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Chaired my board meeting for Jodo Shu Hawaii today, 11/9/2014. Thank you everyone for supporting and/or attending our bazaar that was held on 10/19/14, which was a success despite of the hurricane warnings during that time.

There are 2 ways to live and succeed, the negative way or the positive way. I sincerely appreciate all of you for your positive way of living and for spreading love and compassion to every person you interact with. You’re truly playing a role in world peace because you’re helping so many people attain peace within, and in time when a majority of the human race are at peace within, a majority of the world will be at peace. I dedicate this song, “I Lived” by One Republic to all of you!

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Jason Tomoyasu (2/16/1952 – 10/2/2014) who was one of my Boy Scout Masters at Troop 75/Team 75 in Pearl City, Hawaii where I attained my Eagle Scout rank in December of 1992 while I was attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  His leadership style was very positive and I remember him as always smiling.  As an EMT, he saved many lives and as a soccer coach and Scoutmaster he left a lasting imprint on many of us.  My thoughts are with his wife Mrs. Tomoyasu who I had the pleasure of working with when I was a politician and she represented the teachers in Hawaii, son Cory Tomoyasu who I served with in Boy Scouts Team 75, daughter Tara Tomoyasu, and entire family.  I was very touched by the service at the Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel on the evening of 11/7/2014.  I especially liked the Japanese poem placed in the pamphlet by his Goddaughter Bobbie who he helped to save her mother’s life some years ago and she became his Goddaughter the next day:

On a journey, ill

my dream goes wandering

over withered fields.

Dear Friends,

I’m taking down the amount of convictions I achieved on my public website because of anonymous complaints to my office that I shouldn’t show them.  From now on, I will only share the amount of plea and trial convictions I attain with my family and friends in my private and secured social media network.  If you are interested in my conviction statistics, please feel free to contact me by email.

I apologize to the anonymous persons who were offended by the amount of convictions I have been achieving as a trial attorney. Nonetheless, I will continue to work hard to make Hawaii safe.  I wish all of you happiness and good health.

Sincerely,

Jon Riki Karamatsu

Dear Friends,

In January of 2014, I was asked by an entertainment events company to help them with one of their events called The Love Festival Hawaii on its 16th annual concert.  They told me that they’ve been able to run the event without any major incident but since I have a legal, government, and law enforcement background, they wanted me to help them to better their event in any way possible by working on their security and safety plan, security detail, and permitting process, among other things.  The organization went above and beyond the requirements of various agencies’ policies by increasing the amount of Honolulu Police Department and private security, providing a good amount of free water to customers to avoid dehydration, increasing the amount of ambulances, implementing bag and ID screening, and deploying plain clothes staff throughout the event to check on the well-being of customers and escort government officials to inspect the event.

As many of you know, former Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Peter Carlisle and his supporters criticized my involvement with the safety, security, and review of permits for music events like The Love Festival Hawaii on television news, the lead story for Hawaii News Now on Thursday, November 4, 2014.  As a result of his press release, I will no longer work on the safety, security, and permits for any major music events besides a couple nights of bon dances in August of each year. After what happened to me, I’m afraid other attorneys with law enforcement backgrounds may no longer be involved with large music events, especially electronic dance music and rock and roll concerts.

I want to thank the promoters, Hawaii Community Development Authority, Honolulu Police Department Special Duty Division, Emergency Medical Services, Honolulu Fire Department, Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services Risk Management Division, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, elected officials, private security, Hawaii Stage and Lighting, Events International, our cleaning crews, our performing artists and dancers, and all of our in-house staff and volunteers for all your work and/or advice to help make this year’s event a success.  To all the fans of electronic dance music and rock and roll, thank you for your support and please help us to promote awareness on the dangers of illegal drugs so that everyone can continue to enjoy the exciting music and the beautiful light show and computer graphic displays.  Finally, on a side note, please don’t forget to vote in 2016 and beyond as they are attacking not just me, but Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith M. Kaneshiro, one of the most honest and straightforward elected officials I know.  Your thousands of votes for my boss and my other elected official friends can and will make a difference.  Take care and I’ll see you in the future.

With Warmest Aloha,

Jon Riki Karamatsu

Picture of the high technology and special effects stage at the 16th Annual Love Festival Hawaii on 9/27/2014.

I strongly support Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui for the Democratic ticket with David Ige as Governor because he is such a good person, and I can work with him no matter if we agree or disagree on an issue. It’s very hard to find genuinely caring people like Shan in positions of power. I believe he will continue to do well for us in public office.

I have also served with David Ige in the Hawaii State Legislature. He’s always composed and professional, and does more listening than talking, which are his strengths. I believe David will be a good Governor. Thank you!

I strongly support Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui for the Democratic ticket with David Ige as Governor because he is such a good person, and I can work with him no matter if we agree or disagree on an issue. It’s very hard to find genuinely caring people like Shan in positions of power. I believe he will continue to do well for us in public office.

I have also served with David Ige in the Hawaii State Legislature.  He’s always composed and professional, and does more listening than talking, which are his strengths.  I believe David will be a good Governor.

Thank you!

I currently have a total of 735 convictions (714 plea convictions and 21 trial convictions).  I got 24 convictions from pleas in Honolulu District Court for criminal misdemeanor cases on 10/6/2014, 10/8/2014, 10/9/2014, 10/10/14, and 10/15/14.  I added another trial conviction on 10/15/14.

I won a harassment trial in Honolulu District Court on October 10, 2014 where a middle-aged lady (Defendant) pushed another lady (State’s witness) a couple of times for no reason and yelled and swore at her at Don Quijote in Honolulu.  Our witness who was with her 5-year-old son and 80-year-old father, pulled out her cell phone to call the police.  The Defendant then hit our witness on the head three times with her two filled shopping bags.  The Defendant was sentenced to three days of jail, six months of probation, anger management, mental health treatment, $75 probation fee, and $30 Crime Injury Compensation Fund fee.  I have one more pending trial that I hope to finish in 2014.

I currently have a total of 710 convictions (690 plea convictions and 20 trial convictions). I got 15 convictions from pleas in Honolulu District Court for criminal misdemeanor cases on Wednesday 10/1/2014, Thursday 10/2/2014, and Friday 10/3/2014.

The 16th Annual Love Festival Hawaii

On stage at the 16th Annual Love Festival Hawaii on Saturday, September 27, 2014.

I currently have a total of 695 convictions (20 trial convictions and 675 plea convictions). I got 13 convictions from pleas in Honolulu District Court for criminal misdemeanor cases on Monday 9/15/2014, Wednesday 9/17/2014, and Thursday 9/18/2014.

I currently have a total of 682 convictions (20 trial convictions and 662 plea convictions).  I got 14 convictions from pleas in Honolulu District Court for criminal misdemeanor cases on Monday 9/8/2014, Wednesday 9/10/14, and Friday 9/12/14.

As of 9/5/14, I have a total of 668 convictions (648 convictions from plea agreements and 20 convictions from trials).  I added 8 convictions through plea agreements from 6 criminal misdemeanor calendars on 9/2/14, 9/3/14, 9/4/14, and 9/5/14.

As of 8/29/2014, I have a total of 660 convictions (640 convictions from plea agreements and 20 convictions from trials).  I added 22 convictions through plea agreements from 8 criminal misdemeanor calendars on Monday 8/25/2014, Tuesday 8/26/2014, Wednesday 8/27/2014, Thursday 8/28/2014, and Friday 8/29/2014.

Double-O-Spot and Go Ventures are proud to announce the 16th Annual Love Festival Hawaii, which will be held at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park on Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 7:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. This festival is recognized as the largest electronic dance music event in the State of Hawaii with over 10,000 people expected to attend.

The Love Festival Hawaii will showcase DJ talent, musicians, and other performers from around the world on multiple stages. It is best described as a spectacle with high-tech multi-media presentations, large format videos, light displays, performance art, and electronic dance music. The event is not only popular with the people of Hawaii, but with visitors as well, as it has become a destination event, attracting U.S. mainland and international tourists.

Talent will be announced in the near future. Besides Hawaii, The Love Festival also takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada; various cities in California; Miami, Florida; various cities in Mexico; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; and later this year, Phoenix, Arizona will have its “Inaugural Year” hosting the event.

To purchase your tickets visit: http://www.oospot.com/d/d/love-festival-hawaii.html

As of 8/21/2014, I have 638 convictions (618 convictions from pleas and 20 convictions from trials). I added 8 more convictions from pleas from 4 criminal misdemeanor calendars on 8/19/2014 and 8/21/2014.

As of 8/8/2014, I have 630 convictions (610 convictions from pleas and 20 convictions from trials). I added 7 convictions though plea agreements from five Honolulu District Court criminal misdemeanor calendars on 8/11/2014, 8/13/2014, and 8/14/2014.

For those of you who came to the 2014 Jodo Mission of Hawaii bon dance, we hope you had fun! Mahalo to all the volunteers for their hard work. Thank you to my friends Brandon R. Mitsuda, Ellen Mitsuda, and Jon Nishihara for helping with our barbecue booth. We sold out most of the food as we tried to keep up with the demand for the hundreds of people who came over the two-day event. See everyone next year for the 2015 Jodo Mission of Hawaii bon dance. Thank you!

This evening of Saturday, August 16, 2014 is the last night for bon dance at Jodo Mission of Hawaii from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM at 1429 Makiki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 next to Shriners Hospital.

On the evening of Wednesday, August 13, 2014, I attended the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii Young Professionals Mixer at Morton Steakhouse in Ala Moana Shopping Center.

Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bon Dance is tonight, Friday, August 15, 2014 from 6:30 P.M. and tomorrow, Saturday, August 16, 2014 from 6:30 P.M. at 1429 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96814 next to Shriner’s Hospital.

On Tuesday, August 12, 2014 from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M., I attended the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Task Force meeting at the Hawaii State Capitol. 

The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu was up and running today, Friday, August 8, 2014 with all of its attorneys and certain essential staff despite the warning of Hurricane Iselle reaching the State of Hawaii.  I was able to finish preparing all my criminal misdemeanor cases for next Monday for Honolulu District Court.

As of today, 8/7/2014, I have a total of 623 convictions (603 convictions from pleas and 20 convictions from trials).  I got 10 convictions through pleas from four criminal misdemeanor calendars in Honolulu District Court on 8/5/2014 and 8/7/2014.

Spent the last several hours this early morning of Sunday, August 3, 2014 working on my Writing Project #2.  I completed 12,277 words for this fictional writing.  My goal is to have 80,000 words.  I have to wake up in 4 hours to help take down the otoba at Jodo Shu Hawaii.

I currently have 613 convictions (593 convictions from pleas & 20 convictions from trials).  I recently got 11 convictions from pleas on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 and Friday, August 1, 2014 from criminal misdemeanor cases in Honolulu District Court.

On July 28, 2014, I prepared my trial cases, confirmed a meeting for G and I with the radio industry for the Love Festival Hawaii, ran over 8 miles at Ala Moana Beach Park, and researched some companies for possible investments. At 3:30 A.M. on July 29, 2014, I was in bed playing the stock market. I ended up purchasing some shares of AAPL. I fell asleep with my head by my laptop. I woke up at 5 A.M. and headed to court by 8 A.M. where I got 4  more convictions for a total of 606 convictions. At 1 P.M., I headed back to court where the few cases I had were continued out. In the evening, I worked on my Writing Project #2 and reviewed my earlier chapters. I have 11,659 words completed in this fictional writing with a goal of 80,000 words. As of now, a bunch of queries have been sent out to companies for my Writing Project #1.

On the early evening on Friday, July 25, 2014, I attended obon services with my dad, mom, and sister Lara to pray to our ancestors, teachers of compassion, and suffering souls at Honolulu Jodo Shu.

Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui is one of the best examples of leadership. He is humble, always smiling, and we can agree to agree, or agree to disagree. Negative leaders can learn from the positive leadership style that Shan displays. He has been a strong supporter of education, transportation, health, and business development. As a former small business owner, Shan understands the importance that small businesses play in Hawaii’s economy. For these reasons, I support Shan for Lt. Governor.

Supporting my friends John Waihee IV and Lei Ahu Isa for Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Trustee. John has served as an OHA trustee since 2000 and like Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui, we grew up together from boys to men in the political world. We’ve had so many great times together. He is such a good person and so humble with a great smile. John is always looking out for the interests of Native Hawaiians and doing his best to ensure OHA plays a role in the progress for the entire State of Hawaii.

Lei Ahu Isa is also a friend of mine. She is a former Hawaii State Representative and is currently a professor at Hawaii Pacific University and a principal broker at Hilton Grand Vacations. She is very smart, caring, and great to talk to. I love her passion for Hawaii.

As of today, Thursday, July 24, 2014, I have gotten 602 convictions (582 convictions from pleas and 20 convictions from trials). This week, I got 13 convictions from pleas for misdemeanor criminal cases in Honolulu District court for 6 calendars on 7/21/14, 7/22/14, and 7/24/14.

I just voted today 7/22/2014 for the 2014 elections through my permanent absentee ballot about 10:30 A.M.

It’s 2:19 A.M. in the morning of Sunday, July 20, 2014. I’ve been working at my office at the Department of the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney since 8:00 P.M., Saturday, July 19, 2014. I was able to finish my criminal misdemeanor court morning and afternoon calendars for Monday 7/21/14 and also my morning criminal misdemeanor calendar for Tuesday 7/22/14.

On Friday evening, July 18, 2014, G and I spent time with Nina Furukawa, Erika Kimura, and their friends at Buho Cocina Y Cantina in Waikiki. Through Nina we met with 97.1 FM J-Pop Radio DJ Chikapin. There was also a news anchor from Fuji Television, Japan with us. After Nina, Erika, Chikapin, and I sang at GS Studio in Waikiki.

I got 12 convictions through pleas from 6 Honolulu criminal misdemeanor calendars on 7/14/2014, 7/16/2014, & 7/18/2014.  I now have a total of 589 convictions (20 convictions from trials & 569 convictions from pleas).

This morning of 7/13/2014 from 8 A.M. to 11A.M. we set up the otoba in preparation of Jodo Shu Hawaii’s upcoming Obon services where members pray to their loved ones/ancestors who passed away. After the set-up, we had lunch. At 11:45 A.M. I chaired the board of directors meeting. In the late afternoon to evening I spent time with my family.

On Saturday, July 12, I exercised at the gym from the late morning until the early afternoon. It was my 55th exercise session of the year. In the late afternoon to evening, I worked on all my criminal misdemeanor cases for my morning and afternoon calendars for Monday, July 14, 2014.

On Friday, July 11, 2014, I had morning and afternoon calendars for misdemeanor criminal court in Honolulu District Court. In the late afternoon, I prepared some of my cases for my Monday court calendars. In the early evening I had dinner with my friend and his wife and after, we went to my favorite coffee shop, my third office to go over his SBA business plan for information technology.  I also sent my sister Mia a “Happy Birthday” message since she’s in San Francisco, California.

I got 16 convictions through pleas from 7 Honolulu District Court calendars on 7/7/2014, 7/8/2014, 7/9/2014, and 7/11/2014 (557 convictions from pleas and 20 convictions from trials).

In January 2014, my friend G asked me to join him in producing events with his company Double-O-Spot. Thursday, July 10, 2014 was an important date for us since we had a good meeting with key officials that solidified the presence of the biggest electronic dance music event in the State of Hawaii. After 6 months of numerous meetings and talks with various leaders and agencies, we look forward to announcing the date of the 16th Annual Love Festival Hawaii in the near future!

On the afternoon of Monday, July 7, 2014, I won a criminal littering trial in Honolulu District Court.  It was my 20th trial conviction.

Celebrated Russell Tanoue’s birthday this evening, July 9, 2014 at Buho Cocina y Cantina in Waikiki.

It’s hard to believe how fast 2014 is moving.  I hope all of you are enjoying life and doing your best towards your New Year’s Resolutions.

For the first quarter of 2014, ending on March 31, 2014, I was able to achieve 18.2% of my 2014 New Year’s Resolutions.  For the second quarter that ended on June 30, 2014, I achieved 31.8% of my 2014 New Year’s Resolutions.  I’ve created rewards for the year-end goals that I accomplish but since I’m a little behind with my benchmarks for the second quarter, I decided to highlight my biggest goals in the areas of business, investing, finance, bookkeeping, creative writing, health, and home, and I created third quarter rewards to encourage myself to work even harder towards my key benchmarks.

The United States played a great game against Belgium and although we came short 2-1. They played with heart! There is great promise of us in the future for the world’s biggest stage.

I got 14 convictions from 5 criminal misdemeanor calendars in Honolulu District Court on 7/1/14, 7/2/14, & 7/3/14.  I now have a total of 561 convictions (542 convictions from pleas and 19 convictions from trials).

On Monday, June 30, 2014, I served as a member of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Formula Grant (JAG) panel.  The grants I reviewed with my fellow panel members were for the prosecuting attorney departments, police departments, and other agencies in Hawaii.  The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) instructed the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) State Administering Agency (SAA) to develop a statewide multi-year strategy for control programs that intend to ensure coordination and a more effective functioning of the criminal justice system.  JAG is intended to supplement, not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available for activities described under the JAG program.

Hawaii’s strategy includes supporting five federal JAG program areas. The five federal program areas are:

Today, Saturday, June 28, 2014, from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. the Department of the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney had a training on digital evidence at the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law for its attorneys and investigators, as well as some law enforcement guests.  We had a really good U.S. mainland speaker on the topic, a former prosecutor who is now with a digital evidence company.  Through technology, we can find the whereabouts, communication, and thoughts of humans.  However, U.S. and Hawaii privacy laws are strict and can personally penalize law enforcement individuals for discovery that isn’t narrowly focused to the truth of the matter in the case among other issues. The laws send a clear message that government must be very careful and responsible with their access to digital information.