tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32786772507572721212024-03-12T22:06:21.085-10:00Marking Many Milestones...and everything in between: A Weblog for Forward-thinking Young People by Mark Kaniela Ing.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-31903244105292060222010-12-17T12:55:00.003-10:002010-12-17T13:00:48.707-10:00Why NOT Earmarks!?Hawaii lost $321 million of earmarked federal funding yesterday after the U.S. Senate abandoned a $1.3 trillion appropriations bill, leaving 141 projects left to forge for funding elsewhere. This is a big deal.<br />
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As my last post focused on, Senator John McCain led a charge against the bill and dissed many meaningful projects across the nation while doing so, including $300,000 funding for the Polynesian Voyaging Society.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://whogetswhat.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/luckovich.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="437" width="600" src="http://whogetswhat.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/luckovich.gif" /></a></div><br />
But funding for these projects are comparatively frugal as the Economist points out in an article posted on Wednesday,<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"YESTERDAY John McCain, or one of his aides, informed the world via Twitter of his intention to make a speech calling for cutting the federal deficit by eliminating earmarks.<br />
<br />
SenJohnMcCain 6:25am via Web<br />
<br />
Heading 2 the floor 2 talk about the $1.1 Trillion 1924 page omnibus spending bill that includes 6488 earmarks totaling nearly $8.3 billion<br />
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The mathematically literate reader will note that $8.3 billion is less than 1% of $1.1 trillion."</blockquote><br />
The republicans slam this bill as wasteful spending by the government counteractive to their goal of reducing the federal deficit. On the flip-side, the republicans ironically led the passage of a major tax-cut extension, primarily for the wealthy, that will cost the nation approximately $858 billion, over 100 times more than the earmarks. They were successful at this and Obama is signing it as I type. See some hypocracy here?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dullneon.com/random-notes/images-videos-and-other-content/2009/03/obama_vs_reaganomics.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="355" width="520" src="http://www.dullneon.com/random-notes/images-videos-and-other-content/2009/03/obama_vs_reaganomics.png" /></a></div><br />
Sure, some might argue that with an extension of these cuts, Reagonomics may EVENTUALLY come into play and benefit workers and the economy as a whole. But supply-side economics has never been shown to be more reliable, or better able to foster a robust, national economy, than thriving State economies--and by subsidizing sustainable fishing initiatives, farming productivity improvement research, and other means of intellectual capitol, the humble earmarks in the Senate Appropriations Bill did just this. If my reasoning seems sketchy to you, I'm open to comments and criticism.markinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18080207075227490147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-47052682638973764512010-12-16T18:37:00.007-10:002010-12-16T23:17:46.805-10:00New Leadership for the Honolulu Zoo!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">I turned on</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a _mce_href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/" href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/">Hawaii News Now</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">tonight and was enthralled to see Carlisle's appointment of a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a _mce_href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/category.asp?C=6743&clipId=5391051&topVideoCatNo=91610&autoStart=true" href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/category.asp?C=6743&clipId=5391051&topVideoCatNo=91610&autoStart=true">new director for the Honolulu Zoo</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">. Under the leadership of Redman, to Quintal, then to his assistant Higashino, recent improvement of the Honolulu Zoo has been marginal at best for the past half decade or so. Manuel Mollinedo, from the San Francisco Zoo has just taken charge of the post. Despite a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a _mce_href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/12/16/state/n154907S37.DTL&tsp=1" href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/12/16/state/n154907S37.DTL&tsp=1">single unfortunate event</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, Mollinedo has a track record of success in attracting visitors and improving revenue. Finally; what a great surprise! I'll tell you why I say finally:</span><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MpU-EQK-5pk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480"></embed></div><br />
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Video of elephant stress-exhibiting behavior at Honolulu Zoo. Last year, this exhibit ranked among the world's 10 worst for elephants. A new exhibit is in the works with 27,000 square feet of room to run around in as well as have pools big enough for swimming.<br />
<br />
Last week, my girlfriend and I took a spontaneous weekend visit to the zoo after surfing and was taken back--actually, she was appalled--by the condition of the zoo facilities and the apparent health of the animals. We witnessed hundreds of exhausted, almost sick-looking, lethargic, mammals and reptiles alike in the worst condition that I have seen them since I first visited the zoo over a decade ago.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://gallery.photo.net/photo/4992225-lg.jpg" /></div><br />
A poor orangutan, for examples, had her face stamped flat against the viewing glass and wept silently while trying to tend to a 4 inch long, 3 inch thick, major, salmon-meat-looking laceration on her left shoulder. Her friend looked like he was starving and was keeping busy by eating a large piece of thick, plastic wrapping!<br />
<br />
We were a little stunned so I gave the zoo-keeper a call from the number listed on a nearby sign. On the other end was an aide who told me that the plastic was left in there on purpose because the apes apparently like to hide under the plastic for fun. I told her it didn't look like that's what they are using it for and I am sure that they are eating it. She said she would send the zoo keeper notice to check-in but didn't seemed more annoyed than alarmed. Hey, but what do I know: maybe plastic helps regulate the digestion of the orangutan's high-potassium diet?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/gohawaii/1/0/X/7/TMC877.jpg" /></div><br />
The "watering hole" where the Savannah animals gather and the lake display near the entry were disgustingly overrun by algae and molds. Flamingos were being overcrowded by mynas and Honolulu flying rats--a.k.a. rock doves or pigeons. Displays with grass were usually under-watered while displays with water (i.e. hippos and alligators)typically had glass displays blurred by algae and debris.<br />
<br />
The gibbons, however, were as active as ever. You got to love those guys!</div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6QQLX6sKTeM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480"></embed></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
And one last thing: believe it or not, we witnessed a peacock stalk a family getting burgers and fries from the food bar, sneaked up to the table, JUMPED ON, and started pecking away swallowing a fry at a time. It was the table right next to us, I got up and tried to shoo it away but it wouldn't budge even when I gave it a little nudge. The elderly woman and her grandchildren had to move their food!<br />
<br />
I love the zoo. It is a wonderful attraction for the City and I believe it could also be revamped to being quite economical. But every year it was seeming to get worse. This visit pushed me over the edge. My girlfriend and I left disconcerted, and wanting to take action. Upon leaving we actually vowed to take a stand. First, we planned to look into the zoo's success and animal standards to be sure we weren't overreacting or wasting our time, then if our hunches had any truth, start a campaign to get the community involved and help save the animals and the attraction as a whole. After Carlisle's announcement, all I have to say is "Phew...!"</div>markinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18080207075227490147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-35013145119283622822010-12-16T10:18:00.020-10:002010-12-17T13:17:21.468-10:00John McCain v. Polynesian Voyaging SocietyA couple days ago, John McCain obtusely bashed the Polynesian Voyaging Society for being the "#1 pork-barrel-funding project in America".<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/images/content/Hokulea_set_for_Palmyra/Hokulea%20Web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 403px; height: 308px;" src="http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/images/content/Hokulea_set_for_Palmyra/Hokulea%20Web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />
<br />
First, in an ill-researched speech attacking earmarks in a senate spending bill, the Arizona uber-conservative singled out dollars designated for the the maker and keeper of the history-shaping sailing canoe Hokulea.<br />
<blockquote>"One of my all-time favorites that is always on here every year -- $300,000 for the Polynesian Voyaging Society in Hawaii. Now some people are watching and thinking I'm making this up. I'm not making it up,$300,000 for the Polynesian Voyaging Society." </blockquote><br />
Then the Senator, or some intern, tweeted a list of the most wasteful earmarks with PVS TOPPING the list for the day. My conscience conscripted me to retweet and respond to the arguably most ignorant tweet of the year--right up there with the worst of Kanye's.<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9oOaTQuc6AmRKaeWjAEVelXit9m5Mhg26xyKgwNt73t__tfS7dLsrCxJhUsmJiTPAOXkEW_1Hq6c9GFJD5S-NNz81tPjw7cfFmGnn4yxjtYXRPB6kF3g5A0LozOSAuje1WcQNQsIgGk/s1600/McCain+PVS+Tweets.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9oOaTQuc6AmRKaeWjAEVelXit9m5Mhg26xyKgwNt73t__tfS7dLsrCxJhUsmJiTPAOXkEW_1Hq6c9GFJD5S-NNz81tPjw7cfFmGnn4yxjtYXRPB6kF3g5A0LozOSAuje1WcQNQsIgGk/s400/McCain+PVS+Tweets.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551759613350435538" /></a><br />
<br />
We are talking a measly $300,000. With the trillions being spent by the federal government yearly, as compared to Hawaii's State Budget, $300,000 would be a proportional equivalent to less than a cent allocated by the State to a worthwhile project. Through another lens, FIM-9 Stinger Missiles for the Stinger anti-aircraft system costs $13,800 EACH. just 8 of these would overtake the funding of PVS. Currently, about 13,400 of these missiles are available in the Army and Marine Corps partly due to McCain's voice and votes.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, <a href="http://www.economist.com/">The Economist</a>, a popular and respected cenrist-positioned, national-weekly publication, has taken the side of the Polynesian Voyaging society in <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2010/12/americas_budget_deficit?page=1">an online article posted yesterday morning</a>:<br />
<blockquote>"So why did John McCain pick this item as his "#1 pork barrel project"? In five seconds, I found an earmark for a historical-archaeological project that is equally expensive and obviously less valuable than the work performed by PVS: The Alamo Heroes Cemetery and Spanish Colonial Hacienda Preservation project...<br />
But projects with the word "Alamo" in them don't attract the ire and ridicule of people like Mr McCain, while projects with the word "Polynesian" in them do. I wonder why that might be."</blockquote><br />
The publication correctly describes the purpose and value of the organization, which can be extended to the national level by the <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wayfinders/polynesian8.html">research and history revisions</a> the society accomplished.<br />
<br />
Master Navigator Nainoa Thompson also responded publicly:<br />
<br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.moolelo.com/hokulea/ln13a3_b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 457px;" src="http://www.moolelo.com/hokulea/ln13a3_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>"If he's questioning the quality of our work, I'll fiercely defend the sacredness of that canoe, the work of thousands and thousands in our communities here in the Pacific for 35 years of taking care of her, sailing with purpose, and doing our very best to create educational opportunities that help our children in Hawaii,' -- in an <a href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13681869">interview with Jim Mendoza </a> of Hawaii News Now.<br />
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Thompson continues in <a href="http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20101217_Isles_lose_321M_in_earmarks.html">an article by By Leila Fujimor</a>i of the Star Advertiser: "McCain said we take rich people on sails outside Waikiki," Thompson said, inviting the senator to Hawaii to see for himself what the society is about.<br />
<blockquote>"I think it's disrespectful, and I don't think it's appropriate ... to attack the integrity of our organization," he said. By doing so, he attacks "both the symbolism and the reality to not just the people in Hawaii, but people in society. When he attacks the PVS, he attacks the canoe and attacks a whole race of people."</blockquote><br />
Nainoa Thompson is an intelligent modern Hawaiian hero, and an incredibly effective leader who almost single-handedly sparked my social-awareness, which led me to figure out how to most meaningful dictate my future, with a speech he gave our Senior class in High School a mere week before graduation (Kamehameha Maui 2006). John McCain is an unbranded range animal (a "maverick").markinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18080207075227490147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-27426016460779704062010-12-15T11:43:00.003-10:002010-12-15T13:25:48.714-10:00Friending 1000's...Just a Waste of Time<div><a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/"><i>A link to Seth Godin's Blog</i></a></div><div>Great advice for the young professional:</div><iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OujgPgNCLvk?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>markinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18080207075227490147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-37275078357146924332010-12-13T02:57:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.940-10:00Progressive Christmas.I stumbled across this ornament at Hallmark and couldn't resist snapping a photo and sharing it (via Android) with my Facebook friends--intriguing and provocative huh? You tell me: does this come across as a reflection of progress towards a more harmonious society, raw ignorance, or something else?<br/><a href="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/santajesus.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1021" title="santajesus" src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/santajesus.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="640" /></a>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-36944937133664496052010-12-10T03:16:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.876-10:00Really Safeway, Right Next to Times!?In January, when the national grocery mega-chain, Safeway, revealed that it would construct an excessive, large-scale supermarket directly adjacent to the Beretania Times Supermarket, my instincts instructed me to immediately get hold of my contact lists, organize a coalition of sign waivers and outspoken protesters, get the local media on my side, and kill this behemoth before it even gets off the ground.<br/><br/>But I restrained myself and vowed not to take action at least until I was able to adequately research the economic/community implications of such a project.<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The $65 million, 61,000 sqaure foot mega-store is just about shovel-ready."]<img alt="" src="http://www.newberetaniasafeway.com/assets/images/renderings2/1.jpg?Action=thumbnail&Width=600&Height=500&Algorithm=proportional&USM=1" title="Mark Kaniela Ing Beretania Safeway" width="600" height="364" />[/caption]<br/><br/>As a localvore-in-training, I have dictated a personal regimine to buy local whenever possible, and have been shopping exclusively at Foodland and Times for my supermarket needs (you can't always make it out to farmer's markets, and it's always nice to support local businesses) for the past couple of years.<br/><br/><strong>1) Local supermarkets have a greater communitarian value</strong>: they foster personal and business relations between local growers and packages, wholesalers, retailers etc; and they are not subject to corporate regulations and customer-service standards that may not necessarily be accustomed or compatible with the Kama'aina way of life.<br/><br/><strong>2) Local supermarkets have a greater economic value</strong>: they buy a greater proportion of local produce to their total stock as does their mainland counterpart; and consumers' money spent in local supermarkets have a much greater chance of being spent and circulated within the local economy.<br/><br/>Above all else, I just feel as though both the service and the products I receive from Foodland and Times are just plain out superior to that of Safeway.<br/><br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption=""Foodland Farms" attempt to appeal to the buy-local movement here in Hawaii. --from Martha Cheng's March 3, 2010 Article in The Honolulu Weeekly"]<img alt="" src="http://honoluluweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/resto-foodlandproduce.jpg" title="Foodland Farms Mark Kaniela Ing Hawaii Groceries" width="600" height="427" />[/caption]<br/><br/><br/>But I fully understand and do not condemn those who shop at national chain super-markets, as I myself may be seen at Wal-mart (arguably the most notorious chain retailer) from time to time. There are economic benefits of doing so:<br/><br/><br/><blockquote> - the <strong>convenience </strong>of not having to drive to numerous locations--the sureness and comfort of your entire shopping list being in one location--means time saved traveling and remember what local shops carry which goods.<br/><br/>- <strong>lower prices</strong> means more money in the pockets of local consumers which in turn could spur economic growth with increased spending in other local industries.<br/></blockquote><br/><br/><br/>So will local shoppers migrate over from Times to this giant neighbor who will most likely carry Time's entire selection and more?<br/><br/><img alt="" src="http://moneysavingmom.com/store_deals/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/times_logo.jpg" title="Times Beretania" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="143" /><br/> <br/><br/>Derek Kurisu, executive VP of KTA, a Big Island based retailer, clearly points out the threat to his business:<br/><br/><br/><blockquote>“The enemy is not other local vendors or other supermarkets, because we’re all just trying to make a living here,” he says. “It’s the Mainland sellers that are hurting us.” Buying cheaper goods from the Mainland or overseas put local suppliers out of business, he says. - SHARA ENAY Hawaii Business July 2010</blockquote><br/><br/>With no change in population or consumption in Honolulu, there does seem to be a zero-sum grocery market whereas the only way to increase business is to take business from competitors. <br/><br/>But the president of Times Supermarkets does not seem to worried about this particular opening. Times, the quasi-local grocery chain (sold to a California chain in 2002), acquired rival Star Markets last year and has lived for years with Safeway operating across the street from its Beretania Street store, said Bob Stout, who was recently named president of Times Supermarkets. “Competition is a good thing, it’s great for the consumers,” he said. - Janis L. Magin, April 2, 2010 Pacific Business News<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Can Times Supermarkets really compete with this? Owner and President Bob Stout thinks so."]<img alt="" src="http://www.newberetaniasafeway.com/assets/images/renderings2/4.jpg?Action=thumbnail&Width=600&Height=500&Algorithm=proportional&USM=1" title="Times Beretania Mark Kaniela Ing" width="600" height="357" />[/caption]<br/><br/>This intense competition means consumers get more places to shop, more selection and generally lower prices.<br/>The outlook for growers may not be too grim either. Even though Safeway may carry a relatively low proportion of local goods, increasing the size its Beretania store three-fold will increase its stock of local produce three-fold as well, assuming that the proportion of local-imported produce remains the same. This means more business for growers.<br/><br/>All-in-all, I'm hoping for the best turnout and the greatest welfare for local consumers, retail businesses, and growers alike upon the opening of this new store, and I am optimistic that it could work out for all parties. But I am concerned about further crowding out of local retailers by Safeway, which to me is a large, soul-less giant that is continually proving to hold minimal ethical constraints to their business methods: http://www.prwatch.org/node/9226Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-53174509267940020282010-12-06T01:29:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.820-10:00LSAC's Implicit Response to Economic Stimulus Criticism?<img style="display:block;margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto;" src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/wpid-2010-12-06-11-14-41.jpg" alt="image" /><br/><br/>In reality, each of the above statements are indeed true, and thus the United States' current ~10% unemployment rate is not a sufficient indicator of U.S.'s current economic state, policy critics.<br/><br/>I stumbled across this logic-based question while studying for the LSAT. I would suggest the question reveals the testwriters' biases towards the politics surrounding our current economic state, but to be fair, this particular question is from the June 1996 LSAT. But what a great question!Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-86256365696611924902010-11-02T21:56:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.807-10:00Hawaii Elections 2010: The Morning AfterI look forward to the next 4 years in Hawaii.<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Tip of the hat to the Democratic Party of Hawaii for their spectacularly trend-defying success."]<img title="Democratic Party Mark Kaniela Ing" src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/democratic.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="400" height="234" />[/caption]<br/><br/><strong>Aiona:</strong> great campaign, very classy post-election interview; you truly are a man of integrity and deep-rooted values. Despite our differences in stances on certain issues (actually most), I stand by my vote for someone with strong values, who has a real sence of 'Ohana, who I feel I can trust, and who could have brought accoutability to our lopsided legislature. Have a great time with the family!<br/><br/><strong>Djou:</strong> I could be wrong, but right after the results came in, you almost sounded like a human being for a minute.<br/><br/><strong>Abercrombie:</strong> your plan and policies are fine, that was never the issue, but are they only contingient on your political success (as was your fickle support/discontent of the military), or are they based on our shared values? You still have some work to do to earn my trust.<br/><br/><strong>Hanabusa: </strong>Congratulations! You deserve the win and some much needed R&R.<br/><br/>Last but not least, I'd like to send a special congratulations to our newly elected young leaders: <strong>Stanley Chang, Linda Ichiyama, Brittany Smart, Tulsi Tamayo,</strong> and to any one else who stepped up to represent an intregral generation in sharping Hawaii's future.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-64184666477669977842010-10-20T00:49:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.794-10:00Another Congressional Debate: My ReactionHanabusa speaks to and for her voters.<br/><br/>On the other hand, Djou uses the pronoun "we" too much in reference to either the US population or the US congressmembers: I cannot distinguish which.<br/><br/>Regarding Hanabusa being a "rubber stamp":<br/><br/>Having followed hundreds of bills over the pass few legislative sessions, I will attest that Hanabusa's comment about only a small percentage of the bills going through is true. As senate president, her word (with all of its influence) DENIES hundreds of bills from even getting to the floor. "No" votes are not needed. It's relatively common knowledge how bills die in Hawaii.<br/><br/><img class="aligncenter" title="Mark Kaniela Ing Djou Hanabusa Debate" src="http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/5167/djouhanabusa2.jpg" alt="" width="460" height="346" /><br/><br/>Charles Djou's independence (not to mention values), on the other hand, is questionable.<br/><br/>I wish Hanabusa would of straight up asked Djou:<br/><blockquote>"You claim that you want to advocate for the best interests of the people of Hawaii, the people of whom you are a representative for. And I assume that you agree representing your constituency should be primary job as a congressman, and should take precedent over pushing forward your parties federal agenda.<br/><br/>Do you honestly feel that the people of Hawaii (the voters) are better off without HR 1516, a bill you voted against that would bring tens of millions to Hawaii's education system?"</blockquote><br/>Djou's vote against HR 1516 just does not make sense to me. Sure "fiscal responsibility" on a federal level is important, but not nearly as important as increased resources in Hawaii's schools, investing in Hawaii's future.<br/><br/>Finally, Djou used an analogy in his closing remarks about a congressman's ID/credit card, and asks the public if they would trust Hanabusa with spending their money. Ironically, Djou was one of the top spenders in his brief "experience" as a congressman , and sent out (as Hanabusa mentioned) four full color brochures in 23 days, estimated to cost around half a million dollars. Informing a constituency or using constituents' money to campaign?<br/><br/>--<br/><br/>Of course, as you most likely already know, I am not partisan by any means, and I actually once considered that Djou could make a good representative for our State, but the more I see him in debates and commercials, the more I realize he is conservative drone who memorizes, word for word, an "answer" for any topic that he may be asked about.<br/><br/><object height="350" width="425"><br/> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t9IsAXKhq6o"><br/> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><br/> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t9IsAXKhq6o;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"><br/> </object><br/><br/>Someone please remove his batteries.<br/><br/>At least in this debate, someone in his campaign finally advised Djou against the incredibly cheesy head snap, smile, and creepy stare into the TV camera.<br/><br/>--<br/><br/>On a side note, I'm sick of the ads.<br/><br/>Djou's negative, mud-slinging ads against Colleen Hanabusa reveals his lack of aloha. You've seen the one Sure, their are a few ads out there that are critical of Mr. Djou but compared with the smear campaign that Djou is running against Hanabusa, they are as classy as kings, merely stating facts, without any low-ball gimmicks or propaganda.<br/><br/>An ad rumored to have drove Senator Hanabusa to tears:<br/><br/>[youtube=<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ijNFrPB3WQ&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ijNFrPB3WQ&feature=related</a>]<br/><br/>Nuff already.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-3475973991801042222010-09-10T03:37:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.693-10:00College Students: Look Out for Marketing Scams!<p style="text-align:left;">I felt necessitated to post this article on modernized, classic marketing scams by the fact that three of my friends have each attempted to recruit me within the pass month to promote one of three completely different, yet equally "ground-breaking", health supplements. </p><br/>My hope is for this article to serve as a straight-forward and relevant "heads-up" for ambitious, young, and aspiring business people in Hawaii. <br/><br/><img class="aligncenter" title="Mark Kaniela Ing Pyramid Scheme Scam Hawaii 2" src="http://www.caricatures-ireland.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/pyramid-scheme-cartoons.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="376" /> <br/><br/>As information continues to flow more freely across the globe, novel business models are formulated to adapt. In turn, it is often difficult for a consumer or young entrepreneur to distinguish between legitimate business models and unsustainable ones amidst the 21st century's myriad of adaptive business models. <br/><br/>The classic pyramid scheme may very well be the most well-known and looked-out-for marketing scam. But despite its notoriety, pyramid schemes continue to exploit young entrepreneur today due to clever disguises and references to pop-culture or technological trends. <br/><br/><strong>How does a modern pyramid scheme work? </strong><br/>- Money earned and gaining promotion within the scheme comes primarily from recruiting new people to the scheme (resell of product is secondary)<br/>- Those new people are conscripted to recruit more people into the scheme, and these new people must recruit more people, etc., and so on<br/>- <strong>The pyramid (illegitimate multi-level marketing) scheme will ultimately, inevitably collapse</strong>, due to mathematic infeasibility of profits (not enough people in world to meet recruiting requirements after a certain number of levels) or economic improbability (even after 3 or 4 levels, only the members on top of the pyramid will most likely profit) <br/><br/><img class="aligncenter" title="black diamond builder pyramid scheme hawaii mark kaniela ing" src="http://www.mysecurecyberspace.com/articles/statistics-trends/pyramidscheme.png" alt="" width="444" height="390" /> <br/><br/>As an undergraduate, I admit to being at least intrigued by some of the pitches pyramid con-artists presented me, which led to me to understand how vulnerable, starving college students could be sucked in.<br/>Here are some red flags that I picked up of the classic pyramid (illegal multi-level marketing) schemes as adapted to today's society: <br/><br/><strong>Beware of unsustainable business plans:</strong> <br/><br/>- Some sort of buy-in or "investment" is required to get started <br/><br/>- The incentive for recruitment is greater than the incentive for sales <br/><br/>- "Investors" receive benefits later from "investments" made by others. <br/><br/>- You earn or are promised to earn more compensation than the revenue you bring in <br/><br/><strong>Other red flags:</strong> <br/><br/>- Younger business people are the primary demographic <br/><br/>- The target is encouraged to sell to and recruit friends and family <br/><br/>- You will be promoting a "revolutionary" product or service that you haven't hard of <br/><br/>- The use of celebrities or corporate identities that you haven't before seen associated with the product or service <br/><h2>There are a number of actions you can take to prevent being exploited:</h2><br/>First, <span style="color:#800000;"><strong>study the company’s track record</strong></span>; ask questions when you are unclear about restrictions, duties, or compensation; and learn about the product. <span style="color:#800000;"><strong>Asking your recruiter</strong></span> how much money he makes and how often does he work is often a great start. <br/><br/>You already know that this model is different than the majority of successful businesses; <span style="color:#800000;"><strong>ask yourself: WHY?</strong></span> And be sure to <span style="color:#800000;"><strong>talk to a friend before getting involved</strong></span> and<span style="color:#800000;"> <strong>take your time with any decisions</strong></span> or investments. <br/><br/>Googling "Is X company a scam?" is NOT sufficient research since the internet review sites and forums are flooded with paid marketers posing as unbiased consumers. On the other hand, the <span style="color:#800000;"><strong>Better Business Bureau</strong></span> (www.bbb.org) is a great resource for information on scams and how to prevent being exploited. <br/><br/>Keep in mind that some multi-level marketing businesses are legitimate, such as "Primerica Financial Services", (which received an “A+” in the BBB’s 2009 report). Use this checklist to distinguish between a legitimate MLM business and a pyramid scam: http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/pyramidschemes_checklist.htm <br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_912" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A legitimate multi-level-marketing company. Recieved an "A+" on the BBB's 2009 annual ethics report."]<a href="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/300px-primerica_logo.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-912" title="Primerica mark kaniela ing ricoh hawaii honolulu" src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/300px-primerica_logo.png" alt="" width="300" height="101" /></a>[/caption]<br/><br/><strong>A basic rule of thumb is to ensure that your recruiter has a vested interest in your success and that no more than three levels are above you.</strong> <br/><br/>Finally, consider the <strong>reason why you were approached</strong>. Unless you are not an all-star salesperson with 15 years of experience, ask yourself why your recruiter isn't looking for <strong>that guy</strong>. Why is recruiting you so important? Does this business match your talents, skills, or interest? If not, don't do it!<br/><br/>--<br/><br/>Possible scams in Hawaii:<br/><br/>Acai Health Supplements - <a href="http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/b/2009/05/24/beware-of-acai-supplement-scams.htm">http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/b/2009/05/24/beware-of-acai-supplement-scams.htm</a><br/><br/>Blastoff Network - <a href="http://www.ripoffreport.com/Internet-Marketing-Companies/BLASTOFF-NETWORK/blastoff-network-blastoff-jus-42fbf.htm">http://www.ripoffreport.com/Internet-Marketing-Companies/BLASTOFF-NETWORK/blastoff-network-blastoff-jus-42fbf.htm</a><br/><br/>Black Diamond Builder (MonaVie)- <a href="http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/monavie-scam-was-my-wife-recruited-sell-snake-oil/">http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/monavie-scam-was-my-wife-recruited-sell-snake-oil/</a> - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MonaVie">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MonaVie</a><br/><br/>Pre-paid legal services, inc. - <a href="http://www.expertlaw.com/library/consumer/prepaid_legal.html">http://www.expertlaw.com/library/consumer/prepaid_legal.html</a>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-28462720263306470352010-09-06T03:51:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.655-10:00Honolulu Civil Beat - New Website<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.civilbeat.com/">http://www.civilbeat.com/</a></p><br/>Congratulations Civil Beat on the beautiful website revamp! I guess it's time for me to shell up the $20 a month for the content. At this point I just cannot deny the value, and I'm sick of my Blackberry Civil Beat RSS feeds getting cut short.<br/><br/>And right in time for the half off, 3-month election special. I'll see you on the discussion boards!<a class="aligncenter" href="http://www.civilbeat.com/" target="_blank"><img class="size-medium wp-image-926 alignleft" title="Civil Beat Honolulu Star Advertiser Mark Kaniela Ing New Website" src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/civil1.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="218" /></a>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-11729962591273729732010-07-17T01:36:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.645-10:00Why Hawaii Needs a Republican GovernorI am not the fervent Republican zealot who will support any candidate in his party regardless of the candidate’s values. In fact, I am quite the opposite. But although I hold ideals and political philosophies that are of a traditional accordance to those of the Democratic Party, I appreciate the checks and balances that a republican governorship brings to our lopsided State Legislature.<br/><br/>Throughout the past eight years under Republican Gubernatorial leadership, legislation may have not moved as quickly as it could have, but at least our State leaders were forced to be more responsible in the construction of legislation—knowing that vetoes would require a two-thirds vote over-ride.<br/><br/>A democratic majority in the State House and Senate is a great thing for progress in Hawaii, but a republican governorship will help both cabinets produce more responsible legislation. In turn, synthesized designs of bi-partisan, centrist legislation will benefit the greatest amount of people in Hawaii and help create a more harmonious and efficient society.<br/><br/>-- A Letter to the Editor, Published in the Maui News - July 7th 2010Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-64312208861190885402010-06-17T01:44:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.625-10:00Advertiser Had Better WebsiteAs a critical component of Hawaii's leading newspaper at the time, Honoluluadvertiser.com was a model example of an effective, accessible, active, user-friendly, and aesthetically-pleasing online news source.<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Sadly, the best doesn't always win."]<img alt="" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs542.snc3/29726_649450249526_19514139_36477406_1517545_n.jpg" title="Best of the Best honolulu advertiser" width="199" height="377" />[/caption]<br/><br/>With constantly updated late- breaking news stories, quality reporting, meaningful connections throughout the isle news scene, and a variety of popular columns and blogs, Honoluluadvertiser.com truly set a national example for what an online news source should be.<br/><br/>It seems as though the design of the Star Advertiser website was meant to be a synthesis of the Honolulu Advertiser’s and Star-Bulletin’s website designs. Indeed it was—an unfortunate compromise between the Honolulu Advertiser’s website’s efficiency and Star-bulletin’s awkward and cluttered website layout.<br/><br/>Although Staradvertiser.com was a good attempt at a new website, it should be scrapped for a design similar to the late and great Honoluluadvertiser.com. <br/><br/>--<br/>A Letter to the Editor of Star Advertiser printed June 6, 2010Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-21213584348579936562010-05-05T01:38:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.615-10:00The Congressional RaceMy fun little centrist reaction to a rather djouicy debate:<br/><br/><img class="aligncenter" title="Mark Ing Congressional Debate Djou Ed Case Hanabusa" src="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/assets_c/2010/04/case_hanabusa_djou_split-cropped-proto-custom_2.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="240" /><br/><br/>The debut of djou being subdued by the dude to pursue an overdue vote through, anewed: term number 2.<br/><br/>Djou: blew worthless ado, to the camera askewed, viewed in the hue of accruing a flu. Questions eschewed; no answers construed.<br/><br/>Please ensue, this party be imbued; but blue, don’t stoop to the taboo of an untrue slew. In lieu, like ballyhoo in your full canoe, let the voters come to you.<br/><br/>Be cool, unlike djou's coo with no shew, in his final adieu, before he ran out and flew to the loo.<br/><br/>Bless you djou, and all the djoudoo you spew!Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-34469159518048660192010-01-22T07:32:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.374-10:00Am I the only Hawaiian Offended?By now, the chances are that you have seen the "Defend Hawaii" clothing brand either on the backs of young people around Honolulu or on the shelves of a shop at your local mall. <br/><br/><img alt="" src="http://api.ning.com/files/CEKYQlVti70w1UHx9djaL*AqedK0htGPJt894-naZX4wulOeSle36OTHOvU*T5i7pdDGjtfEP9dAX7PQqMg26FpWcFLl-txi/defendhawaiiwebsite.jpg" title="AK" class="aligncenter" width="364" height="364" /><br/><br/>Pretty interesting logo, right? My first impression, as I seen this logo as a sticker on a pickup truck on the highway, was a sudden a feeling of uneasiness. But at the time, I wasn't aware of what the underlying purpose of this campaign was. However, I knew that the message "Defend Hawaii" circumventing a AK-47, the weapon of choice for many gangsters and terrorists wasn't going to sit well with me if I was to continue seeing it around.<br/><br/>Well I did...and a selection of new designs were causing the brand's popularity to grow exponentially.<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_864" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Hmmm..."]<a href="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/dsc02030-1.jpg"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/dsc02030-1.jpg?w=300" alt="" title="DSC02030-1" width="300" height="253" class="size-medium wp-image-864" /></a>[/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_856" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Apparently, Defend Hawaii supposes that if Kamehameha was alive today, he would be a member of the bloods."]<a href="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/aloha.jpg"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/aloha.jpg" alt="" title="Aloha" width="450" height="450" class="size-full wp-image-856" /></a>[/caption]<br/><br/>Yes, this is actually one of their designs: kind of takes it a step further doesn't it. <br/><br/>Is putting a Crip rag over an ali‘i's face, who resembles the widely used depiction of Kamehameha The Great, and an AK in his hand meant to belittle his recognition as a Hawaiian icon and leader? Is this campaign a political satire in which "Aloha Family" is labeling him as a gangster, or outlaw because of the fact that he used European firearms during the unification of the Hawaiian Islands?<br/><br/>...are they even savvy enough to intend for such a message, or are these vacuous designs merely a product of plain ignorance and unintentional exploitation and denigration of our culture? ...after reading the "about us" section on the brands website, I'm beginning to lean towards the latter.<br/><br/>self-proclaimed:<br/><blockquote><br/>"DEFEND HAWAII is a clothing company representing the lifestyle of our young Hawaiian generation. We combine the old traditions of Hawaii with a new urban twist."</blockquote> (i bet that second sentence could make any Kupuna cringe...)<br/><br/><a href="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/ikillcarrot2.jpg"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/ikillcarrot2.jpg?w=300" alt="" title="ikillcarrot2" width="300" height="300" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-867" /></a><br/><br/>iKill represents the lifestyle of our young Hawaiian generation? wow. Really, what does an Mac ad parody with a wangster twist have anything to do with "old traditions of Hawaii"?<br/><br/>The "<a href="http://www.defendhawaii.com/blog/about-us">About Us</a>" section continues:<br/>"Being born and raised in Hawaii, our way of life is something that we are proud of. We hold on to the values of our ancestors and hope to keep the ALOHA alive…"<br/><br/>Yea?...aloha? At first, one (especially one from a less politically apathetic time) may assume that the company may be attempting to start a violent, political movement of young people. As much as I am opposed such measures, at least the campaign may be credited with having at least some purpose for it's usage of visual irony and pop-culture design trends to appeal to the young masses. <br/><br/>However, the paradox that arises when the statement "We hold on to the values of...ALOHA..." is considered along with these designs, allows for the conclusion to be drawn that the brand is clearly, <em>purposely</em> exploiting Hawaiian culture and "values" for no reason other than the bottom line. <br/><br/>The sad part is this isn't the only case, and whether it arises from ignorance or greed, this type of exploitation and manipulation of our culture will continue. Perhaps, Defend Hawaii may not <em>intend</em> to be offensive, but they sure are not being responsible enough to prevent offense from being taken.<br/><br/><a href="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/dh_header_4.jpg"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/dh_header_4.jpg" alt="" title="dh_header_4" width="510" height="127" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-854" /></a><br/><br/>Caveat Emptor: it is our duty to make informed decisions, and although the color schemes may be eye-catching and clever, please keep your cash (or credit) to yourself, and don't support such negligence.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-74182260481518374872010-01-21T21:06:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.352-10:00"Rage 4 Haiti"Under the surface of the "dedicated to my lubby-dubby girl" up-beat Jawaiian reggae sounds, that have been dominating Hawaii airwaves fort he past couple of decades, exists an eclectic music scene that ought to tickle any music lover's fancy. If you were to ask me, and a few of my friends from around the Mainland, the variety of downtown Honolulu's music scene is comparable to that of any major city in America; you just need to know where to listen.<br/><br/><img src="http://travelingbirds.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/17875_274320757944_743357944_3503196_1441616_n.jpg" alt="Rage 4 Haiti" /><br/><br/>Tonight, SoHo, Manifest, and Next Door will be hosting a stellar lineup from everything Soul, Jazz, Hip-Hop, to Heavy Rock. Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $15 at the door, awesome price for a nine hour event! All the locations will be open from 7pm-4am and will feature live music or a mix of various DJ's throughout the night.<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="The Beautiful and Talented Singer/Songwriter Anuhea"]<img alt="" src="http://www.aroundhawaii.com/assets/articles/2009/01/1603/images/2009-01_ajrhosaatime007.jpg" title="Anuhea Jenkins" width="400" height="300" />[/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_849" align="aligncenter" width="456" caption="The also Beautiful and Talented Singer/Songwriter Kimie Miner."]<a href="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/kimie011.jpg"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/kimie011.jpg" alt="" title="kimie01" width="456" height="278" class="size-full wp-image-849" /></a>[/caption]<br/><br/>I actually had the pleasure of jamming for a few hours with singer/ songwriters <a href="http://www.myspace.com/playkimie">Kimie Miner</a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/playkimie">Anuhea</a> at a party a few years back and let me tell you, these girls not only have talent and beautiful voices, but an endless passion for their music. I also have checked out <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thenewdeadbeats">The Deadbeats</a> a few times, who perform Wednesday nights at Jazz Minds, and it is clear that they value the artistic merit of their music at least to the same regard as its entertainment value. They have a fresh, catchy, yet sophisticated sound of Jazz infused hip-hop and are definitely worth the $10 cover alone.<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="the Deadbeats at Jazzminds."]<img alt="" src="http://honoluluweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sl-deadbeats.jpg" width="600" height="421" />[/caption]<br/><br/>But along with the great line-up is a great cause. All proceeds will go to the Clinton Bush Haiti fund to help aid survivors and help the nation of Haiti recover from last weeks natural disaster. So head down and Rage 4 Haiti tonight, hear great music, have a blast, and support your fellow humans.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-84620663545574825442009-11-16T17:24:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.338-10:00It's Time.It's time to mobilize and stand up. Students, I said it time and time again, we owe it to ourselves to stand up for this university. Now is the time to be heard and show the State and the community the importance of our university and what it means to us.<br/><br/>A rally has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at the State Capitol.<br/><br/><a href="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/rally1.jpg"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/rally1.jpg" alt="ASUH Rally Protest Student University of Hawaii" title="rally" width="510" height="934" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-843" /></a><br/><br/>Facebook Event: <a href="http://bit.ly/1bn88h">http://bit.ly/1bn88h</a><br/><br/><strong>Meet at Bachman lawn at NOON. Free shuttle buses</strong> will leave at 12:15 and will be leaving at staggered times throughout the next few hours of the rally.<br/><br/>Our purpose is to create a tipping off point to lobby for a reduction of State-imposed budget cuts to the University of Hawai‘i System. We are asking legislators, "How much higher education does Hawaii need?" and "How much can it afford?" At the same time, we are stressing the importance of UH to us, as well as to the State's workforce and economy.<br/><br/>The total amount of budget restrictions facing the University of Hawai‘i system is at least $154 million over a span of the next two years.<br/><br/>Without a reduction of these cuts, UH's function as a driving force for Hawai‘i's economy will continue to be undermined, and Hawai‘i's premiere institution for higher education will inevitably be crippled and diminish in its capacity to foster a competent workforce and future leadership for the State of Hawai‘i. Furthermore, within the next couple of months, this amount is likely to increase.<br/><br/>If you don't care to read through my past posts, students already feel the effects as core classes and even majors are being cut, thus making it increasingly difficult for students to earn their degrees. 150 lecturers have lost their jobs while 500 classes have already been cut. Of the classes that remain, many are over capacity.<br/><br/>For students about to graduate, the value of our degrees are on the line. This is unacceptable and we need to stand up and do something about it.<br/><br/><img alt="" src="http://www.adamzyglis.com/images/cartoon699.jpg" title="ASUH college degree University of Hawaii" class="aligncenter" width="600" height="491" /><br/><br/>The State must show that it holds education as a priority. Along with a $50 million dollar allocation of funds to the public school system in order to offset furlough days, the University of Hawai‘i, as part of a p-20 public education system here in Hawai‘i, is in dire need of an alleviation of our budget restrictions as well.<br/><br/>Contact <strong>asuh@hawaii.edu</strong>, call 956-8422, or walk-in to the ASUH office at Campus Center 211A if you would like to know how you can get involved.<br/><br/>We are currently looking for <strong>students from all districts</strong> around Hawai‘i that will be able to speak with their respective State Senators about why they chose UH. We also <strong>welcome all faculty or community members</strong> that would like to get involved as well.<br/><br/>Students, you owe it to yourself to be heard and help save your University. Be there, and get involved todayMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-74783931057438260332009-10-21T17:15:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.298-10:00A Call for Solutions.I was delighted by the overwhelming feedback from the email blast I sent out last week entitled. “ASUH – Response to UHM Faculty vs. Administration.” I would be lying though, to say that I was prepared for the hundred or so passionate replies I received during the following couple of days.<br/><br/>The response from students has been inspiring, and for the most part, responses from faculty and administration have actually been surprisingly pleasant as well. Both entities seem to understand where ASUH coming from as student advocates.<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_820" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Over 11,000 strong."]<img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/vertcolor-copy1.jpg" alt="Over 11,000 strong." title="Mark Kaniela Ing ASUH" width="510" height="495" class="size-full wp-image-820" />[/caption]<br/><br/>The main purpose of the message was to clear any misconceptions about ASUH having a stance on the issue. The message was also intended to inform and empower students to recognize ourselves as the hugely powerful political entity we are.<br/><br/>So what's next?<br/><br/><blockquote><br/>1) ASUH has set up a public meeting next <strong>Tuesday October 27 4:45pm</strong>, to discuss possible solutions to restore UH's budget. Students and faculty members are welcome to attend if they would like to present any ideas or would like to hear our proposals. <strong>ASUH will then present ideas to Senator Jill Tokuda</strong>, State of Hawaii Chairperson for High Education, during a subsequent meeting.<br/><br/>2) ASUH is also in the process of passing a resolution “<strong>urging the governor to rescind the fiscal restrictions</strong> to our University system” (where the majority of the cuts were made). This reso will be followed up tremendously from a variety of angles.<br/> <br/>3) ASUH will continue to <strong>meet with key legislators</strong> to help generate or divert funds to the UH system for the upcoming legislative session starting January. ASUH has come up with numerous ideas and has been exploring other methods of lobbying and possible protests.<br/> </blockquote><br/><br/><img alt="" src="http://www.kerrywaghorn.com/images/us_politics/Linda_Lingle.Hawaii-Gov._11.07.07__lrg.jpg" title="lingle" class="aligncenter" width="365" height="600" /><br/><br/>ASUH has been meeting and collaborating with both members of Faculty Senate and Administration here at Mānoa, and although disparities concerning certain issues are inevitable, we are establishing a common ground to move forward together.<br/><br/>We must settle any minute, personal, and often irrelevant disagreements and unite our University community. Together, the voices of tens of thousands of voters will surely leave an impression on the decision makers of our State.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-39754877495783996932009-10-14T11:39:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.287-10:00Mobilization and EmpowermentA Ka leo Article on the Event: <a href="http://www.kaleo.org/whose-school-our-school-1.1944620">http://www.kaleo.org/whose-school-our-school-1.1944620</a><br/><br/>At first, I was a little skeptical on the purpose of the "teach-in" and the intentions of faculty members and "Preserving Hawaii's University" in their attempt to mobilize students. (Please refer to <a href="http://markingmanymilestones.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/and-here-comes-the-faculty/">a former blog post</a>)<br/><br/><img alt="" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs247.snc1/9433_147720882947_132045292947_2570709_71431_n.jpg" title="teachin" class="aligncenter" width="604" height="402" /><br/><br/>Some media coverage: http://www.kitv.com/money/21232270/detail.html<br/><br/>After I met with the planning committee the afternoon before the event, I agreed to speak at the event to stress student empowerment and the importance of our university system from a local, leadership standpoint. "Preserving Hawaii's University" seemed tolerant of most viewpoints, at least of students, surrounding the UHPA contract and didn't put too much effort in persuading them to stand against the contract. Fortunately, they instead focused on the noise the event will make and the ball of activism it will get rolling. They organized an awesome event that really set the tone and paved the way for students and faculty to become informed and be heard. Thank you faculty and grad students!Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-50063329175246056012009-10-05T10:44:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.246-10:00Students Finally Get a Say in Budget Cuts!Last Tuesday, a great thing happened.<br/><br/>When top UHM executive administrators agreed to attend a high profile ASUH General Meeting to give a presentation on the prioritization process, the response from students was tremendous. For the most part, they were excited for an opportunity to FINALLY be able to have their questions answered and their voices heard.[caption id="attachment_805" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="KHNL did a great story that night from the students\' perspective. Click to watch the video."]<a href="http://www.khnl.com/global/story.asp?s=11228737"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/students-speak-up1.jpg" alt="KHNL did a great story that night from the students' perspective. Click to watch the video." title="Mark Kaniela Ing Students Speak Up ASUH University of Hawaii Manoa" width="510" height="318" class="size-full wp-image-805" /></a>[/caption]<br/><br/>Our guests included UH Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs Fransisco Hernandez, and Vice-Chancellor Reed Dasenbrock of Academic Affairs who agreed to answer any questions for at least an hours time. This was a extremely rare opportunity, as it was the chancellor's first public appearance to specifically address the budget situation to students.<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_792" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="We requested that Chancellor Hinshaw come to speak to students and respond to their concerns. Click for news video."]<a href="http://www.khnl.com/global/story.asp?s=11228737"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/hinshaw1.jpg" alt="We requested that Chancellor Hinshaw come to speak to students and respond to their concerns. Click for news video." title="Mark Kaniela Ing ASUH Hinshaw university of Hawaii at Manoa" width="510" height="318" class="size-full wp-image-792" /></a>[/caption]<br/><br/><br/>A little bit of background information surrounding this meeting:<br/><br/>Since the beginning of my term at ASUH, we've been pushing for more student involvement in the prioritization process and any decisions made by administration regarding the State-imposed budget cuts. I have met with various executive campus administrators over the summer and, until last week, ASUH was considering passing a Senate Resolution expressing its:<br/><br/><blockquote> "objection and deepest concern to the lack of transparency and student representation of the numerous committees regarding the prioritization and budget reorganization processes."</blockquote><br/><br/>We weren't being heard, and administration wasn't being transparent. We <em>had</em> to do something about that. (See my <a href="http://wp.me/pABzu-aP">previous post on this issue</a> for more detail)<br/><br/>Leading up to Tuesday, the meeting was highly publicized (within the three business days we had to prepare) to empower students get them excited about its purpose, as well as to hold administration accountable for its decisions and answers.<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_798" align="aligncenter" width="396" caption="The meeting was open to students, the public and media. The response was great!"]<img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/pinkfly.jpg" alt="The meeting was open to students, the public and media. The response was great!" title="pink flyer Mark Kaniela Ing ASUH students cuts" width="396" height="604" class="size-full wp-image-798" />[/caption]<br/><br/>ASUH had to make sure that the meeting was well-controlled so that administrators felt comfortable and the pace of the meeting allowed for a variety of students to be have their concerns addressed. Although not every student who attended the meeting was allotted time to ask their questions, it seemed as though most bases were covered. If the administrators couldn't provide an adequate answer, they at least exhibited an honest expression of their shortfalls and mistakes in dealing with the University's budget crisis.<br/><br/>At times, ASUH had to be a little more assertive and dynamic in its questioning than initially imagined, but in the end we made sure to get what we sought after:<br/><br/>The administrators agreed to hold <strong>further meetings with students</strong> for increased transparency and granted our request of <strong>two student seats on the Budget Process Committee</strong> to help make the final decisions. Mahalo to all of the students who showed up, and to the ASUH Senate for all its hard work!Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-80741677942079650802009-09-22T11:18:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.222-10:00And Here Comes the Faculty...In the midst of extensive budget cuts to our university by the State, I have been continually encouraging a wave of activism from the student population, community, and any other stakeholders who would want to be a part of a movement to protect and preserve Hawai‘i's education and encourage the development of future leaders. <br/><br/>A great opportunity has arisen to for students and faculty to come together and possibly create a massive boom...<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_771" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="KITV4 News, September 18, 2009: Leaders of UH Professors Oppose State\'s Last Offer"]<a href="http://www.kitv.com/video/20978537/index.html"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/ker2.jpg" alt="KITV4 News, September 18, 2009: Leaders of UH Professors Oppose State's Last Offer" title="Keoki Kerr Mark Kaniela Ing Faculty UH" width="510" height="323" class="size-full wp-image-771" /></a>[/caption]<br/><br/>During my Comparative Politics class today, the professor opened up by highlighting a current university issue concerning the nature of faculty and administrator "negotiations". The professor drew a parallel between our university's multi-leveled autonomous bureaucracy and that of tyrannic rule under a certain, well-known dictatorship.<br/><br/>He has been a faculty member at a number of universities including one in Asia, but insists that he has never seen such a unique and hegemonic administration like that of UH.<br/><br/><blockquote>(I asked if he has been aware of UH's structure before our system's administration was granted autonomy by the State of Hawaii during the mid-nineties, and if he was aware of how our campus was "administrated" before the creation of 78 new executive positions just a few years ago under President Dobelle's term. He said he would like to learn.)</blockquote><br/><br/>My guess of why the subject of administrative hegemony was brought up was because of a certain bitterness my professor may possess in regards to a recent proposal being "unilaterally imposed" by administration: to cut <a href="http://www.uhpa.org/uhpa-bor-contract/2003-2009-uhpa-uh-bor-agreement.pdf/download">UH faculty pay</a> by 15%.<br/><br/>It is nice to see some spark finally igniting some major resistance from faculty to the originally State-imposed cuts, but let's not forget and overlook the fact that a few years back, faculty did receive a huge <a href="http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Mar/26/ln/ln16a.html"><big>salary increase</big></a> while students received a similar <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEy5ml0xJIw"><big>tuition increase</big>. </a> Before choosing to take on a particular stance, students should be sure to know what the consequences will be of their efforts . We need to realize that as ASUH (the Student Body), we stand alone and must remain autonomous in our decisions. We should hesitate to offer diplomatic assistance with initiatives moving towards collective goals, but we must refuse to be used as another entity's pawn: whether that be administration or faculty.<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="Will we be seeing some of this again? From Star Bulletin Archives April 5, 2001"]<img alt="Will we be seeing some of this again? From Star Bulletin Archives April 5, 2001" src="http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/04/05/news/artc.jpg" title="UH Faculty Strike Mark Kaniela Ing" width="432" height="286" />[/caption]<br/><br/>But let's just hope faculty and administration can see eye to eye, because students can't afford to have faculty go on strike. Hopefully, I will be able to meet with various faculty leaders to discuss any collective goals between students and faculty and possibly establish a vehicle in which students and faculty could move forward together.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-73090508411435504212009-09-11T09:14:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.190-10:00TIM School/Shidler College MergerCraig Gima's Article in the Star Bulletin-11/10:<br/><a href="http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20090910_proposed_merger_at_uh_draws_fire.html"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/05/Honolulustarbulletinlogo.jpg" title="Starlogo" class="alignleft" width="306" height="70" /></a><br/></br><br/>Students' voices must be heard, even if going to the media is the only way to get a response. Please note that nothing in this blog post depicts a stance on the merger, nor represents a consensus of ideas reached by the 97th ASUH Senate.<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="George Hall, the home of the Travel Industry Management School at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa."]<img alt="George Hall, the home of the Travel Industry Management School at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa." src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/3754025418_095bfab4e1.jpg?v=0" title="TIM school merger Mark Kaniela Ing" width="500" height="334" />[/caption]<br/><br/>The proposed merger between the School of Travel Industry Management and the Shidler College of Business has been a hot topic of discussion over the course of the past few months. However, little to no student input has been sought by administration concerning this and many other of our University's most pivotal decisions -- decisions that effect us the foremost in the midst of this budget fiasco.<br/><br/><img alt="" src="http://brendaimada.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/n112520630799_1881.jpg" title="TIM School Mark Kaniela Ing" class="alignnone" width="200" height="75" /> |-------------------------> <img alt="" src="http://www2.hawaii.edu/~caseykal/logo.jpg" title="Shidler logo Mark Kaniela Ing" class="alignnone" width="177" height="86" /><br/><br/>Past ASUH President, Jamie Sohn of the 96th senate, was allowed to sit on a preliminary process committee for the Chancellor during last school year. These meetings ended in early January. Once the prioritization actually began with actual dean recommendations, new committee's were formed with no student seat being made available.<br/><br/>Throughout the spring and the summer, and two budget/advisory committee's later, many decisions began moving forward without direct input from students. Faculty and some dean's also had concerns about not being considered in the process, as the Chancellor's advisory committees always seemed to consist of a team of the same select few individuals.<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Shidler College of Business--building E from courtyard."]<img alt="Shidler College of Business--building E from courtyard." src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1361/1134778209_4b7c144f64.jpg?v=0" title="Shidler TIM merger Mark Kaniela Ing" width="500" height="333" />[/caption]<br/><br/>Four months ago, shortly after I was elected into the office of ASUH President, I met with both the Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs and the Chancellor our Mānoa campus herself, during separate meetings, to inquire about why no students are being involved in the prioritization process and budget recommendations. (See also <a href="http://markingmanymilestones.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/68/">my response</a> @8:30 to Hinshaw's answer to a question regarding the prioritization process on <a href="http://markingmanymilestones.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/68/">PBS Insights with Dan Boylan</a>)<br/><br/>I asked that if any additional meetings are held, a student representative such as myself be given a seat. I also asked for a more transparent approach to remedying our budget gaps, and that an open-forum by the administration to students, sponsored by the Chancellor's office, be held on campus during the start of the Fall semester.<br/><br/>An open-forum event was set-up , but I haven't received an adequate answer to the remaining inquiries. I did, however, leave the meetings under the slight impression that the prioritization process was over and that if any final decisions were to be made, a student voice will be directly involved. <em>That hasn't happened.</em><br/><br/>And look where we are at now! An <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=112520630799&ref=mf">outcry from both faculty and students</a> has been brought forth subsequent from a recent email announcement from the Chancellor stating that the committee opts to:<br/><br/><blockquote>"Merge smaller units with larger, related schools/colleges to strengthen impact and economize on administration. The committee supports the reconsolidation of the School of Travel Industry Management with Shidler College of Business to enhance UH Mānoa’s service to the tourism industry in Hawai‘i and strengthen the impact of TIM’s significant ties to the business economy. We will develop criteria for organizational structures that best support faculty/staff/students and maximize resources to examine schools with low critical mass."</blockquote><br/><br/>From looking at and comparing the statistics of the respective schools with others, it isn't consistent that the TIM school fits under the category of "with low critical mass". It doesn't seem the case the education and value of their degree will improve for students, under the merger. Students worry that under a new school, their degree won't be as effective and their extremely high employment rate directly after graduation (partial due to the TIM school's extensive required internship hours) may be reduced.<br/><br/>Furthermore, adequate transparency hasn't even been achieved between administrators. After meeting with the dean of the TIM school, it surprised me that she knew only as much about the details of the proposed merger as I did from the Chancellor's side.<br/><br/>This somewhat contradicted the statement that VCAA Dasenbock made during a meeting with me in the beginning of summer when I asked about the process of the prioritization. To paraphrase: now that recommendations have made their way up through our redundant bureaucracy, they will be brought back to the Dean level of administration where student input will be considered. The latter hasn't happened, at least not yet.<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Hawai‘i Hall, campus administration building."]<img alt="Hawai‘i Hall, campus administration building." src="http://www.uhm.hawaii.edu/ovcafo/images/hawaii_hall_524.jpg" title="Hawaii Hall Mark Kaniela Ing" width="500" height="273" />[/caption]<br/><br/>I understand both sides of the argument concerning the merger and it isn't necessary, at least not yet, for me take a side. But it IS my duty to make sure students' voices are being considered.<br/><blockquote><br/><br/>1) Within the next week, after I <strong>meet with various student leaders involved </strong>with the merger controversy, I will <strong>write letters to the respective executive administrators</strong> raising concern about lack of student involvement in the process.<br/><br/>2) I will <strong>request a time line</strong> on when these decisions will be finalized. I will also inquire and suggest, since meetings have been on-going and it is most likely too late for a student seat, how administration will<strong>reach out for student input</strong>.<br/><br/>3) I will entertain a Senate Resolution to be drafted and passed by ASUH, whether taking or not taking a stance on the issue, addressing our concern for a lack of administrative transparency and student involvement during the prioritization process.<br/><br/>4) If no adequate response is received in a reasonable amount of time, I'll <strong>make sure we are heard</strong> one way or another (having local T.V. and newspaper contacts on hand is a great thing).</blockquote><br/><br/>It's unfortunate that so much tension is occurring between students and executive administration, but this could have all been avoided with initial transparency and accessibility and adequate communication between administration and students as the prioritization process was unfolding.<br/><br/>I recognize administration's claim that any and all of these plans of actions are "preliminary" and that all entity's involved will have their concerns considered in the final decision, but I will not pass up on looking into any truth behind the rumors that the merger is already being pushed forward.<br/><br/>Students, as the greatest stakeholders, should have been a part of the "preliminary", most extensive portion of the prioritization process. Any last ditch efforts of reaching out to students (i.e. a single meeting with student leaders after extensive deliberation has already been made) is appreciated but doesn't suffice in aquiring student input. Many students may view such actions as a mere nominal and political formality.<br/><br/>I will first try to be a mediator between the two groups and hopefully we can resolve tension by finding a compromise or a design that synthesizes both viewpoints. If this cannot be achieved, I will be sure to represent and lift up the student voice, first and foremost, no matter what position that may put me in with administration.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-91357447470367275062009-09-01T20:49:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.178-10:00Noticing the Effects of University Budget CutsIt's a new school year. And you can see the changes: classes, cafeterias, sidewalks, and campuses in general are more saturated with students then any time I witnessed over the past 3 years.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.kitv.com/video/20541662/index.html"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/firs3.jpg" alt="Mark Kaniela Ing ASUH KITV" title="Mark Kaniela Ing ASUH KITV" width="510" height="322" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-637" /></a><br/><br/>With approximately 60,000 students enrolled at University of Hawaii campuses this Fall -- a 10.7% percent increase from last Fall and the most ever -- it's apparent that the community is seeing the University as part of the solution to our State's economic struggle.<br/><br/>But this isn't necessarily a good thing for students as 150 instructors laid-off and 500 class sections placed on hold, there has been an increase of competition to get into the remaining courses. In large lecture halls, students are resorting to sitting on stairways. Some commuting students are being forced to arrive on campus hours before class starts, sleeping in their cars, just to secure a parking space.<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_638" align="aligncenter" width="509" caption="With a 120 student enrollment, and more trying to get it, this accounting section of the course has twice as many students as last year."]<a href="http://www.kitv.com/news/20678226/detail.html"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/classes2.jpg" alt="With a 120 student enrollment, and more trying to get it, this accounting section of the course has twice as many students as last year" title="classes UH Manoa KITV" width="509" height="317" class="size-full wp-image-638" /></a>[/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_638" align="aligncenter" width="509" caption="Some lecturers who survived lay-offs had their salaries reduced to $12,000 for teaching two classes, while numerous administrators executives are sitting pretty with salaries at over a quarter million."]<a href="http://www.kitv.com/money/20574538/detail.html"><img src="http://markingmanymilestones.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/admin.jpg" alt="admin" title="admin" width="510" height="321" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-628" /></a>[/caption]<br/><br/><br/>Although other media outlets did publish and broadcast a few stories concerning our University throughout the week, <strong>I would like to commend KITV4 news</strong> for obtaining exclusive coverage on some issues, and for their extensive updates of our University in featured news stories throughout there first week of classes. They were on campus for 4 separate stories over the course of the first 3 days! I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Honolulu Advertiser as well for continuing to seek out student input, and contacting ASUH, for virtually every story regarding our University.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-29165361451013336282009-08-29T14:39:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.132-10:00Spirituality as a means to ReligionBEFORE, you say anything...<br/><br/>I realize that it probably isn't the best political move for me to post my viewpoint regarding such a sensitive subject on a public forum. I do not, however, intend to give off any of my personal beliefs nor aim to influence any persons to a particular set of beliefs (If you would like to spark that conversation, send me an email!). In this post, I only intend to encourage critical thinking and open-mindedness -- not to be skeptical of any particular belief-set, or a lack of one, but to question the motives behind why people become involved in a religion, and whether being born into one is a sufficient reason to stick with a doctrine.<br/><br/><img alt="" src="http://groundnotes.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/6931.jpg" title="sign" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="400" /><br/><br/>Besides, this blog isn't in fact a purely political one, as its theme is rather universal as long as it's focus is on leadership within the up-and-coming generation. Admittedly though, this post IS far from the "<strong>here is the issue, and this is what I am doing about it, or this is what I think what <em>ought to be</em> done</strong>" structure of most of my posts. It also deviates from my usual musings of Hawaii politics and higher education. And honestly, I am not even sure if my haphazard rant, that is this post, will make any sense to you readers out there in the blogosphere!<br/>______________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/>Last month, a friend updated his <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook </a>status to read:<br/><strong><em>"Religion tends to be something that divides us to the point where we can't fix the bigger problems."</em></strong><br/><br/><img alt="" src="http://kirstyne.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/addis-religion-war-cartoon.jpg" title="war religion" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="280" /><br/><br/>This was a provocative statement to say the least, and it quickly elicited quite a few responses. Of course, as the skeptic, but more importantly as the spiritual being that I am, I was obliged to add my two cents (...or dollars) as well:<br/><br/><blockquote><br/>"Agreeing with *the Facebook User above*, religion at least somewhat aids in alleviating our bigg'est' problems that empiricism and humans in general cannot possibly explain.<br/><br/>But I must also assert that organized religion poses the same problems as any other large institution: <strong>the group becomes greater than the individuals it consists of</strong> when people begin to seek identity through conformity. Individuals within the religion are then motivated to remain faithful to their institution by confounding reasons such as shame or acceptance rather than the reason stated in the doctrine.<br/><br/>Moreover, organized religion creates an <strong>in-group/out-group ("them and us") mentality</strong> that may undermine the crux of the purpose and doctrine of the religion or religious sect, which usually consists of positive messages of harmony among people.<br/><br/>The key, regardless of the basis of your belief system, is spirituality and faith at an intimate and very personal, individual level. While deciding if a religion is suited for his or herself, one <strong>should first seek out a general, spiritual, and personal connection</strong> before following any specific doctrine or even becoming too involved with any religious fellowship. Spirituality ought to remain a tool that could eventually lead a person into a particular religion, but not visa-versa. Let the religion grab you. Religion can suffice as a director of an existing spiritual journey, but not as the means to achieve spirituality. The latter instance is where the problems associated with religion, as an institution, usually occurs.<br/><br/>BELIEVE! we are so small."</blockquote><br/><br/>All I am asking you to do is to think about the initial italicized statement and formulate your own response, as did I:<br/><br/>Yes, religion does seem to keep problems from being remedied and often causes greater ones. But <big><strong>is it the existence of religion that divides and disillusions us from finding solutions to our "bigger problems", or is it the obscure and often confounding motivation behind followers' devotion to each institution?</strong></big>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3278677250757272121.post-90933326658473499432009-08-29T13:51:00.000-10:002010-12-14T15:50:23.121-10:00Words Worth a Thousand PicturesIn a changing society of rapidly advancing technologies, where even television sometimes doesn't provide a conveniently direct enough relayer of information, it is easy for some of us to lose interest in the MOST revolutionary, pervasive, and thus-far effective method of learning and retrieving important information: reading.<br/><br/><img alt="" src="http://estherspace.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/001126cartoon.jpg" title="Book Computer" class="aligncenter" width="350" height="228" /><br/><br/>Given, we live in a fast-paced world and lead extremely busy lives. And if you are anything like me, you don't have the time to flip through and thoroughly read every page of your local morning paper. Nor will you make use of the investment of numerous magazine or national daily news subscriptions that may only be utilized as packing material or a rag for cleaning windows in future (in case you don't know, newspapers are great at minimizing streaks!)<br/><br/>Here's what I do:<br/><strong>1) Subscribe to a weekly periodical</strong><br/>(my favorite is <a href="http://www.economist.com/">"The Economist"</a>) - most offer ridiculous student discounts and allow you to receive all of your important current events for the week in a single sitting.<br/><br/><strong>2) Utilize a weblog feed reader</strong><br/>(my favorite is <a href="http://www.google.com/reader/">Google Reader</a>) - syndicate RSS feeds from <em>daily news websites</em> (<a href="http://online.wsj.com/home-page">WSjournal.com</a>, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/">nytimes.com</a>, <a href="http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/">honoluluadvertiser.com</a>, etc.), where you can usually specify which section or topic. At the same time, you can subscribe to <em>blog feeds</em> as well to cater more to your specific interests or to get a more juicy, opinionate take on current events. When using a feed reader, you can give up checking every site individually for updates. Instead, updates will come to you all at one place, where you choose what to read and what to leave.<br/><br/><strong>3) Don't rely on television for national news</strong>; LOCAL is fine, especially in Hawai‘i!<br/><br/>[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="425" caption=""Allow this to be the last consumer decision you will ever need to make!""]<img alt="Allow this to be the last consumer decision you will ever need to make!" src="http://www.highdisplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/black-white-tv.jpg" title="Black and white tv" width="425" height="396" />[/caption]<br/><br/>So, besides the believed hypnotic, manipulative, and additive qualities that are the usual <a href="http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=62498N4bQBIC&oi=fnd&pg=PA31&dq=brain+activity+television&ots=YLNiOay1Ja&sig=ERP3uvLZzrmikGyzqKAbjdntzI8#v=onepage&q=brain%20activity%20television&f=false">concern</a> over its excessive usage...<br/>Why not television? <br/><br/>At 30 fps, an hour long television program broadcasts a total of 108,000 still pictures! So, if a "picture is (really) worth a thousand words," then an hour long television show should provide us with an equivalent to 108 millions words, or 432,000 pages...yeah, i don't think so.<br/><br/>Of course, I don't mean to be that <em>wag</em> that points flaws in idioms that are obviously not created to be taken completely literally! The only point I'm trying to make is that maybe pictures are only valuable when being completely absorbed or read with focused attention not characteristic of watching TV. Perhaps, what is needed is a sort of <a href="http://www.wikinomics.com/blog/uploads/brain-websurfing.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.wikinomics.com/blog/index.php/author/mkwan/&usg=__Od5BYoYRIFuHC3osR6vuCEcki_A=&h=170&w=226&sz=19&hl=en&start=28&sig2=-9UmLVqmr-lCLKDohscuJQ&um=1&tbnid=BiTnANmPJzQenM:&tbnh=81&tbnw=108&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dreading%2Bbrain%2Bactivity%2Bprice%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18%26um%3D1&ei=UGebSqzUGZXktAOW-_SUDg">brain activity</a> similar to reading a book, or even better, <a href="http://www.wikinomics.com/blog/uploads/brain-websurfing.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.wikinomics.com/blog/index.php/author/mkwan/&usg=__Od5BYoYRIFuHC3osR6vuCEcki_A=&h=170&w=226&sz=19&hl=en&start=28&sig2=-9UmLVqmr-lCLKDohscuJQ&um=1&tbnid=BiTnANmPJzQenM:&tbnh=81&tbnw=108&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dreading%2Bbrain%2Bactivity%2Bprice%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18%26um%3D1&ei=UGebSqzUGZXktAOW-_SUDg">surfing the web!</a> Even non-educational, "leisure" reading can stimulate and encourage new connections of neurons to increase intelligence, maybe even more effectively than "educational" television broadcasts.<br/><br/>Furthermore, news broadcasts on television are so full of celebrity gossip, inter-network politics and biases, that it takes a substantial effort to filter any substance through all of the shenanigans. So, make the right choice, and don't forget to <a href="http://www.google.com/reader/">use a Reader</a> if you don't already!:<br/><br/><object height="350" width="425"><br/> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/07kO9TtHYzQ&feature=related"><br/> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"><br/> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/07kO9TtHYzQ&feature=related;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"><br/> </object><br/><br/>Wow Terry, a little much?!Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718027117016680737noreply@blogger.com0