I came across this site recently and thought it was really cool because it is essentially almost the same concept I had in mind when I created this blog!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Rock fever
According to Urban Dictionary:
Going on a road trip this past weekend made me think of rock fever... Even though I have lived on the mainland for a few years now, it still amazes me that you can drive across states. I grew up on Oahu, where you have to fly if you want to go anywhere else - of course you have to fly to other countries, but you also have to fly to get to other states and other parts of Hawai'i!
I can't say that I ever experienced rock fever because I have been fortunate enough to travel to many different places, including some of the outer islands (Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Kauai), different parts of the mainland, Japan, China, Singapore, and Australia. In fact, I don't think there has been a year that I didn't fly somewhere...
But I know that some people living in Hawai'i do experience rock fever. While Oahu is a beautiful place, it is only so big, and people living there for a long time can get tired of it or itch for change. And there isn't really anything a person can do to "cure" rock fever other than travel somewhere! But you can't always just pack up your bags and leave - everyone has to consider the cost of traveling (airfare is so expensive!), working people have to take time off, parents have to coordinate their children's schedules (school, activities, etc.), pet owners have to find pet-sitters, etc., etc., etc.
I consider myself very lucky to have experienced the best of both worlds growing up - living in the best place in the world (in my biased opinion, haha), yet still being able to travel the world. Once I graduate and start working and paying for my own expenses, it will probably be a different story... No more summer/winter/spring breaks to travel, and I won't be able to afford traveling all over the world. I guess rock fever is something to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to move back home. Some people will never suffer from rock fever, but others could be significantly affected by it! I guess I'll never really know until I move back home as a self-supporting adult...
| 1. | rock fever | |
The hemmed-in, claustrophobic, trapped feeling mainlanders get when they spend too much time in Hawaii. Dude, the surfing's been great, but I've got the rock fever. I gotta get back home to Cali. | ||
Going on a road trip this past weekend made me think of rock fever... Even though I have lived on the mainland for a few years now, it still amazes me that you can drive across states. I grew up on Oahu, where you have to fly if you want to go anywhere else - of course you have to fly to other countries, but you also have to fly to get to other states and other parts of Hawai'i!
I can't say that I ever experienced rock fever because I have been fortunate enough to travel to many different places, including some of the outer islands (Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Kauai), different parts of the mainland, Japan, China, Singapore, and Australia. In fact, I don't think there has been a year that I didn't fly somewhere...
But I know that some people living in Hawai'i do experience rock fever. While Oahu is a beautiful place, it is only so big, and people living there for a long time can get tired of it or itch for change. And there isn't really anything a person can do to "cure" rock fever other than travel somewhere! But you can't always just pack up your bags and leave - everyone has to consider the cost of traveling (airfare is so expensive!), working people have to take time off, parents have to coordinate their children's schedules (school, activities, etc.), pet owners have to find pet-sitters, etc., etc., etc.
I consider myself very lucky to have experienced the best of both worlds growing up - living in the best place in the world (in my biased opinion, haha), yet still being able to travel the world. Once I graduate and start working and paying for my own expenses, it will probably be a different story... No more summer/winter/spring breaks to travel, and I won't be able to afford traveling all over the world. I guess rock fever is something to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to move back home. Some people will never suffer from rock fever, but others could be significantly affected by it! I guess I'll never really know until I move back home as a self-supporting adult...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Electric Cars
Today was the USC Environment Fair 2011. One of the companies represented was Enterprise Rent-A-Car, who brought the Chevy Volt - one of the newest electric cars in the US.
Coincidentally, after I left the Environment Fair, I saw this article on the Honolulu Star Advertiser website:
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| Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser |
It's exciting to hear about these new electric cars, especially at a time when gas prices are through the roof and awareness about the negative effects of fossil fuels is spreading.
Of course, integration of electric cars will take a while, as new infrastructure (for example, the charging stations) is built, consumers are educated, and companies sort out new problems/issues.
But I am eagerly awaiting the new era of electric vehicles - something I think would be perfect for Hawai'i for several reasons, including the following:
- Oahu is an island - people typically don't drive very far (compared to driving on the mainland), so one charge would probably be enough for one round trip (to and from work/school)
- Hawai'i is a paradise - and people must keep it this way by taking care of the environment. A significant contributor to destruction of the environment is fossil fuel, so it is important that Hawai'i find alternatives to fossil fuel usage
- Gas prices in Hawai'i are the most expensive in the country - Hawai'i residents must find gas-alternatives for financial reasons, too
I am interested to see how these new electric cars perform, and I look forward to the development of more and better electric vehicles in the near future!
Another article about high gas prices
It seems like island news includes something about the high gas prices every day... Today's edition of the Honolulu Star Advertiser includes the following article:
"Isle drivers resigned to pay at the pump as prices hit record"
In my opinion, notable take-aways from the article include:
"Isle drivers resigned to pay at the pump as prices hit record"
In my opinion, notable take-aways from the article include:
- Average price of regular gas in Hawaii hit record, at $4.512 per gallon
- Average price of gas is 94 cents higher than a year ago
- Price of gas likely to continue rising, as peak summer driving season approaches
- Gas prices already over $5 a gallon for regular gas in Molokai
- Prices for supreme gas topped $6 per gallon in Hana, Maui
- Hawai'i continues to have the most expensive gas in the country (yikes!)
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| Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser |
Hawai'i's Excise Tax
Interesting blog post on Howzit Howard from April 17th:
"The excise tax: When is a loophole not a loophole"
"The excise tax: When is a loophole not a loophole"
Shopping woes for Hawai'i residents
Shopping woes for Hawai'i residents - some recent thoughts of mine:
Update April 20th, 3:31 pm
Hey, check this out!
Just out in today's Honolulu Star Advertiser - apparently Hawai'i will be getting its first Bath & Body Works in Ala Moana on May 2nd! And a Lowe's
("Ala Moana will welcome first Bath & Body Works")
But still no Trader Joe's, IKEA, Bed Bath & Beyond, or good outlet malls...
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Update April 21st, 10:29 am
Article about the new Lowe's opening in Iwilei
- No free shipping ever (free shipping deals always only apply to the continental US!)
- Certain stores not available in Hawai'i (still no Zara, Bath & Body Works, Bed Bath & Beyond, IKEA... Oahu only recently got Victoria's Secret, Target, Nordstrom, and Walmart)
- Only one outlet mall - and it doesn't even have good deals or a large selection of stores
Update April 20th, 3:31 pm
Hey, check this out!
Just out in today's Honolulu Star Advertiser - apparently Hawai'i will be getting its first Bath & Body Works in Ala Moana on May 2nd! And a Lowe's
("Ala Moana will welcome first Bath & Body Works")
But still no Trader Joe's, IKEA, Bed Bath & Beyond, or good outlet malls...
--------------------------------------------------
Update April 21st, 10:29 am
Article about the new Lowe's opening in Iwilei
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Talk at USC tomorrow: Hawai'i's influence on Barack Obama
Received an email about this interesting event to be held at USC tomorrow:
THE OBAMA PUZZLE
A Talk by Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Michael Haas
WHO IS BARACK OBAMA? Date: April 20
WHY IS HIS BEHAVIOR SO UNUSUAL? Time: 12:30
WHAT’S HIS POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY? Place: SS B-40
Barack Obama is the most misunderstood president in American history.
He impressed voters in 2008 with his “audacity of hope,” but he governed almost mysteriously after taking office in 2009, and his party lost the 2010 elections despite his efforts to campaign to save his Congressional majority.
Now the puzzle has been solved. Political science professor Michael Haas has written Barack Obama, The Aloha Zen President: How a Son of the 50th State May Revitalize America Based on 12 Multicultural Principles (Praeger, release date 1/19/2011). His book responds to Michelle Obama’s revealing avowal, “You do not understand Barack Obama until you understand Hawai‘i.”
Michael Dukakis, former presidential candidate, writes the Foreword to the book. Cover jacket endorsements are by Newsweek editor Jonathan Alter and prominent sociologist Amitai Etzioni. The book is truly a breakthrough.
Haas, who now lives in the Hollywood Hills, taught political science at the University of Hawai`i for 35 years, reads Obama like a book—and now has written one about President Barack Obama to explain his temperament and his politics!
The talk focuses on two themes:
· How young Barack Obama, growing up in Honolulu, assimilated to the 12 multicultural principles which explain why race relations in Hawai‘i are so exemplary—and how he integrated those principles into his personality.
· Obama’s political philosophy, which deliberately steers a middle course between right-wing antigovernmental sentiment and left-wing spendthrift overuse of government--by seeking to facilitate the rebuilding of a united community spirit in a deeply divided United States, with government as a “catalyst.”
"Aloha for Japan" Campaign
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| Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser |
Hawai'i's statewide "Aloha for Japan" campaign has raised over $3 million for Japan.
Read more here - "Hawaii raises more than $3M for quake-struck Japan"
It is good that Hawai'i is helping out Japan, since the two are so connected (many Hawai'i locals are of Japanese descent, Hawai'i's local culture has a significant amount of Japanese culture, the Japanese make up the majority of Hawai'i's tourists, etc.). Japan's earthquakes probably have more a significant impact on Hawai'i than on other places...
- Negative effect on Hawai'i's economy because tourists from Japan contribute much of Hawai'i's economic inflows
- Personal/emotional/psychological impact, since there are many in Hawai'i who have relatives and friends who were directly affected by the earthquakes in Japan
- Potential radiation effects, since Hawai'i is relatively close to Japan and since we import different foods from Japan
がんばれ、日本！
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| Todidoki Japan Relief Shirt |
Problems for Oahu's public schools
Oahu's public schools are getting too crowded, according to the Honolulu Star Bulletin's article, "Crowds on campus." But at the same time, other public schools are too vacant and being closed down, like Queen Liliuokalani Elementary School in Kaimuki ("BOE committee recommends closing Liliuokalani Elementary"). It seems like Oahu's public schools need to make some serious changes to fix their abundance of problems.
I noticed that most of Hawai'i's largest high schools are in West Oahu, while elementary schools that the state is looking to close down are in East Oahu. Perhaps one of the reasons for this trend is the housing price differences in these areas and the resulting demographics. East Oahu homes are generally more expensive than West Oahu homes, and many young parents (and young adults in general) cannot afford to live in East Oahu. I know that in my neighborhood in Hawaii Kai, there are almost no young children; most of us are in college, working and still living at home, or have already moved out. And I don't think my neighborhood situation is uncommon for East Oahu. Because many young adults cannot afford to live in the East Oahu neighborhoods, there are not as many children at the schools in this part of the island - the majority of the children are in West Oahu, the more affordable part of the island. Furthermore, families that are pretty well off (those who can afford to live in East Oahu) typically send their children to private schools, not neighborhood public schools - this perpetuates the trend of less crowded East Oahu schools and more crowded West Oahu schools.
I don't foresee real estate prices and the demographics of Oahu's neighborhoods changing significantly anytime soon. Hawai'i's Department of Education and Board of Education need to figure out a way to improve the public education system for Hawai'i's children. Easy enough to say, but much more difficult to achieve...
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Update April 20th, 3:51 pm
Continued conversation - Editorial response to "Crowds on Campus" in Wednesday, April 20th's paper:
"Flexibility key to schools growth"
I noticed that most of Hawai'i's largest high schools are in West Oahu, while elementary schools that the state is looking to close down are in East Oahu. Perhaps one of the reasons for this trend is the housing price differences in these areas and the resulting demographics. East Oahu homes are generally more expensive than West Oahu homes, and many young parents (and young adults in general) cannot afford to live in East Oahu. I know that in my neighborhood in Hawaii Kai, there are almost no young children; most of us are in college, working and still living at home, or have already moved out. And I don't think my neighborhood situation is uncommon for East Oahu. Because many young adults cannot afford to live in the East Oahu neighborhoods, there are not as many children at the schools in this part of the island - the majority of the children are in West Oahu, the more affordable part of the island. Furthermore, families that are pretty well off (those who can afford to live in East Oahu) typically send their children to private schools, not neighborhood public schools - this perpetuates the trend of less crowded East Oahu schools and more crowded West Oahu schools.
I don't foresee real estate prices and the demographics of Oahu's neighborhoods changing significantly anytime soon. Hawai'i's Department of Education and Board of Education need to figure out a way to improve the public education system for Hawai'i's children. Easy enough to say, but much more difficult to achieve...
--------------------------------------------------
Update April 20th, 3:51 pm
Continued conversation - Editorial response to "Crowds on Campus" in Wednesday, April 20th's paper:
"Flexibility key to schools growth"
Monday, April 18, 2011
"High Gas Prices Turning More Residents To Public Transportation"
I was slightly surprised to hear that TheBus (Hawai'i's bus system) is "already one of the busiest transit systems in the country," with about 200,000 passengers each day on Oahu, because I always had the impression that not many people rode the bus because it was such a poor system. As far as I knew, the majority of residents think that TheBus is not convenient, not reliable (the buses are notorious for being late or not on schedule), and basically not a reliable source of transportation.
Perhaps I have a skewed or outdated perception because according to the recent KITV4 news video that I came across, "High Gas Prices Turning More Residents To Public Transportation," I am wrong about not many people taking TheBus on Oahu... And it looks like even more people have resorted to taking the bus recently, as gas prices approach $5/gallon.
The Honolulu Star Advertiser reported gas prices on Maui are at an all-time high, and gas prices on Oahu are nearing the record. It does not look like gas prices will be decreasing significantly anytime soon, but perhaps this will have some positive effects on the island, such as helping to relieve the traffic problem on Oahu.
But I question how long these positive effects would last. If gas prices drop, residents will go right back to driving their cars, even if TheBus is now a viable option for them.
Perhaps I have a skewed or outdated perception because according to the recent KITV4 news video that I came across, "High Gas Prices Turning More Residents To Public Transportation," I am wrong about not many people taking TheBus on Oahu... And it looks like even more people have resorted to taking the bus recently, as gas prices approach $5/gallon.
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| Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin's Craig Gima |
But I question how long these positive effects would last. If gas prices drop, residents will go right back to driving their cars, even if TheBus is now a viable option for them.
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