Think About It Hawaii

The Food & Drug Administration fully approved the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 16 and older weeks ago, so maybe more of the “wait and see” crowd will now feel more reassured. Maybe not. But one thing that can’t be encouraging people who have some vaccine hesitancy is the incessant, daily media usage of footage showing people getting a syringe inserted into their upper arms. Every COVID newscast story seems to show this drama unfold… unnecessarily. 

Most people don’t like injections, period, so to keep showing people getting poked, relatively painless though it might be, is probably not the best method to gently encourage some fence sitters to show up at a nearby clinic or neighborhood mobile facility tomorrow. There must be oodles of relevant “b” roll footage that could be utilized without redundantly showing yet another upper arm being pricked with a needle.

18-months ago, we were all hunkered down, afraid of our own (and others’) shadows as the seriousness of this pandemic played out. And we somewhat rationalized 40 or so local coronavirus cases reported daily. Nowadays, you can’t find a parking space in some malls and people are everywhere, all while we’re witnessing 10-20 times as many cases of a far more potent and easily spread COVID variant. While the vaccine has rightfully helped eased many minds about the odds for experiencing hospitalization or worse, so-called “long COVID” (symptoms persisting for months and/or developing after  initial symptoms dissipate) is a frustrating reality for 10-30% of all COVID sufferers, regardless of whether or not they had notable symptoms during their engagement with the coronavirus. That’s why wearing masks still makes a lot of sense in most cases. Big deal, it’s a mask. Long COVID complications can affect the heart, lungs, brain, stomach, appendages- over 100 aftereffects of this ailment have been medically identified thus far. Is it so hard to be safe, smart, socially-savvy, sensitive, steadfast, and supportive?

A year ago we did everything we could (most people) to preclude facing this airborne invader. As time has passed, however, too many have gotten too complacent and decided that they’re immune, impervious, or indifferent to this virus. But anyone can pass it along. It’s the pits. As the staggering numbers here indicate, we’re running out of oxygen, ICU beds, and quarantine areas, but we are absolutely not outrunning this pandemic yet.

Think about it…

A stark warning was sent recently about an “aggressive” six-foot shark lurking just less than 100-feet from the Makaha Beach Park shoreline. I don’t know about you, but I much prefer it when shark sightings involve melancholy, reflective, or even whimsical sharks rather than “aggressive” ones. The darn thing is, we often can’t tell what kind of mood they’re in, now can we? I’ve yet to see a report of a lighthearted shark, but I cherish that day, though I certainly won’t be the one checking. 

Sharks occupy an honored place in Hawaiian culture. They are sometimes considered to be ‘aumākua, or ancestral spirits. It’s a sublime concept, based on reverence, respect, comfort, and the belief in a continuation of spirits after one’s ancestors are gone. Sharks deserve our respect, for they are the masters of the ocean, regardless of your spiritual or political beliefs. I found my ‘aumākua in the Pana`ewa Zoo on the Big Island 11-years ago in the form of that zoo’s beautiful, beloved, white tiger, Namaste, but that’s a story for another day.  

My favorite pseudo-shark was the “Saturday Night Live” land shark (coyly played by Chevy Chase) who used to go door to door looking for a meal. My least favorite shark was the carnivorous carouser in “Jaws” (a/k/a Bruce), who we all first met onscreen in the summer of ’75. Master movie-maker, Steven Spielberg, knew how to weave a scary tale (or tail), as that (mechanical) beast kept my friends and I wary while wading in the water the rest of that summer… and that water for us was Lake Michigan!

Back to our original storyline…while a shark sunning close to shore is surely a sign for swimmers to be cautious, the assertion that it was “aggressive” is both presumptive and stereotyping. If it was 200-feet offshore, would it still have been considered aggressive, or just assertive? If I come across a pueo, is it automatically wise? Does every elephant really never forget? Anthropomorphism is when human characteristics are given to animals, but why generalize? We already do it so poorly and often with humans, which leads to all kinds of social issues. Maybe we should give the animal kingdom a break, as they can’t (or won’t) respond. I kid, somewhat, but maybe there is some truth in this nugget. Or perhaps this nugget is mere animal poop, or shark bait.

Think about it…  

Not so slowly, but surely, a transportation transformation has occurred. The streets (and parking garages) of our state have been taken over by non-cars. In the automotive industry, the term “light trucks” refers to vans, SUVs, and pick-ups, and those vehicles  accounted for an astounding 76% market share in sales over the first six months of 2021 in Hawai`i. The annual light truck share of vehicle sales here is up almost 30% since 2012.

Just 24% of vehicles purchased in the U.S. in 2020 fell into the car category. The “compact car” parking space is now an endangered species, and could go the way of the phone booth and typewriter if this trend continues. And with parking spaces always at a premium in Hawai’i, have you noticed many stores, strip malls, condos, or shopping centers widening their vehicle spaces lately? I didn’t think so. Parking lot aerobics might not be high on your exercise priority list, but it’s becoming a must-do statewide. And that doesn’t include the displeasure caused by vehicular space hogs creeping over sacred parking lot white lines.

If you thought or hoped that an electronic/hybrid revolution in the automotive world was upon us, well, think again. After a decade of sensational predictions, the share of electric vehicles sold here in the first six months of 2021, stood at 6.4%, which is up from 4.4% sold over the first half of 2020. This revolution might end up being more of an evolution over a much longer period of time- here and elsewhere. Many people still don’t understand the economics of electronic vehicles, and thus defer at purchase time. Except in Norway, where 75% of the cars now sold are plug-ins! Alas, Norway is a wealthy country that provides electric vehicle tax and toll incentives. Electric car sales in the U.S. in 2020? A paltry 2.3% of units moved. 

For electric cars sales to charge up here and elsewhere, incentives, education, and many more charging stations are going to have to make it more convenient, affordable, and anxiety-free for the average car-buyer to seriously consider electric/hybrid options. A good sign locally is that the range these cars can manage on a single charge is rapidly growing, and average commuters shouldn’t feel charger-angst on normal island driving days. Of course, if everyone keeps buying (non-EV) trucks, the dream of fossil fuel reduction will be even further delayed.

Think about it…

So many things to talk about and so… little much time? We shan’t be socializing soon, but can always ponder the unexplainable, unknown, or just weird.

I recently mentioned the Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra played harmonic Led Zeppelin. Even with relative separation and all, events going forward will have to wait (for me) until after we get past upcoming COVID variations Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Theta, Iota, et al. But don’t blame the Greeks. Science has decided to use their alphabet to name COVID variants. Think I’m a Debbie Downer? Well it may be Greek to me, but with 70% of the world unvaccinated, and since variant strains thus far have come from abroad, the odds suggest what’s possibly coming down the road simply isn’t pretty. Hmmm, maybe I’ll get to see Billie Eilish’s kids live in concert- in 2032…

The asteroid Bennu now might have a slightly greater chance of hitting Earth than was previously thought. What? You haven’t rushed out to buy toilet paper yet?! Good move, as prophetic rocket scientists are now suggesting that this catastrophe is a 1-in-1,750 possibility… over the next 180 years. Really? “Bennu”, named for a mythical Egyptian bird, must mean “who cares?” Is this really a value proposition space dollars usage? Gee, let bored astro-nut billionaires zap wayward space nougats as they flaunt their fortunes on 10-minute joy rides to nowhere…

Local rail officials warned that the first 10 miles of track are now fully electrified as testing begins. Good to know, especially since four wanderers recently scaled a HART fence near Aloha Stadium for some night time train track meandering. Perhaps they don’t trust the science on electricity and its ability to kill people who come in contact with the infamous “third rail”? We have eons of proof that too much electricity harms the human body, but wait! There’s this guy on the internet with a cool website who says he’s an expert on electricity and… oh, never mind.

Finally, two mainland visitors were busted here recently for using allegedly fake vaccine I.D. documents. No surprise, as sleazy internet sites purportedly boast the availability of such cards for as little as $15. So let’s have a fake trial for these counterfeit cardholders and make them work on a hospital clean-up detail for six months, alongside over-worked health care professionals who still have to bear the brunt of this protracted pandemic.

Think about it…   

It might not qualify as a miracle, but spending a safe evening out with friends can still be a rare luxury these days.  Rightfully wary about attending large, social events for the past 18-months, and even though now vaccinated, many are still having second thoughts about socializing as COVID cases here have risen dramatically this summer.

So it was a pleasure to dine outside with a few friends and then rock to the enthralling sounds of the Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra and Windborne’s “Music of Led Zeppelin” recently under the stars at the Waikiki Shell. With a rare, August breeze omni-present, plus contact tracing, mandated proof of vaccine, and social distancing in the seating area, it was a great night to watch symphonic rock frets born from Chicago and Delta blues without fretting too much about the virulent, Delta variant blues.

I’d somewhat forgotten how live music can lift one’s spirit, soul, and physical essence, as we soaked up one classic Led Zeppelin cut after another. Mesmerizing, mellifluous music for the masses, a beautiful venue, a gorgeous night, and a fulfilling dinner- all things we might have simply been called “Friday” two years ago, nowadays it’s an elusive wonder.

The orchestra provided ample depth to the Windborne players, which included a few spell-binding solos by electric performers. The authentically-covered Zep tunes were performed in the right register by Brody Dolyniuk, who’s sincere, soaring Robert Plant-istic vocals included memorable grunts at the appropriate moments in a dozen familiar tunes. It took me back to July 7, 1973, when I happily witnessed the real Led Zeppelin at Chicago Stadium; yup, 48-years ago…

And with few cell phones obnoxiously held up for inane, social media one-upmanship (“nanny nanny boo boo- look where I was that you weren’t”), the show flowed without interruption, save for an unnecessary 20-minute intermission. I mean come on, older people do need to get home by 9pm! 

But the point is, if just for one night, I was happily reminded how the old normal felt, and reawakened to what we will inevitably get back to, albeit later than we planned due to… well, never mind, we’re divided enough without another pundit’s shot in the arm. So keep on rockin’ in the free world (thanks Neil Young) and search for safe, soul-salvaging diversions until the coast- and everywhere else- is clear enough to let your guard down.

Think about it…

Okay, let’s have some fun this week and take some popular summer-themed, movie titles of years past and re-imagine what they might be about if re-made in 2021. Get it? Why do this, you ask? Oh, you really wanna talk more about delta variants, vaccine holdouts, wayward web misinformation, or selective personal freedom some more?!

“Independence Day” (from 1996)- ahhh, that wonderful day where we can again trust the safety of associating with other human beings, where we can hug sans masks, and where we can smile without worrying about what we might inhale due to the presence of others.

“E.T.” (1982, man, I feel old…)- the heart-warming story of a young boy re-connected to his grandparents, who he hasn’t seen in two years, thus thinking they must be aliens.

“Clueless” (1995)- what even the smartest people seem like at times in 2021 month to month as rules and regulations related to COVID-19 morph, are revamped, disappear, and return. You need to use the Feynman Technique (communicating complex topics in a simple way) to figure out how many friends you can have at a funeral, wedding, meeting, or dinner.

“Stand By Me” (1986)- what a classic…but the new version could be a dream, or perhaps a nightmare, as we simply can’t allow (most) people to “stand by me” in the pandemic twilight zone we still find ourselves in.

“Do The Right Thing” (1989)- boy, what a remake you could do with this Spike Lee classic, as sadly too little has changed and doing the right thing in far too many instances remains a separator of far too many far too often.

“The Goonies” (1985)- simple- this is what we call anyone who disagrees with us.

“I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997)- Yeh… nothing.

“The Parent Trap” (1961, 1998)- What far too many kids found themselves in due to on-site college cancellations; also what far too many parents found themselves in due to, well… you get it.

“Dazed And Confused” (1993)- this time, you don’t even need illegal substances (or legal, as the case may be in some states) to realize how this title explains life in 2021.

“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (1998)- filmed, in part, at Turtle Bay. Nowadays, it’d be pretty easy to forget Sarah and just about everyone else you don’t see or talk to!

OK, back to reality. Stay safe; and it’s hurricane season.

Think about it…

In a bizarre, post-truth world, we still find items that can amaze and/or amuse. Like these two recent local stories…

The Hawai`i Authority for Rapid Transportation (which is proving to be anything but rapid) announced that the latest projections for daily choo choo usage shows an expected  drop of 18%, from 122,000 to 101,000 daily boardings when the train runs its full route to Ala Moana Center. But we’re supposedly still nine years away (wanna bet?) from the full implementation of that plan, and ridership is apparently already down. Apply this logic every two years through 2031, and we could be down 18% five more times, and potentially see very few riders by the time this steel-wheeled enigma gets going!

While ridership numbers are constantly looked at and adjusted (after all, what else have they got to do right now), it is disconcerting to see usage projections drop while prognosticators, experts, and weekend warriors still postulate whether or not this train will even run past Middle Street. Stay tuned, because you know there’ll be another “are you kidding me?!” HART story just down the tracks.

On another local transportation front, a fire truck was stolen two weeks ago while idling outside of a late-night, emergency medical call. The leeward side call was apparently completed when the first responders went back outside to find their light-flashing vehicle gone. This theft might be tempt a new dictionary definition of “chutzpah”, as there is no subtlety tooling around in a purloined, bright yellow, 40-foot truck with a cool ladder.

The alleged absconder was soon found at a nearby 7-Eleven store in Makaha, undoubtedly sucking on a Big Gulp. How do I know? Well, the only plausible excuse one could have made when asked why he would do such a thing is, “Hey, I was thirsty”. Yes nothing is as satiating as a huge drink, no matter the obstacles.

In 2021’s twilight zone universe, where sides are taken and lines are not simply drawn, but often constructed with mental cement, many hope for a return to semi-harmony, sensible discourse, and rational compromise to once again run our democracy. A proven way to calm down and stop making everything a major, politically-charged issue is to chuckle, laugh occasionally, and take important things seriously while not taking ourselves too seriously. Well, maybe we can all agree on one thing- don’t steal fire engines.

Think about it… 

Flustered folks who sometimes just can’t get things done lament, “I didn’t have time”. Which seems a tinge ironic, because the only thing we really do have- is time. When we officially run out of time, well, the ballgame’s over. How we choose to allocate our time- aaah, there’s the rub.

COVID-19 has changed a lot of things, including how we think about allocating our precious time, our irretrievable time. Spending time with family/friends, staying engaged as our kids grow up, just taking time to breathe fully. Some people thought they’d go stir crazy but found out that being in some control with idle time (forced by issues beyond their control) led to self-reflection, recalibration, and a realignment of personal priorities.

Monster.com tells us that of 650 people recently surveyed, 95% said they were considering a job change. OK, but that’s info coming from a job platform site. Microsoft Work Trend says that 40% of people want to change jobs. If everyone simply opts for some other job, one that someone else abandoned, won’t people end up unhappy again later? If a chunk of workers are disenchanted, will the grass really be greener on the other side, where others appear equally disenfranchised?? Many appear ready to find out.

Four million Americans quit their jobs in April, the highest monthly total in 20-years. Accommodation and food sector workers paved the way, but many industries have suffered. Post-coronavirus, some have decided that for health, drudgery, and/or sanity reasons, they simply don’t want to go back where they were. And for those who rationalize that government-offered, $300 per week checks are luring droves of people away from the workplace, have you thought about surviving locally on $15,600 annually? Not a well-advised retirement path.

Thoughts now focus on quality of life (rather than just quantity of life), making one’s time count, making a difference, being a part of whatever it is that enlightens you or gives more meaning to your existence. The working world is morphing big time. Two years ago we talked about possibly driving hybrids, and now we’re returning to workplaces that are hybrid (without needing to drive to work in a hybrid). Akamai bosses and companies here and elsewhere must adapt and become more empathetic, realistic, encouraging, strategic, and engaged with employees than ever before. Maybe that’s actually a good thing to come out of this pitiful pandemic.

Think about it…

40 years ago, Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays collorated on “As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls”, an ambient jazz album. As an homage, this editorial’s called “As Falls Maunawili, So Falls Maunawili Falls”. After all, there’ve been lots of falls lately around Maunawili Falls… but that might be ending for now.

“Might” because people who really want to go somewhere, explore, climb, take pictures, and even muck it up, have found a way to do so for years. For reference, please see the Ko`olau Stairway to Heaven as another prime example.

Maunawili Falls is officially closed for two years; let’s watch how obedient visitors and locals alike are to this edict. Over the past month, the site has seen a serious back injury, a right knee injury require airlifting, and a young man seriously injured after falling from the Maunawili Trail. Add the repeated tales of trash being left behind, flora being crushed, parking issues, visitors availing themselves of residents’ outdoor hoses, and well, you can see that something had to give.

And “give” is a vital concept here, as tourism officials are talking about ways of giving education to visitors, asking people to be respectful of those many places and sites that make Hawai`i such a travel magnet. Thus, the next question might be: will anyone (or everyone) listen to these sincere requests, which will undoubtedly be handled local style- with aloha.

Or will the response be: “hey, I forked over thousands of dollars and flew thousands of miles, so I’ll do what I want, how I want.” Sound harsh? Reference the response to requests for people to wear masks and get vaccinated over the past 18-months. All that was meant to do was save lives. And still, angry people felt provoked, have avoided complying, and thus deaths plus long-term COVID-19 ailments (unnecessary with the advent of vaccinations) continue to pile up.

In “Dirty Dancing”, Patrick Swayze reminded Jennifer Grey’s stern father that, “nobody puts Baby (Grey) in a corner”, as he escorts her onto the stage. It seems like nowadays far too many feel cornered or scolded, even when facts and reality appear to be on the side of those doing the asking. Hopefully, the environs of Maunawili, its trails, and pool will heal over time. Even with kapu signs, compliance will require dutiful restraint from self-anointed freedom-seekers for this plan to work.

Think about it… 

Remember kinder, gentler times, when the biggest medical decision many people faced heading into autumn was whether or not to get a flu vaccination? Well, if you go by statistics from this past flu season (October, 2020 through March, 2021) the numbers in this country are staggering… in a good way. 

Since 2010, the annual U.S. flu death toll is about 35,000-40,000 people. The estimates from the 2020/2021 season that just ended? Under 1,000 total flu deaths. Surely our hibernation due to COVID-19 helped, but so did the fact that everybody’s worn masks for so long. And while some view masks as an affront to their personal rights, COVID knows no boundaries, shows no mercy, and hasn’t heard that the ballgame’s over. 

You might argue that your chance of surviving COVID-19 is 98% or so. But an estimated 30% of people who get COVID-19 in any form (mild or major) end up with some long-term ailment- breathing issues, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, depression, hair loss, stomach pains, nausea, brain fog, loss of taste/smell… the number of ailments identified now totals well over 50. The 30% figure (collateral damage?) means that over 12-million post-acute COVID-19 syndrome Americans still suffer regularly. 

It would be tough to be 25-years old and suffer stomach, brain or lung problems for the next 60 years when you realize it probably could have been prevented by getting a vaccination and wearing a mask just a little while longer. Tired of hearing about this? Me, too. But celebrations are premature.

Wearing a mask has been an accepted custom, not a statement, for decades in Asia. To protect others at the first sign of a sniffle, many conscientious people wear masks in major East Asian cities. Air quality issues also factor into masking decisions in some cities, but the point is- it’s not just about “me”, it’s about the collective “us”. As things loosen up post-COVID, it’s not about being so over this mask-charade, it’s about accepting responsibility. Want proof? Talk to the 12-million collateral damage cases.

As many uncover (and haven’t vaccinated) in celebration of our newly won semi-freedom, also remember that flu season starts soon. Keeping safe from COVID-19 with masks could also prevent many of the 500+ flu deaths we see annually right here in Hawai`i. The germ war is being won by smart, action-oriented people, but it’s not over until it’s over…

Think about it.