talkstory Archives

January 18, 2008

Riding the Iroquios Point to Pearl Harbor Grey Boat

All this week, I’m attending a computer class at Hickam AFB. Seeing as how I live in Iroquois Point, all the way at the end of Ewa Beach, this presents me with the possibility of getting stuck in traffic jams and “enjoying” the comfort of my car for at least an hour each way. Fortunately, courtesy of my military ID card, I have another option...  Read on...

Posted by Todd at 08:47 PM
Comments [+]
August 17, 2007

Photo of the Week

people really love this guy.

this isn't my favorite so much because of how it looks-- more because of what i went through to get it.

from the gym class heroes concert 8-15-07

Posted by Christa at 11:08 AM
7 Comments [+]
September 01, 2006

will the Wave ever really be "gone"?

the first mention i ever heard of the wave was from a college-aged ex-roommate that would suddenly burst in with a crew of clubbers at 3am and exclaim "HEY! Let's all go to the Wave!"

i never had any desire to go with them for some reason and it wasn't until a few months later when i met maleko that i saw the light. i really can't explain what it was but i CAN say that there is a very distinct difference between the Wave at 11pm and at 3am. it was like this colorful wonderland of scenesters, industry big-wigs, strippers, visiting celebs and bands, and pretty much anyone left over. crazy and soooo fun. i was addicted.

anyway, here are some of my favorite shots from my nights at the wave to help celebrate their 25th anniversary. i will post some pics from the anniversary party at hulas soon on the nightlife diaries

and NOW! for some of MY personal favs:
[click more]

MORE...
Posted by Christa at 03:13 PM
9 Comments [+]
June 03, 2006

Another summer...

Another summer, another home project. For the past two summers running, it's been my front porch and steps. I feel very fortunate to even have a front porch. It seems like a non-brainer in Hawaii's semi-tropical climate - a big shady overhang to keep the sides of the house from being toasted and trasmiting all that heat inside - but you'd be amazed (if you're not here; sadly, you'd be quit used to it if you were) at how many homes don't have 'em.

MORE...
Posted by Griffin at 11:36 PM
Comments [+]
March 31, 2006

Kau Kau Tin

Question on the original home lunch: Does anyone know where I could purchase the stackable 2 or 3 compartment plantation style tin lunchbox? I know it's a long shot, and I'm betting that only the old mom and pop stores might sell them. Since those types of stores no longer exist on Kauai or they have modernized into selling plastic, cartoon covered versions, I am not having any luck with finding them here.

Posted by Rowena at 03:24 PM
6 Comments [+]
March 08, 2006

Obey!

Image hosting by Photobucket
Have you seen this sticker around town? You have to obey.

MORE...
Posted by Pharoe at 11:33 AM
10 Comments [+]
January 06, 2006

Fat boys and glasses

Recently there was an article in the Honolulu Advertiser about 15-minutes-of-fame survivor Jordan Segundo's physical makeover.

Though my sadistic side chuckles at his chunky premutation, I realize that image is an important aspect of performance (be it live or lip-synched).

Recently, Hawaii's own Jake Shimabukuro gave himself a makeover.

MORE...
Posted by Cheyne at 01:17 PM
2 Comments [+]
June 20, 2005

The Nature of the Beast - Extended

So Ive been doing theatre for a while now, but have yet to really be in a full fledged Broadway like musical. I was in UHs Primetime productiof of Philemon recently, but it wasnt the kind of musical where you had a lot of choreography or movement (when youre the commander of ancient Antioch ordering the deaths of hundreds of Christians there really isnt much to dance about). Although I have been blessed with meaty roles in wonderful shows I had no clue I would be cast in the monster of Hawaii community theatre musicals, Disneys Beauty and the Beast.

MORE...
Posted by Pharoe at 10:21 AM
3 Comments [+]
May 17, 2005

Hobos

I dont know how it happened but suddenly hobos are everywhere with their cardboard signs asking for money on corners of Oahu. I dont know if this is happening on other islands too, but it seems that on Oahu a hobo convention was held where it was unanimously voted that the form of begging would be through sentimental signs on the corners of streets.

MORE...
Posted by Pharoe at 01:23 PM
18 Comments [+]
March 13, 2005

Paperclip

After reaching a distance of about two-hundred yards from my home, it dawned on me that I had forgotten to put a paperclip on my paper. Certainly a minor detail, but the kind of detail that some professors allow to annoy them. Not wanting to get on the bad side of the professor, my walk slowed and I asked myself if I wanted to return to the house to get a paperclip. No, I did not.

MORE...
Posted by Kane at 09:42 AM
2 Comments [+]
February 24, 2005

Growing up in Costco

Costco opened on Maui around my freshmen year in High School not but a few yards away from K-mart, which had opened a few years before. This area in Maui had become a bargain hunter's dreamland. I remember the thrill I got when I first entered through the huge doors. They weren't kidding, this really was a warehouse! Boxes of M&M's, 12 packs of Crest Toothpaste, scores of classical music cd's (no pun intended), and lines of Chicken Soup for the soul book. This was wonderful quality time between me and my mom, at least in my head. After all, my mom couldn't deny buying me Cocopuffs cereal at such at bargain! Our ride back to Lahaina with our overstuffed trunk was pleasant because I couldn't help thinking as soon I'd get home I'd make me several sandwiches with about 5 pieces of ham and several layers of cheese, after all who would notice I took so much?

MORE...
Posted by Pharoe at 09:32 AM
3 Comments [+]
February 05, 2005

My first Hostess Bar

What is a hostess bar you might be asking?  It's a place where you go and have a drink and pretty girls go and sit next to you and keep you company IF you buy them an overpriced drink.  You have to keep purchasing these drinks for them otherwise they will leave you (it's almost like putting quarters into a meter)

MORE...
Posted by Pharoe at 10:31 AM
4 Comments [+]
January 28, 2005

David Carradine not Chinese

Has anyone seen the current play "David Carradine not Chinese" at Kumu Kahua Theater? Tell me what you thought of it if you've seen it, but NO PLOT SPOILERS, please. I'm going on Sunday and will try to post a review here and/or at my blog.

Oh, since I'm new to the ohana here, I'll do a gratuitous link to my blog if you hadn't noticed my very amateur-looking button on the left sidebar.

www.poinography.com

Posted by Doug at 02:19 PM
2 Comments [+]
January 26, 2005

Something that just made my day

3:30pm in the afternoon and my bloghost is down. So I hopped over to read some island news and I found this article on Kauaiworld.com.

Sure miss the islands. There's no place like home.

Posted by Rowena at 04:35 AM
1 Comments [+]
December 30, 2004

Just a of couple questions...

I've seen that litchis (which are being flown in from Madagascar) are 1.95 euros/kilo here.....that's about $1.20/lb. Is that pretty much what you'd see them for in the islands? That is, if you aren't lucky enough to own a tree or know a neighbor that has one.

Also, unleaded gasoline is about 1.10 euros/liter.....at the going rate of $1.36 to the Euro, that's about $5.70 a gallon! I'm not up to date on the gas prices back home, but please tell me that they haven't gone up that high!!! Are the gas prices drastically different between islands?

Posted by Rowena at 11:43 PM
3 Comments [+]
December 29, 2004

I received a chicken for Christmas

If I wake up a just before 8:30 in the morning and lay there with my eyes closed, I can almost imagine that I'm back in the islands; there is a rooster that crows in the yard of some distant neighbor. And just when I'm about to entertain thoughts of shooting that rooster with a slingshot, the nextdoor neighbor's dog starts singing. It is exactly 8:30am and the bell tower which sits not more than 50 yards away from our home is chiming the hour of morning prayer. Ding, ding, dong, ding, dangggg... The dog (I call him Jack) is crooning louder and louder as the bell plays out the rest of the song. There is no such thing as calling the local police to report a noise infraction, and it is too funny, because if Jack barks incessantly for any reason, the owner is usually yelling at him (in italian) to Shut up! or Go to your house!

But getting back to the chicken. My mother-in-law had given us a frozen gallina (hen) on Christmas. This morning I pulled it out and placed it in the sink to defrost; it had a bad case of freezer burn. I was trying to remember why exactly, my mother-in-law decided to give us this frozen bird in the first place. And then it occurred to me...she said the chicken was a wild chicken. She doesn't like wild chickens, it was a gift from a friend. So she figured that instead of letting it sit in her freezer, perhaps we could find some use for it? I can only surmise that with all the wild chicken photos that my husband had shot while on vacation in Hawaii, his mother having seen them, must have thought that we islanders must like to eat them!

Let's see if wild italian chickens make good adobo. ;-)

Posted by Rowena at 02:30 AM
3 Comments [+]
December 27, 2004

Tsunami Relief Fund

The Red Cross now claims the earthquake-generated tsunamis in the Indian Ocean may have killed more than 100,000 people in 11 different countries The latest verified death toll is 78,000, which already makes this the worst tsunami disaster in modern history, but thousands more are still missing and some remote areas have yet to be reached and assessed. The amount of damage is estimated in the tens of billions of dollars in these economically poor countries.

Monetary assistance is desperately needed to prevent a second round of deaths from infectious disease and famine that could kill as many people as the waves. Water sources are contaminated by raw sewage and the corpses of people and animals and millions of people are homeless without any means of livelihood. Governments of the affected countries can't begin to cope with these problems unless they receive massive relief aid.

MORE...
Posted by Bill Moake at 04:33 PM
Comments [+]
December 19, 2004

Holiday celebrations

Unfortunately, this year I'm looking for alternatives to attending the family holiday parties (Christmas and New Years). I don't usually do this, but 2004 presents drastic changes in the routine family get-togethers due to the departure of several relatives who always hosted these parties.

In short, I'm looking for other events to attend so that I can skip this years' family parties. Does anyone have other plans/alternatives to attending family get-togethers during the holidays?

Posted by Jenn at 07:14 PM
3 Comments [+]
December 18, 2004

Honolulu City Lights

Each year during the holidays, residents and visitors come in droves to see the Honolulu City Lights. It's a time when the city decorates inside and out of Honolulu Hale with Christmas decorations.

Outside the doors of Honolulu Hale stands a large lighted Christmas tree. There are also some decorations with a Hawai'i flavor, such as the over-sized barefooted Santa and Mrs Claus and the very large ukulele.

MORE...
Posted by Kane at 09:26 AM
3 Comments [+]
December 02, 2004

Lights

Every year looking out at the Honolulu cityscape from my lanai after it gets darkI judge how the local economy of our fair city wuz during the past year, based on how many buildings also have Christmas lights decorations out on their own railings this year or considered the effort humbug. Really not a scientific criteria to use in itself, but a study with theoretical possibilities. No industry elves have inquired about my unique nutcracker survey of the economy as of yet. But what do they know. Read on...

Posted by Ron at 11:21 PM
Comments [+]
November 29, 2004

Phantoms

Sunday morning Hana bay was as flat as a pond with a gentle southerly breeze under a clear sky. These were unusual weather conditions for the windward coast of Maui. Normally, the ocean churned with white water and gusty tradewinds produced cloudiness and frequent rain. It was the perfect day to go fishing offshore since the fish always hit best when the water was calm and the sun shining.

MORE...
Posted by Bill Moake at 10:21 AM
6 Comments [+]
November 02, 2004

The Secret Interstate

Commuters and traffic watchers just call it "Red Hill," differentiating the winding, hilly thoroughfare from its wide and flat sister, the "Airport Viaduct." But believe it or not, the four-mile length of road is an interstate, just like H-1, H-2, and H-3. Meet Interstate H-201, only recently revealed by the powers that be as freeway signs were replaced during a long-overdue resurfacing. Previously, the "secret interstate" was only known mostly to serious road geeks.

To nick an idea from a fun poll our own Mitchell created, take the Honolulu commuter's Pepsi Challenge: When it comes to heading east or west, which road do you travel? Why?

Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 02:44 PM
1 Comments [+]
October 13, 2004

The Distant Dream of Home Ownership

Dreaming of home ownership in Hawai`i? Keep dreaming.

I'm on a Castle & Cooke mailing list which periodically delivers the current "deals" on new homes on the market.

Am I the only one who chokes when they see a single-family home going for easily over a half a mil?

With prices like $712,000, you'd think you'd be getting a beachfront home in Kahala -- not a 4-bedroom home in Mililani. Oh yeah, those Kahala homes easily demand well over a cool million. What am I thinking?

MORE...
Posted by Donna at 09:52 PM
10 Comments [+]
September 20, 2004

Expecting Too Much

Working at and attending the University of Hawaii I get this feeling of always having to be politically correct. Im Mexican and sometimes I get this feeling that whatever I do is represented as part of my culture and I suddenly become the Latino Ambassador to the world.

MORE...
Posted by Pharoe at 12:22 PM
1 Comments [+]
September 10, 2004

Richie Rich and Google

My grandfather had a ton of old Richie Rich comic books. One of my favorite issues had Richie and Cadbury solving a mystery with the help of a WWII pilot who was famous for surviving pursuit by a hundred japanese planes. The villain in the story was named the Googol. I forget exactly what the Googol was was trying to steal, but the twist in the story was that the war hero was the Google. Richie figured it out because the number google is 10^100 (one followed by a hundred zeroes). A japanese fighter plane was nicknamed a "Zero"...so the pilot was the one followed by a hundred Zeroes.

The search engine Google was named after the number googol, and their offices, the Googleplex, was named after the number googolplex. (A googleplex is one followed by a thousand zeroes.)

I really wonder if the founders of Google read Richie Rich, because that was the coolest issue of Richie Rich EVARR!!11!!11!! (Actually, it was probably the only cool issue of Richie Rich. Richie Rich wasn't cool. Spider-Man was cool.) A search on Google (haha) reveals no connection though. In fact, I can't even figure out what issue of Richie Rich it was. It's true though. I wonder...

Posted by Wendell at 02:00 PM
8 Comments [+]
August 10, 2004

Got skillz?

Has anyone had the (unfortunate) experience of requiring electrical work done in their home? If so, you'll be able to relate to my sad story.

Is there a venue (maybe an idea for HawaiiStories or HawaiiThreads) for recommendations for local businesses, contractors, restaurants, etc.? If you're like me, I feel that word of mouth advertising is most effective simply because I would be more likely to trust someone who was recommended by my co-worker's sister-in-law's aunty's friend, than someone I find in the yellow pages.

Today, I had to let my fingers do the walking and luckily, I found someone who was competent -- but not cheap.

Posted by Donna at 11:57 PM
4 Comments [+]
August 01, 2004

Alpha-Bits

Spontaneous opinions on randomly-selected topics generated by the alphabet:

Aerosmith

In 1987, I was impressed with the way Aerosmith managed to still be popular and play the exact same kind of music they played in the seventies. Well, it's seventeen years later, and they're STILL popular and STILL playing the exact same kind of music. I could be disdainful or I could be pleased. There are reasons for both. I'm pleased, though. It's good rock and roll.

MORE...
Posted by scrivener at 10:27 AM
Comments [+]
July 12, 2004

Writing

I have a dilemma: When does a real life story become fictional, and does it matter? See, Ive taken to writing semi-autobiographical stories when attempting to start writing real stories from my life. The thing is that there are different sides of the story, how it appeared on my mind and how it actually happened.

MORE...
Posted by Pharoe at 12:31 AM
6 Comments [+]
July 01, 2004

Don't Flash Your Lights!

Anyone else hear about this? I got this memo at work saying that if you are driving after dark and see a car without their lights on, Don't Flash Your Lights! There is a new gang initiation going on that requires the new member to drive around at night without his lights on until someone flashes their lights at him or makes some other action to signal them. The new member is now required to chase after and shoot at or into the other car. This Is Not A Joke!

It kind of scared me because most people I know do flash their lights at people who drive without them. When walking down the street at night Lisa and I would always yell "Lights" if someone was driving by without them. What is the world coming to where you can't even be a good samaritan anymore? I don't know how serious this is but Managers have been sending this notice to all the stores and I've been sharing it with all my regular customers.

Everyone out there, Please Be Careful.

Posted by James at 12:01 AM
8 Comments [+]
June 30, 2004

Kauai- Or How To Have a Great Weekend With Your Baby

If you've never been to Kauai, all I can say is this: Go to Kauai. It will change you. Or at least change your expectations of beauty. Oh, and I guess I should also say this: When you go to Kauai, bring lots of compact flash cards. You'll take hundreds of pictures. And occasionally you'll get one that looks like this...

Posted by Beth at 11:40 PM
2 Comments [+]

Boo Story

I wen come home from work tired kine. I wen turn on da tv just fo make noise, an den I wen crash on da couch. Da Oprah show stay on da tv. Eh, I no watch dat kine, but I tired fo get up fo grab da clicka an change da channel.

I wen close my eyes fo go moi moi, but I no can sleep cuz I stay hearing Oprah talking story. Da topic was communicating wit da loved one dat wen die.

On da stage, had four peoples dat each wen lose one family membah. Had one dentist, one high school teacha, one lawyah, an one cop. At first I wen tink, nah, dis not fo real kine. But den I figah why dey going lie about someting lidat fo?

MORE...
Posted by Kane at 09:50 PM
6 Comments [+]

Bus drivers are overpaid sloths who have no remorse

I wish I were making this up.

Bus drivers, if you'll recall, are those elitist creatures operating the city's oh-so-not-reliable public transit system. They're the ones who are quick to halt you from bringing a small, covered refreshment onto their charriot -- this is because they know they will speed unecessarily, causing you to spill it. They're not taking the rap for your clumsy fingers, you fool. They don't want to risk their chances of being awarded Operator of the Quarter and winning a trip to Vegas -- because we all know that's the only reason they treat us nice ocassionally.

MORE...
Posted by Cheyne at 01:17 PM
13 Comments [+]
June 29, 2004

Oh, where have all the sidewalks gone?

It's only been a few months since I've officially set up shop here, but I already have a gripe/observation. Where are the sidewalks in Makiki?

MORE...
Posted by Jenn at 10:06 PM
7 Comments [+]
April 22, 2004

Skankers and Skanking

No, not to do with reggae in this case. The British use the term "skanker" to denote someone who goofs off on the job. Now, I will admit to having done some "skanking" in the days before retirement when I had paid employment, so I am not having any censorious thoughts about folks who do it. But who would you nominate as the champion local "skankers"?

I'll give my vote to the grounds workers at UH-Manoa, with maintenance workers as a close second. They spend HOURS every day just hanging out and talking story. And get paid for it.

Posted by Albert at 10:31 AM
7 Comments [+]
April 12, 2004

Hawaii Landlords

I want your opinion. If a term on a lease is up and the tenant vacates a unit, can that tenant lawfully be charged rent for the "lag" days between her tenancy and the tenancy that follows? I have a friend whose landlord charged 16 days of rent for the transition time between her and the next renter. The landlord took the 16 days rent out of the security deposit, saying that the unit was not immediately ready for the next tenant and that my friend had to pay for the lag time.

Is that a legal contract? I tend to think not, since security deposits are supposed to be used for repairs or cleaning, not arbritrary amounts of time. Also, are there effective places to report landlord experiences? I pity the person who's renting after my friend.

Posted by Ruth at 03:19 PM
12 Comments [+]
March 31, 2004

Hawaii's Best: Entertainment

Here's the third part of the Star-Bulletin's Readers' Poll.

MORE...
Posted by scrivener at 07:14 PM
10 Comments [+]
March 27, 2004

Hawaii's Best: Local Locations

I'm not giving up yet on my idea for a HawaiiStories awards, but until we get back into our groove here, let's talk about the Star-Bulletin's Readers' Poll, which is taking submissions until April 26. The poll is split into topics, so I'll start a thread for each topic.

So let's hear what you have to say about:

MORE...
Posted by scrivener at 10:42 PM
7 Comments [+]

The new Wal-Mart

Mitchell Dwyer writes in Chalkdust: "That new Wal-Mart on Ke`eaumoku is an atrocity" and he wonders if anyone else feels that way.

Have no fear, Mitch. You aren't alone. I have no complaints about Wal-Mart opening there but it is such a huge, hideous building. I mean that ugly brown thing next to it (even if smaller) is no great treat to the eye, either, but Wal-Mart gets the record, I think, for the ugliest retail establishment in town.

(We won't discuss residential buildings.) :)

Posted by Albert at 02:33 PM
17 Comments [+]
March 19, 2004

United For Peace

One year later. No Weapons of Mass Destruction have been found. No stockpile of chemical weapons, no uranium, no mobile biological weapons labs. No link between Saddam Hussein and the 9/11 attacks, nor link between Hussein and Osama bin Laden. No imminent threat, nor grave danger to the rest of the world. No gathering threat of a mushroom cloud.

How does one commemorate the anniversary for the lies that we have been told? How does one properly honor all the lives that are needlessly lost when they are lost for an unjust war? How does one offer rememberance for the lost limbs of the crippled and scarred? How does one give ceremony for the billions of dollars spent on a needless war that is based on lies and deception?

Starting today and thoroughout the weekend, people across the United States and around the world are holding peace vigils to direct their energies toward a more peaceful future. There are several events being held in the islands, including a 5-hour Sunday concert at the Ala Moana Park, McCoy Pavilion. Here is a list of peace events throughout the islands. If you are not in the islands, the link also provides information on peace vigils in your area.

Posted by Kane at 09:05 AM
2 Comments [+]
February 13, 2004

The Massie/Kahahawai Play

The production is done by the Kumu Kahua Theater, a venue well-known for their local adaptations and original plays. Historically, the Massie/Kahahawai story is pure controversy, wrapped in intrigue, but besides the fact that it's content and dialogue was extracted from historic sources (newspaper articles, books, etc), the play doesn't do it much justice. Pardon the pun.

MORE...
Posted by Cheyne at 01:58 PM
Comments [+]
January 29, 2004

Waikiki to get more sand.

The state of Hawaii is looking for a private contractor to pump 10,000 cubic feet of sand from a site 2,000 feet offshore to replenish the beaches in Waikiki. It is going be the largest replenishment of Waikiki beaches in over 30 years. About a foot of the beach has eroded every year since 1985. The receding sand has filled the reefs creating shallow water and changing the way the surf breaks. The $700,000 project is expected to begin in March and will take a month and a half to be completed.

MORE...
Posted by James at 12:17 AM
13 Comments [+]
January 22, 2004

Dealing with Rude Honolulu Police Officers

I just encountered an incredibly rude and condescending police officer while trying to parallel-park tonight. I slightly bumped the car behind me, but there was no damage - the officer even confirmed there was no damage. He yelled at me the entire time and made me feel two inches tall, and all the while, I remained calm, speaking respectfully. Of course, he wrote me up, which is fine. But his attitude and venomous tone were not commensurate with the incident.

What are your experiences with Honolulu Police Officers?

MORE...
Posted by Ruth at 12:07 AM
17 Comments [+]
January 02, 2004

Rain makes some people craaazy!

Hello everyone! This is my token "Hi, I'm the newbie and this is my first entry" entry, so please bear with me.

I've been enjoying the recent downpours we've had lately - call it Hilo nostalgia - but I was wondering if anyone has seen any interesting sights as a result of the rain. Of note I've seen Manoa stream turn into a river, the curb in front of Marco Polo disappear, and one spun-out truck. However, today was the best one so far.

MORE...
Posted by Jenn at 10:52 PM
7 Comments [+]
December 29, 2003

A Winter Epidemic?

Or the result of stress?

A few people I know--including myself--have had really strange dreams. Being a strange fellow, it's not uncommon for me to have weird dreams, but the one I experienced a little over a week ago was unnerving. Recently I discovered others were having "off-center" type sleeping adventures.

I'm curious if this is caused by some sort of mischievous hand of Goddess Winter or may it just be the stress of gift shopping and party-making.

Have any of you recently experienced strange dreams?

Posted by R-Lan at 11:17 AM
7 Comments [+]
December 02, 2003

And speaking of cats

It seems that Maui is not the only place that has mysterious big cat like sightings.

MORE...
Posted by Helen at 10:43 PM
1 Comments [+]
November 26, 2003

Hau‘oli Lā Ho‘omaika‘i

What's on your mind on this day of everything from deep reflection to shallow pie tins? What are you most thankful for this year? What's on your plate? And perhaps most importantly... do you get Friday off too?

Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 08:47 PM
10 Comments [+]
November 23, 2003

The Return of Opus

I hope no one here is a fan of the Prince Valiant comic series that is shown on Sunday's Honolulu Advertiser.

MORE...
Posted by Helen at 11:09 PM
2 Comments [+]
November 19, 2003

Missing Hilo

Hello. My name is isobal, and today, I was really missing Hilo so much. What prompted my missing Hilo today was a conversation that I had a work . We have a new person at my job that moved here from Florida and wanted me to talk about Hilo because she and her husband are planning on a weekend trip there. I am the wrong person to ask about Hilo.... because once I start singing Hilo's praises... I cannot stop! I remember days when we got ice cream at the Isles and sushi from Kawamoto Store and great banana split from Paramount Grill... (my mom worked there when I was a child). I remember after ballet class I walked to her job and got a banana split. Yes... the hanna butta dayz in Hilo were the best.

Posted by isobal at 09:20 PM
30 Comments [+]
November 16, 2003

Dante's Inferno Test

A friend sent this Inferno test to me. I was sent to the Second Level of Hell. See all the possible results here

Where will you be sent?

Posted by Leimamo at 04:09 PM
42 Comments [+]
October 30, 2003

Spooky Sun Spots?

People often ask me, What's your favorite science? As a full blown skeptic I always answer: Why, it's pseudo-science!

There's nothing like a good story about space-age healing necklaces or backwater UFO sightings. I mean, we've all heard the "proven fact" that more crimes are reported during a full moon.

So what of Sun Spots?

MORE...
Posted by Jon at 01:13 PM
8 Comments [+]
October 29, 2003

Money makes the world go 'round

That's right folks, the new counterfeit $20 made it's debut . . . CNN has an article in today's Money section here. That was quick, wasn't it?

Posted by Leimamo at 07:34 AM
4 Comments [+]
October 28, 2003

November's Eve

Friday brings Halloween — or All Hallows Eve, or Samhain, or whatever your flavor — a day that's blamed for everything from spiritual unrest to accelerated tooth decay. So what do you, your family, or your coworkers have planned for this last day of October?

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 08:05 AM
17 Comments [+]
October 10, 2003

The New Color of Money

Did we really need a new design? Has it already been 7 - 10 years since the last one? Hell, I still can't tell a real note from a counterfeit one and I'm not just talking about the last design, I'm talking about the one before that! Not anymore though, this time I'll know what to look for so if I'm in line ahead of you, it's gonna be a wait while I look for all the new fangled security features on the new bills. And it'll be twice the wait if I forget to bring my reading glasses!

Posted by Leimamo at 10:07 PM
9 Comments [+]
September 24, 2003

Scofflaws

I was standing at corner in Chinatown last evening waiting for the light to change. There was a big sign that said "no right turn on red", but a couple of cars whizzed right without even stopping.

I wonder what the most commonly ignored laws are in this town? I'm regularly guilty of scoffing at the law against drinking in parks, occasionally at the ones forbidding certain substances.

Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk must be in the top ten.

No need plead the Fifth, what's your most common "crime"?

Posted by Albert at 09:59 AM
8 Comments [+]
September 17, 2003

Blending into the Crowd on MTV

I just got back from the gym at Kapiolani 24 Hour Fitness. Inevitably, one of the four televisions there is on MTV, which is a station I like, for the most part. Yet I'm getting a little more than irritated by the way video producers are throwing beautiful women around, mixing them up into a sea of nothingness. The heart of my complaint is not about women being scantily clad or gyrating on-screen. It's about what it means to be an individual.

MORE...
Posted by Ruth at 05:39 PM
6 Comments [+]
September 10, 2003

Hawaiian Graffiti

I love to read graffiti. Don't you?

MORE...
Posted by scrivener at 12:03 AM
49 Comments [+]
August 25, 2003

Back-to-School Jam

So, how's traffic?

Posted by scrivener at 11:55 PM
17 Comments [+]
August 16, 2003

Aloha

"hey, guys...I don't have a blog, so I can't start a thread! Could someone start a thread about using the word Aloha... I want to start a discussion. Thanks..."

Ok, aureservoir, go for it.

Posted by Linkmeister at 09:37 AM
11 Comments [+]
July 27, 2003

Native Hawaiian Trademark

Over the weekend I got a chance to do a short presentation to Native Hawaiian artisans and craftsperson about the Internet. This was in conjuction with Hale Ku`ai and the Native Hawaiian Producers workshop. My talk was about Internet infrastructure and web sites. It's amazing what we take for granted here in Hawaii. The native Hawaiian producers are putting out some quality stuff and we need to make sure it gets recognized as such. There are apparently a lot of rip offs coming in from who knows where. The tourists end up buying the stuff thinking its made in Hawaii by native craftpeople.

MORE...
Posted by quark at 10:54 PM
16 Comments [+]
July 20, 2003

Big Brother

I just back from a 12 hour plane ride home to Hawaii from Atlanta. Basil got off the plane in L.A. to visit a friend for a week. Trying to do the right thing, I notified the airline that he had gotten off the plane and that his seat would be open to accomodate one of the 78 standby passangers waiting in the airport lobby. Boy was that a mistake! I got stuck sitting in economy, shoved between the window and a XXL man.

MORE...
Posted by Beth at 05:45 PM
2 Comments [+]
July 12, 2003

Island Ghost Stories

I first got the idea for this post after someone had told that Hawaii had a lot of ghost stories floating around. My girlfriend's Mom told me about the big Jesus statue at Punch Bowl Cemetary and how it is known to dance at night, or maybe it just moves. Working at Zippy's Kahala I have heard stories about that old cemetary next door. Supposedly there was a Drive In Movie Theatre where the storage building is now and people used to see a woman's ghostly figure in the bathroom there. I don't know how much is true and how much is myth but supernatural events have always intrigued me. I'm sure Hawaii has somewhat of a haunted history after all that has taken place in these islands over the last couple centuries.

Posted by James at 07:57 PM
35 Comments [+]
July 09, 2003

Why is that?

This thread is part 'rant' (and I was tempted to add it as a category), another part "Did you ever notice?" (with a nod to Joe Moore) and another part life in general in Hawaii.

MORE...
Posted by Helen at 10:17 PM
28 Comments [+]
July 04, 2003

Alva was his middle name

When I was 14, I flirted with the idea of becoming an inventor. During this awkward pubescent phase, I tossed aside my drawing tablets and toiled with science kits. Kits that promised to conduct electricity that were available at local Radio Shacks were things I sought after. I would religiously watch and record (by pointing my VHS camcorder at the TV screen) countless episodes of contemporary science shows such as Beakman's World and Bill Nye the Science Guy. I'd burn out lightbulbs by melting glass on the hot surface of the bulb. When anyone would complain, I'd remind them I was doing it in the name of science and that they'd thank me one day when I figure out how to melt glass into useful things...like an extra lung or something.

MORE...
Posted by at 02:26 AM
6 Comments [+]
June 29, 2003

Where's Alex?

I'm concerned. Alex the spokesdog for CPB has gone missing. Has he been thrown out on his tail? I haven't seen an ad featuring him for a while; is CPB being disloyal to its own spokesdog? There are three video presentations of Alex listed at the bank website, but they're the same three we've already seen...the audition, the promotion, and the golf ball fetch.

Where are you, Alex? Speak up, boy!

Posted by Linkmeister at 08:29 PM
9 Comments [+]
June 28, 2003

Idiotic Letter-to-the-Editor of the Year

I don't know why I do it, but I read (or at least skim) the letters to the editor in both local papers on an almost-daily basis. Most of what people write is drivel, but it's drivel that they care about, and that's worth taking a look at, I guess. It's also a regular reminder to me that my job as an English teacher will never be quite done (or even remotely close!).

MORE...
Posted by scrivener at 12:15 PM
8 Comments [+]
June 21, 2003

An Acquired Taste

I don't have too much fond memories of the Taste of Honolulu Festival: my first visit involved my temperamental ex and I getting into a huge argument. Bad experience. The next visit seemed like a horrible cosmic mistake: it was with a guy that seemed like he was interested in nothing I had to offer. He wasn't someone I'd choose to remember. The most recent visit was with Scott. Thankfully, Scott and I didn't get into an argument, but if he had said "The Taste of Honolulu is the best and most fun event ever!" I think I would've had to lay the smack-down on him...because it wasn't.

MORE...
Posted by at 05:17 PM
2 Comments [+]

Lost Hawaii

The other day I was having a conversation with my friend. He's about 12 years older than me and we were talking about how much Hawaii has changed since his youth. A comment he made made me a little sad: "I think my generation, those who grew up in the 70's or so, got go experience the last drops of what Hawaii used to be."

MORE...
Posted by Pharoe at 04:30 PM
113 Comments [+]
June 19, 2003

Glen Grant is Gone

One can't help but wonder if the obake (ghosts) that local author Glen Grant mythologized are welcoming him to the other side with a big party tonight. A penultimate storyteller, Grant — who quite literally had the trademark on "chicken skin" — died today at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer.

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 11:34 PM
51 Comments [+]

Ban On Lei At Graduation

Woods Cross High School in Utah has banned lei at their graduation ceremony. Apparently they feel "(It) lessens the dignity of the pomp and the circumstance and the ceremony that surrounds graduation".

Personally, I think it's a bunch of uptight hooha (banning lei, not the controversy surrounding the decision). But I'm wondering how you guys feel about it.

Posted by Hayneyz at 11:28 AM
8 Comments [+]
June 16, 2003

Immortality at UH-Manoa

Well, as much immortality as a chiseled brick can give a person. (Although this is about the University, I don't think it qualifies for the "education" category.)

As Ryan mentioned sometime ago, graduates were given an opportunity to .... errr ... sponsor a brick. Well, it is happening. Despite the fact they only finished that absurd "gateway" across from the law complex, they are digging it up to replace plain bricks with named bricks.

MORE...
Posted by Albert at 01:49 PM
10 Comments [+]
June 15, 2003

I've got a passion for...

I've got a passion for puppets. I spent the entire day today working on putting together an online puppet museum, and it got me thinking! After 10 hours of shooting pictures, and madly FTPing... What's YOUR passion?

MORE...
Posted by Beth at 01:08 AM
4 Comments [+]
May 24, 2003

WaikikiStories?

Of Manhattan it is often said, "There are a million stories in the naked city." For Hawaii's tourist Mecca, Historic Waikiki will settle for a thousand. Backed by several artists, writers, teachers and activists, the site is a treasure trove of information and everyday remembrances.

Perhaps inspired by the Flash-based 1,000 Nights in Manhattan project (but with less sex), the real gem is a map of Waikiki with dots marking the place where personal histories were made. From the old Coco's Coffee House to the west and The Jungle to the east, already dozens of stories have been told. Proclaims the site, "951 more to go..."

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 11:52 PM
4 Comments [+]
May 21, 2003

Change of Address

My roommate is moving back to New York so I'm looking for a new place to live and hopefully in a new neighborhood. For anyone who didn't read or reply in the Safe Places at Night thread, I've got a few questions about the different area's of Honolulu.

Ideally I'd like to find something between my two jobs, Kahala on one end and Kaheka St. on the other. That leaves me with Makiki, Kaimuki, Manoa, Kapahulu, McCully, Ala Moana, Moiliili or the Ala Wai. Waikiki is still an option but I think I'm ready to move out of the tourist district. Am I forgetting any other viable parts of town? I've got until July 1st so I will be starting the search in 10 days.

MORE...
Posted by James at 09:19 PM
10 Comments [+]
May 16, 2003

Safe Places at Night

What are your opinions about outdoor safety at night here in Hawaii? My mom has a quivery voice over the phone as she expresses her worry over my plans to check out the full moon at Makapuu tonight (in a group, of course). I'm a little irritated by the way she lives her life in fear, avoiding rich life experiences "to be safe."

Perhaps there are two issues this post brings up. One is the question of where in Hawaii is it considered reasonably safe to hang out at night? And the other question relates to the broader issue of how to balance fear and truly living.

Posted by Ruth at 05:39 PM
19 Comments [+]
May 15, 2003

We Need More Awards Shows

No, we really don't. But I'm wondering if anyone here would be interested in a Hawaii Stories version of the Weekly's Best of Honolulu (and the many, many others out there).

MORE...
Posted by scrivener at 12:17 AM
3 Comments [+]
May 01, 2003

The Large Island

I recently had an ongoing discussion with a friend about the "correct" way to refer to that rather large inhabitated island to the east of Maui.

Is it the Big Island? Hawai'i?

MORE...
Posted by Bill at 08:50 AM
20 Comments [+]
April 30, 2003

People We Love

Okay, the annoying post was really fun, but lest I (or we) should come across as a community of grouches, how about our list of people in the public eye who really appeal to us?

MORE...
Posted by scrivener at 11:51 PM
11 Comments [+]
April 24, 2003

Merrie Monarch 2003

So, anybody watching? Tonight is the Miss Aloha Hula contest, to be followed tomorrow by the 'auana (modern kine) and Saturday by the kahiko (old kine).

Posted by Scarlett at 08:58 PM
11 Comments [+]
April 16, 2003

Hau`oli Pakoa!

Or, if you're Protestant, perhaps I should say, "Hau`oli La I Ala Hou Ai Ka Haku!" Easter in Hawaii is a many splendored thing. While the Catholic and Christian faiths are thriving in the islands, our diverse cultures and faiths bring a wide range of ways to observe Good Friday and Easter Sunday, from midnight mass to lazy beach barbeques.

What are your favorite symbols and customs of the holiday — if any? (Peeps!) What do you plan to do this weekend?

MORE...
Posted by Scarlett at 11:21 AM
8 Comments [+]
April 11, 2003

SARS Scare

I just heard on the news last night about a flight attendant who was diagnosed with SARS and had stayed in Honolulu overnight at a hotel in Waikiki. As if I wasn't frightened enough. Ever since this SARS started to take off I have had a fear that it might turn up here in Hawaii, due to the number of travelers from the Asian continent. I am seeing more and more people wearing those little paper masks which makes me uneasy and I find myself getting far away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing at the store.

I just got over being sick myself, a sinus cold from last week. And over these last two days I have had flu like symptoms. Last night was the worst, I was convinced that I had contracted SARS. But I woke up this morning feeling a whole lot better.

Is anyone else worried about SARS making it's way to the islands?

Posted by James at 10:02 AM
10 Comments [+]
April 04, 2003

Crash, Boom, Bang

Hawaii doesn't get many thunderstorms, especially of the magnitude of this morning's storm. When I was awakened during the wee hours of the morning, my mind, still half asleep, believed for a brief moment that those crashes and booms and flashes of light were brought upon us by enemy fire.

MORE...
Posted by at 09:04 PM
12 Comments [+]
April 03, 2003

Sweetheart!


Don't you love it when you walk past someone you think is one of the most adorable, most desirable people you've ever seen ... and they look at you and give you a sweet smile, as if they'd read your mind and were pleased with the compliment?

[the other side to the "annoying locals" thread ... ]

Posted by Albert at 12:25 PM
7 Comments [+]
April 01, 2003

Joe Moore, Trini Kaopuiki to Wed

Both viewers and staffers of KHON's evening newscast were stunned last night by an on-air announcement by longtime anchor Joe Moore that he and former weather anchor Trini Kaopuiki are engaged and plan to marry in June. Drawing out his traditional signoff even longer than usual, Moore also announced that he would be seeking approval from FOX management to go on sabbatical — both for the wedding, and for a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to star in a journalism-themed reality series planned on a major network.

Acknowledging that his interactions with his fiancé were "a bit icy" and regularly laced with barbs, Moore noted in a subsequent statement that their relationship was "like one of those romantic comedies when two people who hate each other end up together."

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 12:45 AM
12 Comments [+]
March 29, 2003

Annoying Locals

It seems that HawaiiStories is becoming one of those places people check in on in order to get a sense of how Hawaii's people are feeling. I'd like to take advantage of this fact by starting a list of annoying local personalities. It seems to me that some of the truly annoying people in the public eye don't realize how annoying they're being, so I offer this list as a public service on the relatively decent chance that they might hear about our annoyance, and thus do something to address the problem.

MORE...
Posted by scrivener at 11:58 AM
19 Comments [+]
March 26, 2003

Who you calling Haole?

I know the word translates in Hawaiian as Foreigner but it's connotation is sometimes unclear. I don't mind being called a Haole, depending on the attitude that is present when the word is used. I've been referred to as a Haole in a good way, "Who's the cute Haole boy?" and in a bad way, "Stupid Haole!"

MORE...
Posted by James at 12:48 AM
25 Comments [+]
March 25, 2003

Kuhio Day

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole was born on March 26, 1871 in Koloa, Kauai, and was in line to become king before the monarchy was overthrown in 1893. He went on to represent Hawaii in Washington, and was credited with paving the way for significant local growth, from the dredging of Pearl Harbor to establishing the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The territorial legislature designated his birthday a holiday in 1949. Today, the "day off" is often mooted by Spring Break, which usually coincides with it. Will you be working tomorrow? What will you do to mark the birthdate of "The Citizen Prince"?

Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 09:32 AM
3 Comments [+]
March 12, 2003

I know there's an English equivalent ...


... but I just can't think of it. Any ideas?

"makes against bad luck good heart (horrible literal translation. What
is the saying in English ????):"

Posted by Albert at 11:26 AM
7 Comments [+]
January 18, 2003

Allow me to introduce myself

Aloha! My name is Jason, which is quite obvious. I was born and raised in Honolulu (Salt Lake area) for the first half of my life, then like many other islanders, I moved to the leeward side for our peice of the pie. I've lived all over the island, but I consider Honolulu as my hometown. I graduated from Moanalua in 2001. I moved to Portand, OR on July 18, 2002 on a whim, but I will return back to the islands, as my high hopes were shot down with a bazooka.

MORE...
Posted by Keith H. at 01:36 PM
5 Comments [+]
January 06, 2003

Traveling Light on Diamond Head

Monday's Star Bulletin reports that some time later this month the state will be charging an additional fee if you drive inside of Diamond Head crater.

MORE...
Posted by Helen at 03:10 PM
2 Comments [+]
January 03, 2003

No more flight coupons?

I can't believe it... First it was Hawaiian Airlines and today Aloha Airlines has announced the discontinuation of interisland flight coupons.

MORE...
Posted by at 10:05 PM
6 Comments [+]
December 31, 2002

Writing from a Distance

It's easier for me to write poetry set in Hawaii when I'm there rather than away. However, I do better with prose when I'm writing on the mainland. This may be because I'm writing from long term memory with prose and short term with poetry. I'm posting a poem I wrote last year while on the beach at Black Point.

MORE...
Posted by at 05:52 AM
5 Comments [+]
December 30, 2002

Bachi Tales

Bachi, loosely defined as "what goes around, comes around," is a mysterious force. Do any of you have "bachi tales" to share? The more and more I hear about bachi, the more I get drawn into it. It seems to be a truth that exists in all cultures, with just some variation between each? Does the phenomenon happen in today's world? Is it coincidence? I'm curious, which is why I'm asking for stories or opinions.

Posted by Ruth at 04:36 PM
13 Comments [+]
December 24, 2002

Justice for Kahealani

I'm sure everybody in Hawaii has heard the story about 11 year old Kahealani being abducted and murdered over her jewelry. When I first saw the story on TV and in the papers, I thought it was another child abduction like the ones that have happened lately in California and other parts on the mainland. But this incident had a frightening twist, the suspect was the boyfriend of her older sister.

MORE...
Posted by James at 12:34 AM
29 Comments [+]
December 19, 2002

Did it at the Last Minute

This would be a really good place (and time) for us to share suggestions for last-minute Christmas gifts that don't appear to be last-minute. Sure, there's always the desperation-obvious li-hing gift pack, or the extras you picked up at the craft fair, but what about for those people who are a bit closer than third-tier gift-receivers?

MORE...
Posted by scrivener at 06:26 PM
3 Comments [+]
December 07, 2002

Remembrance

Today is the 61st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. As the years wear on, fewer and fewer survivors remain alive to commemorate the event with their first-hand accounts.

MORE...
Posted by Vivi at 08:47 AM
3 Comments [+]
November 26, 2002

Greyhound Therapy, Island Style?

Tourism officials are glowing over reports that mainland arrivals are up, but there's one man planning a trip to Hawaii that some aren't so thrilled about. FEGS, a so-called social services agency in New York, is planning to discharge a mental health patient and send him to Honolulu. They called United Self-Help and asked them to make sure he gets to the Institute for Human Services shelter.

"It's reminiscent of what people used to call 'Greyhound therapy' and put them on a bus and send them out of state to get them off their rolls," Dr. Thomas Hester, chief of the state Health Department's Adult Mental Health Division, told the Star-Bulletin.

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 03:22 PM
7 Comments [+]
November 20, 2002

Leonids

So who, if anyone, actually saw the meteor shower? According to KITV it was a "bust." I shamefacedly admit I forgot and went to bed, but somebody must have been intrepid among this group!

Posted by Linkmeister at 08:22 PM
3 Comments [+]
October 31, 2002

Just Add Water

"Just Add Water." I remember titling a blog entry the same way a year or two ago and it had to do with Hawaii's motorists' difficulty with driving in inclement weather conditions. Being blessed with beautiful sunny and dry weather for about 90% of the year, we're not accustomed to having to deal with the elements while behind the wheel. Today's traffic fiasco was simply further evidence to this assumption.

MORE...
Posted by at 05:14 PM
28 Comments [+]
October 30, 2002

Things Not Done

The thread about the film festival reminded me I've not yet seen a single film at one of them, even though some have been tempting. But then, I've been here fourteen years and I've still never:


Sheez, what have I been doing with myself all these years?

Posted by Albert at 08:13 AM
19 Comments [+]
October 26, 2002

Las Vegas, HI

There are many "Ninth Island" contenders on the West Coast and the Mainland, but few with the sheer size of Vegas. I was always impressed by the number of people fleeing Hawaii for the desert, but now, even the New York Times has noticed. Hawaiians Find an Unlikely Eden in Las Vegas, the headline reads, and the story opens with a surfer... in a wave pool.

"In Hawaii you have a better quality of life," says Stephen Lum of No Ka Oi Realty (of Nevada). "In Vegas you have a better standard of living."

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 10:46 PM
12 Comments [+]
October 20, 2002

Aromas

"It's as if we've been peed on by a thousand cats and practically left for dead."

Stella shouldn't feel that the week's sometimes endless rains have give only her neighborhood that particular scent. A young friend of mine said something very similar about an area at UH-Manoa on Thursday. (Yeh, I know there are plenty cats on campus but not THAT many!)

Surprisingly, that drainage dump area at Magic Island has been neither noisey nor smelly, but the "waste water plant" at the Yacht Club corner has been positively reeking, can't sit at the picnic tables anywhere near it, even when the rains did stop.

Posted by Albert at 02:19 PM
10 Comments [+]
October 08, 2002

Wheels on Shoes

For quite some time I noticed that some kids tend to wear shoes that have wheels under them.

MORE...
Posted by Helen at 08:34 PM
4 Comments [+]
September 25, 2002

I'm just wondering

Does anyone remember the unsolved murders? rapes? that occured a while back on Oahu, near the airport? I believe it was in the 80's and might have involved a 'police-like' vehicle? They might have occured around the time of the Lisa Au murder.

I'm not sure what made me think of it, but I did, so now I'm curious.

Posted by Hayneyz at 08:27 PM
57 Comments [+]

Little things that annoy

There was a hit song from the fifties called "Little Things Mean a Lot". Yep, very true.

But little things that annoy are so annoying and I was reminded of that today. I think one of my top candidates for the category are stickers that don't peel off cleanly.

The size stickers on Locals slippers, for instance. The warning stickers on disposable lighters. They leave sticky residue behind which can be a pain in the butt to get rid of (unless, I suppose, one is carrying a can of lighter fluid or some other solvent around).

Posted by Albert at 01:13 PM
25 Comments [+]
September 23, 2002

The Shaka

Does anyone know how this "hand sign" originated? I never saw it until I came to these islands.

Posted by Albert at 12:51 PM
4 Comments [+]
September 19, 2002

On Dying

The man upstairs is dying. At night, his coughs are so loud and strong, the sound seeps through the floor into my apartment. I hear footsteps of his wife on the floor. And, I lie in my dark bedroom, helpless.

In a few months, the coughing will cease, and I may hear wailing. I wish I knew what to do.

I'm not certain what I'm looking for or how I should ask any of you, but what do people who know they are dying yearn for?

Posted by Ruth at 08:55 PM
4 Comments [+]

The Wind

Paco walked outside his home as he had done on any other day. A strong wind was present and blew in his face, slowing his movement and his pace. With each attempted step his body bent, and his anger for the wind grew stronger. He wondered why the wind must always thrust itself on him. Had he not been a good person? Then why, why, why must this wind always throw itself at him?

MORE...
Posted by at 12:14 PM
2 Comments [+]
September 18, 2002

Getting Lost on Oahu

Linkmeister's thread on the Hawaiian Islanders Baseball team got me into remembering a time when a friend and I attempted to see the opening game for the Islanders back in 1980.

MORE...
Posted by Helen at 06:01 PM
3 Comments [+]
September 16, 2002

Dass It!

"God, you our Fadda.
You stay inside da sky.
We like all da peopo know fo shua how you stay,
An dat you stay good an spesho,
An we like dem give you plenny respeck."


So reads the pidgin translation of Matthew 6:9-13, otherwise known as "The Lord's Prayer," in Da Jesus Book by Joseph and Barbara Grimes. It actually came out last year, but is resurfacing today having caught the fancy of bloggers everywhere. (Yes, including Metafilter.)

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 10:26 PM
15 Comments [+]
September 14, 2002

Amusing Hawai'iana

In case anyone has any interest in a brief history of the rise and fall of the Islanders AAA baseball team, I've put together a few pages about it. I got curious one day, and discovered there was virtually nothing about the team (20+ years, after all) on the web, so...it's over at my place. Select the "other projects" button.

Posted by Linkmeister at 04:03 PM
6 Comments [+]
September 10, 2002

Day of Remembrance

Are any of you doing anything special for 9/11? If so, how will you commemorate this day?

I'm going to the Mozart Rolling Requiem at Kawaiaha'o Church, as listed in the Honolulu Advertiser's special events calendar. Maybe I'll see some of you there.

Posted by Ruth at 03:56 PM
6 Comments [+]
September 04, 2002

Kill Pidgin?

I was amused by a Letter to the the Editor in today's Honolulu Advertiser by Wai`anae writer David Childs.

"For the benefit of Hawai'i children, pidgin should slowly become a thing of the past," Childs says. "And good riddance to a language that harkens back to an era of upper and lower classes in America. There are some things that deserve to die."

MORE...
Posted by Ruth at 02:54 PM
9 Comments [+]
September 03, 2002

No, I would rather NOT be riding a mule..

.. on Moloka`i. I spent Labor Day on a mule, riding into Kalaupapa, and it was an experience indeed. Especially if you're into heart-stopping activities such as sitting nearly five feet off the ground on a stubborn animal bent on eating foliage at every opportunity, possessing a perverse desire to see exactly how close it can get to the edge of a 1600 foot cliff and turn around without falling off.

With all due respect to the skinners, next time I'll walk, thanks. That is, if I can ever manage to do anything more than hobble again.

MORE...
Posted by windwardskies at 09:28 PM
7 Comments [+]

You know you're a transplanted local if...

Howzit!

I started this original list (it was inspired by my joining HawaiiStories email ) on my site and felt it would carry over well. Plus, I want to see what all the other transplants would come up with! If it's already been done, bummer. I've started the list with my top 10.

MORE...
Posted by Hayneyz at 11:08 AM
18 Comments [+]
August 31, 2002

Restaurants and Bars We Miss

Since we kept mentioning a lot of restaurants, bars, and other places for food in the "Stores We Miss" thread, a separate thread on late, lamented watering holes is practically in order.

MORE...
Posted by Stella at 07:10 PM
81 Comments [+]
August 29, 2002

Stores that I miss

I know it's been awhile but whatever happen to the Rand McNally store at Ala Moana?

MORE...
Posted by Helen at 09:30 PM
70 Comments [+]
August 22, 2002

and the winner is...

So last night we bought a new car. A 2002 silver Jetta 1.8T with sunroof, to be exact. We chose the Jetta since it met our qualifications best- safe, reliable, affordable, fun to drive (pretend you have a stickshift on your automatic car!), has a sunroof, and doesn't get stolen (I'm told the only way to take it is to tow it). After visiting Cutter, McKenna, and Tony VW, we went with Tony, since they seemed the most human (ie nicest and most reasonable).

MORE...
Posted by windwardskies at 10:03 PM
6 Comments [+]

Asians Version 2.X

It seems that throughout Asia, the Asians are re-inventing themselves with medical science. If I was single and had the stamina to make the rounds with the babes, I might have considered a version 2.0 of myself to make life and a night out a bit easier and certainly more interesting.

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, make me a stud or a babe by Fall.

I did, BTW, do very well with just ver. 1.0 of myself. :)

Posted by Haken at 04:54 PM
2 Comments [+]
August 13, 2002

Cars and Crime

At 1:30am Monday morning, firefighters put out a car fire in Waimanalo as I slept, 2500 miles away. Less than 24 hours later, I found myself at the end of a long country road staring at the charred remains of my car.

While I can think of worse ways to return from a vacation, coming home to find your car missing is definitely in the top 5. The morbidly curious and the bored can see the results here.

MORE...
Posted by windwardskies at 07:08 PM
14 Comments [+]
August 06, 2002

Oh Boy! Obon!

There are only a few weeks left in this year's Obon season, which began in mid-June. Since my father's side of the family is very active in the Buddhist church community, of course it's a tradition for me to enjoy at least one bon dance every year. But, the Buddhist way of honoring the dead through music and dance draws people from all backgrounds, as much a local tradition as a Japanese one.

Ah, the music, the colors, the crowds, and yes, the food! Have any fond Obon memories? Thinking of making more?

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 08:12 AM
4 Comments [+]
August 05, 2002

Translation

Can anyone translate "melepuamanuiikehaolemakaala"?

Posted by Haken at 11:05 AM
6 Comments [+]
July 22, 2002

Hawaii's Route 66

Actually, Hawaii doesn't have a Route 66. But we've got 61, 63, 64, 65, 72...

A fun article in today's Honolulu Advertiser explores a topic that I've frequently mused on — the fact that Hawaii highways are numbered (almost) like those in any other state, but that almost no one, save tourists, ever refers to them that way.

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 08:49 AM
9 Comments [+]
July 08, 2002

They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To...

WARNING: This story has been posted by an otherwise car-loving commuter who Still Needs To Learn How To Drive.

From MSN Carpoint: Here is this year's list of ten vehicle models that will no longer be offered next year. The article cites the various reasons for the phaseout of certain models, from lagging sales (and the popularity of "utility" vehicles) to possible redevelopment, and (in the case of Oldsmobile) the phaseout of entire brands.

The vehicles named on this list may actually come as a surprise...

MORE...
Posted by Stella at 01:16 PM
4 Comments [+]
July 01, 2002

All Asians Look Alike...Or Do They?

Found this really neat site...since we've got a large Asian contingent here, I thought it might be good for discussion. Given a set of faces, can you determine if they're Chinese, Japanese, or Korean?

http://www.alllooksame.com/

(I sucked...I got only 5 out of 18.)

Posted by Keith H. at 05:22 PM
33 Comments [+]
June 28, 2002

Quilting, anyone?

I'd like to invite anyone and everyone to join me at the `Iolani Palace grounds, Old Archives building, tomorrow at 9:15am for Hawaiian Quilting class with the Serrao family. I've been participating for over a year now, and I really enjoy it. Talking story while sewing is very relaxing.

MORE...
Posted by windwardskies at 03:27 PM
2 Comments [+]
June 13, 2002

Parental Guidance

Since Father's Day is coming up pretty soon - and, no, don't act like you forgot about it - maybe now's a good time to talk about the things we've learned from our fathers - and, come to think of it, our parents.

MORE...
Posted by Stella at 08:31 AM
19 Comments [+]
June 06, 2002

DC-area Kamaaina events

Since I've come to see that I'm not the only DC-area expatriate here, I was wondering if anyone else was planning on going to the lei-draping ceremony at Statuary Hall this weekend? There is a replica of the King Kamehameha statue there, and they will be having a small ceremony to celebrate his birthday. I've also heard that there is a replica of the Father Damien statue. The ceremony starts at noon on Sunday (2002/06/09). You need to RSVP so you can be put on the security list (since it is in the Capitol Building). If you want RSVP information, please let me know, and I'll email it to you (don't want to put some poor soul's email address and/or phone number on the web).


Also, there is a Kahoolawe exhibit at the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building taking place from June 5th to September 2nd. Anyone interested in a field trip? :)

Posted by meri at 07:26 AM
3 Comments [+]
May 25, 2002

Hedwig

Hey, have any of you seen the stage production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch being played back home (performed by Otto the baker)? Kat told me it was great and was wondering if any of the Hawaii Stories Ohana had seen it. I had seen the original production here in NYC (13 times!) and to this day it remains one of my favorites (the movie version didn't disappoint me at all, go John Cameron Mitchell). It was a surprize that someone actually decided to produce the show back home...well ok, maybe I'm not surprized, the show took on quite a cult following when it was still off broadway. I'll be interested to see your takes on the show (if you saw it/will see it), and if you also saw the show in NYC, how different is it? I hear there was/is a Hawai`i take on it. Wish I was there to see it.

According to the Honolulu Advertiser online there is a final show at the Pink Cadillac tonight and two more shows at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, May 31-June 1. If it's anything like the NYC production, I suggest you folks go out and see it. The music (all in the film) is great live.

Posted by Sun at 06:05 PM
1 Comments [+]
May 19, 2002

Are we ready?

'Hurricane preparedness urged,' reads a Sunday headline. Seems our chances are better than usual this hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30) for a good set of storms.

We discussed our memories of Iniki at the shindig, and I've mentioned before that my sense is that Honolulu urbanites are particularly unprepared and feeling unjustifiably secure in their safety. If O'ahu ever got nailed head on, we'd be paralyzed for weeks.

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 10:00 PM
5 Comments [+]
May 17, 2002

Cityscape

Honolulu is certainly no Hong Kong, or Sydney, and from five miles out you probably wouldn't know our skyline from that of any other city without including the Ko`olau mountain range. But I think Honolulu has a fair bit of personality, and its urban architecture - although a bit confused - often worth a second look.

What are your favorite buildings - be they skyscrapers or historic estates? What are your least favorite structures? One thing I've learned, in any group, the two lists often include the same places.

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 05:21 PM
14 Comments [+]
May 14, 2002

Who am us?

Yet another batch of census figures were released today, these incorporating wage and employment stats from 403,572 island households. Even though we're making more than we were ten years ago (at least before inflation adjustments), more of us are living below the poverty level — 7.6 percent more, in fact.

Some additional numbers...

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 08:22 PM
2 Comments [+]
May 13, 2002

Top Traffic Tangles

It's hard to believe the traffic headaches we have, living on an island with less than a million residents. So from the "Zipper Lane" to the ridiculous new BRT proposal (bus-only surface lanes), the problem inspires a lot of dreaming and plotting.

The latest to surface is actually an old idea: reversing Pensacola and Piikoi street traffic. I agree that Piikoi at rush-hour is about the worst you can get in this state, but I doubt a flip-flop would do more than move the problem over a block.

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 09:48 AM
12 Comments [+]
May 12, 2002

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope all of us either wished or were wished a very Happy Mother's Day today. Anyone have any memorable experiences?

Since my sister works at a restaurant, we celebrated yesterday. Much to my surprise, what I said here about restaurants I missed was in part wrong; The Willows has reopened. (Don't blame the restaurant for the looks of the website; I did that myself with the handouts they give you at the cashier's desk, mostly because I'd never worked with tables, and wanted to try it with a four-column layout).

Posted by Linkmeister at 09:02 PM
7 Comments [+]
May 10, 2002

Weather tales

I was browsing somewhere and saw a story about tornadoes in the author's neighborhood. It reminded me of Hurricane Iniki. Thought I'd see if there were any mentions of it on the web, and lo and behold: Google found 3,400 hits (although most were almost surely for "hurricane" as opposed to "Iniki." Here's the first one that came up.

MORE...
Posted by Linkmeister at 03:57 PM
2 Comments [+]
May 07, 2002

Nat'l media attention

Recently the national news has picked up two stories from Hawai'i: the stranded pooch and, just today, the frog invasion. Unfortunately, my dingbat dog chose the time it aired on NPR's All Things Considered to return from a lovely muddy foray into the backyard, so I missed the segment while cleaning her paws. Rats. That link will provide another link to an audio clip of the critters, if you want to hear them!

Posted by Linkmeister at 02:08 PM
2 Comments [+]
May 04, 2002

Home Sweet Humidity

You don't know what you've got until it's gone. I never would have thought that I would be saying that about Hawaii's humid climate, but I found myself wishing for it all the while I was in Vegas this past week.

MORE...
Posted by at 08:49 AM
10 Comments [+]
April 23, 2002

East coast for islanders

That entry about what we couldn't get used to about Hawaii got me thinking about some of the things that i found the strangest when I first got to college.

As soon as I got to college we had September 11, and it was just so strange waking up to some kind of terrorist attack because the last time we had something like that, Oklahoma city, it had already happened by the time we got to school and watched it on TV in Hawaii, and there I was on that Tuesday morning seeing the tragedy unfold one plane crash at a time.

Also, being on eastern time means that i get to watch things like the awards shows and campaign speeches live at regular times without too much hassle but i've discovered that even here the shows never show at their supposed eastern times.

Posted by kimkim at 05:22 PM
1 Comments [+]
April 19, 2002

Never get used to...

People come and go, and things do come to pass; but three things I will never get used to in Hawai'i are:

MORE...
Posted by at 03:40 PM
16 Comments [+]

Where do you see us?

I'm surprised with the migration from Hawaii to the mainland that the overall population of islands hasn't reduced drastically. I probably live in the one city on the mainland that boasts more of us Hawaii folks than anywhere else. Yes, it's Las Vegas.

MORE...
Posted by Joy at 05:13 AM
14 Comments [+]

The east coast

People on the mainland assume that just because you're from Hawaii, you love the hot humid weather. They all think that Hawaii is hot hot hot and humid. But they just don't understand — Hawaii isn't. Hawaii is just perfect. All the time. Well, except for when we have kona winds, but at least at home I never woke up bathed in sweat and had the desire to take cold showers. I can't wait to go home.

Posted by kimkim at 01:54 AM
4 Comments [+]
April 17, 2002

Hu Dat Girl?

Who's a big Kelly Hu fan? Looks like we'll be seeing more of her in the Scorpion King. Did you know that she hangs out at Barnes and Noble while in town? I kid you not, saw her there a few times in the past, typing away on her laptop.

MORE...
Posted by Haken at 02:18 PM
5 Comments [+]

What a Mess

Sitting here myself
Papers scattered like petals
I tire of the wait

Posted by Haken at 12:09 AM
10 Comments [+]
April 12, 2002

For the Love of Dog

Three-hour tour nothing. An incredible mission was undertaken earlier this week when the Hawaiian Humane society, with support from the national society, initiated a a $50,000 mission to save a dog left on an Indonesian tanker after a dramatic rescue at sea saved only the humans.

I love animals, but I still find this only a bit shy of wacky.

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 09:58 PM
17 Comments [+]
April 03, 2002

Help needed.

I am in desperate need of assistance. Yesterday in the mail I received a default judgement on a traffic ticket. This ticket was issued for parking in a tow-away zone at N School and Loi Kalo St at 6:30am Monday, January 28, 2002.

The problem is, I live in Kailua, and have never been on Loi Kalo street. Especially not at 6:30am. Obviously this is a huge mistake, but how can I prove my innocence?

MORE...
Posted by windwardskies at 02:13 PM
7 Comments [+]
April 02, 2002

Shame das why

When I was a young boy, I was amazed to learn that my friend never received spankings from his parents. Being one that got my own share of lickins and whacks, I wondered how this could be true. In my mind, I thought every parent used the belt as the ultimate motivator for the occasional naughty child. "But if you never get spankings, how do your parents make you do stuff?" I asked. "Shame, das why," he said matter of factly.

As years passed, I began to understand the powerful infulence that shame had on my friend, and has on many others in our island culture. For some, it is the prime motivator to do or not to do certain things. Sometimes, I think shame gets in the way of doing the things we really desire to do, then there are other times where I wish more people would allow shame to influence their lives.

Posted by at 02:08 PM
3 Comments [+]

Merrie Monarch 2002

Well, I'm sure most of us will have to watch on TV, but someday! In case anyone feels lucky, here's a page with ticket prices and the seating chart. (Why doesn't the festival have an Official site of its own?!?)

Anyone ever been lucky enough to see it live?

Posted by Linkmeister at 02:02 PM
9 Comments [+]
April 01, 2002

April Fool's

Any pranks to report, as victim or perpetrator? Any favorites from the annals of your personal history? My faves are, of course, geeky. Like sneaking onto a friend's computer and setting their "autospell" feature to change common words like "the" and "company" into... more embarassing words.

Perhaps fittingly, today is also the eighth anniversary of the day my wife and I became a couple — yes, the very day the joke's on everyone.

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 10:39 AM
4 Comments [+]
March 30, 2002

Right before Easter

I just read this story and my blood is near boiling!

MORE...
Posted by Paradise Ali at 04:33 PM
35 Comments [+]
March 29, 2002

Easter

Is Easter brunch on the menu for anyone? This one is a big deal for us, because it will be the first outing for Mom for purposes other than medical in quite a while. We're (all six of us) headed to the Oceanarium, which has long been a favorite of ours for Easter. My nieces love (well, used to love...they're older!) to watch the fish, and the diver feeding them. Then I've promised to drive Mom by the Convention Center, since she hasn't seen it except on TV or in the papers. Should be fun!

Posted by Linkmeister at 09:47 AM
6 Comments [+]

How good?

So today is Good Friday. Is it a holiday for you or not? In either case, what do you plan to do with it?

MORE...
Posted by Prophet Zarquon at 08:28 AM
3 Comments [+]
[ HawaiiAnswers.com - You ask, Hawaii answers. ] [ HawaiiAnswers.com - Hawaii's first online news source. ] [ HawaiiAnswers.com - Let's talk story. ]
Main Page  ::  © 2002-2004 HawaiiStories  ::  E-Mail