Aloha readers, thank you for all of the support throughout the past couple of years!  A lot of transpired over the past year that has kept me from writing, so I apologize for lack of updates! What’s been happening? Well, let’s just say that I am in a very exciting, transitional time in my life.  From my experiences in the past couple of years, being heavily involved in multiple levels of government, and recognizing the rapid changes that have been occurring on my home island, I have made the decision to run for State House District 11: South Maui (Kihei, Wailea, Makena).  I seek to bring about “a Fresh Vision for Maui’s Future.”

Throghout 2012, I will be spending countless hours holding signs, knocking on thousands of doors, and really getting to know my neighbors and what is important to them and for the State.  Regardless of where you are from, I could use your help getting the word out! If you have contacts you think might be able to help me, please let me know.  But most importantly, I would like this campaign to funded in the grassroots by people like you, who believe in positive change.  Any contribution will make a huge difference, and will allow you to get involved in shaping the future of Hawaii!

Also feel free to check out the website @ http://kanielaing.com/; Find me on Facebook @ facebook.com/kanielaing.com; or follow me on Twitter @twitter.com/VoteKanielaIng. Mahalo for continuing to support me!

Should we be celebrating? I understand that justice was served on a humanistic level—I‘m not lamenting Bin Laden’s death, and I think he definitely deserved it. But to rally and celebrate his death at ground-zero and at the White House? It seems a little hypocritical. Celebrating a killing is morally questionable in itself, and in this context, is this excessive nationalism? What does Bin Laden’s death really do for USA? I understand it will bring closure to the loved-ones of the victims of the 9/11 tragedy, but does it do much for us as a nation? How much safer and stronger are we now?

Yes, Bin Laden was a bad man. However, I think it remains essential for Americans to keep in mind that Bin Laden was an effective leader in many contexts– across organizations and national borders. Even while they starkly disapproved of his rash, terroristic, morality-mocking methods, many respectable Middle-easterners followed the man.

His attack on 9/11 was political, it was not solely meant to spark a holy war. Despite American media’s tendency to pidgin-hole Bin Laden into the irrational Muslim extremist pool, he was fundamental in leading a movement against the American crusade of forced democracy in the middle-east: an issue extending far beyond clashing faiths.

That is part of the reason why he attacked–not just because we were perceived as a Christian (or at least non-Muslim) nation, but because he was against the (now proving to be grossly ineffective) Americana societal ideal of a democratic republic rooted in capitalism being constantly shoved down his people’s throats throughout the past half-century. To raise our flags and chant in jubilant celebration of his death acts is a testament to our arrogance, pretension, and naivety–its a signal to the rest of the world that our societal values prevail and that our crusades will press on.

The bottom line is this was no true victory: his death won’t bring anyone back from the dead, it won’t automatically stop the terrorists who saw him as their leader, and it won’t end all our wars in the Middle East.

Now is a time to remember those who suffered at his hands, and wash his memory from ours. But to kill a terroristic leader and celebrate his death in the name of the United States…we need to be careful.

I found this book fascinating enough to drop a $20 bill on the day it came out, not because of its content (I’m wasn’t expecting much that is new), but because of the likely pervasion and influence of Vowell’s ideas and findings due to her prominence and droll-ish, digestible prose.

Following the stellar success of The Wordy Shipmates, Sarah Vowell brings a supposedly less colloquial work to the table (I haven’t read either of her previous books).  But don’t get the wrong impression, this book isn’t dull or overly-academic AT ALL.  Actually, it is quite the opposite: witty, sarcastic, wry, and a little cheeky (but never impudent) at times.

Sarah Vowell on the Daily Show:

Unfamiliar Fishes is written predominantly as semi-chronological prose, with instances of personal narrative perhaps to make her experiences more intimate to the reader, and essay’ic summaries only to highlight less obvious parallels and to wrap up chapters.  It’s a perfect blend of literacy for the college student with a short attention span who happens to be interested in Hawaiian culture.  Or really, it’s great for anyone interested in indigenous culture in general and its questionable compatibility with capitalism, religion, and imperialism.  The book traces the history of Hawaii from before European contact, throughout the impact and effect of missionaries, whalers, plantation owners and more—all the way with a pronounced respect for the Hawaiian culture.

Through a foreign, slightly biased, yet well-informed lens, Vowell draws parallels between moments and language used in Hawaiian history to current events and dialog.  Vowell examines the Americanization of Hawaii as a natural subsidiary and microcosm of the simultaneous Americanization of America.  She points to American economic, religious, and  military tycoons as the culprits of the takeover of Hawaii: these are the “unfamiliar fish” that metaphorically drift into shallow water and devour all that is “smaller” and disseminate the subsistent ecosystem that is Hawaii.

Similar to Professor Noel Kent, Vowell doesn’t overlook how mistakes by the Hawaiian elite and nobility mistakes contributed to the loss of their own kingdom and the denigration of their culture—provocative, I know.  Other obvious themes include the competing interests of economic and traditionalist/religious interests and the adverse effects of imperialism, capitalism, individualism, and the American value system in general.  Surely, many other subvert themes and biases may be uncovered by savvy readers.

Although she hasn’t spent more than a few years here, Vowell seemed to have really done her research.  She writes about spending hours a day with numerous prominent Hawaiian Scholars representing diverse points of views including Keanu Sai, Jon Osorio, Noenoe Silva, and Kekuni Bliasdell.  And I picked up themes of these Hawaiian leaders, recollected from past readings, lectures, and panel discussion, persistent throughout Sarah Vowell’s book.  Reverently, she also took ample time out of her schedule to speak informally with Kupuna and dig through the archives of virtually every museum, library, and database Hawaii has to offer to the increasingly eminent field of Hawaiian Studies.  As a reader, you will undoubtedly and sometimes inadvertently pick up on her journey of understanding the Hawaiian value system during the course of her research.

A YouTube video about Sarah Vowell’s first plate lunch experience:

For example, Sarah Vowell reveals her realization and sudden grasp of the importance of genealogy and continuity in Hawaiian culture about 3/4 the way into the book, when Noenoe Silva explains that the Kumulipo, the foremost creation/genealogy chant of Hawaii “can be read as a political text.” Vowell relates this idea to an aforementioned talk story session with Kekuni Blaisdell:

“I am beginning to realize that might be why Kekuni Bliasdell answered my question about the overthrow of the queen in 1893 by going back to the world’s creation.  He was telling me the story told in Kumulipo, beginning with the births of the taro plant and his brother the first Hawaiian, a story that extends down the generations to Liliuokalani and her brother Kalakaua’s ancestors.  Maybe Blaisdell was trying to make me understand that to remove the queen from her people in 1893 ws to sever a cord so long it stretched to the beginning of time (185).”

These types of epiphanies are  inspirational and just great to see.

It will be interesting to learn how this book is received by the public as it is likely to contradict common U.S. continental knowledge on Hawaiian history.  Vowell’s factual accuracy is good, her open-mindedness is evident, her vivid imagery and palpable passion for learning is likely to attract visitors to Hawaii,  and her novel ideas (or at least ideas through a novel lens) persist and are persuasive throughout the book.  I am not only happy to have taken the effort to buy and read Unfamiliar Fishes, but I am proud that Vowell invested the time and energy to dive this deep into our culture and push to communicate the Hawaiian value system to the world.

Here are some responses by a few friends who will be kept anonymous:

“sat scores don’t measure intelligence. they measure the motivation and stamina to cram useless, pointless, boring info. I take this is as a good thing.”

“Yes, truly disgusting, does make you wonder if the metrics (SAT) is totally outdated….or at least skewed”

“Right, but if they didn’t learn what they were supposed to, it doesn’t make them “dumb”.  Also, kids who do well on the SATs spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on SAT prep which means that the SATs aren’t reflective of what they’re learning in school.”

“Wow lol that is frikken unreeaaaal lol”

“Ignoring results such as these because of the fact that it was, in part, measured using SAT scores shouldn’t lessen the way we should look at these results. True, there are flaws in the test, but until it is no longer used by college admissions, it will be important to look at the reasons as to why these scores are lower, and look ahead to find solutions how it improve them. A student complaining why the SAT isn’t a good measure of their intelligence and capabilites is not going to get him accepted into the school that he or she would like to attend, scoring well on the test will”

I thoroughly enjoyed each person’s input.  It’s refreshing to see young people care enough about an issue to express their opinions on a quasi-public forum.  I posted a casual response that evening.  I suggested that even if the test is white-biased, high SES skewed, etc., the SAT indicates how successful a child’s high school was at preparing him or her for a University curriculum. If not, it at least is expected to do so by University admission committees.  I bet if  we stacked up college admissions statistics, retention and attrition rates, and college GPA’s for Hawaii students against SAT scores, we would see a strong correlation. Sad, but I wouldn’t doubt it.

Moreover, invalidating the SAT doesn’t discount this article’s claims completely.  The SAT was not the only criterion used in this article.  The author measured classroom effectiveness in a variety of ways including other indicators or math and verbal aptitude and the likelihood for a child to value education enough to pursue college. It used high school and college drop-out rates and National Center for Economics data to calculate the percentage of educated peoples (both high school diplomas and college degrees).  Still, of course, ‘dumbness’ is in the eyes of the beholder, thus could never be objectified.

After posting this response on my own wall, the conversation changed when an DOE employee presented her enlightening mana’o.

“Maybe it’s the centralized system that hinders ground level innovations. My teachers constantly battling conflicting political tensions and not free to innovate. We’re over bureaucratized with government money… Unionized…so good work goes unrecognized…seniority system and ole boy network reigns…not performance-based. Keep in mind SAT is multiple choice and true intelligence is complex. Check the NAEP testing, designed to compare aggregate scores. Would appreciate your research on this.”

“Thanks for the post…really stirring up my mind on this as I work with the DOE in teacher development and mentoring…I could go on and on about the limitations of the system. No time for professional learning, no time to develop curriculum, everyone overworked and underpaid, controlled often by ineffective leaders, and money and resources wasted on compliance issues…it’s so political we can hardly teach, imho. Worse of all, we don’t even have access to tech tools.”

It is great hearing the problems from someone who is truly affected by them, it helps me empathize and naturally gain a greater, ground-level understanding of the problem. This person made a  variety of great points that we often neglect: overcentralisation, cronyism, pervasive unionism, overbearing regulations and an overall lack of institutional and teacher autonomy are huge hurtles to overcome for ensuring a bright future in Hawaii. Some of these issues extend far beyond education as well.

It’s input like this that will spark discussion between those affected by the system and those running the system; this dialog is what will spark change. In fact, it looks like most of the problems that this person mentioned can be at least alleviated, if not dissolved, by legislative and administrative action from law-makers and officials of public agencies.

Change may indeed begin with lessening union power, implementing an objective measure of teacher performance, and decentralizing DOE power to grant more autonomy to principles. Only after these variables are controlled for can teachers truly be held accountable to improve the educational and thus professional realities for tomorrow’s generations.

Sure, there will always be some under-achieving teachers, but there are under-performers in every company or agency. The difference is a less puka’d system of upward and downward mobility in most workplaces: good work earns positive reinforcements, while bad workers, well, get fired. Thus, it isn’t fair to blame our school system’s poor performance solely on teacher attitudes or competence. I have faith that if given the discretion (to reward, innovated, AND to reprehend under-performers) even without direction, our teachers and principles will be able to do great things for our State.

Phew…there are a few good bills being considered and small steps being made to improve Hawaii’s borderline-dismal educational reality.  But of course, all good things take time, and I look forward to seeing what sort of progress we will be able to make in recent years.  Keep the discussion going!

I watched this video on a Facebook post and couldn’t help but to cringe when the bully hit the cement head first.  I couldn’t help but to recall lessons from biopsychology courses a few years back about the life-changing effects of head trauma and brain damage injuries.

The kid got slammed into the cement head first; that could debilitate him or kill him— much worse than a punch to the face. Watch the tape again, the victim’s reaction was just too much. Yes the bigger kid is indeed a victim, but again, that small kid could have been killed!

I advise you to think about the context beyond just, “that probably wasn’t the first time that kid bullied that other kid; he kept it in too long.”  Look on the flip side.  Bullies have been shown to typically have no positive adult role models, many come from low SES homes, and many are abused at a young age.   I’m not saying the small kid is justified in his actions.  He isn’t, at all.  But he definitely did not deserve what he got.

He could have suffered death, paralysis, or not being able to speak for the remainder of his life, just from a decision he made when he was 8 years old…that doesn’t seem fair for a kid that probably has some deep personal issues.

Think about it:

Kids don’t go around being this violent just for fun.  It doesn’t make you popular, and it doesn’t make you at any better terms with your parents.  There is usually a motive to prove something to or validate themselves stemming from their lives at home; one way to do this is by belittling others.  Looking back on your own experiences, have you ever met a violent bully, or a bully of any type, that didn’t have personal or family issues?

Bullies are usually victims too.

In the case of the video, Both of the kids are victims, and both could have been better off with more self-control.  But neither deserved this.  The school (whose teachers seemed to have done nothing during the entire episode), the parents, economic disparities, and other socio-political factors are the true culprits.

I prepared myself for this.  It’s always nice to have life roll according to plan, but sometimes God throws us blessings in disguise.  Last year, snags in the road led me to reach a new level of maturity that I otherwise, if planning went accordingly, wouldn’t have.  This year, I am hoping for a similar experience.

I have to concede to the admissions committee that although I felt ready for law school, my heart was not completely set on powering through three years of relative solitude starting this fall.  From my studies in an older cohort to recent community involvement, I have been learning so much about myself as an ethical, value-driven adult and professional, as well as where my niche may lie in Hawaii.  This rejection is just an opportunity to give more and grow more—now, rather than later.  Breaking stride just doesn’t feel fully pono.

At least not just yet.

Resilience is an over-mentioned subject in modern leadership books, but it is what is real, what is needed, and what is good.  I could dwell on and complain about how the admissions committee seemingly doesn’t value community involvement and passion for public service as they perhaps should, or I could assume that they looked over my application wholly, impartially, and meticulously, and they too understood that it is just not the right time for me.  The latter is a more positive and productive perspective all around.

Keep looking ahead.

Next year, with my MPA completed, I plan on applying to George Washington University (second choice), a few other schools, and definitely UH again.   I will be sure to set a meeting with the admission’s director of UH over the summer to go over my application.  But with a stronger application, it won’t just be UH or bust next time around.

Following a three month temporary work opportunity with City Council Member Stanley Chang begining April 4th, which I am very grateful and excited for, I am looking to retake the LSAT in June—yes June, right around the corner—while interning at Common Cause in Washington, D.C., and aim for over score of 170 this time around.  From practice tests, this looks likely as long as I don’t let my nerves get the best of be like they did last December.  Ahh…that dreadful December test…

My Master’s coursework should be completed by the end of this summer or fall.  Fortunately, I have been performing much better in my MPA program than during my undergraduate years without being as heavily involved in co-curriculars.  So, I hope that a solid graduate transcript may help to offset my relatively low undergraduate GPA–please admissions committee, cut me some slack!

From my MPA program, I am also expecting much more personal and thereby valuable letters of recommendations from highly-regarded professors and community leaders that have been heavily involved in my mentorship and education throughout the past year.  I will submit a personal statement similar the one I submitted this year, emphasizing my passion for giving back to Hawaii and especially the Native Hawaiian community.  Maybe I’ll add just a little about what I learned from this experience.  This time, I’ll submit my applications first thing in November to get on the top of the pile.

So, it’s a new plan.  I guess my point is to forget the failed plan, make a new one, and if that one doesn’t work, make a new one. The main thing is you keep a steadfast set of challenging goals. Long-term plans aren’t always the best idea, but long-term goals are.  Let the path/plan change, but keep your vision clear and the destination in sight, and keep moving even if it looks like it’s only getting further away.

That rejection email is not the best thing to wake up to, but talk about character building!  At 22, I have experienced endless failures: job interviews, appointments, blown sales pitches, applications for state positions, deadlines, elections, etc.

I have suffered at least 10 rejections or failures for every acceptance or success.  Yes, rejections hurt, but they are merely the cost that one must pay for continued zeal and ambition.  I have found that it is always better to take risks towards your goals than to settle for anything less.  From what I have seen, at least in my short lifetime thus far, complacency does not couple with growth as a leader.

If you aren’t there yet, don’t get comfortable.  A saying goes, “In order for a man to discover new oceans, he must lose sight of the shore.” The bottom line is, you just need to constantly be putting yourself on the line in order to achieve anything good in life or for society.

This blow is unprecedented in my life so far.  Hundreds of hours and hundreds of dollars went into this application, and my undergraduate work was all geared toward this application as well.  How I respond to this, keep my head up, and bounce back will surely be a testament to my character.

*long sigh*

In the meantime, I need to take a break today, go to the beach, surf, float, run, walk, sit, lie, and just exist for a while…

Love you guys.

In case you missed it…

John Radcliffe (Left-middle) along side Congressman Abercrombie and Governor Cayetano, concluding the UH professor strike of 2001.

Speech to UHPA Sat. Feb. 12

I am here to cheer you up. Happy Valentine’s Day!

I am tracking 143 bills for you right now. Half of them are “take aways.” I expect we’ll defeat all of them. You also want me to get you more money. I won’t. In fact, we will be damn lucky to keep what we had.

BUT

How long have I been telling you that the revenues to pay for government are inadequate to pay the cost of government?

Ten years?

It has been at least ten years. Ten years, I think. In that time, the economy has gone down, up, and down—but each down has been deeper and has taken a toll, and each up has not been enough to restore funding levels…as a result government has suffered… It is now a Potemkin Village — a shabby Potemkin Village.

The carpeting in the Governor’s office has not been replaced in I don’t know — 10-15 years? The lights don’t all work. The air conditioning is stuck at 60. The offices of other departments are often in much worse shape. There are gaping holes in some of the ceilings — By the way, to save money, the air conditioning in all government offices is shut off at 4:30 PM, and of course on all weekends… and on furlough days. But because people need to work, because they are so shorthanded — they work without the air conditioning — And it is pretty clear that the state has not had enough money to buy air conditioning filters for years — so most government buildings are full of mold and virus—and the workers who are left are sick workers.

In terms of manpower, all 16 departments — not counting DOE and UH, are between 60% and 40% undermanned.

Dozens of government programs are gone — teen pregnancy, job training, youth programs in general, etc. all gone….Gone. What are left are food stamps, employment training for adults, some programs for the disabled—child and protective services — the youth jail… Those things for which our government is under court order to provide — things like that. We cannot adequately enforce our laws on food safety, occupational safety, and etc. The questions of the public go unanswered for lack of manpower to answer phones.

The Governor wants to bring our felons back and build new prisons here…not likely. Not soon.

By the way, some of these social service agencies have been coming to me to hire me — to help them regain their state funding… and I am refusing to work for them. It would be taking money under false pretenses. They are done. Toast. Over with. Get it? People out of jobs. Kids out of programs. It is gone. Gone.

Government is a business that enforces laws, provides social services, and shuffles paper… and that is not being done adequately any more.

There is no legislative stomach for increasing taxes either. The soda tax, liquor tax, tobacco tax, pension tax, plastic bag tax, are probably all going to die. Raising the GE Tax is possible — but improbable — but as a last resort — it will happen.

One of the current moves to “balance the budget,” is SB 120… which raids all the special funds….and puts them into the General Fund. This is like ending earmarks — and makes as much sense. It just takes money from the hands of this government staffer in an executive department, and let’s that government staffer, a legislative staffer, decide where to spend money. Forty per cent of the UH Budget is in special funds — but by comparison— 78% of the Department of Agriculture’s funds are… There are dozens and hundreds of such funds in all departments. It is nuts. It will fail.

Taking the Medicare Part “B” money from current retirees is also a non-starter. Taxing pensions will fail—sez I.

Yesterday, on his 99th day in office, he was not booed — but Neil was roundly condemned by government retirees and government workers in the sort of words that you all know have never crossed my own lips…..But he was battling. He was leading. He was down there fighting. He was trying. You and the other public employee groups did not agree with him — and — truth to tell — I told him from the get go that he cannot do this — it ain’t legal…but he is doing what he said he would do. And let me pause here and say this:

This Governor is the most liberal, and I say with the sweetest of ironies, the most like you, of all we have ever had. His government is filled with UH people and it is an administration that truly respects and admires you — but he has choices to make and so do you. Now in New Jersey, we have a fat, mean, loudmouthed, Republican, bully using public employees, and especially teachers — as ragdoll punching bags, as he gleefully tries to beat public unions to death….Our guy wants your support, and you won’t give it. OK…

But notice the difference in approach — OK?

Gambling, the only money making idea out there, will likely fail for the 11th year. My bill will create 14,000 new private sector, tax paying jobs — and raise $143 million a year in taxes each year — but it will change the ambiance of Hawaii…..Oh, God, no! Not that. Can’t have it. We’d rather see pregnant teenagers commit suicide by the carload, or see rats the size of cats in our restaurants, than change our precious ambiance.

Like poverty doesn’t change our ambiance.

Like creating a permanent underclass isn’t going to change our ambiance.

You can keep your ambiance. Our people need jobs.

Some of you say no to gambling, but you want to legalize marijuana cultivation and sale. There is not much difference in my view. Both activities are illegal now, and both activities, if legal, would provide jobs and benefit Hawaii, in that they are going on now anyway, and regulation and taxation would grow the economy. Well they are different this way: a casino is much more labor intensive.

When he came into office, Neil said that he wanted to cut unemployment in half — and it was, what — seven, eight percent? The Star-Advertiser put unemployment and underemployment at 16.7% last week….and the legislature is trying to pass legislation to stop non-judicial foreclosures..because they see folks are going to lose their homes. The average credit card holder in Hawaii — is over $8,000 in debt per credit card.

But we are not all in the same canoe?

It’s not me, it’s you?

I’m OK, you have problems?

Is that the way you see it?

Neil is trying to build things. To get construction going again. But thousands of construction workers are on the bench. Why? Government, even with leaders who want to move, just can’t move fast. Permits and meetings and then there are the environmentalists with their concerns and the Hawaiians with theirs — and time drifts on and funding goes elsewhere — and nothing gets done.

The Legislature is beginning its second quarter out of four, with no direction and no plan. The Governor’s 100th day in office — is today. How’s that working out for him — and for us — do you think? Not so hot, sez I. If we are all in a canoe, it is the damndest one I ever saw.

Looks more like the closed hold of a sinking ship to me.

So what’s a poor Governor to do now? Easy. Simple.

Road trip.

He’s going to Washington to “get money” from the Feds. Yep. Look at me. Listen. We have become a goddamned cargo cult. We think that the great god “Washington” has money, and when we send our chief up there, that Washington is going to rain money down on us. Are you crazy? The nation is broke, and Hawaii is a tiny, eentsy bitsy row of dots afloat far away on a distant ocean. There ain’t no more Washington money. Dan Inouye is not Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. The game is up. I told you and I told you and I told you. About the economy. About the ERS. About the EUTF. About all of it..and now the day has come — and after ten years you are not ready.

Did I cheer you up? Are you happy?

Is it still someone else’s problem?

–

I told you…Intense.

Hundreds of hard-earned dollars paid by students, who may soon get nothing in return.

According to the article, “A bill introduced by Sen. Malama Solomon (D, Hilo-Honokaa) would take the money in 138 state special funds, including money from University of Hawaii student fees, and add them to the state’s general fund.”

Whoa…there. Is this even allowed allowed under the Hawaii State Constitution? If so, is it ethical? Taking student fee moneys that were intended a specific purpose without student approval…

This is theft; there is no lighter way of putting it. If this bill were enacted, the legislature would be reaching in student’s pockets to make up for a past governor’s incompetence. I find myself asking, “is this approach from the left any better than the draconian cuts imposed on UH by our last Republican governor?”  Surely, it’s not as drastic; but it just seems…more…no can.

When fees are enacted and paid,  some return to the person paying the fee is expected; it is not a tax where it can benefit a broader base.  Like Andrew (current ASUH president and personal friend of mine) said fees have specific purpose.

"They would be scooping up the reserves — the money that we currently have saved up for specific purposes." - Andrew Itsuno (left)

It’s like paying for a T.V. at Best Buy, but upon giving the cashier the money, a primary shareholder comes in and empties the cash register and puts the money in his pocket while you are left with no T.V. He says he has the right to do it since he invests millions of dollars to fund Best-Buy’s operations each year, and as of right now, profits are down.

But Sen. Solomon doesn’t think this is so:
“I don’t think this is a money-grab…The only way the Legislature can call back these funds is to repeal them so they can come back to the Legislature and be reallocated.”

Hmm…I am having a hard time grasping this logic.  This isn’t a true repeal of State allocations or subsidies since this money will really be coming straight from student pockets–money paid by students to a certain entity for a specific purpose, grabbed by the State instead.

Malama Solomon - Hawaiian Studies Professor and bill introducing member of the State Senate.

I’m just tired of the State using UH as an investment project whereas as long as the State is generally funding the University, the State is entitled to any moneys within the University system, even money coming straight from students and not from connected to State subsidies at all.  UH has a important purpose–education, ensuring the prosperity of our local job market and economy–and thus it should be fiscally respected.  Why wasn’t language included in the tuition/autonomy legislation of the late 90′s/early 00′s, to disallow this type of abuse of power? How can this still be legal?

Speak up students.  Testify, protest, lobby–do what it takes.

Money raised for one purpose should be able to only be used for that. Otherwise money is collected under false pretense - It is not right, and it should not be legal.

Let’s not forget that Rush Limbaugh is a public figure and his comments were extremely disrespectful: he was mocking someone based on their language and culture. Thus the comments were not against an individual (which may have been okay against such a unempathetic leader); it’s against a whole race of people, as an anti-Chinese slur. This has taken place at an economic time where our country’s leaders are doing all we can to maintain a solid relationship with China, and this man is getting away with not apologizing.

I remember back in 2002, Rosie O’Donnel was not only forced to apologize for a similar incident, but was put on the chopping block and nearly fired. Why should this man get away with any less scrutiny? His comments were directed as a derogatory remark towards the leader of a nation with one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Furthermore, Hawaii is a host to many cultures, with a large population of citizens of Chinese ancestry, myself and Council Member Chang (an introducer of the bill) included, thus we should NOT tolerate such racism. This resolution is inexpensive, appropriate, professional, and aligns with Hawaii’s value system of cultural tolerance, the importance of community, and of course, Aloha.

City Council has the duty to protect the interest and rights of their constituents. Many times people just see the type of behavior that Limbaugh portrayed as “just politics” (although Limbaugh may be portrayed as merely an entertainer, he does hold major influence in the GOP) and “that’s government for you,” thus I think it’s important that City Council separate themselves and communicate to their public that “we are on your side.” They really are. At the same time, they are doing what is best for the Nation and for international racial harmony as well: discouraging disparages and encouraging tolerance.

Although not everyone may find Limbaugh’s child-like behavior offensive, everyone must understand that Limbaugh’s actions may have offended other individuals, especially those of Chinese decent, myself included. Yes, we poke fun at our each others race often in Hawaii. However, it is one thing when Augie T or Frank Delima makes a joke about their cousins, but this is different; It comes down to basic civility, human dignity, and common sense.

Take a look at this video and tell me what you think:

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/2_men_injured_22_homeless_in_Liliha_fire.html

Is it just me or is their a pattern of the causes of recent structure fires being tied to old, gas appliances. Surely, many of these tragedies can be prevented merely by more adequate upkeep by landlords. Each of these fires cost individuals and the City tens of thousands of dollars. In this case, $240,000 of damages accrued. I bet the landlord regrets cheaping out on that old water heater now. Perhaps some legislation could be looked into in either the local or State level to encourage or mandate housing improvements, maybe along the lines of cleaner energy tax incentives; this could even save money in the long run. Let me know what you think!

My prayers go out to the families of the victims of this tragedy.

A residential "grand finale" of around 1000g of illegal aerial "cake" fireworks

I remember back home in Makawao, non-stop, full 360 degree shows of bright, huge, aerial fireworks from houses around our neighborhood from 12:00am-12:15, rivaling shows done for the tourists down in Lahaina. But it’s different here.

Earlier this year, the Honolulu City Council prohibited all consumer and novelty explosives starting Jan. 2 2011. Oahu residents still will be able to buy a $25 permit to set off up to 5,000 individual firecrackers — those loud, stringed red ones — during certain times on New Year’s Eve and Day, Chinese New Year’s and the Fourth of July.

Firecrackers, 5000 count, still legal under permit.

Nanea Kalani of Civil Beat recognizes the revenue generating potential of the new scheme:

“So while this partial ban may be a bummer for some and a relief for others, it has the potential to generate revenue for the city’s coffers. If Honolulu residents are feeling festive, but can no longer buy Roman Candles or bottle rockets, I hope the logical alternative is to turn to the only legal option — buy a permit for firecrackers. If not, maybe the $2,000 fines for violators will spur some extra revenue for the city.”

Do you suppose that on the flip side, the City’s ban of fireworks may also give rise to its economic substitution: New Years and Forth of July parties and events? These types of celbrations (i.e. gathering to watch the bar drop) have been more or less the norm in the continental U.S. With Honolulu celebrators now having less of an incentive to remain in their households, they may soon follow suit.

Could the fireworks ban should be directed into a larger program for taking money from fireworks vendors and putting it in the hands of our hospitality industry–maybe a big New Year’s fair on Magic Island!?

"Watching the ball drop:" an odd mainland tradition

The ban may thus result in an increase of consumption in local restaurants, clubs, and bars. Block parties and First Friday like events may gain prevalence, while those who do stay home may focus their celebrations more on the food and other forms of entertainment–which could also result in an increase of spending in local grocery stores or farmer markets.

In this case, although the HFD may be able to save some late night working hours, the holiday watchdog burden will surely be levied onto the HPD due to street crowdedness and a probable increase in alcoholic consumption outside of the home.

The ban should save these guys some work.

It will be interesting to see how the ban will play out at the start of 2011 both in terms of economy and public safety. But until then, I bet many of you will make this New Years count and pop, pop, pop. Just keep in mind that enforcement of illegal/ariel firework laws will be at an all-time high this year…

*Thank you Katy Perry for inspiring me to write up this new post*

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It’s always been inside of you, you, you
And now it’s time to let it through

Cause baby you’re a firework
Come on show ‘em what your worth
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

This song is stuck in my head, and it sucks. But I think I might take her advice!

Here is the message:

“House Republicans just blocked a bill that would help stop the practice of child marriage worldwide – putting the lives of millions of young girls around the globe in danger.

The legislation passed unanimously through the Senate, but hours before the vote in the House, Republican operatives circulated a misleading memo to GOP members, arguing that the bill would fund abortions, even though there are no references to abortion or family planning anywhere in the bill.

That misinformation campaign means that the U.S. is standing by while young girls are forced into dangerous marriages until another vote takes place.

Take action and tell every House Republicans that they must bring the bill back up for a vote again to protect girls around the world.

Millions of girls are forced into child marriages around the world, often with men more than twice their age. In developing countries girls are especially at risk, from missing out on education to dangerous childbirth at a young age. We have a moral duty to do what we can to protect them.

This legislation would have authorized the President and the Secretary of State to implement programs in developing countries to reduce the rates of child marriage, educate communities, and protect girls against the effects of the practice. It needs to pass.”

Speaker John Boehner argued against fabled abortion implications in the bill

This seems to me, like most controversial pieces of legislation, to boil down to an ethical debate on the role of government.  Child marriage is a world-wide problem–at least under the American value system–that is affecting millions of defenseless victims everyday.

• No one is likely to stop it, so if America has the means, should we?  DOES America have the means?

Let’s take this sequentially:

• If we can’t afford it, is slipping a little more in debt going to hurt the American people more than it will help these millions of young girls (for the Utilitarian)? Perhaps you might have to skip on that extra cup of coffee a few days a week while a child has been given back her life.
• Will slipping deeper into debt and increasingly giving up government accountability diminish the government’s or the business sector’s capacity to do even greater things?
• Or maybe this program money could be directed to help the millions impoverished on domestic soil instead, creating a more direct and visible impact?

Try to think critically about this one, costs and ethics accounted for.  Let me know, how do you feel about this bill?

Are these dolls and animals handmade???

Some of these houses had some of the most clever lighting arrangements that I have ever seen. I saw at least 4 houses with designated FM airwaves– radio stations with holiday music actually synced with the “movement” of their lighting displays, song after song! Unreal.

Attention to Detail.

Ridiculously meticulous attention to detail!

But the culdesac that took it cake is the one featured on Hawaii News Now or KHON2 year after year, the one featuring a giant Heineken Christmas Tree, the attraction that brought us out there in the first place: Hanapa’a Christmas.

Park and walk around: theres a sign-in sheet, free candy for the kids, donation box, friendly hosts benches for pictures, everything!

Penguin.

It’s not to late to catch it! Just park on the street and walk around with the kids. Like I said, there are elves passing out candycanes, a sign-in sheet, and a donation jar as well. If you need a quick pick-me-up of Christmas cheer, or want just want to have a great time with your family or loved ones, I suggest taking a hour out of your evening to shoot it out there from town and enjoy yourselves!

...looks like those in the neighborhood did

Hanapa’a Street from H1-West:

I posted this quote from a Civil Beat article ragrding Abercrombie’s budget unveiling on twitter and recieved the following response by one of his seemingly staunch supporters:

“i would rather have a positive view on this…a candidate who is thinking before giving a politically trite answer, one who may be taking the position seriously and may be recognizing its seriousness and may be overwhelmed, in a human way.”

I responded via Facebook: