Posts from — September 2008

On the way out of Kona, I had no choice but to pull over and finally shoot some of the roadwork that has greeted motorists pulling into town via Palani Road. As I filmed, all I could think about was trying to encapsulate the epic back story in the blurb beneath the footage. Luckily, Aaron Stene, Kona blog’s internet authority on the progress of the project, offered some advice. Make sure you visit Aaron’s site for all the news on this situation.

The video is here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080917roadwork.htm

9.17.2008 - KAILUA-KONA, HI - The massive Queen Kaahumanu Highway widening project is a tumult of heavy machinery and construction personnel at the busy intersection of Palani Road and Queen Kaahumanu.

Phase One of this Hawaii DOT road work, being done by Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, commenced in January 2006, and should be completed in December.

The project has been marked by delays and confusion, and has become a topic for debate in this political season.

Phase Two of the project is still in the midst of a convoluted bid process and has yet to be awarded. The three respondents are Hawaiian Dredging, Goodfellow Bros., and Kiewit Pacific. A “best and final offer” process should be completed by November 2008.

Its a point / counterpoint video in light of the recent Environmental Management Committee vote for Bill 361, which would ban any GMO taro or coffee (or taro/coffee that has been genetically modified) from the Big Island of Hawaii. The issue has been a contentious one, with arguments heard at the state house in the recent past.

See the lengthy video here: www.bigislandvideonews.com/20080909gmo.htm

KAILUA-KONA, HI - Bill 361, a ban on GMO coffee and taro (genetically engineered) on the Big Island of Hawaii, is passed unanimously at the county Environmental Management Committee. Supporters, and opponents, of the bill give public testimony before the vote, and share insight into the GMO controversy in this video.

While the three main interviews were conducted outside the council meeting in Kona, the taro footage is thanks to Jim Albertini and his Mula Aina Farm, at the Center for Non-Violent Education and Action. Albertini also testified in support of the bill via video conference from Hilo.

Supporters of the bill believe there will be much more opposition in the upcoming regular session council votes. The bill must pass two more readings in order to become law.

This special video section was presented a few days ago, but I am only now getting around to blogging an announcement. It is likely that this will be the last of the mayoral videos before the primary. If no candidate gets over 50% of the primary vote, and thus there is a runoff for the general election, I’m sure I will cover the one on one debates that may occur.

The format on this one was a big change in pace from the other forums. Candidates were able to get up close and personal with the electorate.

The videos are here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080904roundtable.htm

Hilo, HI - The League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women present a “roundtable event”, where candidates for mayor go from table to table in order to meet face to face with residents. The candidates spent 15 minutes at each table, answering questions and talking story with voters, before rotating to another table.

The unique approach offered a new look at the campaigns of 6 individuals running for Hawaii County mayor. Although all 8 candidates were invited, it was Billy Kenoi, Randy Riley, Stacy Higa, Jasper Moore, Lorraine Inouye, and Angel Pilago who attended. (Joseph Barrozo and Sam Masilamoney were not there.)

The footage you will see here, broken into separate files by candidate, was shot at a special media table. The questions were asked by Ken Hupp of KPUA AM 670, and Dr. Todd Belt, associate professor of political sciences at UHH. These videos are long: nearly 15 minutes in length… but they offer a refreshing way to revisit the issues and the candidates involved in the election.

I would like to thank not only the organizers and moderators of this refreshing event, but the candidates themselves, who took the time (over 2 hours) to do lots of speaking.

The primary election is on September 20th.

Those of you who have been checking in to the site every day already know the substance of this post, but I thought I’d write up something quick anyway.

Four new videos, three of them full stories, are now online. They were filmed over the course of a busy Labor Day weekend, from all corners of the island.

First, Hula kahiko in the Park, seen here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080830volcanohula.htm

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI - Halau Ha`a Kea o Akala, directed by kumu hula Paul Neves, presents traditional hula on a platform overlooking the sacred Halema`uma`u crater. Visitors to the park are treated to a free lesson in the importance of the ritual dance to Hawaiian culture.

That same day, I headed farther south to the big Malama Punalu`u Festival, which was the talk of Hawaii this weekend. They had a number of fantastic performers, but you will mainly see the talents of Auntie Diana Aki in this video. Check it out: bigislandvideonews.com/20080830malamapunaluu.htm

NAALEHU, HI - Music and family fun spotlight the need to preserve Punalu`u, Hawaii’s undeveloped gem along the Ka`u coast. The event lasted two days over the busy Labor Day weekend. Although the event took place at Naalehu Park, shots from the Punalu`u Black Sand Beach have been cut into the piece to illustrate the focus of the festival.

On Sunday, it was northbound for the Parker Ranch Round Up Club Rodeo, an event I’ve been looking forward for quite some time. The link is here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080831rodeo.htm

WAIMEA, HI - This year, the Big Island of Hawaii celebrates The Year of the Paniolo, recognizing the contributions of the Hawaiian cowboy to the state’s culture. On Labor Day weekend, Parker Ranch showcases the skill of the paniolo with its 34th Round-up Club Rodeo, and raises scholarship money in the process.

Last but not least is the Hawaiian Slack Key Fest from Kona, and even though I was only there for a short time, it may be the video of which I am happiest with the end results. Watch it here: bigislandvideonews.com/20080831slackkey.htm

KAILUA-KONA, HI - The musical tradition of slack key guitar is celebrated at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort in Kona during the 2008 Slack Key Guitar Festival. Well known local artists like Bruddah Smitty and Makana explain the history of the artform and share their interpretation with the audience.

That’s it for now. I hope you have as much fun watching as I did filming. Keep visiting, because now that I am all caught up expect the news items to be a little more timely.

Mahalo!