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CG Kamo’s Remarks

At the 50^th anniversary of the Kona Japanese Civic Association

June 6, 2010

Good Morning, everybody! Aloha!

 It is a pleasure for me and my wife to attend the annual installation meeting of the Kona Japanese Civic Association here today. We are honored to be included in today’s gathering which marks the 50^TH anniversary of the Association’s establishment. Congratulations on the 50^th anniversary! We would like to join you in celebrating the newly installed President Kunitake and his officers for the year 2010.

 It is a pleasant surprise that we see our friends from Hilo, I mean Professor Honda and Ruth Fujimoto here this morning. We met them last year on our first trip to Hilo. We appreciate for their attendance, by taking trouble to drive up here from Hilo. I also look forward to seeing Mayor Kenoi here with us. The mayor is running late as he must be very busy in going about the Big Island. I know he was active in persuading JAL to keep its direct flight service from Narita to Kona. Although his effort met with little success, I appreciate for his active role and commitment.

 Well, this is a wonderful showcase for Japanese culture here. We are having a wide array of cultural activities under one roof, including flower arrangement, painting, food, Taiko drums music and many more. I also notice that a silent auction is going to be held before long and that should be exciting for all of us. In this connection, I would like to thank you for allowing the Consulate to open our own kiosk, located just toward the end of this side, where we exhibit some material regarding our activities, including JET. Please stop by, if you are interested in Japan and our work at the Consulate in Honolulu.

 In the past 50 years, the Kona Japanese Civic Association has been serving as a unifying force of the Japanese American community here in Kona. Under the banner of the Association, the local Japanese American people have gotten together in securing their place and clout in the local community both politically and economically. What is equally impressive is that they have been instrumental in maintaining the tradition and culture they brought from Japan intact and even developing new dimensions conducive to the local tradition and culture. It is my sincere wish that the Association will play an important role in reflecting the voice of the Japanese American community here and will continue to be successful in carrying out its missions in the years to come.

 Congratulations to the newly elected officers again! We are going to have fun today.

 Thank you very much.