Much respects going out to the KGMB9, the Honolulu Advertiser and OHA for a spirited yet good debate last night between the candidates running for Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. I wish more time could have been spent on more subjects. Too bad; another debate of the same type would be good for all of us. The majority of the debate was spent on Rail and Infrastructure. That is good, but we need to hear more about landfills, growth and our homeless situation; and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

I realize however that this is television, and you need to have the hardest biggest things answered. We got that last night. Rail - Do we need it, will it do the job? Will it do more than just get us from one place to another as it may have additional economic benefits around where the stations are (additional places of businesses and residences by where stops are) as well as downfalls? Plus one thing that last night showed: There is a manipulation of information. That's what you learn in statistics. How to interpret the numbers. There are many ways you can make the numbers support what you are saying. I believe that Panos believes what he is saying based on the numbers. I believe Mufi believes what he is saying based on the numbers. Question we need answered is which numbers "in reality" are the ones that represent or benefit us?

Ann did strike a chord with new technology in regards to the rail, Mufi did strike a chord with needing to do this NOW and not wait another 26 years. Panos did strike a chord with needing to watch the costs of all things. In response to those thoughts, I'm sure Mufi and prior administrators and studies have looked at all of those possibilities. I think all think we need to do things now, but not all it seems have solutions (Ann-she was maybe this would work, or maybe that would work.) and I'm sure Mufi and Ann wants to watch the cost of things as well...but that was what stood out as one left the debate that you would remember.

Conclusion: If I had to vote now on what I saw last night, Mufi would be our next Mayor. Ann should continue to be in the City Council as she is a voice that needs to be heard. Not all will agree with the Mayor or all the other City Council people. I'm sure Ann is honest and hardworking. She has over 25 years devoted to public service. That in itself is awesome. From experience working with others in Washington, State Capitol, DBED I'd go Mufi...and taking into consideration that the sewer break in Waikiki (Ala Wai dumping) was during Mufi's watch; yes...but that was inherited. Other sewers and infrastructure items were inherited. Panos: If he's got so many damned good ideas, why hasn't someone put him on the payroll to help with the problems we've got?

Thoughts on development: No one answered the questions. Mufi/Ann/Panos said that would watch or are watching it. Which means that the people that are supposed to be doing it are doing their job. (Doing it good or bad is another question) What we need to do is find out what THEY are doing and what their priorities are.

Thoughts on Rail: They've been trying to do this damn thing for years. When it becomes time to have hearings on it....NO ONE FU#K*%& shows up. Then when they put it up for vote or push it thru 'cause they've got the money earmarked for it, then everyone says "Stop! We haven't voted on this!! WAIT!" Well you know what? If you got involved in the first place, if you went out to vote then you would have some reason to grumble. If you didn't go to the meetings, if you didn't vote in the last election, don't grumble. Now that someone is trying to do SOMETHING about it, everyone raises their hands. Sheesh :(

(Apologies about the colorful metaphors. I just get so darned upset when all of a sudden a 26 year issue to everyone seems like it was railroaded (LOL I made a joke) down their throats. Get INVOLVED!)

Thoughts on homeless: There are those that are transplants - those that were given one way tickets to come to Hawaii to not be homeless somewhere else. There are those that want to live on the beach or be homeless, and that have been out there so long that their children now understand what it is to be homeless and don't know why people are trying to get them off the beaches. We have to find ways to reach them, because they don't want to be reached.
The others want to do better and just need help. That's where the government (city, state, federal) and non-profit get involved. But it's that above group that I'm wondering: How do we reach them or help them when they don't want to be helped?

Landfill: Thank you Westside of O'ahu for bearing our 'opala all this time. You've done enough. We must start to think of other places to put it. But NO ONE wants it in their backyard!! :P

Here we go with today's subjects of interest:

Takeover at the Palace: When/If there ever becomes a point where there is another government other than the one currently in place (US Government, State of Hawai'i, City and County etc...), I am hopeful that they are benevolent, intelligent, have respect for others, non-violent and hope they have a plan. In my PERSONAL opinion, none of that was seen last Friday. They way they they seem to be going about this whole thing just makes everyone look bad. Someone should have an economic plan... Especially how things are with the economy being where it is.

OLYMPIC GAMES - Micheal Phelps: Whoa what a machine. Setting the bar for new heights. Awesome. Natasha Kai: We're behind you girl. Go show them what you got....and show them tattoos!! Women's Volleyball: 5 girls with Hawaii ties. You're on a roll. Hang tight...trust each other. Can't wait to see Bryan Clay in action...

Little League Team: Proud of them. They're doing awesome. They are playing this morning. They're doing excellent!!

Slack Key: The State of Slack Key is GOOD. Slack Key is getting more and more exposure. SK is also becoming more and more part of the mainstream of music as the exposure grows. The amount of students that are wanting to learn this artform is growing. SK has gotten to the point where there are different genre within SK with jazz, spanish, flamanco, blues flavors. The main concern amongst Kiho'alu SK players is that the "essence" of SK be passed along. Not just that it's a bunch of tunings that make it SK, but there is an aloha, a humbleness about SK; something that makes it "nahenahe". Makana mentioned yesterday while I interviewed him that the more he ventures and explores more aspects of music, the more it forces him to explore the roots of kiho'alu. Bobby Moderow went on a length sharing with us about how Uncle Raymond Kane would spend 1/2 of the time with guitar and technique, the other half of the time talking story ABOUT kiho'alu; the why's and how of what he learned, where the mele came from, what playing SK should feel like. Kiho'alu comes from the islands, and the artists who play kiho'alu are trying to make sure everyone knows where kiho'alu comes from, how it came about, and how to continue to perpetuate it.

More tomorrow...hope you're having a good day!!

billyv

Way to go Paris! I'm not really into Paris, but the people who put that together? They should be running the campaigns of the Presidential Candidates. Absolutely Hilarious. Chalk one up for Paris (I can't believe I'm cheering for something she did, but you gotta admit, she school'd the boys)

Someone put the State and the HSTA with boxing gloves and put them in the ring. Let them have at it so we can go back to our merry lives and get the dispute done and over with. We as parents and taxpayers care about the safety of our children (first) and their continuing education (second). If the teachers aren't doing drugs, they won't mind getting tested. I'm guessing that's what the majority of people want. Too bad a few bad apples spoil everything for the majority of our wonderful, hardworking, caring teachers that have determination and the trust of us parents.

from the YAY column:

Colt Brennan: I haven't gotten so excited to watch an NFL in the last couple of years, as I was watching Colt go into the Hall of Fame game this past Sunday. He looked comfortable, he looked good. But if the coach says you got lots to learn; learn all you can from Zorn. Take your time and pay your dues...don't get impatient. It will all come with patience and time. But I don't think that's anything Colt needs to hear.....he already knows.

Natasha Kai: She starts her run for Olympic Gold today, two days before the Opening Ceremonies. The most decorated athlete to come out of Kahuku High School, with awards thru her collegiate career and now on the cusp of the world's largest sports stage. Go get 'um girl...and enjoy the experience...

Warrior Football Team: Working hard with Fall Camp as the countdown continues towards Florida. The pieces are falling into place. Working hard during the off season starts to payoff. Fans getting ready to tailgate and Aloha Stadium coming to life with football season. Are you ready to "Get into the Game"?

Wahine Volleyball: word is that the NCAA may go to a 25 point game system. It now stands at 30. Not too thrilled with that. I can imagine neither is Dave Shoji. Haven't seen the SSC crew yet...will probably drop by next week as we get geared up for vball.

Parker McLachlin: Couldn't be happier for his PGA Tour win. Couldn't have happened to a nicer family also. Hold on to your hats everyone....I have a feeling it's just the beginning for Parker!!

Gabby Pahinui Waimanalo Kanikapila: Thia Saturday...the list of musicians is HUGE...it's going to be awesome. I'm headed out there this Saturday...

I'm sure I'll have more opinions tomorrow for you...in the meantime...have a wonderful day!!

billyv

Well...we've got a new system here on the website, so that means I have to put a first entry :) First things first; I'm liking the new website...it's making it easier for us to put things up on the 'net faster. Mahalo to our web people for getting this done.