Monday Musings
Monday, June 29th, 2009I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Are you all ready for the 3-day Independence Day weekend? Us newspaper folks will be working on Friday - so think of us while you're enjoying your day off.
Paula and I went to the Honpa Hongwanji bon dance this past weekend. On Saturday night, it was like a mini tweet up (without Ynaku). Melissa Chang of Urban Mix Plate was there and introduced me a quite a few new tweeple that I'm now following. I also introduced myself to TwoBeerQueers. They have a number of videos on Metromix.
TwoBeerQueers and Me - do I look a little scared or what?
Even saw Ocean Lover working in the food booth. Every year he volunteers his services. What a trooper. He also introduced us to Ocean Hater (his wife).
Wednesday is July 1 - the start of a new fiscal year for Hawaii's government. And with that comes quite a few changes.
For one, the ethanol tax break comes to an end. That means another 10¢ to 12¢ increase per gallon of gas.
I topped off my gas tank this past weekend. You might want to do the same too before Wednesday.
Let's see - other taxes that will increase will be cigarette tax, hotel accommodations tax, conveyance tax, and State income tax on higher earners.
Oahu folks will see the following changes: tax increases on Vehicle Weight tax and Real Property tax, No homeowner tax credit, increased parking rates, and increased bus fares.
Man, are we being gouged. Must not be an election year, eh?
And the biggie for Oahu folks: No use of a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.
- Q: What is Bill 4 (2009) Relating to the Use of Electronic Devices While Operating a Motor Vehicle?
A: This is a new law that prohibits the use of mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. The law’s purpose is to make Honolulu roadways safer for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
- Q: What is a “mobile electronic device”?
A: “Mobile electronic device” refers to any hand-held or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing wireless and/or data communication between two or more persons or of providing amusement, including but not limited to a- cellular phone,
- text messaging device,
- paging device,
- personal digital assistant,
- laptop computer,
- video game, or
- digital photographic device.
The law does not prohibit the use of audio equipment or any equipment installed in a motor vehicle for the purposes of providing navigation, emergency assistance to the operator of the motor vehicle, or video entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats of a motor vehicle.
- Q: What does “use” or “using” mean under this law?
A: “Use” or “using” means holding a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.
- Q: Does the law ban all mobile electronic devices?
A: The law applies to hand-held devices. Hands-free devices are still allowed.
- Q: What is a "hands-free" device?A: A "hands-free" device may be a wireless or wired connection to your mobile phone which:
- Allows you to answer your phone either through touching a button on the device or voice activating for answering, and
- Does not require the holding of the phone while in use.
- Some hands-free devices will allow voice-activated dialing, which is allowed under this ordinance.
- Q: Does the law prohibit texting?
A: Yes, it is illegal for drivers to text or engage in other hand-held uses of mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. - Q: May I make a call on my phone while stopped in traffic?
A: No. - Q: What if I need to use my phone in an emergency, but I don’t have a hands-free device?
A: The law exempts the use of cellular phones for emergency 911 calls. - Q: What is the fine for this offense?
A: $67 for the first offense. - Q: Does the law apply to out-of-state drivers?
A: Yes. - Q: Are passengers affected by this law?
A: No, only the driver of the vehicle. - Q: When does the law take effect? Will there be a grace period?
A: The law will be in effect July 1, 2009. There is no grace period.
Now what defines "while operating a motor vehicle"? If you have to take a call and you pull over on the side of the street, take the call while your motor is running, you are "operating a motor vehicle". Be sure to turn your engine OFF!
Now if you pull into a parking lot on private property and take a call while your motor is running, is that still breaking the law? I would guess not since you're on private property, right? But don't take my word for it.
Now the law states that I'm allowed to touch a button on my device to answer a call. So if I press the button to answer a call and touch it again to put the call on speaker, then leave the phone on my center console, then I'm okay, right? As long as I'm not holding it with my hand(s).
And if your phone doesn't have a speaker option or bluetooth, there is a simple solution:
Last week Sunday after a nice Father's Day brunch, Paula wanted to go to the Puppy Swap Meet to look at puppies. There was this little princess Chihuahua that was for sale. Why a princess? Just look at this picture of her in her cage:
Too cute, yeah?
Earlier in June, we went to the Punahou graduation. By the time the graduates came out of the ceremony, it was almost 10:30. One of Paula's cousin's son couldn't stay up so during all the commotion, he sat down against the pillar to catch some zzzz's. Slowly things started piling up around him until he was almost buried alive. Check it out:
Can you see him sleeping under there?
Follow up: Hanafuda Cards
In the Do You Remember... Hanafuda entry, a few of you asked where you could buy Hanafuda cards. Well, this weekend I was at Ala Moana Shopping center (no surprise there, eh?) and I found them at Shirokiya:
Weird, they're made by Nintendo.
There was a sample deck so I took the cards out and they are just a stiff as I remember them. I'm sure they'll make that "pak" sound when you slam down the cards.
An update on the 70's Nightclub Reunion dance coming up on August 1st.
An email went out on June 16th to people on the 70's Nightclub Runion web site mailing list that tickets were on sale. They sold out in 33 minutes! Insane. A lot of people were upset that they weren't able to get tables, although Standing Room Only tickets were available - and may still be.
Needless to say, Rob Kimura of Greenwood and Candy Au of the Ala Moana Hotel felt awful that people couldn't get the seats they wanted. Quite a few angry emails and phone calls were taken by Rob and Candy. So the following letter was created in hopes that people will understand that not everyone can be accommodated.
Aloha,
On behalf of the Ala Moana Hotel's Catering Department and the 70's Nightclub Reunion committee, we would like to thank you for your tremendous support in making this such a successful event.
We also extend our apologies to those who were unable to reserve seats for this event. The 70's NCR has grown tremendously over the past five years and our facility simply cannot accommodate the total number of seating required for every one who desires a seat that attends our function.
This event would not be possible without the commitment, dedication and hard work of the bands that have decided to reunite to participate as most have not played together for decades. Countless hours go into preparing for this event and logistics (since many members now live abroad) make it even more challenging.
The main ballroom has a maximum seating capacity of 600 seats with an additional 250 seats available in the Garden Lanai. Reunion V drew over 900 people. So doing the simple math, we were already at SRO (Standing Room Only) status for the past event. For 2009 we decided to implement an email data based system which is tied to our website. The intent was to be able to distribute at one time, the announcement that tickets are available for sale. We had four people fielding calls for Reunion VI vs. one for Reunion V with the sole intent of taking reservations more efficiently. With the tremendous number of calls that came in within the first 33 minutes, the Hibiscus Ballroom and Garden Lanai were sold out.
This event is currently in SRO mode and will remain so until the facility is at it's maximum capacity levels in compliance with Hawaii's fire code. Again we regret and apologize that we could not provide the necessary seating to satisfy all that called for reservations. This event would not be possible without the support of all that attend and the bands commitment to reunite. For this we extend our deepest appreciation.
Mahalo,
Candy Au
Director of Catering
Ala Moana Hotel
And finally, I have a Where In Hawaii ala Ed Sugimoto's World Wide Ed.
Where did you see this?
Update: And the Answer is:
Longs Drugs - Pali at the corner of Pali Highway and Vineyard
Kage got it right on his first guess. Congratulations, Kage!
Snow and opso get honorable mention. 
Feel free to comment on any of the Monday Musings and have a good work week.
Every Friday and Saturday throughout the summer, at least one bon dance is taking place. This weekend is the Honpa Hongwanji bon dance, located on Pali highway. The Wahiawa Hongwanji also has their annual bon dance this weekend. You can see the full schedule for this summer right here, including neighbor islands: 
There's just something special about sitting under the stars on a warm summer night, eating saimin and shave ice under the soft glow of the chochin laterns while watching the people dressed in their kimonos and hapi coats dance around the yagura. The smell of barbeque sticks cooking and the faint sound of the shave ice machine grinding away.
Last year I invited my blogger buddy, 
