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    Valor With Honor 442nd documentary film trailer

    Robert Kay
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    Valor With Honor 442nd documentary film trailer

    “Valor with Honor” is an independent documentary film based on over 35 interviews of Japanese American veterans who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during WW2. This small segregated unit of 3500 men is the most decorated American unit for its size and length of service (3 years). By the end of WW2, the 442nd would be awarded with 8 Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor (upgraded from DSC), over 500 Silver Stars, and over 9000 Purple Hearts. In 2012, the 100th Battalion, 442nd, and MIS were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for outstanding service in WW2. The 85 minute feature film describes the harrowing stories of 442nd’s battles in Italy, the Lost Battalion Rescue in France, the assault up Mount Folgorito, and witness to the holocaust at Dachau, Germany. The film concludes with the vets bittersweet return home to America. The entire film is woven through stories told by the veterans themselves. Currently, the film is being shown at select screenings across the US. Link to the Facebook film group “Valor with Honor” for online updates and news about this documentary film.

    “Valor with Honor” not only records the deeds and emotions of the veterans of the 442nd, but highlights the difficult struggle of the brave Nisei both on and off the battlefield. It is a suburb documentary.” Professor Joe Roth SJSU

    “Valor with Honor” is an independently produced documentary that is emotionally powerful and thought provoking! Unlike many historians, Takeuchi does not interpret history. The story of the 442nd is carried forward by the actual veterans telling their own stories, as they experienced it. I felt like I was in their living room, sitting across from them, as they spoke to me. The stories flowed , thanks to the superb editing….” Henry Sakaida (historian)

    “Valor with Honor” preserves vivid first hand accounts of fierce battles, dramatic rescues, and the liberation of Jewish prisoners at Dachau” Esther Newman, Discover Nikkei

    “The love and dedication you put into your film was so obvious and inspiring. I think what was most touching was that its completion was for the vets and their legacy, which I feel exemplifies the spirit of their own heroic actions and sacrifices.” Tadamori Yagi (writer and actor)

    “Mesmerizing! Made me more aware of the rights and privileges I have today which I often take for granted. Thanks in part to the tremendous sacrifices of those who came before me. I dont really want to admit it…but watching this film brought tears to my eyes…” George So (teacher)

    “Valor With Honor” is a moving important film that captures history from those who lived it. I hope it finds a large audience so that they may become as touched and informed as I was. My deepest thanks to its dedicated filmmaker, Burt Takeuchi. Thank you so much.” Dennis Sakamoto (Acting and filmmaking instructor “Just for Actors”)

    “Valor With Honor” was great! It’s amazing to see the actual 442nd vets telling their stories. I’m not Japanese & I hope they know that they weren’t just heroes to the Japanese Americans but carried all Asian Americans with them. Thanks for telling their story & helping me learn a little more of their emotional journey & grace during such horrifically challenging times both at home & abroad. Lisa Bremer (fan)

    “Thank you for making this movie. These stories should be remembered forever and these men not forgotten.” George Ow Jr. (fan)

    Kauai Brothers Launch High Tech Custom Computer Company

    Robert Kay
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    Kauai Brothers Launch High Tech Custom Computer Company

    Less than a year ago, two Island School brothers decided to follow their dream and start their own cutting-edge technology company, Solomon Technologies (Solomon-tech.com). Solomon Technologies builds high-end custom computers designed for large workloads and graphic intensive tasks.  In addition to the many computers they have custom built, their current flagship computer is the fastest water cooled computer on the island of Kauai.

    Aidan, an Island School Junior, has a passion and impressive knowledge of hardware, components and building of computers, while Reagan, an Island School eighth grader, has developed amazing skills in software engineering, graphics, photo shop and video production. The brothers have engineered numerous computers since founding the company less than twelve months ago.

    Displaying image005.pngAidan, the 17-year-old CEO and founder, became interested in computer hardware at an early age when he started taking apart his father’s old computers. He spent hundreds of hours researching and studying computer components to understand the function of each and how they work together. He saved up his money until he could afford to purchase the components to build his own extremely fast computer in 2015 before starting the company.

    Reagan, age 14, is the CTO and founder of Solomon Technologies. Reagan became interested in programming and software at the age of 10 and has been creating websites, mastering photoshop and other design/graphics programs, working with video editing/production to compete with any professional. Reagan does the digital marketing, social media development, and website design for the company.

    Aidan and Reagan’s new patent applications are designed to cool computers more efficiently to allow computers to operate at faster speeds.

    “We are proud to help create opportunities for our island of Kauai and are excited to reach out to all of the Hawaiian Islands.” – Aidan Wilson, CEO

     

    For more information about how Solomon-Technologies can create your custom computer or high end website, visit www.Solomon-Tech.com.

    SURFJACK TALK STORY SESSION WITH LOUIS HERMAN: TRUTH QUESTS FOR URBAN SURVIVAL

    Robert Kay
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    SURFJACK TALK STORY SESSION WITH LOUIS HERMAN: TRUTH QUESTS FOR URBAN SURVIVAL

    Hawaiʻi in a Thousand Years. The world in a thousand years. Crises of violent conflict, political corruption and global ecological destruction. Sound familiar? As responsible stewards, how must we respond to the many converging crises happening today, to ensure collective survival and continuity? Join us for a survivalist conversation in the heart of urban Honolulu, Waikīkī.

    Opening up the event will be knife-sharpening with Molokaʻi survivalist, Kalawaiʻa. The conversation will continue with Future Primal author, Dr. Louis G. Herman, in conversation with Bonnie Kahapeʻa-Tanner, Koʻolaupoko-based voyager and educator., and artist Solomon Enos.

    Panelists: Louis Herman, Future Primal author and UH-West Oahu Professor, Bonnie Kahapeʻa-Tanner, ED at Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy, and Solomon Enos, Native Hawaiian artist. Moderated by Rechung Fujihira of Box Jelly.

    This conversation is presented through annual contemporary art exhibition, CONTACT. CONTACT 3017: Hawaiʻi in a Thousand Years is on view at the Honolulu Museum of Art School, April 1-16. For more information visit www.contacthawaii.com.

    1355454176_origAbout the panelists

    Bonnie Kahapeʻa-Tanner was born and raised in Ka’alaea, O’ahu, and western educated in Honolulu, O’ahu, her knowledge is expansive as the result of years voyaging on Hawaiian canoes in particular the Hōkūleʻa, Makali’i and on the tall ship SSV Tole Mour. She has serves as the Executive Director of Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy on the windward coast of Oʻahu where students of all ages come to gain insight and experiences through their relationship with the ocean.

    Louis G. Herman asks how should we respond to our converging crises of violent conflict, political corruption, and global ecological devastation? In his sweeping, big-picture synthesis, Louis G. Herman argues that for us to create a sustainable, fulfilling future, we need to first look back into our deepest past to recover our core humanity. Born into a third generation, orthodox Jewish community in apartheid 2013-11-14-LouisHerman-thumbSouth Africa. Educated in England, he studied medicine at Cambridge University but later opted, much to the chagrin of his physician father, to study philosophy. Raised as a Zionist, he moved to Israel to live on a kibbutz and later volunteered for the Israeli Defense Forces. After a life-changing wartime experience he returned to study political philosophy at the Hebrew University. Compelled to adopt a more global perspective on the Israeli Palestinian conflict, he moved to Hawaii where he completed his PhD at the University of Hawaii. –

    Solomon Robert Nui Enos is a Native Hawaiian artist, illustrator, and visionary. Born and raised in Makaha Valley (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i), Solomon hails from the well-known and creative Enos ‘ohana. His mother, Shelly, his brothers, and wife, Meredith, are all active contributors to the community. His father, Eric Enos, is an accomplished artist and cultural downloadpractitioner who has been active in the community for more than 40 years. A proud papa of four, Solomon credits his family as the source of his artistic inspiration and drive. Like his family, Solomon, too, has the creative gene and has been making art for more than 30 years. His recent work reveals an extraordinary talent, adept at artistic expression in a wide variety of media including oil paintings, book illustrations, outdoor murals (both painted and in glass mosaic), and mixed-media sculptures. A self-described “intelligent optimist,” Solomon’s art expresses his own aspirational vision of the world at its best, which is, at times, deployed through poly-fantastic (science fiction) narratives. His work touches on themes of ancestry and identity, the human relationship with the Earth, and the future of Hawai‘i, its people, and its resources.

    ThinkTech: Where The Drone Leads with Ted Ralston

    Guest Contributor
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    ThinkTech: Where The Drone Leads with Ted Ralston

    Economic Nexus: Solving the Online Tax Dodge

    Tom Yamachika
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    Economic Nexus: Solving the Online Tax Dodge

    By Tom Yamachika – Recently there has been some confusion about a bill now in our legislature, SB 620, that would redefine how our general excise tax laws define “doing business.”

    The bill concerns a U.S. Constitutional concept called “substantial nexus.”  Some amount of connection between a potential taxpayer and a State is needed before the State has power to impose that tax.  The Supreme Court held in Quill Corp v. North Dakota, 504 U.S. 298 (1992), that some physical presence is needed before substantial nexus can be found.  Thus, online retailers such as Overstock, Land’s End, and Amazon made a good business of selling into states without withholding and paying those states’ sales taxes.  This was all legal, they claimed, because they have no physical presence in those states.

    Now, in Hawaii and in states that have sales taxes, the law says that if a person imports something from a retailer who doesn’t have to pay sales tax, then that person, the customer, becomes liable for the same amount of money.  It’s called “Use Tax.”  The purpose of Use Tax laws is to protect local businesses who must pay over state tax when they sell the same or similar products.  If no tax is paid, the online retailer has a competitive advantage.  Problem is, most consumers either aren’t aware of or don’t pay Use Tax, and although the Department of Taxation can and does force businesses to pay this tax, the Department hasn’t had the time or resources to beat up on ordinary consumers with a few online purchases.  Thus, lots of tax goes uncollected – for Hawaii, one study by the University of Tennessee estimated the uncollected amount at $120 million just for the year 2012.

    So, you might ask, what could SB 620 possibly do?  Obviously, it is not changing the U.S. Constitution.  SB 620 basically tells businesses, “If you make at least $100,000 in sales into our state, we don’t care if you have physical presence or not.  We’re going to go after you to collect our tax on this business activity.”  Will the Supreme Court stick to its physical presence rule and say that a business that is making zillions of dollars in sales into a state has no “substantial nexus” just because it has no boots on the ground?

    Hawaii is not the only State to consider this type of legislation, which is sometimes called “economic nexus” or “factor presence nexus.”  Others have passed it or are considering it.  The Multistate Tax Commission, a nationwide network of State tax agencies, has an active “Sales & Use Tax Nexus Model Statute Project” that recommends that States adopt legislation with, among other things, economic nexus components.  The legislation effectively raises the ante on the online retailers, who can look forward to court battles to invalidate the laws and huge tax bills if they lose.  Some of the retailers are starting to knuckle under.  Amazon recently announced that it reached agreement with our State to get a GET license and pay tax over to our State effective April 1, 2017.  A January 2016 study estimated that Amazon by itself sold $255.6 million worth of retail goods statewide, avoiding $11.1 million in tax in 2015.  With Amazon now collecting and paying, a good part of that $11.1 million will now come in the door every year.

    If you buy from Amazon after April 1, you will, no doubt, see another line on the bill passing on the Hawaii tax.  But don’t scowl at it too much.  If you bought the same merchandise from any local business, you probably will see the same line.  Which means that Amazon and businesses like it now need to compete the old-fashioned way – on price, selection, and quality, and not based on legally due but uncollected tax.

    Moreover, that $11.1 million is only the tip of the iceberg.  Another $110 million is potentially out there waiting to be collected.  If we can collect more of the taxes that are due but unpaid, our government won’t have to squeeze law-abiding citizens even more to close the funding gap.

    ThinkTech: Hawaii House Republican Update

    Reg Baker
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    ThinkTech: Hawaii House Republican Update

    What a fast paced and informative show we had this week on Business in Hawaii with Reg Baker!!

    The two GOP leaders in Hawaii give us a close-up view of what is going on in Hawaii and the current legislative session.

    ThinkTech: Hawaii Is My Mainland with Kaui Lucas

    Guest Contributor
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    ThinkTech: Hawaii Is My Mainland with Kaui Lucas

    ThinkTech: Kwok Talk with Crystal Kwok

    Guest Contributor
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    ThinkTech: Kwok Talk with Crystal Kwok

    AAA Hawaii: Gas Prices Drip, Drip, Drip

    Robert Kay
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    AAA Hawaii: Gas Prices Drip, Drip, Drip

    Gas prices slipped again throughout the state, according to the AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch. Today’s statewide average price is $3.05, which is two cents less than last Thursday, four cents lower than a month ago, and 47 cents higher than on this date a year ago, according to GasPrices.AAA.com

    In Honolulu, today’s average price is $2.90, which is two cents less than last Thursday, five cents less than on this date last month and 51 cents higher than last year.  The Hilo average price is $3.02, which is three cents less than last week, two cents lower on this date last month and 43 cents higher than on this date a year ago.  Wailuku’s average is $3.50, which is one cent lower than last Thursday, two cents lower from a month ago and 38 cents higher than on this date a year ago.

    “Prices on the West Coast remain flat, with six states topping the list of most expensive markets: Hawaii ($3.05), California ($2.97), Washington ($2.84), Alaska ($2.81), Oregon ($2.68) and Nevada ($2.65),”said AAA Hawaii General Manager Liane Sumida.  “Local drivers should continue to shop around for the best prices, consolidate their errands and remove excess items from their vehicle to get the best fuel economy.”

    Motorists can find current prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android, available at AAA.com/mobile. The app also can be used by AAA members to map a trip, find discounts, book a AAA-rated hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. AAA Hawaii reminds drivers that AAA continues to help travelers and the public with fuel information on GasPrices.AAA.com.

    Prices as of 8 a.m. March 30:

     

     Area                    Regular    One Week Change     Record Price
    Honolulu $2.90 -2 cents  $4.48   (5/8/2011)
    Hilo $3.02 -3 cents  $4.76   (4/22/2012)
    Wailuku $3.50 -1 cent  $4.98   (5/9/2011)

    AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch is a weekly snapshot of gas prices.  Price comparisons are offered as a community service.  Prices are derived from fleet vehicle credit card transactions at more than 120,000 stations around the country.  Prices shown are combined averages of last card swipe of previous day.

    Photo courtesy of Tesoro Hawaii

    Lifting others, lifts you

    Rob Kinslow
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    Lifting others, lifts you

    Have you ever written a letter of support for a colleague, neighborhood student, or someone you believed was a good person?

    Have you ever been asked for a referral letter after a project is complete?

    Did you feel uncomfortable?

    Well, you are not alone.

    Some people have balked when I’ve asked for a recommendation letter with unsatisfying answers like, “I don’t do business that way.” Or, “What if you make a mistake, and I lose face?”

    “Curse not the darkness, but light a candle, instead.”
    —Eleanor Roosevelt

    While those are valid concerns, may I suggest they reveal more about the person who refuses, than the requester. For example, the first concern seems to ignore that all business is referral business. And, the second seems to be based in a fear of losing face.

    Yet, isn’t it true that we vote for candidate politicians, with way less knowledge of the person than of the people we are asked to recommend? Why are some afraid?selection-64197_1280

    As a mentor for young entrepreneurs, I’ve been asked many times to write letters of referral or commendation. It’s a satisfying exercise to lift up another person and in the process, feel better about yourself.

    — Lifting others, lifts YOU —

    When we support someone we show ourselves to be team players, radical collaborators with genuine insight into human nature and potential. And, a practice of being of service in this short life….

    “To whom much is given, much more is expected.” – Anon

    If you have not, or you don’t know the first thing about how to write a recommendation, read on. This post will show you how.

    First, ask yourself a couple of questions:

    1. Why are you being asked to recommend?
    2. Who are you to this person? What is your relationship?
    3. Who is the person you are recommending?

    Once you are clear about those answers, begin to write.

    In any recommendation, it is both you and that of the person you are supporting who share credibility. By that I mean, the letter is as much about who you are, as who the person you are recommending. Literally, you are sharing your credibility with the person you are lifting up. The letter becomes a shared moment of collaborative credibility.

    “We can lift ourselves and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.”
    –Thomas S. Monson

    All letters are more credible when your company’s letterhead or other affiliation header are used. Whenever possible, please do include your affiliation and letterhead. Bear in mind that you are speaking from this platform, and reflect the values and principles of your affiliation.

    Ok, let’s get started. Here is the basic outline:

    Letterhead
    Your name:
    Date:
    Subject: Letter of Support/Testimonial/Commendation for Alexa Kamakani
    Salutation: If it is for a specific position be sure to address it to that person. In the event, your letter is not time or position sensitive, you may use the salutatory address “To whom it may concern.”

    Intro sentence: The reason or purpose I’m writing is to provide a commendation/testimonial for Alexa Kamakani.

    Your title/position/role/organization: Describe who you are? Your program description or company role. 2-3 sentences maximum. Establish your reputation and credibility. Share your platform and personal presence, if possible.

    Following, the letter writer describes the person who is being recommended. Establish your relationship, value and why you are writing to support them. This is the main background paragraph. It should answer, How know the person you are writing a support letter?

    For example, it is common to share how many years you’ve known the person. This is the main story, and should be no more than 100-150 words. Be sure to answer some or all of the following questions:

    1. Why you are writing?
    2. Why you believe in her/him enough to write? mark-43913_1280
    3. What the person has done that makes her/him standout in your experience?
    4. What qualities do you believe make him/her appropriate for this job?
    5. How she has helped the world, your company?

    Restate your praise, or core commendation/recommendation/testimonial sentence

    Then, add the following sentence to close out your letter.

    Feel free to contact me at any time with questions

    Closing salutation,

    Signature block, including your full name, title, affiliation and contact info: email, phone number.

    Got it?

    “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”—Oprah Winfrey

    The next time someone asks you for a letter of support, say, YES.

    You’ll be helping yourself by helping lift them.

     

    Too complicated? Here is a simpler outline for a letter of recommendation:

    Who you are? Title/Organization: subjective/objective
    Why writing?
    What happened? Tell the story
    How you benefited?
    Summarize your Praise
    State a specific Recommendation
    Close

    Helpful? Questions? Answers? More posts by the author.
    If you like my posts—even if you don’t—why not contribute to helping spread the word?
    Thanks in advance for caring and sharing this post on your social media sites

    For more stories, visit robertkinslow.com

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