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GQ Japan | 10 Essentials

Interesting topic. “What are your 10 essential items?” So I asked myself…

  1. Bible: My faith is everything.
  2. Friends & Fam: What’s life without the people you love?
  3. 909 Kapi’olani: My home. I love condo living, and this location is perfect for me.
  4. iPhone 14 Pro: I depend on my phone as much as my brain. Actually, more so…
  5. Toyota Tacoma: My truck has been by my side for the past 19 years. Here’s to the next 19🍻
  6. Osprey Porter 30: This is how I travel✈️ One carry-on. That’s it.
  7. Seiko Diver Watch: I know that everyone has an Apple Watch. My Seiko SPB143 has a place in my heart❣️
  8. Coffee/Beer: Love hot coffee in the morning☕️ & cold beer at night🍺 Everything in between in just “icing on the cake”🍰
  9. Instagram: This is where I post my pics, I mean my memories, I mean my life…
  10. Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card: 2018 Topps Series 2 #700⚾️

* Odd that my Martin D-18GE (guitar) didn’t make the list. Maybe next year?

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Visit to Keio University Affiliate Schools

I had the privilege of accompanying Kaʻāmauloa Pathway’s visit to Keio University & Affiliate Schools on November 19th-20th. The purpose of the visit was to establish an exchange program based on the SDGs. My role was as a guide / “interpreter” / video documenter.

It was a whirlwind 2-day business trip, but we had an amazing time visiting with the students, teachers, and administrators. We went to Keio Yochisha Elementary, Keio Chutobu Junior High School, Keio Girls High School, and the Keio University Mita Campus.

The visit was a huge success, and I’m looking forward to the future & potential of this collaboration. お疲れさまでした。

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Tōkyō 東京 2024

Went back to Tōkyō during Fall Break. This time, I wanted to explore the 下町。　Shitamachi literally translates to “downtown” but refers to the retro-towns on the outskirts of Tōkyō.

Spent most of my days in shōtengai and evenings in izakaya. Best part was meeting up with my cousin and my language partners who have become good friends. I also got to check out some of the autumn festivals. The luckiest highlight was seeing my close friend from Kumamoto who just happened to be in Tōkyō on a work trip. 楽しみ！Hope to be back soon…

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KS EdTech Conference

Photo credit Chris Kwok

After an absence of 5 years due to the pandemic, our KS EdTech Conference finally relaunched! It was held on June 4th-5th at the Blaisdell Center, and it was a blast! Got to be the morning emcee and donned the “Wings of Innovation.”

We collaborated with HSTE to bring back Edcamp Honolulu as our pre-conference event. How cool is that?! It was great seeing all the familiar faces and reconnecting with great friends.

Photo credit Chris Kwok

The energy this year was amazing! Keiki Breaks opened our conference with street dancing.

We added a few new wrinkles to this year’s conference including Dj Jem spinning the music🎵 and having food trucks outside🚚 It was a nice treat!

Photo credit Chris Kwok

One of the overall highlights for me was the participation of the Kaimukī High School W.O.R.M.S. Club. Very inspirational kumu. Here is the list of the other sessions.

I was also able to give a presentation on language learning and tell my personal story in the format of a TED Talk.

There was a great vibe and great moments throughout the 2½ days. This impromptu jam sesh consisted of former KS Designer Gavon, Abe from The Ukulele Collective, and Kona and Cory from our AV Dept. Check out Twitter at x.com/ksedtech for more. #KSEdTech

Photo credit Chris Kwok

Love the friendly, intimate, cozy feel of our conference. Learned a lot and had an amazing, amazing time. See you next year!

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Ralph…

Definitely not a fashionista haha, but there is one clothing brand that I do like. Ralph Lauren.

Travel wardrobe: Polo overshirt + Polo brushed cotton jeans.

Way, way back in college (photo unavailable,) Polo shirts became the in-thing. I had a few in pastel colors that included “plum” and “salmon” haha. Much, much later, a big factor in this affinity was due to living near the Waikele Premium Outlets. Bought my first navy blazer from the Polo Factory Store.

Now I have Ralph Lauren t-shirts, chinos, and socks. The t-shirts were all at half-price at TJ Maxx in the South Shore Market.

I also got a sport coat (for 帆花’s graduation,) a Herrington jacket, and a hoodie from Macy’s sales.

I even have a denim jacket, a flannel shirt, and a pair of black jeans. Everything I’ve ever purchased over the years was on sale (except for the socks and some of the chinos.)

The one mistake purchase was this alligator belt. I bought it when I was skinny🤣 I also bought it at regular price😭 Now it doesn’t fit, but I can’t toss it out either.

One of my best purchases was this RRL workshirt that I found on ebay at a great price. RRL (called “Double RL”) is Ralph Lauren’s western style clothing line.

And coming back full circle, I currently have a few Polo shirts. No pastel colors tho…