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Abercrombie honeymoon’s over: Hawaii Democrats seek shakeup at the top, and more political and government news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Gov. Neil Abercrombie (c) 2011 All Hawaii News In a major internal shakeup, Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s chief of staff and his deputy chief of staff have resigned just 10 months into an administration the governor acknowledges has fallen short of expectations. Star-Advertiser. Asselbaye Senior Dems Pushed Gov To Shake Up Staff: From early in his administration, longtime associates of Gov. Neil Abercrombie were alarmed at their friend’s performance. Civil Beat. Less than a year after taking office, Gov. Neil Abercrombie has lost his top two aides to resignation. Hawaii Reporter. Aoki Two top members of the Hawaii governor’s administration who played key roles in getting him elected are stepping down. Associated Press. Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office announced Thursday that his Chief of Staff Amy Asselbaye and Deputy Chief of Staff Andrew Aoki have resigned. KITV4. Ten months after being sworn into office two key members of Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s administration abruptly announced their resignations Thursday. KHON2. Coppa New Chief of Staff an Accomplished Businessman With Strong Labor Ties. Civil Beat. The same day Ed Teixeira stepped down from a job he held through three administrations, workers circulated a petition that he be reinstated. KITV4. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is hoping to pick a successor to longtime Administrator/Chief Executive Officer Clyde Namuo in the next three to five months, OHA Chairwoman Colette Machado said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser . A state official says an agency intended to allow development of public lands won’t have “land-grabbing power,” opposed by environmentalists and Hawaiian rights groups. Star-Advertiser. Patricia M. Loui won approval Thursday from the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs for her nomination to the board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Pacific Business News. Oahu Swimmers, surfers and boaters will be banned from some parts of the ocean during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit next month, according to preliminary security plans released Thursday by the U.S. Coast Guard. Star-Advertiser. Unite Here Local 5, Hawaii’s largest hotel workers union with over 11,000 members, is continuing its campaign against the Hyatt Regency Waikiki for subcontracting local jobs and challenging union wages. Hawaii Independent. The City of Honolulu celebrated the 50th anniversary of a very special sister-city relationship today. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii A public shooting range for West Hawaii is on target to open in a “couple of years,” with state and county cooperation on the use of land near the Puuanahulu landfill. West Hawaii Today. The County Council has given a name and face to pending legislation aimed at keeping impaired drivers off Big Island roads. Tribune-Herald. Public funding to support North Hawaii Community Hospital, health record privacy and long-term health care were among the concerns North Hawaii residents voiced to hospital officials Thursday in Waimea. West Hawaii Today. Ironman athletes strip down for Underpants Run, the Kona fundraiser began in 1997 to poke fun at the Speedo-clad triathletes wandering through town before the big race. Hawaii News Now. Maui The Maui County Council Land Use Committee voted 8-0 Wednesday to recommend approval of Maui Land & Pineapple’s West Maui housing project Pulelehua. Maui News. A March trial in 2nd Circuit Court is scheduled to determine the fate of the $70 million-plus estate of Laurence Dorcy, one of Maui’s richest men, who died in June. Maui News. Kauai Some Kauai County employees will soon be driving electric vehicles. Associated Press. Carolyn Larson, librarian at the Lihu‘e Public Library, has the cure to the “boarded-up Borders blues” — the Lihu‘e Public Library Fall Used Book Sale. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Hawaii unemployment rate up, second Abercrombie Cabinet member resigns, Japanese message in bottle reaches Kauai, homeless camps airlifted off Diamond…
16. September 2011
Hapuna Beach (c) 2011 All Hawaii News A hand grenade found Sept. 2 and a 57 mm Japanese mortar round discovered Thursday at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area on Hawaii Island have been detonated by the Army Corps of Engineers as an ordnance cleanup continues there, officials said. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii’s unemployment rate rose to a seasonally adjusted 6.2 percent in August in yet another sign that raises questions about the strength of the state’s economic recovery. Star-Advertiser. Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s Human Resources director, Sunshine Topping, will leave her post Friday. Civil Beat. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed Barbara Krieg as interim director of the state Department of Human Resources Development after director Sunshine Topping resigned. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii’s latest graduation policy proposal that reverses a recommendation to reduce social studies requirements also goes against promises made in the state’s Race to the Top. Civil Beat. Russians Help Hawaii Hunt for Japanese Tsunami Debris. Hawaii Reporter. Oahu The Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo ended today in Honolulu. Some policy makers and planners asked why not use more volcanic heat to generate electricity in Hawai’i. Hawaii Public Radio. They came by land and by air and in the end, more than 50 homeless campsites were torn down and removed along Diamond Head Crater. KHON2. The state has ordered evacuation of 28 Niu Valley houses this weekend when two boulders — one of which weighs 7 to 10 tons and is likely to come loose — will be removed from a ridge above the structures. Star-Advertiser. The University of Hawaii is considering raising tuition and on Friday the public will have the chance to weigh in. Hawaii News Now. Lane closures related to nighttime soil sampling work for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project will begin Monday, September 19, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) announced today. Hawaii Independent. Former Kaneohe Marine Awarded Medal Of Honor. KITV4. The U.S. Department of Education on Thursday named three Oahu schools to the 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools list. KITV4. It’s a decades old debate of how to go about growth while maintaining the north shore’s unique environment and community. KHON2 . Hawaii A spat involving Safeway and Hawaii coffee growers is still brewing, even after the supermarket giant agreed to change labeling on its Kona blend coffee. Associated Press. In a modern take on the great land rushes of the 19th century, Hawaii County is preparing to issue agricultural leases for Paauilo lands that have sat idle since 1994. Tribune-Herald. Kona Blue Water Farms Inc. will soon be no more. The company that marketed its farmed amberjacks as Kona Kampachi is dissolving. West Hawaii Today. Only two members of the public showed up Thursday evening to a hearing in Hilo by the state Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch on proposed new restrictions to open burning. Tribune-Herald. With supply lagging, a slow economy, high gas prices and used car prices rising, some local automobile dealers said sales may continue to creep ahead or fall behind last year’s numbers, but no one can be certain in a volatile market. West Hawaii Today. Maui Maui Land & Pineapple Co. presented formal requests to Maui County Council members Wednesday for the entitlements the company needs to build the Pulelehua housing development in Mahinahina. Maui News. There’s been a lot of belt-tightening across the state in recent months, but nothing like what happened on Maui. Pacific Business News. State officials are completing a report with recommendations for the East Maui Animal Refuge to obtain a wildlife rehabilitation permit in the wake of an inspection and the federal seizure of 17 birds from the Haiku facility last month. Maui News. Kauai County ends fiscal year with 160 jobs open. Garden Island. A sailor participating in a beach cleanup in Hawaii found a message in bottle that had been dropped in the ocean more than five years ago by a Japanese school girl. Star-Advertiser. An unexpected treasure was found underneath the sizzling sun on the beaches of the Pacific Missile Range Facility Thursday, discovered by Navy Petty Officer Jon Moore during Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup Day. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Trip Report: Maui–August/September 2011
8. September 2011
As I mentioned yesterday, we’re back from 11 days in Maui. This trip was our fifth to the Valley Isle and, still, we feel like we need to return for new experiences. I’ll be writing many more details about individual aspects of our trip. In the meantime, I wanted to provide you with a summary of what we liked and didn’t like on this trip in case you’re planning your Maui visit. Where We Stayed We spent the first six nights at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua . We had high expectations and they were met at this luxury resort. We’ve loved the Kapalua area ever since our first stay in the villas in 2003. By the way, their best deal starts at $399 per night and includes daily breakfast for two. We ended our trip with a four-night stay at the newly rebranded Hana resort, Travaasa Hana . We felt like we’d taken a step back in time to the real Hawaii on a relaxed pace. Where We Played A semi-private, guided-tour of the Road to Hana with No Ka Oi Adventures – Wade’s knowledge and expertise of the Road to Hana definitely provided me with many new experiences that I may not have ever discovered on my own. We did some great hikes and walks around Kapalua , the Kipahulu area of Haleakala and around Wailea. Horseback riding along the Hana coast was superb! Jolynn lead us through Hana Ranch land by the coast for gorgeous views. One interesting tidbit I’ll go ahead and share is that Jolynn’s grandfather and friends climbed to the top of Alau Island to plant those curious palm trees you see on top of the island. (See a photo of Alau Island .) Surfing Goat Dairy Farm – because when you think of Maui, you immediately think of petting goats and tasting goat cheese, right? A short tour at Surfing Goat Dairy was a fun side trip in the upcountry and definitely something the kiddos would enjoy. Two self-guided garden tours – one at Kahanu National Tropical Botanical Garden off the road to Hana and Kula Botanical Garden in the upcountry. I rate Kahanu Gardens a four out of five with its beautiful coastal views and peeks at the massive Pi’ilanihale Heiau. I rate the Kula Botanical Garden a three out of five. It’s a fairly small garden with some lovely protea flowers.
Continue reading...Hawaii’s Tastiest Sweet Treats
22. August 2011
WARNING: You may want to have a napkin nearby as we review these mouthwatering sweets. If you like sweets, you’ll find some onolicious ones in Hawaii! From easy to find to off the beaten path, here’s my list of Hawaii’s tastiest sweet treats: 1. Coco Puffs from Liliha Bakery in Honolulu, Oahu When I took my first bite of a Coco Puff , instinctively I said, “Mmmmmm…..mmmmm!” This puffed pastry treat is filled with a buttery, creamy chocolate pudding and topped off with a coconut and vanilla topping. How good are Liliha’s Coco Puffs? Well, here’s what one reader wrote in the comments of my Liliha Coco Puff post . All I can say is WOW – stumbled across this post before going to spend a week in Oahu and it was more than worth the $50 round trip cab ride from Waikiki just to taste one of those amazing coco puffs !! Of course, I couldn’t just stop at one and after buying a box to go I was left licking the wrappers after the last one was eaten . Thank you so much for this recommendation!! 2. Maui Gold Pineapple Upside Down Cake from Pineapple Grill on Maui Pineapple from Hawaii is delicious, but Pineapple Grill in Kapalua takes this fruit to a whole new level in their signature dessert. As if the cake wasn’t delicious enough, they top it with Roselani macadamia nut ice cream, toasted coconut and a caramel sauce. 3. Shave Ice If you need to cool down after a day at the beach or a hike, a Hawaiian shave ice will refresh you. Shave ice is similar to a snow cone but with ice that’s very finely shaved making it soft and smooth. You then have a choice of flavorings that add the sweetness. You can find shave ice all over Hawaii. A few of our favorite shave ice joints are: – Matsumoto in Haleiwa on Oahu’s North Shore – This shave ice place is the most famous. – Waiola Bakery & Shave Ice on Kapahulu Avenue by Waikiki on Oahu. – Aloha Island Shave Ice on the Hana Highway in Paia on Maui 4. Malasadas Portuguese immigrants introduced this doughnut-like pastry to Hawaii. Malasadas are filled with a variety of creamy fruit-flavored centers, as well as chocolate and vanilla fillings. The best way to have a malasada is to purchase it while it’s still warm and eat it right away. You can find malasadas in most Hawaii bakeries. Freshly made malasadas are also popular at Hawaii’s farmers markets . Three of the more famous places to try a malasada are: – Leonard’s Bakery on Kapahulu Avenue by Waikiki on Oahu – T. Komoda Store & Bakery on Baldwin Avenue in Makawao on Maui – Tex Drive-In off Highway 19 near Honokaa on Hawaii’s Big Island 5. Happy Cakes on Oahu As I said in my Happy Cakes post , this cake lives up to its name. This golden moist cake bursts with the iconic flavors of Hawaii – pineapple, macadamia nuts and coconut. Need I say more? There’s a chocolate version, too. You can pick up a Happy Cake at a variety of locations that I describe in my Happy Cakes post or you can order them online. 6. Hula Pie If you go into any of the TS Hawaii Restaurants (for example, any of the Duke’s restaurants) save room a slice of Hula Pie . This generously-sized (e.g. sharable) pie is made of macadamia nut ice cream, topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and more macadamia nuts. 7. Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie from Ted’s Bakery on Oahu’s North Shore I must thank a Go Visit Hawaii reader, Janet Rivera, for telling me about Ted’s Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie. I had been to Ted’s Bakery a number of times for breakfast or lunch, but somehow missed that chocolaty, coconuty, creamy goodness up until last year. If you’re stopping into Ted’s with a large group, purchase an entire pie to share, otherwise I recommend purchasing the a slice that’s individually packaged. 8. Mochi How does one describe mochi ? It’s a soft Japanese rice cake usually filled with ice cream. I realize that description doesn’t exactly sound delicious, but you’ve got to trust me on this one. You can find mochi in grocery stores and bakeries around Hawaii. 9. Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts No list of Hawaii’s best sweet treats be complete without chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Though they’re not too difficult to find on the US Mainland, you certainly can’t find the variety that Hawaii offers. See my post on where to find macadamia nut farms in Hawaii . Most farms have a shop where you can sample all sorts of macadamia goodness. My favorite kind is the milk chocolate toffee covered macadamia nut. They’re delish! — Did your favorite sweet treat make the list? What’s your favorite sweet snack or dessert in Hawaii? Where did you try it? © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Tax relief for cash businesses, NRC chides Army for depleted uranium, Lingle in Democrats’ crosshairs, Hawaii farm trafficker case tossed out of…
5. August 2011
Aloun Farms courtesy photo In a courtroom disaster for the federal government, prosecutors this morning dismissed all criminal charges against brothers Alec and Mike Sou, accused in 2009 of illegally importing and exploiting farm laborers from Thailand. Hawaii Reporter. Cleared of human trafficking charges, farmers Alec and Mike Sou want to get back to growing crops instead of defending themselves against allegations they forced 44 workers from Thailand to harvest melons, lettuce and pumpkins. Associated Press. Jurors in the Aloun Farms human trafficking case were stunned by the mid-trial dismissal of all charges Thursday, but said it made sense given that the prosecution had put up a weak case. Civil Beat. The abrupt collapse of the federal government’s prosecution of the Aloun Farms brothers likely will affect how the court handles the related case against Global Horizons Manpower, several attorneys associated with the cases said. Star-Advertiser. Mike and Alec Sou were just boys when their family arrived as refugees from Laos and began farming a small plot of land in Waianae in 1977, pulling out thorny kiawe bushes and rocks to clear the land. Star-Advertiser. “What a relief!” Kapolei farmer Alex Sou said to the press after the federal government dropped its long-running criminal case against him and his brother, Mike. Hawaii Reporter. After three days of trial in the human trafficking case against the owners of Aloun Farms, federal prosecutors on Thursday made a startling move of asking the presiding judge to throw out the charges “in the interest of justice.” Hawaii News Now. Federal prosecutors on Thursday morning dropped charges against two Hawaii businessman on trial in a human trafficking case. KITV4. It was a stunning turn of events. KHON2. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has wrapped up its investigation of depleted uranium at Pohakuloa Training Area and Schofield Barracks by issuing a “Notice of Violation.” West Hawaii Today. The manager of the Kona Airport has been disciplined for mismanagement, while the manager of Lihue Airport was fired, after numerous complaints about mismanagement on Kauai. KITV4. National Democrats are setting traps for former Gov. Linda Lingle as she considers a campaign for the U.S. Senate, depicting the Republican as a “partisan bomb-thrower” whose poor judgment led to teacher furloughs that closed public schools. Star-Advertiser. Tax collectors are taking a gentler approach in going after cash business that bend state tax rules. Hawaii News Now. Historic Ewa Airfield proposed site for renewable energy park. KHON2. The ever-changing, ever-growing
Continue reading...Tax relief for cash businesses, NRC chides Army for depleted uranium, Lingle in Democrats’ crosshairs, Hawaii farm trafficker case tossed out of…
5. August 2011
Aloun Farms courtesy photo In a courtroom disaster for the federal government, prosecutors this morning dismissed all criminal charges against brothers Alec and Mike Sou, accused in 2009 of illegally importing and exploiting farm laborers from Thailand. Hawaii Reporter. Cleared of human trafficking charges, farmers Alec and Mike Sou want to get back to growing crops instead of defending themselves against allegations they forced 44 workers from Thailand to harvest melons, lettuce and pumpkins. Associated Press. Jurors in the Aloun Farms human trafficking case were stunned by the mid-trial dismissal of all charges Thursday, but said it made sense given that the prosecution had put up a weak case. Civil Beat. The abrupt collapse of the federal government’s prosecution of the Aloun Farms brothers likely will affect how the court handles the related case against Global Horizons Manpower, several attorneys associated with the cases said. Star-Advertiser. Mike and Alec Sou were just boys when their family arrived as refugees from Laos and began farming a small plot of land in Waianae in 1977, pulling out thorny kiawe bushes and rocks to clear the land. Star-Advertiser. “What a relief!” Kapolei farmer Alex Sou said to the press after the federal government dropped its long-running criminal case against him and his brother, Mike. Hawaii Reporter. After three days of trial in the human trafficking case against the owners of Aloun Farms, federal prosecutors on Thursday made a startling move of asking the presiding judge to throw out the charges “in the interest of justice.” Hawaii News Now. Federal prosecutors on Thursday morning dropped charges against two Hawaii businessman on trial in a human trafficking case. KITV4. It was a stunning turn of events. KHON2. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has wrapped up its investigation of depleted uranium at Pohakuloa Training Area and Schofield Barracks by issuing a “Notice of Violation.” West Hawaii Today. The manager of the Kona Airport has been disciplined for mismanagement, while the manager of Lihue Airport was fired, after numerous complaints about mismanagement on Kauai. KITV4. National Democrats are setting traps for former Gov. Linda Lingle as she considers a campaign for the U.S. Senate, depicting the Republican as a “partisan bomb-thrower” whose poor judgment led to teacher furloughs that closed public schools. Star-Advertiser. Tax collectors are taking a gentler approach in going after cash business that bend state tax rules. Hawaii News Now. Historic Ewa Airfield proposed site for renewable energy park. KHON2. The ever-changing, ever-growing
Continue reading...Aloha Friday Pho…er…Video
29. July 2011
Today’s Aloha Friday Photo is actually a video. Dave from Oahu created this very cool video explaining how to grow a pineapple, which happens to fit nicely with our series this week on Hawaii plants and blooms. Starting and growing a pineapple sound pretty easy actually. I may even give it a try, but by planting it a container so that I can bring it indoors for winter months. Dave recommends these helpful instructions for more information on growing a pineapple in your home. (Email subscribers, click here to access the video .) Mahalo, Dave, for providing our very first Aloha Friday video! © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Maui Wowies These First-Time Hawaii Visitors
21. July 2011
Matt & Cari prepare for a Maui helicopter tour. First-time Hawaii visitors Matt and Cari from Tri-Cities, Washington thoroughly researched their May trip through their Hawaii vacation planning resources . While they were well prepared for their Maui vacation, they were still surprised by several aspects of Hawaii. I always like to read and hear what first time Hawaii visitors think of their trip to the Aloha State. So when Matt and Cari offered to write this guest post to describe what they found surprising about Hawaii, I was all for it! I think you will enjoy reading Matt and Cari’s Hawaii surprises. Matt’s Surprises 1. The Weather I knew it would be hot, but for some reason I never thought about how humid it would be. It hits you like a brick wall when you get off the airplane. Of course, it’s a tropical island so, in hindsight it makes perfect sense. I just never thought about it in advance. And not just humidity, but it also rained a lot during our visit — much more than I expected. I think I had this Chamber of Commerce vision of perfectly clear, blue skies that stretch on and on. This isn’t a complaint; the weather didn’t stop us from a wonderful visit. It just wasn’t what I expected. 2. Prices We read plenty of articles that mentioned things are more expensive in Hawaii, but there’s still a sense of sticker-shock when you pull into the gas station and fill up at $5.15 per gallon. Or when you go to Kmart for some snacks and basics, put about 10-12 items in your cart and the cashier says, “That’ll be $99.90.” It may have been something I tried to not believe, but there was no avoiding it on the island. 3. Snorkeling/Snuba I had no idea how much I would LOVE snorkeling and snuba. We took the Four Winds II boat out to Molokini on our first day there and I didn’t want to get out of the water! I even told Cari that I’d be happy to cancel all of our other plans for the rest of the week and come back and do the same boat ride each day. After a couple minutes of struggling with the snuba gear, it was a thrill to go down 10-15 feet below the surface and get up close to all kinds of fish, plus to see the amazing coral on the ocean floor. Man, I’m ready to go back now and do it again! 4. The Beauty No matter how many pictures you look at, you won’t be prepared for the Maui’s stunning beauty. The ocean? I had no idea there were so many shades of blue! The land? You’ll see every shade of green possible along the road to Hana. And when the two come together, like at the Ke’anea peninsula or the end of Nahiku Road – there are no words. Black sand beaches? Red sand beaches? Sigh. It’s more beautiful than I could’ve expected. Cari’s Surprises 1. The Language I’m a reader. I have a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. I have read through countless books, articles, essays and cereal box backs. I thought I knew how to use language to share my feelings, and how others use words to express themselves. But that was before I visited Hawaii! In Hawaii, one simple word connotes welcome and consideration and hospitality – and that word is ‘aloha’. Yes, I know it’s not an English word, so I suppose I couldn’t be expected to truly understand the many layers of meaning another language infuses into its words. However, it was still a surprise to me since I thought I knew what it meant – “hello”, or “goodbye”. However, it was the way the word was spoken on Maui that helped me see that there was a difference…subtle, yet distinct. The Hawaiians I met conveyed empathy and kindness and understated joy in those five letters, and I felt like shafts of sunlight were slanting from their mouth when they said it. 2. The Food When my husband and I went on our honeymoon, we went to San Diego, CA, and loved everything we ate there. Everything from Sea World’s hot dogs to McDonald’s milkshakes were elevated to sublime! In retrospect, it wasn’t because the food was so spectacular, it was because we were on our honeymoon! However, even though I was in Hawaii, again with my husband, nearly twenty years have passed (as has his capacity to turn fish and chips into lobster in my mind!). So I can say with certainty, the food really was excellent. Truly, anyone would agree – especially when it came to the pineapple and the shave ice . Oh my gosh – this ain’t your mother’s snowcone! 3. The Beauty Yes, I know, Matt already talked about it, but I have something to add. In Madeleine L’Engle’s The Moon by Night, the main character, Vicky, takes a camping trip across the U.S. with her family. When they arrive at the Grand Canyon, she reflects this way – “The only trouble with Grand Canyon was that we were already so saturated with beauty that we looked at it and said, “Oh. Pretty.” Which is hardly the word for the Grand Canyon. But it just didn’t mean to us what it would have meant if we’d come straight to it…without all the other things in between.” And that’s exactly how I felt about Hawaii. We saw so many gorgeous vistas all over Maui, that by our third day there, it was, “Oh. Pretty.” over and over again, because I’d become surfeit with gorgeous things! That being said, it was stunningly beautiful, and pictures help, but there is no substitute for seeing it in person. It is truly awe-inspiring. —- A big mahalo to Matt and Cari for sharing their Hawaii surprises!
Continue reading...Maui Wowies These First-Time Hawaii Visitors
21. July 2011
Matt & Cari prepare for a Maui helicopter tour. First-time Hawaii visitors Matt and Cari from Tri-Cities, Washington thoroughly researched their May trip through their Hawaii vacation planning resources . While they were well prepared for their Maui vacation, they were still surprised by several aspects of Hawaii. I always like to read and hear what first time Hawaii visitors think of their trip to the Aloha State. So when Matt and Cari offered to write this guest post to describe what they found surprising about Hawaii, I was all for it! I think you will enjoy reading Matt and Cari’s Hawaii surprises. Matt’s Surprises 1. The Weather I knew it would be hot, but for some reason I never thought about how humid it would be. It hits you like a brick wall when you get off the airplane. Of course, it’s a tropical island so, in hindsight it makes perfect sense. I just never thought about it in advance. And not just humidity, but it also rained a lot during our visit — much more than I expected. I think I had this Chamber of Commerce vision of perfectly clear, blue skies that stretch on and on. This isn’t a complaint; the weather didn’t stop us from a wonderful visit. It just wasn’t what I expected. 2. Prices We read plenty of articles that mentioned things are more expensive in Hawaii, but there’s still a sense of sticker-shock when you pull into the gas station and fill up at $5.15 per gallon. Or when you go to Kmart for some snacks and basics, put about 10-12 items in your cart and the cashier says, “That’ll be $99.90.” It may have been something I tried to not believe, but there was no avoiding it on the island. 3. Snorkeling/Snuba I had no idea how much I would LOVE snorkeling and snuba. We took the Four Winds II boat out to Molokini on our first day there and I didn’t want to get out of the water! I even told Cari that I’d be happy to cancel all of our other plans for the rest of the week and come back and do the same boat ride each day. After a couple minutes of struggling with the snuba gear, it was a thrill to go down 10-15 feet below the surface and get up close to all kinds of fish, plus to see the amazing coral on the ocean floor. Man, I’m ready to go back now and do it again! 4. The Beauty No matter how many pictures you look at, you won’t be prepared for the Maui’s stunning beauty. The ocean? I had no idea there were so many shades of blue! The land? You’ll see every shade of green possible along the road to Hana. And when the two come together, like at the Ke’anea peninsula or the end of Nahiku Road – there are no words. Black sand beaches? Red sand beaches? Sigh. It’s more beautiful than I could’ve expected. Cari’s Surprises 1. The Language I’m a reader. I have a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. I have read through countless books, articles, essays and cereal box backs. I thought I knew how to use language to share my feelings, and how others use words to express themselves. But that was before I visited Hawaii! In Hawaii, one simple word connotes welcome and consideration and hospitality – and that word is ‘aloha’. Yes, I know it’s not an English word, so I suppose I couldn’t be expected to truly understand the many layers of meaning another language infuses into its words. However, it was still a surprise to me since I thought I knew what it meant – “hello”, or “goodbye”. However, it was the way the word was spoken on Maui that helped me see that there was a difference…subtle, yet distinct. The Hawaiians I met conveyed empathy and kindness and understated joy in those five letters, and I felt like shafts of sunlight were slanting from their mouth when they said it. 2. The Food When my husband and I went on our honeymoon, we went to San Diego, CA, and loved everything we ate there. Everything from Sea World’s hot dogs to McDonald’s milkshakes were elevated to sublime! In retrospect, it wasn’t because the food was so spectacular, it was because we were on our honeymoon! However, even though I was in Hawaii, again with my husband, nearly twenty years have passed (as has his capacity to turn fish and chips into lobster in my mind!). So I can say with certainty, the food really was excellent. Truly, anyone would agree – especially when it came to the pineapple and the shave ice . Oh my gosh – this ain’t your mother’s snowcone! 3. The Beauty Yes, I know, Matt already talked about it, but I have something to add. In Madeleine L’Engle’s The Moon by Night, the main character, Vicky, takes a camping trip across the U.S. with her family. When they arrive at the Grand Canyon, she reflects this way – “The only trouble with Grand Canyon was that we were already so saturated with beauty that we looked at it and said, “Oh. Pretty.” Which is hardly the word for the Grand Canyon. But it just didn’t mean to us what it would have meant if we’d come straight to it…without all the other things in between.” And that’s exactly how I felt about Hawaii. We saw so many gorgeous vistas all over Maui, that by our third day there, it was, “Oh. Pretty.” over and over again, because I’d become surfeit with gorgeous things! That being said, it was stunningly beautiful, and pictures help, but there is no substitute for seeing it in person. It is truly awe-inspiring. —- A big mahalo to Matt and Cari for sharing their Hawaii surprises!
Continue reading...Hawaii mulls school impact fees, pedophilia bill faces veto, recycling program losing money, Maui vets lawsuit advances, Kaui dredging project stirs…
11. July 2011
Hawaii Community College mural courtesy photo A spectacularly vivid and colorful mural was unveiled Thursday at Honolulu Community College in Kalihi, a massive work nearly the length of a football field and reaching three stories high on the side of the JBL Hawaii warehouse on Kokea Street along Kapalama Stream. Hawaii Independent. A bill on Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s veto list would lift the statute of limitations on civil lawsuits by victims of child sexual abuse, which is now two years from the victim’s 18th birthday or, in certain instances, two years from the time the victim discovered the injuries or damage arising from the abuse. Star-Advertiser. There was a time not long ago when the idea of ruthless, spiteful Mufi Hannemann running the state seemed scary and Neil Abercrombie, neatly combed and acting avuncular, appeared the more reasonable choice. Star-Advertiser. Two of 28 Hawaii board members are telling Gov. Neil Abercrombie they’ll obey his request for them to resign. Associated Press. Peanut butter sandwiches, all-expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C., and an iPad were among the gifts Hawaii lawmakers accepted during the last year, a Civil Beat analysis of gift disclosure filings has found. Civil Beat. Members of the Hawaii House of Representatives will host an Informational Briefing on Cybercrime on Tuesday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol, Conference Room 309. Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii’s recycling incentive program that pays consumers a nickel for each drink container redeemed has begun losing millions of dollars every year, likely leading to an increase in government-imposed costs of every can, plastic drink container and beer bottle sold in the state, The Associated Press has learned. Associated Press. As the state embarks over the next six months on Justice Reinvestment — a data-driven approach to reducing corrections spending and decreasing crime successfully used in more than 10 states — it is not only a first step but relatively inexpensive and easy step toward criminal justice reform. Civil Beat. Hawai‘i Fifth Circuit Chief Judge Randal Valenciano warned six felony probationers last week that positive testing for drug use would result in mandatory jail time. Garden Island. A school impact fee that was to have been imposed in West Hawaii last July could be back on soon. West Hawaii Today. Hawaii has attracted its second major mainland solar system provider in two years, broadening options for consumers and businesses interested in tapping the sun’s energy for electrical generation without upfront costs. Star-Advertiser. The Coast Guard rescued 25 people who were on tour boat that hit some rocks near a cave entrance off Maui. Star-Advertiser. The county spent more than a decade securing the necessary permits to dredge Morgan’s Ponds at Lydgate Beach Park. Now that the work is done, some long-time users are raising concerns about the finished product. Garden Island. The Army plans to remove unexploded munitions from the ocean floor off the coast of Waianae over the next three weeks. Associated Press. The Army is undertaking an environmental impact study for the expansion and modernization of Pohakuloa Training Area. It is expected to be completed by fall, said Lt. Col. Rolland “Chris” Niles, PTA commander. West Hawaii Today. The city is trying a new approach to providing a public service that in recent years has generated major controversies, lawsuits, fines, scores of consumer complaints and an ongoing criminal fraud investigation. Star-Advertiser. Major sewer line work will likely cause a major traffic jam on on Ala Moana Boulevard. Starting at midnight with one lane of Ala Moana in Kakaako will be closed around the clock for two weeks. KHON2. Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans’ lawsuit against the County of Maui is still moving forward, according to a federal judge’s order last week. Molokai Dispatch. A federal judge in Honolulu has ordered that a lawsuit filed by Molokai veterans over the county’s handling of their building permit application can continue. Maui News. Uninhabited areas of Puna have become dumping grounds for the gutted and burned-out remains of stolen vehicles. Tribune-Herald. The stocks for Maui Land & Pineapple Co., Barnwell Industries Inc. and Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.were the only local issues to record gains Friday. Pacific Business News.
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7. October 2011
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