News Dragon - September 2008

NewsDragon Volume 56, Issue 9 /

2008 Executive Committee

September 2008

We’re #1!!!

Lily Fung President Shirley Lam Chairman Kathy Kam Exec Vice President Jonathan Cook Corr. Secretary Ana Che Treasurer

The rumors are true. As you may have read in recent issues of Time, Newsweek or Glamour, The Honolulu Chinese Jaycees did win the top chapter spot for the 2nd Trimester! Your dedication, your work & your support made this possible. This recognition belongs to the entire HCJ chapter so we should all take pride in it. But we can’t rest on our laurels. Let’s keep it up and show what we can do together in the remaining months of 2008! Healthy Baby Contest – Finals!

Duc Nguyen Director Deanne Morimoto Director Jesse Hosaka Webmaster Thayer Goya Advisor

Let’s take the ball across the finish line! Setup starts at 8:30AM on Saturday, Sept 20th. The place: Ala Moana Center Stage. Be a part of all the excitement including the Michael W. Perry / Lani Moo Grudge Match! Best of all – You’ll be there to see who our 2008 Meadow Gold Healthy Baby will be. See you at Ala Moana…

______________________________________________________________________________ Message from President.…………………………………………………..………………………………. 2 Healthy Baby Recap.………………… …………………………………………………….…………..… 4 Dragon Boat………………………………………………………...……………………………………….. 5 Convention Recap…………………...……………..……………………………………………………..... 7 Pictures!………………….…………………………………………………….…………………………...… 9

Message From The President Aloha Everyone, Happy Belated Moon Festival! Moon Festival, also known as Mid-Autumn Festival occurred on September 14, 2008. It is one of the two most important holidays in the Chinese calendar. Traditionally on this day, Chinese family members will gather together to eat moon cakes and pomeloes together. As for Dragon Festival, thanks to Kelfred Chang and Gifford Chang of Hawaii Dragon Boat Festival and Race Announcer John Clark for their hard work in the coordination of the event this & every year. Special kudos goes out to emceeing talents of John Cummings, Jon Cook, and Stan Fichtman. At the 2nd Trimester Convention, the chapter placed Number 1 for the Parade of Chapters. Thanks to my Board, members, and friends who had made it possible for us to achieve this great honor. At the Friday Night Social, a few of us made our video debut. Despite not winning any awards, we had fun. Thanks to Lindley Low for putting together the final product. At the Saturday Banquet, Gerald Chung was honored with becoming our chapter’s newest Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senator. You’re invited to come out to the Kick Back Barbecue on Saturday, September 27, from 5PM to 10PM, at Lindley Low’s house at 3386 Campbell Ave. Bring a potluck dish, your own chair, and maybe a favorite board game. Hawaii Jaycees Statewide Adopt-A-School will be held on Sunday, October 12. Hawaiian Mission Academy was selected as the school because I went there many years ago. We will be donating a scholarship and doing a service beautification project starting at 9:00 am on the day of event. If anyone is interested in running for office next year, elections will be held in November. Stayed tuned for date of the event. Sincerely, Lily Fung 57th President, “Awakening The Dragon” Phone: 783-1369 / Email: [email protected]

The 2008-2009 Honolulu Chinese Jaycees Elections is around the corner.  Tentative date for election is Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 7:00 pm, MCC Room TBA. We are looking for nominations for the following positions: President Executive Vice-President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Board of Directors

Please submit your nominations to HCJ President Lily Fung at [email protected].  

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NewsDragon / Volume 56 / Issue 9

Message From The Vice President Fellow Honolulu Chinese Jaycees and Friends, I would like to thank everyone for all of your hard work and your support you have given our chapter this past year. We really couldn’t have done everything without you. We have just ended our convention this past weekend and what a great weekend it was by having the Honolulu Chinese Jaycees finish 1st place on the Parade of Chapters. Once again thank you to all of you for your participation with all of our projects this year. Well this year has gone by really fast. We are almost ending our year and we are looking for people that are interested in being on the HCJ Board of Directors for next year. If you want to learn how to become a leader, want to understand the Jaycees, have fresh ideas for next year or just want to have fun, then we are looking for people like you. Talk to anyone on our Board of Directors. We would be more than happy to sit down with you to let you know more details. And, lastly, The Honolulu Chinese Jaycees is doing a beautification project at Kalaupapa in Molokai. John Cummings will be spearheading this event and we will be going on Friday, October 17 to Monday, October 20. If you are interested, money is due now and the cost is $202.00. You will also need to fill out Medical Forms before you go. Please call or email me ASAP if you are interested in going. Thank you, Forever in Jaycees, Kathy Kam 2008 Executive Vice President The Honolulu Chinese Jaycees Email: [email protected]

Honolulu Chinese Jaycees Interested in joining HCJ? Contact us!

Mail: Honolulu Chinese Jaycees, P.O. Box 957, Honolulu, Hawaii 96808 Email:

[email protected] |

Tel: (808) 783-1369

Online: MySpace.com/HonoluluChineseJaycees / Facebook: Search ‘Honolulu Chinese Jaycees’ Web Site: HcjHawaii.com Page 3

NewsDragon / Volume 56 / Issue 9

Healthy Baby – 1st 2 Weeks Week 1

Week 2

Healthy Baby is never a dull event. This year’s excitement was higher than usual - not only is project chair Ken Sum a new member, this is also his very first project. One thing is certain – Ken will never again underestimate Deanne Morimoto’s power of persuasion. The 1st heat on Saturday, July 6th came and Ken and Co. passed the test with flying colors. This year we had a great turnout of Jaycees to help out. Many from HCJ plus always-reliable friends from the State board and other local chapters. Healthy Baby mainstay Gerald Chung provided a steady hand from the beginning of the project and continued to do so that Saturday. Helping him backstage were equally solid HCJ-ers Deanne Morimoto, David Dang & others who provide solid backup year in and year out.

The 2nd week was under some unique limitations, with manpower drawn away due to the Jaycees’ convention going on the same day. In addition, the Aloha Festival Parade was going on, producing traffic delays and audience competition. Still, the chapter and the babies came through with flying colors. Chair Ken Sum proved once more to be up to the challenge, even bringing friends who provided solid assistance to the proceedings. The biggest challenge for the day was the heat. The backstage room remained very warm due to an air conditioner that worked only sporadically. Wes Kam was dispatched to buy fans, which helped keep our judges cool(er) during the pageant.

This writer can state confidently that the Jaycees showed their experience & know-how - from the Registration Tables to the Contestant Lines to the Goodie Bag Handouts and all the way to the Backstage. Let’s see if that record was maintained the next week….

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If this year’s Healthy Baby Contest were an airline, the flights would be on time and turbulence-free. (And HCJ wouldn’t charge you for checked bags, either!). A big ‘Mahalo’ and ‘Well Done’ to all who came out both weeks. See you at the Finals! HELP!: We need volunteers for the Healthy Baby Finals on Saturday, September 20th. Setup starts at 8:30AM at Ala Moana Center Stage. Call Ken Sum (@ 330-0486) to let him know you can help…or just to tell him how much he means to you.

NewsDragon / Volume 56 / Issue 9

Dragon Boat Recap In a sign that Sunny Wong’s legacy would live on, the Dragon Boat Festival proceeded as usual this August. HCJ ohana members Kelfred & Gifford Chang, along with longtime race official John Clark, have taken on running this great event, making sure it will continue its great record of culture and racing excitement.

Day 2 The 2nd day started on a high note as the yellow dragon boat had been fixed and was ready to race again! From here on, there would be 3 boats in the water. The highlight on the beach side of things was the arrival of Mayor Mufi Hanneman who took time to address the crowd and even name-checked HCJ President Lily Fung.

Deanne, Gerald & Co Work Timekeeping Table

The festival began with the traditional blessing, complete with the Lion Dance troupe making their way across all 3 Dragon Boats. Witnessing that alone was a great reason to come out. It’s a symbol-filled ceremony that gives deeper meaning to a great sport. The Unexpected Happens The 1st race is always dramatic, but this one provided more drama than usual. The yellow boat sprung a leak after being run across a rock while beached. After 1 race, the festival was down to just 2 usable boats(!). The Festival organizers, though, rolled with the punches and quickly revised the schedule, often on the fly. Things could have easily descended into confusion, yet the event continued on with few delays. John Clark & Gordon Goo kept everything on track with the help of the volunteer crew.

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Mayor Mufi got to see the joint Mayor/City Council Office team win their heat handily. The team paddled to the drumbeat kept by Past HCJ President Yvette Hirai. Both days provided a series of photo-finish races that kept the crowd on their feet. If you want to see real sports drama, look no further. There’s nothing like the agony of seeing a leading boat miss the flag at the end, losing the race just at the moment when victory seemed certain. One thing was missing this year. And that was the distinctive voice and sarcastic comments of usual MC Paul Chun. We all look forward to having him back in action ASAP. Fill-in emcees John Cummings, Stan Fichtman & Jonathan Cook jumped into the breach, providing steady and entertaining play by play to another year of fun, racing and living Chinese culture. Thanks to all our volunteers and helpers who came out and made this another great year of Dragon Boat!

NewsDragon / Volume 56 / Issue 9

August GMM The HCJ August GMM got off to a bang with the arrival of our guest speaker, Kelfred Chang. Kelfred, along with his brother Gifford, heads up many of HCJ’s signature projects as well as Honolulu’s Chinese Community/Cultural events. His presentation was for one more of them, this time the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival. Kelfred told the assembled Jaycees about the history and significance of this exciting competition. This year would stand out especially, being the first without Sunny Wong, the man who started the Dragon Boat Festival. Still, the Festival knew they could count on the Honolulu Chinese Jaycees as always to provide the manpower needed. Kelfred spoke on where we’d be filling in and, demonstrating his habit of always thinking ahead, he also got in a plug for Night In Chinatown; set your watches for January when we’ll be manning the streets there. After fielding our questions, Kelfred was off again, no doubt to deal with more Dragon Boat business. Big events like this one don’t happen on their own. The meeting paused for a brief food break, then got back in gear with announcements of the coming Healthy Baby Contest as well as the in-process HCJ Bowling League. But that wasn’t all – in what is becoming a small tradition, HCJ welcomed another new member after the meeting! James Kanda was inducted and pledged in by HIJC President Patrick Tomiyasu then and there. Our thanks to Daniel Cheung for bringing James to the GMM and a big ‘Welcome’ to James himself! [Next GMM: Tuesday, October 21st, 7PM @ Moiliili Community Center] ____________________________________________________ President Lily’s Big Day Out All photos taken on August 23rd between 9AM & Noon

HCJ President Lily graciously agreed to have her photo taken with these 3 people. It’s just one of those things you have to do when you’re a celebrity like her and the fans won’t leave you alone. (That Sweetie woman was especially pushy about getting a photo.)

Lily With KSSK’s Sweetie Porcaro

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Lily With Lani Moo

Lily With Mayor Mufi Hanneman

NewsDragon / Volume 56 / Issue 9

Convention! As you read on the cover, HCJ was the #1 Chapter this Trimester! But that’s not the whole story. If you want that, you’ll need to read on, because it was a good night for your chapter. HCJ dominated the 1st set of awards, given for CPGs/Projects as well as those for Individual Members and Officers. Board members Ana Che, Kathy Kam & Jonathan Cook all won formal recognition for their positions, while President Lily Fung took the prestigious Top Chapter President award. The veterans were not the only ones who had their work recognized. Daniel Cheung took a Best New Member prize and Ken Sum got Best Project Chairperson. Not bad for his 1st project. But the biggest individual highlight was yet to come. As customary, Gordon Goo took the stage to give the most prestigious title the Jaycees bestow: Senator. It is given to those who’ve not only served their chapter and the Jaycees well, but have also shown leadership and dedication above and beyond. This was the night when Past President Gerald Chung would be given this well-earned title. It may have been a surprise to Gerald, but it was no secret that he deserved it. Our new Senator has continued his great support of his chapter despite Roostering out. Gerald has not only been our Healthy Baby anchor year after year, he’s also repeatedly traveled to Japan, China & Taiwan on his own dime to keep HCJ relations with our sister chapters there alive and intact. Congratulations from us all, Gerald! The Parade of Chapters standings were, as always, the climax of the evening. Although we had a good feeling, we didn’t know for certain we were at the top until the announcement itself. The #1 position was a result of all of you coming out, working on projects and supporting the chapter. Take a bow, folks! HCJ After-Convention Celebration

Support Jaycee Businesses – Like This One!

Don’t Let Just Anyone Repair Your Car. Get ‘Sum Guy’ To Do It. You’ll Be Glad You Did.

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NewsDragon / Volume 56 / Issue 9

2nd Trimester Convention Flyer

Aloha All, We’re coming up to some important months. October sees us doing our part in the statewide Jaycees’ Adopt-A-School program. The very next week we’re going to Molokai for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve the community there. Then in November we set the path for next year with the election of the 2009 HCJ Board. We need members willing to step up and serve on the Board and keep our chapter going strong. I can personally vouch for these opportunities as one of the best things you can do: you learn leadership, make connections in the community and gain skills will serve you well in every aspect of life. Talk to any of us on the Board about the different positions possible and what is involved. I’ll close with a small story. When I did my very 1st project I was having a hard time finding members for all 3 shifts at the Children & Youth Day booth we were manning. The last shift was especially difficult to fill. Gerald Chung had already signed up for the 1st shift. In fact he was one of the first people who volunteered to help me. Gerald, out of the goodness of his heart and his willingness to serve the chapter, offered to work the 1st AND 3rd shifts to make sure I had enough help. The man actually did his time in the morning, took a break, then came back to finish the day. That, in a nutshell, is Gerald Chung. And that’s why he’s a Senator. Jonathan Cook 2008 HCJ Director & NewsDragon Editor

REMINDER: HCJ Bowling League We’re in the process of reviving the HCJ Bowling League. Call/email Jon and let him know you’re interested in being in the league. We’ll give you details on cost, etc. as soon as we have them. As of now, our scheduled day/time would be Wednesday evenings, 7PM. That may change. If it helps, the new Waialae Bowl will be serving both food and beer. The league is open to Roosters. It will also be open to Non-Members, though they may have a higher fee. Pass the word around and let Jon know ASAP! Contact: Jon Cook - 342-2737 or [email protected]

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NewsDragon / Volume 56 / Issue 9

Picture Page

Healthy Baby Goodie Bag Crew

John Clark Helps With Boat Blessing

Kathy & Blanche Eat Cookies. Instead of Working. Like They’re Supposed To.

Pres. Lily Leads Convention In Jaycee Creed

Ken Sum Chats Up The Ladies. Instead of Working. Like He’s Supposed To. John Cummings Announces Dragon Boat Start

Lion Dancers Begin Blessing of Boats Stan Demonstrates Some ‘Hand Jive’!

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NewsDragon / Volume 56 / Issue 9

HCJ Schedule of Events – SEPT / OCT 2008 Saturday, October 4th

Saturday, September 20th

Healthy Baby Contest - Finals

Discover Moiliili Volunteers needed to help Call Lily @ 783-1369

Ala Moana Center Stage 8:30AM Contact: Ken Sum, 330-0486

Friday, September 26th

Sunday, October 12th

Monthly Wine Tasting Outing HASR, 31 N Pauahi St

Statewide Adopt-A-School Project

5PM

Hawaii Mission Academy 9:00 AM

Saturday, September 27th

Kick Back Cook Out

October 17th to 20th

Lindley’s, 3386 Campbell Ave

Kalapaupa Beautification Trip

5PM – 10PM

Kalapaupa, Molokai

Tuesday, October 21st

Chapter GMM MCC, Rm 209, 7PM Stay tuned for announcements on activities, projects & sports! Look for HCJ emails and check our website: HcjHawaii.com

Honolulu Chinese Jaycees PO Box 957 Honolulu, HI 96808