Tsunami warning issued for Hawaiian Islands

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The 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile has triggered a tsunami warning for the Pacific.
 **Tsunami has arrived in Hilo Bay.**  (Click here for KITV coverage)

Visitors please check to make sure if you have any activities booked that they are still taking place.  IE- This is from Old Lahaina Luau’s Facebook page:  “Quick schedule update, gang…. Mahalo to our Engineering crew for securing our luau grounds in preparation of what may come. In the slight off chance our island home perseveres and no tsunami hits, we will resume operations and host the luau this evening. People may need something to do after this exciting morning. Please stay tuned!”

From KPOA’s Facebook page: “Lahaina Safeway closed; Honokawai Times & Napili Mkt open, pkg lots packed, long lines @ gas stations also. Effective at 10:00 a.m. February 27,2010 the following road closures will occur: Lahaina/Kihei: Honoapiilani Hwy from Puamana to Maalaea, North Kihei Rd from Maalaea, South Kihei Rd (Traffic will be directed Mauka to Piilani Hwy to Mokulele Hwy and Makena Road.)   Tune to KPOA 93.5 FM or get them on Facebook for updates.”  This is applying to other islands as well.  Kauai’s highways are closed.

Update:  “the State is asking that no one run any water nor flush any toilets from now until after tsunami hits. The wastewater system needs to be cleared so it takes as much wave water as possible.”  

You can also keep updated on the tsunami by clicking here or the Honolulu Advertiser.  The Advertiser’s servers were getting slammed at last check so if you can’t get through there, go over to The Star Bulletin.

Big Island’s Kauhola Lighthouse to be torn down

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The Big Island will be losing a piece of history by the end of the year.  The Kauhola Lighthouse, which was built in 1933, is sitting on a peninsula that is eroding.  The lighthouse is in danger of falling down the face of the pali if nothing is done.  The year it was built the lighthouse was 85 feet away from the cliff face and now it is 20 feet.  In October 2006, the Big Island earthquake took another 6 feet off of the cliff face.  The lighthouse is no longer operational. 

I remember doing a geocache at that location a few years back called Windy Bluff which is now archived.  It certainly was windy enough that you didn’t dare stand within 5′ of the edge.  The waves were constantly pounding so it’s easy to see how so much erosion could occur at that location.  It was a beautiful vista though and the lighthouse will be missed.

Helping the victims of the Samoa earthquake

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Hawaii’s residents are made of up different cultures and many Samoans call Hawaii home but still have ohana in Samoa.  If in the spirit of aloha, you would like to help the victims of the earthquake please follow this link to get information on how you can help.

The Superferry files for bankruptcy

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When we heard things were being auctioned off from the Superferry, we knew bankruptcy wouldn’t be far behind.  People certainly had strong opinions for or against it and if the proper studies had been done prior to just launching it perhaps things wouldn’t have ended this way.  For more on this story, click here.

Hana Highway temporarily closed

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There’s been another mudslide on the Hana Highway near mile marker 21 by Puakaa Park.  There’s currently no ETA as to when it will be re-opened but if it’s like the last one, it was opened later the same day.  This is the 2nd landslide in the same area over the past month. 

For those who plan to use the Hana Highway in the upcoming months, PLEASE exercise caution between mile markers 20-23 where this land now seems to be a little more unstable.  Be very aware of your surroundings and no lollygagging.  This is not to say speed above the 15 mph speed limit either but there’s plenty of other scenery to see on the highway.  If you should see a mudslide while on the highway and by some miracle are able to get decent cell coverage, call the Maui County Police Department at  808-244-6340.

Hawaii Earth Day events

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I’m sure more events will pop up in the local papers but if you’re on island today, here are some of the things going on to help celebrate Earth Day!

UH Earth Day 2009 Sustainability Fest

Earth Day at UH Manoa, Honolulu April 22, 2009 Open-air Marketplace 11-6pm with art and plant sales, technology demonstrations, educational booths, food and more. Concert 6-9pm, with John Cruz, Pressure Drop and more.

Kona Earth Day Festival 2009

Oddly enough there are no event on the actual Earth Day!  But click above and you’ll get a list of events to celebrate mother Earth over the next month.  Here’s the official description:  The Kona Earth Festival invites you to join us in our annual community celebration of the land and sea! With A MONTH & A HALF of activities, there is something for everyone. The Kona Earth Festival is a celebration of our natural environment and our related community ethics and practices in support of the `aina. It is an opportunity for citizens to get educated and improve our skills for ethical stewardship of the land and the sea.

Hawaii Community College (Hilo) Earth Day Fair

This one is on the 24th.  Lots of great exhibitors, entertainment, speakers and such.  The description is pretty lengthy so I’ll refer you to the website for you to peruse at your leisure!

Want an Earth Day freebie?  Print your rebate form to try a free roll of Reynolds Recycled Aluminum Foil.  (While supplies last.  See website for details)

This is why I love Kauai

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Kauai has long been our favorite island since we went on our honeymoon in the mid-nineties.  When people ask why, it would be easy to cop out and say it’s beauty, the movies filmed there or a list of other tangible things.  But it’s the recent donation of time and equipment to bring back access to a popular state park that captures what we really love about Kauai in what is one of the most tangible displays of aloha spirit that I’ve seen in some time. 

Polihale State Park has been closed since December due to a bridge that washed out in heavy rains and the DLNR has said they had no money to fix it.  So people stepped up and did what the state couldn’t.  The closure has been hurting the local economy and the locals had enough just sitting back and waiting for something to be done.  This amazing act of aloha should show state legislature that the community depends on these parks not just for the economy but for the purpose they were created…recreation.  This is why the Recreation Renaissance bill needs to pass which would grant $240 million toward the improvements of Hawaii’s parks.  Mahalo to all of the volunteers who are helping with this project!

For more in depth coverage of this story, go here.

Bounty Hunter Tim Chapman acquitted

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The ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ sidekick was found not guilty of indecent exposure yesterday.  The judge said that there was no proof that Chapman intentionally exposed himself.  The prosecutor said by him fleeing the scene it made him look guilty but Chapman claimed it was incurring the wrath of Beth Chapman that caused him to flee.  She’d just warned everyone two days prior about not bringing any more negative publicity.  (This was at the height of Dog’s own negative publicity for racist remarks he made during a private conversation to his son.)  Tim Chapman (no relation to Dog) said he fought the charge because a conviction would’ve made it harder to fight for custody of his kids.  He was served with divorce papers by his wife Davina the day his trial began.

**Please note this blog is not affiliated with Dog the Bounty Hunter and crew or A&E.  Any responses directed to Tim, Dog, etc are not read by them unless they happen to read this blog.  If you want a better chance of your voice being heard by one of them, go to Dog’s website.**

Bounty hunter Tim Chapman in court

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Yesterday was not the best of day’s for former Dog the Bounty Hunter regular, Tim Chapman.  He began his trial for indecent exposure and terroristic threatening and was also served divorce papers by his wife Davina.  Chapman was allegedly observed by a woman…err…”pleasuring himself” last year in a parking garage and when approached by a security guard he pulled up his pants in the backseat and then drove out of there allegedly almost hitting the guard.  Chapman’s lawyer maintains Tim was simply changing his clothes when he spilled orange juice on himself.

Tune in to history today

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Millions all over the world will be tuning in to watch history as Hawaii-born Barack Obama is sworn into office.  Regardless of who you voted for you should try to tune in for this moment in history.  Check local listings for schedules and coverage.  Many sites have live streaming video of this event if you’re not home to see it or have a TV in your office.  KGMB is one local station who will be streaming live today.

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