The truth is only relevant if it is believed, but it will always exist, with or without the believers. In a world of imperfection, we must never lose faith in it. – Jon Riki Karamatsu (March 5, 2016).
These thoughts came to me just now as I’m eating with my immediate family and observing my 3-year-old niece and baby niece.
Filed under Career, Life, Love, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized
In our toughest times all we can do is try our best to be the best person we can be. Sometimes only our ancestors know what really happened during our darkest hours when the truth gets lost in the weave of conflict. We mustn’t be sad or angry by the negative outcome, but strive forward through gratitude and compassion, which will fire our engines to transcend us to a higher level of love.
On Sunday February 28, 2016, as President of Jodo Shu Hawaii, I made a speech thanking our Fujinkai, an organization of women within Jodo Shu Hawaii, many of whom are in their golden years and were friends with my grandma. As I thanked them for all the love and compassion they have given to their loved ones and to our organization, I held back my tears that were welling up in my eyes. I told them how influential grandmas, mothers and sisters are in our lives. I mentioned about the single mothers who are doing their best to make the most of their difficult situation and instill the values into their children that you – you’re generation have taught them.
Today, after a tough day, I told my mom how much I loved her. Since I was young, she made me believe that anything is possible. I also appreciate my dad, who shaped me through his strict style, but yet taught me compassion through all the volunteer work he did for my sisters and I, as well as our community. I’m also lucky to have my younger sisters who have caring hearts and have been with me through the ups and downs. Through my family, I’m able to strive for big goals, withstand my failures, and reinvent myself with new goals. It’s this appreciation of how lucky I am to have them that keeps me moving forward.
I dedicate the song below to you:
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Writing words down is a way to be present forever.
Filed under Career, Life, Love, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized
The years of life are like a gift each one of us can use to make a difference in the world in any way we choose.
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Today, I met my close friend and immediately noticed that she was pregnant. I was so surprised. She kept this fact from me until now. I’m happy for her. She’s moving forward with her boyfriend, while other friends of mine are separating or are trying to carry on with a life away from their former significant other as they try to deal with sharing time with their child or children. I’ve read many articles and studied the statistics on successful and unsuccessful relationships and also its impact on children. We make decisions because of the feelings we get and the pressures of time and expectation. Maybe I’m analyzing relationships and the family structure too much – Romanticized with a vision that only exists with about half of our nation’s families, as blended families, single parenthood, and a single life such as mine is a norm of our time period, in comparison to the days of our grandparents.
I know happiness is what we make of our lives, as we embrace gratitude for the good things we have. I understand this, and continue to move forward and evolve with time, but yet when I look within me, there is a dark corner where I am so still.
Filed under Life, Love, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized
I’ll write millions of words until my story is no longer mine, as I wish it will touch your heart and somehow give you hope, if not in this world, then in the next.
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I feel your pain.
I know you will dance . . . And free your soul.
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I will build a spaceship for you.
That will take you up to the stars tonight.
It will be a spaceship for two.
If you’re going to make it to the moon – I will be right there by your side.
I just want to laugh with you.
Leave the world and start anew.
We just got to try.
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Kauai Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar, myself, Melvin G. Mason Jr., and Honolulu Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mark Tom in the chambers of the Hawaii State House of Representatives for the opening of the 2016 Legislative Session.
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Hawaii State Senator Will Espero, Hong Li, Melvin G. Mason Jr., Lin Mei, and I at Espero’s office on 1/19/2016.
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This song “Sunshine” by Robaer featuring Meerah is inspiring my creativity in the real world and the dream world.
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“Time is what we make of it. Fill it with everything that lifts our soul: Loved ones, projects of our greatest passion, and dreams that make the world stop for a moment.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu, December 28, 2015.
The tone of this song describes the sentiment I’m feeling.
My niece Sophie at 9 months old on 12/27/2015.
My niece Elyse at 3 years old on 12/28/2015.
Filed under Life, Love, Positive Living, Positivity
I finished my 8th consecutive Honolulu Marathon. I didn’t train much this year, so a little bit tired but it was fun!
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Today was one of the best days of 2015! I found out good news from my baby sister Lara Karamatsu that will change her life! Also, my friend Melvin G. Mason Jr. and I hit a milestone for our largest business project that includes 4 other team members in our management company. I also have other friends who I’m working with on other projects. There have been so many ups and downs, and we still haven’t truly bore the fruits of our work yet, but the risk-taking and journey is worth it. Though anxious, I’m even more excited on what the future will bring. I dedicate this song to my loved ones/friends/business partners!
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“Death is inevitable, and like the period at the end of your final statement, it closes your story in this world.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu, December 4, 2015
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“Purpose is the essence to living. Without it, the gloom seems gloomier, but with it, anything is possible.” -Jon Riki Karamatsu, December 4, 2015-
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Oxytocin creates intimacy, trust, and builds healthy relationships. It’s released by men and women during orgasm, and by mothers during childbirth and breastfeeding. Often referred to as the cuddle hormone, a simple way to keep oxytocin flowing is to give someone a hug. Intimacy or even several hugs a day is what we need. Having human touch is critical, but for those of us who are single and live alone, we don’t get much of this. With this issue in mind, in 2008, when I was in the Hawaii State Legislature, I joked with my close friends that I wanted to create the legal guidelines for a cuddling program where the private sector can provide cuddling services called “Cuddle Care” for adults 18 and over and “Snuggle Care” for seniors 65 and older at a discounted rate. Ironically, in 2012, Japan launched its first “cuddle cafe” where customers can pay to cuddle with a professional cuddler. Hmm? Anyone up for some Cuddle Care and Snuggle Care legislation?
Filed under Life, Love, Positive Living, Positivity, Uncategorized
“One thing’s for sure, change is constant. Through the good and bad in our lives, we have to grow and evolve. We are only as relevant as the hearts of those we touch.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu, November 28, 2015.
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Show me to a higher place. Take me to outer space. I want you to be my friend. We’ll make it to the world ends.
Don’t give me love governed by life. Limited by these worldly heights. I want a love that the universe can never stop – can never hurt. I want a love that will last after this world is our past. A love that no time could erase. A love in a higher place.
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Every so often something crazy happens in our lives that makes us reflect. Physical violence, verbal violence, anger, jealousy, and resentment seems to haunt us as we try to progress in life. Yet through it all, we try to forgive those who attack us, and progress as better human beings. It’s important that we persevere and not give up in the goodness that exists in humankind. We must keep striving for our vision of peace and happiness, and not get blinded by the headlights of negativity.
In the spirit of Love Fest Hawaii (http://lovefesthawaii.com) on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 2015 to be held at Hawaii Events Center, 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817, I dedicate this song to all of you going through life’s challenges. It’s titled “Headlights” by Robin Schultz featuring Ilsey. My heart is with you.
Stars or planets aligning with the moon on the early morning of November 7, 2015, after a tumultuous evening.
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Love Fest Hawaii on 11/13/2015 & 11/14/2015 at Hawaii Events Center at 985 Dillingham Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96817.
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Our past and our future. Sometimes it’s hard to understand it. What if things happened differently? Or maybe nothing needs to change, as everything is suppose to be the way they are. All we know is, that our feelings are deeply sincere. So much so that it pains us. Even if what we desire exists only in our imagination, at least it exists. These thoughts have given me a 4th story to write for some time now, as soon as I finish writing my 2nd and 3rd one.
In the spirit of Love Fest Hawaii (http://lovefesthawaii.com) to be held at Hawaii Events Center, 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii on 11/13/2015 & 11/14/2015, I dedicate this song to all of you who are sad and alone.
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Thank you for making our world more beautiful by all the love and compassion you have shared with so many people! That’s the spirit of Love Fest Hawaii! Celebrate life, loved ones, and the future we will do together to make this world even greater!
Love Fest Hawaii 2015 will be at an exciting new venue, the Hawaii Events Center located at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. Tickets can be purchased at http://lovefesthawaii.com.
Here’s a song for you, one of my favorite dance songs called “Beautiful World” by Blasterjaxx & DBSTF feat. Ryder.
Stage with lights, computer graphics, and smoke at Love Fest Hawaii 2014.
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Dress up in costume and enjoy our free Mahaloween Concert tonight, October 30th at Hawaii Events Center located at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817, a 8,000 square foot venue with a mezzanine. Enjoy Lion Fire, MaryAnn Ito, Kapu Systems, Astatine Collective, and our resident DJs. Enter our costume contest for a prize, and we’ll be giving away free Love Fest Hawaii (http://lovefesthawaii.com) tickets that will be held at Hawaii Events Center on November 12 and 13, 2015. Also, bring a canned food in our effort to help Hawaii Food Bank. Doors open at 9 p.m. Strive for your dreams, stay healthy, and enjoy life! See you soon!
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Love isn’t always the way you want it to be. Sometimes it doesn’t work out. We move on. Through it all, we remember the good things, yet keep an open mind for a brighter future.
In the spirit of Love Fest Hawaii 2015 (http://lovefesthawaii.com), which will be held on 11/13/15 & 11/14/15 at Hawaii Events Center at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817, I dedicate this song to all of you feeling sad and alone.
Sunset of south shore, Oahu, Hawaii on 4/24/2014.
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Radio ad and video ad of Mahaloween for Friday, October 30, 2015 at 9 P.M. & Love Fest Hawaii 2015 (www.lovefesthawaii.com) for November 13 & 14, 2015 at Hawaii Events Center located at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817.
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Ready to share your love at Hawaii’s premiere music and dance event – The Love Fest Hawaii? You’re a one and only, and we thank you for all the good you’ve done for our world! For many can imitate you but they can never duplicate you. You’re not just hot on the outside, but more importantly you’re hot on the inside.
The festival will be at the Hawaii Events Center at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 2015, where you can enjoy the new center and the outdoor stage and lights!. Tickets are available at http://lovefesthawaii.com.
To get you in the mood for some loving at the Love Fest Hawaii 2015, here’s a song for you!
Pictured below is model and go go dancer Lauren Lala displaying a Love Fest Hawaii shaka.
Model and Go Go Dancer Lauren La La displaying a Love Fest Hawaii shaka.
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Hawaii Events Center is proud to announce the 1ST ANNUAL MAHALOWEEN, which will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015 from 9:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M. at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. It is Makai or South of Honolulu Community College and Ewa or West of Self Storage. The Hawaii Events Center, an 8,000 square foot facility with a second floor mezzannine, is a new venue for the people of Hawaii to enjoy live concerts, DJ performances, comedy, and other entertainment. Future plans are in the works to extend the mezzanine towards the stage and upgrade the facility.
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Hawaii Events Center in partnership with KCCN FM 100 presents “Mahaloween” to thank everyone involved in making this soft opening of the center possible. The event will showcase Lion Fiyah with their official release of their new album “Salute the Crown,” Maryanne Ito, Kapu System, Astatine Collective, and resident DJs with the concert beginning at 10:00 P.M. Guests can enter the costume contest for a chance to win a prize. Also, there will be a ticket giveaway for the LoveFest Hawaii, which will be held on November 13 and 14, 2015 at our venue. For the free concert, guests are encouraged to bring a canned good to help support the Hawaii Food Bank.
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“Mahaloween is our way of saying, ‘Thank you Hawaii for the blessing of the brand new Hawaii Events Center,’” said James Tennant, principal and acting general manager of the center. “We invite all for a good cause by bringing canned food donations for Hawaii’s Food Bank to get a FREE concert ticket to enter our new venue!”
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Are you feeling a little more joyous and happy? Do you find yourself hugging those you love even more?
That’s because Love Fest Hawaii 2015 is coming at you with waves of loving energy. The festival will be at the Hawaii Events Center at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 2015, where you can enjoy the new center and the outdoor stage and lights! Have a great time with your friends and continue to spread your love to every person you interact with, for that is the spirit of the Love Fest Hawaii!
Tickets can be bought at http://lovefesthawaii.com. Right now there is a Love Fest Hawaii – 2 Day Pass (Early Bird Special) that expires on 10/24/2015.
If you’re fortunate to be with someone special, here’s a song for the two of you to dance to. For those of you still searching for love, don’t worry, you’ll find that special person, if not in this lifetime, then after you die.
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Are you feeling a little more joyous and happy? Do you find yourself hugging those you love even more?
That’s because Love Fest Hawaii 2015 is coming at you with waves of loving energy. The festival will be at the Hawaii Events Center at 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 2015, where you can enjoy the new center and the outdoor stage and lights! Have a great time with your friends and continue to spread your love to every person you interact with, for that is the spirit of the Love Fest Hawaii!
Tickets can be bought at http://lovefesthawaii.com. Right now there is a Love Fest Hawaii – 2 Day Pass (Early Bird Special) that expires on 10/24/2015.
If you’re fortunate to be with someone special, here’s a song for the two of you to dance to. For those of you still searching for love, don’t worry, you’ll find that special person, if not in this lifetime, then after you die.
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Hawaii Events Center is proud to announce the 1st Annual Mahaloween, which will be held at Hawaii Events Center on Friday, October 30, 2015 from 9:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M. The Hawaii Events Center, a 8,000 square foot facility with a second floor mezzannine, is a new venue for the people of Hawaii to enjoy live concerts, DJ performances, comedy, and other entertainment. Future plans are in the works to extend the mezzanine towards the stage and upgrade the facility. The venue is located on 985 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. It is Makai or South of Honolulu Community College and Ewa or West of Self Storage.
Hawaii Events Center in partnership with KCCN FM 100 presents “Mahaloween” to thank everyone involved in making this soft opening of the center possible. The event will showcase Lion Fiyah with their official release of their new album “Salute the Crown,” Maryanne Ito, Kapu System, Astatine Collective, and resident DJs with the concert beginning at 10:00 P.M. Guests can enter the costume contest for a chance to win a prize. Also, there will be a ticket giveaway for the LoveFest Hawaii, which will be held on November 13 and 14, 2015 at our venue. For the free concert, guests are encouraged to bring a canned good to help support the Hawaii Food Bank.
“Mahaloween is our way of saying, ‘Thank you Hawaii for the blessing of the brand new Hawaii Events Center,’” said James Tennant, principal and acting general manager of the center. “We invite all for a good cause by bringing canned food donations for Hawaii’s Food Bank to get a FREE concert ticket to enter our new venue!”
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My friends and I are excited to soon be announcing a new venue with a stage and 2nd floor mezzannine that has the capacity to hold music concerts, talent shows, comedy acts, private parties, and corporate events for the people of Hawaii and visitors to enjoy! The venue will also be welcoming the public daily for pau hana where you and your family, friends and colleagues can enjoy refreshments and music by musicians, DJs, and other artists. In the future, we plan to incorporate a restaurant so everyone can enjoy some food as well.
We are also itching to announce the date, time, and location of our signature music festival for all of you and our visitors to enjoy, where we can share our love and aloha! Through music and friendship, we will make this world a better place.
We wish you love, happiness, and good health! Stay tuned for the official announcement by our companies and all of us!
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Thank you for a being a part in making our world a more positive and happier place! Your smile, hug, and warm comment to every soul you’ve met has made a difference. Even if we’ve never met, I’ve felt your presence through all the people you’ve touched. No one will doubt in the possibility of world peace after they meet you. In everything you’ve done, you’ve put your love into it, so I dedicate this song to you!
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I kept watching “Biri Gyaru” or otherwise known as “Flying Colors” while flying on Korean Airlines on 9/26/2015, 9/27/2015, and 9/30/2015. I have to admit that this movie made me cry each time I watched it. The movie is based off of a novel that is based off of a true story about an underachieving high school student named Sayaka Kudo who lives the “gyaru” style of dressing with short mini-skirts and dyed blonde hair. Sayaka is no airhead, though, and when a cram school instructor recognizes her true intelligence, he inspires her to buckle down and study hard to turn her academic life around so that Sayaka can pass the entrance exam to Keio University after she graduates high school.
This movie was emotionally moving for me because many of us have strived for our dreams by working hard against overwhelming odds, doubts by others, and even attacks fueled by jealousy. We’ve achieved some of our dreams while failing others, but even with the failures, often times we came very close to getting what we wanted, and the secondary goals were quite fulfilling, and almost always, new opportunities were revealed while on the journey, thus opening the way for new dreams to be born.
If any of you know the song that was played in the last scene of the movie that has the lyrics “brand new day” in it, please let me know. Thank you!
Biru Gyaru (Also known as Biru Girl or Flying Colors).
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Willie K’s Birthday Bash at California Hotel on October 9, 2015 from 6 P.M. in Las Vegas. This great night of music and celebration will feature special guests Amy Hanaialii, Alika Nako’oka and comedian Rodney Villanueva as emcee. Willie is such a great performer and an awesome brother!
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In the Spring of 2013, by chance, I found Jasmine Thompson’s music on Youtube as I was looking for songs by certain artists. I like her voice because it sounds so angelic. Recently, she has had some commercial success with some of her songs as well as being the vocals for some EDM songs produced by DJ-Producers such as German DJ Felix Jaehn.
Below is Jasmine’s wonderful cover of Beyonce’s “Halo.” If I could ever be so lucky to get my first novel published and produced into a movie, I would love to have her version of this song in the film to bring out the emotions that the characters go through.
Remember those walls I built?
Well, baby they’re tumbling down.
They didn’t even put up a fight.
They didn’t even make a sound.
I found a way to let you in.
But, I never really had a doubt.
Standing in the light of your halo.
I got my angel now.
It’s like I’ve been awakened.
Every rule I had you breakin’.
It’s the risk that I’m taking.
I ain’t never gonna shut you out.
Everywhere I’m looking now.
I’m surrounded by your embrace.
Baby, I can see your halo.
You know you’re my saving grace.
You’re everything I need and more.
It’s written all over your face.
Baby, I can see your halo.
Pray it won’t fade away.
Hit me like a ray of sun.
Burning through my darkest night.
You’re the only one that I want.
Think I’m addicted to your light.
I swore I’d never fall again.
But this don’t even feel like falling.
Gravity can’t forget to pull me back to the ground again.
And it’s like I’ve been awakened.
Every rule I had you breakin’.
It’s the risk that I’m taking.
I ain’t never gonna shut you out.
Everywhere I’m looking now.
I’m surrounded by your embrace.
Baby, I can see your halo.
You know you’re my saving grace.
You’re everything I need and more.
It’s written all over your face.
Baby, I can feel your halo.
Pray it won’t fade away.
I can see your halo.
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2015 Biannual Hawaii Council of Jodo Mission Kyoku Convention on the morning of Saturday, September 19, 2015.
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Can you hear me calling?
Out your name?
You know that I’m falling,
And I don’t know what to say.
I’ll speak a little louder.
I’ll even shout.
You know that I’m proud.
And I can’t get the words out.
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I attended the Hawaii Council of Jodo Mission Kyoku Conference on the evening of September 18, 2015 at Jodo Shu Hawaii where members attend from across the State of Hawaii. The conference is held on September 18 to 19, 2015.
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Did I ever say, how I feel about you?
A thing I never found, that easy to do.
The things that you do, don’t need to be heard.
You know your actions, baby, speak louder than words.
“Bring Me Your Cup” cover by Pure Heart.
“Bring Me Your Cup” by UB40
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Oh Cherry oh, Cherry oh, baby,
Don`t you know I`m in love with you?
If you don`t believe it`s true,
What else is there for me to do?
Look how long I`ve been waiting,
For you to come right in.
And now that we are together,
Please make all my joys come over.
(Chorus)
Whoa -oh-oh-oh oh oh oh oh
Whoa -oh-oh-oh oh oh oh oh
Yea-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay
Yea-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay
Oh Cherry, oh, Cherry, oh, baby,
Don`t you see I`m in love with you?
If you don`t believe I do,
Then why don`t you try me?
I will never let you down,
I will never make you wear no frown.
If you say that you love me madly,
Well babe I will accept you gladly.
(Chorus)
Oh Cherry, oh, Cherry, oh, baby,
Don`t you see I`m in love with you?
If you don`t believe I do,
Then why don`t you try me?
I will never let you down,
I will never make you wear no frown.
If you say that you love me madly,
Well babe I will accept you gladly.
(Chorus)
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Here I am baby, come and take me, here I am baby. Come on and take me, take me by the hand.
UB40, Ali Campbell – One of my all-time favorite artists.
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I attended the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation’s 25th Annual Gala Fundraiser “Boots and Bling, A Country Western Soiree” at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapa Ballroom on the evening of Saturday, September 12, 2015. My good friend Tricia Nakamatsu was the co-chair of the event.
Honolulu Deputy prosecuting Attorney Tricia Nakamatsu, Charlene, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith M. Kaneshiro, and I at the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation’s 25th Annual Gala Fundraiser “Boots and Bling, A Country Western Soiree” at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapa Ballroom on the evening of Saturday, September 12, 2015.
Jenn Okubo, Allen Yadao, Tricia Nakamatsu, and I at the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation’s 25th Annual Gala Fundraiser “Boots and Bling, A Country Western Soiree” at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapa Ballroom on the evening of Saturday, September 12, 2015.
Cathy Lowenberg as one of the lead singers (in red) at the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation’s 25th Annual Gala Fundraiser “Boots and Bling, A Country Western Soiree” at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapa Ballroom on the evening of Saturday, September 12, 2015.
Marissa Machida as lead vocalist singing Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” at the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation’s 25th Annual Gala Fundraiser “Boots and Bling, A Country Western Soiree” at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapa Ballroom on the evening of Saturday, September 12, 2015.
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A Fundraiser for Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith M. Kaneshiro
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2015
Time: 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
Place: Bishop Museum
Suggested Donation: $25.
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A song to dance to under the coconut trees on a starlit night.
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JON RIKI KARAMATSU 