Fave Podcast: The Thomas Jefferson Hour

It was 1996, when the book Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West came out, that I found myself gettin’ into T.J. History always seems more enjoyable in the form of a story, and this journey’s written in such a way that it sweeps you up in characters and visuals and the feeling you’re there with them. It brings forth the excitement of discovery, the Age of Exploration, with all the intricacies of planning and packing and documenting the adventure. I was living in Los Angeles at the time and recall, upon completing the book, taking long treks from the West Side to Downtown into the bowels of the downtown library scouring through dusty tombs of pseudo-ancient reference texts on Lewis and Clark (that Stephen Ambrose probably utilized to write his book). But it wasn’t until iTunes and podcasts when I delved much further into the man who not only manifested the expedition, but played an enlightened founding father role in the vision and creation of the United States of America. And I didn’t do it bored in school, but through the internet via The Thomas Jefferson Hour. History, it seems, can also be more enjoyable when you delve deep into character.

Without getting into too much detail, the host, author and scholar Clay Jenkins, plays the role of Thomas Jefferson for the first half of the “interview”, and the second half it’s Clay himself, giving some explanations, of how things were then, and how it relates in the present day. How Thomas Jefferson (yes born into slave ownership, yes not quite into women’s rights) was then and how he would have acclimated in the modern world. How the Constitution (of which Jefferson, being in Paris at the time, was not a part of*) and government was meant to evolve (or be torn up and re-written every some-odd-years - though can you imagine entrusting our current Patriot Act signing, Bill of Rights ignoring, warmongering leaders to do it?). You get a good Libertarian wiff, of what being a “Republican” then really meant (not particularly what today’s Conservatives might want to believe). The importance of the concept of revolution, and the need to revolt when a government gets too overbearing and no longer works for the people (all good stuff to immerse oneself in, if Bush confused you about the role of the President. Or if the political climate has gotten you curious but at the same time bored with rhetoric, speeches, egos**).

Anyway, he’s high IQ (or brain sexy), quick (and quick-witted) while maintaining poise and if I were apt to do a Sassy 100 list today, certainly Thomas Jefferson and Clay Jenkins would be on it. If you’ve never listened to the Thomas Jefferson Hour before, you have an endless number of podcasts to catch up with, available via The Thomas Jefferson Hour site or to download via iTunes (or check out a few videos of Clay in action at the “35 Words” web site). I may be exposing too much here, but one of my dreams is to go on one of Clay’s Tours, like his Lewis and Clark Summer Tour coming July 30-August 7, 2009: “Take your own journey down the Lewis and Clark Trail with scholar Clay Jenkinson. A rewarding eight day vacation as enlightening as it is entertaining. You will canoe down the White Cliffs of the Missouri and hike the memorable Nez Perce trails of Lewis and Clark in the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho.” Seriously, gives this surfer girl goosebumps.

* Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and, as a proponent of individual rights (notable when in 1779 he introduced a then controversial Virginia bill on religious liberty), was greatly dismayed the Constitution (in 1787) didn’t include an essential Bill of Rights. Though the Bill of Rights was written by James Madison, Jefferson (along with popular sentiment) inspired its accomplishment (which was, after great debate, finally enacted four years after the constitution was written). “[A] bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse.” - Thomas Jefferson December 20, 1787

** Jefferson never campaigned to become the third president. First he was too gentlemanly. Second, he was never desirous of the stress and attention in being the country’s leader (though he certainly made good use of it when he was inevitably elected to the position). The general idea, if your ego was such that you would stoop to going around telling people you were the man (or woman) to lead them, then you probably weren’t the right person for the job.

Surfing the Tsunami

Every so often, when a tsunami warning or incident occurs, talk ensues about the history and potential calamities of the next tsunami to hit the Hawai’i Islands. One of the quandries debated among the surfing community is what one should do if a tsunami takes place while out in the water (only people who do not surf -and usually into superhero fantasies- imagine the “wave” as potentially “surfable”). While the impetus generating these natural disasters often occurs at a great enough distance to where there is a few hours warning time (and at least here sirens around the islands would give proper notice), some tsunami that are generated locally could hit within a matter of minutes, leaving little time to react.

While working on an article for another “publication”, I decided to slide the question in to Dr. Stuart Weinstein, Asst. Director at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center located on Oahu:

If a surfer is out in the water and the tide starts sucking out, should they paddle out to sea, or inland and hope to make it to high ground in time?

Dr. Stuart’s reply: “I don’t know if there is an expert answer to this, and the question hasn’t been put to me before. For a destructive tsunami that produces a strong draw-down, you might well exhaust yourself paddling against the draw-down to get back to “dry” land. Even if you were successful in getting out of the water, you would then have to traverse the newly expose muddy sea-floor as quickly as possible. You have maybe 20 minutes to complete this, sometimes more, sometimes less. The alternative, going out to sea, isn’t more attractive in my opinion. If you don’t get out to sea far enough, the tsunami that comes following the draw down will simply carry you with it; in this case your chances are not very good either. If you’re fairly close to the coast when the draw-down starts your best bet is to head to shore. Other than that, it seems there are no good options here.”

Well, I always imagined paddling towards deep water was the best bet (besides incited chompin’ sharks occasionally invading the imagery). At least it seemed the more romantic option — perhaps influenced by my fave tsunami story, of the school teacher from Laupahoehoe who got carried out to sea by that 1960 tsunami and was rescued via boat by her future husband… but there you go.

My New Lover, Tudou

our pick for best streaming television and movies sites… with links…but you must read on…

When I was growing up, unless by accident, emergency or there were no other options, we never bought anything made in China, Taiwan, etc. My father had his rules, and besides not getting our ears pierced for fear of getting kicked out of the house, we were smart not to break them (okay, mom, sis and I broke that one so he couldn’t kick us all out…). But you know, the righteous, moral, core value rules…at least we tried as a family to adhere to those. He wasn’t racist, it was that fascist regimes, dictatorships, child labor, slave labor, sweat shops, and the destruction of the entire American manufacturing industry were important issues to consider before making a purchase. By buying these products, you were supporting: the government that allowed such practices, the businessmen who profited at others expense, the lose of people’s jobs, the suffering of many…. A lot different than walking into Wal*Mart and filling up a basket; we had to check every label - meaning there would have been next to nothing we could have been able to buy at most of those corporate chains.

But right now, I have to admit, I’m totally addicted to something from China. Surely it’s less of a moral issue, than boycotting the Beijing Olympics because of Sudan or Tibet (my heart is with you). I’m simply clicking on a web site… no money is exchanging hands… is that so wrong?

Okay, maybe it’s a little more than that, I am in love. And look, I don’t throw the term around willy-nilly (well, only so much as a school-girl does…). And I didn’t realize my love until two days ago when I couldn’t connect with…him. He was out, at the doctors, getting maintenance I suppose, but I was on the Season Two finale of “Life On Mars” and jonesing! I had to cheat on him with TV-Okay. But he’s back now, and he excused my dalliances. I don’t understand his foreign tongue, the strange symbols. I have to pretend I can read Chinese, so we can communicate. Daddy, you’ll like him, his name is TUDOU.

First I’ll mention, I have never had cable in my life. Okay, wait, think we had Showtime for one year when I was a kid. Back then, ehem, you purchased each cable station individually, and there were only a few. But since then, every cable show I have watched is because I was visiting someone and they had the TV on, or later when I would housesit or petsit for someone with a television. I gave up on television, or at least having one in my home, after becoming obsessed with Twin Peaks. I realized it controlled me, having to be home to watch, a certain day, certain hour (no Tivo back then, just fuzzy VHS recordings). Sure, it didn’t stop us from doing the I Hate Brenda Newsletter and on occasion I’d borrow one for specific reasons (LA riots, sanity, business purposes…).

But me and TV’s - I can’t accomplish as much when they are in my life, perpetually on in the background as they seem to end up, brainwashing with low-IQ information and vibes. I prefer a player with no regular television source attached, or better yet something that could play whatever my heart desired, on demand, whether it be movie, tv shows, anime…. My multi-tasking-self likes viewing it on my Mac, ’cause I can do some of the more mundane research, writing, design work, emailing while it’s playing in a box in the corner. On top of that — American commercials suck! And I dislike watching repeats. Or god-forbid a sitcom. Waiting ’til next week cliffhangers are a bore - when you can watch the whole season in a row! I don’t wanna deal with picking or dropping off at the post office my Netflix. Or the dregs of downloading off Limewire (unless it’s to watch later when one is no longer online - tho with most streaming sites you can let the stream load, keep the window open, and watch later without using up much precious hard drive space). Considering these scenarios, it’s just sooo easy to get addicted to free streaming video - the immediate satisfaction kine love I’m talking about!

It’s been hard though, as the crack down on streaming sites has been intense. Just as you get comfortable, just as the relationship seems secure, its suddenly taken away from you; love shut down in its prime. They must start these up in various parts of the world with hacky pros creating complicated maneuvers to keep the powers-that-be from discovering the source. But Tudou, it’s from China… they seem to be able to get away with… just about anything!

Never heard of Tudou? Or perhaps you’ve stumbled upon it in your searches? Well, the scoop:

Tudou, Romanized Chinese for the word “Potato” - guess as in “couch”, was started in 2005. It’s the largest video sharing website in China. Take YouTube and then X’s it by 5 and that’s how many billions of minutes of video is up there (Tudou came out just before YouTube did). There aren’t the same length restrictions either. Also, the videos are streamed quickly; if your connection is good you are watching without waiting - not DivX quality but fine.

You need to play around with it in order to find your show, the searches work for shows in English because they maintain the English title, but from there you gotta get logical about the buttons you click. I’ll help get you started. (As far as technical requirements, it plays on my MacBook without any downloads…but check the wiki if you are having problems with your PC).

The trick I found to finding many shows -and then playing the whole season in order- is by finding registered users who upload things I enjoy watching. So if I do a search for a certain show, instead of just clicking the link, I look at who is supplying it, check their home page, and snoop out some of their other offerings. The best shows the whole series in a scrollbar format and they play one after the other. So you can watch from episode one, season one through the last show that aired, in a continuous playback. (Two tips: If you’re in the middle of streaming a show, don’t disconnect until the whole thing has streamed to your machine; otherwise you’ll have to start from the beginning the next time, and sometimes after you’ve streamed it part way it won’t let you reload from the same source…I don’t know why and there may be ways around it).

Best of video (movie/TV) streaming sites to check out:

Tudou • Youku • TV Okay • TV Links • 66 Stage • Veoh (need player, avoid “clips only” / previews) • Link Reel • ShareTV • Show Links • TU • Project Free TV • Videostic • Hulu • Joox • Just Vids • Kumfumble

Will update as they come and go, so if you have any to add, let us know! Note: some link to different source sites [most to Tudou or Youku], stating that they don’t “host any videos” to avoid legalities; a few require players; some show 5 minute previews so check the number of play minutes and avoid! Might also want to avoid the sexy-time links. Certain sites require you to register - but I tried not to list many of those. Also note, most “just released” flicks are likely video’d in the theater!

• • • • •

To get you started on Tudou, my fave uploader’s home pages:

37° Bones • Sheraystar

• • • • •

Sometimes it’s easiest to go to the source - certain channels have their own players where they’ll show you the last few episodes - or for shows like “Lost” the last few seasons. Only the ABC’s player is any good (though it’s been crashing Firefox lately) but it seems the others have tried to make improvements.

ABC • CBS • NBC

• • • • •

And, just cause I luv U too, a few faves to catch up on - with easy direct links:

Life On Mars: My absolutely new favorite (okay, it’s a couple years old; 1/2006 - 4/2007) Time travel / mental breakdown / coma hallucination cop show. It’s so brilliant that I hate David Kelly for even thinking about remaking the dumbed-down American version. Just let it be!!!! Thankfully the British stars declined to participate! (Though a movie version is a possibility… I wouldn’t mind that. But what would it do to the ambiguous ending?!?). I love the actors/characters, dynamic relationships, the intensity, the spit-quick dialogue, the questioned reality. Makes you realize how brain activity is more mainstream for the populous elsewhere in the world. I like morphed analogies, but, hmm, Barney Miller plus Trainspotting plus Fight Club plus some ’70s English glam rock…. or not. Friggin’ hot soundtrack! (p.s. just read on wiki a Spanish TV bought the rights for it and will remake the show and base the first season five year later in 1978 post-Franco Spain….huh? • Oh, and Ashes to Ashes… you decide if the sequel should have been done. Personally, I dislike the repeated “wink wink” jokes referencing LOM - and hard to keep up the pace and freshness of the original - but there are a few moments. Main factor for it being done at all, and in this I assume we can agree, is we all want to keep on watching Glenister).

Mad Men: As in “ad men” (as in advertising) based in the ’60s. This show irritated me at first, hard to watch what women had to go through in this weird not-that-long-ago world…. This is the email review I wrote my friend who recommended Mad Men to me, if I can be so ridiculous as to quote myself: “Reminds me of the cavemen that live here. Shows so well male species teetering on the edge of control and the facade required to maintain it. Despite the things I love and hate about it… absolutely brilliant.” (Created in 2000 by Sopranos writer Matthew Weiner -before he worked on Sopranos, but pitching it was how he landed the gig- first aired July 2007. Season 2 coming Summer 200

Nip/Tuck: I think it was my sister or my friend Pyne who said every other season of this show is good. Whatever it is, Season 5 sucked and I’d recommend avoiding it because it pulled what was an overall five star rating down a star. I avoided watching this show for so long, because of misconceived notions and avoidance of visual gore (for the sake of)… but got easily addicted and watched through all five seasons in two weeks (caution: you start dreaming theme music when you do this - also loved ones may be annoyed with your obsession.).

Hustle: British comedy started in 2004 - by third season AMC had a major stake in it. Exciting long-con plottings, fun characters, twisting stories, etc. (Conceived by Life On Mars writers; couple of the same actors make appearances and Glenister’s bro has a leading role).

Other VIP shows to catch up on: Men In Trees (sorry, I’m a woman, this sappy shit [ha, sappy!] is in the genes — better than what Sex and the City devotees are expected to move on to… Lipstick Jungle (not quite Candace!) and Cashmere Mafia - don’t thInk sooo (tho Ms. Lucy Lu, u always rock!), Freaks and Geeks (classic, good for repeats), Rescue Me, The Closer, Weeds, Rome…..

Hawai’i Caucus Experience

Was that really a caucus? Look, I didn’t have any grand illusions that it would be professionally organized; I know these people are volunteers, most first timers. And we have already seen how this election has brought the Democrats out in force. On top of that, certain areas here on Hawai’i Island have grown during that last housing boom (some spots experiencing population growth of over 8x since just 1990) - so one could only imagine this year it’d be a little more crowded. But one might also assume there would be a proportionate increase in caucus locations… not so much….

<one volunteer explains, “tink they got da pakalolo over dair”>

My polling place was packed. Considering past presidential caucuses in the whole state of Hawai’i haven’t exceeded 5,000 voters, and though optimistic reports were anticipating maybe 12,000, I was kinda shocked when (by my estimates) there were at least 500 at our caucus location alone (okay a few were kids and dogs, but still)! (note: I just found out, over 1000 people voted there!) It was absolutely amazing; hundreds of people coming and going.

If Clinton Wins…We Get McCain

<yo wil… think this one is even more to-the-point than the “Yes We Can” Obama original …and way mo funny>

The Clinton’s are disliked too much by the Republican’s. And if Hillary winds up as the Democratic nominee, the Republican’s have the weapons, the ammunition, all the Clinton corruption we’re sick of hearing about…to utilize against her. Clinton will inspire a nation of neo-cons to come out in force, to make sure their militarist nationalist Bush-backed Republican McCain will win and maintain the anti-terrorism terrorism, Patriot Act spying on US citizens, war mongering, and keep us in Iraq for years…and years…to come. Despite some of his once-positive attributes, and nevermind that he once stood up for things he believed in, McCain will become another puppet - just like our current president. We have already witnessed this shift since he decided to run for office (though some blame it on senility or an honest admitting to not recalling his own voting history or perspective on core issues). Recently he’s made advances to appeal to the extreme conservatives - who constantly bagger him that he’s not conservative enough. The only thing that’s consistent about his beliefs, is that he’ll flip-flop on them in order to get elected: he now wants to overturn Roe vs. Wade, now wants no campaign finance reform, now is for torturing war criminals (of all things), etc.

Hawaii Island Caucus Precinct Sites

There have been some discrepancies in caucus locations. I’ve published below what seems like the most accurate Precinct Election & Presidential Preference Poll site directory, found at the Democratic Party of Hawai’i web site. You will need to know your representative district first —use this link if you don’t know it— then enter that info into the Democratic Party’s Prez Preference Poll site directory - or if you’re on the Big Island, just check the list below. Any further questions, or if the sites are still crashing: BIG ISLAND RESIDENTS, THE Hawai’i Democratic Office, 808/596-2980, is forwarding you to this number: 326-9779. You can also call County of Hawai’i Election Division: Hilo 961-8277; Kailua-Kona 327-3633. PLEASE NOTE: Caucus location is likely not the same as your regular polling place. ALSO NOTE: KNOW YOUR PRECINCT NUMBER TOO, THAT’S HOW YOU WILL BE DIVIDED ONCE INSIDE THE CAUCUS!

Free WiFi Hawaii Island

So, Starbucks made their splashy announcement that they’re ditching T-Mobile for AT&T and by this Spring (potentially a little longer for Hawaii) will offer two hours of free internet with a purchase of $3.99 or more. As cutting edge as they were by taking that Seattle gourmet coffee habit and spreading the addiction to a world ready and willing to spend 2-3 times what they used to on a cuppa joe, despite its obvious corner on the market, this company had been a little slow on the draw when it comes obvious aspects of running business in the modern world. Most every coffee shop, at least in major cities, knows a good coffee buzz and net surfing go together and don’t make it difficult for customers to grab their coffee and check their email at the same time. Yes, quality coffee is a priority, but free internet and a nice atmosphere (with adequate electrical outlets and comfy seats) to inspire one’s next great blog post is equally important.

It’s a different sort of aminal when it comes to small towns. There are less options, less competition, and it’s filled with imprudent owners who think it wise to nickle-and-dime potentially faithful clientele for an internet connection as a means to bolster profits. So, on the Big Island for example, with limited locations, you see the places that are evolved enough to offer free WiFi (or WiFi with purchase) are typically busy all day long.

The thing that irks me about Starbucks, is that while they take a few steps forward with this internet plan, they’re taking a few steps back in the way in which they are implementing it. See, the new deal goes: You must purchase one of their plastic Starbucks store cards with a $5 minimum on it in order to qualify for access! The idea is that you will buy the card, pay for your $2-4 coffee, and then proceed to lose the card or throw it in a drawer with some money still on it - free profit for them. And though it is “recyclable” in the sense that you can certainly reload the card, the majority of people will never use it again, and instead will ask for a new one the next time they go in.

Hey, on an island, we don’t need any more unnecessary waste in our landfills; toxins seeping into our groundwater and ocean. Starbucks should give an internet code on any receipt of $3.99 or more and leave it at that (since they still automatically print receipts). Starbucks makes enough money - $2.8 billion first quarter fiscal 2008 seems decent - while strangely, their many-paged investor relations release never once mentions the environmental concerns of doing business.

Don’t get me wrong, Starbucks has made efforts to be eco-friendly, but activists had to work long and hard to get them to pay attention to the importance of purchasing Fair Trade, for example. And while the company now goes over-board to publicize their efforts, it’s still a limited portion of their coffee sold (ask for a cup of Fair Trade next time you go in there, they’ll likely have to French Press you up one special). As far as recycling goes, they’ve been equally slow. On the plus side, they recycle their cardboards, repack grounds for garden fertilizer, and made the eco-gesture of using 10% recycled paper in their cups. But they utilize 2.3 billion paper cups annually, and their cups are still not recyclable. As the world leaders, claiming awareness to the cause, they should set the highest standards. Sure, perhaps the expense could be a hit on their billions, but how is it these smaller coffee shops are willing and able to take on the challenge?

Fact of the matter is, whenever there is an option available, conscious customers (especially those of the green generation) will opt for the small local coffee shops. The good ones now all use compostable non-petroleum lined paper cups, fair-trade / organic local coffee, and offer internet with no plastic cards or limits. Not to be too negative, because where there are meager options, as is the case on much of the Big Island, it’s a good thing that Starbucks will now offer more than an indulgent soy mocha for my five bucks (and since I’m staying to connect, I’ll ask for it in a ceramic mug). Now I can get some work done and not worry that AWS (Hawai’i Island’s kinda pricey wireless service) is coming in sketchy. Or that I’ll ever again get suckered into paying for T-Mobile (any company, á la AOL, that makes it very difficult to figure out how to cancel your monthly subscription is not one to support! We’ll have to see how AT&T, typically incompetent with their accounting, does with the service). Because one thing about corporate Starbucks that is nice, besides getting the same tasting cup you’re expecting, no matter which store you go to, is that most have a cozy indoor space, where you can plug in and hang out as long as you like. …Especially important when the Hilo rain is all-time!

Note: T-mobile internet subscribers, Starbucks’ employees, and likely iPhone users and customers who are already paying AT&T internet access fees will get unlimited free service. • Though I heard the free two hours has already gone into effect some spots on the mainland…it’s always a little slower here. Let’s just say, staff at Borders’ Starbucks in Hilo only first heard about it this morning and they were just planning a meeting about the switch-over… in Hawai’i time…. (three weeks later the whole morning staff at the downtown Hilo Starbucks said they never heard of the internet switchover).

* * * * *

Hawai’i Island HotSpots

As a guide for locals who like to get outta the house to work, those who can’t afford DSL at home, and tourists who regularly post on chat rooms asking where they will be able to connect while visiting the Big Isle, here’s a list, of coffeehouses and beyond, where you can experience some free “coconut wireless” - including Starbucks locations ($ = purchase / passwords involved). If there are any spots we’ve left out or ones that no longer work - please let us know, as we will continually update as needed. Hope this helps… ’til the whole world is a free WiFi hotspot.

Hilo

Bot.com Café (180 Kinoole St, 808/933-9800) The new best place for chillin’ and getting some work done (or not getting some work done). Robots, zombies, Buffy, music, movies, espresso, fresh food and if you’ve got a laptop, log in for WiFi all day long if you like, for a simple $3 purchase (use their computers for $6 an hour). p.s. watch the 2hr parking limit on Kinoole - guess Hilo is trying to score on implementing their enforcement lately - Haile has an 8hr limit. (10am - 10pm, Tues.-Sat) $

CD Wizard (23C Pohaku St, 808/969-4800) Just opened their internet cafe - coffee and food coming soon. If you have your own laptop, hook into their WiFi with any purchase - yes, Trevor sez even a bottle of water! $ (Feb 21 update: $3 wifi password -good for one day- for non Wizard Club members, free for Wizard Club members).

Imiloa Astronomy Center Sky Garden Restaurant (600 Imiloa Place, 808/969-9700) Check out the new (primarily NASA-funded) 28 million dollar center, enjoy a state-of-the-art 3D Stereo Planetarium show, immerse yourself in the mesh of Hawai’ian culture and modern astronomy, grab some grub at the restaurant (new owners - espresso, omelettes, Chinese food…), get some work done (7am - 4pm). Yearly membership: $30 / students, $45 / adults (price will increase April ‘0

KopeKope (Hilo Shopping Center, 1261 Kilauea, 808/933-1221) One of the most-utilized WiFi options for da college crowd besides campus, this place has the best coffee in town (with a mix of friendly and not-so-much service). Avoid the eggs (microwaved) and smoothies (syrup) but otherwise pretty good food too (waffles with fruit on the weekend). Entertainment provided, if you want to take a break from homework. The internet, since they switched to a passcode, gets very buggy, very often! (new owner, again - many are even less happy with him!). $

***JUST ADDED*** Naung Mai Thai Kitchen (86 Kilauea Ave, 934-7540 M-Sat 11-9) When you go to Tina’s Garden Snack Club for the Thai Pizza but you realize it’s Monday and they are closed…you’re so happy to see Naung Mai’s (right next door) is open. Thing is, when it comes to healthy Thai Food, Tina’s is the best, but Naung Mai is also super fresh, not too oily, (no MSG) and delicious. If you go for dinner best to go early, they often only have one over-worked waitress (what’s up with that?). Anyway, what a great spot to get some work done while eating some yum. Just ask them for the passcode (which it seems is always the same). $

Starbucks (438 Kilauea Ave., downtown; 111 E. Puanako St. [Prince Kuhio]; 301 Makaala St [@ Borders]) $ (((note: all the Starbucks listing will go into effect this Spring)))

UH Hilo (200 W. Kawili) This is for students only, but if you have a friend with a password and want to hang out at the library for a change, it’s a good no swell option.

Honoka’a

76 station (Mamane St.) Not sure about this one, but saw it mentioned.

Kailua-Kona

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (75-5595 Palani Road) In the shopping center across from the Jamba Juice, Coffee Bean has the worst coffee. Okay, maybe it’s just that their chocolate is such garbage, it makes their mochas absolutely bite! You get one hour free internet with a purchase (and you don’t need to buy a card). $

Jamba Juice (Kona Coast Shopping Center, Palani Road, 808/327-6900) In the same shopping center as Starbucks. All access at the outdoor “food court style” eating area - surf the net all day if you want (every once in a while the connection gets buggy, and there’s limited juice in terms of electric.)

Kona Brewing Company (75-5629 Kukini Hwy — parking around back, 808/334-BREW) Limited outlets, but this is a fun spot to hang out. Great sandwiches, pizza, and of course beer… just don’t get too wasted and spill some on your laptop.

Lava Java (75-5799 Ali’i Dr., 808/327-2161) Food is pricey (though yummy), coffee is decent, and they are always packed (sometimes you have to wait a while for your order). Right across from the ocean, great central tourist location, ask for a passcode when ordering. $ - but I think the password is always the same.

Starbucks (75-1022 Henry St. #1 [across from WalMart]; Kona Coast Shopping Center 74-5588 Palani Rd.) $

Kohala

Starbucks (68-1330 Mauna Lani Dr. in Mauna Lani, King’s Shops Waikaloa) $

Puna

Kalani Honua’s Aloha Café (Kalapana/Kapoho / HWY 137, 808/965-046 Imagine all-access throughout the property to guests, cafe is open to all, 7pm to 10pm. Used to be able to sit in there even if they weren’t “open” but it’s changed a lot there over the years, so I’m checking in with them. Imagine you can also log in the outdoor dining area, while you’re splurging on a healthy meal.

Waimea / Kamuela

Starbucks (67-1185 Mamalahoa Hwy, 808/887-6409) $

Waimea Coffee Co. (65-1279 Kawaihae Rd. #114) This place is cool, coffee’s quality (select, organic, fresh roasted), yum food, regulars even bring their dog inside while they order. Kinda cozy but cramped during breakfast and lunch, but there are also seats outside.

FYI: I’ve noticed that many schools around the island supply internet access without needing a password. If you’re desperate (or somewhere like Ka’u) & have little option, I’ve connected from playing fields, while enjoying a high school soccer game, for example.

A few WiFi sites/articles for more info:

Directory of Free HotSpots around Hawai’i Island chain
Listing of Free HotSpot Directories around the world (+ become a free HotSpot with FON & others)
WiFi As a Health Hazard?, Wired Magazine
Why…WiFi Is Not Hazardous to Our Health, Microcast
The BioInitiative Report (Public Exposure Standard for ELF)
WiFi Antenna Boosters: Hawkings, Utenna
SF’s attempts for an all-access WiFi city
Public WiFi Use Raises Hacking Risk, USA Today
Essential Wireless Hacking Tools, The Ethical Hacker
Digital WiFi Detectors: DigiWifi, StarTech
Great while traveling/on the go (if your phone doesn’t already do it), when you want to see if you can connect but don’t want to have to have your computer open & on to find out. Watches, pens, & (soon) WiFi detector rings - but the kitchy ones only show the signal, not whether or not you will be able to access it.

If Everybody Voted…

I don’t think I’ve ever registered as a Democrat before (no, never as a Republican either), but I’m going to this time. Sure, I don’t agree with either side’s policies on frequent occasion -less government seems like a better idea- but on the other had, I suppose I’m more “liberal” than not on many issues. And I don’t want to be cliché or corny but local boy Obama represents a mood, a spirit, a shifting of awareness, a higher level of being…(and the candidate who is more likely to play in the surf with me…. j.k.). Watching Hillary back at the Iowa debate reminded me why I don’t like or trust her - as much as I may want to see women take leadership roles and give the world a feminine touch. Her version is the same game-playing old school tactics that keep politics so smarmy - and personally, I don’t quite understand the rhetoric that she has more experience than Barack. I’ve been appreciating Obama’s efforts in Congress for a few years now, and I like how he is creating a more transparent government and through such does make the public feel as if they can be witnesses and participants in the process. I like the way he runs his campaign; he’s inspiring.

Meet Joe Blair!

In the surfing world, specifically the surfboard manufacturing industry, there are a slew of icons who’ve maneuvered themselves front and center. Names of the players and their companies, similar to fashion designers, splayed across products, which often focus more on apparel and accessories. But there are others diligently working, seemingly behind the scenes, expending less of their energy on marketing and self-promotion and more of it on innovations in design and taking their craft to the next level.

One of these innovators is Joe Blair, who has casually evolved from old skool days as the first haole Beach Boy in Waikiki to being a young whipper-snapper building boards in the late ’60s alongside such pioneers as Simon Anderson, Xanadu, and Dick Brewer to today becoming a shaping legend (listed in Big Wednesday / tow-in heroes the Willis Brothers‘ “Surfboard Shapers Hall of Fame“) and a creative force in high performance epoxy designs and the exploding stand-up paddleboard industry. Luckily we were able to steal away a moment of his time to meet Joe Blair…..

A long while ago, possibly before you were born, Joe had already been wave riding and shaping surfboards. That was 40 years ago - but he’s not that old, he simply had an early start. Speaking with him you’d think he was a local boy, but Joe was born in Coco Beach, Florida. How’d he end up spending so much time in Hawai’i? We’ll let him explain…

Joe: “I spent the summers in Waikiki when I was a sophomore and junior in high school. Then, after I got out of high school, I moved to Oahu and lived in town and worked for George Downing, which was a very lucky thing in my life because George Downing was known as the biggest best wave rider in the entire place. I fixed dings at first and then he let me become beach boy and I was one of the first haole beach boys there in ‘68.”

One reason Joe was accepted by the locals is because he happened to live with George Watanabe and Richard Mazuta, two local boys who took him under their wing. During a time when being a little too white, walking behind the hotels at night, let’s say, could easily get a guy clobbered Hawai’i 5-0 style, Joe never had a problem. As a matter of fact, Joe fit right in. Well, he also had the advantage of understanding island style. Thanks to a dad who worked for Pan American Airlines, he was able to travel extensively and live in places like Puerto Rico and Barbados.

Joe: “Even though I have blond hair and blue eyes… I never ever got in beefs … because on the islands, it’s kind of a vibe thing with people. And if you treat them like they’re your brother, you are their brother. But if you’re an arrogant fellow with attitude, and you go there with an arrogant attitude, then you get beat up the second day you’re there. I find that the Hawai’ian Islands are a spiritual chain of islands but a lot of haoles that go there don’t really see that….plus, I speak pidgin real good lik’dat.”

You can sense the sentimentality in his voice, almost a yearning to be back to a place that had offered so much and shaped the course of his future. So, besides some serious drive (mix in a dash of good fortune and location, location, location), how does one go from beach boy to the exclusive realm of respected board shaper?

<Simon Anderson>

“I have a great story on that,” Joe’s youth is showing as he explains. “What happened was I was going to have my boards built in Hawaii but it cost more. So I had a board made for me in Florida. Well, when I got to the islands the board worked so badly. When the waves were head high, it just spun out; it rode terrible. I knew exactly how to shape boards because I was a craftsman but you had to be somebody to shape a board back then. So what happened was, a guy broke his board in half and gave it to me so I went and [re]shaped this board, made it racier, and took it out on this really good day. There was this one spot where the waves were huge but there were Kona winds and it was terrible, so I went around the island to this other spot and it was five feet overhead, lined up for eighty yards, perfect barrels and my board worked killer. It worked so good and looked so good that people were ordering boards from me. Then a friend of mine who was dating my sister, his parents passed away so he inherited some money … so within three weeks, we had a factory going down there; taking beat-up old, broken boards and stripping them and then redoing the rocker and reshaping them and making up-to-date boards out of them … and that’s how it started. I knew how to shape and then he met Brewer -Brewer made him some boards- and BOOM, I started making tons of Brewer boards and I was Brewer’s main shaper for about twelve years.”

He didn’t stop there though, as his evolution in board making also included working with Simon Anderson who invented the thruster, and Xanadu, a Brazilian who set the trend for how surfboards look to this day.

Joe: “That was the final topping that I’d needed because [before then] we were into flat deck, boxy rail boards and he [Xanadu] was thinning the nose and tail and doming the deck and making small rails….”

<Xanadu>

With a combination of the best elements of the pioneers of the modern surfboard, Joe Blair steadily made his transition from protégé to master. One can only imagine the excitement at the time, when surfers were moving from slower boards with more limitations to something more dynamic.

Joe: “It was exciting because at that point there were only twin and single fins and the industry was very boring then. Everybody was riding the same stuff and we weren’t going anywhere whatsoever. And then when Simon Anderson came in [he] called it a thruster because the three fin gave you so much more punch outta your turns and your board didn’t spin out, because at Pipeline, a single fin’s kinda dangerous ’cause it won’t stay on the face of the wave. (Read more about the history of the three fin and thruster here.) And Simon’s board… 85% of the guys were better surfers than him. He was a big guy and rode backside, but he won a couple of contests in Australia and then won the Pipeline Masters, a very important event, and people still didn’t stand up and pay attention to it. Then [Gary McNabb] from California who did Nectar Surfboards rode one and realized the potential. Then all of a sudden… It’s unfortunate that Simon didn’t patent it because he could have made a fortune. But he really changed the surfing world with the three fin.

Save O’oma (Pine Trees) in Kona

I thought the fight was already lost, but it seems it is still up for debate whether or not the county/ state should acquire O’oma II to protect it as public, open space. Considering how important the area around Pine Trees is -how precious the waters and how vital this surf / recreational / camping area is for families and to the community- it’s about time they listen to the people. Stop selling out! With so much building being done in an already overcrowded Kona (these projects adding even more traffic), with most of the precious coastal areas being taken over by rich landowners/corporations to do with as they please, the state better hurry up and protect what they can! And the O’oma acquisition should have been a top priority.

Wahines’ Number O.N.E. Coconut Water

Despite the absolutely obscene cost of living, Hawai’i does have some economic advantages. I mean, if you’re starving, you can always climb a coconut tree -preferably a short Samoan- or even find a nut that has fallen (without crackin’) and machete it open. Drink the sweet juice, especially of the young coconut, and feel that fresh electrolyte buzz.

There are certain foods and drinks that, when you’re feeling a little low (tired between sessions, trying to snap out of stoned, getting over a bug…), they absolutely revitalize you. Thing is, we are rarely able to get the same kind of quality and essence in the processed product as we find within the living one.

As for this one, O.N.E. Coconut Water keeps the processing to a minimum. There’s nothing in the list of ingredients that you can’t figure out: 100% natural coconut water (makes sense it’s title translating to “One Natural Experience”). Thing is, it tastes like it. Offering it up to some of the local wahines here -surfer girls who grew up drinking the real thing- they all agreed (”yum!”) it tastes just like the fresh juice.

We can thank the great advancements in the production process over the past decade. Previous to that, minimal options included the old Thailand canned version (high-temp pasteurization, lost nutritional qualities, lotsa preservatives and a weird flavor), or even the first versions of cold-processed microfiltration (still not perfected, with added ingredients like sucrose).

Most important thing is that the packaged product doesn’t just taste great, but it has the qualities that make coconut water so healthy, hydrating, and beneficial to the body. O.N.E. lists off their health benefits as:

O.N.E. was kind enough to send us a case, so I was able see how this product might benefit a surfer. Drinking a container before and after each session, I felt as if I could stay out longer. And the aprés surf dose was sweetly quenching. Even though surfers easily get dehydrated after a typical two-hour session, many of us don’t drink much water immediately after, especially when it’s overcast or we’re chilly or feeling water-logged. Electrolyte drinks tend to be more satisfying - one reason we recommend our Surfer-Girl Lemonade recipe… but sometimes it’s just not convenient. Thing is, an 11oz container of O.N.E. is supposed to hydrate similarly to a liter of water. And it tastes so satisfying, you start to crave it. And you feel so good after drinking it, you’re practically ready to paddle back out.

Coconut water, as a holistically complete, biologically pure, natural isotonic beverage, is the ultimate hydrator. I mean, what other nature-made unprocessed substance can be used as an alternative IV when you’ve just run out of human blood plasma!? What other unprocessed fluid is, good-to-go, the next best thing to breast milk when you’ve just plum run out?

These coconuts are from Brazil, but that’s okay with me. I mean, personally, I don’t see why Hawai’i doesn’t have their own coconut water production going by now, but powers-that-be here seem more devoted to turning all agricultural lands into housing/ commercial/ tourism opportunities (for their friends, family, and themselves). Of course, these are the same people that lease-out our ag lands to chemical co.’s like Monsanto to help them cover the aina with GMOs and pharm-crops and contaminate our fragile eco-system. Fact is, since we can’t seem to help ourselves, we might as well help support the Amazon Rainforest - as products like this helps to provide sustainability for said region.

And you can’t go wrong with the packaging either. If you must utilize something other than glass, these Tetra-Paks are created with little waste (totally foldable design) and are recyclable. Haven’t researched it but hopefully the lining isn’t as bad as typical plastics.

Don’t get me wrong, coconut water (similarly to the young “jelly” fruit) is an acquired taste - especially for those born in areas where palm trees bare no fruit. But once you do get into it, it becomes a healthy craving. Sure, if those of us living on tropical islands aren’t handy with a machete, we can buy it ice cold at any farmer’s market, or frequent honor system fruit stands you find on the side of the road, which have coolers full of ice-cold coconuts for a buck or two. But if those options aren’t available to you -or you’re a surfer who wants to make certain you’re going to have some quality refueling available- then I’d seriously stock up on O.N.E. and make it a delicious part of your re-hydration process.

Hilo Rain, Water on the Brain

<newly formed Lake Hilo>

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more wet…! Sure, East side Big Island residents are used to downpours, sometimes non-stop torentials lasting weeks, months… It’s often considered one of the wettest cities in the U.S. - though most lists on the topic omit it because they only focus on the 48 mainland states. Records at the National Weather Service explain:

Within the city of Hilo, average rainfall varies from about 130 inches a year near the shore to as much as 200 inches upslope. The wettest part of the island, with a mean annual rainfall exceeding 300 inches, lies about 6 miles upslope from the city limits.

Airlines and Surfboards

I always thought the luggage handlers who so carelessly tossed your surfboard onto the plane, or piled heavy baggage atop it, were jealous because you were going on a surf trip while they had to work. But when a whole airlines sez “screw you!” to surfers - you have to wonder why?

Certainly many of us don’t instantly think of merry ol’ England as a surfing mecca (see Britain’s Surf Nation to change your mind), but that island also has their fare share of spots and hot surfers; 500,000 being a most recent figure. And Heathrow is certainly a hub for those on their way to other global surf destinations - icy cold or not.

So it was certainly a shocker when, late last year, British Airways announced “no can” to the whole surf and water enthusiast community.

Please note British Airways will no longer accept a number of larger sporting items as baggage: Hang gliders, Windsurfing boards and sails, Surfboards, Kayaks or canoes, Pole vaults, Javelins

Adding insult to injury, at the same time British Airways announced the surfboard ban, they got busy advertising their great pleasure in carrying your skis, heavy golf clubs and bicycles free of charge. Ouch!

Hawaii Airfare War On Again (til tomorrow)

The airlines in Hawai’i must hate having to raise and lower their fares whenever their competition does - and Mesa (Go Airlines!) is usually the one in control. Though it was only a month ago that they raised their inter-island flights to $49 (with Hawaiian and Aloha Air happily following suit) - today it’s back down to $29. This deal only going ’til 11:59 tomorrow, and that’s for flights through February. So, this is just a heads up - check online and book your flights asap.  Though I think Mesa is corrupt, and they’ll pull out of Hawaii and leave the airline industry here in shambles to suit their needs, still if you’re broke-ass it’s hard to not take advantage of the low fares when they’re offered. Personally, I like Hawaiian Airlines best because they are most often on time and most efficient with luggage and such (though there are often courteous stewards and stewardesses on Aloha too) - so maybe try get your tickets through them first!

Puna Getting Some Big Island Love

Puna had seemingly been losing the battle in terms of infrastructure and development needed to keep up with the population explosion of the past few years. While there’s been lots of debating, proposals, plans… actually action, when it occurs, is typically slow and inadequate. So it came as a surprise to many when the 5th District was allotted millions in federal grants and other funds for the new Poho’iki/Isaac Hale Memorial Beach Park. Sure, it’s been almost 10 years from conception to adoption to…near completion, but Puna residents have learned to be patient.