JON RIKI KARAMATSU

Senator Clayton Hee and I have a meeting with farmers at an Ewa farm today, October 20, 2009 from 10:00 A.M.

Today, October 19, 2009, I had a lunch meeting with friends in the realty industry, meeting with a person entering the government relations business, and meeting with leaders in the Hawaii State Department of Public Safety.

My campaign team and I will volunteered at Jodo Mission of Hawaii’s Bazaar at Jodo Mission of Hawaii on Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

I attended the Ola Pono Ike Medical Gala 2009, Presented by Hawaii Medical Association and Honolulu Medical Society at Hyatt Regency Waikiki on Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. I will be receiving a Legislator of the Year award.

I attended the special showing of the film “An Untold Triumph”, the Story of the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments, U.S. Army at Mission Memorial Auditorium at Honolulu Hale from 5:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.   This event is a part of the Filipino American History Month.

I attended the Chefs Salute to Hawai 4-H with Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi at Natsunoya Tea House on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 from 6:30 P.M.

I attended the Waikele Elementary School Community Council & Parent Teacher Student Organization Meeting on Wednesday, October 13, 2009 from 6:00 P.M.

I chaired the joint House Committees Judiciary, Public Safety, and Human Services informational hearing on the The Hawaii Meth Project at the Hawaii State Capitol Room 325 on Wednesday, September 13, 2009 from 2:00 P.M.

On Sunday, October 11, 2009, I attended Izuma Taisha Mission’s Autumn Festival at Izuma Taisha Mission’s temple from 2:00 P.M. to 6:15 P.M.  (From June 1, 2009 to October 11, 2009, I met approximately 20,000 people)

On Sunday, October 11, 2009, I attended the Hawaii Fishing and Seafood Festival at Pier 38 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:15 P.M.

I attended the panel discussion with Governor Ben Cayetano at the Hawaii State Library on Saturday, October 10, 2009 from 1:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. – a program of the Filipino-American History Month.

I attended Children’s Fun Day at Holomua Elementary School from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

As a moderate Democrat, the following is my experience campaigning events throughout the state.  It would probably be different for other candidates.

In my experience campaigning statewide, greeting over 19,000 people, the political awareness is extremely extremely high with the seniors.  At the senior fair, I got the most positive feedback by far than any other event.  Many seniors knew who I was, which made talking to them so much easier.  I love being with seniors.  For me, a senior event is the best.  I enjoy mingling with grandmas and grandpas, partly because I miss my grandparents so much.

The second best feedback is at the various cultural events.  Culture means so much to people, especially when traditions are at risk of being continued by younger generations.  Also, it is nice to see various demographics practicing each other’s culture.

The third best type of events are family oriented events.  People who attend these events really enjoy spending time with their grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren.  Many care so much for their family that they naturally care about their community and understand the role government can impact them.  Even some of the teenagers have shown interest. 

The fourth type of events that are good to attend are business or union events because the members have a vested interest in government since they understand how it directly affects their industry.

The fifth best type of events are issue related, especially if you are on the right side of the issue.

The sixth type of events I mingle at are social or business mixers made up of young professionals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.  These individuals want to network, especially the ambitious young professionals.

After the Filipino American veterans’ event on Friday, October 9, 2009, I attended the Alternative Taste Street Festival at the urging of one of my colleagues in the Senate.  I cancelled my exercise time and went to the event.  It can’t hurt to meet more people I thought.  At the event, a few people I knew came up to me.  I approached a number of people I didn’t know as I usually do throughout the state.  A few individuals knew who I was, several had no idea who I was, and after rejections from three individuals I called it quits.  The pattern has been similar for me at events with extreme liberals, a few people keep track of politics, some sort of keep track, but a good number of them don’t care.  Ironically, as House Judiciary Chair, I passed legislation that has never been done before, which benefits this community.  Politically, I am beginning to wonder the true political strength of the so called liberal community in Hawaii.

My grandma Bessie Karamatsu’s baby brother Roy Okubo has been in my thoughts.  Recently, at the reception for the new Consul General of Japan at the consulate I talked to Katsugo Miho, a former family court judge and a veteran of the 522nd Artillery Battery B, 442nd Regimental Combat Team with my great Uncle Roy Okubo.  I mentioned my relation to my uncle.  He responded, “Oh, he was one of my closest friends. We spent months in the trenches, you become really close.”  Tears poured out of his eyes.

I attended Filipino History Month: Hawaii’s Filipino and Filipino-American Soldiers “A Legacy of Valor and Loyalty”, opening reception at Honolulu Hale Courtyard on Friday, October 9, 2009 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.  I was touched especially when my friend Domingo Los Banos (former Department of Education district superintendent & whose wife owns Children’s House School, which I attended preschool) made a prayer for all the Hawaii boys from the plantations who sacrificed for their country, many who passed away and are probably here tonight.  He mentioned how war is ugly and how we should avoid it.  My eyes got watery.  I am honored to have met some of these men or “boys” as they call themselves.  Like the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion, I sense so much energy in these brave veterans as they have seen so much.  Domingo told me some history as he glanced at the pictures, some with him in it.  I could feel his stories just by looking at his eyes.  His eyes told me everything.

I attended the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce’s Chopsticks & Wine at Sheraton Waikiki Hotel tonight Wednesday, October 6, 2009 from 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

Finishing my work at the capitol. For a break, I danced by myself to some songs on my Ipod. It reminds me of when I got caught dancing by myself in the 2008 Legislative Session in my old office, Capitol Room 427 when another office staffer of middle age walked in my office wanting a signature for a House certificate and I was in the middle of my dance. That was really funny! Any way to relieve stress right! 😛

I met with the Vice President of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of North America at my capitol office on Monday, October 5, 2009 from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M.  I also got to meet her nice mother and daughter and show them around the State Capitol including the House chambers and the Governor’s office.

I attended the Children & Youth Day at the State Capitol on Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

I attended the Japanese Cultural Center’s 2009 Celebration of Leadership and Achievement Dinner at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 5 P.M. to 9:15 P.M.

I attended the Filipino American History Month Opening Reception at the Hawaii State Library courtyard on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 1:45 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

I attended the Plumbers Local 675 Membership Benefits Conference at Dole Cannery’s Iwilei Ballroom on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:15 P.M.

I attended the HMSA Island Scene Festival at Kaka’ako Gateway Park on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 9 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.

I will attend 4 events tomorrow from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. I hope to meet another 1,000 people tomorrow. I personally met about 19,000 people so far since June 2009 based on campaign materials I handed out.

On Friday, October 2, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., I will be attending the 60th National Day of China & Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet at Empress Restaurant in the China Town Cultural Plaza Shopping Center.

I met with an old time developer for lunch at Hukilau Restaurant on September 28, 2009 from 12:00 P.M.  That day I also met with Chief Justice Moon at the Hawaii Supreme Court from 2:30 P.M.

I attended a Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii health committee on October 1, 2009 from 12:00 P.M.

I attended the Hawaii International Film Festival Film launch & sneak peak screening at Dole Cannery Theatres on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 from 6:30 P.M.

On September 30, 2009, I co-chaired the Joint House Human Services and Judiciary Committee informational hearing on the Office of Youth Services from 11:00 A.M. at the Hawaii State Capitol.

Since June 2009, Jon personally met approximately 18,000 people while campaigning based on the amount of campaign materials he passed out. (Campaign Statistics and Budget Coordinator)

All quotes and statements in printed mainstream newspapers such as the Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Star Bulletin must have a legitimate source.  Quotes and statements from individuals show their legal names and their organizations.  However, comments on the online websites of these newspapers have a majority of comments from individuals that cowardly hide behind fake names and they type negative and crass statements, and use codes that represent dirty words.  I strongly believe such comments have reduced the professionalism that should be associated with journalism.  Like letters to the editor in printed mainstream newspapers, individuals that comment on these newspapers’ online version must post their legal names because a vast majority of these comments are full of filth by individuals who have unsatisfied lives and have nothing to offer our society but place their ill-will onto others.  All of these negative individuals should be restricted to low-rated communication mediums and blogs and not the mainstream media’s websites.  If they are going to talk, they should show the world who they are rather than be cowards.  We encourage our children to read these mainstream news sources, but we shouldn’t have these individuals’ filthy writings be available for our children to read.

I’ve been quiet on this issue for too long.  I have an idea to get rid of all these negative individuals who comment in the mainstream online news media unless they post their real names.  Every year I strategize and create at least one fun project.  This is my latest one.  With my relentless determination, I have pulled a lot of rabbits out of hats in my career.  Watch when I pull these guys out of this hat.  Stay tuned.

I attended the Consul General of Japan and Mrs. Yoshiko Kamo Reception at their residence from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.

From a young age, my mom would tell me that I am so one-track mind when my mind is set on something.  Sometimes I would be focused on unnecessary issues or mistakes, and I would get affected negatively.  On the other hand, when I focused on positive goals, I would often achieve them or go very far towards my goals.  Over time, I learned to improve from my mistakes and accept my imperfection.  When I was young this was very difficult for me, but I have greatly improved since then.

Thus, I have learned to better myself from my mistakes and accept my imperfection, and place intense focus on my positive goals.  Since I was a little kid, I would dream away with goals I want to achieve and work at it constantly.  Today, the same goes for my goals for Hawaii and the United States and my efforts in my campaign for political offices.  I am so obsessed with my goals that I can’t stop thinking about them and working towards them.  I am relentless, especially when the odds are against me.  I like to take on overwhelming odds.  It is stressful but exciting like a natural high.

Life is full of challenges.  Sometimes, we can feel burnt out or even depressed.  Don’t let the negativity take you down.  My mom always told me since I was a kid, “Look at a half a glass of water as half full rather than half empty.”  Below are statements I say or what other people say that inspire me and keep me going strong.  I hope some of these quotes will help you when you are going through some challenging times.

“Let’s take it to the next level!” – Jon Riki Karamatsu

“Life life to the fullest!” – Jon Riki Karamatsu

“We can overcome negativity with positivity.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu

“When a majority of us are at peace, a majority of the world will be at peace.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu

“I don’t believe in no-win scenarios.” – James T. Kirk

“Let’s make the impossible possible.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu

“The longer we live, the more we can do.” – Brandon R. Mitsuda

“We get knocked down, but we get back up again” – Jon Riki Karamatsu

“We can come back a thousandfold stronger and nothing will stop us.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu

“Boys til we die!” – Jon Riki Karamatsu (I say this to my loyal boys)

“Not even death will stop us.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu (When we leave a positive impact while we are alive, we live on after death)

“We must keep death in mind at all times.” – Jon Riki Karamatsu (When you keep death in mind at all times, you appreciate life and make the most of it)

“We’re 24-7!” – Brandon R. Mitsuda

“I wish we didn’t have to sleep. Imagine how much more we could do?” – Brandon R. Mitsuda

“When our enemies are sleeping, we are still working.” – Brandon R. Mitsuda

“Taaarrific!” – Late Grandpa Tadao Sakai

“Study hard and Hollywood will beckon you.” – Late Grandpa Maurice Karamatsu (The last words grandpa Karamatsu told me.)

“Where there is a will, there is a way.” – Laraine E. Karamatsu (My mom always told me this since I was a kid)

“Do it once and do it well.” – Richard E. Karamatsu (My dad would always yell at me when I was young.  I still mess up the first time.  I learn from my mistakes and improve myself.)

“Jon, don’t forget your dreams.” – Late Representative Bob Nakasone (The last words Rep. Bob Nakasone told me)

“Always forgive.” – Speaker of the House Calvin K.Y. Say

I was on Chai’s Cooking Show, which aired this past Sunday, September 27, 2009.  The other show I was in aired in July of 2009.

I don’t believe in no-win scenarios.  Sure, we can fail.  However, there is always a way to succeed.  We can make the impossible possible.  Whether you succeed or fail does not matter.  What matters is how hard you tried. 

Hawaii is going through its worst economic downturn.  I am determined to make Hawaii more sustainable by reducing our reliance on imports such as oil and out-of-state food by supporting renewable energy development and local farmers.  I will do all I can to strengthen our tourism, technology, science, health, and film industries.  I will continue to support project-based learning in our public grade schools and ensure we have a stable public community college and university system.  Finally, I am committed to reduce violence in Hawaii.

In summary, these are my short-term goals for Hawaii: 1. Make Hawaii a top 100 economic power per capita in the world; 2. Ensure 30% of our food is grown in Hawaii; 3. Have 10% of our energy produced in Hawaii; and 4. Reduce Hawaii’s violent crimes by 40%.

My long-term and far-fetched goals for Hawaii: 1. Make Hawaii a top 25 economic power per capita in the world; 2. Ensure 45% of our food is grown in Hawaii; 3. Have 20% of our energy produced in Hawaii; and 4. Reduce Hawaii’s violent crimes by 75%.

Success of the above goals will give Hawaii the flexibility to provide more services in areas of transportation, health coverage, and long-term care.  My goal is to have a diversified transportation system, ensure 97% of Hawaii’s people are covered with health insurance, and create a program to help expand long-term care insurance coverage to 90% of Hawaii’s population. 

My long-term & far-fetched goals for the world: Reduce the violence in the world by 75%, unite 90% of the world’s countries, expand space exploration beyond our galaxy.  Dreams are what makes me look forward to tomorrow.

I don’t believe in no-win scenarios even for our personal lives.  Negativity may knock us down, but we will get back up and come back a thousandfold stronger and nothing will stop us.  I wish everyone happiness and compassion.

As I campaigned throughout the state, it has been interesting to meet so many people.  The seniors really touch me because of the sacrifice they have done for us.  Many seniors tell me they see me on T.V.   Even though I am in the media often, they really appreciate my old school style of campaigning and we are often linked through my passion for culture, which means so much to them.  A number of them told me that I am like the old school times.  One lady told me, “Good you do this [meet the people].  This is how it [politics] used to be in the old days.”  A middle-aged lady told me I am like a blast from the past and that I am like the old school guys.  I signed my autograph on a number of my fans for seniors at the Portuguese Festival.  With the Filipino community, I am touched when the nanas and tatas hug me.  I am honored to represent many of them in the House of Representatives.  I also really enjoy talking to all the Hawaiian seniors.  I met a number of them at a hula performance.  Some of the elder Japanese ladies like to speak to me in Japanese even though it is pretty clear that I am a Yonsei (fourth generation Japanese) or Gosei (fifth generation Japanese).  They bow and I bow back.  With my background in Jodo Shu Buddhism and Shintoism, many senior AJAs bring up our connection and seem so happy I continue many traditions that are fading with the younger generations.  A number of seniors told me I handled my mistake (DUI) well and to keep going.  I have met so many of my grandparents’ friends, especially grandpa Maurice Karamatsu with his big network from his days as former Vice President of Duty Free Shoppers, executive for Hawaiian Airlines, and President of the Hawaii Buddhist Council.  Some of the elder ladies are so blunt when they talk to me, it is funny, and it reminds me of my grandma Ellen Sakai.

Recently a number of seniors at the Senior Fair told me, “Thank you for running.”  I told them, “No, thank you for all you have done for my generation so we can can go to public school and do well.”  I will never forget the look on their faces.  The were touched and some of their eyes welted up a little.  My eyes got teary but I held them in.  The most touching was at the Okinawan Festival when en elder AJA lady started to cry when I knelt before her and gave her my pen. 

History and culture is so important.  Okage sama de.  Domo arigatou gozaimashita.  I am who I am because of the seniors before me and all those before them.  Thank you so much.

16,000

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

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

12,500

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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