Category — Uncategorized

Two movies on different ends of Hollywood spectrum
11.7.2008 - Hilo, Hawaii

Two locally significant films will be premiered in Hilo this weekend, each representing both sides of the Hollywood spectrum.

Ryan and Sean’s Not So Excellent adventure will be screened this Sunday at the Prince Kuhio Theaters. The movie is based on the real life comic hijinks of Hilo teenagers Ryan Higa and Sean Fujiyoshi, who’s self-made YouTube videos have exploded in popularity and have been viewed by millions. The film, directed by Richard Van Vleet, stars the real life Ryan and Sean, and imitates reality with its plot… about a Hollywood producer who tries to cash in on the pair’s internet phenomenon by making them into movie stars.

As the two Hilo youths’ whirlwind introduction to Hollywood (real and fictitious) launches this weekend, another famous Hawaii actor is opting for a different life, out of the bright Hollywood lights. Jason Scott Lee is the subject of Rick Bacigalupi’s documentary film in progress, Toward Living Pono, which will be screened tonight at the Palace Theatre. The film focuses on Lee’s journey from movie stardom to living sustainably on his off-the-grid taro farm.

Toward Living Pono will be seen along with other “Big Island Innovators of Sustainability” shorts, part of this weekend’s `E Malama `Aina Sustainability Festival at Hilo’s Mo`oheau Park.

For more info visit livingpono.com, and ryanandseansmovie.com.

People vote to make pot lowest police priority
November 5, 2008 - Hawaii County

A measure to make marijuana the lowest enforcement priority for the Hawaii County Police Department has won the vote of the public. In yesterday’s 2008 general election, over 53 percent of the votes cast were in favor of the Peaceful Sky initiative, which was placed on the November ballot by a Hawaii County Council vote in August.

According to language in the ordinance introduced by council, the purpose of the article is to “provide law enforcement more time and resources to focus on more series crimes”, free up prison space and the court system, and “reduce the fear of prosecution and the stigma of criminality from non-violent citizens who harmlessly cultivate and/or use Cannabis for personal, medicinal, religious, and recreational purposes.”

38% of the voting public voted against the measure. 8% of all Big Island voters left the ballot question blank.

The above pot pics were taken from the Hawaiian Highlands website.

Big Island business can link candidates to common ancestry
November 3, 2008 - Waikoloa, Hawaii

Watch the Video

A Big Island couple who operate a genealogy service has been making headlines throughout the election season. They have even managed to link this year’s presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, to a common ancestor, which is no stranger to having its descendants lead America.

Bruce and Kristine Harrison, who founded the Family Forest Project in 1995, have been popping up in news articles all over the world, as the ancestral histories they have mapped keep revealing interesting tidbits about the backgrounds of world leaders, past and present.

In this interview, the Harrisons show how the resource they created works, and how a new finding reveals that presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain are related through Sulgrave Manor, which is also the ancestral home of George Washington.

Recently, an AP article detailed the link, uncovered by the Harrisons, between Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and recent Saturday Night Live costar, Alec Baldwin. According to Harrison, they are “fairly distant cousins”. Palin was also found to have ancestral connections to several prominent Hawaii families, such as the Cooke family of Bank of Hawaii, the Atherton family, and Monty Richards of Kahua Ranch.

I have just presented a long video documentation of the events of Tuesday, August 26th. It was a tense but peaceful standoff at Kawa`a in the Ka`u district.

Credit must first go to David Schlesinger, of www.bigisland-bigisland.com, for communicating with me throughout the week on this matter.

It was a pleasure to meet Uncle Able, who has become known to many for his inspiring Hawaiian perspective on YouTube and other assorted internet media.

The video is here: http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/20080826kawaa.htm

KAWA`A, HI - The County of Hawaii, in an attempt to survey lands they believe is theirs, is stopped by native subjects of the Hawaiian Kingdom, who say the ‘aina belongs to their families. A standoff ensues between the two governments, and ends peacefully, as the county elects to leave without entering the property. Kawa`a has been the home to the legendary local Hawaiian figure, Uncle Able, for years.

I must ad that I am disappointed that no other main stream media wanted to run this story. Often, it is considered to be a triumph if a news source “scoops” other news sources by having an exclusive story. However, I thought this story was worth everyone’s attention. As a freelance journalist, it is my business to make this sort of video available to interested media. I made countless calls, but it appears as if they are taking a pass. It is a true shame that more people will not hear of this situation.

Please, spread the word about this video. It is an issue we should all ponder. The link will remain permanent.