On the morning of December 15, 2017, I checked out the PV solar system my friend Scott Murakami built with his company for my friend Alex Sou’s Aloun Farms in Kunia, Oahu, Hawaii. Also with us was Marlon Rimando. At one point in our career, Scott, Marlon, and I were sharing a warehouse by Honolulu International airport with a couple of other businesses for each of our Internet retail companies.
Today, October 3, 2017, I exercised for the 117th time in 2017. Early this morning, I lifted weights at 24 Hour Fitness in Mililani, Hawaii, and then I ran a quick 2.5 miles in Waikele, Hawaii before my meeting. Yesterday, my doctor and I were very happy with my physical examination results!
With my parents at Yuntaku, a fundraiser for the organization, a member of the Hawaii United Okinawan Association at Artistry at Kaka’ako, Honolulu, Hawaii on July 13, 2017. My sister Lara (3rd from the left) was one of the organizers, helping out her friends.They did a dance together onstage. I’m very proud of my sister’s leadership in the community and engineering sector.
A sculpture of Achala or the immovable one that I got from our Jodo Shu Hawaii bazaar some years ago that’s on the wall facing my home’s entrance. Achala bears a straight sword in his right hand, and a lariat or noose in his left hand. He uses his sword to cut through ignorance and his noose to reign in those who block the path to enlightenment. I read somewhere that he sacrifices himself from attaining Buddhahood in order to clear the path of enlightenment from evil so we can pursue enlightenment and become Bodhisattvas and ultimately, Buddhas.
To reduce our anxiety and stress, it’s good to be in nature and with positive people. I’m with my good friend and life coach Brandon Mitsuda at Ko’olina Lagoon 4, Oahu, Hawaii on June 25, 2017.
Here’s a picture of me in 2007 when I was presiding over the floor session of the Hawaii State House of Representatives when I served as Vice Speaker of the Hawaii House under the leadership of my friend and mentor Hawaii House Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say. I served as a State Representative of Waikele, Royal Kunia, Village Park, and Waipahu from 2002 to 2010. This is the background picture for my Facebook page until I achieve a moment that is just as exciting or better. 😉
We must always keep that child in us alive to fuel us with imagination, curiosity, and playfulness that will help us in our projects for others to enjoy!
Aloha attire worn for Aloha Fun Wear at http://www.alohafunwear.com on 5/19/2017 at Waimanalo, Hawaii. Aloha Fun Wear has a lot of fun and comfortable Hawaiian style clothing.
Picture for Aloha Fun Wear at alohafunwear.com on 5/19/2017 at Waimanalo, Hawaii. Aloha Fun Wear has a lot of fun and comfortable Hawaiian style clothing.
Here’s a picture from my short 2.77 mile run along the coast of Ko’olina on 5/15/2017. After my run, I swam the length of Lagoon 4 six times. Exercise and being in and near the ocean is helpful in alleviating stress and anxiety. I’m grateful to live in Hawaii.
Swam at Ko’olina on the evening of May 4, 2017. Peaceful. #beach #hawaii #oahu #koolina #koolinabeach #disneyaulani #fourseasonsresortoahuatkoolina #swim #peaceful
Here’s a song for you to dance into the new year called “Physical” by St. Lucia. This band produces that feel good music that I love, which reminds me of the songs of my childhood in the 1980s, and it has that electronic sound in what we now call EDM or Electronic Dance Music, an area I’ve been involved in through my friend DJ G-Spot, my friend since college at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. To have that 80s and EDM sound is awesome! Hmm, I have some ideas as I’m writing this entry.
For those of you still preparing for 2017, enjoy and make the most of your last day of 2016! For the rest of you, Happy New Year! I have a very good feeling that we can do great things in 2017!
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 