From Honolulu Advertiser (less links)
KADOMATSU ARTIST REMEMBERED AND LOVED
By Ann Asakura
Bud Morrison lived and worked in a bamboo forest on the slopes of
Tantalus.
One day back in the mid-’80s, Bud showed up at Temari (our lofty
name for the Palolo cottage we operate out of) and inquired, “What is this, and what
does it mean?”
“This” was kadomatsu, the traditional Japanese arrangement of
fresh bamboo and pine used as a New Year’s decoration. He figured that if anybody
could tell him, it would be the people at the Temari Center for Asian and Pacific Arts.
But the truth was, many of us couldn’t. For me, a
Japanese-American sansei
(third generation), kadomatsu was one of those things that was always just there.
When I was growing up, displaying kadomatsu was the last task after
days of changing shelf paper, scrubbing screens and polishing windows with crumpled
newspaper — all required steps before o-shogatsu, the New
Year.
What a pain it was. I used to dread the inevitable mountain of chores.
After all, it was supposed to be Christmas
vacation, and all I wanted to do was meet my friends at Toyo Theater for a chambara
matinee of dueling samurai swordsmen, wearing my new pastel pink flats and capri pants.
But instead I had to clean house.
Back then, kadomatsu were a few stalks of ironwood pine, needles
dangling, with skinny bamboo tied with any-kine
string. Ji-chan would attach one bundle on each side of the door. “Fo’ good
luck,” my grandfather answered when it
finally dawned on me to ask “What fo’?”
Ironwood, planted as windbreaks on Hawaii sugar plantations, was a
scraggly substitute for the hardy black
pine of Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Shizuoka prefectures in Japan.
Still, it was pine, and with immigrant ingenuity, our grandparents made
do with what they had. And after the kadomatsu were displayed, Ji-chan and Baba-chan would
let us burn shu-shu baby firecrackers and guzzle our once-a-year treat of soda.
So along with most of my generation, I wouldn’t have known much
more about kadomatsu if it hadn’t been for Bud’s asking what it was all about.
“Fo’ good luck,” I replied.
Why the pine? he asked. Why the bamboo? Why? Why?
I was ashamed that I didn’t have the answers. Together, Bud and
the Temari center studied.
Kunio Ekiguchi, craftsman, author and a favorite visiting artist of
Temari, scoured used bookstores in Tokyo and sent us pages and pages of drawings
documenting the existence of New Year’s decorations around the 9th century.
A simple branch of pine was hung by commoners at their doorway, while
an arrangement of three bamboo stalks was
placed at Edo Castle’s entrance. The pine served as a lightning rod, attracting
Toshigami, the spirit of the New Year. And it seems that the bamboo was chosen because it
could survive natural disasters.
Kumiko Akiyama and Barbara Stephan, then Temari board members,
translated the written descriptions.
Bud experimented with bamboo from his forest and soon was producing
kadomatsu for both commercial and residential customers. He generously taught Temari how
to make them, too.
For many years, in November or December, he would take precious time
during his busiest season to teach kadomatsu classes at Temari. He always started each
class with a lecture on kadomatsu’s symbolic gathering of strength: pine for its
needles sharp enough to foil evil spirits, bamboo for its ability to withstand
nature’s forces, and coils of rope to represent the binding together of man, heaven
and earth.
And he always thanked Temari for helping him learn the art of making
them.
Now it’s Temari’s turn to thank this very special person who
cared enough to ask “why.” Bud’s recent obituary read, “A
kadomatsu artist. Owner, Tantalus Bamboo.” Where else but in Hawaii would this
“haole boy,” as we affectionately called him, show us how to appreciate and
share our own culture?
Today, you can find kadomatsu in all sizes, in varying styles, in your
local supermarket, drug store and big-box retailer. They are assembled by scout troops,
church choirs and senior citizen clubs. Most likely, the leader or teacher took a class at
Temari, learned from Bud, then passed on the skills to others.
Temari wants all who cherish this symbolic reminder of rituals past and
future to know that Bud Morrison was the source.
On Dec. 26 at Ward Warehouse, Temari will once again offer kadomatsu,
in the Morrison-style — bamboo with angled cuts, encircled by nine coils of rope and
embellished with thick branches of black pine and red-and-white noshi, or fortune paper.
This year all Temari kadomatsu will be dedicated to our friend Bud, who
was also husband to Nancy and father to
Zoe.
Osewanarimashita. We are forever indebted to you, Bud.
Ann Asakura is co-founder of
the Temari Center for Asian and
Pacific Arts
TEACHING
KIDS ABOUT MONEY
by Gary A. Powell
JANUARY 2000 - Most children
don't understand money - including how it works or how to use it effectively. That's why
it is not uncommon for a teenager to slave away at a minimum-wage job all week, blow the
entire paycheck at the mall in 20 minutes on a to-die-for outfit or computer game, then
complain about being broke. Or worse, the money simply gets lost. (Some parents could make
a respectable living from the cash that gets laundered with their children's clothes.)
It's up to us to teach them. Here are 12 suggestions to help children
learn financial responsibility:
1. Talk about money. While your financial
statement is your personal business, include your children in budget and other household
money discussions. Some families hold 'budget summits' periodically to discuss family
finances. This practice is sometimes continued long after the children are grown. Each
year, around the holidays or at a family reunion, time is set aside to discuss the family
finances.
2. Provide allowances. This is the best
way to teach money management skills. Base the amount on your children's ages, maturity
and the cost of living in your state. Be clear about what the allowance covers. Example:
Tommy receives $20 a week, while Bob gets $45. This may sound unfair; however, Bob must
buy his own school lunches and clothes, while Tommy's parents pay for these items
separately. For younger children, pay allowances weekly. At some point, however, many
parents begin paying once a month.
3. Give them some say in issues affecting them.
Some parents ask their children to submit detailed 'budget' requests in writing. These
then become the basis for setting allowances. This practice may work especially well when
they go off to college and the amounts jump from tens and hundreds to thousands of
dollars.
4. Give credit where credit is due. A
credit card can be a dangerous weapon in the hands of a teenager. Some do not fully
understand the connection between charging items and later paying the bill. The best way
to teach the use of credit is to strictly control the use of credit cards by your children
and to make sure they see all bills that come in. If your teen carries a card for
emergency use only, define the term 'emergency' clearly.
5. Put it in writing if you lend your
children money. Then make sure you stick to the agreement. Advancing your daughter
$200 for a CD player, then forgiving the debt the next week, sends the wrong message,
especially if it represents a pattern.
6. Start talking about college while your
children are still in high school. Discuss who will pay what amounts, and who will
be responsible for doing the financial aid legwork. Some parents agree to contribute a set
amount each year (such as $5,000 or the equivalent of in-state tuition at a public
university). The child is then expected to make up any difference.
7. Monitor part-time work, and don't reduce
allowances when your children acquire jobs. This punishes them for taking the
initiative.
8. Encourage regular saving. Some parents
insist that their children put a percentage of everything they earn or receive as a gift
into savings. Many provide matching funds, adding a dollar for every dollar the child puts
aside. Withdrawals are permitted to purchase saved-for items and, once in a while, just
for a treat.
9. Teach them about the cost of things. As
a parent, you can rant and rave until blue in the face about the electric bill ("Why
is every light in the house on?") or the telephone bill ("No, you can't call
your friend in Spain every evening."). Or you can review the bills together. Some
families regularly post them on the bulletin board or refrigerator, a practice that can
lead to some lively discussions. Another idea is to relate the cost of things to your
child's income. Example: If your daughter earns $6 per hour, ask her to decide for herself
if that $60 sweater is really worth 10 hours of work?
10. Let them share in windfalls. One
family of five likes to take in a movie and a meal every Friday night. Dad explains that
if they go to the $1.50 flicks rather than the $6 theater, they can save $22.50. The three
children help decide which movie to see; but if they select the cheaper one, each gets $5.
Try the same thing with utilities. Suggest, for instance, that if the phone bill can be
cut by 25% next month, everybody (including Mom and Dad) get to share in the savings.
11. Help them invest in their futures.
Some parents give their children a fixed sum (such as $5,000) at a certain age and teach
them how to invest the money in stocks, mutual funds and other assets. This not only helps
the children (and very often the parents) learn the fundamentals of investing, but it also
provides a common ground for maintaining the parent/child relationship.
12. Think about starting their life insurance
program. Premiums will never be lower than at these younger ages. Plus coverage
purchased today will provide protection that could help meet their needs over their entire
lives.
The bottom line: Teach by
example. Believe it or not, your children do pay attention to what you do, including how
you manage your money. So, be sure to practice what you preach.
Editor:
Gary A. Powell is an agent with the New York Life Insurance Co. and can be reached at
529-6336 or 638-9097.
|
|
AROUND MILILANI MILILANI, HAWAI`I - State
Representatives Marilyn Lee & Ron Menor helped
to organize the recently held Health Fair at the Town Center... Councilmember Rene Mansho has introduced a bill to to regulate the keeping of
dangerous dogs...Castle & Cooke appointed Harry Saunders
to senior v.p. of Oahu operations...Mililani Middle School
received free wireless phones & airtime from Honolulu Cellular...Mililani
Wal-Mart donated $3,890.61 to Goodwill Industries of Hawaii & $2,000 to the
Hawaii Foodbank...Stephanie
Wong was promoted to sales operations manager
at AT&T Hawaii...Lorraine Sonoda-Fogel is an internist at
Straub Mililani...1999 Honolulu Marathon
Results for Mililani runners: Frank Pugliese, 2:59:43 (90th);
Colin Hilliman, 3:12:09 (194th); Tina Easkins, 3:14:48
(29th); Stephanie McLaughlin, 3:24:24 (44th); Mina Casey, 3:39:32 (87th).
MILILANI BIRTHS
Tyler
Takemichi Akana-Lum Remington, born Nov 3 to Kristine & Donny Remington...Faith Ayame-Joyce Bermoy, born Dec 6 to Courtney & Walter
Bermoy...Dylan Stanley, born Dec 8 to Michele & Tim
Stanley...Kimson Kamehana O
Kala Sanchex, born Sep 30 to Kimberly
Salangdron & Jonathan Sanchez...Zion David Kaikaikaokamana`omekekino, born Sep 17 to KerryLynn T. & David P. Vea; Noah
Makanaalohamaikalani Panoncillo, born Nov 17 to Stephanie & Benjamin
Panoncillo.
UNIVERSITY
OF PHOENIX OFFERS DEGREE FORUM ON BUSINESS PROGRAMS
For Mililani residents interested in finding out more about programs in
business, management, and information systems, the University of Phoenix will hold a free
informational seminar on its undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Mililani on
Tuesday, January 4.
University enrollment counselors will provide information on the
University's business degree programs which specialize in administration, management,
marketing, and information systems. The graduate degree programs include a Master of
Business Administration, a Master of Business Administration/Health Care Management, a
Master of Science in Computer Information Systems, and a Master of Arts in Organizational
Management. The undergraduate programs include business management, administration,
information systems and marketing.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the University of Phoenix, Mililani
Learning Center, located at Mililani Technology Park, 300 Kahelu Avenue, Suite 10.
The University's programs are tailored to meet the needs of today's
working adults, said Grace Blodgett, vice president and campus director. interactive
classes meet once a week for four hours and are taught by facilitators who work in the
field in which they teach. All faculty members have a master's degree or a Ph.D.
To reserve a space, please call the University of Phoenix at 625-7004.
HEALTH
FAIR COMES TO MILILANI TOWN CENTER
MILILANI, HAWAI`I - A Health
Fair was held on Saturday, January 15 at the Town Center of Mililani.
The fair was organized by Representatives Marilyn
Lee & Ron Menor, & the Mililani Lions Club.
Activities included: cholesterol & diabetes screening, blood
pressure & body fat tests, presentations on bicycle safety, & eyes examinations
& more.
NEW
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLANNED FOR MILILANI
A new, $20 million elementary
school is proposed for Mililani Mauka on a 12-acre site near Mililani Middle School.
The first phase is targeted for completion in July 2003.
Projected enrollment in 2003 for K-2 is 297. Higher grades would be
added later, with a projected student body of 651 in K-5 in the fall of 2004. When fully
completed in 2005, enrollment is projected at 695.
If funding is approved by the Legislature, construction would start in
2001.
MILILANI
STATE LEGISLATORS SHARE THEIR VIEWS
MILILANI,
HAWAI`I, January 2000 - A recent newspaper polling of legislators disclosed the following
views of State Senotor Randy Iwase & State Representatives Marilyn Lee & Ron
Menor:
»Eliminate corporate
income tax - Iwase, yes; Lee, no; Menor, yes.
»Cut corporate income tax in half - Iwase, yes; Lee, no;
Menor, yes.
»Increase tobacco/alcohol taxes to pay for drug treatment
programs - Iwase, yes; Lee, yes: Menor, did not answer.
»Tax incentives to attract specific firms - Iwase, did not
answer; Lee, no; Menor, yes.
»Tax breaks to attract specific industries - Iwase, yes;
Lee, yes; Menor, yes.
»Tax breaks to attract new firms to Hawaii based on number
of jobs created - Iwase, did not answer; Lee, no: Menor, did not answer.
»State funds to venture firms - Iwase, did not answer; Lee,
yes; Menor, yes.
»Pay-at-pump auto insurance - Iwase, no; Lee, did not
answer
»Remove school principals from unions - Iwase, did not
answer; Lee, no: Menor, no.
»Tax powers for Board of Education - Iwase, no; Lee, no:
Menor, no.
»Close financially troubled long-term care facilities -
Iwase, did not answer; Lee, no: Menor, did not answer.
»End subsidy to Hawaii Health Care Systems - Iwase, did not
answer; Lee, no: Menor, did not answer.
»Legalize physician assisted suicide - Iwase, did not
answer; Lee, no: Menor, no.
»Total ban on fireworks - Iwase, did not answer; Lee, yes:
Menor, did not answer.
»Ban gun ownership - Iwase, did not answer; Lee, yes:
Menor, did not answer.
»Regulate sale of ammunition - Iwase, did not answer; Lee,
yes; Menor, yes.
»Expand background checks for gun sales - Iwase, yes; Lee,
yes; Menor, yes.
»Require periodic renewal of gun regitration - Iwase, yes;
Lee, yes; Menor, yes.
»Build prison in Hawaii - Iwase, yes; Lee, yes; Menor, yes.
»Build prison on Mainland - Iwase, yes; Lee, no: Menor, no.
»Privately-operated prisons - Iwase, yes; Lee, did not
answer: Menor, did not answer.
»State-operated prisons - Iwase, yes; Lee, did not answer;
Menor, yes.
»More money to counties from hotel room tax - Iwase, yes;
Lee, yes: Menor, did not answer.
»Consolidate state departments for efficiencies - Iwase,
yes; Lee, yes; Menor, yes.
»Reduce state workforce through attrition - Iwase, did not
answer; Lee, yes; Menor, yes.
»Reduce state workforce through layoffs - Iwase, did not
answer; Lee, no: Menor, did not answer.
»Reduce state workforce through privatization - Iwase, did
not answer; Lee, did not answer: Menor, did not answer.
»Reduce state workforce through buy-out incentives - Iwase,
did not answer; Lee, yes: Menor, did not answer.
»End "bumping" system where laid-off senior
workers are able to "bump" less senior workers - Iwase, did not answer; Lee,
yes; Menor, yes.
»Merit pay for public workers - Iwase, did not answer; Lee,
yes: Menor, did not answer.
»End practice of providing 100% of health benefits for
future hires - Iwase, did not answer; Lee, yes; Menor, yes.
»Pay raises for public workers in unions win arbitration -
Iwase, did not answer; Lee, did not answer; Menor, yes.
»Public financed state elections - Iwase, did not answer;
Lee, no: Menor, did not answer.
»Bar government officials from awarding contracts to family
members - Iwase, did not answer; Lee, yes; Menor, yes.
Senator Randy Iwase, seniwase@Capitol.hawaii.gov, phone 586-6740,
623-7797; fax 586-6829.
Representative Marilyn Lee, replee@Capitol.hawaii.gov, phone 586-9460; fax
586-9466.
Representative Ron Menor, repmenor@Capitol.hawaii.gov, phone 586-6150;
fax 586-6151. |
