David Ige Sworn In as Hawaii's 8th Elected Governor

There is always a new sense of optimism at the start of a new administration. And so this is how things are in Hawaii. Yesterday (December 1), David Ige was sworn into office as Hawaii's 8th elected Governor. He succeeds Governor Neil Abercrombie who only managed to hold that office for a single term of 4 years. Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui continued for his first full term as an elected LG.

In his first speech as Hawaii's new chief executive, Governor Ige called for "Hawaii and its citizens to move forward in a collaborative fashion from the divisiveness of the past four years." referring to some of the turmoil that was sparked in the previous administration.

At this point in time we can be cautiously optimistic that the new Governor will do the right things to make Hawaii a better state.

Hawaii Governor's Website.

 

Top photo: Governor Ige is sworn into office by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. Above: The Governor and his wife Dawn, Hawaii's newest First Lady.



David Ige gives his first speech as Hawaii's new Governor.



The inaugural ceremony. All photos by Melvin Ah Ching Productions.

Lava Threatens to Destroy Pahoa Town

The eruption of Pu'u O'o volcano on the southeastern flank of 4,000 ft. high Kilauea, is on the verge of sending a destructive lava flow into the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii. A 4-month long vigil has been in place since the the latest lava flow started from a vent eruption near Pu'u O'o on June 27.

The lava flow has taken 4 months to travel the approximate 13 mile long path downslope in the northeastern direction. It is already on the outskirts of Pahoa town and threatens to overrun it this week.

Officials on the Big Island of Hawaii have been busy coordinating the evacuation of Pahoa residents and businesses as the lava gets close to town. Schools in the area have closed and will be consolidated in different locations to the north and south of the community dividing lava flow.

The lava flow is heading toward the ocean which is 6 miles downslope from Pahoa with many more homes and subdivisions in its path. Doesn't look very good for the community as long as this eruption continues in the current phase.

I haven't been to this area of the Big Island since 1978. It has changed a lot. The population has grown. It will be sad to see some or much of this destroyed.

Top photo: Pu'u O'o volcano in the foreground with a smoke plume billowing out of the main Halemaumau crater at the summit of Kilauea on the background. Framing the top of the photo lies Mauna Loa volcano which dominates much of the Big Island at 13,680 feet. Courtesy of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, USGS.




Hawaiian Volcano Observatory photos of the current lava flow that is making its way downslope to Pahoa. While the lava is fascinating sight to behold, its destruction is final and absolute. The entire town of Pahoa is at risk this week as the lava continues its movement down the mountain from its source at Pu'u O'o. We'll be revisiting this lava flow from time to time in the coming weeks. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory photos link.
hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php

The source of beauty, awe, destruction, pain and more, thjis is Pu'u O'o volcano on the infamous eastern flank of Kilauea mountain. At its summit Kilauea rises more than 4,000 feet above sea level and makes up about 13.7% of the Big Island's land area. The Pu'u O'o crater and its related vents have been continuously erupting since 1983. Thousands of yards of lava has flowed out of this volcano and overrun much of the southeastern flank of Kilauea, destroying more than 200 homes in Kalapana. This year a new lava flow that started on June 27 has made its way down the northeastern flank of Pu'u O'o and now threatens to wipe out the town of Pahoa and subdivisions beyond it. Photos from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) - United States Government.

Links:

Kilauea Volcano Eruption Status
hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php

Eruption Photos from the HVO:
hvo.wr.usgs.gov/multimedia/index.php?newSearch=true&d...

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%ABlauea



Lava Flow enters Pahoa. Video by County of Hawaii. Posted by Earthspace 101.



The view of Pahoa Village Road in front of the Pahoa Post Office on the morning of Tuesday, October, 28, 2014. As lava enters the residential area to the west utility crews prepare power, cable and telephone lines and create steel and cinder barriers around the extended 70' poles where lava is expected to cross in the next 24-48 hours. Media conduct interviews with residents and Hawaii News Now is shown doing their live remote. (Hawaii Hqrbors Network)



ABC News Report on October 27. Lava flow to Pahoa.

Recommendations for the 2014 Election

With the November 4 election a little over a week away, here are my prognostications and recommendations (if any of this counts) for candidates that "could" help our precarious state called Hawaii.

Governor's Race: So we basically have a three way race here. Mufi, David and Duke (sorry Jeff). All three are experienced politicians. In one way or another they have over time to screwed us in the wallet by their actions, inaction or simply association.

Case in point: The Rail Tax. In 2005 the Hawaii State Legislature voted to increase the general excise tax (HB1309) to support the building of a mass transit system on Oahu. Mufi who was the mayor of Honolulu at the time was asking for a 1% increase to the tax. He got a half-percent which we are painfully paying today for the tax train to nowhere. State Senator David Ige was one of many legislators who voted for the tax.

Mr. Aiona was Lt. Governor for Linda Lingle who at that time was Governor. Ms. Lingle decided to let the tax bill become law without her signature (HB1309). I don't recall Mr. Aiona saying or doing anything to tell his then boss to veto this bad tax bill. So he is guilty by association.

Today we have to choose between the 3 top candidates (sorry again Jeff). Mufi I don't like because he loves rail too much. David had his chance to stop the tax. He didn't. Ironically current Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui who is also David's running mate, was the only Democrat in the State Senate to vote against the GE tax increase for rail in 2005. Who knows? Someday he may run for Governor.

That leaves me with Duke who is guilty of this tax atrocity only through his association with the Lingle administration. Other groups and individuals don't like him on other issues such as abortion and teacher furloughs.

I don't like abortion and I am pro-life.  Plus I did not hear Duke say anything about taking away more lanes for bicycles on King Street and increasing the cost of parking to $500 in Downtown Honolulu that David wants to do. So my rather lukewarm recommendation and vote will go to Duke. Hopefully if he becomes Governor he may be able to reverse the wrongs that both the Lingle and current administration have already done to us.

U.S. Congress: Charles vs. K. Mark: Clearly my choice is Charles. Don't be stupid Hawaii. The GOP will likely hold on to the U.S. House of Representatives this fall and the state will benefit to at least have one of our two Congresspersons be in the majority party there. So yes, Charles has my vote.

Second district residents should vote for Kawika Crowley. He is a long-shot facing one of the darlings of the Democrat Party, incumbent Tulsi Gabbard.

In the U.S. Senate race it is almost a given that incumbent Senator Brian Schatz will win this one after beating his primary election foe U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa in August. His Republican opponent is Cam Cavasso.

Local Races



I've been helping the Julia Allen campaign this season. She deserves a vote if you live in Honolulu's 20th House District (Palolo, St. Louis Heights and other nearby hilly neighborhoods). She definitely lives in the district unlike Mr. Say who only maintains a facade that is not his true home, is not a wacko like Bonk, and has pledged to not raise your taxes. That is good. Vote for Julia.

I don't have much to say about the rest of the local races. I urge a vote for more fiscal conservatives, candidates who will not increase your taxes. We already pay enough taxes. There is no room for more. Our wallets hurt.

Constitutional Questions: There are 5 constitutional amendment questions on the ballot this year. Without elaborating on any of them, the only thing I can say is that a NO VOTE should be cast on Question #4 regarding taxpayer funding of private pre-schools. Go to this link for details on all 5 State Constitution questions.

Conclusion: Since Hawaii votes overwhelmingly Democrat at every election, I don't see much hope for that changing. Most if not all of the seats at all levels of Hawaii government will be won by candidates with a D next to their name. We'll see how it goes after November 4.

Kona's Margaret Masunaga Will Become a District Court Judge

The Hawaii State Senate was called into special session this week to take care of the "advice and consent" duties in the process of voting on three judicial nominees to the Hawaii State Circuit Court and the State District Court. Above District Court nominee Margaret Masunaga testifies before the State Senate Judicary and Labor Committee on Monday, October 20. I've met nominee Masunaga and talked to her for a few minutes. She is well liked by her associates on the Big Island. Her personality is very pleasant. I think she will be a good judge for the District Court in Kona.

Margaret Masunaga is currently with the Corporation Counsel for the County of Hawaii. She has served as a government attorney since 1992, previously at the Department of the Attorney General and the Planning Department. Ms. Masunaga was also an attorney in the private sector for Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel.

She will be confirmed by the full State Senate in special session today.



Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi testifies in favor of nominee Margaret Masunaga.

Photographing the Blood Red Moon

Hawaii sky viewers were blessed with good weather early Wednesday morning as the moon went into eclipse for the second time this year. It was a cosmic show as the Earth's shadow slowly nibbled away on the night's full moon as the giant white disc slipped into darkness. At its apex was totality, an erie state of being where the Earth's shadow almost completely blots out the sunlight. While not exactly dark, the fully eclipsed moon turned a blood red / rustic orange color for all the world to see. And so there it was, the perfect cosmic photo op that had thousands of shutter-bugs snapping away in the early morning darkness. It was a sight to behold!



Wide shot of the fully eclipsed moon high above my building.

Kickstarter Campaign Brings Digital Projector to Honokaa People's Theatre

Honokaa People's Theatre has beaten the odds and got its funding through a Kickstarter campaign to purchase a new digital projection system in order to keep showing films well into the future.

The theatre was forced to purchase a $60,000 digital projection system in order to continue showing films beyond the end of this year. The movie industry is abandoning the practice of sending films out on 35mm prints and moving on to a digital delivery system. All of the big, mainstream theatre chains have converted to digital projection.

Small operators and second run movie houses have been caught in an expensive dilemma of either biting the digital bullet and upgrading, or going dark because of cost and the fact that movies will not be delivered on film anymore. Film projectors will become as obsolete as victrola phonographs, 8-track tape players and VCRs.

Because the cost of obtaining a digital projector was so great, Honokaa People's Theatre turned to the community in order to seek funding. The Kickstarter campaign was launched early this summer with the goal of bringing in $40,000 to fund a major part of the system. At the campaign's end on September 27, the theatre covered its goal and then some by bringing in $43,995.

The theatre held an earlier campaign in which it raised $10,000. The film Honokaa Boy is being used as a fundraising vehicle where it has been shown numerous times in the theatre. The Japanese made film was shot in Honokaa in 2008 where the theatre itself was one of the central locations in the story about a young man's relationship with an older woman.

To say the least the operators of the theatre are happy as expressed in their latest Kickstarter email: "Big mahalos friends!  From the bottom of our hearts, we love you all and we're so glad to be here! Wooo hooo we made it!"

Honokaa People's Theatre has been in business since 1930 operated for most of its existence by the Tanimoto family who owned other theaters on the Big Island of Hawaii. The theatre changed hands in the late 1980s when Dr. Tawn Keeney bought it and upgraded the facility over several years.

Today People's Theatre not only shows movies, but is a showcase for many live music and dance events as well as classes for the people in the Hamakua - Honokaa community.

While a digital future is assured in Honokaa, Hilo's discount movie theatre in the old Kress building closed on September 26 because its operators Regal Entertainment Group could not justify the cost of upgrading their equipment to digital. The theatre space has been leased to a church.

---

The author spent his childhood and teen years in Honokaa and attended many movies at People's Theatre from the 1960s through the late 1970s. He is one of the donors to the Kickstarter campaign. Written and photographed by Melvin Ah Ching. Photos (top): Honokaa People's Theatre familiar facade. Below: The interior of the theatre looks much like it always has except that some of the front row seats were removed to make room for a larger stage area.

Surf's Up! Honolulu's South Swell

The waves were pumping this weekend. I was lucky enough to find some time to capture these images of the raging surf that brought happy surfers to the beach. The waves attract not only surfers but also adventurous and casual photographers as well as curious onlookers. The large waves are not recommended to anyone who does not have experience with these type of conditions. Honolulu life guards spend quite some time warning and rescuing people. The safest spot to be is on shore and watching the surf from a distance. It also helps if you have a decent camera with a good telephoto lens. The day I shot this the only cameras I had were my 8 megapixel Canon S5 iS Super Zoom and my iPod Touch. The photos in this set were taken with the Canon.



Gotta love the sunrise light of this shot.



The waves seem to come in sets that create layers.







The southerly wave action creates quite a salt spray that corrodes a lot of things over time.



The sunrise light is one of the best times to take these surf shots.



All of the published photos stream on this embedded Flickr slideshow. I have not only the waves, but also some of the people watching and photographing the event, as well as some sunrise shots. All photos were taken by Mel on September 14, 2014.

Flickr Set: A Trip to the Top of Oahu - Mt. Ka'ala

I'm starting a new feature here at The Hawaii Files. It's the Flickr Set of the Week. As some of you know, I post thousands of pictures to the Flickr photo sharing service every year. Over the past 10 years I've managed to post more than 17,000 photos to Flickr. I'm still adding photos on almost a daily basis to Flickr of just about anything and everything.

I figure why not share some of the Flickr sets and albums with The Hawaii Files readers. So here we go.

Last year I was lucky enough to be invited to go on a State Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) excursion to the top of Mt. Ka'ala in the Waianae mountains on Oahu. Mt. Ka'ala is the highest peak on Oahu rising 4,025 feet above sea level. The tall mountain is actually a plateau and is located in a pristine watershed area and rain forest that is zoned for preservation by the State of Hawaii.

What I learned on the day-long excursion is that the area like several others in the State is the home of valuable watershed, a place where our life giving water originates. The Mt. Ka'ala Natural Area Preserve encompasses 1,100 acres of lush, green rain forest. It is the home to many rare plant and animal species like the tiny Happy Face Spider. Endangered plant species are numerous and rare.

One thing for sure about Mt. Ka'ala. The weather can change quite fast. It may look clear and sunny from the base. However by the time you reach the top of the mountain, it can be socked in with low lying clouds with falling rain.

Access to the mountain for the general public is by a grueling uphill hike. Once you reach the top, you are greeted by a wooden boardwalk that spans the publicly accessible rain forest. If the weather is clear one may be able to catch spectacular views of areas downslope from the mountain.

Government officials use a narrow, private road that is closed to the public. Signs and a locked gate at the road's beginning warn the public to stay away or face a monetary fine or arrest.



A view of Mt. Ka'ala from urban Honolulu. It's a world removed.



The top of Mt. Ka'alA is often shrouded by low-lying clouds (fog) and rainy. Here is a view from the top and the nearby FAA tracking station that is off limits to the public.



Happy Face Spider, though the face doesn't seem to be present.



The wooden boardwalk at the top.



Gotta love the lush green ferns.







Flickr slideshow: More than 100 photos.

9-11 - We Shall Never Forget

Never forget what happened on this day in 2001. God Bless America.

September 11, 2001.

Beretania Street Construction Project Will Be More Than a Year Long

Motorists beware. Construction on Honolulu's Beretania Street is set to begin today. This will be deep, disruptive construction that will last for at least 13 months. What's happening? The street will be dug up, re-layered and coated with new asphalt and cement bus pads. Should be nice when done. The part of most concern is the construction phase that will take place at various hours depending on the location. The project will start at the intersection of Beretania and University and work its way westward to the project's end near the Honolulu Police Station and Alapai Street.

They're adding a bike lane to the street and I am wondering if this will be as disruptive as the one planned for South King Street soon. Will motorists lose on-street parking? We'll see.

The project will cost taxpayers $9.44 million.

Here is the press release from the City and County of Honolulu:

Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced that the city’s Beretania Street resurfacing project will begin Monday and advised drivers to take alternate streets.

This Beretania project is “full-depth reconstruction,” meaning crews need to dig deeper than most resurfacing projects to ensure the repairs last.  The project will take longer to complete, but then it will last longer.

The road construction is scheduled to begin this Monday, September 8 and be completed before November 2015.

The project includes pavement milling, removal of underlying concrete pavement, reconstruction of curbs, gutters and driveways, construction of new curb ramps, and the installation of concrete bus pads.

The Department of Design and Construction has contracted Road and Highway Builders, LLC to perform reconstruction and resurfacing of the asphalt roadway of South Beretania Street, from University Avenue to Alapa‘i Street.

Work will begin on the University end of Beretania and work towards town. Some lane closures will be in effect 24/7, including the concrete bus pads that need to harden.

The contractor has a noise variance permit from the city and the State Department of Health to work in certain areas between the hours of 7 a.m. and midnight in order to complete the project faster.  Most work will happen Monday to Friday, but some work at major intersections may occur over the weekend.

For any issues or concerns during Beretania Street construction, please call the project hotline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 945-1000.

On-street parking will be prohibited at times during the project.  Please observe and obey all traffic control devices and special duty officers.

Motorists are advised to take alternate routes, such as Kapiolani Boulevard, Ala Moana Boulevard, Young Street, and other surface streets and allow for extra time.

When resurfacing is completed, a new bike lane will be added onto Beretania Street.

The city is making Honolulu a bicycle-friendly city through the installation of bike infrastructure and the establishment of a bikeshare program, which is scheduled to be operational late next year.  Bike lanes or sharrows were added on both sides of Waialae Avenue when it was resurfaced this year and construction of Oahu’s first off-grade bike path on King Street begins next week. The newly reopened Ala Wai Walking Path also features a bike path.

To view the full schedule of upcoming and completed city road paving projects, please visit honolulu.gov and click “Road Repaving Update”

Photo: Beretania Street traffic near the Piikoi Street intersection.

Weekend of the Super Moon

After the week's hurricanes passed Hawaii, the tropical evening was turned into a time to catch the 2nd "SuperMoon" of the season. The phenomenon "is the coincidence of a full moon or a new moon with the closest approach the Moon makes to the Earth on its elliptical orbit, resulting in the largest apparent size of the lunar disk as seen from Earth." (Wikipedia).

Technicalities aside, the night afforded for some great picture taking at Ala Moana Beach Park. Enjoy the photos that I have of the night lights from Honolulu. All photos copyright Melvin Ah Ching Productions. (2014)


The actual moon! Shot with Canon S5 iS.



Honolulu City Lights (above early morning shot)





Light streaks from passing aircraft. This area is about 3 miles from the airport.



The Hilton Hawaiian Village wears an updated Rainbow mosaic that is well lit.



Night shot of the Yacht Club at Ala Wai Boat Harbor.

All photos were shot using a Canon S5 iS super zoom camera. Tripod mounted. Long exposures. File under "photography".

Iselle Hits Hawaii - Julio Slated to Miss

Residents of Honolulu dodged a major bullet after Hurricane Iselle slammed into the Big Island of Hawaii with winds of up to 90 mph this past week. While the hurricane's impact to Oahu was minimal, residents of the Big Island were adversely effected.

From Wikipedia:

Upon making landfall on Hawaii, Iselle became the first tropical cyclone of at least tropical storm intensity to make landfall on any of the state's islands since Hurricane Iniki in 1992, and the first to do so on Big Island since 1958. Moving ashore, Iselle brought damaging surf along the east coast of the island, and strong winds unroofed homes near Hilo and downed trees. These winds also felled power lines, causing widespread outages impacting roughly 21,800 electricity customers. A geothermal plant in Puna released toxic hydrogen sulfide gases upon losing its power sources, prompting officials to urge an exodus of the immediate area. A water treatment plant in Kula on Maui also shut down due to power failure, prompting the conservation of water supplies in that area.

Reports from family and friends on the Big Island indicated plenty of rain but minimal gusty winds (along the Hamakua Coast), a long lasting power outage (Honokaa) and to add insult to injury, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake occurring the same morning (August 7) of the hurricane strike. My sister in Honokaa reported that she felt it, but overall there was no damage from the temblor.

Meanwhile the most impact to Honolulu / Oahu from Iselle came on Friday, August 8 after the hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm.  State and County offices including all public schools closed for the day. Parks as well as several major shopping centers and businesses also closed for the day.

I roamed the Waikiki - Kapiolani Park - Diamond Head area for some photos that morning. For the most part there was very minimal winds, some sunshine, a lot of tourists milling about and a short burst of heavy rain up in Diamond Head. See photos below.

Overall Hawaii dodged a bullet.

Meanwhile Hurricane Julio which has been slightly downgraded to Category 1 as of this writing, is moving on a northwesterly track and is expected to miss the islands completely. That is good news.



Storm clouds obscure the morning sunlight near Kapiolani Park.



A drenching rain falls near the Diamond Head lighthouse.



A jogger caught in the rain.



Big rain near the Diamond Head lookout.



Very minimal winds at Kapiolani Park.



The sun did peak in the morning offering this small rainbow visible from Waikiki.



Panic buying the day before the hurricane.



Bottled water was in very short supply. Next time stock up early!

All photos except the satellite view at the top of this post taken by Mel. Satellite imagery courtesy of NASA. More photos on Flickr.

Here are some quick tips for the next time a hurricane threatens Hawaii.

1. Prepare early. As the disaster experts say, get your 7-day preparedness kit ready long in advance before a storm hits.

2. Buy devices that use AA, AAA or 9 volt batteries. As I was shopping this week I noticed nearly all of the D size batteries gone. Many stores had the smaller batteries. There are flashlights, radios and other battery operated devices that use these types of batteries.

3. Fill Your Vehicle Up With Gas - Always a good idea to have a full tank of gas on hand just in case the pumps don't work for like days.

4. Fill your empty plastic bottles with tap water - Duh? Why the rush to buy cases of bottled water? If you have containers that can hold water just fill them up from your faucet. Tap water is still drinkable, easily available before the storm and allows you to not go to the store to stand in long lines or see nothing on the water shelf when you get there.

5. Have and maintain a landline telephone. Yes, many people have ditched their traditional landline telephone. Guess what? These phones usually work when the electric power is out. Cell phone towers require electricity to pass on signals. No power. No cell phone reception. Who you gonna call???? By the way, if you do have a landline make sure you have a telephone that doesn't require AC power to operate. The simple ones that just plug into the line work best.

6. Weather radio: One of my favorite sources for weather related news and bulletins is a radio that receives around the clock broadcasts from the NOAA. You can get one for as little as $25, maybe less. I have an old Sony that receives AM / FM / and VHF. The weather frequency is on the VHF band.

There are many other tips I could mention. These are just a few.