March 2019 Oshirase

President’s Message

Aloha JCCIH members. We’re two months into 2019 and there are lots of energy and activity in your Chamber.

The Hawaii Legislature opened on January 16. There are many bills being introduced that will affect business in Hawaii, and the economy of our island. The Government Affairs Committee will be monitoring the various bills and will submit testimony as the opportunity arises. I also encourage you to submit individual testimony on bills that interest you. The Hawaii State Legislature website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov, makes is easy to submit testimony. Each testimony submitted really does make a difference.

Mahalo to Stacy Higa of Na Leo TV for hosting our Goji Kara on January 17. I was impressed with the services of Na Leo TV, and the professionalism of the Na Leo TV team. Hawaii Island is blessed to have the facilities, equipment, training, and support resources for creating video content and broadcasting island wide.

A group of officers, directors, committee chairs and past presidents met on January 30 to complete the Chamber’s strategic planning.  Mahalo to Mike Miyahira for facilitating the meeting, and helping us create a list of priorities that will guide the activities of the Chamber for the next three years.

The JCCIH is a member-driven organization. I encourage all of you, our members, to meet other members by attending future Chamber events, and to get involved by volunteering to serve on a committee. Together, we can accomplish our mission to promote the well-being of our community through business and personal relationships with the values of ‘kahiau’ and ‘okage sama de’.

 

Steve Ueda
JCCIH, President

 

 

      

 

Membership, Social & Cultural Form Joint Committee

 

The Membership Development and Social and Cultural Committees have joined forces and are co-chaired by Josie Kiyan and Renae Akau (new member).  The joint committee is excited about the upcoming calendar and kicked off the year with a spectacular & informative Goji Kara at Na Leo TV on January 17, 2019, followed by the New Member Orientation held on February 5, 2019 at Wiki Fresh.  Newly inducted members were welcomed by the Board of Directors and given the opportunity to familiarize themselves about the Chamber and network with other members. Stay tuned for more exciting events to come.

Social & Cultural events:

 

• Goji Kara – Subaru Telescope, February 20, 2019
• Goji Kara – UH Institute for Astronomy (IFA), March 13, 2019
• Goji Kara – Pacific Tsunami Museum, April 4, 2019
• Event to be announced, April 11, 2019 (Save the date)

Other JCCIH events:

• Journey to the Universe, March 4, 2019 (Education Committee)
• Golf Classic Tournament, March 6, 2019 (Golf Committee)
• Installation of Officers, June 17, 2019
• Tanabata Festival, July 7, 2019 (Education Committee)

 

 

       

 

 

Education Committee

Stacy Higa and his Na Leo staff outdid themselves as they hosted a JCCIH General Membership meeting and Goji Kara event on January 17 at the renovated building on Kapiolani Street. Many surprises were in store for members and guests including seeing how Na Leo’s auditorium was transformed, having its camera crew follow members and guests as they toured the expanded state-of-the-art facility, and receiving a professional made video for our website. A special Mahalo to Dwayne Mukai for explaining what a Goji Kara event is for new and potential members in the video.

A special showing of “The Sake Bliss Tour” video highlighted the recent trip that some Japanese Chamber members took to Japan to learn about the history and process of making sake. Reiko Hamano along with Chad and Shelly Ogata were featured in this program that was recently nominated as a finalist in the 2018 Alliance of Community Media West, WAVE Award. Everyone enjoyed the food, drinks, and the sake tasting that Na Leo provided for this first event of 2019.

 

 

 

 

    

 

     

 

JCCIH Strategic Planning – Follow-up Session.

Mahalo Mike Miyahira for facilitating; Nimr Tamimi for providing the venue; Ross Birch and Susie Dill for the food coordination; Tommy Goya for the historical newsletter, & for everyone for participating.

 

 

 

        

 

Golf Committee Update

The 20th Annual JCCIH Golf Classic is March 6, 2019 at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course. It looks like we’re headed for another sold-out event. Space is limited. If you don’t golf, come and volunteer. We’ll have food vendors on the course, prizes, & fun!

Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Hilo Municipal Golf Course
10:00 AM Check in
11:00 AM Shotgun start
2-team scramble