Think About It Hawaii

This article marks the beginning of my fourth year writing for MidWeek readers. Adding 19+ years of writing/airing twice weekly “Think About It” editorial pieces on KHNL and  KFVE, I figure I’ve now offered up about 2,136 presentations to get you to… well, at least think about it. Some might suggest that it figures that my first article in MidWeek coincided with Halloween- what a horror. Of course, they’re probably not reading these bits any more, are they?

There are weeks when I’ve thought, “Now what?” Writing editorials is a joy, except when it’s not. For better, for worse, in sickness and in health, oh wait… those are wedding vows. Concocting weekly stories to entertain, educate, enthrall, or infuriate people requires work, but like marriage (or at least a good one) it’s hopefully worth it in the end.

Trying to write something weekly that is possibly unique, interesting, funny, touching, enlightening, or intelligent during the lengthy COVID quarantine was a challenge, to say the least. I purposely avoided writing yet one more insipid COVID commentary for many months- to spare both you and me.

Writing (or broadcasting) editorials has allowed me to more clearly focus on what’s around us in a broad sense, perhaps trying to cast a larger philosophical net over local realities and quirks, suggesting things that might encourage you to reflect, laugh, or even take positive action.

I found a new fruit- chico (sapodilla)- which I happily savor when it’s in season. I’ve learned to truly celebrate basic things we take for granted- like one’s health or purpose in the universe, or even having a place to go to and from (home and work) every day and night. I’ve come to appreciate more deeply my incredible wife and the awesome healing power of music, as well as the value of communities coming together during crises, which I witness first-hand daily through my co-workers at Aloha United Way and other amazing, community-based, partner agencies. 

I’ve been commenting now (officially) for 22-years, articulating or bloviating (your call) on local issues that too often get kicked down the road without resolution- the deteriorating Natatorium and Koolau Stairway to Heaven, reasonably-priced housing, vibrant economic options beyond tourism, the homeless conundrum, rapid transit, TMT, sovereignty, North Shore parking and erosion, a secondary leeward highway conduit… the list goes on, and so will these weekly pieces. Thanks for reading.

Think about it…  

Back in June I attended an outdoor (tented) wedding. It was great to be around other humans and feel relatively safe for the first time in years. Event hosts painstakingly placed people (as always) at appropriate tables to maximum conversation and revelry. But just as we began scarfing down the post-nuptial meal, the wedding deejay inexplicably cranked up the music like he was emceeing a Euro-rage event where everyone’s buzzed. Buzzkill!

Conversations came to a screeching halt, as did event enjoyment. Talking Heads once sang, “this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco”… but this was a party, cut short by mis-timed, throbbing, pulsating beats.

My frustration continued at a wonderful brainstorming convention last month. Again, great efforts were made to split up 150 attendees at dinners to ensure maximum socializing, idea-sharing, and perhaps even some problem-solving creativity. And then the live musicians began to play loudly, quashing any repartee. Attempts to chat suddenly required horrid more airborne particles spewing forth than can be tolerated semi-post-pandemic. This wasn’t supposed to be a dinnertime concert, but it had the numbing and unintended effects of one.

As I’ve previously stated, nothing stimulates more parts of the brain than music. I am a lifetime music fanatic; it’s simply the best. But at times it needs to stay in the background, simply turned down. By the way, side note to headlining rock concert performers: we paid $150 per ticket so you “don’t stop believin’”; but please don’t turn your handheld mic towards the crowd at chorus time and encourage the world’s worst mass karaoke moment! We know you’ve aged, but c’mon, you sing it… please.

Finally, I attended a well-done, awards celebration breakfast, and after everyone played the awkward “…and-what-do-you-do?” game while in the buffet line, they returned to their tables only to hear the duo up front playing at decibel levels that precluded normal, small room conversation. Again, we’d been placed at tables to chat, learn, exchange business cards and ideas, but were stifled by a stultifying “American Idol” tryout unnecessarily taking place.

So, note to event organizers. Music is stimulating and vital. But at events designed for small group reverie, interaction among participants, and getting-to-know-you engagement, music should be dampened; it’s not a Woodstock/Coachella gala. Groups, soloists, or deejays should know if they’ve been hired as background, not foreground or fairground, entertainment. It’s hard to listen when you can’t hear.

Think about it…

Much like there are many variations of the colors blue and red, there are also many nuances to homelessness. To oversimplify by labeling the homeless as a single homogenous group is misinformed, and will lead to more frustration for all parties involved. So, what then to do?

If you’re going to discuss homelessness locally, you probably should look first at the actual housing availability picture. Soon, moving some short-term, illegal rentals into long-term local rentals may help those able to pay “reasonable” rents, but we need more out-of-the-box thinking so that we don’t keep kicking this can (and individuals) down the road. Some great work has been accomplished locally, but we need more.

California last year announced it would retrofit pandemic-vacated, shopping mall space and empty big box retail locations into housing units. Obviously, this involves legislative work in conjunction with builders, planners, realtors, etc., but it’s worth delving into.

On the homeless front, we have innovative villages, communities, mini-housing areas, and more in place and/or on the drawing board. A local real estate executive asked me recently- what about setting up trailer parks and importing RVs for housing? Recreational vehicles might be available at discount prices now that the pandemic has subsided (we hope) and wanderlust has diminished among those tired of being couped up on the mainland. Could a consortium of benefactors, landowners, infrastructure departments (water, sewage), shipping companies, etc., brainstorm and bring a bunch of these ready-to-inhabit homes to Hawai`i?

And finally, check out Medicine Hat, Alberta, a small Canadian town that pledged years ago to “cure” homelessness. While it’s seen some backsliding during the pandemic, it has used the “housing first” model that other large, American cities have used to give people hope as well as a home. The theory is that providing a home first gives needy ones a sense of security, pride and purpose, and then their other problems can be dealt with. And no, it’s not a freebie; tenants pay. London, Ontario apparently did great work dealing with veteran homelessness through housing first- yet one more source to contact.

RVs, shopping malls, local rentals reclaimed from visiting, short-term tenants, housing first- it’s time to continue to fully explore real-world examples of how other locations deal with homelessness and immediate housing needs. No single answer can solve all of the issues, but there is hope, opportunity, and there are real success stories.

Think about it…

A recent WalletHub website survey found Hawai`i to be the happiest state in America. Now before we all start getting snarky or sarcastic, let’s just be happy that we’re so happy. After all, 87% of Americans are now “anxious” or “very anxious”, according to an American Psychiatric Association poll. Hmmmm, wonder why?

WalletHub Ph.D. experts weighed data from various sources and created a happiness formula which some might question (like West Virginians- who came in 50^th place), but let’s just enjoy the happy news. But don’t party too hardy, as we rank 49^th in adequate sleep rate. Geez! Or should I say Zzzzzz?

We’re happy but can’t sleep. We love our backyard (mountains, beaches, and everything in between) but we’re unsure if we can keep our kids from leaving here… forever. We’re not sure (in good conscience) that we can sell our kids on the attributes (of which there are many) when nagging concerns exist about having enough opportunity to thrive (not just survive); it’s a real worry for many here, both pre- and post-retirement. No wonder people stay up all night, working a second job or worrying about things out of their control. 

Speaking of control, our O`ahu public parks have survived that recent toilet paper shortage drama. The beneficial bunwad supply wasn’t steady (welcome to 2022) and thus people were encouraged to bring their own, but it now seems that we’ve wiped this problem. Just one more reason to be happy, yeh?

OK, time to re-focus… how much longer can our isolated, island chain stay centered, reasonably focused, calm and thus happy, when the weight of it all sometimes gets oppressive? We manage via our unique culture(s), learned demeanor, empathy, sense of ‘ohana, and aloha attributes. But that just might not carry us forever if we don’t create economic and housing opportunities- major issues that are constantly reinforced, dissected, studied, and bandied about at least every two years when someone(s) wants to get elected.

At a riveting Hawai`i Island “futures” conference recently, one panelist discussed the necessity for Hawai`i to stop being a “feeder” system, whereby we train young people, raise them well, and then watch as they saunter off to seek a reasonable return on their investment (a/k/a- true happiness) over their next 50 years. We need to create opportunities, innovate, take chances, and provide a rationale here to… well, to stay happy.

Think about it…

There is some fascinating information in the 104-page report released a few weeks ago by the National Association of State Boards of Education. Locally, aided by Department of Education information, the data on Hawai`i’s public schools is enlightening. Absenteeism was up (not surprisingly) during the pandemic, more teachers are eligible for and considering retirement, more teachers and students are leaving Hawai`i, and there are many other interesting statistics in the report- some obviously COVID-related, some not.

The real question now is what do we (as a state) do with the data? How can we make informed decisions and provide opportunities going forward for kids and teachers? On a national level, “1 out of every 2 school leaders say their stress level is so high they are considering a career change or retirement”, according to the report. 49% of principals say that a better work-life balance or a higher salary would alleviate their concerns. And what are the odds of those requests actually coming to fruition via financially stressed, short-staffed school systems?

Locally, the recent trend of fewer kids attending public schools annually shows no signs of abating. The latest report showed that the attendance total was down by 3,000 students this past year with 80% of those leaving identifying these reasons: moving to another state, attending private school, or being home schooled. Fewer attendees invariably means fewer resources available for public schools. And lower birth rates portend that the enrollment decline will continue. Other public school systems are experiencing similar downward attendance trends. We cannot allow a diminishing quantity of students affect the quality of education. 

Our Board of Education will be engaging the public as it develops its new strategic plan.  That’s good. If you’re interested, read the report, attend meetings, provide input. We always hear that the “keiki are our future”. Of course they are; that’s simple logic. But what we do to give those keiki a reasonable shot at success beyond high school (however one defines “success”) is vital to this state’s future.

With 42,000 employees, our DOE is the state’s largest employer and Hawai`i is home to the 10^th largest school district in America, according to the NASBE/DOE report. Unwieldy and unyielding at times? Sure. But we must make strong efforts now to promote quality teaching and innovative strategies in the quest to keep educators, as well as students, engaged in the decade(s) ahead.

Think about it…

It might be a stunner to some, but our University of Hawai`i football team isn’t going to play in this year’s Sugar Bowl. Every summer we read articles hyping the incredible amount of work being put in during the offseason, great stories of players overcoming adversity, and an overly optimistic tone that this year will be special. Sometimes it is.

This team and its new coaching staff are still coming together (note: this article was written before the UH/New Mexico State game). The fans are also coming together, with lots of joy apparent at the refurbished Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex; food options are abundant and parking has been handled adeptly. Kudos to U.H. athletics for its ongoing efforts to tantalize us with an even more robust fan experience next year.

Under new head coach, Timmy Chang, the Warriors are going through expected growing pains following the out-migration of too many quality, disgruntled players. The new NCAA portal rules allow college athletes to defect/transfer easily as we watch ballers come and go everywhere on a whim. That very system might just be UH’s silver lining as we gaze forward. Local gridiron talent that leaves Hawai`i to play elsewhere just might find that the grass (or artificial turf) is not always greener on the continent, and these new rules allow players to return without having to sit out for a year. We giveth, we taketh.

So while we have to wait before the 2023 roster takes shape, let’s continue to support the 202 squad as we acknowledge that the current variation of U.H.’s semi-run and shoot offense sometimes looks more like a run and shoot-yourself-in-the-foot offense when quarterbacks aren’t given time to throw, are inaccurate, or their receivers aren’t on the same page as said QBs, who are often running for their lives. It’s about the process… 

Trolls, ogres and pseudo-pundits online should be ignored (always) as the players and coaching staff buckle down to fix what’s fixable and create options on both sides of the ball for the remainder of 2022. It’s been said that the only thing that’s guaranteed in football is a 100% chance of injury. Cute. But allegedly, time heals all wounds; hopefully, even the self-inflicted ones, like bruised egos. So “Go ‘Bows!” as we watch this progressing pigskin process unfold in this new era of U.H. football with Chang at the Ching.

Think about it… 

You often don’t know what you don’t know. I mean, until you find out things in life sometimes, you didn’t even know such things existed. For example, have you ever heard of the Halifax Explosion? It happened 105-years ago in the deep-water harbor between Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Look it up. An estimated 1,700 people were killed and more than 9,000 were injured. It was the biggest man-made blast in the history of the world, until atomic bombs were dropped on Japan in WWII.

I found this amazing story while visiting Halifax to see, in part, the biggest tidal changes in the world at the Bay of Fundy, where you can walk on the ocean floor and not get wet at low tide, and come back later to see that the water level’s risen over 50-feet along the cliffs.

The point here is we simply don’t know about lots of stuff that might truly electrify or energize us when we do find out. That Maritime Museum also houses amazing Titanic paraphernalia as ship remnants, including deceased passengers’ belongings, were brought ashore from 700 nautical miles away. I’ve been hoping the Halifax Explosion story could be this decade’s “Titanic” movie blockbuster- but no takers yet.

Remember the child-like innocence and excitement we all had as kids when we witnessed things for the first time- a fireworks display, a huge sporting event, a zoo tiger, Santa Claus at the mall!?

Even as adults, the ideas of progress, development, and self-defined success can still make one feel invigorated, hopeful, and perhaps even starry-eyed. Heck, I still get excited when Journey and “Jersey Boys” come to the Blaisdell and when 21^st century paving and speed bumps (inevitably) come to the Pali Highway.

I’m surprised at how often we maintain unyielding patience when so much is said and yet so little is done on many vital, local matters, at least in a timely fashion. We need more housing, social service funding, teachers, innovators, food self-sufficiency, doctors, economic options, and an alternate leeward access; we need less traffic, plastic, redundant committees, and bureaucratic deterrents. Post-COVID, same old same old isn’t gonna hack it here. We know that. Let’s seek solutions that work elsewhere- adopt and adapt adeptly. We may be isolated, but our issues are not necessarily unique. We know what we don’t know, or don’t do, so how about we do something(s)?

Think about it…

More and more, we see faces masked less and less. What’s nice about Hawai’i (usually) is that people can do their own thing at this point in the waning pandemic days (we hope) without being outwardly judged or admonished. Concerned for yourself, respectful of others? Wear a mask. Immunocompromised? Wear a mask. Caring or often in contact with ones deemed most vulnerable? Wear a mask.

Masking in Asia was an accepted practice long before the COVID virus made most other continents aware of its potential value. People wore masks in Asia over 60 years ago and the reasons why have increased- to prevent the spread of germs, to avoid wearing makeup, to battle air pollution and auto exhaust, and even as a “social firewall” in China, according to a March, 2020, Voice of America commentary.

So, what happens next? Will the upcoming flu season encourage more people to remain masked more often? After all, our isolation tendencies plus masking were key reasons that flu deaths in the U.S. fell from an average of 36,000 annually from 2010-2019 to about 700 during the 2020-21 flu season.

We’re just now experiencing what it’s like to socialize regularly in person sans masks for the first time in 2+ years. We’re all doing that post-COVID social dance- do I hug or fist bump, shake hands or high five, give a minor bow or a semi bro hug? It’s all so confusing. Heck, we socially distanced at six feet when, in retrospect, perhaps 12-feet would’ve served us better. 

We went into restaurants masked and then pulled down our faceguards for 90-minutes as we stuffed our faces and/or enjoyed well-deserved libations. Seems incongruent now, doesn’t it? We stuffed nine or more Zoom meetings into eight hours, a self-defeating business game that has been shown to be a stress-inducing, rather ineffective, and an incomplete use of our time and brains. 

We “trusted” family members and really good friends to come visit, but distrusted the general public, because we had no clue who “they” had been in contact with, or for how long.

In 1988, comedian Dennis Miller joked that the toughest job in America was bank teller in Alaska… you know, everybody walks in with a mask on! It was funny back then. 

We may breathe easier; many have decided that they’re kinda done with this novel coronavirus, but is it done with us?

Think about it…

Humility and dominance. A pair of words not often used in the same sentence nor about one entity. But such was the case last month in Williamsport, PA., as Honolulu’s Little League team tore through its competition to win a world title. Outscoring opponents 60-5 over six games, crushing home runs with great regularity, the statistical analyses point out the simple fact that while teams knew what was coming- game after game- Honolulu dominated like perhaps no other team in LL history. 

We’re thrilled that these boys of summer won, the fourth team from Hawai`i to win baseball’s 11/12 year-old division on the heels of titles in 2018 (Honolulu), 2008 (Waipi`o) and in 2005 (`Ewa). But the real joys watching day in and day out, in games and interviews, were the repeated themes of team first, trust, family, love, humility, fun, and respect- virtues prized highly here in the islands.

Tipping their hats to the acknowledge foe’s fans, high-fiving opponents after they got hits, sharing local-style grinds throughout the month-long stay in the West regionals and then in Pennsylvania, this team was so good, it would have been easy for some to paint them as bad guys, as we often do when one team is so thoroughly superior in a quest. But from opposing players, managers and fans, all we heard was kudos for the Honolulu players, coaches, and parents.

Often playing in games truncated by the “mercy rule” after four (of six scheduled) innings as they led by 10+ runs, Honolulu’s Little League kings were routinely dominant. In a state which often sees itself as the underdog in so many areas, having a team like this showcased internationally as gallant Goliaths of the game was heart-warming and pride-inducing.

Invariably, the wins almost seemed like cherries on an ice cream sundae. The real soul and merits of this team shined through on the always-smiling faces of our slugging pre-teens, the genuine excitement of yet another home run, incredible pitching performance, or when simply meeting kids from other states and countries. 

Over 2.2-million kids play Little League, and last month, Honolulu ruled the junior baseball world with a dazzling display of grace, power, stamina, love, respect, and humility… an awesome combination. Oh yeh, O`ahu’s Kado Hawai`i team won the Babe Ruth World Series in mid-August for 13-year-olds… while also winning the sportsmanship award. Yet another youthful class act. Geev’um, kids!

Think about it…

When nature calls, one must respond… Under the watchful eyes of hundreds at Kaimana Beach and then under the care of officials who moved him to a remote beach elsewhere, Koalani became the latest monk seal pup of reliable Rocky to find his way into this not-always friendly world. Good for Koalani. Hopefully now that he’s had time to frolic and explore, he’ll make his mom proud as he ventures into his watery world and thrives over the next (we hope) 30+ years.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration did its job by shepherding the young pup through his critical first phases of life in the semi-wild, reminding people to keep their distance, monitoring the baby, and ensuring that this endangered species now has a shot at living a full life swimmingly. Rumor has it that Koalani waved his (…you knew it was coming) seal of approval as he took off. One estimate suggested 500 manhours were used to help this pup! If only we would treat needy human specimens so well…

Aside from Hawaiian monk seals, the only other mammal native to these islands is the Hawaiian hoary bat, and we certainly don’t see much fuss being made over these furtive flyers, who are classified as endangered though some suggest they shouldn’t be. Named our state’s official land mammal in 2015 (was there really much competition?), hoary bats are nature’s pesticide. Bats have been much maligned historically and stigmatized repeatedly by Hollywood, but these solitary, winged wonders feast on termites, mosquitoes, beetles, crickets and moths. So there really should be no bad blood when one envisions our lone, land-based, endemic mammal. Dingbats? I think not!

I’ve witnessed wandering mongooses snatching Spam musubi from golf carts, but I’ve yet to hear local stories involving dive-bombing, belligerent bats at dusk as they search nightly for prey, while wary humans pray that they just stay away. 

Hawaiian hoary bats house high in trees, fly after sunset, and are normally quite solitary. While not much is known about their actual numbers here, concerns exist that wind farms could be hazardous to the health of bats (and other locally flying creatures) unless greater mitigation rules are enacted and enforced.

Two endemic, solitary creatures- Hawaiian monk seals and hoary bats- just doing their things and providing human distraction and relief (seals are cute, bats eat insects) as they mind their own business.

Think about it…