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President's Message
By Carol VanCamp, President
 As our JCCIH delegation prepares to head for our annual visit to the Higashi-Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce & Industry, I am reminded of how very fortunate we are to have so many wonderful volunteers in this organization. This year, there are 11 of us going to Japan, and we are excited to be able to be part of their Sake Festival activities and enjoy our friendship and fellowship with their Chamber members. Our dynamic Social & Cultural Committee, led by Gina Tanouye, organized two great events during our first quarter - an amazing Goji Kara at the newly-renovated Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on Aug. 27th, and another event with the Hawaii Island and Portuguese Chambers and UHH Athletics on Sept. 12th. Both events had great turnouts and offered fabulous food, fellowship and door prizes. Planning is now underway for another exciting Christmas party on Dec. 2nd.
Our Membership Committee, led by Josie Kiyan, has been busy both with annual membership renewals and with new member recruitment. During the first quarter of this Chamber year (July 1-Sept. 30), we had 25 new Chamber members, which now brings us close to surpassing the 300-member mark. This accomplishment has been aided not only by this committee, but also by the involvement of the Chamber board and individual members. Now it's up to all of us to welcome these new members and encourage them to join our committees and participate in our many events.
Mike Miyahira has been leading our board's strategic planning initiative. Volunteering his time and expertise, he is helping our leadership determine our priorities, goals and objectives for the next 3 to 5 years - an initiative that most organizations and businesses strive to undertake periodically. We are so very fortunate to have Mike's leadership in this area.
Audrey Takamine is leading the Education Committee, and they are planning many exciting programs in the upcoming months, including an update on the TMT project, a fellowship event with UHH Japanese students, and campus tours for both UHH and Hawaii Community College.
Russell Arikawa and Craig Shiroma, aided by a dedicated committee, are co-chairing our 15th Annual A Taste of Hilo fundraiser that is set for Oct. 20th. A limited number of tickets are still available, but we anticipate a sell-out of this amazing event. The event proceeds in part go to support the culinary arts program at Hawaii Community College.
Barbara Hastings is chairing our Communications & Marketing Committee, and has been busy identifying opportunities to promote our Chamber in the media and streamline our communications efforts for consistency. Amanda Lee, overseeing our website, has been working hard to make it more functional and updated.
Our Government Affairs Committee, headed by Dave Honma, and our Economic Development Committee, led by Randy Kurohara, are also preparing some exciting programs for this year, including the recent Sept. 23rd successful general membership meeting that featured Sherry Menor-McNamara (President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii) as our guest speaker.
In early August, our Chamber joined the County of Hawaii and Hilo Intermediate School in hosting 14 students and four adult chaperones from Yurihama City (Sister City to Hawaii County), and many of our members participated in the organizing and hosting activities. Amy Aoyagi from our Chamber deserves special recognition for her important role in this program, along with Alson Sakamoto from HIS and Allan Onishi who heads up our International Committee.
For any members who are not currently a member of one or more Chamber committees, I encourage you to do so - the major work of our Chamber is done through our committees, and it's also a great way to develop long-lasting friendships, business connections, and have a lot of fun at the same time. Contact Lei Fujiyama Pillers (our dedicated Executive Assistant) in the Chamber office for more information about our committees. Get involved - you won't be disappointed!
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Mayor's Message
Aloha!
Since I was elected Mayor in 2008, one of my most important goals has been to bring our island together, to heal the rifts that once divided east and west. Our team has worked very hard to reach out to every community on our island, holding over 50 talk story sessions in every district of Hawai'i Island.
All of our cabinet members work in Kona and Hilo regularly. We are committed to serving all the people of Hawai'i Island. The newest stretch of the 41-mile, $290 million highway has been open for a month now, making cross-island commutes quicker and safer. Thanks to the hard work of many people over the years at all levels of government and in the community, East and West Hawai'i have never been closer together. Opening this latest segment on what would have been his 89th birthday was a great opportunity to reflect on his legacy.
One of the roadways we all travel the most is the Daniel K. Inouye Highway - the DKI, if you will - formerly known as the Saddle Road between majestic Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. I remember joining our late Senator Inouye in 2009, only a few months into my first term as Mayor, to open a stretch of improved Saddle Road near the Mauna Kea State Park. Our Senator's aloha for Hawai'i was evident in the many projects he championed to improve the lives of everyday people.
Aloha,
Billy Kenoi
MAYOR
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15th Annual A Taste of Hilo
By Russell Arikawa & Craig Shiroma
O  ctober 20, 2013 - This date should be highlighted in red on your calendar! Why you ask? Because this day is the 15th Annual A Taste of Hilo! The premier event in Hilo will be right here at the lovely Sangha Hall. Starting at 1 PM, for two hours you can sample tasty t  reats from the best food and beverage vendors on the Big Island. All this for only $45.00 (pre-sale)! If you wait too long, you probably will not be able to purchase any tickets, as this event has been a sell-out in recent years. Therefore, my advice to you is...don't wait to taste; do not be left out. Our committee has been busy organizing a tremendous event, and at last count, we had 37 of Hawaii Island's leading vendors lined up to provide you the best mouthwatering samples that your palate will ever taste. From sweet to spicy, from the ocean to the pastures, we will have it here for you. The proceeds from this event help support the Chamber's many programs but more importantly, provide financial support to the Hawaii Community College in providing scholarships for higher education.
Please help us help the community. You will not regret it. See you there!
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Hale 'Alahonua ....."the breeze upon which the fragrance of earth is carried" - The Newest Addition to UHH
By Carol VanCamp, President
Friends and supporters of the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH) joined students, faculty, administrators, and legislators during the August 19th grand opening of the $32.5 million Hale 'Alahonua Residence Hall that this fall became home to about 300 UHH students.
Keynote Speaker Governor Neil Abercrombie praised the accomplishments of the Hilo campus for not only this new building, but all of the growth and expansion that has occurred over the past 10 years, and the many opportunities yet to come, including the construction of a new building for the UHH College of Pharmacy, which he strongly supports. The new residence hall, located along Kawili Street across from the main campus entrance, became the first phase of what is now called University Village. The complex is about 105,505 square feet and features a trio of three-story residential wings comprised of two single-person bedroom suites. A 9,581 square-foot, one-story student life common area connects the three wings and includes several amenities and courtyards.
Hale 'Alahonua was designed by Mitsunaga and Associates, Inc., and built by Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc. The project was managed by SSFM International.
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Goji Kara at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
By Gina Tanouye
 The newly-renovated Hilo Hawaiian Hotel hosted JCCIH's Goji Kara on Tuesday, Aug. 27, with a lovely evening of delicious fusion cuisine and a tour of the beautiful renovations. The Chamber is grateful to Hilo Hawaiian Hotel for welcoming our members to such a wonderful event. Thanks to the Social & Cultural Committee, the Goji Kara was not only a special opportunity to see first-hand all of the impressive things that the hotel has to offer, but was also a blast! Members toured newly outfitted guest rooms and each of the hotel's hallways, which featured refurbished wall and floor coverings and new furniture. More than half of the 286 guest ro oms on eight floors have been redone. Renovations are to cost $5.8 million and are expected to be complete by the end of October. Operations Manager Francis Rickard shared that many of their guests are kama'aina, and events like the Goji Kara are a great way to share what's new for local guests.
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Lincoln Ashida sampling a Japanese dish "Shabu Shabu"
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The hotel's Food & Beverage Manager, Gregory Arianoff, and Chef Khamtan Tanhchaleun fashioned seven different food stations for the event, each highlighting specialty fusion cuisine from world locales including Thailand, China, Japan, Italy and Hawai'i. A dessert pyramid of sweet delicacies, including a pineapple "tree" and chocolate fondue station topped the evening activities.  | |
From left to right: Gina Tanouye, Carol VanCamp, Barbara Hastings, and Francis Rickard
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MAHALO to the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel for graciously welcoming our members and to Gina Tanouye and her Committee for organizing this great evening!
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Francis Rickard, Hilo Hawaiian Operation's Manager, and Carol VanCamp, JCCIH President, at the dessert station.
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Protecting Mauna Kea's Cultural Assets
By Stephanie Nagata, Office Director of Mauna Kea Management
Most observers agree that OMKM has come a long way since it was established some 13 years ago-and nowhere is such progress more clearly measured than in the recent hiring of Wallace A. "Wally" Ishibashi, Jr. as our Cultural Liaison Officer and Joy Yoshina as our Program and Policy Coordinator.
Wally comes to the Office after retiring as business agent and officer with the ILWU Local 142. Besides his longtime role with the union, Wally is closely connected to the community in many different ways, including the Hawai'i County Windward Planning Commission, Big Island Community Coalition, and as a youth basketball and baseball coach. He chaired the Hawai'i Island United Way campaign in 1999 and was recently named by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to a four-year term on the Hawaiian Homes Commission.
Drawing on his wide range of experiences,
Wally will serve as cultural monitor for projects on UH-managed lands on Mauna Kea; cultural advisor for staff, including Rangers and VIS staff; liaison between the Office and Kahu Ku Mauna Council; and helping with outreach efforts with the Native Hawaiian community and the general public.
Wally is a native of the Big Island who moved to Oahu to attend high school, then returned to the Big Island to work at the Hilo Coast Processing Co. Far more than just a "resident" of Hawaii Island, Wally's family can document its ties directly to Mauna Kea. "You might say that I've been preparing for this job my entire life," he concludes.
Joy Yoshina's life journey has also taken her away from her Big Island home and then back again. Born and raised in Ka'u, Joy's family moved to Louisiana after Ka'u Sugar closed in 1995. Joy earned her degree in Marine Affairs and Policy from the University of Miami in Florida. After working in Louisiana, she moved back to Hawai'i Island last May, taking a job as a ranger at the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. Since starting with OMKM in mid-July, Joy now lives in Hilo, but still works as a ranger on the Kona side on the weekends.
Like everyone else at OMKM, Joy will be wearing multiple hats, helping OMKM keep track of projects approved by the MKMB and UH; assist with the development of administrative rules; respond to inquiries; and track and follow through on reports by the Rangers.
In addition to communicating with project staff, Joy anticipates traveling to the summit on a regular basis in order to monitor projects first-hand. In developing policies, public safety will be a priority, she explains, along with protecting Mauna Kea's natural and cultural resources. "I see this job as a huge privilege and responsibility," Joy adds. "After all, Mauna Kea is the epicenter-culturally and spiritually-of this living landscape."
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Henk Rogers Headlines Economic Development Luncheon
By Carol VanCamp
Henk Rogers, entrepreneur, philanthropist and community advocate for energy and food sustainability, brought his passion and excitement to his Chamber Economic Development presentation on Aug. 15th.
 | | From left to right: JCCIH Past President Roland Higashi, Henk Rogers, and JCCIH Past President Janice Higashi |
Well-known for producing Japan's first major role-playing video game, The Black Onyx, and for revolutionizing the video game industry by securing the rights for the Tetris game, he is now turning his sights to initiatives that make our islands and our planet a better place to live.
He is President & CEO of Blue Planet Software, and founder of Blue Planet Foundation, a nonprofit clean energy advocate, and founder of Blue Startups, Hawaii's first venture accelerator. These startups will help entrepreneurs incubate into viable businesses poised to secure venture capital funding.
According to Rogers, a heart attack he suffered in 2005 prompted him to re-evaluate the purpose of his life's work and to focus on ending the use of carbon-based fuel and the development of alternative energy sources.
He and his wife, Akemi, have four children and split their time between residences in Honolulu and in Kona. Akemi is originally from Yokoyama, Japan, and she and Henk lived in Japan for 18 years during the video game phase of his career.
Today, he is eager to pursue opportunities for people to travel to Mars and other planets and feels that Hawaii is positioned to take advantage of this better than any other place in the world. He shares his love of learning and education to students whenever he has a chance and hopes to continue to make a difference in the lives and future of the next generation.
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HawCC Update
By Chancellor Noreen Yamane
Aloha,
We are pleased to announce the recipients of this year's JCCIH scholarships. The following four Hawai'i Community College students were awarded scholarships for academic year 2013-2014 using JCCIH funds.
* Chaz Lo'ihimakani'imanawamaulo Bosque, Kamehameha (Hawai'i) graduate, second-year Hawai'i CC student in the Diesel Mechanics Program.
* Caryn Chanel Masutomi, Stonegate Christian Academy graduate, second-year Hawai'i CC student in the Nursing & Allied Health Program.
* Britney Kanoeokalani Mokiao-Tabilang, Wai'anae High School graduate, second year Hawai'i CC student in the Hawai'i Life Styles Program.
* Basanta Raj Pahari, second-year Hawai'i CC student in the Liberal Arts Program.
The funds JCCIH raises each year with "A Taste of Hilo" help students achieve their dreams of obtaining a college degree. In addition to scholarships, the funds are used for professional development opportunities for faculty/staff, the 'Ohana Fund to assist students in financial emergencies, as well as program and facility improvement.
Financial difficulties are among the reasons many students don't complete their college studies. By providing these scholarships and investing in higher education, JCCIH is improving the lives of individuals as well as the economy of Hawai'i Island. Mahalo for your support!
SUISAN/REX Y. MATSUNO SCHOLARSHIP
Another exciting announcement is the new scholarship established by Suisan Company, Ltd. in honor of Rex Y. Matsuno.
The Suisan Company, Limited/Rex Y. Matsuno Culinary Scholarship Endowment will support students who are graduates of a Hawai'i Island high school and are enrolled as full-time students in Hawai'i CC's Culinary Arts program. Suisan established the endowed scholarship with a $35,000 gift.
We are thankful for Suisan's generosity and for helping our students ease their financial burdens, achieve success and become productive citizens in our community.
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Japanese Chamber Participates in Annual Ireisai Hoyo Ceremonies
By Carol VanCamp
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii was honored to be among 10 presenters during the August 25th Annual Ireisai Hoyo ceremonies at Alae Cemetery. T his event honors the memory and contributions of our Japanese immigrants to both our state and our island. Each presenter provided a basket of flowers from their respective organizations that were placed around the permanent monument at that site.
Sponsored by the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii, this event brings together cultural and civic organizations, and also representatives of various Buddhist temples and kenjinkais. The Honorable Toyoei Shigeeda, Counsel General of Japan for Hawaii, was in attendance for this event and among presenters. Our own Honorary Counsel General, Art Taniguchi, also participated as a presenter.
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"Omiyage" - The Gift of Giving
In the Japanese culture, there are a number of social obligations, and one of the most common ones you'll run into is "Omiyage." The kanji that make up the word Omiyage are 土 (earth or ground) and 産 (product), so theoretically it's a local product from wherever you visited. (Omiyage can also mean 'souvenir', but here I'm going to talk about omiyage as gifts.)
Any time you go on a trip, it is expected that you will return bearing gifts. However, most of these gifts are not things to be kept and cherished, but rather food to be quickly consumed. In Japan, the best gift is something that takes up little space, preferably none. The most common item is a box of small confectionaries / sweets. Ideally these sweets are the local specialty of an area you have travelled to, or otherwise represent that place in some way (like Big Island Candies, KTA Mountain Apple product, etc.), but often they are just sweets that some company has put in a beautiful container.
In fact, the actual contents of the gift don't really matter. It's the "thought that counts," everyone will happily accept the gift and exclaim that it is indeed very delicious. It doesn't matter where you went, the point is that you went away and returned bearing gifts.
Omiyage gifts go a bit beyond little souvenirs. It should be attractive and should be beautifully wrapped and packaged. Gifts are given not just after traveling, but on many other occasions too, like going to a dinner gathering at someone's home.
Rules of Omiyage
1. The best Omiyage is something that can be consumed. Food is a great gift  . However, cosmetics can also be good - perfume, expensive lipstick, etc. Wine and other alcoholic beverages are a good too, especially if the place you have visited is known for them. 2. The second best Omiyage is something expensive with a label on it. The perfect gift for a female is an expensive scarf, perfume, brand name cosmetics from a well-known label. Following food or beverage, expensive ties are a possibility of men.
3. Don't gift anything homemade unless you really know the recipient.
4. Your intended recipient really wants it. Your recipient may initially act coy about accepting the gift. Just keep politely insisting they take it. It's a sort of weird ritualistic dance.
5. The recipient may not open the gift in front of you.  Don't be surprised or disappointed if the recipient just puts the gift away, without even opening it. This is fairly usual, especially for people who get tons of gifts. However, if the gift is perishable, you will want to warn them about it. Japanese phrase: Sugu meshiagatte kudasai, means "Please consume right away."
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Honoring 50 Most Influential
People and Businesses
By Barry Mizuno
If someone asked you to name 25 of the most influential business people in the last 50 years in Hawaii, who would you pick? Pacific Business News, over a ten-month process and utilizing an advisory board, did come up with such a list and recently announced the picks and honored these 25 individuals at a banquet held on September 26 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The list of 25 included such names as Walter Dods, Mark Dunkerly, Chinn Ho, Henry Kaiser, Tom Moffett, Robert Pfeiffer and Harry Weinberg. The name that stood out prominently to Big Islanders, however was Barry Taniguchi. Yes, our own Barry Taniguchi was named as one of 25 most influential business people over the past 50 years! | |
Top Row: Fred Yamashiro , Sandy & Barry Taniguchi, Ivan & Linda Nakano,
Carolyn and Barry Mizuno
Bottom Row: Jere and Lynda Usui
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Most of us know Barry as the head of KTA Super Stores, former president of the JCCIH, former chair of the Mauna Kea Management Board, and father of Toby and husband of Sandy. So now, Barry has a new distinction, and all of us wish him our congratulations and best wishes, but more so, our MAHALO for all that you do for our community. We are truly grateful for your genuine value of "kahiau." Omedeto! You are deserving of this honor!
 | Taniguchi Family
Top: Toby Taniguchi
Bottom Row: Sandy, Amanda and Barry Taniguchi
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Meet your Committee Chairs...  Education Committee - Chair:
Audrey TakamineIn the August Oshirase, we featured two very amazing women serving as Committee Chairs this year - Josie Kiyan as Membership Chair and Gina Tanouye as Social & Cultural Chair. We are thrilled to continue this section with another incredible woman serving as Education Committee Chair - Audrey Takamine. Audrey is a dedicated mother of two beautiful children, 6 year-old daughter Abbie and 4 year-old son Noah. With her husband Craig, they founded Takamine Construction, Inc. in 2003, and this year will mark the 10th year for their construction business. Audrey shares with the chamber many of the same values that are important to her and Craig in their own business and lives - building meaningful relationships, giving back to the community, and the importance of education.
A UH Hilo graduate from the College of Business, Audrey has a passion and enthusiasm for education, and has been giving her time and expertise to helping different groups and organizations towards this effort. She is part of the UH Hilo Alumni and Friends, serving as a Board Member, as well as the Hui Ka Ua Board. She also serves on the Waiakea Elementary School PTO Board, and helps with the Hilo Hongwanji Preschool. Audrey also helps with Junior Achievement, including serving on the Board. The Education Committee is a key part of the chamber's overall purpose, as it is the engine that helps to plan and coordinate a variety of educational activities within the community, and helps to inform the membership of current educational matters. The committee also focuses on supporting the Department of Education, Hawaii Community College, and UH Hilo. Along with an involved and enthusiastic committee, Audrey is excited about what the committee is planning for the upcoming months. She invites you to see what the committee is all about, and come join in one of the meetings to see if this is something that you'd like to be part of! The Education Committee meets the first Thursday of every month (with holiday exceptions). If you are interested, please contact the chamber office or Audrey.
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Bunka No Hi
Japanese Community Association of Hawaii
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Words of Wisdom
By Tommy Goya
"One must embrace change or be engulfed by it."
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What's Happening
October 11, 2013
Taste of Hilo Committee Meeting
HawCC, Building 385A, Room 1
12:00pm - 1:00pm
October 14, 2013
Office Closed in Observance of Columbus Day
October 18, 2013
Taste of Hilo Committee Meeting
HawCC, Building 385A, Room 1
12:00pm - 1:00pm
October 20, 2013
15th Annual A Taste of Hilo
Sangha Hall
1:00 pm-3:00 pm
October 21, 2013
Board Meeting
Hilo Yacht Club
11:30 am-1:00 pm
November 7, 2013
Education Committee Meeting
Wai'oli Lounge
5:00pm
November 11, 2013
Office Closed in Observance of Veterans Day
November 12, 2013
Board Meeting
Hilo Yacht Club
11:30 am-1:00 pm
November 16, 2013
Japanese Community Association of Hawaii
Japanese Culture Day
Sangha Hall, Hilo
10:30am - 2:30pm
December 2, 2013
General Membership Meeting & Holiday Party
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Moku'ola Room
(more information forthcoming)
March 5, 2014
JCCIH Golf Classic Tournament
Hilo Municipal Golf Course
(more information forthcoming)
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2013-2014
Officers & Directors
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Executive Officers
Carol VanCamp, President
David Honma, 1st Vice President
Darren Nishioka, 2nd Vice President
Russell Arikawa, 3rd Vice President
Naomi Menor, Japanese Secretary
Donn Mende, Treasurer
Ivan Nakano, Auditor
Jon Arizumi, Immediate-Past President
Directors - term expiring 6/30/14
Tommy Goya
Phoebe Lambeth
Marvin Min
Dwayne Mukai
Russ Oda
Joseph Skruch
Arthur Taniguchi
Directors - term expiring 6/30/15
Janice Bueltmann
Barbara Hastings
Randy Kurohara
Amanda Lee
Tracey Miura
Michael Miyahira
Allan Onishi
Debbie Shigehara
Nina Tanabe
Toby Taniguchi
Directors - term expiring 6/30/16
Nobuo Arimoto
Ross Birch
Laurie Correa
Charlene Iboshi
Michael Kaleikini
Ka'iu Kimura
Kimo Lee
Barry Mizuno
Steve Ueda
Nico Verissimo
Oshirase Newsletter
Amanda Lee, Editor
Lei Momi Fujiyama Pillers, Executive Assistant
Chantee Poepoe-Vigil, Intern
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Welcome New Members!
| Phyllis Hayama
Retired
959-8789
phylherb@hawaiiantel.net
Jay Ihara Neighborhood Place of Puna Community Development Specialist 938-8048,965-5550 jayihara@gmail.com Florence Kubota Retired 935-1259 flo96720@me.com 
Layne T. Oki Cronies Bar & Grill Owner 935-5158 cronies@hawaii.rr.com Barry Mark Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Financial Advisor 933-9606, 987-2016 barrymark@hawaiiantel.net Helen Shirota-Benevides Retired 964-5796, 315-3414 kbenevides@aol.com Hiroshi Suga Retired 959-3174, 936-0473 hiroshi.suga02@gmail.com |
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