Aloha fellow members, friends, and supporters of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Congratulations to our outgoing chairman Jon Tsukamoto for an exceptional and outstanding year! Jon, I will be counting on you and our past Chairs for your continued support of the Chamber. The Covid-19 pandemic reminds me of the tremendous efforts of our leaders, who came together 120 years ago to create positive change in the wake of a disaster. After the bubonic plague ravaged Honolulu in 1900, business leaders realized the need to unite and help each other get back on their feet. The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce was founded through their sheer will and desire for a brighter future. As we kick off our 120th anniversary, we’ll look to our past to help us forge our way into the future. My theme for this year is “Celebrating 120 Years of Leadership, Together Creating our Way Forward.” In support of this theme, I’d like to introduce two new concepts:
A special Mahalo to a distinguished group of individuals who will serve as my advisors this year. I sincerely appreciate the commitment from Vicky Cayetano, Paul Kosasa, Scott Seu, and Ulalia Woodside as they will provide valuable insight into the world we live in today. For 2020, the Chamber will continue its commitment toward the values of fostering friendships, connecting businesses to businesses, and Mālama Ka ‘Āina (caring for the land). I look forward to working with our staff: Wayne, Merilyn, Mina, and Mai – to implement our new Corporate Membership Program and to celebrate our 40-year Sister-City relationship with the Hiroshima Chamber and our Affiliated Relationship with the Fukui Chamber. I encourage our past Chairs to provide your insight, experience, and ideas, too. As I begin my term, I realize the responsibility and trust that has been placed in me by you, our dedicated members. You are my top priority, and I encourage each of you to seek out ways to help each other. Let’s all work together to create our way forward into the next 120 years. Doomo arigato gozaimasu. Jason Ito Vice President of Administration, Labor and Community Relations
July 2020 |
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