Category — Kailua-Kona

For one day, residents disposed of computer parts properly
October 26, 2008 - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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On Saturday, Hawaii’s Education and Government eWaste Disposal Days 2008 allowed island residents an opportunity to discard the computer trash that is forbidden at landfills.

Personal eWaste was brought to several locations throughout the islands. On the Big Island, designated locations at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Kealakehe High School in Kona assisted residents in getting rid of monitors, keyboards, hardrive towers and video equipment.

These electronics contain hazardous materials that must be disposed of using a sensitive approach to avoid polluting the environment, according to a Hawaii Department of Education website. The website also said that the eWaste that was collected on Saturday would be recycled into commodity grade materials like metals, plastics and glass. Recycling and disposal services were reportedly provided by Apple.

Traditional Hawaiian blessing involves the community
October 26, 2008 - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Hundreds gathered at an empty lot in the Kealakehe section of the Big Island of Hawaii to bless the grounds of the future West Hawaii Civic Center.

Mayor Harry Kim and North Kona councilman Angel Pilago joined other officials in assisting Kumu Keala Ching deliver the ceremonial ritual.

The 85,000 square foot facility, situated on 7.2 acres of land along the Kealakehe Parkway, will consolidate 22 Hawaii County agencies and one state agency. These agencies are currently scattered at different locations throughout West Hawaii.

A Community Center and Pavillion, as well as four conference rooms, will be available for meetings.

The Department of Public Works estimates construction of the complex will take two years, with a projected public opening in 2011. The cost of the project is estimated at $50.5 million.

I could never do this race. I couldn’t even survive the 2.4 mile swim at the start. These athletes are admirable madmen, willful beasts of nature. This Ironman Championship, as I am learning, challenges everything. Even video guys, who are too ashamed to show the strain of carrying heavy gear all day in front of the real athletes.

It was 10 am when I realized I might be stranded in Kona till midnight. With no bedroom to sleep in, and a two hour drive home to Hilo. This, after I woke up at 2 am just to get here. I had to park at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, where the events were being staged. I had to get there before the sunrise start in order to film the 4:50 am body paint numbering. Alas, I outfoxed even myself. The lot, conveniently situated along Palani Rd, is closed shut by order of the Ironmen, leaving me locked within.

I suspected it would be like this since Thursday, when I arrived to cover the press conference, and the prevailing media technique was the dreaded catch as catch can journalism… the one that drives us videographers nuts. No mic feed from the podium, still photographers and print journalists in the shot, no risers to shoot over heads… but I can’t complain. I was thankful to be granted media credentials: who am I to rock the boat? More importantly… this is the Ironman Championship! There can be no complaining, not in the same room as athletes who bike 128 miles through lava fields, only to be rewarded with a marathon run when they finish. So I was ready for the steamrolling inevitability of race day.

The event lived up to the hype. Covering it was madness. Bodies flying around, left and right. Fans cheering, ringing Ironman brand cowbells. It was my first time witnessing it, and finding my way around was a challenge. All I had was my camera and a purple wristband that granted me limited special access, but not as much as the NBC Sports crew. I had been wearing the purple wristband for three days, as if surgically attached to my arm, since it was given to me on Thursday. I also got free shoes, and some other media goodies… like the Ironman cologne; and I wonder how long it will take for me to gather the courage to take a whiff. The media is treated well by the Ironman organization, and we were thankfully kept apprised of the race developments with an excellent live broadcast available for viewing in the cool media center: a refuge from the hot Hawaiian sun.

I stayed till Chrissie Wellington finished. I was happy to see her parents, who I interviewed before the race began earlier, run out to congratulate her.

And I was lucky enough to find a back route out of the closed King Kamehameha hotel lot, so my midnight departure fears were premature.

On the way out of town, I caught a glimpse of the other side of the Ironman race… figures on the physical edge, blurred on the horizon of a coastal dessert. A scene that contrasts with the loud din of an enthusiastic town crowd. I’m sure it is those long stretches of barren, barrier less lava that is most memorable to the tested triathlete. I thought I got some good stuff, but I can’t shake the disappointment of having failed to capture these Kohala race scenes.

There’s always next year.

For now, I am happy to liberate myself from the purple wristband.

I met Paul Troy along the rocky shore of west Hawaii. Paul is the Vice President of Hawaii Oceanic Technology, Inc. and he took the time to explain this future aquafarming project.

Interesting photos have been surfacing across the internet this past month, usually still images captured from the same animation video found on YouTube, showing the futuristic scope of the project. I found it where I have found so many other interesting, alternative Hawaii news: here on the Damon Tucker blog.

Although Paul is capable of going into great technical detail about the project, the video is really made for a layman (like myself).

It is here: http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/20081001fishery.htm

October 1, 2008 - North Kohala, HI - A preview of the Oceansphere technology planned for use by Hawaii Oceanic Technology, Inc. in the Pacific Ocean a few miles north of Kawaihae Harbor.

These self sustaining orbs, untethered to the ocean floor, will produce large harvests of ahi tuna. The technology will use an exclusive patent pending hybrid ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) power plant to generate the electricity needed to position the large spheres geostatically.

In this interview, Paul Troy explains some of the goals of the aquaculture project. The animation has been provided by Hawaii Oceanic Technology, Inc. and was created by the wizards of Screaming Wink Productions, LLC.

The first couple of Oceanspheres may be deployed by late 2009.

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.

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!

After another long post production session, I have finally managed to get the substance of the Kona mayoral forum from August 28th up on the site.

This forum was broadcast live on LAVA 105, so the pace was lightning fast (which is good, especially for radio), leaving me little time to change tapes between questions. Still, I recorded 99.9 percent of the entire forum. Only one answer is missing, (Joseph Barrozo in the “Solutions in tough economic times” section) the content of which is posted in writing beneath the video. Otherwise, its all there.

Obviously, the inclusion of all 8 candidates makes some of the videos (the forum questions) much longer to watch. However, unlike the first mayoral video section shot in Hilo, seen here, you will now have a chance to see and hear the 4 other candidates who weren’t invited to the first forum. You will see that they bring a unique perspective to the table, and nearly steal the show at times (each in their own way, of course)

The videos are found here: http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/20080828konaforum.htm

Kailua-Kona, HI - Another mayoral forum heading into the upcoming election, this time held at the Kealakehe High School cafeteria on the west side of the island. This time, all 8 mayoral candidates are involved.

The presentation here will be similar to the August 13th Special Video Section for the Hilo forum. The entire event has been divided up into smaller video clips and arranged by subject in order to make the simplify the viewing process.

Candidates are, from left to right in the above picture, Joseph Barrozo, Stacy Higa, Lorraine Inouye, Billy Kenoi, Sam Masilamoney, Jasper Moore, Angel Pilago, and Randy Riley.

The forum is moderated by Sherry Bracken, the well known news reporter and radio host.

The event was sponsord by the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Kona Outdoor Circle, PATH, Kona Board of Realtors, and the Hawaii Island Board of Realtors.

The disturbing news had already spread around the island by this morning. I had gone to Kailua-Kona to get some footage of the Stinging Nettle Caterpillar public meeting at the Kona Outdoor Circle. As luck would have it, Hawaii Department of Agriculture entomologist Patrick Conant was there, leading the discussion. The caterpillar video is on the way, but Patrick was also nice enough to share some knowledge on the bee issue developing in Hilo.

The video is here: http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/20080823bees.htm

KAILUA-KONA, HI - It is the news that beekeepers and farmers have been dreading to hear… the destructive varroa bee mite has been discovered in Hilo. The mite can kill an entire colony in weeks, and spreads easily. The impact on local agriculture could be disastrous. Hawaii Department of Agriculture Entomologist Patrick Conant explains the developing situation. NOTE: The beekeeper and honeybee video is file footage shot in New Jersey one year ago.

The real coincidence about that New Jersey footage… the beekeeper said he got his queens from Hawaii. This development could effect the beekeeping industry off the island as much as on.

I finally made it over to the west side for a few stories. There will be a few in the coming days.

The honorary first video story for the Kona side goes to the grand opening of a new police mini station.

The video is here: http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/20080822police.htm

KAILUA-KONA, HI - A new police ministation celebrates a long awaited grand opening at the Hale Halawai facility in Kailua-Kona. Speakers, both police and elected official alike, express gratitude for the grand opening, but remind residents that more is needed in the future.

It could be argued that I went overboard with the length of this one, and I would concede that I most likely did. However, I did pick up on an interesting underlying issue to this otherwise happy moment, and that seemed to be that the police are still far from having an ideal situation in that town. One look at the size of the ministation (hence the name) and you can see the concerns. If these issues are of interest to you, I recommend taking the time to listen to what the speakers had to say.

I would also like to note that Mayor Harry Kim and councilman Angel Pilago were not in attendance, but they were sure to have a representative there to express their well wishes and gratitude.