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Space Invaders, Do You Come In Peace?

By Amanda Kurth
Published: 02/21/22 Topics: Comments: 0

Visitors to the Garden Island have little idea they share land, sea and air with the military and big-wig defense contractors occupying 2,385 acres at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), just an hour due west from the Lihue airport.

But just as Kaua’i is a major center for scientific study possessing state of the art resources, this ancient, once soggy stretch of low land, long ago exhausted to grow sugar cane, is today home to reaps of GMO crops that form a buffer around the base, where it remains terra incognita.

When imagining Kaua’i, perhaps you envision paddleboarding, thundering waterfalls and lush gardens, feral chickens or whale watching along the famed Na Pali coast tour.

What would not come to mind are the advanced hypersonic weapons, ballistic missile defense testing, predator drones, low-earth orbit intercepts and sophisticated tracking systems that monitor activities near and far, like that of unidentified flying objects (UFO).

February 14, a “balloon” prompted jets to scramble over Kaua’i and investigate any malfeasance or intrusion.

According to Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara, Hawaii’s adjutant general; an official statement via Twitter asserted in the first of three tweets, “Indo-Pacific Command detected a high-altitude object floating in the air in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands. In accordance with homeland defense procedures, Pacific Air Forces launched tactical aircraft to intercept and identify the object, visually confirming an unmanned balloon without observable identification markings.”

The Valentine’s Day aerial mystery remains just that. The incident has been corroborated by the US Pacific Air Forces. However, no further details have been released. The matter is still, as of today, under investigation.

What is clear through many online forums is that local eyewitnesses have substantiated official reports of a military unit sent on reconnaissance outfitted with F-22A Raptors, the only of their kind stationed in Hawai’i.

It wouldn't be the first time Kaua’i has attracted other-worldly phenomenon.

Barking Sands, the area where PMRF is situated, sounds like the stuff of legends. From the sugar era to the space age, the nearly eight-mile stretch of sand was once home to an old Hawaiian fisherman and his nine dogs.

One day as he prepared his fishing canoe, he tied the dogs to stakes, three to each, as he had done every morning.

While out at sea, he was caught in an unexpected storm, wrestling the angry waves until he could return ashore.

His strength shattered, and his body became heavy. He forgot to untie the dogs as he summoned the strength to crawl into his hut.

The next morning, he went outside and did not see them.

In their place buried were mounds of sand.

As he began to dig, each shovelful removed was filled with more earth, and still, he could not find his dogs.

Every day after that when he crossed the beach where he last saw them, he heard the dogs barking low beneath his feet.

Native Hawaiians trace their origins from the Pleiades star system called the Akua. But were these islands already inhabited by extraterrestrials?

Is it possible that Hawaii’s volcanic activity attracted other intelligent life forms to harness the immense geo-energy it produces?

History Channel’s Ancient Alien’s narrator voice aside, let us go full kimono here and talk story.

Looking back, American social traditions transformed in the mid-20th century, specifically around issues of race, gender and sexuality.

According to historian W. Scott Poole, the first science-fiction fantasies of aliens could have been a way of processing these social adjustments.

For example, in 1967, the Supreme Court finally proclaimed that laws banning interracial marriage were unconstitutional.

What is even more interesting is that the country had already been talking for years about Betty and Barney Hill, an interracial couple who purportedly were abducted by a UFO and its occupants.

Back in 1961, Kaua’i too played host to several alien encounters.

That fall, Masa Arita of Lihue took a photograph of a silver orb above Kalapaki Beach.

The next week, Ed Roberson of Lihue reported a flying disk between the KTOH radio tower on Ahukini Road and Lihue town.

Earlier in 1950, The Garden Island newspaper reported Hawaiian Canneries manager Albert Horner of Wailua, Ben Iida of Lihue, Ben Ohai of Kapa’a and Kumanosuke Fujita near Knudsen’s Gap recounted seeing strange objects.

More recently, in 2020, Hawai’i residents discovered a mysterious blue light surging through the dark horizon.

Multiple witnesses took video of the object, and one woman on O’ahu even followed it in her car before the light plunged into the nearby coastal waters.

The late U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye also did not seek theatrics. He humbly formed a band of truth-seekers reigniting a passionate fascination with the phenomena.

Conspiracy junkies were soon presented with the opportunity to digest the throngs of truly awesome and outlandish theories.

But for all intents and purposes, 2007 proved to be a good year to secretly funnel $22 million to the Pentagon’s clandestine budget for UFO research.

The current scope and force of interest in this subject have one asking if the gods of antiquity merely are personifications of the beings that have already visited us.

The urge to investigate and trust in the paranormal is all-consuming at times from a writer’s point of view, almost religious in devout hope.

When we want to understand something strange, something previously unknown to anyone, we must begin with a standard set of questions. Aloha space invaders, do you come in peace?

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Author: Amanda Kurth
Blog #: 0859 – 02/21/22

Cacao To Chocolate: Hawaiian Style

By Amanda Kurth
Published: 01/31/22 Topics: Comments: 0

Once upon a time, on a tiny little rock in the Central Pacific, there came to these shores a special plant: Theobroma Cacao. Replete with a plethora of varied exteriors, the unusual interior of the pod is not what one would expect. Nor does its slick and fresh crunch evoke any fleeting thoughts of chocolate. It tastes more like when Mom tried to get you to eat something gross for dinner but failed to tell you what white and pulpy mystery ingredient she garnished it with. After all, I am from the Pacific Northwest and last week's upset over similar fruit was not promising.

The world already knew of chocolate’s decadence by the mid-19th century when any interest in cultivating cacao took hold through the islands.

Initially, the evergreen was established in the gardens of an agricultural advisor to King David Kalakaua in the 1830s. Although it took nearly eight decades before Hawaiian farmers were finally weaving it into their crops commercially, German physician Wilhelm Hillebrand is widely thought to have introduced the plant to O’ahu. And of his multitude of side hustles, Hillebrand had a keen curiosity for Botany. A study that piqued the interest of the Hawaiian Kingdom ultimately commissioned him to coordinate the first boatloads of immigrants to Hawaii.

The keywords here gang are sugarcane, labor and sunshine. Without it, cocoa would not be possible. Sourcing labor in antiquity had been an easy task when every seafarer was still basically a pirate. More specifically, an effortless ordeal if you had any inkling of influence as a white male.

And while I still have you nearly biting your nails during this history lesson, it should be noted debauchery arose in the wake of the excessive and disproportionate number of males to female immigrants coming to Hawai’i during that time. With ample nationalities of men in one remote place, the complete abandonment of the culture and practices of the island’s predecessors became apparent.

History is not kind and describes these transplants as becoming lazy and making a living by peddling. A practice despised by the native Hawaiian population, who used to say scornfully, "Child of a peddler!", or “Keiki a ka ma‘au‘auwa!”.

While the world's craving for chocolate grows more insatiable with each passing year, chocoholics need take note: farms around the globe are deteriorating from eras of misuse, invaded by diseases and insects. To that end, representatives from big-wig, large-scale growers on the islands have worked for nearly three decades with conservation groups to implement sustainability into their practices, specific to our respective combination of latitudes. Methods like utilizing smaller parcels of land similar to Theo’l Lady Farms in Kealia Valley, who on Kaua’i (which delivers some of the rarest cacao in the world with just a crop of about 300 trees), circumvent a lot of issues plaguing the trade. Concerns brought on by human trafficking and deforestation, let alone the poverty-stricken communities on the Ivory Coast of Southwest Africa who have become entangled in a perpetual cycle of inhumane conditions for centuries.

Chocolate’s origins branch from the people who inhabited Mesoamerica (South America). Back then, it was consumed in its purest form, much less processed than the cocoa Olmec tribes formulated thousands of years after its discovery. It was used in preparation for war, sacrifices and celebrations. Even the Aztecs used the dried seeds as currency.

Propagated today, the old classification system of the three main varieties of beans that are recognized, are no longer applicable in the current market: Criollo, Forastero, and Trinitario. The demand for variety and nuance is abundant, and Hawai’i grows all types. Pure, heirloom-quality to seedlings of new varieties.

According to the Department of Agriculture, “Cacao… is used as a medicine for healing bruises… utilized in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries… recognized as one of the compounds contributing to chocolate’s reputed role as an aphrodisiac… a diuretic and heart stimulant”.

One foot inside the Kauai Chocolate Company in Ele’ele is everything you thought you knew about your love for confection rotates nicely into a more comforting axis. Lingering is the assertive scent of something familiar. The sort of smell that makes you want to nosh like Elmer Fudd devouring his favowite meal, gwiwwed cheese in ecstasy.

The chocolate company’s most celebrated creation is like an upgrade to a Snickers. The“Opihi”, a hometown staple, looks like a flying saucer.

Layered are locally made guava Kaua’i Cookie, topped with caramel, one jeweled macadamia nut and covered by dark or milk chocolate.

Conclusively, if tidbits of ginger, toffee, peanut butter, cookie or the ever-elusive seasonal fudge are not incorporated in your recipe, please then take it elsewhere.

Retired co-owner Donald Greer is a cool guy. A former Research Engineer turned Chocolatier, Greer specialized in Fluid Dynamics at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He succeeded in a design career and predictions for high-altitude aerodynamic flight. And after working against technological challenges in designing advanced aircraft for the next generation, he and his wife Marlene, so obviously had more terrestrial plans, moving to the 808 state to manufacture tasty, hand-crafted edible delights.

The Greer’s shop opened in the early 2000s and resides at its original launching pad. It greets you on the right in a well-kept strip mall, before the Port Allen marina, directly across from one of the last watering holes on the west side, Kaua’i Island Brewery & Grill. Its prime directive boasts abundant foot traffic and is locked into one of the better sunset positions you will ever experience in your lifetime. Particularly when the deep and northern breath of winter sends Humpback whales as proverbial eye candy.

Managing has now been left to the couple’s children and employs a fleet of young engineers of Belgian-style desserts. You can expect an above-average price point for their product, purchasing not only a small-kine community’s labor of love but also an above-average result. Cacao is a high-grade commodity. So if you try local, the impact is global.

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Author: Amanda Kurth
Blog #: 0857 – 01/31/22

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou New Year in Hawaii

By Amanda Kurth
Published: 12/08/21 Topics: Comments: 0

The ancient Hawaiian New Year festival known throughout the island chain marks the celebration of Makahiki. And this white girl wants to be a part of the conversation.

The year is 2005, and I'm on my way out of high school when a book was re-released as a limited edition. My advanced placement (AP) Literature teacher at the time picked it up and brought it into class, waxing poetic about his formative writing years.

The book was like a wild ride into another dark side of Americana. It's to Hawai'i what Fear and Loathing was to Las Vegas: the crazy tales of a journalist's "coverage."

Infamous gonzo-style writer Hunter S. Thompson describes his time on the Big Island in an article commissioned by Running Magazine to report on the Hawaii Marathon in 1980. A few years later, his book, The Curse Of Lono, was released, and only 1000 publications were ever produced.

In the book, Thompson often breaks away into excerpts of The Last Voyage of Captain Cook. And on occasion, details clobbering his ocean catches to death with Samoan war

On Kaua'i, Makahiki celebrations take off at the beginning of October with morning ceremonies at a south-shore heiau. The variance of the season's arrival depends on who you ask. This ancient celebration is a four-month period of truce, harvest, taxes, games, relaxation and mo'olelo (the Hawaiian word for story) amongst the neighboring islands.

In antiquity- women, men, and young children would mark the beginning of the Hawaiian new year when a specific collection of glittering space-gems against the black velvet drape of night. Na hiku o Makali'i (Pleiades) appeared at sunset, and the Kanaka Maoli (commoners) would invoke the bounty and protections the god Lono provided.

Often associated with 'ikua (the noisy month), Lono's visualized as storm-clad clouds, like thunder, the partial rainbow, whirlwinds, and even waterspouts.

Fast forward to the present day, Ka Moloka'i Makahiki festival has been celebrating this time of year en masse since 1981. They "are beginning to see the second and third generation of Moloka'i youths assist with the program," says Maria Holmes, a Hawaiian cultural activist who handles publicity for Ka Moloka'i Makahiki.

Her attitude is that "Education" is a major aim of the Organization. No one else in the state has a cultural program that has worked with so many youths for such a long period of time."

Sure, many families or grandfathered-in-stewards still live and work in the heart of these chartreuse and sage landscapes, passing on those traditions to the next generation. But the historical obligations and recognition of Lono, the akua of the Makahiki season, are not synonymous with how the residents of Hawai'i remember it today.

Generally speaking, Hawaiian customs and folklore live on through the margins of modern hotel resorts, replete with games and festivities for its travelers. Some schools and churches include food drives too. Items are then donated to charity and distributed island-wide throughout the holiday.

However, this season, traditions are getting a new show of appreciation by locals. Hawaii Farm Trails- a statewide concept of agri-tourism as a responsible alternative to conventional tourism, will host a Makahiki event on Kaua'i in mid-January.

Hawaii Farm Trails works closely with the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Agritourism Association, USDA, Cultivate Resilience and many more to further perpetuate Hawaiian culture, food from farm to table and boundless mo'olelo.

Although the Kaua'i Festivals and Events webpage has not officially saved the date, the event is slated to begin Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 9 AM in the Lihue area of Kaua'i. It will feature ancient Hawaiian games, cultural demonstrations, displays and crafts by community groups, and ono street food.

Living in Hawaii comes with education and recognition of indebtedness. It's a privilege to live on the shores of this sea-cradled state. Where you can fancy-free night-time sparklers.

The fascinating history of this island chain consumes me every day. It's my hope that this love letter reflects my gratitude for cultural diversity in itself and expresses genuine tributes of thanks to the Hawaiian people for cultivating my curiosity.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou

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Author: Amanda Kurth
Blog #: 0851 – 12/08/21

If Jimi Hendricks, Prince, and Pavarotti Were Hawaiian

By Wm. May
Published: 05/18/20 Topics: Hawaii, Music, Self Improvement Comments: 0

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Sings With His Uncle

This blog is not about me. But a bit of background might help. I grew up playing all kinds of music from a young age, not necessarily playing well but playing none the less.

It started with a concert level pianist mother and a father with a soaring tenor voice. I picked up a trumpet in fourth grade, met the high school band instructor and play with him for 8 years through high school.

But first there were piano and trumpet lessons and concerts with the concert band, marching band, stage band, pep band, concert orchestra and even our own little school sponsored "Tijuana Brass" imitation band called - unbelievably in 1969- the Marijuana Brass.

A the age of 13 I happened to hear some new English group called the Beatles on the radio of our tiny neighborhood store Perini's. I was hooked and started a band, then another, playing with many great musicians while we all wanted to become famous and play on the Ed Sullivan TV show.

Or at least we wanted to be swooned over by girls in the way they swooned when watching the Beatles. In 1964, at the age of 13, somehow I talked some parent into driving my bandmates and I the 100 miles to attend a Beatles concerts at the Seattle Center Coliseum.

The Beatles played in the round and the stage slowly revolved so everyone could see them. The sound equipment quality was terrible. The girls screamed so loud we could not hear the music. But we could see the magic.

I played guitar and bass in numerous rock bands and made a living at it for some years, a small living. I partnered in a sound studio, a jingle company and an advertising agency. But eventually moved on to being a fan and not a performer. It was a good run.

In the Charles Cross's biography of Seattle's rock band "Heart", Ann and Nancy Wilson revealed they too attended one of the two times the Beatles played in Seattle.

As they walked out of the concert Nancy, the younger sister, asked , "Why are they all the girls screaming?"

To which Ann said, "They all want to marry the Beatles."

Said Nancy, "We don't want to marry the Beatles, we want to be the Beatles?

And the rest is Heart rock and roll history. They became famous. I did not.

As I said, this blog isn't about me, it is only to imply that I know a little about music and I know that I achieved journeyman status at best.. Years later I stumbled upon a musician who proved it.

Hearing Uncle Willie K music on the radio in Hawaii and then seeing him perform left me flabbergasted by his talent. His skill was astounding and his versatility beyond believing. You can love music and respect the musician at the same time.

Better than all of that, he had a kind of charisma I had never seen - sheer confidence and humor. He knew he could take an audience anywhere he wanted them to go. Including his rendition of "We are the world" completed with uncanny imitations of Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Tina Turner. No body else can do that

Eric Gilliom, a versatile TV actor and Hawaiian music master, formed a "Hawaiian Super group" with Willie called Barefoot Natives. Before one show willie asked him what was the most money he had ever made doing a concert. When Eric said something like $10,000 willie sat down and said, "Let me see your $10,000 show tonight."

willie and Eric' sister the superlative Amy Hanaialii Gilliom became a couple and willie produce four award winning albums of their own brand of Hawaiian and other music. I loved the music before I knew who they were. As did every Hawaiian.

William Awihilima Kahaiali'I - willie K - grew up playing young at the knee of his father the nationally known and admired Manu Kahaiali'i. Willie was just one of 13 children, so his Dad played music 7 days a week to pay the bills, everything from jazz, blues and Hawaiian of course.

Maybe that is why he branched in so many musical directions. He idolized Jimi Hendricks and prince. That lead him to just about every other kind of music. He was famous for Christmas Carols, but also Salsa, Jazz and Reggae.

He was sought out and accompanied Mick Fleetwood of Fleet Mac, his solo chagrined Billy Idol of ZZ top, Prince praised him, Willy Nelson sang duets with him, but so did Alice Cooper. BB king invited him on stage, he sang with the Commodores and he laughed with comedian Jim Cary. Barack Obama played willie K loud during workouts. willie and Steven Tyler became best buddies.

Maybe they loved they guy because they felt a little like me - unworthy.

He was known through out the world for guitar and ukulele skills but 10 years ago at a local Hawaiian concert he baffled the audience when he dismissed the other musicians from stage, stood silent a long while and finally said, very somberly,

"I am very sad. Last week Pavarotti died. I think he and I were brothers. Tonight I will sing Nessum Dorma"

Afterward, 800 people sat silent and then jumped to their feet screaming "Hanna Hou" (encore). It was the start of many appearances with symphony's singing opera music. On a trip to Israel he brought Jewish congregations to tears by mastering the Israeli national nation.

In 2018, willie K announced that he had contracted a very aggressive cancer, but promised to keep performing as he always had, at every opportunity. His Maui Bluest fest continued each year. He took aggressive treatment but in the end he died quietly at his home May 18, 2020 surround by Ohana.

I didn’t know William Awihilima Kahaiali'I personally, and yet everyone who saw him perform knew him personally. The way it is with all great musicians and performers, they leave themselves, their skills, their personalities and souls on stage with all to see.

Upon hearing of willie's passing, Alice Cooper said it best, "Heaven will be in for one hell of a surprise. I can almost hear the thunderous applause."

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There are so many links because of the variety. Couldn't stop myself.

KHON TV

BILLY GIBBON ZZ TOP

HAWAIIAN

BARE FOOT NATIVES

HALLELUJAH

HAVA NAGILA

NATIONAL ANTHEM

STARTING OPERA

NESSUN DORMA

O HOLY NIGHT

SOUND CHECK

WE ARE THE WORLD

KHON TV

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Author: Wm. May – Music Fan
Blog #: 0757 – 05/18/20