Let’s see how far we’ve come. Let’s see how far we go.

The following song by Matchbox 20, which is called “How far we’ve come,” inspires me to keep working hard to better Hawaii, the United States, and the world.  It reflects the energy I have in my determination to tip the balance towards compassion, but also the frustration I feel at times when I realize [...]

Compassion: 1. To let go of the one you truly love

There are many stories of compassion.  I would like to share one from a friend of mine.  This person got an injury from another worker after reporting on him for playing hooky from work despite being paid.  A friend referred him to a Buddhist temple when he went into a depression.  His personal life improved and he became very [...]

Compassion

Compassion is a way of life we have to work at rather than living with anger and hatred.  I have my weaknesses and I am trying my best to better myself.  I apologize to anyone I affected negatively because of my failures.  We must do our best to train our mind to think of good thoughts that [...]

S.B. 546, S.D. 2, H.D. 1: Relating to Land Use

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Written Remarks
Senate Bill 546, Senate Draft 2, House Draft 1
Relating to Land Use
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
 
            I rise in support.
 
            Upon careful consideration, Senate Bill 546 was amended.  We replaced its contents with the most of the language of House Bill No. 2807, House Draft 2, which contains language providing two [...]

Time Flies

Life goes by so fast. 
I was born on December 21, 1974, the year of the tiger.
I remember my mom making me read books and study math and English as a toddler and up to grade school.  She did the same for my younger sisters.   My mom taught me education, love, and kindness.
As a little kid, my sister Mia and [...]

S.B. 3048, S.D. 1, H.D. 1: Relating to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Written Remarks
Senate Bill 3048, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 1
Relating to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
 
            I rise in support.
 
            Senate Bill 3048 provides the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and all of its beneficiaries, with a tool that will aid them in their goal to be economically self-sufficient.
 
            [...]

S.B. 2646, S.D. 2, H.D. 2: Relating to Important Agricultural Lands

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Written Remarks
Senate Bill 2646, Senate Draft 2, House Draft 2
Relating to Important Agriculture Lands
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
 
            I rise in support.
 
            The purpose of this bill is to provide a comprehensive set of incentives to establish and sustain viable agricultural operations on lands designated as important agricultural lands (IALs).  This bill, among [...]

S.B. 2198, S.D. 2, H.D. 2: Relating to Land Conservation

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Written Remarks
Senate Bill 2198, Senate Draft 2, House Draft 2
Relating to Land Conservation
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
 
            I rise in support.
 
            This bill encourages the protection and preservation of land in the state by establishing a Land Conservation Incentives Tax Credit (Tax Credit).  Specifically, this bill allows taxpayers to deduct 50 percent of [...]

S.B. 2803, S.D.1, H.D. 1: Relating to Personal Information (Identity Theft)

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Written Remarks
Senate Bill 2803, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 1
Relating to Personal Information (Identity Theft)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
 
            I rise in support.
 
            The purpose of this bill is to protect the personal information collected and maintained by state and county agencies through the implementation of the recommendations of the “Hawaii Identity Theft [...]

S.B. 3190, H.D. 1: Relating to Issuance of Special Purpose Revenue Bonds to Assist Sopogy, Inc.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Written Remarks
Senate Bill 3190, House Draft 1
Relating to Issuance of Special Purpose Revenue Bonds to Assist Sopogy, Inc.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
 
            I rise in support.
 
            The development of clean electricity from a renewable and abundant resource, the sun, at a price lower than the market price and independent from oil price fluctuations [...]