'Ohana Pa'ina!

October 29th. We had a great turnout for our fundraiser. Here I am listening along with the crowd to great music. 

I gave a short speech and welcomed many new and long-time friends. 

Here I am with Councilmember Gary Okino. 

Thanks to Councilmember Okino, Councilmember Djou, Representative Saiki and everyone else who shared in our 'Ohana Pa'ina!

November 2, 2008

November 2, 2008

This was one of the most special weekends of our life -- Jennifer and I dedicated our sons, Z and Kona to God at New Hope Church service at Farrington High School. We praise God for the blessing he has given us and pray for wisdom and guidance to raise our sons. Thanks Pastor Wayne and staff for a great dedication service.

Happy Halloween!

October 31, 2008

We celebrated Kona's first Halloween at a local mall this past week. Z collected choke candy while Kona remained laid back throughout the evening.

Baby Expo

October 18, 2008

We took Kona to the Baby Expo today -- he got to visit with Clifford the dog. He really enjoyed

soaking in the sights and never cried. It seemed to be a good mix of retail and educational displays.

Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School

October 18, 2008

Congratulations to Stevenson Middle School on a wonderful clean-up event today. Lots of volunteers including parents, children, Lion's Club, Todai University students to name a few. Lots of painting, planting of grass and plants. 

Here I am talking with Tom Heinrich the Manoa Neighborhood Board Chair who is always there to help. Kudo's to the Principal and all the staff, parents, students and other volunteers involved. The schools looks great!!

Central Union Fair

October 18, 2008

Z, Jennifer and Duke enjoying the Central Union Preschool Fair.

Aloha 'Aina Recycling Day 2008

October 11, 2008

Mahalo to Councilmember Ann Kobayashi and so many other folks (City and County of Honolulu, Representative Scott Nishimoto, Scott Saiki) for making this clean-up so successful. Rene Manso did great job getting us started in the morning. The rest of the day was more brute strength and a great effort by numerous volunteers.. Lots of rubbish was removed from McCully/Manoa/Kaimuki/Kapahulu areas.

Go Warriors!

October 11, 2008 

Great game and a great win!  Here I am with my mother-in-law Arlene at the game. We all had a great time. 

Especially enjoyed the homecoming 

half time show.

The UH band did an outstanding job. Go Warriors!!!

Bon Dance

Though Bon Dance season just ended, we're already missing the fun and friendship of Bon Dances. Here is Z with shave ice and spam musubi.

Jennifer and I want Z and his brother Kona to enjoy these events. They truly are special and help make Hawaii just that more special. This year we took in Manoa, Palolo, Okinawan festival and several other dances.

Manoa Park and Shave Ice

Spent the weekend at Manoa District park serving up 'free' shave ice and pop corn. Had so much fun getting to talk with folks, learn what issues were most important to them.
Great to see so many families and especially the children using and enjoying our City Parks. I'm sure that you believe as I do that it is so important to maintain our parks for the use of everyone.
I did a brisk business to which I attribute to the hot weather and of course, my prices.
One thing I would like to finish up about Manoa District Park is that while long time Senator Brian Taniguchi did so much to make the new gym a reality by delivering lots of State monies, yet he is not recognized with a plaque. If elected, I plan to remedy this oversight. Thanks Senator for all you do for Manoa.

Honolulu Zoo Fundraiser

Took Z to the zoo the other day. The occasion was Hawaii's Children Cancer Fundraiser. Great cause and great event. Now in it's fourth year - was well attended. Here we are pictured friends from New Hope Church, and below with good friend Bill Rolls, former Filipino Chamber of Commerce President. Was a toasty but fun day.

Great feeling to stroll around the fine Honolulu Zoo and see many of the improvements completed that were funded during my first term on the City Council. We need to continue to advocate for non-profits (i.e. Honolulu Zoological Society) to be allowed to have more say in the Zoo's operations. Great zoos have followed this model often.

April 27, 2008

April 27, 2008

Z loves swimming in the Nauru Tower pool.

He also may have a bright future in the construction industry.

Rubber Ducky Race

One of my favorite events every year is the rubber ducky race. This past March I got this photo of the United Cerebral Palsy fundraiser. I liked this image so much that for a while I had them as my cell phone wallpaper. Twenty thousand ducks are floated down the Ala Wai. By the way - the volunteers are great at this event.I regret to report that my duck was not in the first 7,000 to finish. Next year, maybe.




Of course with the birth of our second son, as you might guess, the duckies had to move along. Here is one of my most recent cell phone wallpaper.

Window Washers

Feburary 22, 2008

Z seems oblivious to the window cleaner behind him. I am pretty sure he is watching his Thomas the Train video.

February 14, 2008

February 14, 2008

Our wedding anniversary has taken on a new twist with our son Z's involvement in the celebration.

Kung Hee Fat Choy!

Z enjoyed the Chinese New Year Celebration at Aloha Tower.  He learned that these lions have a different diet than the ones at the zoo.  They're better dancers, too!

January 13, 2008

Janurary 13, 2008

Another great New Year Festival at the Japanese Culturual Center. Our son Z had a blast watching the dancing.

We bought him a futon with Japanese print. Looking forward to next year when he will be

a little older and can enjoy even more.

Grandfather Earl

In the picture, Jennifer's Dad, Earl Toma meets his newest grandson, Kona for the first time. Earl is a painter that lives in Kuristown, Big Island. He is a great father-in-law and values family and hard work.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou

January 1, 2008

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Lucky we live Hawaii that we can swim on New Years Day.