Welcome to the Year of the Dragon! 

People born in the year of the Dragon  2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916 and every 12th previous and future years, tend to be perfectionists, impulsive and brimming with self-confidence and enjoy being in command.  Some of the more famous Dragon people include Joan of Arc, Freud, Raquel Welch and Bruce Lee.  Do you know any Dragon people?

Urasenke Hilo Association held its New Year's Tea ceremony at Liliuokalani Park Tea House on Sunday, January 29.   It was an honor and privilege to represent the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii at this private gathering.  

The distinguished ladies of the Urasenke Hilo Association, dressed in their beautiful silk kimonos created a welcomed setting for the honored guests.  What a pleasure to share this experience and fellowship with Honorable Billy Kenoi and Mrs. Kenoi, Mr. Russell Oda - President Urasenko Hilo Association, Mr. Art Taniguchi - Vice President Urasenko Hilo Association / Honorary Consul General of Japan, Mr. Larry Isemoto, and Mr. Hiroshi Suga  - Vice President of the Japanese Community Association Hawaii. 

 

 

As we gathered in this authentic tea house which is occasionally opened a few days during the year and bears the name "Shoroan", meaning Pine Ocean House like the old teahouse, we witnessed the ceremonial preparation and presentation of Matcha (powdered green tea) which was delectable to the palate.  The manner in which it was performed was exquisite!  Adding to its flavor was a course of confection and a light meal.  What a pleasurable cultural experience to partake in beautiful Hilo, Hawaii.

Did you know.........

 

The meaning of Chanoyu, "hot water for tea", literally translates as "hot water (-yu) for (no) tea (cha)."  The entire practice of what is called Japanese "tea ceremony" is not merely hot water suitable for tea drinking, it's a simple, yet complex practice.... a way of life, and a spiritual manner in the Buddhist sense of mental, spiritual and physical training.  In Japanese, "Chanoyu" also means; "The Way of Tea."

 

  

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Chamber members help celebrate Kama'aina Nissan's 3rd Anniversary.

Nearly 60 Chamber members and their guests joined JCCIH member Ivan Nakano and the staff at Kama'aina Nissan in a celebration of the dealership's 3rd anniversary on  January 25th.  The Goji Kara was held at the dealership on Kalanianaole Avenue, and was hosted by Bill Wilson, General Manager. Festivities included great food and sake, as well as great door prizes for Kama'aina Nissan services.  The dealership opened in 2008, and has been a very successful addition to the Kama'aina Motors family of businesses. Our thanks to the entire team at Kama'aina Nissan for their hospitality, and best wishes for continued success!

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Cities are in a sense a great wilderness where creatures can find lots of hidings for shelter and feeding opportunities. In a Walt Disney movie "Ratatouille", the main characters easily sustain their lives without going much far from their residence. So long as they are satisfied with what they can get, criticizes the main character and he sets out to reach the best food that city can offer.

Some humans go opposite way - visit the wilderness at the expense of foregoing the variety of meals and the comfort the city life can provide. I was one of those fortunates to be able to stay in a beautiful setting in this island this past weekend, where one can bathe in a clear stream instead of shower. The trees and flowers dominate the daytime view, while the crisp stars fill the nighttime sky. And the cooking was fun and everything was delicious!

Now where are the animals? We did not have to worry about four legged creatures roaming around to mess up with the leftover food in this island. With similar scenery, I would expect a couple of big animals if I were in the mountainside of Japan. Most common are the Saru (monkey). They learned things from the human beings and applied their dexterity for their benefit - wash fruits and potatoes in the ocean or river for better taste, dip in hot springs in cold weather. They can sneak upon the campsite and grab the best tasting food.

Kitsune (fox) and Tanuki (raccoon) are common as well. They are sometimes spotted at the towns' periphery. Deep in the forest, you may encounter Kuma (bear), though you don't want to run into. Black ones in the main island are a little milder than the red-brown ones with larger size in Hokkaido Island. In northern Japan, Kamoshika (serow, a goat-antelope) jumps between rocks on the steep mountain slopes. They are quite conspicuous after the trees lose leaves in autumn. Shika (deer) started to come out from the forest and frequent into the suburbs in northern Japan as well, and they can cause serious snags in the traffic. However I do not think opossums hitch a ride in the subway over there, since they are not from around.

Now, back to the campsite. There were a variety of birds instead of four legged creatures (except a few mongeese). Some fly solo, some in a group. They gracefully flapped or glided by. When night falls, I still see things criss-crossing the sky, besides the airplanes. Far above the Earth's atmosphere, those are the modern day carrier pigeons, the man-made satellites delivering messages or information.

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We Invite you to celebrate Journey Week!

Meet and greet National Science Team members plus the many astronomers and educators who are deliverying this fantastic educational program to our K-12 schools.

Astronomy Educators Reception

Sponsored by Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii and Hawai'i Island Chamber of Commerce

Monday, March 5, 2012

5pm to 8pm  Hilo Yacht Club

• Pupus 
• No Host Beverages
• Door Prizes
• JCCIH & HICC Members $25
• Non Members & Guests $30

Click Here to Register and for Information

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"Education.....

The most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in."  Abraham Lincoln March 9, 1832.  Never, never stop learning and educating.    

As Hawaii Community College welcomes approximately 3, 500 students to the campus this Spring semester, we also welcome a new administrator, staff in the Office of Continuing Education and Training and faculty in the Applied Technical Education Department.  Please feel free to contact them to see how they can work with Japanese Chamber members and the business community.

Maui native Jason Cifra, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, graduated from University of Hawaii at Hilo and served in various leadership positions in higher education in Nevada for 10 years.  He's happy to be back in Hilo and wants to use his skills and experiences to improve the graduation rate, focus on student leadership, and find opportunities for Hawaii Community College students to explore career tracks.  This summer he is planning a Summer Leadership Academy for the students and plans to tap the expertise of the community, including Chamber members.  

Donna DeLuz-Marcelino replaces Clyde Kojiro as an instructor for the Architectural, Engineering and CAD Technologies program.  She worked in drafting before lecturing in blueprint reading and teaching non-credit AutoCAD classes for Hawaii Community College.  She is looking forward to having the program provide printing services for working drawing prints and 3D modeling for the community.

Electronics instructor, Melanie Higa, returns back to Hilo after working in California at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division and at SafeNet Inc.  She is excited to share some of the skills and knowledge to Hawaii Community College students that she learned throughout her engineering career as both an electronics engineer and software engineer.  Melanie hopes to reevaluate the Electronics Technology program and possibly restructure it to better fit the needs of the island's workforce.  She sees the need to keep students interested in electronic technology and plans to do outreach to local schools with robotics programs so she can possibly incorporate this into her program.

The Rural Development Project under the Office of Continuing Education and Training has two new faces-- Graceson Ghen and long-time Waipi`o Valley taro farmer, Jim Cain.  Graceson Ghen is a Sustainability Coordinator who is working with 5 programs to incorporate sustainability and green concepts into their curriculum.  Graceson has worked as a carpenter since high school and has experience in many green building practices including photovoltaics, solar thermal, grey water collection, solar tube lighting, and reused/recycled building materials. He is eager to help Hawaii Community College, Hawaii County and the State move towards a sustainable future by helping in our pursuit of self sufficiency in energy, food, and water.

Jim Cain is working in Honokaa as a coordinator in the Center for Agricultural Success, a program to ensure the success of small-scale diversified farms.  Jim hopes to use his farming and entrepreneurial experience to help existing and new farmers succeed.  Beginning in April, Hamakua-North Hilo Ag Coop members, recent graduates of area high schools, college students, and interested community members will be able to apply for the New Farmer Training Initiative.  The goal is to provide new farmers with the skills necessary to consistently and sustainably produce and market crops for a profit, utilizing Hamakua's available agricultural lands and water.

Hawaii Community College is in the process of planning a Big Island Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Review and Workforce Development Conference in late April and hopes to have Chamber members attend to give input to the College.  Clusters will be identified (may include energy, healthcare and agriculture)and faculty, staff, administrators, and business and community groups will exchange ideas and facilitate discussion to improve timing and direction of identified based workforce needs.  Information from this conference will be used in curriculum development or to strengthen current programs around current workforce needs.       

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TMT's planned education fund-The Hawaii Island New Knowledge (THINK) Fund was founded with the goal of inspiring educational excellence in the core areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).The THINK Fund is part of TMT's larger comprehensive community benefits package centered on improving educational opportunities for Hawaii Island students and enhancing their preparation as the workforce for the science and technology economy of the 21st century Hawaii. 

The Hawaii Island Economic Development Board brought together a team of Hawaii Island community leaders who worked together with TMT to establish the fund's framework and governance. Out of this volunteer effort the Organizing Committee established roles, governance structure and initial operating polices. TMT appreciates the dedication of these committee volunteers including Roberta Chu, Dr. Gregory Chun, John DeFries, Richard Ha, Jacqui Hoover, Duane Kanuha, Bob Saunders, Riley Smith, James Takamine and Ross Wilson. 

The Thirty Meter Telescope has committed $1 Million annually for the life of its (planned) Mauna Kea lease to the THINK Fund. Funding will commence with the start of construction. 

In conducting its due diligence, it became evident to the committee that the fiduciary, legal, and administrative requirements of implementing the THINK Fund will be immense and complex. The committee recommended that TMT utilize a third party administrator experienced in philanthropic management services. After evaluating several options it was recommended that TMT engage the services of the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation to establish and manage the various components of the THINK Fund. Each organization has its own strengths that would serve to ensure the optimization of the THINK Fund's impact over the long-term.

As we continue to move forward in 2012, TMT looks forward with great anticipation to the educational opportunities that will be realized for Hawaii Island students through the implementation of the THINK Fund.