5 employees or less), which I suggested and he agreed as we talked in Rep. Bob Nakasone’s office I believe during the 2007 Legislative Session.

I attended the Waikele Elementary School Community Council meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2009.

I attended the Pacific Buddhist Academy’s Dedication Ceremonies for Future Facilities and its new wooden peace pole on Sunday, September 6, 2009 from 3:30 P.M.

  “If Everyone Cared” by Nickelback 

Peace begins with us

By Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

On Monday, September 21, 2009, Hawaii will celebrate its 3^rd annual Peace Day. In 2007 Hawaii became the first state in the nation to commemorate its own Peace Day annually, a day also marked around the world as the United Nations International Day of Peace.

It is a day of global ceasefire and nonviolence that each member state of the United Nations agreed upon. It is also a day in which each one of us can do something for peace, no matter how big or small.

Last year 1.4 million children living in volatile areas of Afghanistan were given polio vaccinations. The significance of this event was that the Taliban did not interfere and pledged to not harm any vaccination teams.

Peace Day is a universal effort. However, it must begin within us, our homes, our schools, and our communities. This is why I introduced legislation officially recognizing Peace Day in Hawaii on behalf of the members of the Hawaii Federation of Junior Young Buddhist Associations.

An ad hoc Peace Day Hawaii Committee, which I have served as chair since its establishment, was formed in 2007 to plan annual events. It includes leaders from state government, not-for-profit organizations and peace-education community. Each year the committee plans an educational forum and celebratory ceremony to be held on or around Peace Day.

The committee has hosted forums on international relations and bullying in schools, and has held Peace Day ceremonies, which include guest speakers, entertainment, the presentation of the Peace Day Hawaii Award, and a unified candlelight ceremony.

Past award recipients were the late U.S. Senator Spark M. Matsunaga, an advocate for world peace throughout his political career and Dr. Glenn D. Paige, a university professor who taught nonviolence education and founded the Center for Nonviolence. 

This year, we are honoring Scot Matayoshi, a former teacher at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, who created the Peacemakers Club to help students make good decisions and advocate for nonviolence in their school.  As you can see from these extraordinary peace leaders, peace can be achieved at all levels: around the world, in our communities, and within ourselves.

One Peace Day Hawaii objective is to educate residents – especially our children – about the existence of Peace Day and encourage them to think about what they can do to make Hawaii a better place to live in, to make the phrase “lucky we live Hawaii” true every day.

This year, despite the dismal economy, the Legislature protected monies for legal services for survivors of violence, and updated harassment and temporary restraining order laws. However, we must get to the root of where the cycle of violence can be broken: our keiki.  One way to do this is to implement a nonviolence education program for our public schools that includes education on conflict resolution, discrimination, harassment, bullying, sexual assault, and domestic violence.  We need to put more emphasis on education and awareness and be proactive rather than reactive.

Hawaii can play a major role in international peace. We have a unique society with a variety of cultures and traditions that we share with each other. One of my long-term political goals is to create an “Aloha Mission” to the Middle East region to support our Hawaii troops, meet with political leaders, exchange culture, and provide medicine and toys for children.

Many people shy away from peace initiatives because they think that one person cannot make a difference. That is wrong. We can all make a commitment to strive to embody the Aloha spirit through acts of compassion, acceptance and understanding. Peace must first start within us. Compassionate actions from one person can make a huge impact, and all our actions combined will help the world reach our goal of celebrating peace 365 days a year.

I urge all of you to do something that symbolizes what peace means to you on Peace Day. It can be anything that helps or educates yourself, your neighbors or the world. You could make a donation to a charity, take a moment for self-reflection and personal development, ruminate on best non-violent responses during conflicts, talk about Peace Day with your children, create a recycling bin for your home, plant a vegetable garden, or attend one of the many Peace Day events around the state.

The State Capitol will host two public events. There will be a forum on “Sustainability in the Schools” from 12 – 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2009 and a Peace Day Hawaii Celebration Ceremony from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. On September 21, 2009. Betty Williams, a Nobel Peace Laureate will speak at both events.

Peace Day Hawaii 2009 Ceremony

September 21, 2009

4:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M.

Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda

The 3rd Annual Peace Day Hawaii ceremony will include a keynote speech by Nobel Peace Laureate Betty Williams, entertainment, Peace Day Hawaii Award, and a silent candlelight vigil.  Please bring lawn chairs as seating is limited.

I attended for the second time, the Honolulu Pau Hana Club business networking event on Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. at Dave & Busters.

“Shimauta” – The Boom

With all the Okinawan events I have attended recently on Oahu and Maui, I decided to share one of my favorite songs I like to sing with my friends.  I learned this song from my good friend Spencer while we were in college and we would hang out at GS Studio.  Spencer and I learned some Japanese from college and working at Duty Fee Shoppers.  I am not that good in the language but try to make do.  This song is in the traditional Okinawan language.  I sing the Japanese version.  Someday I want to sing “Shimauta” in front of a large crowd like a rock star!  I love the Okinawan culture, food, and especially their music.  The music is so spiritual with deep meaning.  I guess I’m an Okinawan at heart.

I completed my political platform for Hawaii and the United States when I was 21 years old.  At the time, I accepted two negative aspects in the life of politicians: 1. You must be strong and be able to handle criticism, anger, and jealousy; and 2. You must be willing to die for the sake of what positive goals you want to achieve for humanity and the world.

On Sunday, September 13, 2009 at about 10:55 A.M., I was at Long Drugs at Pearl City to buy a couple of things before going to my parent’s house to feed “Stretch” (family dog – Doberman/Australian Shepard) and then to my good friends Brandon and Ellen’s wedding shower at Treetop Restaurant.  While waiting at the cashier line, a man in his twenties or thirties with dark complexion started swearing at me and threatening to harm me.  He felt that I shouldn’t be in office.  He kept calling me me out.  There were moms and dads, and grandmas and grandpas in line with me, but he kept swearing at me regardless.  He paced by me and stood right by the entrance where I would have to leave.  One lady tried to get security.  As soon as I got my change, I walked straight up to this guy and reached my hand out for a handshake.  He didn’t grab it.  He continued his anger towards me.  I listened and responded.  After my response, he wanted me to “just go.”  He didn’t follow through on his threats against me.  Despite being upset with his behavior, I took the higher road, patted his shoulder, and left. 

I have had people threaten my life in the past, but this was the first time it happened in front of a crowd.  In the past, a middle aged man threatened to shoot me with his shotgun.  As a politician, we attract many good people who want to better the world.  However, we also attract some people who take out their anger and frustration on us.  There are also others who are jealous or just hate us for the sake of hating.  This part of politics is the most draining next to my political opponents who do whatever it takes to try and take me, my group, and allies down.

I have a hard time understanding on how people can hate me so much or even wish me dead even though they don’t know me?  The last Hawaii politician to be assasinated was Senator Larry Kuriyama.  On October 23, 1970, Senator Kuriyama attended a political rally of hundreds of people including Governor John A. Burns and then drove home.  As soon as he entered his garage at about 11 P.M., he was shot five times by someone with a gun that had a silencer. 

My profile has escalated since I became the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, making decisions on highly publicized and often controversial issues.  I am on television and in the newspapers often, thus, people now recognize me a lot more.  Like other politicians in Hawaii, I am easily accessible and have no security.  Specifically, there are a couple of things that place me in the middle of negativity such as my support of legislation against crime and my decision to expand equal rights for the same-sex community, in addition to any other political or life decision I make that infuriates individuals.  All it takes is for a person wanting to get back at me for my anti-crime work, a radical religious person who believes I am leading people to hell, or a person who hates me for my political or life actions, to cross the line of threats to actually follow through to see me dead.

I attended Boy Scout Troop 75’s Court of Honor at Manana Elementary School on Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. to 7:45 P.M.  The court of honor is when the scouts receive promotions or merit badges.  I presented a House certificate to Troop 75 commemorating its 50 the anniversary since I missed their anniversary event in August.  I am a 1992 Eagle Scout from Troop 75, which I served from 1985 to 1992.  I learned leadership and community service as a scout and still apply what I learned up to this day.

I attended the Okinawan Festival on Sunday, September 6, 2009 from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Kapiolani Park.

To be continued…

I attended the Okinawan Festival at Kapiolani Park on Saturday, September 5, 2009  from 3:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.  I stayed until the Okinawan Bon Dance.

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu Fundraiser for Lt. Governor at Royal Hawaiian Hotel on August 26, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu

Richard Karamatsu (Jon's father), Laraine Karamatsu (Jon's mother), Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, and Lara Karamatsu (Jon's younger sister)

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu's guests.

Pacific Buddhist Academy Taiko Performed a peace warrior number.

Arshiel sang "I Remember You" by Don Ho and "Power of a Dream" by Celine Dion.

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu's speech on his Lt. Governor platform for the State of Hawaii, some of which was drafted in 1996 and the rest written from 2002 to 2009.

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu's speech on his Lt. Governor platform for the State of Hawaii.

I attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa Gear Up at Waipahu Kick Off with Waipahu Intermediate School students at Waipahu Intermediate School cafeteria on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 from  6:00 P.M.

I attended the Slopes of Diamond Head Hui Networking Event at Pearl Ultra Lounge on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 from 6:30 P.M.

Ryan Sanada, Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, and Owen Iida.

I attended the 29th Annual Greek Festival on Sunday, August 30, 2009 from 12:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at McCoy Pavilion in Ala Moana Beach Park.

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu and Campaign Chair Brandon R. Mitsuda after a long day of campaigning.

I attended the 20th Annual Lupus Hawaii Benefit, Honolulu Wine Festival 2009 on Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 6:30 P.M.  My friend and former researcher for the House Judiciary Committee, Tracy Okubo is a survivor of lupus, thus, I am personally honored to support this good cause.  Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say and I presented a House certificate to recognize Chuck Furuya’s work towards this cause.  Chuck is a Master Sommelier and I got to know him over the years through many events.  We also presented a House certificate to Lupus Hawaii, accepted by its president Cheryl Ann Jong.  Speaker Say and I talked and joked around on stage like we’ve done may times before.  Great event, great cause!

Chuck Furuya, Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, and Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say. Speaker Say and Rep. Karamatsu presented a House certificate to Chuck Furuya.

Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say, Chuck Furuya, Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, and Cheryl Ann Jong.

On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, I went to Kauai for several meetings in the afternoon with an ILWU leader, realtor, construction heads, and attended the Kauai Chamber of Commerce’s 35th Annual Kauai County Business Outlook Forum at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Grand Ballroom from 6:00 P.M.

Thank you for your support at our August 26, 2009 fundraiser at Royal Hawaiian Hotel and also to those of you who could not make it but sent your positive energy to us!  Mahalo to Luella Costales for coordinating the event and all our volunteers.  Pictures and video of this event will be available in the near future.  Again, thank you so much!

I attended the Maui Fukushima Kenjinkai Picnic on Sunday, August 23, 2009 from 9:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. at Paia Mantokuji Mission Fellowship Hall.  I saw Maui Councilman Mike Victorino there.

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu & Maui Councilman Mike Victorino. My dad's friend from their Jaycee days. He took us legislators and staff during a break from a conference to see his son in the family room after a Phillies game in Philadelphia in July 2008.

I attended the Paia Rinzai Zen Bon Dance (Okinawan Bon Dance) in Maui on Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 7:00 P.M.  The food was delicious.  I got to meet a lot of new friends and some of Rep. Bob Nakasone’s friends.  Rep. Kyle Yamashita and his family attended the event.  I saw Rep. Gil Agaran there.

On Thursday, August 20, 2009 from 6:30 P.M. I attended the JustIce – A Mixer by Hawaii Legal Aid Society held at Bar 35.

Russ Awakuni & Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu. Russ and Jon were in the Young Democrats in the mid-1990s.

I greeted members of Ginowan (Okinawa) Kenjinkai at their picnic at Ala Moana Beach Park on Sunday, August 16, 2009.  I saw friends, friends of my father, and Rep. Ryan Yamane and his family, and Arnold Wong and his family.

Friends from left to right: Stan Higa, Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, Christine Higa, and Stan's brother.

With my friend Shannon Higa and her friend.

I greeted members of Urasoe (Okinawa) Kenjinkai at their picnic at Ala Moana Beach park on Sunday, August 16, 2009.  I saw Rep. Maile Shimabukuro and her family there as well.

I attended the Hiroshima (Japan) Kenjinkai Picnic on Sunday, August 16, 2009 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. at Ala Moana Beach Park.  I have ancestors from Hiroshima, Japan through my grandma Bessie Karamatsu’s family or the Okubo family.

I attended Jodo Mission of Hawaii’s Bon Dance on August 15, 2009 from 6:15 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.  I greeted as many people as I could and helped clean up.  Fourteen friends and family in my campaign team cooked barbecue sticks or helped the bon dance in other areas.  Ian Kitajima, Brandon Mistuda, Scott Murakami, and I are on the board of directors for Jodo Mission of Hawaii.  I saw Senator Carol Fukunaga volunteering at a food booth again.

With my friend Michelle Matsuo

My sister Lara, myself, and Jon Nishihara dancing.

Ellen Tengan and Tricia Murakami (formerly Masaki) dancing.

The team dancing.

My father Richard, mother Laraine, myself, and sister Lara

Jon Nishihara, Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, Brandon Mitsuda, and Ellen Tengan.

I attended Tom Gill’s Memorial Service on Saturday, August 15 from 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.  He was a veteran, attroney, community activist, U.S. Congressman, and Lt. Governor.  He had two attempts at governor in 1970 and 1974 but lost.  Although Gill was a maverick that wasn’t taken well by a number of leaders in the past, he fought for what he felt was right.  It is his vision and policy that garners my respect for him.

I made a statement on the Gill family video memory collection.  I explained how Tom Gill fought for equality and how we are still working on equality in issues regarding single mothers, pregnancy, and the same-sex community.

I attended the Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bon Dance on Friday, August 14 from 6:00 P.M.  I did a little bit of MC work for the bon dance and then I greeted as much people as I could.  My campaign team helped to cook barbecue beef, which we have done for the past several years.  I saw Senator Carol Fukunaga (volunteering at a food booth), Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, and Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz.

I was happy to see my friend Goro, one of a number of 100th Infantry Battalion members I hang out with once in awhile at Club 100, their headquarters. I look up to them.

My late grandma Bessie Karamatsu's friend at Jodo Shu.

I attended Unite Here Local 5 Open House & Blessing on Friday, August 14, 2009 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.  The retired members performed line dancing.  I met an officer of the union that is my dad’s friend and talked to a constituent of mine that is also an officer of the union.  I greeted as much of the the union members as I could.

I attended Senator “Najo” Yoshinaga’s 90th birthday at Manoa Innovation Center on Monday, August 10, 2009.  I am so lucky to have him as my mentor and friend.  I still remember he and his wife being the first guests to arrive at my first fundraiser for my race for the 41st District Hawaii House of Representatives seat at Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room in the late Spring of 2002.  He has been my advisor in my 4 terms in the House, seeing my ups and downs, but always consistent in his support and advice.  Senator Yoshinaga is a living legend being a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, member of the Hawaii Legislature for 20 years from 1954 to 1974 (member of the 1954 Democratic Revolution), and attorney.  His life is filled with sacrifice, vision, and tenacity that keeps me inspired to do my best.  Like him, I have had many successes, but I also had my failures.  I will fly with my successes, but when I get knocked down, I will continue to work hard with tenacity.

Senator "Najo" Yoshinaga and Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

I attended the Kula Shokufuji Mission Bon Dance.  One of the best bon dances I have ever attended.  The location is beautiful up in the mountains surrounded by darkness with the stars sparkling above.  The weather was cool though I was breaking a sweat because I was doing my best to meet as many people as possible.  Rep. Kyle Yamashita attended the event as well. I met friends of my late grandpa Maurice Karamatsu and Bessie Karamatsu.  My old friend Stacey Hayashi was there too.

I attended the Pearl City Hongwanji Bon Dance on Friday, August 7, 2009.  It was nice to campaign my hometown.  I saw classmates and their parents, and friends of my family.

A Special Evening With Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. at Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Candidate for Lt. Governor

Click here for invitation: JRK Invite[1]

Click here to print out the reply form and indicate the number of tables or individual seats you want to purchase, and mail the form with a check payable to Friends of Jon Riki Karamatsu: JRK _6-1-2 Fundraiser Reply Form

For all of you who wanted to see the pictures from the Super Mixer by AT Marketing & JP Productions held at the Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, it is finally uploaded for your enjoyment.  Thank you for your patience.  The pictures are here: https://jonriki.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/super-mixer-by-at-marketing-jp-productions/

I attended the Higashi Hongwanji Betsuin Bon Dance in Liliha, Honolulu on Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 7:00 P.M. to 10:15 P.M.  I saw Rep. Corinne Ching there.

I attended the Honolulu Family Festival at Magic Island on Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 5:15 P.M. to 6:40 P.M. 

To do: Work on report & potential legislation from information & networking from the NCSL conference in Philadelphia on the following: Harassment by “sexting” or texting pictures of sexual nature, Health Information Technology (Follow up on my 2009 bill – I want $200 mill. of fed. dollars), & I will try to get $100K in farm-to-plate federal funding to promote Hawaii’s farm-grown food. 1st states ready, 1st to get $$.