#johnfink

Taking The High Road – MidWeek July 31, 2024

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Far too often we are reminded of the sluggish nature in which things needing action taken locally don’t see that action taken for extended periods of time, if at all. Where to begin? H-3, HART, Aloha Stadium, the Waikiki Natatorium, the Falls of Clyde, the Koolau Stairway to Heaven, the TMT project, an east Kapolei high school, roadway repaving and slope stabilization projects in many areas, housing projects… the list goes on and on, as you know.

So there should be a sense of excitement and relief that an alternative roadway is not only in the works for the leeward side, but optimistic politicos said it could be in place in less than a year. Hopefully, that’s a “calendar” year (365 days), and not a “local” year, which is normally about 3-15 years when it comes to well-known projects. Kudos to decision-makers at the State and City of Honolulu, the Department of Transportation, long-time, leeward-side citizen proponents, the military, HPD, HFD, and everyone else associated with this long-awaited/debated project.

Not only will there by a bypass road, but plans include lighting improvements and additional safety features- from the get-go! Paakea Road ran through areas that were privately- and federal government-owned, so this was not an easy process, but the City & County of Honolulu will assume ownership when it’s retrofitted.

You can be sure that wary, leeward-side residents will be watching and commenting every step of the way to ensure that the promised project does get done expeditiously, with gentle, but necessary, prodding and poking. From Paakea to Hakimo and Lualualei Naval Road, the Department of Transportation will upgrade the roadway to ensure that it meets safety standards… within the next year.

For far too long, gridlock has been the norm whenever there’s been a vehicular problem or worse along Farrington Highway. And while talk has been going on for years, there have been logistical problems (including ownership rights) that curtailed solutions. It now appears there’ll be smooth sailing/paving, providing an option for thousands of commuters on the leeward coast.

The accessible roadway will require vigilance for speed scofflaws, traffic incidents, and other safety concerns for those living in the area, but the fact that this project will be finalized in under a year shows what can happen when many disparate parties come together with a sense of urgency; a solution can be found and acted upon.

Think about it…

Pantry Power – MidWeek June 12, 2024

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There are plenty of choices locally to choose from when deciding where/when/how to give of your time or money. Some non-profits are large and well-known, while others fly under the radar while also providing invaluable services throughout our community.

One such unheralded entity is The Pantry on Rose Street in Kalihi. This free, food distribution location is a wonder to behold. On a May field trip with Aloha United Way (my employer), I had the pleasure of visiting during peak hours. The Pantry’s operation is phenomenal for numerous reasons. 

#1- The Pantry provides much needed food to thousands of local residents. Sadly (as you’ve been reminded recently) local food demands continue soaring. May was the largest distribution month in The Pantry’s history; it served 46% more families than in May, 2023!

#2- the Pantry has just three full-time employees. Three. On average, The Pantry welcomes 45 volunteers during its limited hours of food distribution; a well-oiled, service machine. Needy people anonymously (first-name only) order on-line (limit of 10 items per person in a household per visit) and then either walk in or drive-thru, as volunteers select boxes that were custom-packed the day prior and place them into fast-moving shopping carts for quick, parking lot delivery. 

Employees and volunteers recognize multiple clients- 19% of weekly clients are regulars; 20% are kupuna; 29% are under age 18 or keiki; 39% reside in Aloha United Way’s ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) households, with household income levels above the federal poverty line, but they’re barely getting by. 

#3- volunteers possess boundless energy, working happily and harmoniously within cramped, but coordinated, Pantry confines. Neighbors helping neighbors. CEOs, active and retired military, and community members volunteering alongside one another, for a cause, for the people.

A major issue (deserving more discussion) is how to provide more fresh and nutritious food while also growing the supply chain and providing quality food, when possible. More access and coordination with local farms; more awareness of The Pantry, religious sites that offer food, and other food distribution locations. Call AUW’s 211 for additional food-availability information. The Pantry has room to warehouse more food to serve more people more often, if provided with necessary funding. This is just one example of the great social work that often goes unnoticed locally. Volunteer, donate, provide expertise, help coordinate more food distribution opportunities. Fill your soul as you help fill people’s bellies. A win-win.

Think about it… 

Shark Tales – MidWeek October 14, 2020

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There have been a number of shark sightings recently off of Waikiki’s Kaimana Beach. Reports indicated that sharks seen on October 3 were “not aggressive”.  Same thing on October 6. Huh? Was that meant to be reassuring, like go ahead… go tubing and thrashing because it’s OK, you won’t be perceived as chum.

The draw? There have been bait balls in the area, a term used to describe when small fish swim closely together to try and protect themselves from larger predators- like sharks. The low key reference to these beautiful, but often fearsome and fearless, creatures as “non-aggressive” relates to one’s individual perspective. To halalu baitfish (scad), this non-aggressive shark portrayal would be simply fake news. 

Humans often make their own choices in life. The mere concept of the word “shark” might give some pause before placing their torsos into the tranquil surf, adjacent to a visiting shark. Something about that dorsal fin in such close proximity could take the fun out of that planned, pleasure swim. When is a door not a door? When it’s ajar (get it- “a jar”). When is a shark not a shark? When it’s melancholy, I guess.  But if these cruising sharks became aggressive, descriptive adjectives would change to: unfriendly, hungry, lunch-seeking- or some other term of non-endearment.

And what clinically trained sharkologist rendered the definitive word for the media to anoint these reef sharks as non-aggressive? Perhaps these sharks were merely passive aggressive. Luckily, we haven’t found out over the past month of sightings, with warning signs properly posted and no unfortunate (human) incidents; no reef sharks have become “eek” sharks.

Multiple sharks feeding 25 yards offshore multiple times at the placid Sans Souci. Sans Souci is a name for the beach that goes back to 1884; it’s French for “without a care”. Well if these non-aggressive visitors keep returning, mellow as they seem, I’m just not sure that bathers will be swimming or frolicking without a care during “shark week(s)”.  

Nurse, leopard, angel, whale, thresher- there are numerous, non-aggressive shark types. In reality, fewer than 8% of the 300 shark species are a real danger to humans. Sharks worldwide kill an average of just four people (unprovoked) annually. And sharks locally can be considered an ancestor, or `aumakua. But I still think it’s best to observe these wily wonders of the water from a safe- and dry- distance.

Think about it…