Ha Kam Wi Tawk Pidgin Yet?

This video is the result of a student project at Waianae High School on the island of Oahu.

In 2009, researchers from the Charlene J. Sato Center for Pidgin, Creole, and Dialect Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa began working with students enrolled in the schools award-winning Searider Productions program. They asked the students to explore peoples attitudes about Pidgin, the creole language of Hawaii.

The students took a documentary approach, filming themselves, their friends, and their families.

Though linguists recognize Pidgin as a legitimate language, equivalent to any other, many people living in Hawaii tend to think of it as broken English. This film is an attempt to challenge this way of thinking by showing how Pidgin is used and valued in everyday life.

East Hawaii Supervisor for the 2010 Census?

I mentioned a while back that I was in contention for a Census Supervisor position.

Well today, nearly six months after I took the Census Supervisor test, I got a call back telling me that I was selected to be trained on Oahu for the position.

If I get the position after training, I will be in charge of the crew leaders that are doing the actual census work here on the Big Island … so this will be a big relief compared to actually going out in the field like I did before.

Chinese Company Gains Control of Hoku Scientific

A Chinese company is now the majority owner of a Hawaii-based supplier of silicon for solar panels.

Hoku Scientific Inc. of Honolulu said Wednesday it has issued more than 33 million shares to Tianwei New Energy Holdings Co. of Chengdu, giving the Chinese company control of 60 percent of Hoku’s outstanding shares.

In return, Tianwei has canceled $50 million in Hoku debt. Tianwei is also loaning Hoku $50 million through China Construction Bank and has agreed to help the company obtain additional financing it may need to build and operate its Pocatello, Idaho, facility.

Financing problems held up construction earlier this year. The $390 million factory will employ 200 workers when completed.

More Here: “Hoku and Tianwei Announce Closing of Financing“

Big Island Liquor Company Introducing Home Delivery to Members Beginning January 1st

Media Release:

The charming community of North Kohala is now home to a totally new shopping experience. Known as Kohahla Spirits for more than 25 years, the completely remodeled Lighthouse Liquors in the center of Hawi Town will hold its grand opening on Fri., Jan. 1, upon opening at 11 a.m., after the store blessing. The grand-opening gala includes live music throughout the day, and a vodka education seminar featuring a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar.

Anyone familiar with the previous store will immediately notice the major renovation: wooden flooring and beautiful sapele mahogany accents, deep red walls, a massive 18-foot walk-in cooler housing more than 130 different beers, and a selection of liquor and wine as diverse as Kohala’s residents. Staffed by the outgoing and knowledgeable owners whose enthusiasm complements the makeover, local patrons are guaranteed an upbeat and informative shopping experience.

Perhaps the most anticipated of the many features the new store is showcasing is the effort to positively influence the celebratory spirit of Kohala residents by keeping them off the road – Lighthouse Liquors will offer delivery to its membership, a convenient service welcomed by the Hawaii County Liquor Commission, as well as local police. Pau hana barbecues that go into the night will no longer require that a tipsy guest be sent out to replenish an empty cooler, and an impromptu dinner party won’t force a frazzled host to leave home for wine.

“Our New Year’s resolution is to enhance the positive and ‘spirt’ual presence in Kohala in a responsible, enlightened manner,” says co-owner Marci Elizondo. “Our friends think we are crazy to have the opening on New Year’s Day, but what better way to kick off the New Year and our new store? We feel this symbolizes a great new beginning.”

In addition to delivery, Lighthouse Liquors will host bi-monthly wine & spirits educations, promoting eco-friendly deals by offering free ice to patrons who bring their own coolers in when making purchases, offering party-planning consultation, as well as coordinating future special events and fundraisers for local causes.

Lighthouse Liquors – named in honor of the recently demolished Kauhola Point Lighthouse – is the brainchild of three friends whose seemingly arbitrary discovery of North Kohala several years ago would eventually yield a life of work and play they didn’t know they’d always wanted – the husband-wife team of Chris Scelza & Marci Elizondo, and local Yoga instructor Bobby Hoyt. Scelza & Elizondo also own the neighboring smokeshop, Hawi Headquarters, which now offers a convenient doorway connecting both stores.

For more information:
Lighthouse Liquors
The Kohala Trade Center
55-3419 Akoni Pule Highway
Hawi, HI 96719
(808) 889-0505
LighthouseLiquorsHI@gmail.com
www.LighthouseLiquorsHI.com
Join our fan page on Facebook!
Open daily, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Sundays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Wordless Wednesdays – Potatoes

July 6th – Sensible Simplicity… Growing Potatoes

October 11th – Potato Progress

TODAY:

3.0 Earthquake Shakes Pahala

A minor earthquake occurred at 7:21:19 PM (HST) on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 .
The magnitude 3.0 event occurred 16 km (10 miles) N of Pahala.
The hypocentral depth is 10 km ( 6 miles).

More Here

Keaau Company Hawaiian Springs Expands into Asian Market

Media Release:

Hawaiian Springs, a premier natural water brand recognized for bottling some of the purest and most sustainable waters in the world, recently announced a partnership with Inter-Islands Distribution Ltd. to expand its business in the Asian marketplace. The young, natural artesian water’s official launch in Hong Kong was marked at a press conference held Dec. 8 at the W Hotel—attended by more than 50 media outlets, as well as international actor Jean Reno who is a partner with Inter-Islands.

“As we continue our successful expansion on the U.S. mainland, it is a natural progression for us to expand globally—especially into the Asian market where there is a natural affinity for Hawaiian products and culture,” said Rick Hadley, chairman and CEO of Hawaiian Springs. “Hawaiian Springs has had limited, but extremely successful, market distribution in Japan and Taiwan up to this point. We are thrilled to be working with Inter-Islands and Mr. Reno on this expansion.”

With the support of Inter-Islands Distribution Ltd., Hawaiian Springs will expand its availability to Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, India and Korea, as well as Australia. Mahesh Harilela, chairman of Inter-Islands Distributions Ltd., will oversee marketing and distribution of the premium bottled water.

Reno, France’s most recognized male actor in North America and Asia, has partnered with Harilela to build awareness of the Hawaiian Springs brand in Hong Kong and beyond. Reno has appeared in numerous Hollywood productions such as The Da Vinci Code, The Pink Panther, Ronin, Godzilla and Mission: Impossible, and popular European productions including The Tiger and the Snow, The Professional and The Big Blue. The actor, a father of five devoted to his children’s well-being, was drawn to Hawaiian Springs for its distinct purity and health attributes—along with its beautiful packaging, which features a glass-like, tapered bottle and elegant graphics.

Distributed predominately in the Hawaiian Islands since 1995, Hawaiian Springs began its expansion nearly one year ago. Today, Hawaiian Springs is available in more than 12,000 locations worldwide as well as its online store at www.HawaiianSpring.com.

About Hawaiian Springs

Hawaiian Springs began bottling its young, natural artesian water in February 1995. Drawn from an artesian aquifer at the base of Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaiian Springs bottles its water directly from the source within 30 days of falling as Arctic rain. Freshness, purity and a naturally sweet taste distinguish Hawaiian Springs from other waters. The brand is now sold at select retailers in Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, multiple Asian markets and through the company’s online store at www.HawaiianSpring.com/blog/products. For additional information, visit www.HawaiianSpring.com or fan the company at www.facebook.com/HawaiianSprings.

Cher Auctioning Off Her Big Island Home

Media Release:

Award-winning singer, actor and cultural pop icon Cher has selected Concierge Auctions to auction her property at the Hualalai Resort, on the exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast in Hawaii, on Monday, January 18th, the company announced.  Meticulously designed by Cher and completed in December 2009, the 8,821-square-foot luxury residence has never been offered for sale.

“Displaying a contemporary Balinese style, the seamless architecture and interior design, cool color palette and natural surfaces exude a sense of serenity,” stated Laura Brady, Co-Founder of Concierge Auctions.  “The property is an elegant take on Island living and a true reflection of Cher’s refined personality and taste.”

Building on a centuries-old method for selling the finest art and antiquities, Concierge Auctions combines the latest technologies and marketing programs with experienced personnel to sell high-end properties in an open, competitive forum.

“This auction represents an excellent opportunity for buyers to secure one of the premier assets in our community, which has proven to be one of the most resilient and sought after locations in the world,” stated listing broker Rob Kildow of Hualalai Realty, who is supporting the auction.  “We are delighted to be collaborating again with Concierge Auctions and taking advantage of their platform and global marketing capabilities to successfully sell this property.”

Located at 72-122 Lau’eki Street, the property features a gated center courtyard leading to the main residence, which includes an expansive master suite, great room, kitchen, dining room, outdoor “lanai” living area, and infinity pool with spa overlooking the Hualalai Golf Course and the Pacific Ocean.  The courtyard is flanked by five individual, detached bungalows – four bungalow living suites, three with one bedroom and one bath, and one with two bedrooms and two baths; and a media bungalow.

The entire property is selling furnished, complete with custom artwork and accessories.  For further information, visit www.CherHawaiiAuction.com or call 877-215-2370.

Number of County Employees was Reduced by a Net of 77 in the Past Year

From the Mayor’s Office:

County of Hawai’i Mayor Billy Kenoi today announced his administration has reduced the size of the county workforce by a net 77 employees through restricted hiring and attrition to cut personnel costs during his first year in office.

The County Department of Human Resources also projects the number of “warm bodies” holding county jobs will decline by another 21 through retirements at the end of this month, Mayor Kenoi said. However, some of those retiring employees will be replaced in the months ahead because they are key personnel.

Wave Skiing on Maui – Surfing w/ Skis!

A year in the making, Mike Douglas and Cody Townsend fulfill a dream of towing into big waves on skis in Hawaii. After 4 weeks, 5 broken skis, and 1 big scare, they proved that it is, in fact, possible. Is it just cool, or is there a future for skiing on waves?  Decide for yourself.

1966 Yap and the Outer Islands… A Photo Journal (Part VIII)

Part VIII: The People

Continued from Part VII:  Quotes from the Diary (Part B) – “... Now our soda is out of the refrigerator and the baby is in (it)”

With this section of this photo journal, I’m just gonna let the pictures speak for themselves as a picture is worth a thousand words as we all know.

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

(© Damon Tucker)

My mom with a huge "Rai" Yap Stone Money (© Damon Tucker)

• Part I: Introduction
• Part II: Who
• Part III:  Moms Tale of Arrival
• Part IV: A Yapese Party
• Part V:  The Homes and Structures of Yap
• Part VI: Quotes from the Diary (Part A) – “I managed to get away from Antonio…“
• Part VII: Quotest from the Diary (Part B) – “… Now our soda is out of the refrigerator and the baby is in it.”

Honoli’i Surf Gathering Planned for Children with Disabilities

From the Mayors Office:

The first annual Honoli’i Beach Park Surf Gathering and Surf Camp for children with Autism and other disabilities will be held on Sunday, December 27 at Honoli’i Beach Park.

The event is being sponsored by the Hawai’i chapter of Surfers Healing, a national organization started 12 years ago in San Clemente to share the experience of surfing with children with autism. An estimated 300 people are expected at Honoli’i for the event, including about 50 children.

Sponsors of the event are inviting families with children with autism or other disabilities to spend a day surfing and enjoying the beach. The organization will provide the boards and safety vest. The event is being put on in cooperation with the County Department of Parks & Recreation.

Kalani Kahalioumi, who has been a surf instructor at Surfers Healing events on the East and West Coasts, said the experience of surfing makes the youngsters “glow,” and they ask to go back out to surf the waves over and over.

“Something magical happens when they ride a wave,” said Kahalioumi. “Once you get them standing on the wave, standing up, they light up. Part of it is the surfer, but most of it is done by Mother Nature, the surf.”

“What is really touching is when one kid brings 30 family members to the beach. They all support this one child, and when they see their child surfing, when you bring the kid to the beach when they finish the ride, the parents are in tears,” Kahalioumi said.

For more information or to sign up for the event, visit www.surfershealing.org.

Contact Person:        Kalani Kahalioumi, 961-8860 or 808-392-2252

Mayor Kenoi Responds to Governor’s Plan to Take Counties’ Share of the TAT

From the Mayors Office:

Hawai‘i County Mayor Billy Kenoi released the following statement today in response to Governor Linda Lingle’s bid to balance the state budget by stripping the counties of their fair share of the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT).

“I would have hoped that as a former Maui mayor, Governor Lingle would understand that taking resources from the counties does not solve the problem,” said Mayor Kenoi. “The counties rely on the transient accommodations tax to balance their budgets, and for the state to take away that source of funding puts pressure on the counties to raise taxes at the county level.

UH President M.R.C. Greeenwood – “A Letter to the University of Hawaiʻi About Our Budget Challenges”

UH President M.R.C. Greenwood

Dec. 21, 2009
Dear Colleagues,

As we complete our fall semester, I want to update you regarding our efforts to meet the major budget challenges we face to maintain our university system.

We all know that the University of Hawai‘i provides critically needed opportunities for our citizens and contributes in so many ways to the health and well being of the people of Hawai‘i. The university educates Hawai‘i’s citizens and, thereby, generates the foundation of the state’s workforce. UH graduates drive innovation, build our economy and provide needed services and leadership throughout the state. Without the University of Hawai‘i, our state’s future would be drastically diminished.

Unfortunately, the university’s biennium budget was severely and unexpectedly reduced by $154 million because of the state’s budget crisis. The economic crisis came suddenly and the deficit continues to grow every quarter, leaving the state and the university with an unpredictable financial situation. We have attempted to address the challenge with a combination of strategies.

NeilPryde Race Against the Machine (AKA Hawaii Superferry)

When Japanese Culture Meets American Street Beats You Get “Taiko Stomp”

I just noticed this video on Youtube that was uploaded today.

It didn’t have much information about the video other then it was located at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Firework Permits on Sale Saturday

From the Mayors Office:

The Hawaii Fire Department announced that fireworks permits will be issued beginning Saturday, December 26, at limited locations for the upcoming New Year’s celebration. The sites are:

• Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court
• TNT Fireworks Tent, Prince Kuhio Plaza, Makaala Street, Hilo
• Pinky’s 5/Eight, Papaikou
• Pacific Fireworks Hilo Shopping Center
• Pacific Fireworks Kona, 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona
• Thunder Fireworks Store, 75-1022 Henry Street, Kailua-Kona

Each permit, which costs $25, will entitle the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers.  Permits will be issued to a person 18 years of age or older and are non‑transferable, and non-refundable.

Setting off fireworks is allowable only between the hours of 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day.  Permits should be visibly displayed at the site of use on the day at the time of the firing.

Persons who fail to follow all rules and regulations may have their permit revoked.

Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira reminds the public that it is illegal for anyone to:

• Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks;
• Throw fireworks from a moving vehicle.

It is also illegal to set off fireworks:

• At any time not within the time periods as permitted;
• Within 1,000 feet of any operating hospital, nursing home, home for the elderly or animal hospital;
• In any school building or on any school grounds and yards on any occasion; and

The Hawaii Fire Department also asks everyone to do their part to prevent fires and injuries caused by fireworks:

Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.

Fireworks sales will not begin until December 26, 2009.

For more information on purchasing fireworks permits, or the use of fireworks, please call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2912 (Hilo) or 327-3546 (Kona).

From The Members of the Hawaii Newspapers Guild… Cancel Your Subscribtion to the Hawaii Tribune

*Update* click on the flier below  for a larger version (once opened, scroll over and hit magnifying glass)*

Hawaii Tribune-Herald cancels contract with Hawaii Newspaper Guild

HILO – The Hawaii Tribune-Herald is terminating the bargaining contract of their union workers three days before Christmas. Publisher Ted Dixon earlier this month informed the Hawaii Newspaper Guild Local 39117 that effective Dec. 22, 2009, the company would no longer honor the written Extension Agreement (signed Dec. 7, 2004) to the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This means the bargaining contract will in all respects be terminated and expired, Dixon said.

This does not automatically mean that the parties will go on strike or declare a lockout. However, beginning Dec. 22 the Guild can legally go on strike or the Company can declare a lockout without prior notice. The Stephens Media-owned company is also trying to strike a financial blow against the union by no longer automatically deducting dues from paychecks and can now decide which grievances go to arbitration.

The Company has shied from declaring an overall impasse. An impasse means the Company can institute any of their proposals from the last negotiation. Wayne Cahill, Administrative Officer for the Hawaii Newspaper Guild said, “Should this happen, the Company will effectively declare war against its own employees and Guild members will take appropriate action.”

What does this mean for Tribune-Herald readers, subscribers and advertisers? “Nothing, for now. As long as neither side chooses the ‘nuclear option’ of a strike or lockout, then it will be business as usual,” Cahill said.

Cahill continued, “Business as usual means newspaper employees will endure the eighth year of a wage freeze.

“Business as usual means more of the same unproductive negotiation sessions since 2004 (there have been 59, by Dixon’s count) and more of the same onerus, bad faith ultimatums and unacceptable ‘package deals’ that, if accepted, would render the Guild powerless to represent its workers.

“Business as usual means that money will continue to flow from the Big Island to Little Rock, Ark., where billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens, president and CEO of Stephens Inc., maintains his fleet of four private jets, a $18 million world-class private golf course and a No. 97 ranking on the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans. One of Stephens Inc.’s private equity investments is a conglomerate of 40 newspapers called Stephens Media. Of those newspapers, only one has a union – and the company wants to change that.

“These are tough times for the economy, and for the newspaper industry in particular. But Stephens Media has never claimed an inability to pay, and its CEO has said recently that its newspapers are not in debt. So the issue is not an inability to pay. The issue is the Company’s unwillingness to give employees a fair share and to punish them for asking for anything that might detract from the money that the Hawaii Tribune-Herald readers, advertisers and subscribers give to its parent company.”

The Hawaii Newspaper Guild is asking the community to show their support of the union by signing Subscription Cancellation Pledge Cards. Subscribers of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald can opt to sign these union pledge cards which will cancel their subscription to the paper once the union submits them to the newspaper and the boycott is in effect. Pledge cards can be downloaded from www.tribuneunion.wordpress.com, requested via fax at (808) 585-6465, or via email at wcahill@cwahawaii.org. Supporters can mail their completed pledge cards to: Hawaii Newspaper Guild, 475 Kinoole St., PMB 172, Hilo, HI 96720-2900.

For more information, contact Hawaii Newspaper Guild Administrative Officer Wayne Cahill at (808) 531-5455 or 1-800-984-3484; e-mail:wcahill@cwahawaii.org. Future updates will also be posted on our website at www.tribuneunion.wordpress.com.

Water Spout in Kailua Kona Today 10:15 am

Sunday Mele

My son is getting better at playing the ukulele.  Here he gives a song to you folks for this holiday season.  If you need a good laugh… watch it until the end.