JCCIH 65th Annual Installation

June 17, 2015

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

>>>View event photos

New Member Orientation

By Audrey Takamine, Membership Committee Chairperson

New Member Orientation

Palms By the Bay

     80 Pauahi St., Hilo

Thursday, September 24, 2015

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

More information forthcoming!

We encourage our new Chamber members to attend the New Member Orientation.  This is an opportunity to meet some of the members from the Chamber, introduce your business, and familiarize yourself with the variety of services and benefits the Chamber offers.

Chamber committee chairs and officers will provide an informal presentation on what you need to know to start making your Chamber membership work for you.  It's a great way to start your Chamber connection.

 

Japanese Green Tea

Sencha (roasted tea) - The most common variety of Japanese green tea and is most likely to be served when visiting a Japanese home.  Sencha is noted for its delicate sweetness, mild astringency and flowery-green aroma. The quality of Sencha will vary depending on origin, time of harvest and leaf processing techniques. The early spring harvests, or first picking of the tea bush (known as ichi-ban cha), are considered to produce the highest quality sencha.

Gyokuro (gemstone dew) - Is regarded as the highest grade of tea made in Japan.  It is made only with the first flush leaf, and its special processing results in a tea with a sweet, mild flavor and fresh, flowery-green aroma. The tea bushes are grown in the shade for 20 days prior to harvest.  This process generates thiamine which enhances sweetness in Gyokuro tea.

Macha (powered tea) - Is prepared from green tea leaves and grounded into a fine powder.  This tea is used primary in the tea ceremony.  Macha is also used in other teas to enhance color and flavor and known to be used in green tea ice cream. 

Bancha (coarse tea) - Refers to a lower grade of sencha that is harvested during the second and third crops in the summer and autumn.  This tea usually contains larger leaves and upper stems, which are discarded during the production of sencha.  Bancha is known to be less aromatic and more astringent.  Due to its robust flavor and strong character, this tea goes well with food.

Genmaicha (brown rice tea) - Is a blend of bancha with well-toasted brown rice (genmai). The rice adds a slightly

nutty taste. The mild flavor of Genmaicha and its low caffeine content make it an ideal after-dinner tea. At times, small amount of Macha is mixed into this tea to enhance color.

While brewing the better quality green tea, the lower the temperature of the hot water used, the sweeter the taste of the tea.  It is practice to let boiling water sit and cool slightly (~110 to 160 degrees) before pouring the water over the leaves in the teapot.

Enjoy the flavors of Japanese tea!

 

Goji Kara

Hawaii Island Gourmet  & Engineering Partners

By Carol Gristock, 

Social & Cultural Committee Member 

Aloha All!

I would like to thank everyone for the Goji Kara hosted by Hawaii Island Groumet and Engineering Partners.  I think what made this the best Goji Kara I have attended yet is the fact that I am getting to know a lot of our JCCIH members better and feeling a little more comfortable around everyone.  Not to mention, of course, all the great food and beverages.  Like the wines from Volcano Winery (my favorite was the sweet Guava/Grape white), and Papa Mu's, kalua pig and smoked meat from the only certified imu in the nation!  Yan's mini manapuas were the bomb! Of course, we all love Atebara's chips and the fire/ice mint chocolate with the chili pepper flakes was awesome!

Fellowship, however, that's the #1 reason that makes these events special!  Getting to know the JCCIH members has been wonderful, and also promoting our businesses together is a fantastic way to network.  Joining JCCIH has been the best business decision I have ever made.  It has allowed me to meet so many wonderful inspiring people!

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. 

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   

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.