Photos of the Month: April Wrap-Up

Honokaa Jazz Band Big City Tour







I managed to attend 2 of the performance dates the Honokaa Jazz Band played at during their tour of Oahu in April. The first was at the Ala Moana Shopping Center where I managed to shoot about 40 photos of the band in action. The next day the band was at the Hawaii State Capitol where I shot several more pictures of them playing their repertoire of standards covering artists such as Etta James, Miles Davis and Henry Mancini to name a few.

The band's tour dates on Oahu were from April 19 to April 22.

Honokaa Jazz Band was organized in 1988 by school musical director Gary Washburn. Since then, after almost 25 years of annual repertoire changes to accommodate the “personality” of the band as students graduate, the youth jazz band still remains the pride and joy of Honokaa High.

In 2010, the music program at Honokaa High School was selected by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM) as one of 138 schools in the United States with an outstanding music program and commitment to music education.

They are also the recipients of the prestigious 2011 Grammy Signature Schools Enterprise Award. Gary Washburn, the band director, recently received the 2011 Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award from the National Society of High School Scholars.

Honokaa Jazz Band - More Photos

Boogie Down Productions



Caught the dancers of Boogie Down Productions in action at Ala Moana Center on April 28. More Photos

Chaotic Five



It's great to see the youngsters play hard rock songs from my generation. Blogged about them a few weeks ago. Catch Chaotic Five. They're good.

More Photos

Hawaii State Legislature

As of this writing, the Hawaii State Legislature is nearly done doing harm to taxpayers' pocketbooks. Apparently the budget has passed out of committee and is set for a floor vote along with a couple hundred other bills this coming Tuesday and Thursday. After the legislature ends, the political campaigning begins.



Legislators spent most of the last 2 weeks of April scurrying from one conference committee to another with little getting done until the very last day. Usually bills would be deferred and a meeting would reconvene at a later time or date before any decision was made. In the end hundreds of bills managed to survive and pass on to final floor vote this week. The Governor in the meantime (when he is not outside playing [see photo below]) has already signed or passed more than 85 bills into law.



Rail

Lastly but not least, construction of Honolulu's $7 billion heavy gauge steel rail project began this month. Deep holes are being dug in the middle of nowhere on some farmland in West Oahu to get the dumb thing going. In the meantime, rail opponents such as myself hope the whole mess can be stopped with the successful election of former Governor Ben Cayetano to the mayor's seat, and the successful resolve of the rail suit that awaits in federal court. Stopping rail won't be easy or cheap, but it is better than having the darn thing built and costing us taxpayers countless millions and billions over the next 100 years or so. Let's not let this train leave big holes in our pockets. Stop Rail Stop!



Finally, A Sunset



With so much time taken up doing stuff, I found only one day where I had time to take a photos of the sunset. So here as a parting shot in this post is a sunset shot taken on April 17. Hope your April was better than mine. We look forward to a better May.

All photos in this post taken by Mel and posted to Flickr.

Hawaii Political Platter - April 29, 2012

The Budget

The Conference Committee process at the Hawaii State Legislature ended this past weekend with the exception of various budget bills and items related to it. Agreement on the State Budget by House and Senate conferees apparently came very early Saturday morning at around 3 AM, though a vote on the actual bill (HB 2012) has yet to occur, according to the status log at the Hawaii State Legislature website.

The State's supplemental budget will include at least $11.2 billion in funding for various departments and programs. How the taxpayers can afford all of this remains to be seen. State government often consumes more money than it already has.

 All bills passing out of conference committee will go to the full floor of both the House and Senate for final votes this week. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn by Thursday, May 3. However an extension may be possible if business is not completed in a timely manner.

Photo above: House and Senate budget conferees attended meeting after meeting for most of Friday only to have action deferred to a later time going over two self imposed deadlines of 6PM and 12 midnight. Below: Budget bill chairs Rep. Marcus Oshiro and State Senator David Ige.

 

The Library Bill

 

This would hardly seem to be a major issue at the Legislature -- allowing a private non-profit organization maintain their independent status while being allowed to hold fundraising book sales for their respective local library in the facility they are supporting. Such is the case of the Friends of the Aina Haina Public Library, whose members have spent the last 4 months lobbying to get their bill (SB 2994 and later HB 1054) heard and passed. The bill will allow them to conduct fundraising activities for the Aina Haina Public Library without having them become an affiliate of the large Friends of the Library of Hawaii organization.

HB 1054 passed out of conference committee on Friday April 27 and is scheduled for a floor vote this week.

Links

Not So Friendly 'Friends' Battle Over Library Support Heats Up at the Hawaii State Capitol


Library Friends Seek Independence 

Photos: Above House and Senate education committee chairs Roy Takumi and Jill Tokuda sign and pass HB 1054 during a conference committee hearing held on April 27. Below: Some of the Friends of the Aina Haina Public Library group.

 

 Talented and All Wet?

 

The Hawaii Food Bank was the benefactor of some of the antics pulled off the State Lagislature this year. A talent show featuring some of the questionable talents of State Senators and Representatives proved to be popular among state employees who packed the capitol auditorium to see and listen to their favorite legislators sing, dance, juggle or whatever.

Above House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro was in drag dancing to the disco anthem "I Will Survive" which brought the house down and helped earn $1300 for the Hawaii Food Bank during the talent show voting process.

A somewhat less than stellar "Dunk Tank" event managed to get several Senators all wet for a fee, proceeds again going to the Hawaii Food Bank. Below: Mostly wet state senators pose in front of the dunk tank on the State Capitol lawn.

 

More photos of the 2012 Hawaii State Legislature Session

Hawaii State Legislature Website

Low Turnout at the TEA Party

Most of the usual diehard conservatives were there this year, but turnout to the 2012 Honolulu TEA Party hovered at around 50 to 100 people. Perhaps it was the time of day, a lack of publicity or just voter satisfaction with the status quo -- people did not show up to this annual event to protest taxation. Years past the event drew at least a thousand, though by last year the numbers began to fall.

Perhaps a different venue or a better time may be needed if TEA Party wants to continue in Honolulu. Certainly a place with more (free) parking like a shopping center or public park would do. Food helps. Publicity also helps. Better organization by the organizers helps too... re: podiums don't just fall out of the sky on the day of the event. You ask for them weeks ahead. Plan.

That all said, lets' hope the TEA Party apathy does not translate to voter apathy at the polls this year, when the public has another chance to get rid of politicians that constantly vote to increase our costs and up our taxes. That is probably more important then showing up at a one day rally.

Photos below are from the Honolulu TEA Party held at the State Capitol on April 16.







Slideshow Link: Honolulu TEA Party

Honolulu TEA Party Facebook page

TEA Party Maui - Seems to have strong presence there.

Classic Rock Lives Again with Chaotic Five

I was lucky enough to catch another free performance by Chaotic Five at the Ala Moana Center last night (April 14). Chaotic Five is billed as Hawaii's "youngest classic rock group" and for good reason. All of the songs they sing predate their own existence by at least 15 to 20 years, many songs much older.

Chaotic Five consists of five school aged kids less than 15 years old each. The group is fronted by female lead singers Chloe Salacup with lead guitarist Kalliyan Davis filling in from time to time. Rounding out the group are drummer Ethan Salacup, bass guitarist Caramon Ramos and Raistlin Ramos on keyboards and rhythm guitar.

The classic rock repertoire include covers of Queen, Judas Priest, Bon Jovi, Journey, Metallica, Blondie, Heart and more. The female singers give the songs a slightly different twist with all of the instrumentation, original and authentic to the way we remember the songs from the records.

Chaotic Five have played at a number of venues around Oahu including the Michael W. Perry  and Larry Price radio show on KSSK and interviews on Oldies 107.9 FM radio with Ed Kanoi. They have also been showcased in a series of youth rock concerts held at the Hard Rock Cafe.

The band maintains a Facebook website at:
https://www.facebook.com/ChaoticFive

Video Streams are hosted on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/KalliyanD

More Photos:

All photographs by Mel
Flickr Photo Chaotic Five Set
http://www.flickr.com/photos/macprohawaii/sets/72157629824607933/

Slideshow on Flickr (130 images)
http://www.flickr.com//photos/macprohawaii/sets/72157629824607933/show/

Video: Living on a Prayer - Ala Moana Center 4-14-2012



Article in MidWeek: The Cradle Will Rock (March 14, 2012)

Previous Blog Entry: Classic Rock Lives in Hawaii

Hawaii TEA Party on Monday, April 16

Taxes are due this week which also means the 4th annual Hawaii TEA Party rally will be held this coming Monday, April 16 on the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol in Honolulu. Here is more information from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on the TEA Party from leeward resident and organizer Marissa Capelouto:

To All Fellow Hawaii Citizens,

The Honolulu Tea Party Rally Event, April 16, 2012, Monday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm

We are holding our annual Honolulu Tea Party Rally event on Monday, April 16, 2012 from 4:00pm to 7:00 pm.

If you can, please, kindly support us in making this event successful.

We would appreciate if you can donate your time to join us, donate some drinks – water-ice or anything a buck or so. We will take whatever we can get. Even sparing your singing, dancing, public speaking talent would be great.

We have set a “free” shuttle bus from Makakilo Elementary School to the Hawaii State Capitol.

The bus will leave at 3:00pm, April 16, Monday, so please be there to catch the ride.

Please call me or email if you want to take this shuttle.

Please give me a call of any questions.

Once again, thank you very much for helping the brave people of Hawaii in protecting our freedom.

Marissa Capelouto (cell 690-2887) email: marissa@oahuexpress.com

Photos from past TEA Parties in Honolulu:

Hawaii National Guard Day at the State Capitol

The Hawaii National Guard put some of their wares on display at the State Capitol to inform legislators and the public on their role in the community. The National Guard is responsible for the state's national defense, security and offers aid during many natural and possible man made disasters.

Pictured here are two soldiers and a surveillance drone aircraft the guard uses. The remote control plane has a very sophisticated and expensive camera mounted underneath it. The aircraft can fly as high as 15,000 feet.

The Hawaii Army National Guard and the Hawaii Air National Guard is part of the State's Department of Defense.



Governor Neil Abercrombie stopped by to inspect the hardware and talk to some of the troops. The Governor is the civilian official in charge of the Hawaii National Guard.





Medical unit vehicle can evacuate the wounded on the front or for disaster relief.



This is a model of the F22 Raptor tactical fighter jet that the National Guard uses to patrol Hawaii skies. There are currently 14 Raptors in the Hawaii Air National Guard fleet. There is an apparent defect with the plane's oxygen system that currently prohibits its use in long distance over the ocean flight. The aircraft has not been used in combat, but is combat ready.



Remote command communications vehicle offers the guard high speed voice and data communications using various high tech platforms such as laptop computers, wifi and satellite phones.

All photos copyright 2012 by Melvin Ah Ching Productions.

Opposition To "Dirty Dozen" Legislation Grows

Press Conference Set For "High Noon" On Monday



WHO

The Non-Partisan Hawai`i Ohana
Concerned Citizens and Voters
Hawaiian & Environmental Groups
Educators, Surfers & Many Others

WHAT

Public-Interest Message to the Hawai`i State Legislature

WHEN

Monday, April 9, 2012
12:00 Noon

WHERE

Hawai`i State Capitol Rotunda

While presently segmented, certain House and Senate bills poised for passage on Tuesday will have a phenomenal collective effect on the future of the Hawaiian Islands, our land use and our culture.

SB 755 HD3, SB 2927 HD1, HB 2398 SD1, and HB 2819 SD2 collectively allow exceptionally high-density developments in yet-to-be-established urban "planning districts" and state agency/private partnership projects to be channeled through the Public Lands Development Corporation (PLDC), a budding new agency. Via Act 55 enacted in 2011, the PLDC is already exempt from state statutes, city ordinances and building standards; and is attached to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and assisted by the Hawaii Community Development Corporation.

State-affiliated development projects embraced by this year's collective legislation are additionally proposed to be exempted from state coastal zone management and shoreline variance laws, and state environmental and cultural review and disclosure laws. Should these bills be enacted collectively, some major developments with potentially significant undisclosed adverse impacts could proceed in any urban area on each Hawaiian island without necessary environmental oversight and associated public due process.

Not all state projects have federal funding or are on federal land, so they are absent these federal triggers for comprehensive review.
Even if some of the exemptions from established protective laws are intended to be a "temporary" moratorium for 3 (or more) years, any and all resulting adverse impacts from exempt developments approved during that time, without costly correction, would be permanent.

Despite overwhelming public testimony in opposition and a public petition signed by nearly 600 concerned citizens and voters, House and Senate committees have turned deaf ears to the public and passed these bills in their present form. See the attached bill summaries HERE for the most recent House and Senate committee votes on these bills, and the Legislators who did not agree and had concerns about this direction.

HAWAII REVISED STATUTES § 341-1

"The legislature finds that the quality of the environment is as important to the welfare of the people of Hawaii as is the economy of the State. The legislature further finds that the determination of an optimum balance between economic development and environmental quality deserves the most thoughtful consideration, and that the maintenance of the optimum quality of the environment deserves the most intensive care."

~

PBS HAWAI`I INSIGHT
With Dan Boylan
Thursday, April 5
Environmental Review Exemptions

Photos of the Week - April 1, 2012

Haven't done this for a while, so here is a small compilation of recent photos posted to my Flickr photo sharing site and syndicated back to this blog.


Shot the sun through this tree at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park late afternoon on March 26.


The Air Force Honor Guard was shot shortly before lining up at the State Capitol to participate in the 21-gun salute portion of the Hawaii Medal of Honor ceremony that was held during a joint session of the legislature to commemorate the passing of fallen soldiers from Hawaii in the past year.


Van Jones wants to rebuild the "American Dream"? Don't let him. He's a left wing liberal with some serious communist leanings. The guy was giving a speech at a left wing rally held at the State Capitol on March 20. This photo appeared with an article in HawaiiReporter.com


It was learned in late February that the Ala Moana Center Sears store will be closing by the year 2014. General Growth Properties which owns the huge sprawling shopping center are buying out their lease and putting the space up for redevelopment. They say Sears does not attract younger and more upscale shoppers. The store has been an anchor tenant since the shopping center opened in 1959.


Jelly's is one of Honolulu's few used book and music retailers left. At Jelly's you can still buy vinyl records, cassettes, 45s, 78s, 8-tracks and VHS tapes. They also have tons of CDs for sale, DVDs, used books, comic books and musical instruments. It's quite a good place if you like physical music and TV media.


With Easter just around the corner, it's no wonder why I bought and shot these colorful chocolate covered candy eggs in a bottle.