tagged w/ Honolulu
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On the eve of APEC, the US continues to ignore the reparations claims of Marshall IslandersOn the eve of APEC, the US continues to ignore the reparations claims of Marshall... more
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HONOLULU (AP) — Nicole Leszczynski couldn't imagine that two chicken salad sandwiches would land her and her husband in jail and her 2-year-old daughter in state custody. But it happened five days ago, when the 30-weeks-pregnant woman forgot to pay for her snack while grocery shopping.
"It was the most ridiculous chain of events that happened," she said while sobbing Monday. "It's still hard to believe what happened."
Leszczynski, 28, and her husband Marcin, 33, were handcuffed, searched then released on $50 bail each. Their ordeal at the police station lasted a few hours, but their daughter Zofia spent the night away from her parents in a case that has sparked nationwide outrage and forced the Safeway supermarket chain to review the incident.
The family had moved to an apartment near downtown Honolulu from California two weeks ago. Still settling in, they ventured out Wednesday to stock up on groceries, took the bus, got lost, and ended up at a Safeway supermarket.
Famished, the former Air Force staff sergeant picked up the two sandwiches that together cost $5. She openly munched on one while they shopped, saving the wrapper to be scanned at the register later.
But they forgot to pay for the sandwiches as they checked out with about $50 worth of groceries.
"When the security guard questioned us, I was really embarrassed, I was horrified," she said. They were led upstairs, where the couple expected to get a lecture, pay for the sandwiches, and be allowed on their way.
But store managers wouldn't allow them to pay for the sandwiches, she said.
"I asked to talk to a manager and he said it was against their policy to pay for items that left the store," she said. "The security guard said we were being charged with shoplifting."
Four hours later, a police officer arrived and read them their rights. A woman from the state Child Welfare Services arrived to take Zofia away.
The pregnant mother said she tried to keep her composure until Zofia, who turns 3 in December, left the store. "I didn't want Zofia to be scared because she's never spent a night away from us. She didn't have her stuffed animal. She didn't have her toothbrush."
But as soon as her daughter left, "I got completely hysterical. I went to the bathroom and I threw up," she recalled.
A Honolulu police spokeswoman said it was procedure to call Child Welfare Services if a child is present when both parents are arrested. The store's management did not know the girl would be taken away, said Susan Houghton, a spokeswoman for California-based Safeway Inc.
The national supermarket chain said it was looking into the incident. "It was never our intent to separate a mother from her child. That was a very unfortunate consequence to this situation," Houghton said. "We understand the outrage. We are concerned about how this was handled."
Leszczynski called the incident "so horrifying, it seemed to escalate and no one could say, 'this is too much.'"
The couple was handcuffed and driven separately to police headquarters a few blocks away, where they were searched, had their mug shots taken and then released after paying bail. A police officer escorted them back to the store — which banned them for a year, Leszczynski said — where they picked up their groceries and walked home just before midnight.
"We basically stared at each other all night. We woke up at the crack of dawn and called (the state child welfare office)," Leszczynski said. While they waited, Leszczynski vented about the experience on babycenter.com and contacted a lawyer for help with being reunited with Zofia. At the lawyer's suggestion, they took their story to the media.
Zofia was returned after an 18-hour separation from her parents.
The couple is charged with fourth-degree theft, a petty misdemeanor, and has a court date on Nov. 28, according to the city prosecutor's office. The family hasn't decided whether it will pursue legal action against Safeway.
Houghton said the company will review the police report and store security footage before deciding whether to press charges.
http://news.yahoo.com/pregnant-mom-says-sandwich-arrest-horrifying-214407004.htmlHONOLULU (AP) — Nicole Leszczynski couldn't imagine that two chicken salad... more
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Hollywood Reporter and Billboard join forces to deliver a two-day seminar on the role of music in film and television, taking place in Hollywood, October 24-25. Now in its tenth year, this Conference offers attendees an opportunity to learn from, network with, and get the ear of attending music... more at: http://actorschecklist.com/wordpress/?p=152Hollywood Reporter and Billboard join forces to deliver a two-day seminar on the role... more
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Honolulu Star Advisor - By Gary T. Kubota
A parcel in Kona would house a facility to treat injured, sick and orphaned animals
A California group that rescues injured marine mammals wants to establish an endangered monk seal rehabilitation center in Kona.
The Marine Mammal Center, based in Sausalito, said it plans to rehabilitate injured, orphaned and sick monk seals.
The center would be on 2.6 acres controlled by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.
Laurence Sombarlier, interim executive director of the Natural Energy Laboratory, said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has testified in favor of the project.
“This is an effort to rehabilitate some of the seals,” Sombarlier said.
The monk seal population has declined in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands by about 40 percent in the past decade, according to NOAA.
The center said the monk seals now number about 1,100.
Spokesman James Oswald said the center has raised $550,000 toward developing the $3 million facility in Kona, including a donation of $100,000 from the Atherton Family Foundation in Honolulu.
Oswald said that, since 1975, the center has been involved in some 16,000 marine mammal rescues, including monk seal KP2, whose mother abandoned him from birth.
KP2 was captured and, after exhibiting aggressive behavior involving a woman in waters off Molokai, was taken to a marine mammal facility at the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Oswald said the center’s experience with KP2 was a turning point at which they realized they could make a difference in the future of monk seals.
At the same time, he said, the center realizes it needs to limit its contact with the seals to keep them from relying on human contact.
The group plans to develop four pools holding about nine animals in an area designed to limit human contact to caretakers and a veterinarian.
According to a draft environmental assessment, no archaeological sites and no threatened or endangered plant or bird species were found on the land.
Public comments may be sent by email or postmarked on or before April 22 to the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority at Nelha@nelha.org or 73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Highway No. 101, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2637.
A copy of the draft environmental assessment is available for review at the state Office of Environmental Quality Control website at http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20110403_Marine_Mammal_Center_wants_to_aid_monk_seals.htmlHonolulu Star Advisor - By Gary T. Kubota
A parcel in Kona would house a facility... more
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The Pacific region’s all countries have gotten tsunami warning. Only Canada and United States are the two countries where this warning is not applicable. All other islands come under warning of this tsunami. This tsunami has been issued after the striking of an earthquake in Japan. A few days ago, Japanese issued another warning but US officials had rejected that warning. But this time, the tsunami warning has come from Americans. This warning will include Hawaii, South American Countries and Mexico in its range.The Pacific region’s all countries have gotten tsunami warning. Only Canada and... more
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Latest Complete News Updates This time of year we see lots of pictures of our favorite celebrities sunning themselves and their families on the beaches of Hawaii. A small earthquake hit Hawaii on Thursday, with a jolt felt across Honolulu.Latest Complete News Updates This time of year we see lots of pictures of our favorite... more
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Back in the summer of 1962, the U.S. blew up a hydrogen bomb in outer space, some 250 miles above the Pacific Ocean. It was a weapons test, but one that created a man-made light show that has never been equaled — and hopefully never will. http://www.makeahistory.com/index.php/submit-an-article/419-starfish-primeBack in the summer of 1962, the U.S. blew up a hydrogen bomb in outer space, some 250... more
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worrg
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2 years ago
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http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/best-american-destinations.htm
America's Forests and Beaches
America loves forests and beaches
In and among all the far reaches
Be smooth, be cool, relax in the lore
Be a Roughrider, protect our shore
Waikiki Beach stands crystal blue
Yellowstone forest holds a nice hue
No need to pick between those two
Best destination is in your clear view
Headwaters of culture is really what counts
Industry scrapes, Mother Nature may bounce
Contingency plan, just write it and do it
Not throw our hands to say,"We blew it."
It's not too late to sing nature's song
Teddy Roosevelt wanted her to last long
Industry too big hurts and enforces
Why run a race if it kills all your horses?
Come on people try to look try to see
Holes in the earth kill more than the sea
Competition is good, but go on a little spree
Beyond Yellowstone and the beach of Waikiki
smokeyroad
copyright 2010
all rights reservedhttp://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/best-american-destinations.htm... more
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The 16th annual Honolulu Festival
More than 4,700 people are coming to take part in the festival. The free festival features cultural exhibits, arts and music performed by people from countries throughout the Pacific Rim. Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii will be represented.
The festival will be staged at four locations:
Hawaii Convention Center,
Ala Moana Center,
Waikiki Beach Walk
Waikiki Shopping Plaza.
It concludes with a parade through Waikiki.The 16th annual Honolulu Festival
More than 4,700 people are coming to take... more
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The 82nd Annual Academy Awards, also known as The Oscars, will be broadcast live from Los Angeles over the ABC Television network beginning at 8 pm Eastern, 5 pm Pacific time. Across the U.S., sanctioned viewing parties will be given, produced by local nonprofit organizations with the active participation of the local ABC-TV affiliate station. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978081526The 82nd Annual Academy Awards, also known as The Oscars, will be broadcast live from... more
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Tozai Snow MaidenView more presentations from docrockg4.
Video: http://blip.tv/file/3171935Tozai Snow MaidenView more presentations from docrockg4.
Video:... more
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I was doing some random blog-hoppin’ and Google blog searching, when I came across a Wetoku interview that talked about how to do a good interview, done by @docrock with @lanaithdj. In it, Lanai reveals that, in an interview, he managed to get Vana White to talk about where she lost her virginity. (Hint: On the green.)I was doing some random blog-hoppin’ and Google blog searching, when I came... more
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Wetoku for Bloggers can be used to produce recordings of interviews that can easily be embedded into many blogging platforms. Bloggers can use their webcams to meet with someone interesting over the web, with no software to install. The recording is immediately available, with embed code that can be pasted directly into a new blog entry.
The most intriguing feature for me is the speed and ease of the whole process. Record, copy the embed code and post and share. Since I post with Posterous it is wicked fast to get the interviews plastered all over all of my social properties.
Stay posted on the progress by following @Wetoku on Twitter! http://twitter.com/wetoku and thanks to David you can sign up for the beta by being one of the first 100 bloggers to go to http://www.Wetoku.com and sign up for an account and enter DOCROCK as the Invite Code.Wetoku for Bloggers can be used to produce recordings of interviews that can easily be... more
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The Honolulu City Council has dropped its plans to pass a law making it a crime to ride public transportation with excessive body odor, The Honolulu Star Bulletin reported FridayThe Honolulu City Council has dropped its plans to pass a law making it a crime to... more
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photi
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3 years ago
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http://wwwtriponadeal.com: Trip on a Deal celebrates the coming of Spring and great Spring getaways right here in America! Check out one of the many Cherry Blossom Festivals in the nation and stop at one of the 59 best breakfast diners on your way! One of these adventure packed vacations might thrill your family into swimming with sharks or rafting with classical music! Get all the links to our featured stories at triponadeal.comhttp://wwwtriponadeal.com: Trip on a Deal celebrates the coming of Spring and great... more
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Much to everyone's dismay, I uploaded quite a few videos of my experience in Hawaii. I'm not going to apologize - we only typically talk tech! Even when I wasn't talking about tech, I was using tech to talk about the things I was doing! Yes, this video is about Hawaii. I received a care package from Troy in Honolulu the other day, and wanted to do a video to honor the occasion.Much to everyone's dismay, I uploaded quite a few videos of my experience in... more
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I took this short clip while riding in a car during my recent trip to Hawaii. The day was a little overcast and even kind of foggy. However, it was still just absolutely beautiful there - both the scenery and the weather itself. Living in Seattle, I'm used to clouds and rain... and even prefer them to the sunshine! What's your favorite type of weather? Where have you traveled to that had your perfect type?I took this short clip while riding in a car during my recent trip to Hawaii. The day... more
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Come Visit Hawai'i!!!!
Five more people — including another student at Anuenue School — have been diagnosed with swine flu on Oahu, bringing the number of Hawaii cases to 15, the state Department of Health announced today.
Hawaii's first confirmed cases — an Army couple and a school-age child — were announced by the Department of Health on May 5.
Of the five most recent cases, one is an adult who had traveled recently to California and has since fully recovered, Department of Health spokeswoman Janice Okubo said.
The other four are school-age children who have not traveled recently. All are recovering at home, Okubo said.
None of the children appears to have had contact with one another, Okubo said.
"None of them are connected," she said.
Yesterday, health department and education officials announced that an adult and a student at Anuenue School had contracted swine flu. Parents told The Advertiser that the adult teaches third grade at Anuenue.
The Department of Education today said the latest cases involve students at Anuene, Aina Haina Elementary and Mililani Middle Schools.Come Visit Hawai'i!!!!
Five more people — including another student at... more
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Kepano
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4 years ago
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Graduates at this weekend's commencement ceremonies at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa — whose chancellor happens to be an expert on infectious diseases — should not expect a traditional handshake as part of their official congratulations from UH officials.
Instead, students will receive "another sign of congratulations," which Manoa officials say will be a surprise.
The announcement, made yesterday by Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, received criticism from some students who felt barring handshakes is an "overboard precaution." Other students were supportive, noting that one Manoa student has already been confirmed to have contracted swine flu, or H1N1 Influenza A.
"I'd be shaking thousands of hands — and I love doing it — but even if only one of those people had something on their hands ... that is a concern that can be raised in people's minds about transmission," Hinshaw said.
Hinshaw said the decision was made for several reasons. She wanted all students to feel comfortable attending commencement. And she felt the university should lead by example during the current swine flu outbreak.
"Since we've been giving out a lot of advice about how to best protect yourself, then we should illustrate those methods," said Hinshaw, who has made several media and public statements about the H1N1 virus and how to prevent transmission.
Harold Stiller, a travel industry management major who will be graduating on Saturday, said the handshake is a symbolic gesture of accomplishment.
"We're all going to be sitting in an enclosed space anyway. I don't see how shaking hands or not shaking hands will make all that much of a difference," Stiller said.
"It seems so unnecessary," he said.
10 confirmed cases
The announcement to ban handshakes at graduation comes as four additional people in Hawai'i tested positive for swine flu. So far, 10 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the Islands.
It also comes days after a UH-Manoa student living in the Hale Wainani residence hall was confirmed to have swine flu.
In addition to no handshakes, the school will provide hand wipes and make hand-wash stations available, Hinshaw said.
The school also urged anyone who is ill with flu-like symptoms to stay home and not attend the ceremony or any other public gathering.
More than 1,500 bachelor candidates are eligible to attend the undergraduate ceremony Saturday morning. Nearly 800 graduate degree candidates — master's and doctorate degrees and post-baccalaureate certificates in secondary education — are eligible to participate in the afternoon ceremony.
Hawai'i's public school system, which will hold commencement ceremonies in June, has not made similar decisions to ban handshakes, said Sandy Goya, spokeswoman for the state Department of Education.
Goya said the DOE is likely to issue health guidelines to schools this week.
some disappointed
Peter Maher, an art major graduating Saturday, said many students were concerned about swine flu when news broke that a Manoa student had contracted it.
"I do think it's pretty serious," Maher said.
He said he didn't have an opinion on handshakes at the commencement ceremonies.
"It seems a little extreme, but I can see where they are coming from," he said.
Maher said there are other options than just an outright ban of handshakes. For instance, someone could distribute alcohol-based hand sanitizer to graduates before receiving their degrees on stage.
Elise Davis, a public health graduate student, was supportive of the ban. She said students have been taking additional precautions since news of swine flu broke.
"It could help since there was an outbreak here," she said.
But Tye Miller, a junior majoring in business, said she thinks the swine flu scare is being blown out of proportion.
"It's not that big a deal," she said.
Miller said handshakes are a traditional part of graduating and getting rid of it will make for an impersonal ceremony.Graduates at this weekend's commencement ceremonies at the University of... more
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Kepano
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4 years ago
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