Posts Tagged ‘Hawaii’

The winter surf season on the northern shores of Hawaii’s islands continues to be in the great to greater category with the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, and more exceptional free surf competitions having some of the best waves in years.

Well, it isn’t planning to stop anytime soon. 25 – 30 foot faces are expected on the North Shores of the Hawaiian islands with the western shores seeing as high as 20 foot faces. These wave heights are right on the edge of closing out places like the Banzai Pipeline and making Waimea Bay on Oahu and Jaws on Maui having some great turnouts.

Hopefully you’ll be able to make it, but if you aren’t, you can enjoy these videos from previous large north swells that came late in 2009. Videos of Jaws on Maui and video from the epic day at Waimea Bay for the Eddie Aikau.

Sarah Palin, famous for her “rogue” remarks during her bid with John McCain to become Vice President of the United States, has decided to leave paradise due to some photos of her that have been passed around the internet, television and print media.

Usually we try and stay away from the gossip columns of the news, but come on, we couldn’t pass this one up.  We’ve included a photo here, well, because we wanted to, but we got the photo from TMZ who has many many more photos of the “incident” which come on, really shouldn’t be an incident. She’s visiting Hawaii, brought her visor, and blacked out her running mates name. What’s news about that?

She said on her twitter “cut sunny vacation short (thanks, desperate paparazzi).” Paprazzi is one thing, but it’s all the news sources (guilty as charged) making up reasons why this would be big news. Maybe it’s because she’s in obama land, or maybe she did want to go incognito as she mentioned. Either way, we’ll keep the news alive, because quite frankly, I didn’t even know she was in Hawaii.

Government workers, teachers of Hawaii’s youth, and yes, Hawaii’s youth, had yet another day off here in paradise, and still, there’s no positive outlook in sight.  While the rest of America is trying to prepare their youth to compete in a worldwide market that, as we saw, can turn downward on a dime, Hawaii is struggling to figure it out.

Our students need education, they need the structure of classrooms in the absence of other alternatives, they need a chance at their futures.  OK, maybe 27 extra days off isn’t going to break them, but when you compare to what their peers are receiving, who are competing for those same college slots, who’s going to look better?

The furlough days here in Hawaii are not a good thing for anyone, especially our students.  There has to be another way.  And no, I’m not going to offer a solution, it’s not my job, it’s our governments job.  Isn’t it?  Isn’t that what we elected them for?  To have our interests at heart?  I don’t a single person on the island that thinks furloughs are a better way.  Even the schoolboard who, let’s face it, used it as a bargaining chip, shame on you.

OK, enough me getting into politics.  But even the schoolboard realizes there needs to be schooling and no furloughs.  Let’s make this happen people.  Follow through on the negotiations.

Waimea Valley, located at 59-864 Kamehameha Highway(across from Waimea Bay) is proud to present its 2nd Annual “ARBOR DAY” Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

The plant sale and tree give-away will take place in front of Parking Lot 2 (before security guard shack). Participants are encouraged to bring an extra bucket or two to take free mulch home for their yards.

HECO will once again participate by providing the trees for plant give away. Each household will be allowed one free tree and will be asked to complete a short survey before leaving. The survey will help HECO to determine what kind of plants to prepare for the next year.

Waimea Valley will have native and non-native plants for sale and several vendors from across O`ahu will also be selling a wide variety of plants:

• Olomana Tropicals –heliconias, gingers and bromeliads
• Jill Coryell, the Hibiscus Lady – original cultivated varieties of hibiscus
• Alvin Tsuruda of Waihale Products – a very wide variety of exotics, good named Anthuriums
• Ed Miyashita of Growing Creations – herbs, orchids and vegetable starters
• Kay Lynch of La`au Hawai`i– native Ferns

Admission to the Arbor Day Event is free, but be aware that there will be a parking fee of $5.00 per car.

On October 25, 2009 President Obama declared swine flu a national emergency.  So far there has been over 1,000 laboratory confirmed deaths in the United States from the flu known as H1N1.  46 states are experiencing widespread flu activity.

Federal health officials say that the swine flu is more widespread now than it has ever been.  The only states without widespread flu are Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey and South Carolina, the agency said.  But today October 27, 2009 Dr. Sarah Park, head of the Department of Health’s Disease Outbreak and Control Division announced an expected spike in H1N1 cases in Hawaii in the coming weeks.  The Health Department said Hawaii only has 104,000 doses of the vaccine allocated to the state so far.

The government had predicted 120 million vaccines will be made available mid October, but as of now only 11 million doses have been administered across the country.  The government now hopes to have 50 million doses out by mid November and 150 million in December.

The good news is we are not currently one of the states with an influx of H1N1 cases, but the bad news is our state does not have many doses of the vaccine available to the public.  First priority for the vaccines are children, pregnant women, chronically ill individuals, and healthcare providers.  History of flu pandemics suggest that viral strains tend to spread more in falls and winter seasons.

Here in Hawaii on October 16, 2009 Walgreens announced they will have H1N1 vaccines available on a first come first serve basis.  Vaccines will be $18 and some health insurances might cover some costs.  Ala Moana, Kaneohe, Kalihi, Lahaina and Wailuku (on Maui) branches will be offering the vaccines.  Walgreens recommends calling ahead of time for more information and to see if a pharmacist will be available to administer the dose.  Others interested in the vaccine should see their primary care physician for more information.

Hawaii residents delight: The trade winds are blowing in low fares! United Airlines is offering some unbeatable travel deals to the mainland, but you only have November 15 to purchase your tickets!

Here are the details:

• A 7-day advance purchase is required.
• Eastbound travel must occur between December 7, 2009 and December 26, 2009.
• Westbound travel must occur between December 28, 2009 and January 14, 2010.
• Travel is valid Monday through Thursday.
• Fares for travel on other days of the week will be higher.
• A 3-night, Friday night or Saturday night minimum stay is required and a 60-day maximum stay is permitted.
• Additional checked baggage fees may apply. See U.S./Canada baggage information for details.

Fares do not include a $3.60 per flight segment tax. A flight segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing. Fares do not include the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement at a U.S. airport or Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18, which may be collected depending on the itinerary. Fares for Hawaii and Alaska do not include an $8 (each way) departure tax.

Visit United Airlines’s website to book your ticket now!

I was just in American Samoa and Western Samoa (the island of Upolu) one month ago on vacation.  After hearing the news on about the 8.0 earthquake and tsunami to follow on Tuesday, my heart dropped in sadness for all the kind and wonderful people of Samoa.  Many residents in Hawaii have a direct connection to Samoa because of the large Polynesian population here on the island.  It is only natural for local residents to want to help out in some way.

Here in Hawaii there are several places that are accepting donations.

The American Samoa Government Office is accepting food, clothing, and blankets.

Address: 1427 Dillingham Blvd, Suite 210 in Honolulu
Phone number:  808-847-1998

The American Red Cross is accepting monetary donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  This fund enables Red Cross volunteers to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disaster.  For more information visit: www.redcross.org.

Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to: The Hawaii State Chapter, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816

Bank of Hawaii has donated $25,000 to provide disaster relief to families in American Samoa.  Families effected by the disaster can apply for donations from this fund up to $500.  Those who want to donate can drop monetary donations off at any Bank of Hawaii branch with checks made out to:  Bank of Hawaii American Samoa Relief Fund.

The Cathedral of St. Andrews is taking monetary donations and checks can be made out to: Episcopal Relief and Development.  Special prayer services will also be held.

Address: 229 Queen Emma Square,  Honolulu, HI 96813

Those effected by the tragedy, including residents of Hawaii’s loved ones will most importantly need our support.  Kindness, empathy, and sense of hope to our fellow residents and neighboring country in a time of need sometimes can be a greater gift than money.  My heart and prayers go out to all those impacted.

With all this talk about North Korea firing missiles towards the Hawaiian islands one had to wonder when we would start to hear about the Aegis ballistic missile defense system that has been added to several US Navy ships. Well the wait is over.

The USS Hopper will use this system to guide a SM-3 missile through the atmosphere towards a short range (no firing towards any other islands or countries) missile. The missile will be fired from the missile range off the south west coast of Kauai.

The Aegis system has been tested 22 times and 18 of those times has shot down it’s moving target with great success. I’m hoping it was the last 18 times and those first four were just working out the bugs.