Dialogue

Karleen C. Chinen Commentary It’s been a while since I’ve traveled, mainly because of my arthritic knees. But when I did travel a lot, the Big Island of Hawai‘i was one of my favorite places to...

Karleen Chinen Commentary “See Something . . . Say Something.” That has been America’s mantra since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our country 18 years ago. Those four words are being repeated once again due to the rash of gun violence. So, I am deeply disappointed by the silence of departing Trump administration officials —....

With this “Maui Issue” of the Herald, we can now say with the pride of accomplishment that our neighbor island issues are back on track. In a few months, we will begin planning for...

DIALOGUE BY Karleen Chinen This annual Okinawan Festival edition is one of our favorites to produce each year. It’s a lot of work, but always fulfilling, because the Okinawan Festival is one of the finest examples of a community’s efforts to keep their cultural heritage alive and thriving and sharing it with everyone. We thank....

After a few starts and stops — mainly due to staff vacations — this year’s seventh annual Hawai‘i Island edition is finally in your hands, albeit a day late because of the 4th of July holiday. The Big Island edition is always fun to put together. While most of us live in the state of....

DIALOGUE BY Karleen Chinen Happy New Year! There’s only room for 220 words in this issue’s Dialogue. So, here goes. Due to the size of the venue, only a limited number of people were able to attend the June 7, 2018, Gannenmono Symposium at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel to listen to the various presentations. The....

Karleen C. Chinen Commentary The passing of my uncle — the husband of my mom’s half-sister — prompted Auntie Yoshi’s only surviving sister in Okinawa to travel to Hawai‘i for his funeral, accompanied by two of...

Karleen Chinen Commentary We are reminded almost daily of how quickly we are losing our World War II veterans — the people that broadcast journalist Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.” In Hawai‘i, we see their names in the “Honor Roll” and “In Memoriam” columns in the newsletters of the various veterans groups. No one....

DIALOGUE BY Karleen Chinen Commentary The seed for a story on Emperor Akihito’s abdication from the Chrysanthemum Throne was planted in my head a few years ago by contributing writer Kevin Kawamoto following the emperor’s address to the people of Japan regarding the status of his health. As the prospect of his abdication became more....

Karleen C. Chinen Commentary “Hey, Boss Lady . . .” That’s how Frances Kakugawa starts off her emails to me. She knows my name, but she insists on calling me “Boss Lady,” like I’m her luna...