Best and Worst of 2010

A day aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan was my personal highlight of 2010.

2010 came and went. Before the year is completely gone, are 5 good things and 5 particularly bad things about the past 365 days.

FIVE GOOD THINGS ABOUT 2010

5. It was a good year for music. I listened to many different types of music, charted many new songs and artists on my Weekly Top 20 and emerged with an interesting list of the Top 100 Songs for 2010. I even managed to make it to one concert, Dengue Fever, a rock group that my friend Daniel recently turned me on to.



4. State Senator Sam Slom won re-election to his State Senate seat. In other political news, Governor Linda Lingle nominated Judge Mark Recktenwald as Chief Justice. He was approved by the State Senate in August. The Civil Unions Bill (HB 444) was vetoed by Governor Lingle.

3. Republicans took over the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in the fall elections. They made gains in the U.S. Senate too. President Obama is losing his popularity.



2. I spent many weeks on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2010 to be with my Dad, Melvin Ah Ching Sr. who was in frail health for most of the year. I cherished all the time I spent with him this past year and happily have photographs to show and memories that will last forever.



1. I was privileged to be part of a press contingent that sailed out to sea on the nuclear powered aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ronald Reagan as a photographer for HawaiiReporter.com. It was a once in a lifetime event for me that I totally enjoyed and wrote about at HawaiiReporter.com and this blog. This was the highlight of my year.

FIVE BAD THINGS ABOUT 2010

Frankly there are probably more than 5 things that made 2010 a bad year. In some kind of hasty order here are my bottom five events or things that happened in 2010 to me or society as a whole.

5. The local Republican Party lost big time in the 2010 state elections. While Charles Djou won the special election to the U.S. Congress in May 2010, he lost the seat in November to State Senator Colleen Hanabusa, a Democrat. Mr. Djou has now indicated that he will not run for another office. Meanwhile, the Hawaii Republican party is in turmoil, listing badly like a sinking ship. Nine wins out of 76 legislative seats is not very good.



4. Professor Panos Prevedouros lost his 2nd bid to become Honolulu Mayor. Because of that the pro-rail faction of city, state and even the Federal Governments are fast tracking the $8 billion fixed rail project down our throats. Panos was the best chance we had to STOP RAIL NOW. He vows to run again for mayor in 2012.

3. Democrat Neil Abercrombie became Hawaii's new Governor after the November 2nd election. The heavily Democratic legislature is expected to fast track socialistic bills such as civil unions and more tax increases in the upcoming 2011 Legislaitve session. Hawaii is bending too much to the left and the damage done may be not be fixed for a very long time.



2. THE RAIL PROJECT is being fast tracked by the powers that are. It will cost $8 billion to build and many, many millions to maintain through the years. It will be ugly and very bad for all of the taxpayers on Oahu as well as in the State of Hawaii. Yes, I mentioned rail twice, because it is the worst thing that will happen to Honolulu over the next few (and many) years to come.



1. MY DAD, Mr. Melvin Ah Ching Sr. died. Personally this topped my year as being the worst event to happen in my life. Dad's health was in slow decline for the past 2 years. I thought he would hold on and live to see another Christmas holiday. Did not happen. On November 20 he fell seriously ill, was rushed to the hospital and passed away 9 days later. Life is fleeting. It was very, very sad to see Dad go. He was the foundation and rock of our family. He will be missed forever. Mahalo and Aloha Dad for everything you did.

Raise Gasoline Taxes? Hell No!

It is with interest and great offense that I read in The Kona Blog that its author and a possible political candidate for future office wants to RAISE TAXES... mainly the gas tax on the Big Island. Blogger Aaron Stene writes:

"The Hawaii County Council should strongly consider raising the county’s fuel tax. I believe that 8.8 cents/gallon isn’t sufficient to maintain the county’s roadway inventory. You can see this by simply driving around Hilo.


I know this tax increase probably won’t be very popular and may negatively impact the residents of Ka’u, Puna, and Hamakua. However, I believe the positives out weight the negatives. I recently spent $230.00 to buy a new tire and have my front end realigned. This likely was caused by driving over a lot of potholes (e.g Kaiminani Drive). So, I’d rather pay more at the pump versus having to fix the alignment on my truck."

Aaron, you are damn right that a gas tax increase, will never, ever be popular. Tough luck for your truck. Sure, potholes are a problem as they are for every county in probably every state.

Still I think the majority of motorists would not want to have their taxes go up vs. the smaller possibility that a pothole may screw up their vehicle. Here in Honolulu we have many roads with potholes. I learn how to be careful, drive slowly and avoid most of them.

In the 38 years that I have been driving, I have never, ever run into a pothole that caused serious damage to my vehicle or tires. You were just a victim of either careless driving or simple bad luck.

To the few Big Island readers out there, Mr. Stene once toyed with the proposal of running for public office. Raising taxes is a very dangerous proposal to your pocketbook. He wants to be conservative, yet he takes on a liberal stance of wanting to raise taxes. Go figure.

No New Taxes!

Dad: 1927 - 2010

Melvin Ah Ching Sr.

Husband, Father, Fireman, Community Leader, Movie Star

My Dad Melvin Ah Ching Sr. came from humble beginnings, born in the plantation village of Ookala, Hawaii to proud parents Sei Tong and Mary Pawela Ah Ching on Sunday, October 9, 1927.

For the first years of his life, he grew up in Ookala’s “pake” camp, part of the sugar plantation industry and culture that dominated Hawaii through much of the 20th century. Dad attended Ookala Elementary School before attending and graduating from Laupahoehoe High School.

In 1945 Dad was an enlistee to the United States Army where he served for three years near the end of World War II and beyond. Dad trained on the mainland for the invasion of Tokyo, but was lucky to never be sent there. After being stationed at Ft. Hood, Ft. Ord and Camp Beal in California, Dad was shipped off to the Philippines where he would spend most of his Army years.

By 1949 Dad transferred to the Hawaii National Guard where he served locally until gaining civilian employment at the Hawaii County Fire Department in Hilo starting in 1952. Through his long fire fighting career, Dad was part of the Honokaa Fire Station through most of the 1950s and 60s before accepting a transfer in 1967 to the Kamuela Volunteer Fire Station to become the first full time fireman in that community. It is there after fighting numerous fires, saving many lives and property, and being promoted to captain, that Dad ended his career with retirement in 1976.

While employed in the Fire Department Dad met a young, attractive lady who he first saw dancing the hula at a party. In 1955 he wed my Mom, the former LaVerne Healani Kealoha whom he stayed married to until the end of his time. Mom and Dad had 4 children: Melvin Jr., Esther (deceased), Sandra, and Randal. He was the best Dad — often a tough disciplinarian, principled, hard working, humorous, and fun. He took us to many places on the Big Island of Hawaii, as well as on vacations to Honolulu, Maui, Kauai and the mainland. He loved attending parades and public gatherings of all sorts. He encouraged us to get a good education, and seek career opportunities that could better enhance our lives.

Dad was a pillar of the Honokaa - Hamakua community. He was an active member of the Hamakua Lions Club, Hawaiian Civic Club of Hamakua, Honokaa Businessman’s Association, Honokaa Senior Citizens Center, Democrat Party of Honokaa, Hawaii County Retired Firman’s Association, Honokaa ILWU Pension Club, served on the Board of Directors of the Brantley Center in Honokaa, and the Hawaii County Nutrition Program. Dad was visible at many community functions often helping these various organizations selling food, setting up events, directing traffic, and delivering meals and stuff to the needy and the elderly.

After retirement from the Fire Department, Dad stayed very active running the MSR Ranch up at Nie Nie, being employed at Wackenhut Security at the Kohala Ranch Community Association, dabbled in some investments and even thought about driving for a taxi cab company and purchasing the Honokaa Peoples’ Theater. While employed at the Fire Department, Dad also became co-owner for a few years of Dairy Queen in Honokaa, owned, managed and developed a five unit residential apartment complex in town before selling that to the Kaneshiro family.

Near the twilight of his life, Dad continued to seek new and interesting opportunities. One day opportunity seeked him out. In 2008 Dad was cast in a small, non-speaking part for the Japanese movie, Honokaa Boy. When the movie came out in 2009 he got his 30 seconds of everlasting fame by simply giving “the shaka sign” to one of the cast members. For that he got paid $100 a day and got his name added to the end credits of the movie. I was very proud to see Dad in that movie and his name included on the ending crawl with the dozens who appeared and worked on the film. Surely this could have been the start of a new career.

Movie star or not, Dad will be remembered for his resilience, zest for life, meeting and taking on new challenges, helping many others, and being the best father and husband anyone could have. We’ll all miss you. Aloha.

---

Obituary

Melvin Ah Ching Sr.

Posted On December 16th, 2010 - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Nov. 29, 2010: Melvin “Mel” Ah Ching Sr., 83, of Honokaa, Hawaii, a retired Hawaii County fire captain and an Army veteran who served in World War II, died in Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Ookala, Hawaii. He is survived by wife LaVerne K.; sons Melvin Jr. and Randal; daughter Sandra; brother Herbert; sisters Florence Calabio, Sylvia Kuanoni and Patricia Parker; and a grandchild. Private services.

---

Melvin "Mel" Ah Ching Sr.

Published: Sunday, December 12, 2010 8:41 AM HST
Hawaii Tribune Herald

Melvin "Mel" Ah Ching Sr., 83, of Honokaa died Nov. 29 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Ookala, he was a retired county fire captain, World War II U.S. Army veteran and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Honokaa Ward. Services held. Survived by wife, LaVerne Kealoha Ah Ching of Honokaa; sons, Melvin Ah Ching Jr. of Honolulu and Randal Ah Ching of Las Vegas; daughter, Sandra (Patrick Prieto) Ah Ching of Honokaa; brother, Herbert Ah Ching of Hilo; sisters, Florence Calabio of Kona (Big Island), Sylvia Kuanoni and Patricia Parker of Hilo; one grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

www.flickr.com

United Continental Airlines to Start Hilo - Mainland Service

PRESS RELEASE

NONSTOP FLIGHTS FROM LOS ANGELES AND SAN FRANCISCO BEGIN JUNE 2011

Continental Airlines announced new daily nonstop service to Hilo, Hawai'i, from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and once-weekly service to Hilo from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) beginning June 9, 2011.

The new flights complement Continental's and United's extensive service to Hawai'i. United, which has served the islands since 1947, and Continental collectively provide more mainland service to Hawai'i than any other carrier from their hubs at Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Houston, Chicago and Newark/New York.

"We are excited to provide customers the only direct flights to Hilo from the mainland," said Jim Compton, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of United Continental Holdings, Inc. "These flights will offer customers convenient, nonstop service to the Big Island without having to connect in Honolulu."

"The addition of the two routes is welcome news for Hawai'i Island and the entire state, and a result of the momentum established by our tourism industry to lead Hawai'i's tourism recovery. Based on initial Hawai'i Tourism Authority projections, the flights could bring nearly 40,000 more visitors to the island and generate $50.6 million in direct visitor spending and $5.52 million in tax revenue," said Mike McCartney, Hawai'i Tourism Authority president and CEO.

Continental will utilize a 160-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the new routes, with 16 seats in first class and 144 seats in economy.

COMMENT

I think this is a great idea. Hilo has been without direct U.S. mainland airline service since ATA Airlines went out of business in April 2008. That airline had a daily Boeing 737-800 flight to and from Oakland California.

Both United Airlines and Continental Airlines used to fly directly to Hilo in the late 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Having another airline fly into Hilo will further utilize the underutilized passenger terminal, which is currently used by only Hawaiian Airlines and Go Mokulele.