Night Before the 65th Anniversary of the 100th Battalion

Before, I forget, I want to put this in writing.  One of my most memorable times was hanging out with some of the 100th Battalion veterans at Hanagasu Inn the night before their 65th Anniversary luncheon on I believe June 23, 2007 where we had food and drinks, and sang karaoke.  All the patrons and veterans [...]

Karamatsu Temple

As this is the obon season, it is a time when our ancestors visit us and and a time when we celebrate their lives as well as ours.  I am reminiscing my Grandma Bessie Karamatsu's funeral at Jodo Mission Hawaii in April 2006.  I remember Bishop Nakamura's statement to my grandma in front of the [...]

Mr. Robert "Bob" Shimoda

This weekend, I volunteered with a number of my friends at the Jodo Mission of Hawaii Bon Dance held on August 17 and 18 where I serve as Vice President of the board of directors.  Saturday, August 18 was especially fun because while we were cooking the barbeque beef sticks, Mr. Robert “Bob” Shimoda came by with [...]

Praying For My Friend

My friend Linda will undergo brain surgery this Friday to prevent an artery from bursting.  I met her four years ago and have been friends with her since.  She is an amazing person.  When she was nineteen years old she moved to Hawaii from Michigan, single and pregnant.  She worked in the bar scene to make ends [...]

The longer you live, the more you can do.

One evening in July 2007, I met my friend Brandon to eat beef pho, a Vietnamese soup at a restaurant on Waialae Avenue.  We were supposed to do some political strategy.  I was feeling a little down but I didn't tell him.  I was surprised when he told me out of the blue, “The longer [...]

Dreams of My Grandparents

On the morning of August 11, 2007,  I dreamt I was hanging out with business and community leaders at my grandpa Maurice Karamatsu's house.  He seemed happy and proud of me.  He asked them if they wanted ice cream in the refrigerator, which he said he usually had for the kids.  When he was alive, [...]

Summer Trips

In May, I attended a National Conference for State Legislatures in Washington D.C. for leadership across the country (i.e. Speaker, Vice Speaker, Majority Leader, Senate President, Senate Vice President).
In June, my dad, mom, sister Mia, sister Lara, and I vacationed in California.  We went to Yosemite National Park where Mia, Lara, and I climbed [...]

Update on Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu’s 2007 Bills

Peace Day

House Bill 345 became law as Act 23 on April 18, 2007, which establishes September 21 annually as Peace Day in Hawaii to promote peace programs, improve international relations, and increase educational awareness of peace.  This designated day encourages citizens to observe and celebrate peace. 
I am chairing a committee that is planning events to [...]