Blogging the Aloha State and Beyond
“If there’s buzz, we’re on it.” So says Diane Seo today, in announcing NonstopHonolulu.com, which she hopes will be the city’s “main online source for eating, nightlife and events.” The site is rising from the ashes of a former shining star. When the Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Star-Bulletin morphed into...
The headline proclaims, “Civil Beat Shares Hawaii State Employee Salaries” — but there’s a catch: you have to pay to get full access to the information. To be sure, there’s a reasonable and deep debate to be had over whether the names and salaries of government employees should be public in...
Although I’ve previously noted hints that Apple and Steve Jobs are fans of the Aloha State, they’re certainly not the only company to pay tribute to Hawaii. And now, Microsoft is sporting some island style with its “Project Hawaii.” Not only that, but within “Project Hawaii,” you’ll find the “MAUI...
Just how public are public records? Last week, KITV’s Daryl Huff raised the alarm about a website that can tie Hawaii license plates to driver names. The first piece did not identify the website, however. Huff said Nanci Kreidman of the Domestic Violence Action Center asked them not to, citing...
Local blogger Crystal “Pikko” Watanabe is a guru in the way of the bento — the traditional Japanese meal in a box. I became a fan through her many incredible “LOST”-themed bento creations, which were regularly featured on KITV‘s morning show. But there’s a lot more to bento making, which...
If you build it, will they come? Today, the technology needed to create an online social network can be found anywhere, but filling it with an active, loyal community still takes something special. Tomorrow, I’m honored to say I’ll be moderating a conversation about “Community Engagement on the Web.” We’ll...
Tippr, one of the web’s hottest “group buying” sites, is setting up shop in Honolulu. Tippr already offers deals in eight other U.S. cities, including New York and San Francisco, and it will launch its Honolulu program on Friday with a launch party at Honolulu Design Center. Mashable’s Pete Cashmore...
Tomorrow brings the second annual “Live Aloha” day of service and aloha, spearheaded by Kanu Hawaii. The local social network aims to bring positive social change through simple, achievable personal commitments, but its strength shines when the community comes together for a larger cause. “With the economy down, budgets strained,...
Sometimes I think I’d enjoy being a girl. Then, it would be perfectly rational to crave beautiful, handmade in Hawaii handbags like those now being sold online by Ruth Shiroma Foster. I’ve known Ruth since my first days on the news desk at Ka Leo, the once-great daily student newspaper...
Another day, another geolocation app. But this one has a blunt answer to the frequently asked question: “Why would anyone want to ‘check in’ every place they go?” And that answer is cash. WeReward comes from the folks at Izea, a company that — for better and worse — wants to monetize...
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is a massive environmental disaster that is still unfolding. But even as the catastrophe is dominating headlines across the country, it’s hard to wrap your brain around the scale of the spill. Recent reports say the oil slick now covers 2,500 square miles of ocean…...
Local businesses that want to better understand the benefits and potential risks of social media now have two new resources available to them. Companies that need a basic primer can now turn to a new guide released last week by a Honolulu staffing firm. And those who’d like to explore...
According to a new report out of Minnesota-based ID Insight, Hawaii is the second least competitive state in the country when it comes to broadband Internet access. Only Rhode Island had less competition. And the most competitive state? Arkansas. The company’s “BroadBand Scout” report found that low-income states actually have...
With a collection of over 250 films by Asian and Pacific Islanders, AsiaPacificFilms.com is the idealized, online equivalent of a independent film festival. No cramped schedules, no limited runs, every title available 24-7. TechCrunch described it as “a Netflix for Asian Pacific indie filmmakers.” Asians and Pacific Islanders are said to...
The second annual Honolulu Twestival is almost here! This global fundraiser is taking place on Thursday, March 25 in hundreds of cities, but the last stop will be right here in the Aloha State. By the time our pau hana party at Oceans 808 begins at 5 p.m., over $100,000 will...
I’m exhausted. My body is aching. My mind is spinning. But with “LOST,” these are good things. Tonight brings the Season 6 premiere, but I’m still thinking about the last few days. The “LOST” beach premiere on Saturday was fantastic, but I most cherished spending time with the fans and...
This morning, Pierre Omidyar‘s local news startup Peer News hosted a conference call with journalists to provide an update on their venture, which was first announced in November. Among the key announcements made was that John Temple was coming aboard as editor, and that they were planning to launch by April...
While the mainstream, corporate media is still struggling to find its footing in the digital age, grassroots online news initiatives everywhere are putting down roots. Citizen journalism and independent media are near and dear to my heart, so I’m always interested when a new venture is launched here in the...
In October 2005, the members of the HawaiiThreads.com message board were asked about their “Christmas Wishlist.” Though the first answers ranged from “world peace” to kitchen appliances, local activist and big-hearted gadfly Lynn Vasquez-Dela Cerna had a simple answer. “I do have something to wish for,” she wrote. “I wish...
It was one year ago that local designer Valentino Valdez unveiled his customized Twitter T-shirts. They’ve now become an icon of local Tweetups and tech events, and have been snapped up by Twitter addicts the world over. This morning, “Black Friday,” Valentino has unveiled the VALDEZign Store. And to celebrate...
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