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Kampai Remarks at the Annual Installation Banquet 

of the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce 

by CG Kamo

July 30, 2011

Good evening and Aloha!

It is always the privilege of my wife and me to be invited to the event of the Junior Chamber. Thank you for having us. It is nice to be part of great program, great company and great food. Well, my name was announced by our MC as Yoshihiku Kamo. In Japanese language, my first name is pronounced Yoshihi-Ko. So I think he called me in a Hawaiian way, which was very nice, of course.

This is the auspicious occasion where we celebrate the installation of the new administration for the Junior Chamber. I understand that the 2011 team will be installed shortly which is headed by Staci Yoshihara. Congratulations to you, Staci. You are not alone but joined by Hilo people who are excited about your appointment. My friend, honorary Japanese consul general in Hilo, Art Taniguchi and his wife Barbara are here tonight to make noise.

On this occasion, I would like to extend my hearty appreciation to the past president Darren Ohta for his leadership in steering all the Chamber activities in the past year. It has been a very eventful and successful year under his presidency. For Staci and her new team, it will be also another busy year, while we are having the APEC Leaders Week in mid-November this year. I wish them the best of luck in their endeavors.

We have Christine Kubota, President of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Wayne Ishihara. They represent the Senior Chamber, so to speak, in contrast to the Junior Chamber. Junior is not meant to be immature, reckless and …well I can’t hit upon a word that I am groping for. Rather I will take it for hope, future and action. They represent the youthful ambitions and aspirations of the local Japanese American community. Staci will lead the chamber to turn young aspirations into solid and positive results and maintain the vibrancy of the Japanese American community. 

With these words, I would like to propose a toast to the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. Kampai!