I know the political season is heating up, but I’m off to Hawaii for a week of vacation folks. When confronted with the choice of the Hawaiian beach and blogging, I’m almost certain the beach will always win so stand by for my return….
Until then, CK (it stands for Clark Kent), my killer watchdog weiner dog of infinite justice, will stand guard.
Have an awesome holiday, Oliver!
You gotta eat at either Sam Choy’s or Roy Yamaguchi’s!
Hey. If you are in my neighborhood, look me up in Hilo, Hawaii.
I’m guessing you’re taking the around the islands cruise.
A friend of mine just went on that cruise. He said it brought him to parts of Hawaii that looked like a 3rd world country.
That dog is still around?
“A friend of mine just went on that cruise. He said it brought him to parts of Hawaii that looked like a 3rd world country.
Well, that’s the expose point of view about Hawaii, I suppose. The flip side of Paradise and all that.
Yes, and we third worlders in Hawaii think those cruise boats look like floating Disneylands. I practically died laughing when I got a look around one. But they provide jobs, and they look pretty on the water as they pass by my deck overlooking Hilo Bay.
I got quite an enthusiastic rave review on this cruise, actually, from some friends who passed through here a few weeks ago.
In spite of our third worldliness, Hawaiians have the second highest life expectancy in the country. How about that. Fresh air, fresh water, fresh food, a year round outdoor climate,and a higher level of caring and responsibility for others do help us live longer.
A tourist could mistake Hilo, where I live, for a poor town, I guess. There’s not much fancy stuff around, but it’s a very comfortable place to live.
Is it the tropical vegetation and the brown people, perhaps, that make tourists think they are in a poor country and not in America?
The real isolated ‘3rd world’ feel is in Waipi’o Valley. I wouldn’t call it 3rd world, I’d call it another world. There’s some real characters living there, definitely a totally different experience to hike and enjoy the jungle and all the waterfalls.
I did talk to some locals outside of Hilo that were complaining about the kids, and how gang activity is starting to creep into the system. They were actually pretty down on ‘natives’ vs. mainlanders who’ve moved there, and they were Polynesian decent themselves. It goes to show no matter how isolated you think you are, corruping influences can spill into the community.
Overall, Hilo side is more beautiful because of the rainfall, Kona has nice resorts, I guess, but it’s all dry and volcanic.
Oh, well, we have got tons of corruption, a meth epidemic, lots of homelessness, etc etc. We’re part of the U.S., after all.
If you want a picture of the Islands from the economic point of view read a book called *The Price of Paradise.* by Randy Roth. Or go to the Price of Paradise web site of the Honolulu Star Bulletin
Waipio Valley. Yes, the first time I went down there I saw a big old pig with “Kapu” (taboo) shaved on its side. That meant, don’t touch my pig.
I love Hilo, Hamakua, Puna. It’s real here on the East side.
But I love Kona, too. I just wish that there were not so much ugly constrution going on over there, attempting to make it look like any other overpriced crappy tourist destination.
stand?
You’re being more than generous.
You didn’t really need to tell us what CK stood for.
Have a nice vacation Oliver. Everyone needs a break every now and then. Bring back some nice pics.
OK, well Jeff Goldstien didn’t pick me to be a guest blogger for him whilst he’s house hunting, so you’ll have to upgrade my old registration so I can guest blog here!
I can guarantee that you won’t recognize the place when you come back!
I wonder if Oliver still thinks the pre-season means nothing after last night’s loss to Minny.
Hmmm. Mr Willis goes on a week’s vacation in Hawaii, and Gordo from Appletree comes back with pictures from Hawaii.
There has just got to be a good rumor we can start here!