Don’t hold back, please feel free to voice your opinion below no matter if you are for or against.

Read the entire transcript of today’s announcement @ HawaiiWeblog.com

Obama’s early years in Hawaii will be the focus of a locally produced documentary, titled “An American Boyhood: Barack Obama in Hawaii,” set to premier this month.

It’s obvious that the film is angling to dispel some of the myths surrounding Obama. For example, interviews with classmates from the Punahou School not-so-subtly reference the Christian school’s religious teachings, an obvious attack on the mindset that “Barack must be a Muslim because he has a scary sounding name!”

I love the little details this film provides about our soon-to-be prez. He was born at Kapiolani Medical Center, which I drive by weekly. He bummed around his neighborhood of Makiki, where I get coffee now and again. He lived in a modest apartment, not a well-appointed mansion. His first job was working at Baskin-Robbins on King Street. (As a McDonald’s alumnus, this makes me feel better about my future, despite not having any designs at a presidential nomination.)

But the movie has one notable challenge: to tread lightly the line between a legitimate Hawaii focus to the film and a less-legit and more preachy, pro-Hawaii vehicle.

From the trailer, every interviewee copiously mentions a direct relationship between Obama’s success and his childhood in Hawaii. It seems a bit trite to me, which could seriously jeopardize the film’s ability to gain widespread appeal outside our islands.

But then again, trailers can only reveal so much, and I’m optimistic. As a kama’aina, I have high hopes—I hope to hear a story about our new leader that is yet untold because only homegrown, island people can tell it.

Stay tuned for a review when the movie is released.

Visit www.BarackObamaHawaii.com to see a wonderfully lengthy half-hour preview

In March 1959, both houses of Congress passed the Hawaii Admission Act and U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law. On June 27 of that year, a referendum was held asking residents of Hawaii to vote on accepting the statehood bill. Hawaii voted at a ratio of 17 to 1 to accept. There has been criticism, however, of the Statehood plebiscite, because the only choices were to accept the Act or to remain a territory, without addressing the issues of legality surrounding the overthrow. Despite the criticism, the United Nations decolonization committee later removed Hawaii from the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

Hawaii was officially admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959, making it the 50th state. Its capital is Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The most recent census of 2005 puts the state’s population at 1,275,194.

“HONOLULU – To kick off the commemoration of Hawai’i's golden anniversary of statehood, the 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission today began airing the first of 50 Voices of Statehood radio and television vignettes.

The vignettes, which are being recorded by the award-winning Searider Productions of Wai’anae High School, feature personal perspectives on statehood and Hawai’i's history from 50 residents representing the state’s diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, political, social and economic backgrounds. Each week over the next year, a different vignette will air on six television stations and 60 radio stations statewide. An interactive online forum will allow teachers and students to incorporate the vignettes into their classroom discussions.

The first of the 50 Voices of Statehood vignettes features Dody Brown. Although she was only six at the time Hawai’i became a state, a young Dody was featured in a well-known 1959 photograph holding a newspaper announcing “STATEHOOD” in big, bold letters.

The 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission has planned a comprehensive year-long series of events and activities, with a special focus on education, to honor the 50th anniversary of Hawai’i's admission to the United States. The 50 Voices of Statehood series, as well as information on the Commission, its members and the commemorative plans may be found at www.hawaii.gov/statehood.“

Source: Hawaii.gov

Links:
50th Anniversary of Statehood
50 Years of Hawaiian States
808Talk Hawaii: 50th State

I said earlier that I thought long and hard about doing this writeup because I read many responses on the web and social networks regarding recent events where some responded to people talking about it and basically said, no need to continue to talk about negative Hawaii things. So I ask, is this a negative Hawaii thing? I mean who is right and who is wrong in this matter? I sure don’t know the answer to that one, but one thing I do know is that if I were a tourist planning a trip to Hawaii, I would WANT TO KNOW that this was going on! I think I would be more upset to spend my hard earned money and travel all the way to Hawaii to then learn about the struggles of the Native Hawaiians against the State of Hawaii and the United States especially if it meant that it was going to affect my travel plans or itinerary.

I only wonder myself as may many others, who really is the Hawaiian Kingdom of today? There are so many groups who claim it, but yet it seems they are still divided. Just think of the power they would have if all the Native Hawaiian groups came together and combined into one body and fought for the same cause.

Now after reading this I want to make it clear that I’M NOT implying that it is not a good idea to travel to Hawaii, in fact right now is as good a time as any to travel to the islands and let it be known that although there may be ongoing protest from time to time, there has yet to be any violence towards visitors or residents. Yes some of the other bloggers and media gurus in Hawaii may not like to see this type of posting, but hey most out there don’t really regard my opinions or writeups anyway when it comes to Hawaii. I write for the love of it, not because I get paid to do this or because I’m seeking a social standing. WHO CARES! What matters is the now and what is happening in Hawaii.

I love Hawaii, I love the people, I love the Aloha and most of all I love telling others that this is indeed the most beautiful place on earth. As for the Native Hawaiian movement, I truly believe they have a great cause worth fighting for, so why not get the world involved to develop a global opinion on what should be done to gain recognition and therefore right the wrongs that the Hawaiians have endured, instead of just keeping it quiet and hush, hush within Hawaii.

If you got something interesting to share in regards to the Native Hawaiian movement or even the recent Iolani Palace takeovers that have occurred, please feel free to add them in the comments below. We can only hope that as Hawaii approaches it’s 50th anniversary of statehood next year, that recognition and rights will be restored to the Native Hawaiians and the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Cost, loss of more natural Hawaiian landscape and noise pollution are high on the list of given Cons to light rail. Pros given are pretty much in line with just easing the traffic congestion that plagues Oahu motorists everyday.

Two non-profit groups, one on each side of the fence, have emerged and offer great insight into whether or not this is the right or wrong approach to solving all the bustling traffic of this metropolitan city located in the middle of the Pacific. The key points of both organizations are highlighted below.

Those for light rail claim:

• Best For The Local Economy
• Best for the Environment
• Best for Our Community

Those against light rail claim:

• It Will Cost $Billions And $Billions And $Billions
• It Will Not Relieve Traffic Congestion
• It Is Noisy
• It Will Be An Environmental Blight

What do you think? Take a minute and cast your vote in our current poll listed below. If you want to build your opinion before you cast your vote, feel free to visit the links to both sides of the debate and then come back and submit your vote.

Comments are also open below so let us know how you feel. Are you a local resident, tourist or just concerned party that wishes to voice your opinion? Voice it freely below.

 Loading …

State Land Board Director Laura H. Thielen denied the group an assembly permit yesterday, saying it had broken the rules of previous permits issued to the group.

“Based on their behavior over the last week, we cannot rely on the assurances that they’ve provided us because they have violated the permit conditions after full explanation of what those conditions prohibit,” Thielen said.

The group violated permit conditions by collecting money and entering buildings that were off limits, Thielen said.

A few questions I want to present to you readers out there is under the U.S. Constitution, citizens have the right to assemble peacefully which is what the Hawaiian Kingdom Government is doing. Would that apply in this case if you consider the land you are occupying non U.S. soil, which in turn would mean you are a foreign national and therefore in a foreign land that is not governed under the U.S. Constitution and laws?

Could this also mean that you did not have to comply with the conditions and laws of the State of Hawaii in this matter so therefore a permit would not be required? Would this protest and assembly then be allowed under Hawaiian rule? Would the King have permitted these actions? Just some food for thought. If you think about it, it’s a weird sort of loop that almost has no end. I’m just curious what others out there think…especially law guru’s. Add a comment below and join in this conversation.

Note:
The official site of the Hawaiian Kingdom Government which is occupying the palace grounds, is HIGovt.org and NOT HawaiianKingdom.org. For more clarification read here…

Additional Links:
Permit denied for assembly at palace
Native Hawaiian group: We’re staying
Native Hawaiians take over palace in Honolulu
Four Hawaiian royal societies criticize sovereignty group

Since then, the focus on bicycling has increased in Hawaii, not only because of critical mass, but also because of the increasing rise in gas prices, the traffic congestion that is experienced throughout Oahu and the overall price increase in just about everything which is causing people to look for alternatives to saving money. This increased awareness has finally brought attention up to lawmakers and state officials here in Hawaii and prompted them to look at the old 1999 Oahu bike plan.

The original 1999 bike plan only looked at bike paths from Kahala to Pearl City, whereas the new updated plan is set to address bike paths islandwide and put emphasis on linking bikeways for commutes and connections with public transportation.

While it’s estimated that there are only approximately 2,500 cyclists on Oahu, it’s still enough of a percentage to put Honolulu ninth in a ranking of 50 cities and therefore calls for the city to stand up and become more bike-friendly! This number is only destined to climb as projects such as K-Vibe and Cycle Manoa continue to reach out to the community and promote cycling.

Read here for more information on how the City of Honolulu is working to become a more bike-friendly community.

You can help in the progress of Oahu’s bike plan. Participate in the Survey on Bicycling on O’ahu, even if you rarely ride or live in another state. Your input will help the “Plan” address the needs of our island’s riders.

Other Links of Interest:
Bike O’ahu
Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL)

“A Native Hawaiian group that advocates sovereignty locked the gates of a historic palace in downtown Honolulu on Wednesday, saying it would carry out the business of what it considers the legitimate government of the islands.

State deputy sheriffs weren’t allowing anyone else to enter Iolani Palace grounds as unarmed security guards from the Hawaiian Kingdom Government group blocked all gates to the palace, which is adjacent to the state Capitol.“

• Iolani Palace: http://www.iolanipalace.org
• Hawaiian Kingdom Government: http://www.higovt.org

Source: MSNBC / The Associated Press

UPDATE: Sen. Will Espero Wants Answers On How Palace Takeover Occurred

“Critical Mass is an event typically held on the last Friday of every month in cities around the world where bicyclists and, less frequently, unicyclists, skateboarders, inline skaters, roller skaters and other self-propelled commuters take to the streets en masse. The ride was originally founded with the idea of drawing attention to how unfriendly the city was to bicyclists.“

Tomorrow (April 25, 2008) will mark the gathering of another Critical Mass (Honolulu) which will start at 5pm at the State Capital Beretania side in downtown Honolulu. Last month’s critical mass resulted in a clash between the police and cyclists in which an incident between an officer and a rider occurred after key roadways were taken over during Friday afternoon traffic. Police are hoping after their discussions with the group regarding the problems facing bicyclists in Honolulu, that this Friday’s ride will not result in another incident.

For those of you who commute in the downtown Honolulu area and have wondered what is going on the last Friday of every month, now you know. For the most part the riders that participate in Critical Mass are not out to cause any problems, but use this as a way to show their discontent with the not so bike-friendly city of Honolulu and to bring awareness that motorist and cyclists must learn to share the road. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to get out there and enjoy a ride will fellow cyclists as well.

To the motorists out there, remember next time your driving along in your car, be sure and keep a look out for cyclists and same goes for cyclists to make sure you look out for the motorists and follow applicable traffic laws. Let’s work together and share the road.

Featured video:

“LAST FRIDAY” Critical Mass Short Documentary – A short documentary of San Francisco’s Critical Mass 10th anniversary. Take a look inside one evening from a bicyclists point of view. Whether you like the event or not, it’s perhaps a perspective the mainstream media often ignores.

More Info:

What Is Critical Mass?
Critical Mass Honolulu