Blogging the Aloha State and Beyond
I returned to Honolulu from Seoul today, twelve hours before I left. Spending three days in South Korea was an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to return. Thanks again to Hawaiian Airlines for the opportunity to document their new nonstop service between Honolulu and Incheon international airports. Our trip...
Ryan Higa, a Waiakea High School graduate now attending film school at UNLV, is the first person to hit 3 million subscribers on YouTube. Higa’s “Nigahiga” channel crossed the threshold yesterday well ahead of fellow YouTube stars Ray William Johnson and Shane Dawson. Notably, channels for individuals largely outpaced companies,...
When it comes to covering the weather, local television news outlets aren’t shy about emphasizing the appearance of their reporters over their meteorological data. This may be even more true in Hawaii, where the weather doesn’t change much. The “Real Weather Girls” app for iPhone and iPad takes this concept...
“Alegría” is one of the longest-running, signature productions by Cirque du Soleil, and tonight the traveling show kicks off a two-week run at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to stop by yesterday to see some of the final rehearsals and preparations for the...
The “Breath of Life” blew out a big candle last night. One year ago, the Polynesian Cultural Center unveiled its new evening show, “Hā: Breath of Life.” The ambitious, 90-minute production took three years and $3 million to prepare. And by all accounts, it was worth it. The show staged...
The short independent film “Hawaiian Ghost Story” is one big step closer to becoming a reality. As I blogged last week, the project was in the running for $50,000 cash and a $200,000 finishing contract in Openfilm’s first “Get It Made” competition. And today comes official word that it garnered...
In anticipation of the Sept. 20 series premiere of CBS’ reboot of “Hawaii Five-0,” the network has announced a video upload contest on its site. Fans are encouraged to upload their “best interpretation” of the show’s iconic theme song (or, at least, up to 30 seconds of it), and the...
“Hawaiian Ghost Story” is a feature film that doesn’t yet exist. But there is a story to be told, and people willing to tell it. As with most creative projects, all they need is some funding to get it started. And with your vote, they could get it. Above is...
As the world, and Hawaii, prepares to say goodbye to “LOST,” news came this week that CBS had picked up the long-awaited reboot of its hit series from over three decades ago. The new “Hawaii Five-O” will be part of the network’s fall line up, and is already one of...
SPOILER ALERT: It was a big day for the “LOST” crew, setting up at the marina behind the Ilikai Hotel. Early on the agenda was an ambitious stunt, but it took a second try to make a splash.
SPOILER ALERT: “LOST” is filming in downtown Honolulu this morning, taking over the entrance of the State Attorney General building on Queen St. And two characters that fans have been eager to see in Season 6 are featured in the street-front scene.
Renown digital photographer and videographer Vu Bui (of The Bui Brothers) is returning to Honolulu as part of a “photo fusion” mini-tour. He’s going to be spending a week on Oʻahu shooting photos and videos to teach people what they can accomplish with the most basic gear. And the kickoff...
Okinawan Festival from hawaii on Vimeo. This past weekend brought the 27th annual Okinawan Festival back to Kapiolani Park. More than 40,000 people turned out over two full days to revel in all things uchinanchu, showcasing everything from traditional Okinawan performances, to delicious food, to several cultural activities. My family...
The Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii’s top paid visitor attraction, recently unveiled its new night show, “Hā: Breath of Life.” On Saturday, my wife and I were among a group of people invited by the center to check it out as part of a “social media night.” Our hosts, Lee Britos...
An award-winning documentary on America’s addiction to oil and the promise of alternative energy is coming to Honolulu. “The Fuel Film” (formerly “Fields of Fuel“) will be screened one night only, this Friday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. The film follows director and activist Josh Tickell as he travels around...
On Thursday, I was part of a group of local business and community leaders who participated in a “Distinguished Visitor” embark to the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered, Nimitz-class aircraft carrier currently en route to the Western Pacific. (More here.) The experience was incredible, almost indescribable, leaving me awed, exhausted,...
Roz Savage has left Honolulu, and has begun her historic solo row toward the South Pacific. As I reported earlier, many members of the local “Geek Corps” stepped up to support her mission, including rush development of the awesome “Roz Tracker.” For her launch at the Waikiki Yacht Club on...
The “Purple States” project aims to merge the best of citizen journalism and the established media. Described as “reality news” and a cross between “The Real World” and “The Huffington Post,” it launched in the run up to the 2008 elections. The “Purple States” project previously highlighted a handful of...
Taking another bold move into Skype‘s territory, Google has announced the addition of voice and video chat to Gmail. Interestingly, audio and video chats are currently available only as an extension to the Google Talk feature within Google’s free webmail service, and not via its standalone Google Talk chat client...
Diamond Head Hike from hawaii on Vimeo. Yesterday, I joined my 10-year-old daughter, Katie, on a hike up Diamond Head, one of Hawaii’s most recognizable landmarks and a popular local attraction. The hike was organized by her Girl Scout troop (Hawaii Troop #84), and we were joined by seven other...
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