He is also remembered in Hawaii for his “Friends & Nabors” holiday shows at the Hawaiian Theater with a cast of over 100. December 2009 was the last call for this production as Jim Nabors has officially retired.

Originally born in Alabama, after spending over half his life living in Hawaii, the islands have become home for Jim. According to his official website, Jim has a home in Honolulu as well as a macadamia nut and tropical flower farm in Hana, Maui.

I recently interviewed long time Hawaii resident Jim Nabors Star of stage, screen, theater and song, www.jimnabors.com via email.

• April M. Williams: First, happy 80th birthday, Mr. Nabors!
• Jim Nabors: Thank you.

• AMW: You were born on the mainland and lived in various cities around the country. What is it about Hawaii that drew you to the islands?
• JN: The weather, beauty and the people.

• AMW: Since the 70′s, you often sang at the Indy 500 race Memorial Day weekends in Indianapolis. What changes have you seen in racing and racing fans through the years?
• JN: All the technical advances of course and the fans and drivers who I started with are grandparents of the next generation.

• AMW: You are an accomplished television and movie actor and your records went gold and platinum. Do fans recognize you most often for your acting or your music?
• JN: Both – thank goodness.

• AMW: I heard you were good friends with Doris Duke. What was she like?
• JN: Great lady with incredible talent and taste.

• AMW: Would you like to comment on the upcoming holiday season and future appearances?
• JN: I have retired.

• AMW: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
• JN: How blessed I have been with my life and career.

(Feature Photo Credit: JimNabors.com)

About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk. She is also the author of the book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career”, available in paperback and on the Kindle.

Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AprilMWilliams
CyberLife Tutors Blog http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog/
Travel Blog http://www.aprilmwilliams.com

Wanna know more? The best way to learn more about SQL Saturday and SQL Saturday Honolulu is straight from the words of the organizer Karla Landrum.

Posted: January 13, 2011

April 1st will be the first ever Hawaiian SQL Saturday in beautiful Honolulu. Not only is the first SQL Saturday for the islands there, but it is also the first SQL Saturday in history to be held outside of the mainland (notice I didn’t add USA to that, as there is an event happening in Vancouver on Feb 26th). Special thanks to Jeff Bloom, one of the crew of the .NET Users Group there in Hawaii for locking down the venue, Honolulu Community College, which has so generously offered the venue for FREE for our event, SWEET!

Now I know by now you are already looking at the calendar and saying, “What, a SQL Saturday on a Friday?” Yes, we had to concede to a Friday event primarily for two reasons. The HCC only has security until 2:00 on Saturdays, and the bigger reason, they turn off the air conditioning in the buildings at noon. (Plus there is the argument that who would want to give up a Saturday in Hawaii!). If you know your SQL Sat history, then you know this won’t be the first SQL Saturday held on a Friday. SQL Saturday #58 was held on a Friday in Minnesota and had a turnout of over 200, so we are confident that a Friday event will do well. And besides, what better reason to ask for the day off from work…free training that benefits their companies, what employer would say no to that. With what sounds like to be the most expensive place to live, free training should be welcomed by these employers there.

Now you are also probably realizing that there are two other SQL Saturdays happening that weekend, Boston and Dallas. We really did try to avoid this weekend, not because we felt there would be conflict for attendees, but for those who had already expressed interest in speaking at Hawaii’s event. But unfortunately we had to go with what we could get, so we realize we will lose some great speakers to these other two events as those locations will of course be more cost effective for them. Luckily this date did work out for Buck Woody (blog|twitter), as he is presenting a full day pre-con for us the day before the event.

For those still interested in presenting in Honolulu, note, there will only be 3 tracks. Two devoted to SQL and one devoted to Developers. For those traveling over, we will do our best to give you at least two timeslots, so if you do register to speak, please post up more than one abstract. For speakers being sent by a sponsor of the event, we will guarantee you at least two timeslots. We of course are very interested in local speakers. If you are local to Hawaii and are interested in speaking, please register on the website, but also DM me on twitter (@karlakay22). Sponsors, we will have the sponsorship details posted over the weekend. We plan to make it very affordable for our sponsors, as we hope that you will consider actually coming over or sending someone to represent your company.

Time to get cranking on the website! Hope to see some of you there!

Mahalo!

Just as was mentioned a few years back in an article on Smart Destinations Blog, that was also titled “FREE WiFi in Hawaii“, one of the first places you can experience FREE WiFi in Hawaii is upon arrival at Honolulu International Airport. Prior to December of 2010 there was only limited availability at Gate 13. I’m hoping that with a new Hawaii Governor in office who enjoys using the tools of the internet, such as social media, that more FREE WiFi hotspots in public places will eventually spring up everywhere.

On the island of Oahu there are several areas where you can tap into the FREE Wifi service Honolulu Hotzone, which is provided by the City & County of Honolulu Department of Information Technology, Kokua Wireless, and a group of generous local sponsors. Then in Waikiki there’s the Waikiki Wireless Project that’s provided as a FREE service by Shaka Net. In addition to these great WiFi FREEbies there is also a growing list of other FREE WiFi providers not only on Oahu and in Waikiki, but throughout the islands as well that can be found here: FREE WiFi. If that’s still not enough to get your WiFi on then stop by a Starbucks anywhere throughout Hawaii and grab yourself a tall mocha and enjoy the FREE WiFi that is now available via a partnership with AT&T Nationwide. Several McDonalds throughout Hawaii also offer FREE WiFi through an AT&T partnership as well.

Finally for those who carry the amazingly smarter than smart iPhone, I highly recommend checking out Easy WiFi and downloading their FREE app that provides FREE access to the world’s largest WiFi network – the Easy WiFi Network. They also provide downloads for Android, Mac OS X, Windows, and other mobile platforms. For businesses or others in Hawaii or even the world who want to benefit from the increased exposure and business of those stopping in and looking for FREE WiFi, I recommend for you the service Fon. Fon allows you to share a little bit of your WiFi at home or office, and get FREE roaming at Fon Spots worldwide in return. From what I can see, there is currently no Fon Spots in Hawaii…will you be the first? Fon also has a FREE app for iPhone users which provides a view of Fon spots worldwide.

Feel free to post a new FREE WiFi spot you may have discovered in your travels throughout Hawaii or post your business below and add it to the list of growing FREE WiFi providers throughout the islands.

Featured Photo Credit: Giorgio Montersino

Jack Lord starred in Hawaii Five-0 as Steve McGarrett, head of the Hawaii State Police. It is rumored that fellow cast and crew members called Jack “The Lord” due to his insistence on perfection, involvement in all aspects of the show and refusal to fraternize with others as noted in this TV Guide story from 1971. He was particular about his trademark pompadour hairstyle and stylish suits.

Lord continued to live in Hawaii and passed away there in 1998. As I watched the pilot episode of the rebooted Hawaii Five-0 television show, I pondered what Jack Lord would have thought of the new production.

The reboot stays true to the original show by reviving the famous theme song and pipeline wave logo, though in an updated way. Both series highlight the gritty parts of Hawaii which visitor bureaus do not want tourists to see. The reboot characters enter the show more developed and with their own baggage providing storylines for future shows. The director, writers and actors give a nod to the original cast while making the show their own. Lord was set on being the sole star of the show rather than sharing the limelight.

The Technology

Both teams depend on more than brawn, fasts cars and guns to win the battle against crime. Technology plays a key role in both the old and reboot show. In almost every episode, the original Steve McGarrett and the team sent a problem to “The Computer” to solve. We saw stock shots of a computer technician sorting stacks of punch cards as the computer analyzed facts from eye color to library card usage. Some of the invented technology included using a computer signal to open a bank or a signal tone on a police radio used to open a garage door.

The reboot team also depends on technology to solve crime. Smart phones and laptop computers with wireless Internet access give the team instant information. In the original show, McGarrett used the police car radio requesting, “Patch me though to the Governor.” Now McGarrett uses his cell phone to contact a friend on a naval intelligence ship in the middle of the ocean to call in a favor. He gets video of top security military satellite images sent directly to his car phone to aid in a high-speed chase. It is not just the Hawaii Five-0 team that has the latest technology. What would Jack Lord think about the reboot pilot episode scene of a father video chatting with his son via a smart phone while a passenger in a car?

Ford Motor Company sponsored the original show and all the cars used were big road boats that would list as they took the curves. Reboot vehicles like Camero, Silverado pickup and motorcycles are much more agile and faster. Jack Lord would have enjoyed taking a spin in one of these and put these rides through their paces. So far, the hubcaps in the reboot shows are staying on the cars wheels, unlike in the original.

Would Lord turn over in his grave? Of course, we will never know for sure what Lord would think of the reboot Hawaii Five-0. In the 42 years since the original show debuted, Hawaii has evolved. Lord would hardly recognize some of his old haunts. My guess? Lord would appreciate the nod to the original show from the reboot series and with the spirit of aloha, wish the new show well.

For those who cannot get enough Hawaii Five-0 discussion, visit Mike Quigley’s Hawaii Five-0 trivia and oddities page or follow Mike on Twitter. Mike also maintains links to other Hawaii Five-0 sites on his Hawaii Five-0 FAQ page.

View my entire “Hawaii Five-0: Now and Then” series at tag: H50NAT

About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk. She is also the author of the book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career”, available in paperback and on the Kindle.

Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AprilMWilliams
CyberLife Tutors Blog http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog/
Personal Blog http://aprilmwilliams.wordpress.com

Jack Lord starred in Hawaii Five-0 as Steve McGarrett, head of the Hawaii State Police. It is rumored that fellow cast and crew members called Jack “The Lord” due to his insistence on perfection, involvement in all aspects of the show and refusal to fraternize with others as noted in this TV Guide story from 1971. He was particular about his trademark pompadour hairstyle and stylish suits.

Lord continued to live in Hawaii and passed away there in 1998. As I watched the pilot episode of the rebooted Hawaii Five-0 television show, I pondered what Jack Lord would have thought of the new production.

The reboot stays true to the original show by reviving the famous theme song and pipeline wave logo, though in an updated way. Both series highlight the gritty parts of Hawaii which visitor bureaus do not want tourists to see. The reboot characters enter the show more developed and with their own baggage providing storylines for future shows. The director, writers and actors give a nod to the original cast while making the show their own. Lord was set on being the sole star of the show rather than sharing the limelight.

The Places

Tropical Waikiki beach and downtown Honolulu are central to both the original and reboot Hawaii Five-0 series. The sandy beach arching to meet Diamond Head crater at the east end of Waikiki Beach is one of the most recognized vistas in the world. The distinctive blue and white Ilikai Hotel continues to be a favorite filming location. Who can forget the tight pan in to Jack Lord standing atop the Ilikai penthouse balcony in the original opening credits? Next to the Ilikai and Hilton Hawaiian Village is the newly renovated Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, a location which has been used for scenic outdoor scenes in both shows. Rumor has it that Jack Lord liked to spend time at the Ilikai and would probably enjoy sitting on the lanai watching the reboot episode filming perhaps offering directorial suggestions.

Diamond Head view from the Duke Kahanmoku Lagoon (photo credit: D’Arcy Norman)

Jack Lord lived in Kahala near the beachfront Kahala Inn. The hotel has been used for location scenes in both series. The scenic pool area overlooks the Pacific and it is hard to miss the scenes where dolphins are performing tricks in the pool. I bet Lord enjoyed the commute to work on the days they filmed at the Kahala Inn. He could almost literally roll out of bed and be on the set.

When not chasing criminals, the team is often back at their office. The original show offices were in the top floor of the Iolani Palace. Once home to last of the ruling Hawaiian royalty, the palace is now a National Historic Landmark. Outdoor shots of the Five-0 team offices in the original show indicate the team used rooms in the front of the building. Actually, the filming was done in the rear rooms as you can see the State Capital building as you look through the windows in the rear of the set.

The reboot team offices are located across King Street in the Hawaii State Supreme Court building (Aliʻiōlani Hale) marked by the eighteen foot tall golden statue of King Kamehameha in front of the building: a popular landmark. These two buildings are important to the cultural history of the state and of Hawaii people. Jack Lord was active in the community and would appreciate the focus on Hawaiian history.

In both shows, peeling out of the office, the force races cars down Ala Moana and Ala Wai Boulevards, Kalakaua Avenue, Diamond Head Road and the streets of Chinatown. The original show commonly used stock shots for many of these scenes. As we watched the cars chasing down the city streets, the make, model or color of the cars would suddenly change based on the film clip available. Let’s hope the reboot pays a little more attention to continuity during production.

It is interesting to note how different Honolulu and especially Waikiki appear when comparing shots of the same areas from the two different shows. Waikiki today is far more developed than it was 30 years ago. Many of the kitschy mom and pop shops of yore have been replaced by high-rise hotels, high-end retail stores and indoor shopping malls. It won’t be long before the Waikiki of Jack Lord’s day will be gone forever.

For those who cannot get enough Hawaii Five-0 discussion, visit Mike Quigley’s Hawaii Five-0 trivia and oddities page or follow Mike on Twitter. Mike also maintains links to other Hawaii Five-0 sites on his Hawaii Five-0 FAQ page.

To be continued…check back here on 808Talk for the third and final part of this special three parts series on Hawaii Five-0 now and then.

View my entire “Hawaii Five-0: Now and Then” series at tag: H50NAT

About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk. She is also the author of the book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career”, available in paperback and on the Kindle.

Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AprilMWilliams
CyberLife Tutors Blog http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog/
Personal Blog http://aprilmwilliams.wordpress.com

Jack Lord starred in Hawaii Five-0 as Steve McGarrett, head of the Hawaii State Police. It is rumored that fellow cast and crew members called Jack “The Lord” due to his insistence on perfection, involvement in all aspects of the show and refusal to fraternize with others as noted in this TV Guide story from 1971. He was particular about his trademark pompadour hairstyle and stylish suits.

Lord continued to live in Hawaii and passed away there in 1998. As I watched the pilot episode of the rebooted Hawaii Five-0 television show, I pondered what Jack Lord would have thought of the new production.

The reboot stays true to the original show by reviving the famous theme song and pipeline wave logo, though in an updated way. Both series highlight the gritty parts of Hawaii which visitor bureaus do not want tourists to see. The reboot characters enter the show more developed and with their own baggage providing storylines for future shows. The director, writers and actors give a nod to the original cast while making the show their own. Lord was set on being the sole star of the show rather than sharing the limelight.

The People

Both the original show and the reboot focus on four central characters. In both versions Steve McGarrett heads the team. Interaction between McGarrett and characters Danny Williams, Chin Ho Kelly and Kono Kalakaua are very different in the reboot. In the original, McGarrett ran things by the book and directed his team’s actions. A team member would say, “Look Steve, I found this gun.” McGarrett would run over and order his staff to, “Get the gun to the lab and have them check for fingerprints.” It seemed, even after twelve years, the team could not take any actions without McGarrett’s explicit direction. The team looked up to McGarrett and would never consider making a move without his permission. The reboot series reflect our society’s transition away from the autocratic, top down management style where authority is often challenged and we see contention in the ranks. Lord would have quickly squelched any challenge to his authority.

The original Five-0 team always wore suits to the office. McGarrett could be counted on to wear blue or grey ventless suits despite being outside in 90 degree temperatures. The rest of the team took turns wearing brown, grey, maroon, green and even plaid suits. The current reboot team wears t-shirts and jeans except for Danny. This hold out wears a dress shirt and tie even when chasing the bad guys along the beach despite the grief that McGarrett gives him.

In the reboot, Alex O’Loughlin as Steve McGarrett plays a rogue cop with a personal vendetta against the bad guys who killed his father. Co-star Scott Caan (Danny Williams) reluctantly joins the team and challenges McGarrett at every opportunity. In the pilot reboot episode, Danny punches McGarrett in the mouth. The original Danny never argued, challenged or confronted McGarrett. After all the years of leading the team, Jack Lord may have been relieved to see the team become more self directed and display initiative.

The original Danny enjoyed living in Hawaii and spending time outdoors. He was a bachelor who appeared to work around the clock and had no outside interests. Rebooted Danny is new to Hawaii, following his ex-wife, who has physical custody of their young daughter, so he can have visitation. He hates when McGarrett says “Book ‘em, Danno” and cannot wait to get off this rock. Lord would be riled as this reboot Danny character steals the show.

In the original series, Chin Ho Kelly often took a backseat in many episodes with little screen time. In one episode, we were introduced Chin’s family and know he has ties to the Chinese underworld that run the dark side of town. McGarrett would often send Chin into Chinatown to pick up scuttlebutt or spread information. The reboot Chin, played by LOST’s Daniel Dae Kim freely speaks his mind and takes action based on experience gained through years as a cop. He was recently removed from the police force for misdeeds he denies doing. McGarrett believes Chin is honest though he knows other cops will resist working with them due to this blot on Chin’s record. Lord would likely try to tone down this character as Chin competes for screen time.

Reboot Chin brings his beautiful cousin onto the Hawaii Five-0 team. Grace Park as a bikini wearing, surfing Kono Kalakaua is brand new to the police force. This characterization is a departure from the original Kono character played by the formidable Zulu. Park goes undercover as a cocktail waitress in an early episode, which of course Zulu would never have been able to pull off. In Lord’s day, there were few professional women on the show. They were relegated to roles as admins, beach babes or wealthy socialites. As an “abide by the rules” kind of guy, I imagine Lord would follow all current employment laws and quotas.

The four main reboot characters each play a dominant role in the episodes aired to date. Unlike the original show, team members each offer their talents and knowledge rather than requiring constant direction from McGarrett. Over time, the original show’s cast grew and featured recurring support characters including the Hawaii State Governor, forensic technicians, coroner, and other police officers. To date, these characters, except for the Governor, have not been included in the reboot show. Famous actors gladly flew to Hawaii for guest roles as the original show became more popular. The Hawaiian set is likely to draw today’s celebrities for guest appearances in the same manner. Would Lord be worried about being upstaged?

For those who cannot get enough Hawaii Five-0 discussion, visit Mike Quigley’s Hawaii Five-0 trivia and oddities page or follow Mike on Twitter. Mike also maintains links to other Hawaii Five-0 sites on his Hawaii Five-0 FAQ page.

To be continued…check back here on 808Talk for the second part of this special three parts series on Hawaii Five-0 now and then.

View my entire “Hawaii Five-0: Now and Then” series at tag: H50NAT

About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk. She is also the author of the book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career”, available in paperback and on the Kindle.

Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AprilMWilliams
CyberLife Tutors Blog http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog/
Personal Blog http://aprilmwilliams.wordpress.com

On our recent visit to the center, we were greeted in a front office and asked to make a small donation to the center. We felt awkward as we sat alone watching a 20-minute overview of tea ceremony practices and etiquette on a 27″ television. In the video, we learned the traditional tea ceremony lasts about four hours and wondered what we had signed up for.

April enjoying the tea. (photo credit: Noel F. Williams)

Soon after the video ended, a woman in a bright print kimono entered the room and led us outdoors through the silent garden. She was to be our guide throughout the next two hours. We learned we would experience the shorter, thin tea ceremony, which lasts about an hour. Our guide silently slid open the white opaque screen to the traditional tea room. Before entering, we removed our shoes, as requested, so as to protect the bamboo mats covering the floor. We struggled to kneel as directed at the invisible line the guide drew on the mat with her finger.

We learned our guide was a founding member of the Honolulu Urasenke Foundation and has been a student for over 50 years. When I asked how long it takes to learn the ways of the Japanese tea ceremony, she assured me that it is a continuous journey, and she continues to learn.

Two other students in colorful summer kimonos entered the room through a rear door. Their roles were “host” and “guest” for tea, explained our guide. During our visit, both these women remained silent as was explained during the earlier video. We greeted each other with deep bows. Our guide narrated and coached us in our actions and answered our questions.

Host in black kimono and a guest (student) in white kimono. (photo credit: Noel F. Williams)

Making the thin tea is an elaborate process with each cup individually prepared and served to guests. Each precise movement is executed gracefully as our host ladles boiling water into the cup from a caldron inset into the floor. Next, she scoops the finely ground tea from the elaborate container using a long handled wooden spoon. A miniature bamboo whisk is used to create a frothy, thin tea. To show our appreciation, we placed the teacup in our palm, turning the cup to admire the artistry before drinking the bitter tea.

A plate of delicate cookies decorated with ginkgo tree leaf designs was offered to each guest. After tea and cookies, our host passed the decorated tea holder and spoons she had specially selected for our visit. Before guests arrive, the host carefully chose cups, spoons and plates to reflect the season and those attending. As appreciative guests, we followed the suggestions of our guide as we took a few moments to study and admire each of these items before passing them to the next guest.

We are studying Japanese and during our visit, we spoke several simple phases we know. The Urasenke students encouraged our attempts to communicate in their language.

I recommend a visit to the Urasenke Foundation for those interested in learning about Japanese culture. This activity requires sitting still and quietly for about two hours and very hot tea therefore may not be suitable for active children.

You can visit the Urasenke Foundation in Waikiki.
245 Saratoga Road
Honolulu, HI 96815-1942 Map
(808) 923-3059

About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk. She is also the author of the book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career”, available in paperback and on the Kindle.

Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AprilMWilliams
CyberLife Tutors Blog http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog/
Personal Blog http://aprilmwilliams.wordpress.com

808Talk: You frequently visit Hawaii. What are your favorite things to do when you are on island?
AMW: We look forward to our visits and are always anxious to get back to the islands. Through the years, we have made many friends and enjoy spending time with them. There are always a few tweetups or meetups where we can visit with Twitter friends. Each trip is filled with a combination of favorite activities like walking around Diamond Head and shopping at the Kapi’olani Farmers Market. Being early risers, we get out in the morning for sunrise walks. Each stay includes dining at different restaurants recommended by friends, hiking and sight seeing.

808Talk: Your 808Talk articles are about things you see and do here in Hawaii. This time, tell us about you.
AMW: I am a speaker, author, coach and blogger. I am an author of two blogs in addition to writing for 808Talk and other web sites. My company, Cyberlife Tutors, helps small businesses build their visibility by leveraging social networking technologies and techniques. The companies I’ve worked with operate in various sectors such as food service, legal, finance and tourism. My clients are what make my work so interesting. My philosophy is that connections build awareness for your company and expand your business.

808Talk: What tips would you suggest for someone planning a first time visit to Hawaii?
AMW: Each island has it’s own personality and will appeal to different people. Plan your destination based on the type of vacation you enjoy. Oahu, where Honolulu the state capital is located, is a big city with tall buildings, traffic and nightlife. The North Shore area is more laid back and the big waves attract many surfers in winter. If you are looking for a more relaxed pace, consider Maui or the Big Island. Lush with vegetation, Kauai is known for hiking and scenery.

808Talk: What are your off the beaten path recommendation for tourists to see or do?
AMW: If you enjoy a variety of dining options, check out the many ethnic restaurants in the Kapahulu neighborhood. For garden enthusiasts, the newly renovated cactus garden in front of Kapi’olani Community College is an interesting stop. For hiking, check out Manoa Falls or Mariners Ridge trails for awesome scenery. Walk up Diamond Head or take the non-typical walk around the base of Diamond Head for breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

808Talk: What history do you wish to share with us about the islands?
AMW: We met survivors of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and it is important to document their story. There are few left to tell their perspective. Hawaiian Royalty governed the islands for many years and the ‘Iolani Palace and Queen Emma’s Summer Palace preserves their legacy. Of course, there is the geological history of the islands themselves you can see when you visit Volcanoes National Park or Haleakala.

808Talk: Have you learned about Hawaiian history while geocaching in Hawaii?
AMW: Geocaching is treasure hunting with a GPS receiver to locate items at specific coordinates. By following these clues we have uncovered all kinds of off the beaten path places. There are many caches or hidden locations in Hawaii and throughout the world. With this hobby, we learned about local culture, famous sites and people in history.

808Talk: Do you use The Bus when you are visiting Oahu?
AMW: The Bus service covers virtually all of Oahu and the coverage is especially good in Honolulu. A ride is an immersion in culture as tourists and locals intermingle on these trips. The drivers are usually helpful so do not be afraid to ask questions. It is not unusual for us to get a couple of restaurant recommendations during these rides. For a couple of bucks you get a ride and your transfer gets you a return trip for free.

808Talk: You seem to meet new people everywhere you go. How did your current book, “Social Networking Throughout Your Career” come about?
AMW: This book is a result of questions asked by my clients. There is both marketing your business and also marketing of yourself. This book shows you how to develop an effective strategy and stay with it throughout one’s career and not just when one is unemployed. Too many of us stop the practice of networking once we land a job thinking that it is no longer necessary. This book tells you why the care and feeding of your network is so important.

808Talk: Where can readers get a copy of your book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career?”
AMW: My book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career” is available on Amazon.com.

808Talk: You are a sought after speaker for conferences, professional groups and training sessions. How can a reader contact you for more information?
AMW: Readers can call me at (414) 502-7745 or email me at april@cyberlifetutors.com. Please say “hello” and introduce yourself if we meetup when we are in Hawaii. Suggestions from readers on new places to visit are always welcome.

You can read more of April’s 808Talk articles at http://www.808talk.com/author/amwilliams

About April M. Williams:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk. She is also the author of the book “Social Networking Throughout Your Career”, available in paperback and on the Kindle.

Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AprilMWilliams
CyberLife Tutors Blog http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog.html
Personal Blog http://aprilmwilliams.wordpress.com

With each day bringing us a new advancement in technology we decided to jump on the train and bring you our first iPhone app that will allow you to get the latest and greatest that 808Talk has to offer. Get up to date delivery of our videos, audio and even wallpaper, not to mention we will routinely be including specials and alerts available in .pdf format so you can get the best out of your stay in Hawaii should WHEN you decide to visit.

And so for a cost less than the price of a fancy cup of coffee, at you know where, you can get our App available now in the iTunes store.

    
Preview

Description:

Bringing you travel tips, news, vacation advice, and cultural information direct from Hawaii via the latest audio and video episodes from the 808Talk Podcast – along with exclusive bonus material. In addition to access to the show, there is also access to special features:

• PDF documents – covering Hawaii travel tips, discounts and more
• Hawaii wallpaper
• Bonus audio and video content
• Exclusive audio tracks from Hawaii’s leading music entertainers
• Access to the show’s Twitter feed
• Call-in audio comments

Traveling to Hawaii soon or just curious about the wonderful islands of aloha? Looking for an “Insider Guide to Hawaii” from local residents with aloha that only Hawaii has to offer? If you answered yes, then this app is for you! Mahalo (thank you) for purchasing our App and supporting 808Talk. We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful islands of aloha soon!

(Please note, not all features are available for all episodes. Call-in feature is only available on iPhone but not iPod Touch)

808Talk Hawaii Sharing Aloha App

$1.99

Category: Travel

Publisher: Wizzard Media

The Chicago area, where I’ve lived most my life, is a melting pot of cultures. The Midwest is dramatically different from this scenic locale over four thousand miles from the place where I grew up. From the moment we boarded the plane for our first visit we heard “aloha” and “mahalo“. Once we got off the plane in Honolulu we saw bilingual signs, though the second language was not Spanish as it would be at home. English, Japanese and sometimes Hawaiian was printed on these signs. I remembering standing in front of two restroom doors trying to decide if I was a “kane” (man) or “wahine” (woman) since I didn’t recognize the words.

Oahu’s population is a diverse mix of cultures in which no majority is represented. Japanese are the largest minority making up over 23% of the population. Other Asians are another 32% of the demographics. White, non-Hispanic are less than 18% of the total state residents.

Sometimes I’ll ask others if they have traveled to Hawaii. A common response I hear is “No, I’ve never been outside the United States.” Hawaii is a state and has been since 1959, though it has the exotic feel of another country.

Dancing The Hula

Photo Credit: (808Talk) / © All rights reserved

Locals actively promote the Hawaiian culture through dance, stories and music at shows free to the public. The dance is “hula” and you will often find the instrument of choice to be the ukulele. Mistakenly thought to be of Hawaiian origin by many, the ukulele was actually brought to the islands by Portuguese laborers many years ago.

Sunrise From Atop Haleakala in Maui, Hawaii

Photo Credit: (Dylan Parker) / CC by-sa 2.0

The climate in Hawaii is like no other place I have visited. In this tropic region, ocean, beaches, arid desert, rain forests, mountains and snow can all be found within a few hundred miles. The peaks, valleys and ridges of the mountains influence the weather resulting in different terrain throughout the islands. You can see the line of clouds as the rain hangs on the windward side of the mountains.

As a first time visitor to Hawaii, the languages, cultures and variety of terrain endeared me and enticed me to return. Like a siren, the islands keep calling me back for more adventures.

About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk.

Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AprilMWilliams
CyberLife Tutors Blog http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog.html
Personal Blog http://aprilmwilliams.wordpress.com

• No parking fees. When you ride the bus, there is never a need to dig for quarters to fill the parking meters or pay garage parking prices. Daily parking fees range from $15-$25 in Waikiki.
• No circling for open parking spots. The bus stops to let you out and you can walk right to your destination. No more driving around hoping someone pulls out so you can grab an open stall.
• Enjoy the scenery. When you drive, you need to pay attention to other cars, street signs, pedestrians and bikers. During rush hour in Honolulu, some streets reverse the flow of traffic which can be confusing. While on the bus, you can take in blue skies, lush green mountains, ocean views and local architecture.
• Relax on the bus. City driving is stressful but you can leave the driving to someone else. Let yourself unwind as you take in your surroundings.
• Meet new people. We take advantage of our time with the locals on the bus. Looking for a place for dinner? Ask your fellow passengers for ideas.
• Tour without backtracking. Take pleasure in a leisurely stroll going as far as you choose. No need to backtrack to find the car. Just jump on the bus for your return trip.
• Easy to find your way. Why spend time driving around lost. Most hotels have directions for how to get around using the bus. System and route maps are available at http://www.thebus.org/Route/Routes.asp.
• Best deal in town. For just $2.25 you can take a ride on the bus. Ask for a transfer and you can ride again for free within a two hour window. Four day, monthly, and annual pass rates are an even better deal.
• Drink a toast. Enjoy an adult beverage or two without concerns about driving while intoxicated. Island police are serious about keeping the streets safe. If you have been drinking, it’s better to leave the driving to The Bus.
• Everyone is welcome. The Bus “kneels” for easier embarkation. Lifts aid riders who need assistance boarding. You can even take your bike on the racks mounted on the front of the bus.

Save time and money using the Oahu bus system. Friendly drivers are there to make your trip pleasant. The Bus system goes nearly everywhere on Oahu. You can find route information and maps available at http://www.thebus.org. For more information call The Bus (808) 848-4500.

About this guest blogger:
April M. Williams is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and a great friend of 808Talk.

Learn more about April by visiting her at the websites below.
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilmwilliams
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilMWilliams
CyberLife Tutors Blog http://cyberlifetutors.com/blog.html
Personal Blog http://aprilmwilliams.wordpress.com

Below is a little excerpt from what the project is all about.

I am going to be in Hana for 5 days. I plan on shopping when I arrive in Kahului and in Paia at Mana Foods. My goal is to buy only products made in Hawaii. I want to do this for 2 reasons:

• I want to honor hardworking Hawaiian businesses by purchasing their products.
• I want to sample the best of the Islands and purchase things that I couldn’t easily find on the mainland.

- John Holland

To read more about the project visit John’s page at http://bit.ly/3XCDoL and pass on to him any recommendations you may have. John is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, so send him your input quick!

“Two pairs of lovers (Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich, Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez) on a Hawaiian vacation discover that psychopaths are stalking and murdering tourists on the islands. Cliff and Cydney are an adventurous young couple celebrating their honeymoon by backpacking to one of the most beautiful, and remote, beaches in Hawaii. Hiking the wild, secluded trails, they believe they’ve found paradise. But when the pair comes across a group of frightened hikers discussing the horrifying murder of another newlywed couple on the islands, they begin to question whether they should turn back. Unsure whether to stay or flee, Cliff and Cydney join up with two other couples, and things begin to go terrifyingly wrong. Far from civilization or rescue, everyone begins to look like a threat and nobody knows whom to trust. Paradise becomes hell on earth as a brutal battle for survival begins.“

Source: Wikipedia

Official Website of A Perfect Getaway:
http://www.iamrogue.com/aperfectgetaway/

Yesterday we FINALLY got rid of 2008 and stepped head first into what I KNOW will be a promising New Year! The many events of 08 were not all that wonderful, but the friends we made along the way were most excellent and for that we are thankful.

So now that we have stepped into 2009, what next? Well yesterday we sort of stumbled into the theme for the year and that is Aloha! What started off as a way to document the island happenings throughout the New Year Eve events actually turned into what we are going to call the Aloha09 Project! So what is the Aloha09 Project? Well it’s a way to spread the Aloha and show the world what it’s really all about and what Hawaii is all about. Sort of like our own engaging campaign to prove why Hawaii should be your place to visit and enjoy, because we have so much beauty, friendly people, and Aloha!

How can you get in on the Aloha09 Project? Simple! If you’re on Twitter, then just hashtag any tweet of Aloha with #aloha09 so that it passes it on throughout Twitter. And if you’re not on Twitter, then Join The Conversation! You can also help by tagging aloha09 on your blog or website during any post where you wish to spread the aloha. Sounds simple right? Because it is…and we aim to show the power of Hawaii and the aloha it brings.

You can follow along with the stream of #aloha09 or add @aloha09 on Twitter for starts. Then make it a goal to tweet at least one #aloha09 everyday and spread the joy. Special mahalo to @NathanKam for creating the hashtag and for all the people in Hawaii and around the world who participated in the NYE event which helped trend us to #2 on Twitter!

We hope your 2009 is a year to remember and most of all we hope you experience, enjoy, and spread the aloha around the world!

The Aloha Spirit

*UPDATE*
The Aloha09 Project now has it’s own page: http://aloha09.808talk.com

On this joyous time of the year we wanted to wish each and everyone of our wonderful readers, listeners and viewers a very, very Merry Christmas!

During Christmas we experience much love and happiness and sometimes set aside the indifference’s we have with each other so that we all may experience this wonderful season. I challenge you to not just save this all for Christmas day, but practice it each and everyday with the aloha that we share in the islands. In doing so, you’ll find that the world can become a better place for all and that the aloha we share is contagious.

“When you see “Mele Kalikimaka,” recognize that it is the Hawaiianized pronunciation of “Merry Christmas.”

The Hawaiian language does not include all the sounds found in the English language (notably the letter R). Thus the familiar English phrase of “Merry Christmas” when pronounced using Hawaiian language syllables becomes “Mele Kalikimaka” (note the substitution of L’s for R’s).

“Mele Kalikimaka” is therefore not Hawaiian for “Merry Christmas,” but simply a Hawaiian transliteration“

Enjoy these videos from us @808Talk and our good friend @DocTrey

Mahalo to a few Twitter friends that sent XMAS shoutouts!
@AlohaArleen: http://vm.808talk.com/XMAS2008/AlohaArleen.mp3
@DocTrey: http://vm.808talk.com/XMAS2008/DocTrey.mp3
@ierict: http://vm.808talk.com/XMAS2008/ierict.mp3

You too can send us a shoutout or even a Happy New Year greeting!
Leave us a voicemail at: (808) 356-0967

More about Mele Kalikimaka

When I first moved to Hawaii, a few of my friends asked: “so, have you seen Dog yet?” To which I responded: “He’s from here?” One could say I’m a Dog neophyte.

But when I heard that Duane “Dog” Chapman would be at Da Kine Bail Bonds today, signing autographs, I knew I had to go. Because today I had a mission: to get autographs for seven friends, deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. And since I’m six months pregnant, the ironic side of me really wanted to get a photo of my big ol’ belly with him for the baby album.

There were no fancy press passes for this gal. Nope, I got the authentic, wait-in-line-with-the-rest-of-humanity treatment. Waiting in line, as it turns out, is half of the fun. The people standing behind me weren’t—strictly speaking—standing behind me. Rather, they milled impatiently beside me as I read my new Dog the Bounty Hunter book, flashing them the occasional incredulous look. There are always those side-standing people near me in a line. It’s just a cross I must bear.

To my front, a nerdy dude in a freshly-purchased aloha shirt fidgeted. He loudly quoted Dog facts from his book and said such gems as:

“I don’t think Dog will be here long because he’ll have to get back to cleaning up the streets.”

And:

“Don’t worry about someone stealing your camera. If they did, I bet Dog would chase them down.”

You can’t make this stuff up. I would have killed to be in the room when this guy met Dog. Something hilarious must have come out of his mouth But alas! We were split up into groups.

First, I met the secondary cast: Baby Lyssa, Leland and Duane Lee. I was impressed by how normal they seemed, and that they listened attentively to my schpeil, which went something like this:

“Hi. I’m in the Army Reserves and if I weren’t hapai, I’d be with my unit in Afghanistan. Can you sign seven photos for my friends who are there right now?” Happily, they obliged.

Then (drumroll please) I was whisked in to meet Dog, in all his mullet-ed glory, looking like he’d channeled an 80′s rock star as he dressed himself.

I repeated the schpeil. He was genuine in his interest, even asking me if I’d been deployed—which I have. He said “thank you for doing what you do.” What do you say when Dog thanks you? Stammer a lame “you’re welcome,” apparently.

He signed each of my seven photos “stay alive, Brah.” It’s almost poetic in it’s simplicity. Any more effusive and it would have been cheesy. I think it’s the only thank you I’ve ever heard for being a soldier that seemed totally unselfconscious. (Oh, I really am a part-time soldier. It wasn’t just a ploy to get more autographs.)

“When are you due?” Dog said, and was very surprised that I was only six months along, considering my gigantic belly.

Somewhat flustered, I explained “I’m very short, so there’s nowhere for the baby to go but out.” Dog looked me up and down, and he said: “yeah, you are kind of small.”

Then, we took a photo together. Ladies, don’t be jealous, but I actually got to touch his famous blonde mane. It’s not difficult to do, because that mullet is all over the place. When we cuddled up for the picture, my hand got lost in it. It felt of Aqua Net and Sun-In. It was perfect.

My meet and greet with Beth was the shortest of all the encounters. She was distracted, but sweet. I forgive her, because she was doing segments with a Channel 2 news team, describing Dog’s involvement in some new charity work here in Honolulu. I had no idea he was a do-gooder. I left the event, thoroughly charmed. Now I gotta start watching the show.

In summary, these are the important things you should know from my “date”:

• Dog and his family are far handsomer in person than on TV
• Dog does good stuff for his community
• Standing in line with tourists is funny
• Beth’s famous cleavage is actually larger than it appears on TV
• And seven guys in Iraq and Afghanistan will get a special Christmas present this year, thanks to Dog

So thanks, Dog…

Mahalo to all our listeners and supporters out there who continue to help us spread the aloha and introduce more to the wonderful beauty, activities, music and events that take place in our paradise we call home.

So now that the nominations are in, the next step is the voting process. We encourage you to continue to help and support 808Talk and cast your vote for us as this year’s best travel podcast.

To vote, visit the Podcast Awards website and look under the “Travel” section to cast your vote for 808Talk, then below that fill in your name and email and any comments you may have and then press “Submit”. You will then receive an email with further vote verification instructions.

Mahalo for your continued support and a hui ho.

(Voting Opens On October 23rd and Continues Until November 6th @ 2359)
View Nominations and Vote Here: http://www.podcastawards.com

Check out our podcast here: http://audiolist.808talk.com

“Aloha Challenge is symbilingo‘s language immersion championship for Japanese and Americans. 8 bi-lingual college interns test their language, management, and creative abilities to win this 4-week filmmaking competition. If they can convince teams of high school students to hire them, then lead those teams to victory, elimination is avoided.

Tight deadlines, language barriers, and personalities complicate any situation, but certainly make for a compelling low-budget, high-content reality show.“

Aloha Challenge 2008 – http://www.alohachallenge.tv

Sandy Beach (21°17′5″N, 157°40′20″W) is on the South Shore of O’ahu in Hawai’i. It is known for its shorebreak and for its bodyboarding and bodysurfing. The area is also known for its strong current and dangerous shorebreak. Unexperienced bodyborders, bodysurfers, and swimmers should stay out of the water. The beach park is located between Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Park on the west and MakapuÊ»u Point on east along 8800 Kalanianaole Highway in Hawai’i Kai, on Honolulu’s southside neighborhood.

Enjoy the view and wonderful beach but remember to not let the beauty distract you from the danger. Read more about Sandy Beach Hazards and why lifeguards remind us all to “never turn your back on the ocean.”

In Hawaii they also pose a great threat to the ocean wildlife when they find their way into the sea via drains and sewage pipes. Whales, dolphins, seals and turtles die due to plastic bags because they mistake them for food and ingest them.

In the last few days both Maui and the Big Island have implement bans that are set to take effect in the next few years in order to give businesses time to use up their remain plastic bags. After that point, those who do not comply will face fines.

More Info: The Dangers of Plastic Bags

So what’s the 808 part we’re talking about? It’s Hawaii’s area code of course and what makes it so unique is that Hawaii is one of only a few states that still has a single unified area code. Maybe now you can understand what the 808 in 808Talk actually represents unless of course you’ve already read all about us then you’d know already anyway.

So let’s get back to the 080808 and talk about the significance of the number 8. Up until this week, I never realized how lucky of a number “8″ is considered to be in the Chinese culture. This might explain the reason that the 2008 Beijing Olympics is set to start on the 8th day of the 8th month of the year 2008 at 8:08 local time.

As mentioned in a special edition write-up over at The Honolulu Star-Bulletin titled “Celebrate Lucky 8!“, in Hong Kong, they try to get as many 8′s as possible in a cell-phone number or apartment number because it’s believed to be so darn lucky. If this is the case, then Hawaii has to be a lucky state and I for one think it is. We always say “Lucky We Live Hawaii” and now it really does make sense since our area code is 808 and of course we consider ourselves the “808 State” and now we know the number 8 is lucky.

So on this joyous and aloha of Fridays be sure and remember the 808 in 080808 and think of Hawaii and how you can fulfill your ultimate getaway of joining us in one of the most beautiful places on earth and becoming one of the lucky and fortunate to see the many things the islands have to offer.

We hope you enjoy the peek into Hawaii via the wonderful video put together by 2205536 which should get you wanting a taste of the 808 experience that can only be accomplished by being here in person.

808 Area Code Links
Area Code 808
LincMad Telephone Area Codes & Splits

Number 8 Links
Lucky 8’s in China
China’s Lucky Number 8
The significance of 8
The Significance of The Number Eight
The Spiritual Significance of the Number 8!

He sets out to Southeast Asia with a “Who’s Who” of celebrity co-stars. They include Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), an intense, three-time Oscar-winning actor; Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), star of the popular gross-out comedy franchise “The Fatties”; multi-platinum hip-hop-star-turned-entrepreneur-turned-actor Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson); and first-timer Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel). Cameos include Tom Cruise, Kathy Hilton, Tobey Maguire, Matthew McConaughey, Katie Holmes, Mickey Rooney, Justin Theroux and The Mooney Suzuki. Soon after the production begins the actors are thrown into a real-life situation and are forced to become the fighting unit they’re portraying, in order to find a way out of the jungle in one piece.

Tropic Thunder is yet another film that will get you laughing as well as give you an inside glimpse into some of the most beautiful scenery Hawaii has to offer on MY favorite island of Kauai. Directed by funny man Ben Stiller, this film is set to release August 13th, 2008 in theaters nationwide.

“Tropic Thunder is an upcoming 2008 action comedy film directed by Ben Stiller and starring Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. as a group of actors filming a Vietnam War movie when their fed-up writer-director decides to dump them in the middle of a real war.“

Source: Wikipedia

This motion picture and trailer is Rated-R

If you’ve seen a preview/private viewing of the film before the release and want to post a review in the comments below, please feel free to do so. Also if you want to bookmark this post and check back in after you view the film to leave your review, be sure and do that as well.

Official Website of Tropic Thunder
http://www.tropicthunder.com

Star Bulletin Article From Filming On Kauai In 2007
http://phpurl.com/go

As the chances of Hawaii born Barack Obama winning the Democratic nomination for president have increased, so has the fame of the Japanese Obama Girls and the desire of the residents of Obama, Japan (pop. 32,000) to connect with the American candidate.

The Obama Girls are hoping that if Barack Obama becomes the next President of the United States, that they will get the chance to perform live and in person for Mr. Obama.

Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Every year, the Brown Bags To Stardom (BBTS) puts on the best and largest music talent contest for high school students in Hawaii. While Brown Bags has originally been a traditional talent show that goes out to all the schools and does a review of the talent, this year individual performers and bands from over 40 high schools (public and private) were invited to create a music video and submit it to BBTS. One of those contestants for 2008 was Laurissa Asuega of Waianae High School, who created a music video titled “Crazy Love.”

While it may have not taken home an award, we at 808Talk feel it deserves special mention so please enjoy!

BBTS is an original talent show that started in 1981 long before the days of American Idol and America’s Got Talent. Visit Brown Bags To Stardom today and learn more about this wonderful talent show that seeks out the best of the best in Hawaii.

Obama clothing is being printed up right here in Hawaii by local Punahou alumni at Butigroove clothing, and features the Obama campaign logo with a Hawaii flag and map of the island state. Other varieties include an Obama face logo, a stamp logo with “Barack The Vote – Hawaii” on it, and another shirt with “I Love Obama” on it to turn anyone out there into an Obama Girl.

“People were asking for shirts, so we decided to do it,” said BJ Sabate of Maui Bay and Buti Groove. Plans are in motion to give some of the special Obama mania clothing to the Obama family during their next return to Hawaii.

Get your own Hawaiian Style Barack Obama Wear by visiting the Butigroove online store at the links below.