Hawai’i Chamber to Honor June Jones at Five-Star Aloha

June Jones, former head coach of the University of Hawai’i football team, and architect of one of the most impressive turnarounds in NCAA football history, will be honored in San Francisco on May 1 with the Sixth Annual Kulia I Ka Nu’u Award. Event website here.

This coveted award is given by the Hawai’i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California to recognize leaders and role models with ties to the Islands who have contributed to Hawai’i in significant ways. The award is bestowed at the annual Five Star awards gala benefiting the Chamber’s scholarship program. Past award winners include Mary Bitterman, Ka’ala Carmack, Vernon Chang, Sam Choy, former Judge William Fernandez, Saichi Kawahara, Patrick Makuakane, Sara Sato, Takahashi Market, and Wally Yonamine.

When Jones joined UH as head coach in December 1998, the Warriors had lost 18 games in a row. In 1999, he turned around their season to 9-4. Under Jones, the Warriors broke 380 school and 45 NCAA records. In nine years, Jones had seven winning seasons and led the team to more victories than any other UH coach. In 2007 the Warriors were undefeated in the regular season and won their first invitation to a Bowl Championship Series bowl.

Throughout his tenure in Hawai’i, Jones made it a priority to recruit local players and coaching staff. At UH, he coached six All-Americans, 56 all-conference performers and 16 NFL draft picks. Jones is currently head coach of Southern Methodist University.

Jones’ award will be presented by Allan K. Ikawa, founder of Big Island Candies, internationally renowned for its premium, chocolate-dipped confections and cookies. The Hilo, Hawaii-based industry leader and philanthropist has been recognized with numerous national and local awards, including the June Jones Foundation Humanitarian Award in 2004 and the UH-Manoa Distinguished Alumni award. He is a member of the University of Hawai’i Board of Regents and has served a term as chair.

Master of Ceremonies will be Northern California television ABC7 Sports Anchor Larry Beil, former ESPN SportsCenter and KGMB9 (Honolulu) anchor, and University of Hawai`i Alumnus.

Major event sponsors include Bank of Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines, Westin St. Francis Hotel, Big Island Candies and Rainbowtique.

The Hawai’i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California, established in 1999, is a community-based nonprofit with more than 2,000 individual members and 40 business supporters. Its focus has been to serve as a resource bridge between Hawai’i and Northern California. HCCNC supports former Hawai’i residents doing business in Northern California; Hawai’i businesses seeking to expand business opportunities in Northern California and the Mainland; and Northern California individuals and businesses seeking to expand business opportunities in Hawai’i.

Car Sharing and Green Building Catching On

By Keith Kamisugi

I'm writing this column from Hawai'i, having worked all weekend helping the Barack Obama campaign before the Feb. 19 primary caucuses here. Sen. Obama was born, raised and graduated from high school in Honolulu, so it's important that I did something to help him win the Aloha State.

Politics aside, this column will touch on "green building" in Hawai'i and also my experience with car sharing, following the "green" theme of this issue of the Nichi Bei Times.

I had dinner last night with Kyle Chock, executive director of the Pacific Resource Partnership, a joint program of the Hawaii Carpenters Union and some 200 unionized contractors across the state. Kyle has been a good friend of mine for almost 10 years, having first met during his campaign for the state House of Representatives. He is also a member of the state Land Use Commission.

Kyle and I discussed efforts by various people and groups here to create a sustainable Hawai'i – one where the educational, economic, health and environmental needs of the people are met in a way that balances consumption and resources. Part of such planning must include environmentally conscious development, said Kyle.

"Green building is becoming more of a standard practice throughout the residential construction process in Hawai'i, as builders embrace energy-saving and sustainable methods such as recycling materials and using solar power for hot water," reported the Pacific Business News last year. 'Everyone seems to be taking their individual responsibility a lot more seriously now,' Chock said. 'It's no longer the future; it's something that's here now.' "

Last month, the State of Hawai'i entered into a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy called the Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative, which seeks to transform the local lifestyle by harnessing the islands' renewable resources.

Car Sharing in the Bay Area

One service in the Bay Area that has transformed the lives of hundreds (including my own) is car sharing.

Car sharing is a service that provides cars parked in dozens of lots throughout San Francisco, Oakland and other Bay Area locations that can be reserved online and driven by the hour or the day. It's a short-term and improved version of the rental car model. Drivers, who must be members of the car sharing service, do not have to pay extra for gas and insurance. Those costs are included in the vehicle reservation rates, which begin at $6 per hour.

I've been a member of the Zipcar (www.zipcar.com) car sharing service for more than a year. (The other local car sharing service is City Car Share.) Since I work and live in the city, I sold my car almost four years ago and using Zipcar has filled in the transportation gaps when the bus, a taxi or rail is either too inconvenient or too costly.

There are Zipcars less than two blocks from both my home and office. The cars come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the utilitarian Honda Civic to the fun and airy MINI Cooper. Not surprisingly, the more fun the car, the more expensive the rates, but those rates are also in line with the value of the vehicle.

Once you become a member, you can reserve any vehicle through the Web or by the automated phone system. After reserving the vehicle for a specific time period, you go to the reserved vehicle and swipe a special card over the reader on the windshield. The vehicle unlocks and you drive it away. After you're done, you return the car to the exact same location, swipe the card again to lock the vehicle and then walk away.

Zipcar members can also access vehicles in a dozen other cities including Chicago, London, New York, Seattle and Vancouver.

Using Zipcars instead of owning and using your own personal vehicle has significant environmental benefits.

First, Zipcar has found that more than 40 percent of its members get rid of their own personal vehicles or decide not to buy a car, which takes cars off the road and parking lots or spaces – a big plus in a congested city like San Francisco.

The company also discovered that its members drive less, as much as half the time they used to drive. Members use other modes of transportation such as walking, biking, public transportation or taxis.

Zipcar estimates that every Zipcar vehicle takes the place of more than 15 privately-owned vehicles, creating less pollution, requiring fewer parking spaces, creating less strain on roads and lowering fuel consumption.

Zipcar also employs diverse and talented people. The local general manager is Genevieve Jopanda, a community-minded Filipina American who was formerly the general manager of Flexcar in the Bay Area. She joined Zipcar after the company acquired Flexcar late last year.
You can spot San Francisco school board member Jane Kim riding in a bright yellow Ford Mustang convertible provided by Zipcar in the Chinese New Year's Parade this Saturday, Feb. 23.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Starting from this issue, Two Japanee Bruddahs columns will have only Keith's or Kyle's byline, depending on which of the Bruddahs pens the piece. Keith Kamisugi and Kyle Tatsumoto are the Two Japanee Bruddahs. Read their past columns online at twojapaneebruddahs.com.

Sen. Dan Inouye to Marry Irene Hirano of JANM

Kenji Taguna, English editor of the Nichi Bei Times, the paper that carries our column, just sent us an email that Hawai'i Sen. Daniel Inouye got engaged to Irene Hirano, president and CEO of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

Here's the Honolulu Star-Bulletin's breaking news story:

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye announced today that he is engaged to Irene Hirano, the president and CEO of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

Inouye, 83, said the couple will marry May 24 in a private ceremony at a church in Los Angeles.

"Irene is an extraordinary woman of grace, intelligence, and accomplishment," Inouye said. "She is a rare gem in our society. Without question, I am a very fortunate and lucky man."

Inouye's first wife, Margaret "Maggie" Awamura Inouye, died on March 13, 2006. The couple had been married for almost 57 years.

The Hawaii Democrat said in a press release that Hirano is also chairwoman of the American Association of Museums, and serves on the Ford Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Kresge Foundation Board of Trustees.

According to a press release issued from the Japanese American National Museum, Hirano announced today that she would conclude her tenure in June 2009 after 21 years of service with the museum. She was appointed executive director in April 1988 and named president and chief executive in 1999.

Inouye is chairman of the museum's board of governors, according to the institution's Web site.

Bringing Aloha to da Mainland

By Kyle Tatsumoto

In the closing days of 2007, the aisles of grocery stores such as Takahashi Market, Uoki Sakai and Tokyo Fish Market are sure to be jammed with frantic shoppers filling their carts with traditional oshogatsu essentials.

And, while the vast majority of these shoppers won't realize it, a number of the items in their shopping baskets would not be available, if not for Hosoda Bros. Inc., one of the oldest importers of Japanese food products on the West Coast.

According to company President, Satoru Hosoda, the roots of the company date back to 1915, when his grandfather first established a confectionary store in San Francisco, producing and selling traditional Japanese treats such as senbei and yokan.

The current import and wholesale business was founded by the Hosoda brothers, Satoru's father Juro, and his uncle Tokuichi, in the 1930s. The business, of course, was shut down during WWII, but reestablished shortly after the War.

Today, Hosoda Bros. continues to be an important importer of food products from Japan, specializing, as a result of their confectionary origins, in snacks such as arare and senbei, as well as candies. Their product line has been expanded to also include sakes and small household appliances.

More importantly, however to Hawai'i expatriates like the Two Japanee Bruddahs, is the company's key role as an essential culinary lifeline between the Islands and the Mainland. In addition to their line of Japanese products, Hosoda Bros. has, for about 25 years, been importing Hawai'i food products to California and beyond. Anyone from Hawai'i knows how that first taste of Zippy's chili and rice or bite of Portuguese sausage is often the most effective remedy for homesickness.

If you wen evah buy one Hawaiian Sun lilikoi drink, one package of Jade cracked seed or Diamond Bakery soda cracker on da Mainland, probably wen come from da Hosoda Bruddahs. In addition to these local staples, Hosoda Bros. is also the main wholesaler of Kauai Kookie and Lion's Coffee products, as well as Keoki and Ono Ono brand lau lau and kalua pork, among other items, on the West Coast.

Okay, so dey still nevah figah out how fo' import da kine Rainbow Drive Inn mixed plate or one dozen fresh, hot manapua and pork hash from Char Hung Sut to San Francisco, but we stay sure da Hosoda Bruddahs stay working night an' day on dat problem.

Seriously, Satoru Hosoda is always looking for new products to bring in from Hawai'I, but unfortunately, factors such as shipping costs and shelf life limit the viability of many products. For example, he had considered importing Ishiharaya senbei, but after sampling their tea cookies, he realized that the qualities that distinguish their senbei - thin, light and crispy - also make shipping across the Pacific difficult. Ey, instead of senbei, would be one package of da kine Ishiharaya panko by da time stay reach Uoki Sakai market.

The Hawai'i connection was natural for Satoru Hosoda. His father-in-law is from Hawai'i, and two of his daughters have graduated from Hawai'i Pacific University in Honolulu. He notes that the spirit of aloha is real, as he has always had a strong, ohana-like relationship with his Hawai'i suppliers.

Their earliest Hawai'i product was Hawaiian Sun drinks. While it is still their most popular product, through the years, Kauai Kookies, Diamond Bakery products, Keoki and Ono Ono lau lau and Okahara frozen saimin have joined Hawaiian Sun drinks among Hosoda Bros.' best selling Hawai'i items.

In addition to supplying retail stores, Hosoda Bros. is also an important supplier of lau lau and other products to the rapidly growing legion of Hawaiian restaurants on the Mainland, including most of the L&L Hawaiian Barbecue locations.

So, remembah fo' thank da Hosoda Bruddahs da next time you stay ono fo' saimin or lau lau. With over 90 years of history, the company continues to thrive and can look ahead to a bright future. And, unlike too many other family businesses that have disappeared over the years, three of Satoru Hosoda's four children, as well as several other family members work in the business and hope to keep it going strong for at least another 90 years.

The Two Japanee Bruddahs would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of our readers for your support over the past year. We truly appreciate all of the comments we've received in person and through our website. We know dat sometimes we stay on da kine "Hawaiian Time," with da column late or even missing some months, but fo' 2008, we goin' try fo' be mo' bettah (we goin' try -- no guarantees). We wish you and your family a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Keith Kamisugi and Kyle Tatsumoto are da Two Japanee Bruddahs. Visit them on the Web at www.twojapaneebruddahs.com. Or e-mail them at wot@twojapaneebruddahs.com.

Honu's To Offer New Twist on Hawaiian Plate Lunch Experience

With the explosion of Hawaiian plate lunch restaurants in the Bay Area, it might be easy to think that Honu's Island Grinds & Bar in San Francisco's Japantown is following a trend.

The Hukilaus, Kilohanas, the more than 25 L&L Hawaiian Barbeque franchises and other plate lunch restaurants in the Bay Area are making a gravy-drenched loco moco easier to find than a Double-Double from Inn-N-Out Burger.

But Honu's is doing a much different take by offering "real Hawaiian food" and extras such as a poke bar, healthy entrée salads and espressos, said co-owner Edgar Dang.

"We don't see ourselves as competing with L&L, Hukilau and the other places," said Dang, whose restaurant partner is Pat Fong, one of the lead organizers of the Nihonmachi Street Fair. "We're going to cater to an older crowd, more tourists and, of course, the Japantown crowd."

Honu's, which is scheduled to open in mid-November, took over the space that once housed Kansai restaurant. Its addition right next to Aloha Warehouse (owned by Edgar and the Dang family) is creating a Little Hawai'i in the middle of Buchanan Mall.

The poke bar will feature an assortment of made-to-order dishes, including one from a recipe by Dang's sister Ina that won first place in the recent Sam Choy Hukilau Poke Contest. The poke bar and other pupu will fuel late-night patrons as Honu's plans to stay open until two in the morning.

"We're also offering a line of salads and our food will use rice oil with no trans fats," said Dang. "You just can't get a decent salad around Japantown." Honu's will also have vegetarian entrées on the menu.

Health-conscious food is just part of the mix. Dang said that they'll serve selected desserts from Yasukochi's Sweet Stop and espressos and lattes.

Take-out will be available as well. "JCCCNC already told us they wanted to order plate lunches for their office," said Dang.

Round all of that off with live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and Honu's seems ready to bring some Hawaiian style food and fun to Japantown.

Email Edgar Dang at honu_s@comcast.net to let him know what you think. The Honu's website will be live soon.

In the meantime, Hawai'i expats and other Bay Area residents can't seem to get enough of plate lunches, which University of Hawai'i ethnic studies professor Jon Okamura says probably grew out of the Japanese bento. "Because bentos were takeaway kinds of eating and certainly the plate lunch continues that tradition," said Okamura in an interview with Honolulu television station KHNL.

"I like Kilohana Grill (in Emeryville)," said Deb Aoki, the cartoonist we covered in a previous column. "My fave thing about it is that they serve homemade lomi salmon on the weekends with their lau lau. And they have 'just like auntie makes for potluck' mac/potato salad. I also like that the owners are always full of aloha whenever you drop by. 'Auntie Pam' is genuinely friendly and likes to 'talk story' while you're waiting for your mixed plate to be ready. They also make something I've never seen in Hawai'i -- spam katsu!"

Christian Neville likes the plate lunches at San Mateo's Takahashi Market. "They have the best Hawaiian plate in the Bay Area because they use the real kalua pig shipped from home every Thursday," said Neville. "I bought lomi lomi salmon and poke side dishes which perfected the meal … like it was a real luau plate from a party back home. Some ono!"

Dean Suzuki is a fan of Waikiki Hawaiian BBQ in Concord. "The plate lunch prices there are the lowest I've seen in the Bay Area, but the quality is just as good as the other Hawaiian plate lunch restaurants. The taro leaves in the lau lau are 'broke da mouth' good."

"I've gone to Ray's near San Mateo College that has pretty good plate lunches and the owner is from Hawai'i," said Chih Chen. "Very reasonably priced and they also serve breakfast and saimin close to nothing."

Rod Valedez suggested Thaiwaiian Bistro in Pacific Grove on the Monterey Penninsula. They have "broke the mouth loco moco and fried noodles ... onolicious."

What's your favorite plate lunch place in the Bay Area? Email us at wot@twojapaneebruddahs.com.

Keith Kamisugi and Kyle Tatsumoto are da Two Japanee Bruddahs. Visit twojapaneebruddahs.com for past columns and blog posts.

Hawai'i Football Tailgate Weekend

The Hawai'i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California (HCCNC) invites you to join them in two days of fun this Thursday and Friday at the 9th Annual Road Warriors Tailgate Weekend in support of the University of Hawai'i Warriors football team.

Check out what Erika Engle of the Honolulu Star Bulletin just wrote about this year's event!

WARRIOR PRE-GAME PARTY. Thursday, October 11, 6pm - 1am. Join us at the Hukilau San Jose to get the party started. Live Music by Na Leo Pumehana, Prizes, Warrior Merchandise from the Rainbowtique. Admission is FREE! Hukilau San Jose, 230 Jackson Street, San Jose.

9TH ANNUAL ROAD WARRIOR TAILGATE. Friday, October 12, 2pm - 5pm (Kick-off). At the Municipal Stadium's main entrance area off of Alma two blocks from Spartan Stadium (See map here.). Live Music by Kapena Unplugged, Food, Beverages, Warrior Merchandise from the Rainbowtique. Admission is FREE. San Jose Municipal Stadium (San Jose Giants Stadium), 588 East Alma Avenue, San Jose.

ROAD WARRIOR POST-GAME PARTY. Friday, October 12, 9pm - 1am. The party returns to Hukilau San Jose to enjoy the memories of the game. more details and contact information. Live Music by Kapalakiko followed by Aloha Brewed rocking the house. Prizes, Warrior Merchandise from the Rainbowtique. Admission is FREE! Hukilau San Jose, 230 Jackson Street, San Jose.

Event Sponsors: HCCNC, Hukilau San Jose, Na Koa Football Club, UHAA Alumni, Rainbowtique, and San Jose Giants. For complete details and maps, visit the HCCNC website at hccnc.com/events.htm.