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.
Filed under Uncategorized
Love Fest Hawaii on 11/13/2015 & 11/14/2015 at Hawaii Events Center at 985 Dillingham Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96817.
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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!
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
*
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!”
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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!”
Filed under Uncategorized
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!
Filed under Uncategorized
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!
Filed under Uncategorized
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).
Filed under Uncategorized
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!
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
2015 Biannual Hawaii Council of Jodo Mission Kyoku Convention on the morning of Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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
Filed under Uncategorized
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)
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
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.
Filed under Uncategorized
A song to dance to under the coconut trees on a starlit night.
Filed under Uncategorized
I write fiction because I want to assure you that everything you’ve experienced in life had a purpose – the good and the bad. In my career, I’ve worked on and drafted a number of laws, but no law can ever express the emotions that I feel inside. Only a novel can do this. I want you to see the world that I see, and to share with you all that exists within it. Peace is within us.
Filed under Uncategorized
Last day for Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bon Dance, tonight, Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 5 P.M. to 10 P.M. at 1429 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI. Enjoy music, dance, Japanese culture, children’s games, and food (Teriyaki beef sticks, saimin, sushi, waffle dogs, shave ice, milkshake, etc.)
2015 Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bon Dance on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 5 P.M. to 10 P.M.
Filed under Uncategorized
2015 Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bon Dance is today, Friday, August 14th & Saturday, August 15th from 5 P.M. to 10 P.M. at 1429 Makiki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii (West of Shriner’s Hospital and North of Foodland). Enjoy music, dance, Japanese culture, food (teriyaki beef sticks, saimin, shave ice, etc.), and beverages.
Filed under Uncategorized
2015 Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bon Dance on Friday 8/14/2015 & Saturday 8/15/2015 from 5 P.M. at 1429 Makiki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii. Enjoy music, dance, Japanese culture, food (teriyaki beef sticks, saimin, shave ice, etc.), and beverages.
Filed under Uncategorized
As I write my 2nd writing project, a fictional story with Sadako Sasaki and all children affected by war in mind, I reflect on how precious life is and the innocence of every child. I think of my two-year-old niece Elyse and four-month-old niece Sophie. I can’t help but feel sad inside.
On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima city when Sadako Sasaki was only two years old. She was blown out of the window of her home, and her mother found her lying on the ground. Her mother helped her and her four-year-old brother flee to a nearby river to escape the fire, where they huddled together as the “black rain” poured on them, the residual radioactive material that was propelled into the upper atmosphere following the nuclear blast and fell out of the sky with rain water after the shockwave. When Sadako was twelve years old, she was diagnosed with leukemia as a result of the bomb’s radiation. With determination to live, she folded paper cranes, but sadly the disease took her away.
I dedicate the song below called “Tracking Aeroplanes” by The Echelon Effect to all the children suffering or taken away to soon by war. The music expresses the deep feelings that I have inside. I feel so fortunate to be able to live this long, and to be able to play a small role in making this world better for the little ones.
Sadako Sasaki.
Sadako Sasaki.
Filed under Uncategorized
I just finished reading Nicholas Sparks’ novel “The Best of Me.” Like “The Notebook,” the last several chapters were my favorite part. This story was interesting in that a romance between Dawson and Amanda was rekindled 25 years later from the time they first fell in love as teens. Dawson remained single, whereas, Amanda was married with three children. There were some very sad moments, but in the end, some good came out of tragedy.
Filed under Uncategorized
Jodo Shu Hawaii Bon Dance will be on August 14 and 15, 2015 from 6:30 P.M. at 1429 Makiki Street, Honolulu.
Filed under Uncategorized
When we fall in love, we present the best of ourselves. In time, our faults are revealed. Sometimes, these faults cause a separation. However, if we have an open heart, we will always see the good in those we loved, and even remain friends with them. Every so often, when we close our eyes and go back in time, the good times play back, and we can’t help but miss them.
The song “City of Dreams” by Dirty South & Alesso featuring Ruben Haze below represents the feelings I wrote in this post. When you watch it, you can appreciate the hard work that EDM DJs/Producers put into their songs and that’s why my business partners and I enjoy showcasing them at our events.
Filed under Uncategorized
My partners in the private sector are friends of mine and we’re working on projects that face a lot of hurdles, including factors that we can’t control. Every project that we’re involved with is in the development process so we’re not making any money now, thus, having a supportive relationship with one another is nice to have. When I was a politician, much of my staff were friends of mine as well, and likewise, we supported one another through the ups and downs. Lastly, I’m lucky to have close family and friends to talk to or be with, who play a huge role in helping me to keep my spirits up as I take on new challenges.
Below is a commercial for the NASDAQ expressing the importance of having good partners.
Filed under Uncategorized
As I mentioned in my “Positive Living Practice and Stages Practice” post, I’m creating a Positive Living Practice series that highlights products and services that can help us with our health, wealth, and happiness so that we can live a happy and fulfilling life. By “health,” I mean good physical, mental, and spiritual health. For “wealth,” I define it as time, knowledge, and ideas. And “happiness” is the wonderful joy we get from gratitude, compassion, and love.
Today, I’m discussing a challenge that we all face within our lives – “Stress.” Have you ever received another person’s wrath because of that person’s weakness in not being able to handle his or her stress? Or worse, have you ever directed your anger at another person and blamed your bad behavior because of the stress your were going through?
How often we experience stress is within our control. I personally believe that 99% of all challenges we face are either minor or can be resolved. In regards to the 1% of challenges that we can’t control, we can become stronger by accepting it, learning from it, and moving on.
Studies have shown that stress can cause us emotional and physical problems. Further, if we manage it in the wrong way, we could hurt our relationships and reputation. Instead of handling stress in a destructive way that hurts ourselves and others, we can address it in a positive way that spreads waves of positive energy to others. In this post, I will share with you my strategies to reduce stress. I also include a poster on how to beat stress and boost happiness by Happify, a company that helps you to develop happiness skills through its online activities and articles. You can check out Happify at http://www.happify.com.
If we can reduce stress, we will be healthier physically, mentally, and spiritually; and be stronger in our practice of gratitude, compassion, and love. With good health and happiness, we can make the best use of our time, absorb more knowledge, and come up with more ideas.
The following are some of the things that I like to do to reduce stress:
Here is a poster from Happify that shows us how to take on stress in a positive way.
#happy #stress #stressrelief #stressreduction #mindfulness #gratitude #empathy #compassion #mentalhealth #health #positivity #positiveliving #happiness #joy
Filed under Compassion, Empathy, Gratitude, Life, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Positive Living, Positivity, Quotes, Writing
Dear Friends,
I’m posting a series called the Positive Living Practice to highlight services or products by individuals, organizations, or companies that can help us to achieve a more happy and fulfilling life. These services or products can be incorporated into our Positive Living Practice of health, wealth, and happiness. By “health,” I mean good physical, mental, and spiritual health. For “wealth,” I define it as time, knowledge, and ideas. And “happiness” is the wonderful joy we get from gratitude, compassion, and love.
I use the Positive Living Practice together with a practice I created for myself while I was in college to help me in achieving my goals. Until now, I didn’t have a name for it, so I’ll name it now as the “Stages Practice” in which my life is categorized by major stages in development in a timeline. Each year is listed under a stage number and under each year, I have all the major things I’ve learned, experienced, accomplished, or failed. Under future years, I list all my biggest goals. Basically, the “Stages program” is my plan for my entire life. In a separate document I list my New Year’s Resolutions, which are goals that help me to reach my largest goals in my “Stages Practice.” To achieve my New Year’s Resolutions, I have a task list that I have for each day of the year, and I calendar my tasks in my daily schedule. To encourage myself to achieve tasks, yearly resolutions, and stage goals, I reward myself with something when I achieve a certain percentage of my yearly resolutions. Within the yearly resolutions, I have quarterly benchmarks and special benchmarks to encourage me to keep working hard towards those yearly resolutions. I reward myself for reaching quarterly or special benchmarks. For example, right now I’m working hard on a special benchmark I created, and I will reward myself with a haircut if I achieve it.
Basically, the Positive Living Practice and Stages Practice is a practice that I try hard to do every day. From a young age, I understood, the Stages Practice, but I’ll be honest, I’m still trying to be better at the Positive Living Practice. Reaching our goals isn’t that special without happiness, and failure of course is more bearable when you have a positive outlook on life. One day I feel like I’m on top of the world, then another day, I’m trying to figure it out. In life, there will be ups and downs. The strategy I’m sharing with you has helped me withstand the “downs” and bring me back up. Succeeding forward and failing forward are equally powerful in our quest for health, wealth, and happiness.
Filed under Career, Life, Love, Positive Living, Positivity
I cherish every moment I have with my nieces Elyse (2 years and 11 months old) and Sophie (4 months old), daughters of my younger sister Mia and brother-in-law Mike. I try to spend a month or two with them every year either in Hawaii, the Bay Area, California, or on a trip somewhere. I also try to Skype with them every week with my parents and my younger sister Lara. As they grow older, they remind me of how valuable time is. I want them to have happiness throughout their lives. I love them so much. I dedicate the song above to Elyse and Sophie, which has some cute kids singing about making up for lost time.
Elyse at 2 years and 6 months old in San Mateo, California.
Elyse at 2 years and 6 months old in San Mateo, California.
Sophie at 2 days old in San Francisco, California.
Sophie at a day old in San Francisco, California.
Elyse at 2 years and 3 months in Pearl City, Hawaii.
Elyse at 1 year and 7 months in Pearl City, Hawaii.
Elyse at 1 year and 3 months old in San Mateo, California.
Elyse at 1 year and 7 months in Kyoto, Japan.
Elyse at 1 year and 3 months old in San Mateo, California.
Elyse at 11 months old in Pearl City, Hawaii.
Elyse at 8 months old in San Mateo, California.
Elyse at 8 months old in San Mateo, California.
Elyse at 6 months old in San Mateo, California.
Elyse at 6 months old in San Mateo, California.
Elyse at 6 months old in San Mateo, California.
Elyse at 9 weeks old in Pearl City, Hawaii.
Elyse at 21 days old in San Mateo, California.
Filed under Uncategorized
I attended the 2015 Hawaii Lodging, Hospitality & Foodservice Expo during the afternoon of Thursday, July 9, 2015 at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center.
Filed under Uncategorized
Godspeed my brothers and sisters! Fail forward and brush off those negative experiences. You’re moving so fast that nothing can stop you. Keep spreading love and compassion to every person you can. Just do what you got to do, follow your passion, and live life with all you’ve got!
Here’s an uplifting song for you called “Godspeed You” by Francesco Rossi ft. Ozark Henry and remixed by New ID.
With Warmest Aloha, Jon Riki Karamatsu
Filed under Uncategorized
When you read a novel or watch a movie, often times there’s a romantic interest in the story. Many of us are drawn to it because of the feelings that only “love” can emit – that dreamy-like state we call “cloud nine.” A hopeless desire for someone, for better or worse. To experience it in our lifetime is a blessing. Not to worry though, if you don’t find it in this life, you’ll find it in the next. I wrote about it, and if a company picks it up, you can experience it.
Below is a music video with clips of the romance between the characters Han and Gisele in the Fast and Furious movies.
Filed under Uncategorized
Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team – Women’s World Cup Champions! They played a great game yesterday, July 5, 2015 against defending champions Japan in Vancouver, Canada. The U.S. team exploded for four goals in the first 16 minutes of the World Cup final (including three from Carli Lloyd alone) en route to a 5–2 rout of Japan, who’d defeated them on penalty kicks in the final four years ago. It’s our country’s first Women’s World Cup win since 1999, and third overall. I’m so proud of them for all their hard work, and representing our country well in the world’s most popular sport.
Filed under Uncategorized
Recently, I ran into my long-time friend at the Honpa Hongwanji Bon Dance on Saturday, June 27, 2015. He and I met at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Back then, we studied together, served in the ASUH Senate, and planned out our career – mine in law and politics and his in finance and the corporate world. I got him to be involved in politics and he emphasized the importance of business and a strong economy. Several years after we graduated college, I was in state elected politics and started an Internet retail business, and he became a Vice President and then an Executive Vice President of a decent sized corporation. We continued to support each other and did things together until he got married and moved away. Well now we’re back together as we reinvent ourselves – I’m now focused on building positive products or service for people through stories, music events and food, and likewise, my friend is trying do it through the digital arts, especially on the powerful attraction that a woman can radiate. It feels great to strategize with him again, trying to pierce through the dark unknown that is ahead of us. All we have is mostly dreams right now, but as scary as it can be, I’m excited to see how far our efforts can go.
The digital arts has gotten really popular. Since my friend is working on digital art focusing on women, I did some research, and here are a few that I found that’s sure to catch your attention, and I also found a song to match them. Enjoy!
Filed under Uncategorized
This song helps me to come up with 10 ideas a day, and overcome failures and experiences with negative people.
Filed under Uncategorized
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 