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Pole vaulting is a sport for the brave!
A Punahou Pole Vaulter, Quinn Cassid, snapped his pole during the recent state meet held at Mililani High School:
Another angle:
Cassid was fine and later went on to take second place in the event.
Filed under: Comedy, Hawaii, Kids, Oahu, Sports, Unexplained Phenomenon | Tagged: Pole Snaps, Pole Vaulting, Punahou Track and Field, Quinn Cassid | Leave a Comment »
The iconic Lockheed F-104A Starfighter, Serial No. 56-817, arrived at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor on May 9, 2013, joining the Museum’s ever-expanding collection. The Starfighter is on long-term loan from Museum of Aviation Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Georgia, and is the 43rd aircraft to join the Museum’s collection of historical and unique aircraft. It was transported by Pasha Hawaii and will be displayed in Hangar 79.
The iconic Lockheed F-104A Starfighter, Serial No. 56-817, arrived at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor on May 9, 2013, joining the Museum’s ever-expanding collection. The Starfighter is on long-term loan from Museum of Aviation Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Georgia, and is the 43rd aircraft to join the Museum’s collection of historical and unique aircraft. It was transported by Pasha Hawaii and will be displayed in Hangar 79.
“This record-breaking aircraft has quite the history and we’re pleased to give it a new home,” said Museum Executive Director Kenneth DeHoff.
The Starfighter went into production in 1956 and was the first combat aircraft capable of easily sustaining twice the speed of sound. It held simultaneous world records for speed, altitude, and rate of climb. Due to its length of 54’ 9” and wingspan of only 21’ 11,” it was dubbed the Missile with a Man in It. The Starfighter served in the USAF from 1958 through 1975, as well as with several allied air forces around the world, including Japan.
Gen. Chuck Yeager famously displayed the “right stuff” during a high-altitude, record-breaking ascent in a rocket-assisted F-104, climbing to the edge of space at more than 100,000 feet.
The Museum invites donations of historic aircraft and aviation memorabilia. Donated artifacts are professionally cared for and enjoyed by millions of visitors from all over the world. The Museum also invites monetary donations for its Restoration and Education programs, as it is a nonprofit, private Museum, which depends on members and donors. To support the Museum, call 808-441-1006 or donate online at www.PacificAviationMuseum.org.
Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Hawaii, Military, National Affairs, Oahu, Something New?, Transportation | Tagged: Chuck Yeager, F-104, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor | Leave a Comment »
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is inviting the public, from keiki to kupuna, to come and sew locally grown flowers to honor those interred at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl and the State Veterans’ Cemetery in Kaneohe.
HDOA’s Plant Quarantine Branch will open its doors on: Saturday, May 25, 2013, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
HDOA will provide thousands of locally grown flowers and the lei-making supplies. Backyard flowers are also welcome!
“The long-standing tradition that honors our veterans holds greater Aloha when the lei is made with our local flowers,” said Russell S. Kokubun, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “Over the past years, many Hawaii flower growers have gone out of business due to competition from foreign growers. When we talk about sustainability, it doesn’t just mean food security, it also includes the preservation of traditions and cultural aspects that make our community thrive.”
Finished lei will be taken to the Oahu veterans’ cemeteries to be placed on the graves by local scouting organizations the following day. More than 50,000 lei are needed to honor every grave.
“We have ordered thousands of plumeria, tuberose, orchids and other lei flowers and foliage,” said Carol Okada, manager of the Plant Quarantine Branch. “We need to turn the tide and replace imported flowers with local flowers and the more people get that message, the stronger Hawaii’s floriculture industry can become.”
HDOA is working in coordination with the City and County of Honolulu, which is responsible for the Memorial Day ceremonies at Punchbowl. City lei queens will make a special appearance at the event.
There will also be lei-making demonstrations and educational displays. The event also ties into the Buy Local, It Matters campaign, which encourages consumers to purchase locally grown produce and products whenever possible.
“If you don’t know how to sew a lei, we will have people available to teach you,” said Okada. “We feel it’s a really nice way to honor our veterans as well as showcase Hawaii blossoms.”
The public may also drop off flowers at the Plant Quarantine Branch earlier in the week if they are not able to attend on May 25.
Plant Quarantine Branch, 1849 Auiki St., near Sand Island
Free parking! Free Buy Local, It Matters giveaways!
Filed under: Agriculture, aloha, Announcements, Comedy, Hawaii, Military, National Affairs, Oahu | Tagged: Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Plant Quarantine Plant, Made with Aloha, Punchbowl National Cemetery | Leave a Comment »
“A training exercise at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) will be conducted on May 2 between 8:00 am and 12:30 pm.
During the exercise JBPHH will activate the Giant Voice Mass Warning System to provide notifications to the base population. All messages will have a tone and a voice message. The voice messages will start and end with the phrase, “exercise, exercise, exercise” – the base population can disregard these warnings.
There are no concerns for the JBPHH population and no actions are required to be taken. This exercise is designed to enhance the Navy’s emergency response capability and poses no hazards to the base or surrounding areas.”
Filed under: Announcements, Hawaii, Military, Oahu, Security | Tagged: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Physical exercise | Leave a Comment »
Marking the 71st Anniversary of the “turning point in the Pacific” epic battle, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor will present a special program featuring Jonathan Parshall, co-author of Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway, Tuesday, June 4.
The event is free to Museum Members and $25 for non-members. It will feature a Book Signing and Meet the Author at 4pm, a Reception at 5:30PM, and “The 71st Anniversary of the Battle of Midway” Presentation by Mr. Parshall at 6:30pm with a question and answer period following.
Jonathan Parshall’s interest in the Imperial Japanese Navy developed in childhood. He has written for the U.S. Naval War College Review, Naval Institute Proceedings, and World War II magazine, and has contributed to several books on the topic. In 1995 he founded http://www.combinedfleet.com, the foremost Internet site on the Imperial Navy. He was a member of a 1999 expedition by Nauticos Corporation and the Naval Oceanographic Office that discovered wreckage from the carrier Kaga, sunk at Midway.
According to Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Executive Director Kenneth DeHoff, “Author Jonathan Parshall is the foremost authority on Midway. We’re very excited to have him as our keynote speaker for this year’s Midway commemoration.”
Tickets are online at PacificAviationMuseum.org or available at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. RSVPs are required by May 28 and seating is limited. For more information, call 808-441-1007 or email Education@PacificAviationMuseum.org.
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum and 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is open 9am to 5pm daily and is accessed by shuttles from the USS Arizona Memorial Pearl Harbor Visitor Center at Pearl Harbor. http://www.PacificAviationMuseum.org, 808-441-1000.
Filed under: Announcements, Hawaii, Military, Oahu | Tagged: Johnathan Parshall, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway, USS Arizona Memorial, World War II | Leave a Comment »
The National Weather Service will officially designate Ewa Beach as a community that’s prepared for storms and tsunamis.
The west Oahu community will be recognized as StormReady and TsunamiReady during a ceremony today at the Pride for Ewa event. The weather service’s Honolulu office says a grassroots group spearheaded a campaign to prepare Ewa Beach to respond to these natural hazards.
Communities become StormReady with steps like developing hazardous weather operations plans and holding annual weather safety talks. They become TsunamiReady by promoting public readiness through community education and the distribution of information and developing a tsunami plan which includes holding emergency exercises. Ewa now joins Kailua and Hau’ula with this readiness designation.
Members of the Ewa Beach Emergency Preparedness Committee made up of volunteer Ewa residents will attend this weekend’s ceremony. Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong of the Hawaii National Guard will also be there along with State Civil Defense, Oahu Emergency Management and National Weather Service officials.
The ceremony will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the Pride for Ewa – Celebrating Ohana Together – Hoalauna Park, 91-1330 Keaunui Drive, Ewa Beach, HI 96706. The event is free and is open to the public.
Filed under: Announcements, Community, Hawaii, National Affairs, Oahu, Security | Tagged: Ewa Beach, National Weather Service, StormReady | Leave a Comment »
Flight School for sixth to eighth grade students will be in session again this summer at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor. The Museum’s innovative and popular aviation program introduces Middle School age students to the history and science of flight on three consecutive weekdays, 9am to 3:30pm.
Sixth through eighth grade female students have the opportunity to soar at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor’s new “Flight School” program this summer. Developed by Director of Education Dr. Shauna Tonkin, the Museum’s program introduces girls to the history and science of flight.
Flight School for Girls will be held May 28~30, June 18~20, June 25~27, and July 24~26. Flight School for Boys will be held June 5~7 and July 16~18. Advanced Flight School for Girls will be held July 9~11.
Students learn the basics of flight through demonstrations and experiments, tour historic aircraft, fly remote control planes, and “take to the skies” in the Museum’s flight simulation lab. They meet historic pioneers of aviation through presentations made by costumed interpreters such as Amelia Earhart and Rosie the Riveter.
“This is a hands-on program that introduces youth to the heroes and pioneers of aviation, and helps them consider future careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” explains Dr. Shauna Tonkin who, as Director of Education at the Museum, developed the curriculum.
Upon successful completion of Flight School, the students celebrate with a Winging Ceremony.
For more information on this event contact Dr. Shauna Tonkin at ShaunaT@PacificAviationMuseum.org or 808-441-1005. Information is available online also at http://www.pacificaviationmuseum.org/education/flightschool
The Museum is located at 319 Lexington Boulevard on Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.
Pacific Aviation Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its mission is to develop and maintain an internationally recognized aviation museum on historic Ford Island that educates young and old alike, honors aviators and their support personnel who defended freedom in The Pacific Region, and to preserve Pacific aviation history.
Filed under: Announcements, Education, Hawaii, Military, Oahu, Transportation | Tagged: Flight School, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor | Leave a Comment »
UPDATE: Device rendered safe at Circuit Court. The scene will be released as soon as Law enforcement finish with their investigation.
A suspicious package was found outside Circuit Court on the side by Punchbowl and Halekuwila Streets. Halekuwila is blocked at Punchbowl. Please avoid the area if possible and use alternate routes. All nearby schools and businesses are being notified. A Sheriff K9 team is heading to Circuit Court. Sheriffs and HPD are on the scene. We will keep you informed of the latest developments.
The downtown area is now open and safe for the public.
A suspicious package was found outside Circuit Court on the side by Punchbowl and Halekuwila Streets. Halekuwila is blocked at Punchbowl. Please avoid the area if possible and use alternate routes. All nearby schools and businesses are being notified. A Sheriff K9 team is heading to Circuit Court. Sheriffs and HPD are on the scene. We will keep you informed of the latest developments.
Avoid area. Take alternate routes.
Filed under: Announcements, Hawaii, Legal, Oahu, Rumors, Security, State Affairs | Tagged: Bomb threat, Circuit Court, Halekuwila Streets, Punchbowl | Leave a Comment »
A previously licensed Oahu insurance agent pled no contest on Thursday to 11 counts of Theft in the Second Degree for defrauding two elderly clients of more than $38,000.
Scott Akashi, 31, was accused of convincing an 88-year-old woman to withdraw $30,000 of her life insurance policy and place it into a separate bank account. From that account Akashi had the woman write checks to him for what he explained would be for a better investment.
Akashi is also accused of selling a $50,000 annuity to a 90-year-old man and convincing him to withdraw over $5,000 from the annuity to get a better return. Akashi later approached the elderly gentleman again to do the same.
Both elderly victims were prior clients of Akashi and contacted years later to do these transactions.
Insurance fraud affects everyone by inflating the cost of insurance. Reporting suspicious fraudulent activity may help in lowering premiums in Hawaii. For more information on insurance fraud call the Insurance Fraud Hotline at 587-7416.
The Hawaii Insurance Division oversees the state’s insurance industry; issues licenses; examines the fiscal condition of Hawaii-based companies; reviews rate and policy filings; and investigates insurance related complaints and fraud.
Filed under: Hawaii, Legal, Oahu, State Affairs | Tagged: Insurance Fraud, Scott Akashi | Leave a Comment »
80′s rock star Adam Ant has scheduled a Honolulu date as part of his comeback at the Republik on Saturday, September 14, 2013
Adam Ant (born Stuart Leslie Goddard; 3 November 1954) is an English musician who gained popularity as the lead singer of new romantic /post-punk group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring 10 UK top ten hits from 1980 to 1983, including three No.1s. Ant was also popular in the United States, and once voted sexiest man in America by the viewers of MTV. He has also worked as an actor, appearing in over two dozen films and television episodes from 1985 to 2003.
Since 2010, Ant has undertaken an intensive reactivation of his musical career, performing live regularly in his hometown of London and beyond, recording and releasing a new album and with three full-length UK national tours, a US national tour and a short Australian tour all now completed and a second US national tour currently scheduled.
There will be Meet and Greets at the following North American shows:
July 2013
19th – Anaheim, CA, City National Grove of Anaheim
20th – Los Angeles, CA, Club Nokia
24th – Denver, CO, Ogden Theatre
27th – Houston, TX, Warehouse Live
28th – Dallas, TX, Granada Theatre
August 2013
1st – Chicago, IL, Congress Theatre
9th – St Petersburg, FL, Palladium Theater
10th – Orlando, FL, Hard Rock Live
15th – Philadelphia, PA, Keswick Theatre
16th – New York, NY, Irving Plaza
17th – New York, NY, Irving Plaza
23rd – Pittsburgh, PA, Stage AE
26th – Columbus, OH, The LC Pavilion
27th – Detroit, MI, Cathedral Theatre
28th – Cleveland, OH, The Agora Theatre
30th – Indianapolis, IN, Old National Centre
September 2013
1st – Minneapolis, MN, Mill City Nights
6th – Vancouver, BC, Vogue Theatre, Canada
8th – Portland, OR, Roseland Theatre
14th – Hawaii, HI, The Repiblik
20th – Las Vegas, NV, Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip
You can purchase tickets to the Hawaii show by clicking here: Adam Ant at the Republik in Honolulu
Filed under: Announcements, Entertainment, Hawaii, Oahu, Something New? | Tagged: Adam Ant, Adam Ant in Hawaii, The Republik | Leave a Comment »
Honoring those who have served, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor has announced a special Memorial Day observance Friday, May 24 with the Hawaii premiere screening of the movie Honor Flight: One Last Mission. A reception honoring veterans is at 5:30pm; the screening of Honor Flight is at 6:30pm. The event is free for Museum Members and Volunteers; $25 for non-members.
Click for more information
The acclaimed documentary film Honor Flight: The Last Mission is the story of four living WWII veterans and the community that gave them the trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorial constructed to honor them, nearly 60 years after the war. The Los Angeles Times calls it, “enormously moving.”
Seating capacity is limited to 200 for each screening. Reservations for the May 24 evening event are required by May 17. RSVP, tickets, and all information are online at PacificAviationMuseum.org. Call 808-441-1007 or email Education@PacficAviationMuseum for more information.
Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Entertainment, Hawaii, Military, Oahu | Tagged: Honor Flight One Last Mission, Memorial Day, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Pearl Harbor, World War II | Leave a Comment »
Did you ever wonder what you’d look like sitting in the cockpit of one of America’s famous warbirds? You’ll have the opportunity to sit in the seat, man the controls, and see the instruments of a WWII fighter or modern-day jet fighter at Open Cockpit Day, Saturday May 11, 9am to 5pm at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor in Hangar 79.
Open Cockpit Day is free with paid Museum admission and free for Museum Members.
Guests younger than 10 years of age will require parental supervision to climb up and into the aircraft. Guests must also be able to climb boarding stairs and in to a cockpit to participate. Museum visitors are invited to bring their own cameras and the Museum staff will do the rest. Pilot’s gear, the Museum’s vintage aircraft, and meetings with aviation heroes will create a unique family day.
Download a free flight simulator coupon and purchase tickets online at www.PacificAviationMuseum.org. Phone 808-441-1007 for more information or email Education@PacificAviationMuseum.org.
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor is open 9am to 5pm daily except Christmas, New Year’s and Thanksgiving days, and is accessed by shuttles from the USS Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor is located at 319 Lexington Boulevard, Historic Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818.
Filed under: Announcements, Education, Hawaii, Kids, Military, Oahu, Transportation | Tagged: Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor | Leave a Comment »
You may have seen it on the freeway this morning, April 10, in seven Matson containers, with a Honolulu Police escort. One of the most talked about artifacts of American aviation history–the Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress bomber #41-2446 “Swamp Ghost”–makes its home at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, today, Wednesday, April 10, 2013.
The remarkable story of this WWII aircraft has been featured in numerous media, including National Geographic, New York Times, Washington Post, L.A. Daily News, and Smithsonian magazine.
B-17E 41-2446 was one of the bombers in the Kangaroo Squadron stationed in Townsville, Australia. It was to have been one of the B-17s in the flight that made it to Hickam Army Air Field during the December 7, 1941 attack. It was delayed due to engine problems but flew to Hickam on December 17 and then leapfrogged its way to Townsville, Australia. On the night of February 22, 1942, five B-17s took off from Townsville with the mission of attacking ships at Rabaul, a harbor of Japanese-held New Britain. The mission was the first American heavy bomber offensive raid of World War II.
Unfortunately, this B-17 never made it back. Having sustained damage from enemy fire causing the aircraft to run out of fuel, it crash-landed in the remote primitive Agaiambo swamp on the north coast of Papua New Guinea. Over the next several days, the nine-member crew battled malaria, fatigue, and heat exhaustion, while they hacked their way through razor-sharp swamp grass to safety. Amazingly, all nine men made it back to the base alive.
Having crash-landed in one of the most remote locations on Earth, the aircraft virtually “disappeared” and slipped into an oblivion that lasted almost three decades, until Australian soldiers on routine maneuvers spotted the aircraft in 1972, still partially submerged in the swamp and nicknamed it Swamp Ghost.
To the soldiers’ amazement, it was found to be in remarkable condition and fully intact; the machine guns were in place, fully loaded and, in the cabin, there was a thermos with what used to be coffee. It soon became obvious that this plane would become the best-preserved example of a combat B-17 in existence.
The amazing story of this aircraft doesn’t end there. Over the next 30 years, David C. Tallichet and the Swamp Ghost Salvage Team attempted to recover the bomber. The government of Papua New Guinea became involved, which further stopped the process. Finally, after years of negotiations, it was cleared to return to the United States in 2010. In 2011, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor began negotiations to receive the aircraft.
“We are absolutely thrilled that this national treasure will call Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor home,” said Kenneth DeHoff, Museum Executive Director. “The B-17E ‘Swamp Ghost’ will be one of the crown jewels in our aircraft collection. While we restore these aircraft to static display standards of aviation museums globally, this one will take us several years to raise the funds to do so. We expect it to cost $5 million dollars,” said Mr. DeHoff.
When funds are received and restoration is complete, the B-17E Flying Fortress will be on display in a specially constructed outdoor exhibit, resembling the Papua New Guinea swamp in which it was found, the perfect backdrop for this historic artifact. Donors are invited to purchase a brick for a loved one or WWII pilot, in the garden setting of the exhibit, and help restore the aircraft. The Museum invites donations of historic aircraft and aviation memorabilia. Donated artifacts are professionally cared for and enjoyed by millions of visitors from all over the world. The Museum also invites monetary donations for its restoration and education programs, as it is a nonprofit, private Museum, which depends on members and donors. To support the Museum, call 808-441-1006 or donate online at www.PacificAviationMuseum.org.
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to develop and maintain an internationally recognized aviation museum on historic Ford Island that educates young and old alike, honors aviators and their support personnel who defended freedom in the Pacific Region, and to preserve Pacific aviation history.
Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Hawaii, Military, National Affairs, Oahu, Something New?, Transportation, Unexplained Phenomenon | Tagged: B-17, B-17E 41-2446, Kangaroo Squadron, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Pearl Harbor, Swamp Ghost, World War II | Leave a Comment »
Students from Hawaii Schools who will be visiting the American Heroes: World War II Nisei Soldiers and the Congressional Gold Medal exhibit at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum on April 10, 11 and 14, and will get to experience a piece of “living history” when they meet with WWII Nisei soldiers as part of their field trip, as follows:
SCHOOL VISITS WITH WWII NISEI VETERANS AT CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL EXHIBIT
LOCATION: BISHOP MUSEUM, CASTLE MEMORIAL BUILDING
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Kaimuki Middle School
Session 1: 9:00-9:15 a.m.
Session 2: 9:30-9:45 a.m.
Session 3: 10:00-10:15 a.m.
Session 4: 10:30-10:45 a.m.
Session 5: 11:00-11:15 a.m.
Session 6: 11:30-11:45 a.m.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Castle High School
Session 1: 10:30-10:45 a.m.
Session 2: 11:00-11:15 a.m.
Sunday, April 14, 2013 – FINAL DAY OF EXHIBIT
Kamakahelei Middle School (Big Island)
Date: Sunday, 4/14/13:
Session 1: 9-9:15 a.m.
Session 2: 9:15-9:30 a.m
Herbert Yanamura, was born on 4/20/1924 in Honaunau, Kona, Hawaii
“We wanted to make the exhibit come alive for these students,” said Mona Wood-Sword, member of the organizing committee. “Meeting these true American heroes, talking story with them, will make the exhibit that much more meaningful for them, and that was part of our mission when planning the exhibit: To teach the next generation about the heroism of these brave soldiers.”
The teachers from the visiting schools have asked their students to prepare questions for the veterans, so the discussions should be lively and interesting for both the veterans and students.
In addition to speaking with the visiting schools, the veterans have been busy with weekly panel discussions (see attached schedule) and other appearances. WWII veterans from the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service – all honored with the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal – have shared their stories to standing-room-only audiences at Bishop Museum’s Atherton Halau.
The final two Saturday panels will be, as follows:
April 6, 2013 • 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Hawaii’s Internment and Role in the Legislative Campaign for Redress
Presented by: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii
Panelists: Ryan Kawamoto, “The Untold Story,” Brian Niiya, Former JCCH Program Director, and William Kaneko, Attorney and Former President, Honolulu JACL
Moderator: Carole Hayashino, President and Executive Director, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii
April 6, 2013 • 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
“Okage Sama De” True Stories of Japanese Americans during WWII
Presented by: Alton Chung, Professional Storyteller
April 13, 2013 • 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Commitment to Education
Presented by: State of Hawaii Department of Education
Panelists: Joan Funamura, Clayton Kaninau, May Price, and Charlotte Unni
Moderator: Ann Mahi
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
American Heroes: World War II Nisei Soldiers and the Congressional Gold Medal was developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in collaboration with the National Veterans Network, and circulated by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. Accompanying educational materials were developed by the National Veterans Network in partnership with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.
The national tour of seven cities – New Orleans, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, OR, Chicago, and Houston – is made possible by the support of AARP, Cole Chemical, Comcast/NBC Universal, the Japanese American Veterans Association, Pritzker Military Library, the Shiratsuki Family, and Southwest Airlines.
ABOUT THE 100th INFANTRY BATTALION
The 100th Infantry Battalion was a unit within the U.S. Army’s 34th Infantry Division. Compromised mostly of Americans of Japanese Ancestry (AJA) from the Hawaii Army National Guard, the 100th Infantry Battalion also included volunteers from Japanese internment camps, which were then located throughout the United States during WWII.
Battalion members’ stature, fitness levels, and unified camaraderie during training, prior to their deployment, made the 100th Infantry Battalion a strong unit heading into combat. With the “Remember Pearl Harbor” motto, the 100th Infantry Battalion were consistently motivated to prove their loyalty to the United States.
During their 20 month combat term in Europe, the unit became known as the “Purple Heart Battalion” for the number of casualties lost. They fought in six war campaigns in Italy and France, earning the unit four Presidential Unit Citations. http://www.100thbattalion.org/
ABOUT THE 442ND REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM
Considered to be one of the most decorated combat units in United States military history, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team consisted of a share of enlisted soldiers, as well as volunteers who fought in Europe during WWII. Two-thirds of their original unit were Americans of Japanese Ancestry, or Nisei, from Hawaii, while the rest were Nisei soldiers from the Mainland.
The “Go For Broke” motto means to risk everything in order to win. Activated under the command of Colonel Charles W. Pence, the 442nd worked closely with the 100th Infantry Battalion. Intelligent and zealous in learning their military duties, the 442nd understood patience and the importance of strategy while in combat situations. Over 14,000 men served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Their values of service, loyalty and sacrifice earned the unit over 9,000 Purple Hearts, eight Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, and 560 Silver Stars. http://www.the442.org/
ABOUT THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE
The Military Intelligence Service, or MIS, was a group of smaller units consisting of Nisei soldiers during WWII. Their average unit size was between 10-20 men. Playing a vital role in the U.S. military tactics during WWII, the MIS units used linguistic skills to gather intelligence, read captured enemy maps and documents, and conduct translations and interrogations. MIS unit members were at heightened risk because they could be confused for enemy troops by their own U.S. military personnel.
MIS post-war work proved crucial for the transition during Japanese occupancy. MIS servicemen provided indispensible assistance during Japanese war crime trials, in the repatriation of Japanese prisoners of war (POWs), and in establishing positive relations between U.S. military forces and Japanese civilians. Working under mostly classified orders, the MIS units did not receive the recognition other units and battalions had during and post war.
ABOUT BISHOP MUSEUM
The Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his wife Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last direct descendant of King Kamehameha I. Today, the Museum is recognized as the principal museum of the Pacific, housing the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts and natural history specimens. More than 350,000 people visit the Museum each year, including over 40,000 schoolchildren. For more information, please call (808) 847-3511 or visit http://www.bishopmuseum.org.
Filed under: Announcements, Education, Hawaii, Kids, Military, National Affairs, Oahu | Tagged: 100th Infantry battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment (United States), American Heroes: Japanese-Americans WWII Nisei Soldiers, Bishop Museum, Herbert Yanamura, World War II | Leave a Comment »
Yesterday, on the North Shore of Oahu at Dillingham Airfield, KITV News Reporter Andrew Pereira and I participated in setting two Hawaii State skydiving records at Skydive Hawaii.
Andrew and I get ready for the jump of our lives
The first record was for the “highest altitude tandem “HALO” jump” leaping from the plane at over 4 miles in space at 22,000 feet. HALO stands for “High Altitude Low Opening” and one of the more famous HALO jumps took place recently when RedBull Skydiver Felix Baumgartner jumped from 24 miles from space or approximately 128,000 in altitude.
Some folks may remember the first time I set the Hawaii Tandem Halo Jump when I jumped from 21,000 feet back on December 11th of 2011, as Frank T.K. Hinshaw stated the first time I jumped… every extra 1,000 feet in altitude makes the risks and the danger just that much more.
The second record set yesterday was for the “altitude and wingsuit flight time record for Hawaii of 22,000ft & 4 minutes 37 seconds in flight time,” set by Hinshaw himself.
Frank T.K. Hinshaw on the far right in his wing suit
Here is a short video of me interviewing Andrew Pereira shortly before we went up and as you can tell… he was pretty nervous about what he was about to do as this was his first time skydiving, less yet doing a HALO jump.
After we were instructed on what we were to do and equipped with oxygen tanks, we traversed out to the airplane where we would have no chance of turning back once we got on that plane.
Ignacio “Nacho” Martinez, Damon Tucker, Andrew Pereira and “Papa Dop” get ready to board the plane. Photo Skydive Hawaii
When we were close to 22,000 feet in altitude, “Nacho” Martinez posted the following picture to Facebook and said “Took off on load one and saw a huge school of dolphins. Then went up on the next load and saw 6 whales. Now breathing pure oxygen while climbing to 22,000 ft. How could you not love Skydive Hawaii!?”
At 12,000 feet we donned oxygen masks as the air gets thinner the higher you go.
Here is a quick clip of the freefall part of my jump from 22,000 feet:
I free falled for about a minute until my tandem instructor Martinez pulled the chute at about 5,000 feet from the ground and then glided smoothly in for a stand-up landing. I even got to steer the parachute myself for about 30 seconds and that was super cool!
I spy VH07V
Once again I can say it was cold… but it wasn’t near as cold as the first time I did the HALO. Ever since I did the first HALO jump, they have offered this experience to the public as well… of course it costs a lot more then the regularly advertised jumps and I suggest you contact Skydive Hawaii directly at (808) 637-9700 or (808) 945-0222 if you or a group of folks are interested in doing this.
My view from 22,000 feet as we were about to jump from the plane
Here is the video of the second record that was broken… as T.K. said though “Set a new altitude and wingsuit flight time record for Hawaii today: 22,000ft & 4 minutes 37 seconds. . . not bad for not knowing I was going to go for the attempt until this morning. If I had inflight oxygen & gloves, I think I could get 6 minutes easy.”
I’d like to say thanks to Skydive Hawaii for giving Andrew and I this opportunity and to T.K.’s father Frank (Sr.) and the Hinshaw family for running such a great operation out on the North Shore. They bring in a lot of tax dollars from the tourism industry and you know how much our islands depend on tourists having a good time and wanting to come back to Hawaii.
Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Entertainment, Hawaii, Oahu, Something New?, Sports, Tourism, Transportation, Unexplained Phenomenon | Tagged: Andrew Pereira, Damon Tucker, Dillingham Airfield, Frank T.K. Hinshaw, HALO Skydiving, HALO Space Jump, North Shore, Parachuting, Skydive Hawaii, Skydiving Record, Tandem skydiving, United States Parachute Association, VH07V, Wingsuit Record | Leave a Comment »
Accused predator priest tells his story in shocking video, Admits molesting dozens – unabated by his superiors, New lawsuits of two more victims to be announced
What: At a news conference in Honolulu, attorneys for victims of child sexual abuse in Hawaii will present gripping video testimony of a priest and child sex predator. In the video he admits to abusing children; discusses why he wasn’t stopped; explains how he was transferred from assignment to assignment; and how efforts of parents to stop him were thwarted. The priest, who worked at Damien Memorial School—and other schools and military bases nationwide—has been accused of abuse by three Hawaii men and more than two dozen men on the mainland. (Note: Transcripts and DVDs of the video will be available at the news conference and also as a download. A map showing his trail of abuse will also be available.)
At the news conference attorneys will also announce a new lawsuit brought by two additional sexual abuse victims of this priest in Honolulu.
When: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 Noon (HST)
Where: Garden Lanai Room, Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Street Honolulu
Who: A parent of one of the priest’s victims, who reported abuse to Damien school officials.
Jeff Anderson: Attorney Jeff Anderson is an internationally known St. Paul, Minnesota-based trial lawyer who is widely recognized as a pioneer in sexual abuse litigation and has earned a reputation as a tireless champion of civil rights for children and the under-privileged. Anderson has represented thousands of survivors of sexual abuse by authority figures and clergy.
Mark Gallagher: Jeff Anderson & Associates’ Kailua-based affiliate Mark Gallagher has over 24 years experience as an attorney successfully seeking justice and compensation for those injured in Hawaii through no fault of their own. An experienced litigator in Hawaii state courts on Oahu, the Big Island, Kauai and Maui, Mark has also practiced in the United States federal courts system.
Joelle Casteix: A survivor of childhood sexual abuse in Southern California, Joelle is a survivor advocate and is currently volunteer Western Regional Director of Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests (SNAP).
Contact: Mark F. Gallagher 808.535.1500
Contact: Attorney Jeff Anderson 888.567.5557 Mobile 612.817.8665
Filed under: Announcements, Education, Hawaii, Kids, Legal, National Affairs, Oahu, State Affairs | Tagged: Catholic Sex Scandal, Damien Memorial High School Sex Scandal, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests | 1 Comment »
Maj. Aaron Lawson jumps from a C-17 Globemaster III Feb. 26, 2013, near Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam-Hawaii. The jump was filmed by veteran freefall cameraman and skydiver cinematographer, Tom Sanders, and will be used in a scene on an upcoming episode of the television show “Hawaii Five-0.”
Lawson was given the opportunity to serve as a stunt double for actor Alex O’Loughlin, who plays Steve McGarrett on the show and will be featured alongside Marine Corps Staff Sgt. John Phillips, SOCPAC jumper and parachute rigger, performing the freefall jump.
Maj. Aaron Lawson opens his parachute after performing a freefall jump from a C-17 Globemaster III near Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam-Hawaii, Feb. 26, 2013. (Photo by Tom Sanders)
Even though this was Sanders’ first jump from a C-17, he’s still had the opportunity to jump with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Hugh Shelton and former President George Bush.
Members of the “Hawaii Five-0″ production crew film the landing of Special Operations Command, Pacific freefall jumpers. (Photo by Tom Sanders)
This episode will air April 15 on CBS at 10PM EST. Lawson is a Special Operations Command, Pacific jumper and special tactics officer. (Photo/Tom Sanders)
Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Entertainment, Hawaii, Military, Oahu, Rumors, Television, Transportation | Tagged: Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, Hawaii Five-O, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Maj. Aaron Lawson, Skydive | 1 Comment »
Mauka Lani Elementary School teacher Bryan Rankie this morning was honored as the National Milken Educators of Hawaii’s “Teacher of Promise.”
Brian Rankie
Rankie received a plaque, a gift and $1,000 through a sponsorship from the HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union. The award annually recognizes a teacher who demonstrates excellence in the field and the highest qualities of a professional educator during the first four semesters in the classroom. Established in 2007, the award alternates annually between elementary and secondary school teachers.
A New York native, Rankie joined Mauka Lani Elementary in 2011 as a general education fifth-grade teacher and had an immediate impact.
“Bryan has an excellent rapport with everyone within our school, especially the students,” said Mauka Lani Elementary Principal Shelley Ferrara. “He has an innate ability to connect with students through their academic strengths and interests.
Within the first week of school, a Mauka Lani teacher unexpectedly resigned, meaning the school would need an immediate replacement for a general education position in an inclusion classroom.
“Without any hesitation Bryan volunteered to move to the inclusion classroom, explaining that he felt comfortable taking on the extra responsibility,” recalled Ferrara. “This was our first experience with Bryan’s selflessness.”
From left to right: Mauka Lani Elementary Principal Shelley Ferrara, Catherine Payne of the National Milken Educators of Hawaii, “Teacher of Promise” Award winner Bryan Rankie, Heidi Armstrong, Campbell-Kapolei complex area superintendent, Lisa Chun from HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union, and Francine Fernandez, coordinator for the Teacher of Promise Award.
Through Rankie’s hard work and dedication, students in his inclusion class have closed the achievement gap and met federal annual progress benchmarks.
His dedication to students extends beyond the classroom.
During Rankie’s first year of teaching, he took on many new roles and responsibilities, including coaching both the school basketball and track teams – not only to increase their athletic abilities, but also so he could better support his students academically. Rankie plans on implementing what he learns about all students in his recently elected position as School Community Council co-chair. Rankie accepted the new post to improve his understanding of what is happening in the community, school and, eventually, his classroom.
A graduate of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y., Rankie holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (Special Education Strand) and a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education.
The National Milken Educators of Hawaii (NME-Hawaii) committee members who selected Rankie for the award are all past recipients of the National Milken Educator Award. In 1996, the Hawaii Milken group formed NME-Hawaii to promote and enhance the quality of teaching and the education profession in Hawaii.
Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Education, Hawaii, Kids, National Affairs, Oahu | Tagged: Bryan Rankie, Hawaii, Teacher of Promise | Leave a Comment »
Plants that are critically endangered will be reintroduced to their native habitat in a unique bog
Yesterday, volunteers, along with staff of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) conducted an outplanting of native plants at the Mt. Kaala Natural Area Reserve, the highest peak on Oahu.
DLNR photo. This critically endangered plant had fewer than 75 individuals left in the wild. Today’s outplanting tripled its population. The flowers are traditionally used as lei.
Protection of Mt. Kaala Natural Area Reserve’s watershed forests by restoring native forest ecosystems is critical for maintaining the water supply of West and Central Oahu. Volunteers reintroduced the critically endangered kamakahala – with fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild –to its native habitat in the ridges of Mt. Kaala.
Members From DLNR’s Natural Area Reserves System, Waianae Mountain Watershed Partnership, and volunteers from Oahu Army Natural Resource Program collaborated to outplant 150 Kamakahala plants. DLNR photo.
A hundred and fifty plants were planted thanks to collaboration the Board of Water Supply, Oahu Army Natural Resource Program, Waianae Mountains Watershed Partnership and DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife and Plant Extinction Prevention (PEP) program.
Members of the Waianae Mountain Watershed Partnership team up with Volunteers from the Oahu Army Natural Resource Program to support efforts to restore the Kamakahala in its natural habitat. DLNR photo.
These new plantings will help strengthen the integrity of the forest watershed by maintaining the biodiversity of the Hawaiian forest.
For more information on Mt. Kaala Natural Area Reserve go to
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/reserves/oahu/mountkaala
For information on the DLNR Rare Plant Program check out:
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/rareplants/rareplantprogram
Filed under: Agriculture, Announcements, Environment, Hawaii, Hawaiian, Oahu, State Affairs | Tagged: Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kamakahala Plant, Mt. Kaala Natural Reserve, Oahu | Leave a Comment »
KITV KHON
The Star-Advertiser UH News
Hawaii Crop Improvement Association Statement on Anti-GMO Marches Across the State
Hawaii Crop Improvement Association statement on Anti-GMO Marches Across the State:
“Organizers of these anti-GMO and evict Monsanto marches are creating a hostile environment in our communities by using scare tactics and spreading misinformation. It is not pono to rally support for an agenda by repeating myths and exaggerations to our Hawaii communities. It is also unfortunate that misleading and false claims made by these activist groups are often repeated by mainstream media without verification of their accuracy.
“We value the concerns of the public and work to address these concerns through informative and respectful dialogue based on facts and proven studies. We also respect freedom of speech; however, we believe the community would be better served if they were provided facts instead of myths and false accusations.
Some of those facts include:
Alicia Maluafiti, Executive Director of Hawaii Crop Improvement Association
Like:
Filed under: Agriculture, Announcements, Big Island, Community, Environment, Food & Drink, GMO, Guest Commentator, Hawaii, Health, Kauai, Legal, Maui, National Affairs, Oahu, Rumors, Security, State Affairs, Sustainable Living | Tagged: GMO, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Monsanto | 32 Comments »