JON RIKI KARAMATSU

I attended the Pearl City – Waipahu Complex Area School Community Council Orientation Meeting at August Ahrens Elementary School from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.

On Monday, November 23, 2009, Speaker Calvin Say, Rep. Marcus Oshiro, House staff & I met with the Attorney General & his staff at Speaker’s office from 10:00 A.M.

In our race against our time in this world of the living, let’s do our best to appreciate our loved ones, achieve as much as we can, and spread peace and compassion. We must build a strong foundation with our ideas and solidify strong relationships with as many people as we can, so our dreams and vision will continue long after we die.

On Saturday, November 22, 2009, I met with my friend who is now living in Oklahoma in the afternoon at Hala Koa Hotel by the pool and in the late evening at our friend’s grill restaurant.

I attended my second cousin, Tatum’s fourth birthday party in Kapahulu on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 7:20 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

I attended the Gonzaga University alumni reception at Oahu Country Club on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 6:20 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

I attended my friends Chen and Christine’s son Aaron’s first birthday at Willows Restaurant on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M

As of Friday, November 20, 2009, I personally greeted about 22,000 people for my campaign since June of 2009. This is definitely not a sprint. It is like a marathon.

I attended the 6th Annual West Oahu Conference by West Oahu Economic Development Association at JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa since 8:45 A.M. until 1:30 P.M., Friday, November 20, 2009.

On Thursday, November 19, 2009, I picked up orders from vendors I do business with during the morning, worked at my state capitol office in the afternoon, took a one hour nap between 4:30 P.M. & 6:00 P.M, attended Waipahu Neighborhood Board meeting from 7:15 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., exercised at the gym from 10:00 P.M. to midnight, & finished some last minute business work in the early morning of Friday, November 20, 2009.

 I attended “How to Network at Social Mixers” by the Shidler College of Business Alumni Association and The Young Lawyers Division of the Hawaii State Bar Association held at Hukilau Restaurant tonight, Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 6:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

Being in Kauai this past weekend with my friends for Brandon and Ellen’s wedding was really special. Brandon is my really good friend and political adviser. The trip really revitalized my energy. The energy from my friends as well as from Kauai, one of the most spiritual places in the world, really helped me to recharge so I can continue my relentless all-out blitz in all my goals.

Today, Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., I along with fellow legislators and past legislators participated in a walk-through of the Kapolei Family Courthouse that is under construction.  Chief Justice Moon and and his staff took us around.

On Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 12:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M., I participated in a golf tournament coordinated by the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii and Philippine Consulate General at Kapolei Golf Course.

On Tuesday, November 17, 2009, I attended the CTC-Pacific Construction Training Center’s blessing on 94-487 Akoki Street in Waipahu (Building Industry in Hawaii).  Their theme was “Building Success on Training and Education”.  The building is 15,670 Sq. Ft. on 32,000 Sq. Ft. of land and costed $7.75 million with the state contributing $1 mill.  It is wonderful to see the revitalization and modernization in Waipahu.

On Monday, November 16, 2009, I worked on my business in Waipahu from 9:00 A.M., briefed House leadership on issues before my House Judiciary Committee at the State Capitol from 11:00 A.M., met with the Hawaii Medical Association from 12:30 P.M., continued working on my business in Waipahu from 2:00 P.M., and celebrated my mom’s birthday at Alan Wong’s Restaurant with my dad and younger sister Lara from 6:00 P.M.

I attended my good friends Brandon Mitsuda and Ellen Tengan’s wedding in Kauai on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 4:00 P.M.  I helped with the audio and made the banzai toast from the guests to the bride and groom.

I presented a House certificate to Oceanic Cable and Pizza Hut 2008-2009 Outstanding Educator Elaine Matsuo of Waipahu High School at the school today, November 13, 2009 from 11:00 A.M.

I attended the Hawaii Forgiveness Project meeting regarding “Thought Field Therapy,” a practice that helps one achieve peace within at Cades Shutte law firm office today, Friday, November 13, 2009 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.

I had a meeting with Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery and individuals interested in preventing human trafficking for prostitution at my office today, November 13, 2009 from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

I attended the rally for Walk Across Oahu honoring our veterans at the Hawaii State Capitol rotunda on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 from 3:15 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

I attended a conference by The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu on Sunday, November 8, 2009 from 5:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M.  I explained how to create a testimony for legislative hearings in a break-out session.

In the 2002 State House race for Waipahu, I got zero endorsements.  All the unions supported one opponent and all the business trades supported another opponent.  In the 2004 State House race for Waipahu, the Republican Party attacked me with all their might and money with Governor Linda Lingle walking door-to-door and Lt. Governor Duke Aiona walking door-to-door and sign waving for my opponent.  In the 2008 State House race for Waipahu, I was told by political insiders that no politician in the history of Hawaii politics has ever won after getting a DUI or any other negative mistake.  I won every single election despite the difficult obstacles and often harsh opposition.  From day one in my political career, I have worked hard and relentlessly, never giving up.  In my four State House elections, I have walked my district 10 times, which is about 64,000 homes.

As of today, I greeted about 21,500 people as I campaigned throughout the State of Hawaii.  I want to be the top politician when it comes to hustling the streets, parks, and events by meeting tens of thousands of people by September 18, 2010.  I want to take grassroots campaigning to a level that has never been seen before.  If I win, I win, but if I go down, I want to go down in an all-out blitz. 

I am thankful for my loyal friends/campaigners for their support.  They give me the extra energy to keep me charging relentlessly.  Our campaign team is best described by these words:

1. IDEAS
2. FRIENDSHIP
3. COMPASSION
4. LOYALTY
5. DETERMINATION
6. ENERGY
7. TENACITY

I will do my best!  Thank you!

I will attend the the Filipino Business Women’s Association’s 2009 Kimona Ball at Ala Moana Hotel tonight from 6:00 P.M.

I interviewed people for Olelo Television and greeted people at the Leeward Community College Family Fun Fair today, Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 12:30 P.M. to 1:30 P.M.

I interviewed workers at the Aloha Aina Earth Day #64 for Olelo Television at Leeward Community College today, Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Senator Bobby Bunda stopped by to recycle and I got him to participate in one interview. I volunteered as a guide for cars entering the from gate from 1:30 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.

I attended the Wahiawa Hongwanji’s Health Fair at Wahiawa Hongwanji this morning, Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.  I was invited there from a friend in the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and Hongwanji.  I saw Rep. Marilyn Lee there manning a booth.

I attended the Oahu Urban Garden Center’s Arbor Day event in Pearl City this morning, Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 7:00 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. where the public could pick up some free trees to be planted and buy plants and vegetables.  Friends I met from the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation invited me to this event.  My father Richard Karamatsu is a volunteer there as well.  I greeted several hundred people.

Tonight, Thursday, November 5, 2009, I will attend “Rebuilding Hope: A Benefit Dinner for Hina Mauka” at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapa Ballroom from 5:30 P.M.

Today, Thursday, November 5, 2009, I attended the House Majority Caucus meeting at the State Capitol from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. and met the head of the Hawaii State Office of Elections and his staff at my office from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.

On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, I had meetings with an attorney I befriended while campaigning at Izuma Taisha at my office from 2:00 P.M., Senator “Najo” Yoshinaga at my office from 2:30 P.M., a friend supporting at-risk youth at Starbucks on Alakea Street from 3:00 P.M., and attended the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association General Membership Meeting at Plaza Club from 5:30 P.M.

I attended the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association general membership meeting at the Plaza Club tonight, Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

I visited the Waianae Comprehensive Health Center on Monday, November 2, 2009 from 10:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

I attended “A Tribute to Saint Damien” on the grounds of Iolani Palace from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

I attended the  Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Halloween Masquerade Ball at Pacific Beach Hotel on Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

I cooked oden with fellow members of the Honolulu Yamaguchi Kenjinkai at Palolo Hongwanji on October 31, 2009 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

In past journal entries, I have alluded to someday sharing my ghost or unexplainable experiences.  For many years, I have avoided it.  I finally decided to share a few of my experiences.  I am too nervous to share the more intense or scarier stories.  I remember how ghost story writer Glen Grant said how U.S. Senator Spark M. Matsunaga had hoped to share his ghost stories with him but never had the opportunity because he had passed away before he had a chance.  I tell a lot about my life now as far as my politics, philosophy, and personal life just in case I don’t have a chance to put it into formal writing.  With Halloween, this fits right in.

I don’t have much unusual experiences as a child.  I don’t remember this, but my mom did say that when I was really young, I told her there was a man in my room.  When she asked me where, I would point and she would tell me that she didn’t see anything.  My sister who is two and a half years younger would say the same thing later as well.

When I was young, I would hear whispering in my mom and dad’s bathroom.  I told my mom but she said it was probably because I needed to clean my ears.

I would not have anymore experiences until 1997.  At this time, I was a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in political science and a student government leader as Vice President of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii or ASUH.  It was during this time that I experienced many unusual things and met a number of people who shared their supernatural gifts with me.

To be continued…

“Young Forever” – Jay-Z featuring Mr. Hudson

My prayers go out to all my friends who are facing health, financial, legal, and career challenges.  Money and power is an energy for good and bad.  When you are on top, everyone wants to be around you.  Negative people and “negativity” in general will constantly try to take you down.  When you fall, people bail out on you.  Then when you are back on top, everyone wants to be with you again.  In the end, you only have a handful of true friends.  Keep your true friends close because when you die, your spirit lives on with them.

Even in death, we will be friends forever.

I attended the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Annual Meeting at Hilton Hawaiian Village today, Friday, October 30, 2009 from 6:00 P.M.

I attended the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation 62nd Annual Convention at Kauai Marriot Resort from Wednesday, October 28 to Thursday, October 29, 2009.

I am attending the Poi Dog, Popoki & the 19th Puka golf tournament for the Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals (Oahu SPCA) at Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach on Monday, October 26, 2009 from 12:00 P.M.

I attended Ryan and Jodie’s wedding on Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. at Waialae Country Club. I went early to help set up their Kahala Hilton reception suite and led the invocation at their wedding reception.

My invocation:

I am honored to do the invocation for this wonderful evening.  Could you kindly join me in prayer.

To our lord, our teachers of compassion, Ryan and Jodie’s loved ones who passed away, and all of Ryan and Jodie’s ancestors, thank you for the love and friendship between Ryan and Jodie.  Thank you for this wonderful couple’s family and friends who care so much for them.  Also, thank you for watching over Ryan and Jodie throughout their lives and sending them so much positive energy.  We truly appreciate the happiness we all share with each other.

Finally, thank you for the food we are about to partake in tonight.  Itadakimasu.  Please enjoy your meals.  Mahalo.

I cancelled my attendance to a subcontractors event on Friday, October 23, 2009.  I needed a litle break from the campaign for my family.  I am took my mom and aunty Jamie to see a Japanese movie, “Cobalt Blue”, a love story.  Speaking of love story, I have to continue working on my ultimate love story, which I have postponed my internal deadline to 2011 because of my Lt. Governor race.

I attended the Waipahu Neighborhood Board meeting at the Filipino Community Center on Thursday, October 22, 2009 from 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.  I talked to a couple of board members until midnight in the parking lot.

“All the Right Moves” – One Republic

In a competitive field such as politics, there are many battles, some you will win and some you will lose, but the goal is to win the war.  To win, one has to work extremely hard, present good ideas, and raise money.  But among all this is the psychological warfare of name dropping, flashing one’s financial warchest, and releasing information favoring one’s team.

Winning political battles are great, but when you lose a battle, take it, brush it off, and keep working relentlessly.  The song “All the Right Moves”  by One Republic seems to describe the political game.

“All the Right Moves” – One Republic

All the right friends in all the wrong places
So yeah, we’re going down
They’ve got all the right moves and all the right faces
So yeah, we’re going down

Just paint the picture of a perfect place
They’ve got it better than what anyone’s told you
They’ll be the King of Hearts, and you’re the Queen of Spades
And we’ll fight for you like we were your soldiers

I know we’ve got it good
But they’ve got it made
And the grass is getting greener each day
I know things are looking up
But soon they’ll take us down
before anybody’s knowing our name.

They’ve got all the right friends in all the right places
So yeah, we’re going down
We’ve got all the right moves and all the wrong faces
So yeah, we’re going down

They said, everybody knows, everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah, we’re going down
They said, everybody knows, everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah, we’re going down

Do you think I’m special?
Do you think I’m nice?
Am I bright enough to shine in your spaces?
Between the noise you hear
And the sound you like
Are we just sinking in an ocean of faces?

It can be possible that rain can fall,
Only when it’s over our heads
The sun is shining everyday, but it’s far away
All the world is dead.

They’ve got,
They’ve got all the right friends in all the right places
So yeah, we’re going down
We’ve got all the right moves and all the wrong faces
So yeah, we’re going down

They said, everybody knows, everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah, we’re going down
They said, everybody knows, everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah, we’re going down

It don’t matter what you see.
I know I could never be
Someone that looks like you.
It don’t matter what you say
I know I could never face
someone that could sound like you.

All the right friends in all the wrong places
So yeah, we’re going down
We’ve got all the right moves and all the wrong faces
So yeah, we’re going down

All the right friends in all the wrong places
So yeah, we’re going down
We’ve got all the right moves and all the wrong faces
So yeah, we’re going down

They said, everybody knows everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah we’re going down
They said, everybody knows everybody knows where we’re going
Yeah we’re going down

Yeah we’re going down
Yeah we’re going down

All the right moves, hey
Yeah, we’re going down
All the right moves, hey
Yeah, we’re going down

I attended an Evening with FACE (Faith Action for Community Equity) at Empress Restaurant in the Chinese Cultural Center on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 4:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

I attended the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center Open House on 94-340 Kunia Road today, October 20, 2009 from 3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.

I attended the 11th Annual “It’s Not Your Fault” Benefit Luncheon for the Sex Abuse Treatment Center at Oahu Country Club from 12:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 20, 2009.