Aloha Coach Jones!

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After doing what some considered the impossible by turning a football program from 0-12 at his start in 1999 to 12-0 at the culmination of his UH tenure, Coach June Jones has decided it’s time to move on.  He will be the new head coach at Southern Methodist University signing a 5 year deal which will garner him a $2 million salary per year.  Jones was torn as news spread of his possible departure, he was overwhelmed with phone calls and emails from Warrior fans begging him to stay.  Jones says it was never about the money but that University of Hawaii was not willing up front to put in writing their planned improvements to the football program like it’s athletics facilities and other resources.  When it did come, it seemed to be too little, too late.   (These improvements should NOT be part of a coaches contract negotiations!  They should be something that is done because there is now a national spotlight on Hawaii.  People always talked about respecting the Hawaii football team…I agree.  The problem is, why doesn’t their own university they play for respect them enough to give them decent workout facilities, dorms and other resources?  Don’t play the money card.  You think with the attention and respect Hawaii’s gained as a team this year that people wouldn’t be lining up at fundraisers to help these guys get even the most basic of conveniences?  It’s embarassing.  Hell, I’d donate time and sweat equity to get this team what they need to at least be proud to show new recruits!  I’m sure I’m not the only one!  But I digress…)

We will miss Coach Jones and all that he has brought to the UH program.  He’s taught those boys to become men and lead them spiritually so they respect opportunities they have and to play with heart.  I only hope the next coach does the same because they’ve got some BIG shoes to fill!

ATTENTION UH FOOTBALL FANS!

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Pictures Plus welcomes COACH JUNE JONES

December 17 & 19
7 pm to 7:30 pm
Kahala Mall, Oahu

Get your copy of “HAWAII WARRIOR FOOTBALL: A Story of Faith, Hope and Redemption” autographed by Coach Jones. $24.95 in store. 

If you can’t make it to the in-store signing, you can always buy it cheaper at Amazon below.  The perfect gift for that UH fan!

Bounty Hunter grants first post scandal interview to Fox

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Dog Chapman appeared on Hannity and Colmes last night on Fox in which he gave a teary apology and appeared with his African American pastor Tim Storey.  The 8 month old private conversation which was sold by his paroled son, Tucker to rag mag site The National Enquirer for a rumored $15,000 contained an angry Dog using racial slurs.  When asked what could motivate a son to turn on his father for such a thing, Chapman speculated it could’ve been drug motivated.  Chapman also saw his son’s girlfriend for the first time in an interview she granted the National Inquirer website.  He cried as he watched it and said she was a cute little girl and said “I’m so sorry honey.”

Chapman was blasted by his pastor who said he was shocked when he heard the tape and angry and came at him with that energy but knew that wasn’t the man he knew.  The bounty hunter said whatever he needs to do to make this right, he’ll do.  He’s trying to formulate a plan but needs direction.  He said he knows he’ll never be forgiven and probably doesn’t deserve to be.  In regards to his high rated A&E show Dog the Bounty Hunter, Chapman says when they call he tells his wife to tell them he’s “in the bathroom” because he’s scared to talk to them. 

So far A&E has halted production of the current season and has pulled the show from it’s programming schedule but has stopped short of a full blown cancellation.  Many are speculating the imminent cancellation of the show since the Dog the Bounty Hunter box set that contains 4 discs has been slashed to $20 and has been selling like hotcakes on Amazon.com. 

Time will tell if Dog can do enough to make people believe he is truly sorry, has learned his lesson and can be forgiven.

Dog Chapman in hot water over racial slur

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A&E has halted the production of its wildly popular Dog the Bounty Hunter show since a private phone conversation came out in which Chapman used a racial slur several times.  Chapman issued the following statement:

“My sincerest, heartfelt apologies go out to every person I have offended in my regrettable use of very inappropriate language. I am deeply disappointed in myself for speaking out in anger to my son and using such a hateful term in a private phone conversation. It was completely taken out of context. I was disappointed in his choice of a friend, not due to her race, but her character. However, I have the utmost respect and aloha for black people — who have already suffered so much due to racial discrimination and acts of hatred.”

Chapman said he will consult with his spiritual advisor Tim Storey and meet with the appropriate black leaders to make things right with the African American community. 

Edit:  True Aloha has chosen not to link to sources where the conversation can be obtained or list the transcripts.  As long as Dog makes the news in any form, we’ll share it.  However, we in no way condone the ignorance used in the private conversation and hope that Chapman will truly learn from this experience and that the use of that word is never okay in any circumstance. 

Man takes Big Island Humane Society worker hostage

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I couldn’t believe when I read this West Hawaii Today news article about a man, whose irresponsible pet ownership, resulted in him taking a Humane Society worker hostage.  Pit bulls whether full bred or mixed need to be monitored.  Many are very sweet and they do get a bad rap but then you have owners like this guy who allowed his animal to terrorize his neighborhood by attacking and killing other animals.  When the possibility of putting his dog down became real, he threatened to take Humane Society workers “deep sea fishing.”  (Which he later specified he’d put them in cement shoes and chuck them in the water) 

WHEN will people who are obviously irresponsible and bullies wake up and stop giving this poor breed a bad reputation?  It’s because of owners like him that there are so many Pit Bulls in local shelters to begin with.  Yes, any breed with “bull” in the breed are to be treated with a little more kid gloves than other breeds, just check with your local insurance company.  But with training, love and responsibility Pit Bulls can be just as sweet as the pup next door.

This guy should be stripped of his rights to own an animal.  If you’re not going to make your animal a good citizen, you have no right owning one.

More Hawaii Superferry issues

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Surprise, there’s more issues with the Hawaii Superferry…or at least the intent of some passengers.  Three O’ahu men decided they’d float on over to Maui, pilfer through the ‘Iao Valley stream and load up their 3 pickup trucks with 900 river rocks and tote them back to O’ahu!!!  (Allegedly…mmm hmm)  The only reason they got busted is because of the August 27th injunction that stranded them on Maui and the DLNR was notified.  Articles keep reiterating that these rocks are the kind used for heating imus (underground ovens).  What exactly were they planning on cooking…King Kong??

My local friends on neighbor islands are not happy about the Superferry for reasons exactly like this.  You get some lolo coming over thinking they can come over and rummage through your island like a bargain basement sale, pack up and float back over to O’ahu.  They’re also afraid that all of these trucks and cars are going to overwhelm the local fishing and camping areas and load up on all kinds of fish in coolers and tote them right back.  These worries don’t include the environmental assessments that they are now saying need to be done…you know, after they’ve spent millions to get this thing up and running.

Then you have the protesters on neighbor islands that don’t want it there.  Kauai went so far as to have a line of reportedly 60 surfers who all made a chain and wouldn’t let the ferry into the harbor.  (Go Kauai!)  But where were they when this thing was in the PLANNING stages??  Were there meetings held and people turned out in droves saying they didn’t want the ferry and they were ignored?  Or were there only a few select people that showed up to meetings and the rest who now are passionately against it didn’t voice their opinions until they saw it on the horizon about to drift into their harbor? 

Regardless of why this thing is becoming such a fiasco, the point is its built now…millions have been spent to build it so they’re obviously not going to have spent that much to do sunset cruises around O’ahu so where do we go from here?  Why were environmental concerns not taken into consideration before this money was spent?  Why were neighbor islanders seemingly not given a say when it’s their islands that are being directly affected?  Most importantly, what kind of resolution is going to be best for all of Hawaii so that everyone doesn’t suffer because of a potentially good idea gone bad?

What the hell is wrong with people!?

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Road rage incidents are reported no matter where you are, Hawaii is no exception.  The next time you are tempted to let your temper get the better of you out there, remember this story.

Drive with aloha people, no matter where you are.  Try not to cut others off and if you find someone doing it to you, let it go.  When someone lets you in traffic or out of a shopping center when they didn’t have to…WAVE!!!  (Or give the shaka)  Nothing makes a person regret that act of kindness more than letting someone out and not even getting an acknowledgment. 

Common courtesy on the road will get us all going where we need to go safe and alive.

*Stepping off soapbox*

Dog Chapman & crew at Hawaii book signing tonight

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Duane “Dog” Chapman, his wife Beth and their bounty hunting posse will be signing books at Borders Books in the Windward Mall in Kaneohe tonight from 7 to 8pm.  There will be a book signing/meet and greet at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base from 4 pm-6 pm on Friday, Sept. 7.  Another military meet and greet is Sept. 8 from 1 pm to 3 pm at Hickam Air Force Base.

So ladies, if you’re itchin’ to see Leland in da flesh…here’s your chance!

Breaking News: Owen Wilson drops out of Kauai film

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After asking for time to heal upon being hospitalized for an alleged suicide attempt, Owen Wilson has dropped out of the film Tropic Thunder.   Wilson was scheduled to come to Kauai in the coming weeks to shoot his role for the movie but given the circumstances, that will not happen now.   According to Variety magazine, Wilson and his longtime friend Ben Stiller decided it would be best for him to ’sit this one out.’   Wilson is still in the hospital and listed in good condition.

Kauai bound Superferry excursions currently on hold…

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If you had plans to go to the island of Kauai, you might want to rethink that one.  Due to the protests by residents of Kauai, some of whom formed a human surfboard chain in the waters at Nawiliwili Harbor, Governor Linda Lingle and the Coast Guard have suspended entry to Kauai indefinitely.  The Kauai Garden Island News reports,

“Our top priority is to operate a safe and reliable ferry system for Hawaii’s residents. When that can be accomplished, we will resume service,” Hawaii Superferry President and CEO John Garibaldi said in a press release.  Passengers who are stranded as a result will receive return air fare, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, car shipment and other related expenses, the company said.  Customers who have already booked passage will be issued refunds upon request to the company’s Web site or reservations center.

People for the Preservation of Kauai organization was looking into getting a restraining order against the Superferry.  The Superferry apparently isn’t overly popular on other islands as well.  On Monday a judge ruled that the Superferry can’t use Kahului Harbor on Maui. 

What are your thoughts?  Are you for or against the Superferry and why?

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