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I was in the first kindergarten class at Salt Lake Elementary. My favorite school memory was our 4th grade trip to Camp Mokuleia. It was my first camping trip and being away from my family was scary. But it turned out to be fun especially because I go to ride a horse for the first time. Mrs. Pak was my favorite teacher. She was caring, inspiring, and she made me want to study hard and learn even more because she made school enjoyable. ~ Jennifer

At Keeau School, most of my friends' parents were plantation workers from the Philippines. I remember one May Day Program (I think I was in the 6th grade) a couple of my friends and I decided to perform a Japanese dance. The song we danced to was "Sakura". We got pink tissue paper to make the cherry blossoms and put them on the end of guava tree branches to use for our dance. ~ Jennifer

When I was young during Easter and Christmas, I would go with my brother Sanford to
visit my dad. My Dad worked so my grandparents could take care of us. It was sometimes difficult communicating because my grandparents only spoke Japanese. I remember growing up in Kurtistown which is an old Plantation town ten miles from Hilo. There weren't many homes. There was a tiny store named Sako Store with a post office and gas station. Seasonally, the sugarcane in the back of the house would be harvested and I would be able to see Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. It was such a beautiful site especially when it snowed. ~ Jennifer

My father is very hardworking and honest. He worked in the construction industry and eventually became a painting contractor. He has had his own company for the last 40 years. He loves to go to Vegas and to watch the Atlanta Braves and Red Sox. He has always participated in sports activities such as bowling, softball and basketball. My dad taught me to be honest, think of others first, and most of all to respect not only your family but everyone around you. ~ Jennifer

My mother is a very loving, caring and supportive person. She has made many sacrifices for her children and family. With two small businesses to run, she works extremely hard everyday, but somehow she always manages to remember all her childrens' birthdays, and she remembers me, her only daughter, every Girl's Day with a flower arrangement and mochi. My mother has always been good with numbers -- I think that is why I went into bookkeeping, too -- and is great in sales. Besides being wise and compassionate, she is also a great friend. She has helped me through the tough times, rejoiced with me in good times, and has always been there for me. She is the type of person who always gives and expects nothing in return. I am very lucky to have her as my mother. ~ Jennifer

People ask me all the time what Duke is like. He is honest, caring, kind and fair. He has the highest ethical standards and integrity of anyone I know. And, he has a great sense of humor. ~ Jennifer