April 2019 Oshirase

April 24, 2019
Informational Post, Oshirase - President's Message

President’s Message

Aloha JCCIH members. I’m still catching my breath. Over the last several weeks, the Chamber calendar was full of activity.

On February 20, Subaru Telescope hosted a Goji Kara. This year Subaru Telescope is celebrating their 20th year of operation on Hawaii Island. So the evening had a great vibe, with over 100 in attendance along with media from Hawaii and Japan. Thank you Chair Yuko Kakazu and the Education Committee for organizing a great event.

The JCCIH co-hosted a reception for astronomy educators participating in the 2019 Journey Through the Universe program on March 4. This year, the JTTU program brought 80 astronomers, scientists, researchers, and educators from across the nation to Hawaii Island for visits to K-12 classrooms. The reception was our way to say Mahalo to this special group of professionals for sharing their passion and knowledge of astronomy with our keiki.

The 20th Annual JCCIH Golf Classic was held on March 6. 161 golfers participated in the event with Big Island Candies as the title sponsor. The golfing was made even better with food booths by Café 100 and Maebo Noodle. Thank you to co-Chairs Layne Funai and Jeff Ng and the Golf Committee for an amazing event, and for another successful fundraiser for the Chamber.

On March 13, the UH Institute for Astronomy hosted a Goji Kara. Chamber members were given a tour of the labs and machine shop, and learned the history of astronomy on Mauna Kea from Robert McLaren, IfA Director. After the 1960 tsunami devastated Hilo, the business community rallied to support the development of astronomy on Mauna Kea as part of our economic recovery. IfA was the first facility built to support the astronomy industry in Hilo. Thank you to member Mark Chun and the Social & Cultural Committee for organizing this event to reaffirm our Chamber’s relationship with the IfA and the astronomy industry it supports.

All of these events were possible because of the relationships the members of our Chamber have developed over the years: ‘okage sama de’. Thank you to the members who volunteered their time and resources to organize these events for the benefit of all Chamber members: ‘kahiau’.

Steve Ueda
JCCIH, President

Thank you Doreen!

March 29 was Doreen Canario’s last day in the office. Doreen has done a fantastic job for the Chamber, has helped to manage office records over the last 14 months, and she leaves the Chamber office very well organized. We appreciate the time she spent with us and all of her hard work. Thank you Doreen!

Yurihama Generosity

On March 13, 2019, JCCIH gave the County of Hawai’i, Kamana Senior Center’s Elderly Activities Division, 50 reconditioned ground golf clubs and balls, 4 new hole posts, and 8 golf bags. Accepting these gifts were Roann Okamura, EAD Operations Director and Iris Higa, EAD Program Director. JCCIH president Stephen Ueda along with several senior citizens were also present.

Yurihama Mayor Masamichi Miyawaki knew that people outside of Japan are having difficulties ordering ground golf equipment. Last year in 2018, Mayor Miyawaki put out a call to the Yurihama community to donate their old clubs and balls so that he could donate them to countries outside of Japan, such as ours. He had, in the past, given our chamber ground golf sets, which was turned over to the County of Hawai’i, and this equipment is currently being used in areas like North Kohala and Waikoloa. But there wasn’t enough equipment for the rest of the island. A few months ago, our chamber received a request from the Yurihama government saying that they would like to donate a few clubs and balls, and we graciously accepted. Four boxes arrived with just a “few” clubs and balls. Wow!

Roann Okamura and Iris Higa have plans to start the ground golf program in Hilo and Puna. They have already contacted their district program directors to create this program. We also received a catalog to order ground golf equipment, and Mayor Miyawaki and the Yurihama Machizukuri Company put together special pricing for the equipment and also will pay for the shipping and handling until March 31, 2019. Iris stated that equipment has already been ordered.

Arigato Mayor Masamichi Miyawaki for your kindness and generosity for the donations and for sharing this ground golf game with the people of the County of Hawai’i. Mayor Miyawaki is also the creator of ground golf to help the elderly get exercise. This donation to the county will certainly help with the health of our growing elderly population, including yours truly.

Mahalo.

Russell Arikawa

20th Annual JCCIH Golf Classic

Our 20th Annual JCCIH Golf Classic was held on Wed. March 6, 2019 at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course. The event was again a sell out with 161 golfers participating! County of Hawaii Managing Director Will Okabe, Allan Ikawa (Big Island Candies), JCCIH President Stephen Ueda, Jan Higashi (Past President), & Layne Funai cracked open the Sake Barrel to kick off the event. In keeping with tradition, Tommy Goya rang the ceremonial gong to get the tournament underway!

There were multiple food booths on the course with Maebo Noodle making ono Saimin , Cafe 100 serving awesome katsu curry, & Coca-Cola handing out their newest flavors. Yum!

Pearl Kang & Tracy Yamaguchi manned the refreshment station passing out Meadow Gold drinks, snacks, & towels. It was a big hit as always!

There were multiple games and par 3 challenges. DTRIC Insurance Sponsored (3) $5,000 hole in one contests. Naomi’s Travel again sponsored a greenie challenge for 40,000 Hawaiian Miles, and Hawaiian Airlines sponsored a hole in one challenge for 40,000 Hawaiian Miles. We also had a “game of skill” put on by Jennifer Ng & Michelle Oishi which was extremely popular with our golfers. Prizes were a Taylor Made Driver, $250 cash, or Mauna Kea Golf for 2.

Other prizes given away included, free rounds of golf, hotels stays, multiple gift certificates, umbrellas, coolers, duffle bags, golf balls, yoga mats, water bottles, & cash prizes. Everyone left with a goodie bag and a prize!

Congratulations to our 20th place (Grand Prize) winner: Keene Fujinaka & Amy Honda of Bank of Hawaii who each won 15,000 Hawaiian Miles and golf at Wailea (Maui).

We would like to give a BIG MAHALO to all of the players, sponsors, and donors who made this tournament our most successful ever!

A special thank you to our Title Sponsor, Big Island Candies for their continued support of the JCCIH!

Thank you to all committee members and volunteers for your help in preparing and putting on this terrific event. It’s overwhelming to see all the support and participation from everyone!

Mahalo!

Layne Funai & Jeff Ng

Co-Chairs

Pacific Tsunami Museum

On April 4, 2019 the Pacific Tsunami Museum held a Goji Kara coordinated by Marlene Murray, Executive Director. It was to kick off Tsunami Awareness Month, an annual commemoration to further the museum’s mission of saving lives through education and awareness. The event consisted of a Scavenger Hunt which allowed everyone to walk through the museum in search of answers to the questions, followed by an array of delectable food by AJ & Sons. The evening was topped off with ice cold beverages provided and served by Ryan Kadota, Kadota Liquor. For some members and guests it was their first visit to the Pacific Tsunami Museum. The museum is filled with so much history that we recommend you visit with your family and friends. Mahalo to everyone who made this wonderful evening such a success!

Institute for Astronomy

The Institute for Astronomy hosted a Goji Kara on March 13, and it was a wonderful evening where members were able to learn about the history of astronomy on Mauna Kea. Members were able to see first-hand the laboratories and shops where development and maintenance of the scientific instruments and telescopes takes place.

Mahalo to member Mark Chun and the Social & Cultural Committee for organizing this event, and to Robert McLaren, IfA Director for sharing an interesting presentation. You can see JCCIH President Steven Ueda share his thoughts on astronomy and highlights of the Goji Kara here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDPY250HYn4&feature=youtu.be, and see IfA Director Bob McLaren’s presentation here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaLHFByndO4&feature=youtu.be.

Proposed administrative rules for public and commercial activities on UH-managed lands on Maunakea

The purpose of the proposed administrative rules is to “provide for the proper use, management, and protection of cultural, natural, and scientific resources of the UH management areas; to promote public safety and welfare by regulating public and commercial activity within the UH management areas; to ensure safe and appropriate access to the UH management areas for the public; and to foster co-management with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources in UH management areas.”

At their April meeting, the UH Board of Regents will hear a request for approval from OMKM to hold a second round of public hearings on amended administrative rules. The University received and heard public comments on their first draft of the rules during the September 2018 public hearings. UH amended the rules to reflect public input and informal consultation following the September hearings. If the BOR grants OMKM authority to hold public hearings, it is anticipated these hearings will be heard sometime this Spring. Read More…

TMT Providing Needed Funding For Hawaii Island Students, Teachers and Programs

Since 2014, TMT has funded over $5 million to the THINK Fund initiative (THINK Fund at Hawaii Community Foundation $3,848,193.64 and THINK Fund at Pauahi Foundation $1,282,731.21). This kind of unprecedented funding positively impacts Hawaii Island students, their families and teachers.

Quick Facts

The THINK Fund at HCF has benefitted 26,000 students and 1,000 teachers on Hawaii Island.

The THINK Fund at Pauahi Foundation has funded 34 college scholarships with all students funded for their entire academic careers.

The THINK Fund has provided funding for programs and grants to 47 elementary, middle and high schools on Hawaii Island.

TMT has provided over $1.3 million for the highly successful Akamai Workforce Initiative that has provided STEM internships to nearly 400 students (24% Native Hawaiian & 47% underrepresented minorities) from Hawaii.