Thomas Tsutsumoto
@holokaiThomas Tsutsumoto has roots in Seattle, but currently lives in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. He works in Student Affairs at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. His other focus is on improving his techniques in body boarding and natural photography.
Updated January 2010
Stories from This Author
Practicing Karate in Japan
Jan. 25, 2010 • Thomas Tsutsumoto
Japanese martial arts such as judo and kendo have a strong presence in the Japanese American community. As a youngster, my dad took me to my first karate practice when I was 11-years-old. During my years of training, I engaged karate in a very traditional, yet non-commercial way. At the request of my sensei, I took a trip to Japan in 1989, immersing myself in an intense, week-long karate “boot camp” that was held in Shinshu. This training was called …
Finding and Preparing The Elusive Matsutake Mushroom
April 18, 2008 • Thomas Tsutsumoto
A rare, sunny, mildly humid Northwest Labor Day weekend in 2004 arrived shortly after four consecutive days of rain. This was the signal for my father to embark on one of his favorite pastimes—finding the awesome, tasty matsutake mushroom, a small treasure of the Pacific Northwest that is increasingly difficult to find these days. From his younger days, he learned the secret spots to hit. Although his knee problems made walking quite painful for him, nothing would keep this very …
A Tribute to Japanese Heritage in Hawai'i: Hokule'a's Voyage to Japan
Feb. 14, 2008 • Thomas Tsutsumoto
As a volunteer for the Polynesian Voyaging Society, I would like to share info on the timeless Hokule'a Voyage to Japan and its significance to Nikkei concerns. I was not on this voyage, but since the crew has returned, Hana Hou-the magazine of Hawaiian Airlines, and the Polynesian Voyaging Society's website has featured articles and info on Ku Holo La Komohana: The Hokule'a voyage to Japan and the mastermind behind this journey-Mr. Nainoa Thompson. The 2007 Hokule'a Voyage to Japan …
