http://www.thehawaiiindependent.com/local/Kaneohe News • Culture • Community English news@thehawaiiindependent.com Copyright 2011 The Hawaii Independent Corporation Thursday, February 9 2012 9:05 AM /story/murphys-to-benefit-childrens-charities-with-gift-wrapping-party /story/murphys-to-benefit-childrens-charities-with-gift-wrapping-party DOWNTOWN — Murphy’s Bar & Grill hosts its 24th annual gift wrapping party Wednesday night, December 7. The event serves to collected donated gifts to be given to children at the Ronald McDonald house, as well as to kids with the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation. Attendees are encouraged to bring one or more unopened, unwrapped children’s toys to be wrapped by a small army of volunteers. The gifts will be given to children not just for Christmas, but throughout the year as well. Merchant Street will be closed for the event, and a variety of children’s movies will be screened. Free trolley rides through Honolulu City Lights display will be offered, as will face painting and popcorn. Complimentary pupus will be available to participants, and Santa Claus himself will make a visit to the party. For more information, visit murphyshawaii.com or call 531-0422. Wednesday, December 7, 5:30 p.m. Murphy’s Annual Children’s Charity Gift Wrapping Party 2 Merchant Street News Culture Community Wednesday, December 7 2011 7:05 PM /story/phantom-2011 /story/phantom-2011 KANEOHE—The Phantom of the Opera is a spooky story. Which is fitting as we slide into the season of All Hallows Eve, Samhain, and Dia De Los Muertos.  For those still hoping to sing once again with the Phantom, and don’t have tickets, fret not. The Paliku Theatre performance of the Broadway classic has been extended through October 23. And while reserved seats have sold out, each show will have 40 temporary seats available to those in person at least one hour before showtime. The show is a big budget production brought to life by a talented, local cast and crew. Phantom is a tale of man’s inhumanity to man. And of man’s (and woman’s) ability to be humane and to find compassion even in the darkest hour. The story’s latest incarnation on Oahu’s Windward side is guided by director Ron Bright and features costumes by Evette Tanouye Allerdings, who won a Pookela award for last year’s The Velveteen Rabbit at Paliku Theatre. While technically sound, and pulsing with difficult dance numbers, Phantom takes some unexpected risks, but is anchored by an amazing orchestra that will keep Hawaii’s audiences engaged. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original Phantom compositions feel like a sort of classical/pop fusion, but never did much for me personally. Nevertheless, the orchestra, under the guidance of musical director Clarke Bright, executed perfectly at Paliku Theatre. The singing in Phantom was spectacular as well. Particular praise goes to the voices of our leads, Miles Wesley and Lydia E. Pusateri, playing the Phantom and Christine Daae, respectively, as well as Jaime Blu Craycroft in the role of Carlotta. While the skill level of the dancers was also truly impressive, it was a shame that some of the dance numbers were so out of sync that one had to wonder if it the choreographer was actually going for a cannon effect. One of my favorite dance scenes, however, was The Masquerade. Although the choreography was simpler than many of the other dance numbers, it was also the most visually stimulating moment in the show. This is a testament to the fact that complicated is not always better. I was a little distracted by the fact that a monkey character was unmasked while every other actor on the stage, including the lead characters, were all in masquerade. Despite that minor detail, this scene was just delightful. Particularly engaging was the moment toward the end of the scene, when the entire cast turned eerily toward Christine Daae, illustrating her lonely and precarious position at this point in the play. Well done! I was also delighted by the three bawdy powdered wig characters who appeared between scenes in the first act. They were wonderfully refreshing both visually and energetically. In a musical with such demanding dance and song, it is usually the acting that suffers. And while Pusateri and Wesley were excellent vocally, their chemistry together did not sizzle. It’s in the Labyrinth Underground that we experience the rich, dark emotion that has given Phantom it’s staying power. Wesley’s voice is as impressive as his biography. His portrayal of the archetypal Phantom is technically perfect. Yet it felt almost as though he and his counterpart were just going through the motions. I wanted them to give me more than passionate lyrics and repetitive gestures to convey the ecstatic tension between their characters. It is not until her duet with Raoul on The Roof of the Opera House that the character of Christine comes to life. Although she was on stage with Kyle Malis, it was here that Pusateri conveyed Christine’s mixed emotions toward the Phantom. Both Pusateri and Malis found their moment to shine in this scene. The audience was able to catch a glimpse of the inner struggle of the artist, vacillating between her creative world. Here, Christine manifests in her strange relationship to the phantom, and her desire for safety and peace, which Raoul represents for her.  Special nods of appreciation, acting-wise, should go to Douglas S. Scheer in his role as Richard Firmin, who possessed an ease and presence in his character that made every scene he was in a pleasure to be a part of. And to Jaime Blu Craycroft who, in the role of Carlotta, was absolutely satisfying both to watch and to listen to. Granted, the part of the spoiled prima donna is a much simpler role than that of the tortured ingenue, which Pusateri had to wrestle with. But Craycroft pulled it off deliciously. And she knew how to work that wig! (Unfortunately most of the other wigs worn by the company were downright distracting, not the least of which was Pusateri’s, which seemed to be wearing her rather than vice versa.) Also, Marlise Ahuna and Madison Eror as the mother and daughter pair of Madame and Meg Giry, were excellent in their key supporting roles. My least favorite scene had to be the Graveyard. For this I cannot blame Ron Bright, nor the cast.  In fact, I honestly can say that this was my least favorite scene 20 years ago when I saw the Phantom of the Opera performed by a stellar Broadway cast in San Francisco. It seems extraneous, repeating the same sentiments we have already heard and adding no forward motion to the story.  There is also a tension that is broken by taking the characters, especially the Phantom out of the Opera House altogether just for this one strange scene. Congratulations do go to Ron Bright as well as his designers, stage manager, and technical crew for fantastic work on the technical end. The chandelier, the boat, and the labyrinth could not have been easy or cheap to pull off. And then there’s the almost tragic irony of the giant elephant, which is so sweet and lovely and makes such a brief appearance. My hope is that I will see this elephant again, perhaps in a First Friday gallery walk, or, even better, ensconced in a public place as a permanent art installation. There were some technical conventions that were confusing, however. But if the audience does their part and employs their suspension of disbelief it’s easily remedied. When the Phantom’s mask is wrenched off and his gruesome face revealed, we are let down ... what is it? The supposedly grotesque face underneath the mask looks like a few bandages. We need to see something horrible to evoke the proper emotional reaction, or don’t let us see it at all. Also, in Beyond the Lake, the figure of the woman in white, presumably Christine Daae’s reflection, left us wondering ... as did the first dead body which fell to the stage. I wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be a real person or just a warning. I have to admit to also wondering what someone would get out of doing such a complicated, budget intensive production, which requires such a large company, when it has already been done professionally around the world. Where’s the artistic discovery in that? But judging by the turn out and positive community feedback, while I may not be completely alone in this query, I am definitely outnumbered by folks who are either hardcore Phantom or just love a classic and will throng to see it again and again. I saw Phantom on a Wednesday night and the company played to a full house. I guess the proof is in the pudding! Kudos to the musicians, the singers, and the large ensemble cast for the immense amount of effort that goes into pulling off such a spectacular piece of theater. Every single actor, musician, and dancer played their role with presence and dedication. If you have never seen Phantom of the Opera live, go see it at Paliku Theater. This local production does it justice. For tickets and more information, visit www.hawaiionstage.com. News Culture Community Thursday, October 13 2011 3:18 AM /story/Thielen-to-speak-at-european-wave-energy-conference /story/Thielen-to-speak-at-european-wave-energy-conference HONOLULU— Hawaii State Representative Cynthia Thielen (R—Kailua, Kaneohe Bay) will speak at the Opening Ceremony of the 9th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference Series (EWTEC) in September in Southampton, England. A biennial event, thi international conference brings together global leaders in ocean-based renewable energy and has a strong emphasis on academic merit, technical and scientific aspects, and policy. Thielen will present a Proclamation from the State of Hawaii during the Opening Ceremony of the EWTEC. She joins a select group of dignitaries from the United Kingdom in kicking off the week-long event, including Mr. Chris Huhne MP, Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change. In 2008, Oceanlinx proposed a “wave farm” off of Maui in 2008 and received preliminary approval from the state in 2010. A wave energy device has be undergoing development and testing in waters off of Windward Oahu, and in 2010 became the first wave energy device in the United States to generate electricity to the grid. News Culture Community Thursday, September 1 2011 2:03 AM /story/no-real-reason-to-cut-social-studies-and-civics /story/no-real-reason-to-cut-social-studies-and-civics On Tuesday, August 16, the Hawaii Board of Education (BOE) listened to several hours of testimony from dozens of citizens (allowed two minutes each) regarding the value of the current social studies requirements for high school graduation. The board is considering eliminating the requirements based on a proposal from the Department of Education (DOE). The board has postponed their vote, previously scheduled for August 16. No date has yet been set. At the recent BOE Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting, testimony by members of the general public, scientists, teachers, students, and education specialists was unanimously in favor of the current requirements, known as Proposal 4540, and against the DOE’s proposed changes. Since June, the board had been considering whether to stop requiring both the currently mandated “civics” course called “Participation in Democracy” (PID), and the fourth year of (required) electives in social studies for high school graduation. Although no formal announcement has been made, DOE Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe indicated that the DOE is contemplating, but no longer requesting, the elimination of PID from the list of requirements. Current social studies requirements are: * One year of world history. * One year of U.S. history. * A third year of two required one-semester courses—Hawaiian history (mandated by law) and “Participation in Democracy” (PID). * A fourth year of two one-semester courses chosen by each student in the senior year from the roster of social studies courses offered at that particular school. Such offerings include economics, geography, psychology, and global studies, etc. (The actual offerings differ depending on the school.) Hawaii residents are at a loss to understand why the board supports this double reduction—the elimination of the fourth year of social studies electives, and of the PID course—and why the DOE included these reductions of social studies credits in Policy 4540 in the first place. In the words of one commentator following Tuesday’s meeting, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  Out of the 129 written testimonies given at July’s BOE meeting, 127 were in favor of keeping the fourth credit of social studies and PID; only two were in favor Policy 4540 as it stands. A majority of commentary in publications throughout Hawaii have been in favor of keeping the fourth credit of social studies and the PID course. Several national organizations have also written open letters to the board supporting the current, more rigorous requirements. For links to more commentary, see Aloha POSSE’s webpage of articles in the press For additional resources from Aloha POSSE, click here The DOE, which initiated the changes proposed in Policy 4540, is currently at an impasse with the the way the board is considering implementing them. The DOE does not believe they themselves will be able to implement the policy for the class of 2016, as the BOE requested in their June 21 meeting. Yet so far the BOE has not taken this into account. The board has offered little explanation as to why it wants to eliminate the social studies requirements or the PID course. Was this change a mistake? When was this decided? How was this discussed internally? Is the board aware that such courses are increasingly required across the nation, and that this is a step backwards for Hawaii? The BOE is committing itself to a vote on something that has yet to be developed by the DOE. This, if enacted, would make Hawaii the only state without such a requirement. That is, of the states that have requirements. Massachusetts, for one, has no state-wide requirements. Typically in such cases, local boards establish their own requirements, and a civics course is common in such districts. There is a substantial amount of scientific research that clearly demonstrates that civics courses in high school have a positive effect on those students becoming voters and participating in their democracy. There is an even stronger correlation for immigrants. (See “Preparing for Citizenship: Immigrant High School Students’ Curriculum and Socialization,” Callahan, Muller, & Schiller, 2008, and visit the Aloha POSSE website for more research.) Furthermore, Hawaii has low voter turnout. In 2006, the Participation in Democracy course was changed from a lower grade level to the junior year specifically to find out whether positioning it closer to the time when students would be actually able to vote would increase voter turnout in Hawaii. Since the students affected by the change are only now coming of voting age, we have yet to see the results of this experiment. It seems absurd to nullify the experiment so admirably put in place such a short time ago. The BOE’s only public comment has been its June 21 recommendation memo (on the BOE website) that it supports choice for students. The implication is that the change in a social studies elective to a general elective gives students more choice.  But how does this really give students more choice? In the Step Up diploma, part of a statewide campaign that promotes college and career readiness for Hawaii’s high school students, five credits of elective choices are recommended. By eliminating the senior project, students will get one more elective choice. Six credits of elective choices is still choice. And they already have choice within the existing program of fourth-year social studies electives. In addition, the claim that Policy 4540 will offer more choice is false because it is based on unrealistic models of course offerings. As the BOE should know, the number and types of courses that can be offered at any given school are based on the way teachers are hired. And electives are actually allocated at schools. (See the White Paper posted by Aloha POSSE.) An additional problem is that the DOE has not yet defined what is meant by a “proficiency-based equivalent,” which is a major component of the new graduation requirements. The public needs to know what a proficiency based equivalent looks like in each of the subject areas, and how long it would take the DOE to develop a policy about proficiency based equivalents. Until they do, the BOE is committing itself to a vote on something that has yet to be developed by the DOE. Some have surmised that the thinking behind the recommendations for the new diploma in Policy 4540 are that it is more rigorous. But this is also a false assumption. The current BOE recognition diploma/Step Up diploma is more rigorous. The current diploma requires four credits of math: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or its equivalent (because of common core, which allows the creation of new course that might supplant Algebra II); three credits of science including two lab sciences; four credits of Language Arts; and a half-credit that is expository ... plus the senior project. In total, the BOE recognition/Step Up diploma has 25 credits including a senior project. For full details, see the graduation requirements here and the Step Up diploma here. Compared to the Policy 4540, the current BOE recognition diploma/Step Up diploma requires one more credit of math and social studies, including a senior project. (Science and language arts are the same.)  This is the first time since 1967, when citizens of Hawaii voted to elect the BOE rather than have a Board appointed by the governor—a decision we reversed in the last election—that a governor-appointed school board will make a major decision of this magnitude or affecting so many students (now 180,000).  The elimination of the social studies elective and the PID course, with the addition of one more elective, weakens the DOE’s ability to achieve their vision for Hawaii’s students. Our graduates are expected to “possess the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to contribute positively and compete in a global society; exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.” It is the responsibility of the new, appointed BOE to demonstrate their commitment to the ideals of democracy and to the welfare of our state and of its students by voting the proposal down as soon as possible. News Culture Community Saturday, August 20 2011 12:26 AM /story/city-to-smoke-test-kaneohe-sewers /story/city-to-smoke-test-kaneohe-sewers KANEOHE—The City’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) will smoke test a portion of the wastewater collection system in the Punawai area of Kaneohe from August 9 to 12. The daytime testing, which may last up to a week, is part of ENV’s preventative maintenance program to prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system. ENV crews pump smoke into sewer pipes, examine whether smoke escapes and record its location. The smoke used is non-toxic, harmless and minimal odor. The smoke is neither a fire hazard nor health hazard to humans or pets. Tests locate broken pipes, illegal connections, open cleanouts and other paths for runoff to enter the sewer system. Runoff from heavy rain can overwhelm and surcharge the sewer system and treatment plants, causing sanitary sewer overflows. Residents and affected businesses will be notified by mail and door notices a few days before testing begins. In addition, ENV will notify Fire and Police communications centers at the beginning of each testing day. News Culture Community Friday, August 5 2011 9:15 PM /story/city-smoke-testing-sewer-pipes-in-kaneohe-this-week /story/city-smoke-testing-sewer-pipes-in-kaneohe-this-week HONOLULU—The City’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) will smoke test a portion of the wastewater collection system in Waikapoki from Tuesday, July 26 to Friday, July 29. The daytime testing is part of ENV’s preventative maintenance program to prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system. ENV crews pump smoke into sewer pipes, examine whether smoke escapes and record its location. The smoke used is non-toxic, harmless, and has minimal odor. The smoke is neither a fire hazard nor health hazard to humans or pets. Tests locate broken pipes, illegal connections, open cleanouts and other paths for runoff to enter the sewer system. Runoff from heavy rain can overwhelm and surcharge the sewer system and treatment plants, causing sanitary sewer overflows. Residents and affected businesses will be notified by mail and door notices a few days before testing begins. In addition, ENV will notify Fire and Police communications centers at the beginning of each testing day. News Culture Community Tuesday, July 26 2011 1:29 AM /story/hawaii-conservation-week-kicks-off-with-a-family-fishing-sunday /story/hawaii-conservation-week-kicks-off-with-a-family-fishing-sunday HONOLULU—During the last week of July, the State of Hawaii observes Conservation Week in recognition of the need to take care of Hawaii’s unique natural environment. Next week marks Hawaii’s fifth annual Conservation Week, coordinated by the Hawaii Conservation Alliance. Events throughout the week aim to increase public awareness of key conservation issues affecting Hawaii’s lands and seas and unite the islands’ leadership in identifying conservation-related priorities of statewide significance. “Hawaii is blessed with a magnificent natural environment and abundant resources,” said T. ‘Aulani Wilhelm, chair of the Hawaii Conservation Alliance. “Living amid such beauty is a constant reminder of the role we play as stewards of the land and sea, responsible for ensuring that these resources will be enjoyed for many generations to come.” This year’s Conservation Week kicks off on Sunday July 24 with a free family fishing day at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe. Other events include: · A Natural Treasures of Hawaii Lecture featuring Assistant State Soil Scientist Cynthia Stiles from the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service. · An art exhibit opening reception showcasing Maui-based painter and park ranger Melissa Chimera’s Splendor: Portraits of the Natural World and Honolulu-based nature writer and poet Adele Ne Jame, who will read poems inspired by the remote Hawaiian wilderness from her new book The South Wind. The two artists will also share from their collaboration Land and Spirit commissioned by the Sharjah 2009 Biennial. · A Hawaii Conservation Volunteer Fair, where participants can shop for volunteer opportunities to help Hawaii’s natural environment. The full Conservation Week calendar can be seen at www.hawaiiconservation.org/2011hcw. News Culture Community Friday, July 22 2011 10:46 PM /story/the-greenest-home-in-hawaii-come-see-for-yourself /story/the-greenest-home-in-hawaii-come-see-for-yourself KANEOHE—The doors will be opening to what’s been touted as “the greenest home in Hawaii.” The public is invited to see the home on July 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 45-610 Huinawai Place in Kaneohe. The home was designed by Archipelago Hawaii and built by Mokulua Woodworking Ltd. Visitors to the open house can learn firsthand about the many green design and construction options implemented during this project that includes a custom photovoltaic system designed and installed by RevoluSun. The home has been awarded the National Green Building Standards GOLD level by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) a first for any home in Hawaii. Mokulua Woodworking partnered with Archipelago Hawaii, creating a “green team” to design and build the home. “At first we were apprehensive to ’Go Green’ because we thought it could lead to cost overruns and sacrifices in design,” said Kenny Arakawa, homeowner. “We were amazed at how affordable green building could be with the right designer-builder team, with long-term savings on energy and water.” In 2007, NAHB and the International Code Council (ICC) partnered to establish a much-needed and nationally recognizable standard definition of green building, called the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS). It is the first and only residential green building rating system to undergo the full consensus process and receive approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Standard defines green building for single- and multifamily homes, residential remodeling projects, and site development projects while still allowing for the flexibility required for regionally appropriate best green practices. This NGBS Standard awards four levels of certification: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald, based on points earned in seven different categories: 1.    Lot design, preparation and development 2.    Resource efficiency 3.    Energy efficiency 4.    Water efficiency 5.    Indoor environmental quality 6.    Operation, maintenance and builder/owner education 7.    Additional points from any category Unlike LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design) certification administered by the United States Green Building Counsel (USBGC), which does not require a project to earn points in every category to achieve LEED status, the NGBS Standard requires the project to place with a minimum of points in every single category. “The NGBS standard ensures the home project is holistically a green project, as the project is rated on all seven categories and must score a certain amount of points in each category to qualify,” said Michael Fairall, owner of Mokulua Woodworking, Ltd. The 3,000-square-foot, two-story home took four months for Archipelago Hawaii to design. Deconstruction of the original one-story, 1,500-square-foot home on the 11,509-square-foot lot began in February and Mokulua Woodworking completed the project in June. Some of the sustainable design and construction elements include: Materials ·      A custom-designed 4.8 kW PV system powered by 15 SunPower 320 panels. The most efficient panels in the world, this system offsets 8,516 tons of carbon from entering the atmosphere annually and saves the equivalent of 622 trees planted. Over the life of the system, the Arakawa family can expect to save $97,376 that they would have had to pay to the utility (based on today’s price of electricity with a very conservative annual average escalation of 5.9 percent). ·      The inside of the home includes all LED-recessed lighting, and all appliances and fixtures are Energy Star-rated. ·      Mokulua also used pre-engineered materials such as structural beams, I-beams, trusses, which allows for as little waste as possible when the items arrive to the site ready for construction. ·      The construction team made all trim items from recycled materials. ·      Mokulua also used an engineered truss system to allow for very little waste for roofing. ·      Construction crews used a Pro-rock material for the drywall, which is a partially recycled drywall. This product provides for a good breathability factor with very little off-gassing. Meanwhile, the carpet is post-consumer product with recycled fibers and a laminate flooring that is 80 – 85 percent post consumer product. Site Prep/ Deconstruction/Construction ·      Before the job start, Mokulua crews roped off areas that were to be off limits as to not disturb the existing vegetation. In addition, there was a very stringent schedule to pour the base slab, to get on and off the site within 12 days. This was extremely important in minimizing runoff. ·      During deconstruction, the Mokulua team was able to save a large number of the original structural beams. Most of these were used to create the back lanai. ·      Every week the Mokulua crew recycled all plastic, cardboard and wood during the build out. ·      Mokulua contractors also saved any metal items and recycled all wood scraps for nailers, etc. ·      In addition to saving and re-using as much wood items as possible, Mokulua crews framed the home in a way to minimize lumber. For example, by creating equal-sized rooms in increments of 16 inches, Mokulua was able to use less 2x4 boards. The Mokulua team took into consideration that plywood comes in 8-foot-sheets, so by designing 9-foot exteriors, Mokulua Woodworking was able to use a full sheet of plywood every time. In fact, due to the careful design, during the entire job Mokulua crews only created one, 40-foot container of waste.  Compared to other home construction jobs that create four to six 40-foot containers of waste, this is truly significant. ·      A stormwater and conservation plan was implemented early on to ensure efficient and natural water management during and after construction.  Natural irrigation procedures were also implemented to offset a pressurized irrigation system. Design ·      Archipelago Hawaii designed the home to be completely insulated, establishing a thermal envelope that provides for very little leakage in terms of air conditioning. Meanwhile, the window design allows for cooling trade winds to ventilate the home, so that the split air conditioner for the downstairs area and the master bedroom will only need to be used a dozen times a year, further reducing the energy load. ·      Water use was also carefully considered and managed. Archipelago Hawaii designers chose all low-flow plumbing. ·      The landscaping was also developed to be sustainable in coordination with Mokulua and Stephen Haus, ASLA, who recommended only low-water, indigenous plants for the front and back yards. News Culture Community Wednesday, July 20 2011 11:26 PM /story/hawaiian-way-fund-to-host-tribal-basketball-tourney /story/hawaiian-way-fund-to-host-tribal-basketball-tourney HONOLULU—Players from around the country and Hawaii are gearing up for 3 days of basketball hosted by the Hawaiian Way Fund to raise money for cultural practitioners and to engage in good old fashioned competition. The tournament begins at the King Intermediate School gym in Kaneohe on Friday, August 19, 2011 and ends Sunday, August 21, 2011. The Hawaiian Way Fund is administered by the nonprofit Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), to support culture, language and Native lifeways. “This tournament is our favorite fundraiser during the year,” said Lilia Kapuniai, CNHA Vice President.  “It’s a fantastic fellowship of men and women from every walk of life, that are very competitive on the court, and many of them off the court, are incredible advocates of indigenous cultures.” Seventeen teams are signed up, two from Alaska, six from Indian Country and nine from the Pacific including Hawaii. Many of the teams arrive for the tournament and will stay through the week of August 22, to attend the 10th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention, scheduled through August 25 at the Hawaii Convention Center. “Over the weekend, a player might be elbowing in the paint, and a couple of days later, he’s the keynote speaker at one of the plenary sessions at the conference,” Kapuniai mused. “It’s really fun, and at the same time, we raise a little bit of money to support the Hawaiian Way Fund.” Prizes include $2,500 for 1st place and $1,000 for 2nd place in each team division, game MVP T-shirts for every game played and a $500 cash prize for men and women’s 3-point contests.  Teams that are interested in playing can download registration forms by visiting www.hawaiianwayfund.org or by emailing basketball@hawaiianwayfund.org, or contacting CNHA at (808) 596-8155. News Culture Community Tuesday, July 12 2011 9:05 PM /story/city-to-smoke-test-heeia-sewars-for-leaks /story/city-to-smoke-test-heeia-sewars-for-leaks HEEIA—The City’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) will smoke test a portion of the wastewater collection system in Heeia from July 12 to 15. The daytime testing, which may last up to a week, is part of ENV’s preventative maintenance program to prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system. ENV crews pump smoke into sewer pipes, examine whether smoke escapes and record its location. The smoke used is non-toxic, harmless and minimal odor. The smoke is neither a fire hazard nor health hazard to humans or pets. Tests locate broken pipes, illegal connections, open cleanouts, and other paths for runoff to enter the sewer system. Runoff from heavy rain can overwhelm and surcharge the sewer system and treatment plants, causing sanitary sewer overflows. Residents and affected businesses will be notified by mail and door notices a few days before testing begins. In addition, ENV will notify Fire and Police communications centers at the beginning of each testing day. The attached map illustrates the streets (in the shaded area) that will be tested. News Culture Community Friday, July 8 2011 8:08 PM /story/heeia-pier-general-store-and-deli-brings-sustainable-food-philosphy-to-an-o /story/heeia-pier-general-store-and-deli-brings-sustainable-food-philosphy-to-an-o KANEOHE—At the tip of the Heeia Pier, the old General Store and Deli has a new lessee with a refreshing take on classic plate lunch fanfare. Hundreds turned out last month for the grand reopening of Heeia Pier General Store and Deli—a place that continues to resonate in the hearts of Kaneohe residents. Taking over for the Choy family, who, after 30 years in the business hung up their aprons for good in June 2010, the Vertical Junkies—a hui of guys who run the eponymous event promotions company and who also own V Lounge Pizza—reopened the local haunt in May after an extensive renovation. Lauhala matting now crisscross along the ceiling. The interior has been opened up and the seaboard windows reveal a clear shot of the turquoise bay. And then there’s the other big change: under the helm of food maestro Mark Noguchi (formerly of Town and before that at Chef Mavro), the store’s island-style comfort food is taking a sustainable turn. For the blue collar traditionalists out there, don’t think they’ve veered away from their cheeseburgers and loco mocos. Not to worry—while trying to keep prices reasonable, Noguchi and company are now using more local and quality ingredients. All their beef is derived from cattle that munch on the pastures of Kuahiwi Ranch in Kau on Hawaii Island (a grassy diet makes for both healthier cows and meat). Their blushing tomatoes are picked from WOW Farms in Waimea. The catch of the day comes fresh off the reels of old time fishermen who launch their boats from the pier, luau leaves come from the Wongs, and the nearby Reppun family provides the kalo, which, by the way, substitutes for potatoes in all the dishes that call for it. Yep, it’s kalo mac salad now (not a bad switch, if you ask me.) “We should use what we have available here,” says Noguchi, who credits his hula student days with Halau o Kekuhi for instilling in him a respect for what the islands can provide. ”When we’d gather plants,” he says, “we would become aware of our resources. That philosophy transferred over into my cooking.” It’s unusual for someone of Noguchi’s culinary pedigree to be working at what could be called a seaside drive-in, but he’s a different kind of chef. He comes off as more of an affable and lively backyard griller than say, a Gordon Ramsey. “For some, it’s about the food,” Noguchi says, “but for me it’s about the people. This place is more me.” But that doesn’t mean he treats food here any less spectacularly—it’s not often that you hear the words “red wine reduction” and “beef stew” used in the same sentence, much less in the same recipe. Along with his fellow chef, Ricky Goings, who, besides being lauded a master on the wok, frequently belts out one of the meanest operatic baritone voices set to the tune of jabberwocky ever heard, Noguchi says he’s ready to serve with the same integrity that he has always put into his work. And apparently the same humility. “Don’t call us chefs,” Noguchi said as I woofed down a tasty smoked meat salad he tossed on the fly. “We’re just cooks.” News Culture Community Wednesday, June 22 2011 6:46 PM /story/makahiki-fun-fair-returns-to-kaneohe /story/makahiki-fun-fair-returns-to-kaneohe KANEOHE—The 36th Annual Makahiki Fun Fair returns to Kaneohe on Saturday, July 9 at the Kaneohe District Park. The fair features entertainment by summer fun and teen program participants, food, carnival games, pool rides, and activities from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  The family-oriented event is presented by the Kaneohe Lions Club in cooperation with the City Department of Parks and Recreation Kaneohe Complex. Since 1975, the Makahiki Fun Fair has provided wholesome activities and enjoyment for families in the Kaneohe area.  Proceeds from the event go to support recreation programs in the Kaneohe Complex.  For more information contact Linda Liu at (808) 233-7306. 36th Annual Makahiki Fun Fair Saturday, July 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Kaneohe District Park 45-660 Keaahala Rd. News Culture Community Monday, June 20 2011 8:35 PM /story/heavy-rains-caused-kaneohe-sewage-spills-over-weekend /story/heavy-rains-caused-kaneohe-sewage-spills-over-weekend KANEOHE — The City’s Department of Environmental Services responded 0to two sanitary sewer overflows in Kaneohe over the weekend. ENV received a call at 9:50 p.m. regarding homes backing up at 243 and 247 Mikiola Drive.  Heavy rains and stormwater inundated the collection system causing two private cleanouts to release approximately 1,400 gallons of untreated wastewater into a storm drain that leads to Kaneohe Bay. Also, wet weather overwhelmed and caused manholes at Kaneohe Pretreatment Facility to discharge an estimated 30,000 gallons of untreated wastewater between 10:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. into Kawa Stream, which leads to Kaneohe Bay. ENV notified the state Department of Health.  The affected areas have been cleaned, disinfected and deodorized. Signing and water sampling is underway.    News Culture Community Tuesday, June 7 2011 1:09 AM /story/kaneohe-roadwork-lane-closures-next-week /story/kaneohe-roadwork-lane-closures-next-week KANEOHE -  The Kahaluu bound curb lane on Kamehameha Highway at the Mehana Street intersection, near Windward Mall, will be closed 24-hours, four consecutive days starting Monday, June 6, through Thursday, June 9, due to construction of a concrete bus pad on the makai side of Kamehameha Highway. Use caution in this area. Motorists are encouraged to avoid this segment of Kamehameha Highway and use alternative routes such as Kahuhipa Street to Kahekili Highway or Kahuhipa Street to Alaloa Street to Haiku Road. The Kamehameha Highway bus stop after Mehana Street, for Kahaluu bound buses, will be temporarily relocated approximately mid-block between Haiku Road and Mehana Street. For more bus information please see www.thebus.org or call TheBus at 848-5555. News Culture Community Friday, June 3 2011 8:59 PM /story/koolaupoko-hawaiian-civic-club-celebrates-lei-day-at-windward-mall /story/koolaupoko-hawaiian-civic-club-celebrates-lei-day-at-windward-mall HONOLULU — The Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club and Windward Mall will present “Lei Day at the Mall” on Sunday, May 1, a celebration honoring the Hawaiian Lei Day tradition with music, hula and a lei making. Collaborative partners and sponsors of the event are the Hawai`i Tourism Authority, Mayor Peter Carlisle and the City & County of Honolulu, and Hawai`i Maoli. Performers will include Keale, Dwight Kana`e and Friends, the hula halau Na `Opio o Ko`olau with Michael and James Dela Cruz, the Hawaiian immersion students of Papa Makua o Puohala, and the choral group of the Ko`olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club. The lei-making contest is open to adults, teenagers and keiki, according to Koolaupoko Civic Club Vice-President Leialoha “Rocky” Kaluhiwa.  “Adult entries are open to participants from 18 years and older; youth entries are for ages 12 to 17; and keiki may enter from ages 6 to 11,” she says.  Lei-makers must be amateurs – the contest is not open to anyone who sells lei for income, according to the civic club. Adults and youth wishing to enter the lei contest should bring their completed lei to the Mall by 9 a.m. on May 1st, so that they may be registered and prepared for judging. Keiki wishing to enter the lei contest will have to prepare their lei at the mall between 10 a.m. and noon. Tables and chairs will be provided near the Center Stage area.  “We would like to have the children come in and sew or fashion their own lei right here at the Mall,” Kaluhiwa says.  The keiki will need to bring their own materials (flowers and/or greens) to make their lei. All lei must be made from natural materials gathered from the Ko`olaupoko area from Kualoa to Waimanalo, according to the civic club.  Thread, string, yarn or ribbon will be allowed for lei prepared in the kui (needle and thread) style.  All styles of lei-making – haku, wili or kui – will be accepted in the contest. Demonstrations of lei-making and exhibits featuring major projects and cultural activities in Ko`olaupoko will also be available throughout the day. For more information or to register for the lei contest, contact Rocky Kaluhiwa, ph. 286-7955 or via e-mail, rockyfromheeia@aol.com.     News Culture Community Friday, April 29 2011 5:42 PM /story/city-to-hold-kaneohe-waimanalo-stream-cleanups /story/city-to-hold-kaneohe-waimanalo-stream-cleanups HONOLULU—In celebration of Earth Day, the City’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) is conducting two Adopt-A-Stream cleanups this Saturday, April 23 in Kaneohe and Waimanalo. Check in for both events is at 8:00 a.m. Volunteers for the Kaneohe (Kawa Stream) event should check in at Castle High, below the HECO substation on Kaneohe Bay Drive. Those wishing to participate in the Waimanalo (Kahawai Stream) cleanup should check in near Weinberg Village on Kalanianaole Highway. The cleanups run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  ENV, who partners with numerous businesses, schools, public officials, the State, and military, provides general oversight of volunteer safety, supplies, trash bag disposal, education, outreach and enforcement in adopted areas. Volunteers need to sign a release form at check-in. Participants should bring water, wear a hat, old shoes, sunscreen and dress to get dirty. For a release form or more information on ENV’s storm water community service activities, visit www.cleanwaterhonolulu.com or call Iwalani Sato, Storm Water Community Relations Specialist, at (808) 768-3248.  News Culture Community Wednesday, April 20 2011 1:06 AM /story/key-project-to-hold-land-use-drug-issues-forum-in-windward-oahu /story/key-project-to-hold-land-use-drug-issues-forum-in-windward-oahu The KEY Project will hold a community meeting tonight in Windward Oahu to discuss land use and drug issues in the area. The meeting will also celebrate the life of Hawaii sumo wrestler Percy Kipapa, who was stabbed to death in May of 2005 by an ice dealer who had 31 prior arrests and was out on bail at the time of the murder. The book Big Happiness (UH Press, 2011) seeks to explain how this could have happened, and explores Hawaii’s past, spanning several decades of recent local history and delving into the multiple causes leading to our current crystal meth epidemic—causes ranging from the Great Mahele, to the mid-1970s Windward land battles, to the construction of H-3, to the political grandstanding that substituted for real attempts to address Hawaii’s drug problem throughout the first decade of the millennium. A celebration of Percy Kipapa and public forum on land-use and drug issues will include speakers from the community and refreshments. The parents, other family, and friends of Kipapa will attend. For more information, visit http://www.keyproject.org/keyproject. KEY Project community meeting Friday, April 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 47-200 Waihee Road, Kahuluu News Culture Community Friday, April 15 2011 8:39 PM /story/slack-key-master-stephen-inglis-at-wards-rafters-saturday /story/slack-key-master-stephen-inglis-at-wards-rafters-saturday Singer/songwriter Stephen Inglis, whose Slackin’ On Dylan album has won the 2011 Hawaii Music Award for Folk Album of the Year, will perform at Ward’s Rafters on Saturday, April 16 at a solo concert that will bring a blend of traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and the artist’s own folk and kihoalu compositions to the intimate residential Kaimuki venue. It’s safe to assume that some of his deft interpretations of Dylan will also be shared. Inglis is recently back from Austin, Texas, where he performed at the Red Gorilla Music Festival. He will perform for Lei Day, May 1 at the California Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Inglis has played regularly with other slack key luminaries such as Dennis Kamakahi and Makana. For more information, visit www.stepheninglis.com. Stephen Inglis Saturday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. Ward’s Rafters 3810 Maunaloa Avenue News Culture Community Thursday, April 14 2011 9:59 PM /story/land-and-development-for-koolaupoko-knowing-the-past-shaping-the-future /story/land-and-development-for-koolaupoko-knowing-the-past-shaping-the-future When: Monday, April 18th, 6:00-7:30 pm Where: Windward Community College Akoakoa Room #105 Join us for a panel discussion with business, cultural, preservation, agricultural, and civic leaders who will share their perspectives on and real experiences in the history of land development on the Windward side, and discuss together as a community some of the current development debates, including those surrounding Lā‘ie. This event is based on the idea that we must know the past in order to make the best decisions for our shared future in Ko‘olaupoko. All are welcome to attend. Moderated by The Hawai‘i Independent. For more information, see http://thevalueofhawaii.com or call 808-358-0871. Sponsored by The Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities, The Hawaii Independent, and The Center for Biographical Research. This event is made possible with generous support from Windward Community College. Speaker Bios: Alice P. Hewett is the current president of the Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club and has spent over forty years working with Police Activities League (PAL) and youth athletics in the Kāne‘ohe area. She is a kupa ‘āina (grassroots) resident of Kāne‘ohe and the mother of Kumu Hula Frank Hewett. Leialoha “Rocky” Kaluhiwa, vice-president of the Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, has spent most of her life as a community advocate, most notably working to preserve the rural lands of Ko‘olaupoko for agriculture and open space. A longtime member of the Kahalu‘u Neighborhood Board, she also monitors and advocates for protecting Kāne‘ohe Bay. Herb Lee, Jr. has long been involved with organizations that protect and preserve environment resources, culture, and the arts. He is the president of Lee Communications, Inc. since 1988, founder of the Waikalua Loko Fishpond Preservation Society in 1995, president of Aloha First International, and past president of the Kaneohe Business Group and Kaneohe Rotary Club. He is current chair of the Pohai Nani Advisory Board since 2000, and since 2005, executive director of the Pacific American Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help improve the lives of all Pacific Islanders. Herb is also a professional musician, songwriter, and recording artist. Davianna Pōmaika‘i McGregor is a Professor and founding member of Ethnic Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Dr. McGregor is a historian of Hawai‘i and the Pacific. She lives in Kaiwi‘ula, O‘ahu and Ho‘olehua, Moloka‘i, and helps steward Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe as a member of the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana. Her book, Nā Kua‘āina: Living Hawaiian Culture (U of Hawai‘i P, 2007) focuses on Hawaiian cultural customs, beliefs, and practices in cultural kīpuka. John Reppun is the director of KEY Project in Kahalu‘u. News Culture Community Monday, April 11 2011 8:49 AM /story/thieves-steal-thousands-of-dollars-of-equipment-from-loi-restoration-projec /story/thieves-steal-thousands-of-dollars-of-equipment-from-loi-restoration-projec HONOLULU—A major taro restoration project in He`eia was hard hit over the weekend by the theft of most of its equipment and supplies. The project, Mahuahua Ai o Hoi, was initiated by the non-profit Kako`o `Oiwi and is a collaborative effort with the Hawai`i Community Development Authority, Nature Conservancy, Ko`olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club and others to restore over 400 acres of land to productivity. Thieves broke through a security gate and used blowtorches to open locked containers early this morning, making off with thousands of dollars worth of equipment and supplies and a pickup truck that had been donated to the project. “This is a really tough blow to all of us working on this project,” said Kanekoa Kukea-Shultz, executive director of Kako`o `Oiwi. “We have many volunteers who have put in long hours of hard work to clear this acreage and plant taro for the community.” The restoration project is aimed at repairing environmental damage and replacing alien vegetation with native plants and food crops on the HCDA land formerly belonging to Kamehameha Schools and once targeted for major urban development. The non-profit received a 38-year lease on the property from HCDA, and is working on master planning and permitting requirements to proceed with full implementation of the restoration work. An estimated $5,000 worth of equipment was lost, including chain saws, weed whackers, water pumps, Craftsman’s tools, and a 20x40 tent used for meetings with project partners, government officials and prospective funders. Also taken was a used green Chevy King Cab pickup truck that was donated to the project to assist with transporting tools to various locations where volunteers were working. Anyone having knowledge of the whereabouts of these tools is urged to contact Kako`o `Oiwi at (808) 235-8111 or the Honolulu Police Department. News Culture Community Monday, March 21 2011 9:32 PM