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Newsletter Title
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President's Message
By David Honma, President

Aloha,

 

I am humbled and honored to serve as your 64th President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii. As Chamber President, my goals include enhancing overall membership experience; continue to assist members by supporting their business interest; and build a stronger personal and business relationship with our Sister Chamber from Higashi-Hiroshima. My goals directly support your Chamber goals and vision, which is to make the Big Island community a better place to live, work and do business.  

 

Your Chamber already offers a host of tools to enrich membership experience such as educational workshops and seminars; business networking opportunities such as Goji Kara; and a bi-monthly newsletter (Oshirase) to promote member business.

 

At the same time, your Chamber has been supporting our members and the community by providing testimonials on bills and mandates that can impact their business and our community... More recently, your Chamber provided testimonials on Thirty Meter Telescope; UH Hilo College of Pharmacy; GMO; DLNR lease land; Minimum Wage Increase; and Rural Physician Program.

 

In the future, your Chamber will continue to strengthen our bridges with government, other chamber organizations and the community to promote a business friendly environment with reasonable and acceptable regulations.

 

I highly encourage you to maximize your Chamber membership by your active participation, and I hope to see you at our future events...

 

Warmest Aloha,

 

David A. Honma, President  

 

 

 

 

Puna Relief Effort
By David Honma, President

As the Puna community recovers from the aftermath of Tropical Storm Iselle, our hearts go out to the residents who continue to suffer.  Your Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii through our members remain steadfast and committed with assisting the residents of Puna with their relief and recovery efforts.

Should you also be interested in assisting our family and friends in Puna, we invite you to contact your chamber office at (808) 934-0177 for more details. 


 

 

First Annual Tanabata Star Festival

Mahalo to Dr. Nobuo Arimoto, Director of the Subaru Telescope in Hilo, for hosting such a wonderful and enjoyable event! On July 7, Dr. Arimoto and the staff at Subaru opened their doors and shared with us an incredible festival that began more than 2,600 years ago. Those who attended enjoyed amazing food, nagashi somen, entertainment, and learned about the history and significance of this festival that is annually celebrated throughout Asia. We are so thankful to Dr. Arimoto and all of those who assisted in sharing this memorable festival with us!

 

First Annual Star Tanabata Festival
First Annual Star Tanabata Festival

   

 

  Subaru Telescope

 

 

 

Mahalo to Hamakua Springs Country Farms in Pepe'ekeo!

Mahalo to Hamakua Springs Country Farms in Pepe'ekeo for  a wonderful Goji Kara on July 23!  They welcomed guests that evening with warmth and a wonderful tour of the hydroelectric system.  Members were sent home with goody bags filled will delicious bananas and tomatoes from their farm. Mahalo for opening your doors and sharing a lovely evening with us all!

 

JCCIH Goji Kara at Hamakua Springs
Goji Kara at Hamakua Springs Country Farms

 

 

 

16th Annual A Taste of Hilo

Attention all you FOODIES!  Mark your planners, smart phones & calendars for the 16th Annual A Taste of Hilo. This JCCIH signature event will be held at the Sangha Hall on Sunday, October 19, 2014 between 1pm - 3pm.

There will be over 30 food, dessert and beverage vendors which will satisfy everyone's palate. If you've attended past A Taste of Hilo events, you already know that the food vendors create amazing tastes for us to sample, and somehow they still manage to improve the quality of their offerings.  This year should be no different. Every year the TOH committee attempts to come up with a special treat, and this year's surprise featured item is currently being negotiated and will hopefully be announced in the next Oshirase. Stay tuned!

This event is always sold out, so be sure to get your tickets early and don't be left out! Don't be one of those that say, "Could have, should have, would have." You may purchase your tickets pre-sale for $45 by calling the JCCIH office at 934-0177 or email jccih@jccih.org. A portion of the proceeds goes to support the Hawaii Community College. Domo arigato gozaimasu.


 

 



Current Benefits for Members

 

Please check out the current benefits and discounts that you can take advantage of as a JCCIH member!   

 

 

 

 

 

Gina Tanouye, Allstate - Speegle Insurance Agency is dedicated to providing outstanding service with Aloha for your auto, home, renters, life insurance and financial service needs. Contact Gina Tanouye at tgina@allstate.com or 969-7767. For every referral the office receives, the member will receive a $10 gift card for allowing them to provide an insurance quote. 

 

BIG ISLAND WISTERIA, LLC

Kagari Fujita, Ph. D, Big Island Wisteria, LLC is offering members translation services of Japanese to English, or English to Japanese at a discounted price. Contact Kagari Fujita at fujitakg@gmail.com   

 

BOB'S JEWELERS, INC.

Amelia Hayashi, Bob's Jewelers is offering members 30% off watches; 30% off gold jewelry (Po Son Hon collection excluded); and 30% off sterling silver jewelry.  Contact Amelia Hayashi at 935-8434. 

 


Diann Horita - With an office in Hilo, Eyewear Hilo has been serving Keaau, Papaikou, Kurtistown and Waimea for more than 4 years. Prior to beginning in Dec. 2008, the staff was employed by Eyewear Hawaii, Inc. and that same respected service is found at Eyewear Hilo.  When you desire superior cutting edge lens technology, call Eyewear Hilo at 935-1119. Members will receive a 20% discount. 

 

 
Joy Madriaga, Hawaii Petroleum, Inc., HPI offers dependable bulk fuel and lubricant delivery services to all districts of the island.  HPI's proprietary gas card program - Hawaii Fueling Network - provides a convenient, cost saving way for businesses and consumers to fuel. As a member, when you sign up with HFN, you will receive a discount on your gas purchase.  Contact Joy Madriaga at 969-1405 for further questions.  Applications are available at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii.  



Sandy Wilson, Wilson's Trophies, provides awards for sports and academics; signs and banners; corporate awards, gifts & recognition; custom and personalized products (made to order); wood and acrylic crafting (laser engraving and designs); special occasions (Valentine's, Christmas, etc.); jewelry items (earrings, pendants, hair picks and more). Members will receive awards discounts. Contact Sandy Wilson at 969-7077.   

 

 

   

Celebrating 15 Years of our Sister Chamber Relationship
By Carol Van Camp, JCCIH Past President

 

This year's annual meeting and installation for our Japanese Chamber was a special one for both our members and visiting guests from our Sister Chamber in Higashi-Hiroshima.  Ten representatives from Higashi-Hiroshima visited from June 22-24 to participate in our June 23rd installation and other festivities.


The group arrived on Sunday, June 22nd and were greeted at Hilo Airport by former Chamber presidents, officers and directors.  After the airport welcome, they were hosted for lunch and fellowship, and a tour and planetarium show at 'Imiloa Astronomy Center.


Following the 'Imiloa activities, guests were taken to Big Island Candies and then to Akaka Falls, and then back to their hotel to prepare for a special arrival dinner at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.  Chamber members exchanged omiyage, and enjoyed a full evening of food, music, fellowship and sake.  Throughout the evening, there were many recollections and memories of our exchanges over the past 15 years and reinforcement of how much our Sister Chamber relationship means to both of our Chambers.

 

 

  

 

 

The following morning, our visitors were welcomed by the County of Hawai'i in the Mayor's office, and then golfers departed for Hilo Municipal Golf Course and the rest of the group went sightseeing to Akatsuka Orchids, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and enjoyed  a special lunch and presentation hosted by Dr. Arimoto and his staff at the Subaru Base Facility.


After a short rest at their hotel, our guests were taken to Hilo Yacht Club to enjoy our 64th Annual Installation festivities where we all again enjoyed great food and fellowship and a presentation by Guest Speaker Michael Taylor from First Hawaiian Bank. We also celebrated our 15th sister chamber anniversary and the installation of our new President, Dave Honma.  After the dinner, several Chamber members also enjoyed a "Nijikai" afterhours activity at the Palms by the Bay.


Several Chamber officers joined our guests for a farewell breakfast the next morning at the hotel, and then transported them to Hilo Airport for their departure.  It was a whirlwind tour for our Higashi-Hiroshima guests led by Chairman Ryuichi Sasaki, but one that we will all remember for years to come! 

 

 

   

Mahalo to Patricia Bergin and Lisa Hadway
By Stephanie Nagata, Office Director of Mauna Kea Management

Stephanie Nagata  

On behalf of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the Office of Mauna Kea Management (OMKM), I would like to thank

Patricia Bergin and Lisa Hadway

, two outgoing members of the Mauna Kea Management Board (MKMB) who dedicated many years as volunteers on the board. 


Pat is a respected educator who has worked as a teacher, administrator and consultant. She has also served as a board member for a number of community non-profit organizations, and her expertise has helped OMKM maintain a clear focus in fulfilling its educational mission.   

 

Lisa previously oversaw the Natural Area Reserve system on Hawaii Island. She currently serves as Division of Forestry and Wildlife Administrator, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, and has represented DLNR and environmental perspectives in all of MKMB's deliberations.

The dedicated service of people like Pat and Lisa reminds us that two of the key objectives of the 2000 Master Plan were: 1) encourage community input into the management process; and, 2) bring a balanced approach to managing the mountain.

Central to achieving these goals is the makeup of the MKMB, a seven-member body comprised of community members who represent the interests of key stakeholder groups with ties to Mauna Kea. These individuals are asked to serve on a volunteer basis and dedicate themselves to the challenging-and often sensitive-business entrusted to the MKMB.

Pat and Lisa did exactly that, drawing from their respective areas of expertise to review projects and develop management policies. During their tenure on the board, the University achieved several key milestones in its management of the mountain, including the development and implementation of the first-ever comprehensive management plan (CMP) for Mauna Kea. The CMP and its four sub-plans were unanimously approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and serve today to guide the State's efforts in managing the mountain.

In addition, Pat, Lisa and fellow board members were vigilant in their review of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) and carefully scrutinized the proposed plans for this major project. The TMT project is the first major project to include the community's participation and recommendations as set forth in the 2000 Master Plan.

The University is indeed indebted to Pat and Lisa for their hard work and dedication. Their participation and input helped to chart a positive course in the management of Mauna Kea.   

 
 

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

 
HawCC
HawCC Update
By Chancellor Noreen Yamane

noreenyamane

  

Ms. Joyce Hamasaki has been appointed as the Dean of Career and Technical Education effective August 1, 2014.

Joyce has been serving as the Interim Dean of Career and Technical Education since January 1, 2012, and is an Associate Professor in Nursing.  She earned her Master's Degree from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, is a tenured faculty and has been with the college for approximately 29 years.  Joyce has served in many different capacities during her time at the college, including Academic Senate chair.  She is passionate about Career and Technical Education programs, is familiar with the Carl Perkins grant and is a proponent of sustainability practices.  Joyce also played a major role in writing the National League for Nursing accreditation self-study report.  HawCC's nursing program achieved NLN re-accreditation for the Associate in Science degree for the maximum of eight years.
    
Dr. Christopher B. Manaseri has been appointed as the Dean of Liberal Arts and Public Services effective July 28, 2014.



Dr. Manaseri began his career in education in 1975 as an English teacher and then school counselor before becoming a principal and superintendent of schools and district superintendent for several school districts in New York from 1993 to 2008.  He was hired at Leeward Community College (LCC) on O'ahu in August 2009 and served as the Student Services Program Officer until his appointment as the Dean of Student Services at LCC in August 2010, where he was the administrator responsible for units in the areas of admissions and records, financial aid, counseling and advisement, student life, student health center, recruitment and job prep services.

At LCC, Dr. Manaseri was involved in various grant programs, Hawai'i Graduation Initiative, Strategic Enrollment Management, academic advising, Early Alert Program (Starfish), and participates in system-wide solutions involving student retention and digital document management software.

Dr. Manaseri states, "I look forward to learning more about Hawai'i Community College and the needs of its students and to working with faculty and staff to promote student success."


 Hawaii Community College logo


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Words of Wisdom 

By Tommy Goya

 

Tommy Goya

"It is only when you have children yourself, do you begin to understand what you owe your parents."


Japanese Proverb from member Brian Tanimoto, Tanimoto Dharma Designs

     

 

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August 2014
Hachigatsu 

HACHIGATSU
InThisIssue
In This Issue
President's Message
Puna Relief Effort
First Annual Tanabata Star Festival
Mahalo to Hamakua Springs & Slideshow
16th Annual A Taste of Hilo
Current Benefits for Members
Celebrating 15 Years of our Sister Chamber Relationship
OMKM Update
HawCC Update
Words of Wisdom
2014-2015 JCCIH Leadership
Welcome New Members!

   



CLICK TO VIEW OSHIRASE FULLSCREEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

What's Happening

 

 

 

August 27, 2014

Goji Kara at Big Island Trading Co.  

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm  

 

September 8, 2014

Board Meeting

Hilo Yacht Club

11:30 am    

 

September 15, 2014

New Member Orientation

5:00 pm  

Palms by the Bay  

 

October 19, 2014

16th Annual Taste of Hilo

Sangha Hall

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

 

 

 


 

 
2014-2015
Officers & Directors  

 

Executive Officers

David Honma, President

Darren Nishioka, 1st Vice President

Russell Arikawa, 2nd Vice President

Audrey Takamine, 3rd Vice President

Naomi Menor, Japanese Secretary

Donn Mende, Treasurer
Ivan Nakano, Auditor

Carol VanCamp, Immediate-Past President

   

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

 

Directors - term expiring 6/30/17

Howard Ainsley

Jon Arizumi

Tommy Goya

Josie Kiyan

Phoebe Lambeth

Marvin Min

Dwayne Mukai

Russell Oda

Joseph Skruch

Arthur Taniguchi

Gina Tanouye

Jere Usui 


Oshirase Newsletter   

Amanda Lee, Editor 
Lei Momi Fujiyama Pillers, Executive Assistant  

Chantee Poepoe-Vigil, Intern 

 

 

 

 

Welcome New Members!
 

   

Gregory Arianoff   

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel   

 Food & Beverage Manager

71 Banyan Drive 

Hilo, HI  96720 

 935-9361, 969-6474, 969-6471    

 garianoff@castleresorts.com

 

 

Richard Bliss  

Broadgroup

Consultant 

PO Box 6375  

Hilo, HI  96720 

716-812-7313, 661-759-6583   

 broadgroup28@yahoo.com



Darice Cullio  

Central Pacific Bank

Commercial Banking Officer 

525 Kilauea Ave. 

Hilo, HI  96720 

 961-7990, 494-5827, 933-2444 

 darice.cullio@centralpacificbank.com

 

   

Sean Ginoza

Ginoza Realty

Realtor 

1158 Kinoole St. 

Hilo, HI  96720 

 969-1471, 936-5965, 935-0468    

 sean@ginozarealty.com

 

 

Ryan Kadota    

Kadota Liquor

Manager 

194 Hualalai St.   

Hilo, HI  96720 

 935-1802, 619-368-9168   

 rhkwine@gmail.com

 

 

Dawn Kaneali'i    

Liko Lehua Cafe & Gourmet Butter 

PO Box 4402  

Hilo, HI  96720 

 935-7272 

 liko_lehua@yahoo.com

 


Helen Koo    

Nani Mau Garden Restaurant

Owner   

421 Makalika St. 

Hilo, HI  96720 

 626-272-8802, 626-307-2298   

 helen@americaasia.com

 


Carolyn Miho 

UH Foundation

University Advancement 

200 W. Kawili St. 

Hilo, HI  96720 

 933-0829, 341-0524, 933-3909 

 mariko.miho@uhfoundation.org

 


Lester Okazaki  

CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union

Branch Manager 

476 Hinano St.  

Hilo, HI  96720 

 933-6700 

 lokazaki@cuhawaii.com

 


Wendy Peskin  

Palace Theater Board

President 

14-4957 Laimana Ave.  

Pahoa, HI  96778  

 965-7838, 333-8489   

 wendy@peskin.net

 


Rosie Sakane-Elarco    

CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union 

Branch Manager

476 Hinano St. 

Hilo, HI  96720  

930-7254    

 rsakane-elarco@cuhawaii.com

 


James Takamine    

CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union 

Executive Vice President

476 Hinano St. 

Hilo, HI  96720

933-6700 

 jtakamine@cuhawaii.com

 

 

 

 

Click here to go to website
Seniors Helping Seniors 2013-2014


Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home



 

Kama'aina Motors

CPB 2013-2014

 

 

 

Big Island Toyota 2013-2014
Click here to go to website

  

Direct Link 2013-2014

  

Kama'aina Nissan

Click here to go to website

 

Creative Arts 2013-2014

KTA Super Stores 2013-2014

 

HIAC 2013-2014
Click here to go to website


HFS FCU 2013-2014

 

 
 
CU Hawaii
Click here to go to website

 

HPM Better Builder 2012-2013
Click here to go to website

 
Bank of Hawaii

 

HELCO 2013-2014


HMSA
Click here to go to website

© Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawai'i

 

714 Kanoelehua Avenue
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720-4565
Phone: 808-934-0177
Fax: 808-934-0178 
jccih@jccih.org 

 

Visit us at:  www.jccih.org