Honolulu, HI

I read in the paper that Hawaiian Air just increased their airfare and American Airlines is now going to start charging for any checked in luggage. Yes… including the first bag.

I thought things got bad when we started to not have meals during the red-eye flights to the mainland. Things got worse when they brought back the food and made it an option to purchase charging about $10 for it. (more…)

Making Hawaii a more walkable and bikeable community is definitely going to take a lot of effort. The Honolulu Advertiser just ran a three day special series written by Rob Perez, Advertiser Staff Writer, covering pedestrian traffic safety issues – a hot topic on the table of many of Hawaii’s government agencies. (more…)

It’s no secret that Hawaii drivers are married to their cars. But with gas prices hitting $4.00 / gallon on the mainland (and Hawaii close behind) is it time that the streets of Hawaii can be cleared out as we look for other means of transportation? Is it even possible that people will somehow leave the comfort of their cars? I’m not so sure.

For instance, the other day, I had lunch with my brother. I drove from Pearl City to Ala Moana Shopping Center and from the looks of it, there didn’t seem to be any significant difference in the amount of traffic – Lunalilo Freeway was still busy at 11:45 am. This was the rolling kind of busy. You know the kind where there are a lot of cars around but you’re still moving at a decent rate. (more…)

While not law yet, if you have three or more unpaid parking violations, read on because you could be affected by this proposal! In an effort to handle unpaid tickets and possibly even scenarios where car owners lack insurance, the City Council is reviewing a proposal that would allow police to place the “Denver Boot” on personal vehicles.

The Denver Boot is a metal locking device placed on one wheel that prevents the car from being driven. Vehicle owners can remove the lock by paying their tickets. After paying with a credit card, owners would be given a code that unlocks the boot and they would also be responsible for returning the metal boot within 24 hours. (more…)

As I read the paper more and more, I am reminded of why I just quickly skim it instead of reading every thing in detail. I think the most time I’ve ever spent in the newspaper is to do the crossword puzzle. Don’t get me wrong! We’ve got great newspapers, but quite frankly, the news reported can be, well… something that makes me wanna just shake my head.

I read in the headlines that we’ve got our 3rd TB investigation for potential outbreak in the schools this year. BUT we shouldn’t be concerned because none of the cases are related. Oh great! We’ve never had any outbreaks in the schools in recent years and this year we have three?!?! I guess one good thing I can say is that at least it was caught and contained. Besides, I thought TB was one of those obsolete illnesses. I even thought they froze a sample of the strain just in case we ever get TB again. I guess I’m wrong… (more…)

I’m just glad to see that Hawaii lawmakers are not going to let this opportunity for a new business fall to the wayside. One of the biggest changes in the “>Hawaii Superferry saga would allow the Superferry to continue operating in the islands while an environmental review was being conducted.

The restrictions are as such. They would have to give “unconditional acceptance” to operating restrictions that would be placed on them. The goal of the restrictions would be to protect the whales and prevent the spread of invasive species on the neighbor islands. This is still a potential option and it needs to be approved as of yet, but at least that’s better news that the “shut-out” treatment they got last week. (more…)

The Hawaii Superferry just laid off 249 of its crew members last week in response to the decision that it would not be able to operate until an environmental assessment has been completed.

If you’ve read the timeline of the Hawaii Superferry, then you’ve noticed a trend where lawmakers and judges alike have favored this business in the previous years. Just where is the love now? It seems that the Hawaii Superferry is being shafted left and right!

Judge Cardoza is the same judge who only last year threw out a case that environmental groups were making against the Hawaii Superferry. Just last week, when it seemed that the only difference between then and now is that the Hawaii Superferry is now open for business, this same Judge says that the Hawaii Superferry has to obey environmental laws. Forgive me if I am mistaken, but I don’t think Chapter 343 changed much within the last year. (more…)

Last month it was the fabulous Thunderbirds. This month we’re in for another treat! The Blue Angels received a warm Hawaiian welcome earlier this week at Kaneohe Marine Corps Base. The last time the Blue Angels performed in Hawaii was back in 2004 and in 1995. Four F/A-18 Hornets of the eight member team of the Navy Blue Angels will perform two air shows this weekend at the base. The event is free and open to the public. (more…)

The Honolulu Advertiser published a timeline of events for the Hawaii Superferry.
Here’s a summary of what it said.

2004

The Hawaii Superferry starts laying the foundation of its business by agreeing to purchase two catamaran vessels. Even the U.S. House appropriates some money for ferry service between Hawaii and Alaska. Late 2004, we begin to hear complaints that of industrialization and congestion on Maui.

2005

Early in the year, the request for an environmental impact statement arises. (more…)

Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza ruled that the Hawaii Superferry would not be allowed to operate until an environmental assessment has been completed. Keep in mind that it could take months to complete these assessments. Based on Chapter 343 of the State’s environmental law, an environmental assessment is required.

To add to that, the operating agreement between the Hawaii Department of Transportation and the Hawaii Superferry is invalid and as a result, the vessel cannot use port facilities statewide. Ouch!

Superferry president and CEO John Garibaldi issued the following statement regarding the Maui court ruling today:
“Obviously, we are disappointed. While the ruling is a loss for Hawaii Superferry and our employees, it is a greater loss for the state of Hawaii.” (more…)

With Hawaii Superferry losing more than $650,000 per week you would think that they would hurry it up a bit. But I guess you can’t rush decisions like this, can you?

Forget the fact that a local business is reportedly getting deeper in debt daily and may consider leaving the islands.

Forget the fact that the monopoly on inter-island cargo carriers will resume should the Hawaii Superferry leaves.

Forget that 90% of 300 workers will get laid off if the boat is tied up for the environmental assessment. Just think of all those people who left jobs to support the ferry. (more…)

A photo of Kobe Bryant emerging from their first three-hour practice splashes the Sports section of the Honolulu Advertiser.

The LA Lakers will be in Honolulu for the next nine days as they begin their pre-season training. Held at Iolani School gym due to a scheduling conflict at the Stan Sheriff Center, practices are closed to the public. (more…)

Talk about coming out of the closet! My mother is totally into the Bows even staying up late to watch their games! This woman religiously goes to bed at 9:00 pm (well, because she get’s up at like 3:30am), but for the UH Rainbows, she’ll stay up late into the wee hours of the morning!

Today, the UH Rainbows face UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. With a current (2-0) record this season, UH is making a great start. A couple of weeks ago, there was video clip posted on this site that talked about the Bows stopping the performance of their “haka” dance. Well, that was incorrect!

I just read in the paper today that they are continuing to perform the pre-game ritual (they did it at last week’s game against LA Tech). On top of that, they are now being penalized for doing the “haka” – they received a 15-yard penalty at LA Tech’s game and they expect the possibility of being penalized today as well. Ok, UH as long as you win!

No matter what the Bows are going to do, my mother will be there in full support! Maybe this season, we’ll actually go to a game.

UH Rainbow Warrior, uh rainbows, haka dance, bows

Here’s the low down on the Superferry’s new policy on “whale avoidance”.

Vessel Design:
1. Vessels have hulls the minimize the area that can strike whales
2. Vessels use water-jet propulsion; not propellers to eliminate cutting whales
3. Vessels have the ability to turn, slow and stop quickly to avoid marine mammals

Operations during Whale Season:
1. Avoid waters less than 600 feet deep when possible
2. Slow speed of boat to 25 knots or less in that depth
3. Take routes that avoid whale-dense areas

Staff and Equipment:
1. Two dedicated whale lookouts in addition to bridge crew
2. Image-stabilized binoculars, laser range/bearing finders, night-vision systems, front-facing cameras on each hull

Maneuver Procedures:
1. Actively seek and identify whales ahead of the vessel
2. If a whale is sighted within 500 meters, change course until the minimum distance of 500 meters is kept
3. If whale appears suddenly in the path of vessel, execute emergency maneuvers to avoid whales while considering vessel and passenger safety

With all this in place, people are still saying that this is not enough to ensure that whales will not be hit during operation. As it stands, during the past whale season, there were six vessel-whale collisions from other vessels that run during “whale watching” season. The fisheries recommend slowing the vessels to 13 knots. Additionally, the Department of Transportation has research that shows that whales hit by boats at 17 knots are 90% fatal.

Some of the prime areas that you can spot whales in the islands are on the south east shores of Oahu and on the south shores of Maui. Apparently, Hawaii is a calving ground for humpback whales. As a result, juvenile and whale calves are more likely to get hit because they spend a lot of time at the surface of the water.

This is a great first step by the Superferry to protect the whales, however, it is by no means the end. There’s still the people factor involved. They’ll have to train their teams to be involved in the process and that can take time despite any policy created.

Photos courtesy of NOAA via pingnews.

Hawaii superferry, whale avoidance policy, whale watching season, oahu, maui