#laulima

[sholtiscapstone]

No. 5 Progress Update!

Hey, everyone! 

I hope you’re all doing well with your projects so far. Time is flying by and we’re almost at the end. For me, things haven’t been exactly what I wanted them to be in terms of timing but I’m still feeling confident I can get this wrapped before our last week deadline. It’s been taking some hours away from my sleep but that’s all worth it lol, and not that big of a deal. 

As for any hurdles I’ve faced, I’ve had some personal things take me away from my time on the project. I’m putting the time back into it though, and I’ll get everything back on track in no time. Realistically, I believe we still have so much time left to accomplish things, so if you’re stressing over our time frame, don’t worry about it. It’s better to be patient and finish the race a little bit later than you expected you would, then to give up and not finish at all. 

I’m also feeling more confident I can get things done quicker now after my check-in meeting with Sharla today. Lately, I’ve been gathering footage from the films my interviewees mentioned as I was considering adding in the characters they speak about in our conversation, but Sharla recommended that I should avoid doing that, as it takes away from the discussion. Super good advice, and it also helps me just focus on editing my interviewees. I’ve already chopped up the episodes, but the hardest part overall is adding in the different angles to the correct time. It’s a very meticulous task. Also, color-grading them to appear similar has been tricky, as I feel like my eyes have been bugging out on me. Thankfully, I have friends I can use as guinea pigs. 

Moving on, another topic that came up during my meeting with Sharla was my YouTube page that I’m going to be doing my posting on. I made one tonight and plan to upload everything there, so I’ll link it on my account for future reference! 

Then, for my visual component of this update, it’s a little different than a straightforward attached image. Instead, I’m going to link a project I did last semester in a short film class. I was lucky enough to have the chance to try and do a rough draft of what I wanted my capstone to look like back then. It’s awesome to see how much it’s changed since then. Instead of doing one-on-one interviews it’s now a group project, there’s no outside footage, and the questions aren’t the same either, as my new talk story series allows the interviewees to guide themselves more than anything. I can’t wait to do a full reflection on this experience because the change is pretty significant, but I love my current concept way more, which I didn’t think would happen lol. 

Females in Frame - CM 353 cut

Other than that, I’m getting back to work and planning to spend a few more hours tonight editing since I’m off of work tomorrow, so much sleep isn’t required. I hope you all are on track with your projects and seeing the results you want. And again, if anyone needs help feel free to reach out to me for whatever. You can email me through Laulima if need! :)

[anumberofhobbies]

Hexactinellid species (glass sponges), Johnston Atoll

Aug 2, 2017  Scientists observed several species of Hexactinellid sponges, or glass sponges, while exploring Horizon Guyot seamount and “Ridge” seamount in the Johnston Atoll, Pacific Ocean, during NOAA’s 2017 Laulima O Ka Moana expedition. Glass sponges have skeletons made of silica.

 Credit: Video courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2017 Laulima O Ka Moana, July 2017

[makahastudi0s]

Memorial Day Weekend is here. #letsgo “Pride of the West Collection” #beready #prideofthewestside . . Wai'anae Farmers Market 8:00am to 12:00pm #waianaefarmersmarket . .

#makahastudios #waianae #nanakuli #makaha #laulima #workhardplayhard #tellingstories #mokuwars #westsidegold #beready #trending #96792 #flagshipcollection #hawaiiangold #hawaiian #hawaii #everyonehasastory

[malialaka]

Jungle and terrace kept Kamalii occupied while Makua finished up carving. #kauaiaswhy #boardandstoneineveryhome #boardandstone #forthekeiki #papakuiai #pohakukuiai #laulima @johnnyjamsesh @chickswhorip https://www.instagram.com/p/B3DFBtHnAOz/?igshid=h5q3muzm14cn

[puawarriors-production]

Week 17 – Alex – I Told You I’d See You Later

My previous post was a little anti-climactic if you ask me, and I didn’t get to recap what I did so here we gooo.

----------------------FIRST, MAJOR DISCLAIMER---------------

     As you can see, this post is pretty dang long, so I’m just gonna put evaluation stuff for the class here first, and if you feel like reading on afterward that’s cool, but it’s just personal reflections and final send-off stuff. 

     So, shockingly, I was one of the main contributors to the rough animation which you can see in the animatic, and can track the progress of throughout this blog’s history. I finished 15 roughed shots in total. I also have 8 shots concurrently blocked (in other words, partial progress,) and 2 shots unstarted.       I also made the 3D environment models used for reference in making the backgrounds, as well as handling the editing side (video composition, timing, and sound edits) for the animatic up to this point. 

     Next, I worked closely with Sophia and our sound mixer Tim to get the voice actresses recorded, their clips edited, and finally integrated into the film. And also, while this hasn’t made it into the animatic yet, I have been creating some original sound design elements as well. Here’s a sample of some:

I’m focusing mostly on the characters’ Pua powers and transformations right now, and some sludge sounds. And in hand with that, I also did the voice clips/sound effects for the Sludge Monster. Aaand that’s pretty much it from me this semester! Super excited to keep up the work in the weeks to come! If you’re not sticking till the end of the post, then thanks for an awesome class, and awesome semester! 

------------------ The Feels Side of the Post -----------------

                                       The Pua Warriors Experience

     When I first heard about Pua Warriors, I thought the idea sounded awesome: Magical girls set in Hawai'i using flower powers and sparkles to save the day? Yeah I’m down for that. It felt… familiar to me, I suppose. But at the time I still knew relatively little about the characters, the story, and only had a vague idea of their designs.

     As time went on and the Capstone application deadline was approaching, I felt like I was a bit stuck, with the exhaustion of working on Midnight Showing holding me on one side, and having only a vague outline of a plot for my own film idea on the other. And with no crew to speak of, the decision not to make a Capstone of my own was … difficult… one of the most difficult in my time at ACM. Cause in my mind (at the time at least,) not making “your own” Capstone project felt like a failure somehow. But this whole Pua Warriors thing was sounding pretty nice, and I already knew everyone working on it. So I decided life’s better together, and far be it from me to not work on a project of some kind. So I hopped on-board for a little trip into the unknown. And well, here we are, still in the unknown. But that doesn’t mean we’re lost. Not yet.

     I have to say, Pua Warriors has grown on me. At a certain point it stopped feeling like a student film, and started feeling more like a potential series: a world with its own storyline, and indeed one that’s worth telling – yes, I would make a distinction between the two. Working on the project has just been the sweetest, most wonderful, enlightening, mild existential crisis inducing, and bizarrely friendly thing I’ve had the privilege of working on, all at once. It didn’t just change how I approach character design, animation, or working on a team – I feel it changed me for the better as a person, and at times I feel almost unworthy to be on this project.

     One thing I’ll never forget is the time we spent hanging out in the Keller lab, going to group meetings, and recording at MELE. What silly fun times those were. I admit, not being able to hang out with my friends after the virus shut the world down has truly been one of the most difficult parts of my whole “college era” of my life experience. To feel like something great was forming, only to be ripped away by something so crazy and completely over-the-top as this virus – words just can’t capture the feeling of melancholy. But even when we’re spread hundreds or thousands of miles apart, at times I can still feel near, even if it is only through a screen. And personally, I don’t want that to change just because the semester’s ending. That’s why, in a way, I’m sort of glad we have time to work on into the summer.

                                             Reflections on Life

     Some lessons this semester taught me: First is on fitting in. It’s never blending in for the sake of blending in, nor standing out for the sake of standing out. It’s being comfortably unique in your own talents and skills, strengths and weaknesses, styles and tastes - while being happy to share those things with others. Indeed, it’s not about being “good enough” to belong, but rather belonging, in order that may do good for others. Second is on wanting to help. For a long time I remained kind of a loner in ACM, sitting in “my” corner with “my” ideas. It wasn’t until last semester and especially during this semester I realized just how powerful, or perhaps rather how much more powerful the drive to help and serve others can be. That’s true not just for creative endeavors, but all areas of life. The Third lesson: doing things for the right reasons. We do things for a lot of different reasons, and often times we aren’t cognizant of why we act or feel the way we do. Having an understanding of who you truly are and what you really want is critical in exercising self-control, and you may come to realize your desires aren’t always what you think they are. And the Fourth lesson is on being assertive. We all want and feel things, and one of the greatest feelings is being in control. You may doubt yourself when you don’t know where your feelings and desires come from. You may think your mind is playing tricks on you. But the truth is, we’ll never go places in life if we don’t speak up and acknowledge our ideas. We may not always come to the right conclusions, but that doesn’t mean we’re wrong for trying. So try, try, and try again. It’s okay to fail, as long as you pick up something with you as you get up. Take risks, and understand that doubt is often our greatest enemy, so fight it!

     So now, at the end, I don’t really know what I feel: I don’t know if this is sadness or happiness? Courage or fear? Maybe it’s none of those things, but something I haven’t quite felt before. Until recently, I didn’t realize there’s an emotion that can make you feel so weak, yet feel strong at the same time. One thing’s for sure, I’m going to miss the project, the crew, and all of Hawai'i. To us, the future is a blank slate: nothing is written on it, yet it holds an infinite number of possibilities. 

                                          Honoring my Maker

     Now before I wrap up, I have a specific topic I’d like to address.

     While I  usually avoid discussing my religious life openly in a scholastic context, I will say here and now that God has been my greatest help throughout these past couple years. For the longest time, even before coming to Hawai'i, I struggled with feelings of not fitting in, of low self-esteem, and of self-doubt. There were a lot of recurring battles at my home growing up, and many of the wounds followed me into adulthood. And if nothing else, this semester has brought many of those to the forefront.

     As a child back in Washington, I would often just go with the flow of my friends at the time, because it was easier, and allowed me to avoid conflict. Yet I would be lead into instances where I would not speak up or act, even though I felt what we were doing, thinking, or saying was wrong. My family wasn’t particularly religious, or at least they certainly didn’t act like it. And for a while I think I didn’t believe in God. Maybe there was some higher power... maybe, perhaps, but not God. Yet still I felt a crushing weight on my conscience, for both the things I had done, and the things I had failed to do. So I watched TV shows and movies to help me feel safe, to distract myself, and indeed to feel as if I had more power than I actually did. 

     There came a time in middle school when a big storm came through my life, and when I was living in fear, I turned to God, and He helped me through it. And again in high school, God helped me. And in college, many times more. Through it all, God answered my prayers, and showed me there is a better way. And I came to understand that He gave me a way to life through His Son, long before I was even born. And because of that, I could find comfort and rest by trusting in Him through the afflictions I faced.      So the way I see it, God has lead my life in a way neither I, nor any human being could. I have found that He has a purpose for all things, and truly that nothing comes by accident. I may not say it aloud, but I observe it every day in the places He sets me in, and the people with whom He places me. Yes, even in the midst of this virus. So while family and friends may not always be there to support me, and while institutions may crumble and fall, and while I may move away and feel isolated from all I’ve known, my God was, is, and always will be with me. There is nothing more empowering or reassuring than that. And without coming off too preachy, my hope is that people might perhaps look at that reflected in my life - to see the work God has done, and to consider their own relationship with Him.

                                                       Roll Call

     Next, I have a few shout-outs I’d like to mention.

     First, to my wonderful film Director Sophia: What can I say? This project has been simply amazing to work on with you. I think back to the moment I first overheard you talking about Pua Warriors. You were so thrilled to do it, and that’s when I realized I might want to jump onboard as well. Since then, the only adjective that comes to mind describing this experience is “vibrant.” I know there have been a lot of ups and downs, but that’s part of what makes the experience worth remembering. And there may very well be more hills and valleys to go through, but I actually look forward to them every day with you, as we continue to make this film happen. You shine like a star with a brilliant, positive energy I’ve never seen before. And I think you have a much greater potential than perhaps even you yourself realize. Of course, everyone has room to grow, but that doesn’t reflect poorly on you at all. It’s the fact that you’ve been so supportive of your team, and that you didn’t give up on your vision, and indeed, you’ve made massive efforts to grow this semester – that’s what makes you a good director in my eyes. And to be honest, I wouldn’t have anybody else direct the film – certainly at least not this “episode” anyway. It’s been a lasting experience, and I hope you’ll take what you’ve learned from it with you. You have a bright future ahead of you Sophia – all you need to do is reach out to it!

     Next, to the Art Director and my good friend Gavin, wow what a ride this has been. Your artistic vision, your stamina, and your work ethic are so very remarkable. It’s been awesome these last few years getting to know you and work with you through all the late nights and long class periods. And especially through Midnight Showing and Pua Warriors. You basically set the standard that I and most other animation students aspire to, and you have such a unique way of looking at things too. Even when you’re feeling drained from all the work, your passion clearly shows, and you know how to communicate both very clearly, AND very, uh, sassily, which makes hanging around you hilarious. You’re also one of the only people on Earth that could get me to watch Clone Wars, and I don’t regret it. You give exceptional feedback in each critique, and though it can be tough to incorporate sometimes, you make listening to you a worthwhile endeavor. ACM simply would not be what it is without you, and I know you have many great things you’ll do with your skills moving forward.

     To our excellent Animation Supervisor Chandelle, this semester’s been a tough one, but even in the darkest times, the sun still rises! You’ve always been an awesome animator, an incredibly hard worker, and an exceptionally friendly and helpful member of the group. And what’s more, you never sought to put the spotlight on yourself for it. You do things simply because you care, and you do them with such a level of discipline and professionalism that few in the ACM department could match it. I’m sure I speak for the whole group when I say, we care about you so much, and we’re just thankful you’ve been with us on the project. Never sell yourself short Chandelle! You’ve conquered some major obstacles in the past, and I know you have it in you to overcome this one as well.The light will shine again someday, so hang in there, and thanks for all the help you’ve given!

     To my fellow animation friend Jared, man, have I got a lot of respect for you. You really know what it’s like to get down and dirty for the team, or feel stuck in a rut in the middle of a project. This last year has probably tested you the most, and yet you never fell apart. Sure, cracks may have formed at times, but you held together and pulled on through to the end. That proves you’ve got guts, and a great capacity for patience and accommodation especially in times of crisis. And that’s exactly what we need - that kind of boldness and passion, to be able to outlast our worries, especially when there are so many unknowns. I remember back to Midnight Showing; boy, that felt like a big time of unknowns too. We had no idea what was coming. And yet you outmatched it, and sure enough, things worked out in the end. And because you’ve been so humble and willing to improve yourself, I’ve seen you get so much better over these last few years, and frankly, it’s astonishing! You’re a great friend, and a hard worker Jared. Keep it up! You’ve got this!

     I’d also like mention my fellow animation friend Kalilinoe! Even though we’re not in the same team this semester, you’re still an awesome and inspiring animator to have in class! Working together on Midnight Showing last semester was a lot of work, but also so much fun! And I love your style of animation using rotoscoping. And I gotta say, the animation in Pua Ka Uahi looks sooo smooth and beautiful. Watching your progress on the film this semester has been super inspiring, and definitely keeps the other teams on their toes! I can’t wait to see the finished film!

     I’ll also make a brief mention of Jayme and Bobby from our 320/420 classes! You guys rock, and made the year all the better! I hope we’ll get to hang out again sometime! 

     PLUS, A big thanks to the whole Capstone class! Stay creative, and best wishes to you all!

     And finally, one last big shout-out to Lisette for making all of this possible! You’ve been an awesome teacher not just for this course, but for the last few years in general! You always bring such wisdom and expert film knowledge to us younglings. And you’re so willing to make yourself available to your students; always helpful and encouraging to everyone, and even more so now during this time. That’s just the kind of support we need! I’ll be missing your classes greatly! Thanks so much for all your care and help!

                                              A New Chapter Begins

Well, that pretty much wraps up my blog (for the school-production time anyway) of Pua Warriors. I’d like to once again thank each and every one of you for making the ACM experience so incredible. I think I like posting, so I’ll probably try to keep up with the blogs for the future, or at least make an update every once in a while. Thanks for reading through this epic conclusion of a post. 

Until next time my friends! This is Alex(is) Nelson, Ganitine, the Undercover Animator, uncovered! See you next time!

[packconfig]

Short Hike + Bugout Kit

Here’s what contributor Mervyn uses as his carry for short trips out, plus it doubles as a bugout kit.

Tarahumara Pack (Hill People Gear)

Double walled, vacuum sealer bottle (Prometheus Design Werx x Mizu)

Duckbill Cap (Patagonia)

The Mighty Pouch (Garage Built Gear)

Topsider (Open Sea Leather Co.)

Warden Keychain & Key Covers (Hitch & Timber)

H&T Utility Pouch (Hitch & Timber)

7995/0 Ranger (Tudor)

Zipper Pull/Key Ring Compass (Trunord)

Todai Flashlight (Prometheus Design Werx x Laulima)

Runoff Waterproof Pocket Slim (Nite Ize)

Ti-Double 300 Mug (Snow Peak)

Butane Lighter (Zippo)

Para 3 Maxamet (Spyderco)

Ti-Scribe Mini Brass (Urban Survival Gear)

A6600 Mirrorless Camera (Sony)

FE 90mm F2.8 Macro lens (Sony)

Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod (Peak Design)

Cairn Sandals (Bedrock Sandals)

–

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More loadouts on packconfig.com/loadouts

[mauitime]

County Help Program Now Taking Applications

Residents can now apply for assistance at Maui Economic Opportunity

Some $2 million dollars is now available through the Hawai’i Emergency Laulima Partnership to help qualified residents impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, the mayor announced at a news conference Wednesday, along with details on how to file for assistance. Debbie Cabebe, executive director of Maui Economic Opportunity said…

[theneonsanctuary]

A story of The Neon Sanctuary...

The Humble Ringmaster

Chapter 1: A Regal Entrance

Summary: Your grandmother Mouo’s cloak is a beautiful and dignified thing. Understated where it could be resplendent, subtle where it could be garish, but it gleams in the spotlight.

Your name is Toa'i Laulima, though you don't know that yet.

Your grandmother Mouo's cloak is a beautiful and dignified thing. Understated where it could be resplendent, subtle where it could be garish, but it gleams in the spotlight.

The first time you see it, you are watching the show from the stands. You are wearing no make-up, no mask, just the plain outfit Mr. Mischief made for you yesterday. It is so unlike anything you ever wore back home, you are almost not nervous about being seen.

Almost.

You are sitting near the top of the stands, next to your grandfather Theo, newsboy cap tugged low in an anxious, fruitless, and ultimately unnecessary effort to obscure your face. You are surrounded by people, and none of them are looking at you. They are looking down at the ring.

A trumpet fanfare plays. A spotlight goes up. There is nothing in it.

The fanfare plays again.

Nothing happens.

The spotlight swivels around the ring, searching frantically. The crowd begins to murmur as the fanfare plays a third time, missing several trumpets now, and wilts into blatting uncertainty.

Someone clears their throat loudly.

The spotlight races to the edge of the ring, and your grandmother squints into it, scowling, raising a hand to block her eyes. After a beat, she gestures impatiently at the silhouettes of the orchestra players between the ring and the stands. A trombonist jabs their slide tube into a baritonist, who wobbles into the back of a trumpeter, who bleats a startled F-sharp on their horn, and then in remarkable harmony the entire brass orchestra (all ten of them) play a much louder, richer, triumphant fanfare as Mouo trudges to the center of the ring, moving with the spotlight. Or rather, the spotlight moving with her.

She levels an absolutely exhausted look at the crowd. There are some scattered laughs, and Mouo turns sharply to glare in the direction of one of them, which earns a few more. As the collective tension eases, Mouo's eyes scan the crowd. She doesn't wink at you or Theo, but she stops. Just for a fraction of a second.

Then she draws herself up regally, opens her wings wide, and issues the stern, booming command:

"Send in the clowns!"

[typhlonectes]

Sea Spider (family Collossendeidae), “Pierpoint” Seamount  within the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, 1,495 m (4,905 ft).

Although pycnogonids are often referred to as "sea spiders" due to their resemblance to land spiders, they are not true spiders.

Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2017 Laulima O Ka Moana.

[brooklynislandgirl]

♕

Pono | Accepting{also for @little-earthquakes-rp who asked the same question}

♕ — What does leading a ‘good’ life mean to your muse? Are they satisfied with the choices they make?

For Beth, living a ‘good’ life is living pono.

The word in her native language has no direct or literal translation to English, there isn’t a way she knows how to condense something so simple, beautiful or expansive into language. The closest she can come to it is to say living righteously, with a conscious decision to do the right thing for everyone living thing and the environment, or as best as possible.

Treating others with respect, ideally transcending humanity and extending it to the entire world. The sea is as alive to her as her neighbour, a cow is as important as a mountain. A single blade of grass is as worthy of love and respect as she herself is. In this life, surrounded by a family that spans the globe, she tries her best to be positive and supportive of others, and live in a way that doesn’t negatively affect the global ecosystem upon which all lives depend.

This stems from her cultural values:Kuleana: being responsible for: ourselves, each other and the land.Pono: practising and working with integrity in every endeavour.Ohana: caring, nurturing and inspiring one another as all people are one family.Malama ‘Aina: being a good steward to the land with attention on sustainability and respect.Laulima: working collaboratively and kindly with one another.Aloha: unconditional love, understanding, and kindness shared forward.Kokua: being thankful for one’s blessings and one’s community.

Ka Lā Hiki Ola: instilling hope and promise among those around us.

[freehawaii]

VICTORY - PROTECTORS WIN AGAIN - SHERWOOD FOREST PROJECT STOPPED

KITV.com - Thursday June 18, 2020

Mayor Kirk Caldwell gathered with Waimanalo community leaders, both supporters and opponents of the grass field being built at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, to announce that his administration would be stopping further progress on the project, including not proceeding with any part of the Master Plan.

“It is clear to me that despite our differences about this field, everyone involved in today’s announcement cares deeply about our community, about Waimanalo, and about the future we are leaving our kids,” shared Mayor Caldwell, who continued, “I’ve made the decision that this administration is pau with the field and master plan.  I am pau with the field and master plan. The next steps are up to this community to determine, but it is time for the land and our community to heal.  I look to you as kupuna and next generation leaders – to determine what happens here as place people can come together, decide how to do things differently, communicate differently, and respect all views while building on the dream you have as a community.”

Ku'ike Kamakea-'Ohelo, President of Save of Sherwoods shared the statement, “He leo kako'o keia i ka Meia i 'olelo ai, i pukana ai, i puana ai, i ka ho'oku 'ana i ke kukulu 'ana o keia paka pa'anipopo.  Keia manawa, o ke aloha ka mea wale i koe.”  This is a voice in support of the Mayor’s announcement to restore the parcel we know as Phase I.  Now, aloha is all that remains. Kamakea-'Ohelo also expressed appreciation to many community members and City staff, especially the Honolulu Police Department Community Policing Team, who played a critical role in the ongoing discussions with the City.

Earlier this year, the City administration had announced that after long discussions with project opponents and leaders of Save Our Sherwoods, they had come to an agreement to move forward on finishing a grassy field without a play apparatus, limited parking, and a commitment to support the cultural and historical importance of the site.  Mayor Caldwell has long expressed that he would not pursue the remainder of the Master Plan.  However, COVID-19 coincided with the planned re-start of the field construction, and Mayor Caldwell paused the work for community health and safety reasons given the potential for gatherings in protest and the discovery of a bone fragment.

Department of Design and Construction Deputy Director Haku Milles explained that there are still things that have to be done to restore the site, including leveling the construction mounds and planting ground cover. “It has always been important to Mayor Caldwell that we restore this land from what was previously covered in invasive Christmas berries  and haole koa.  We are working to determine the best way to reesetablish ground cover that includes indigenous grass suited for this area.”  The City will also make funding avaiable for indigenous trees to be planted once the land and grass settles.

Mabel Keliihoomalu and Blanche McMillan, whom Mayor Caldwell affectionately calls “The Aunties,” were part of the community leadership that began planning for the project over a decade ago. “A long time ago, Sherwood Forest was our playground with all of our family – we used to go camping, fishing, and get together on the weekends,” shared Aunty Blanche, who continued, “we all need to work together, no grumbling, no protesting no more, put it on the table, bring in the kupuna for their advice, and let’s decide what we want to have in our Waimanalo.”

Aunty Mabel added, “I was one of those who planned it and worked really hard to get the monies in there and spent 10 years getting it through the City.  It hurt that we lost those funds for our community, but I am happy that we are able to come back to the table and incorporate everyone’s mana'o.”  She also excitedly shared the news of funding being announced for Azevedo Field, “this is because of you, the younger generation, coming to the table to advocate and the Mayor listening to your voices.”

Mayor Caldwell shared that the City budget to be announced later this week includes $1.2 million in funds to try to find a new solution for Azevedo Field, which has struggled with repairs for years due to tough clay soil conditions.  Other important projects in Waimanalo continue, including $6 million invested in the past few years into capital improvements to various bathrooms and playgrounds as well as the Waimanalo District Park gym, Waimanalo Beach Park pavilion, and Kaupo Beach Park.

“Sometimes things gotta get ugly before they get better, and that’s what happened,” shared Kalani Kalima, one of the project opponents.  “We would like to mahalo the Aunties and those that had the vision to provide for our keiki.  As makua, we gladly accept the responsibility to utilize lokahi, unity, in all of us coming together, laulima, to work together as one community – kupuna, makua, and 'opio – the kauhale, the ahupua'a, the community of Waimanalo to get our community forward.”

Mayor Caldwell closed, “Our community is built on relationships – and what we are doing today is putting those first and making a commitment to continue doing the hard work together of building a postive future for our kids.  Mahalo to everyone for giving this special place an even stronger voice.”

[mightyheroics]

     Arthur is Maori, Hawaiian and Atlantean. While in his early years, before his mother was forced to leave them, Arthur was told tales of Atlantis and of his mother’s people, Thomas didn’t adopt much of their culture while raising Arthur when his wife was gone, for obvious reasons. So, instead, Arthur was raised more inline with Thomas’ similar but still distinct backgrounds of Maori (on his father’s side) and Hawaiian (on his mother’s side). Arthur is fluent in Hawaiian and english, as he was raised in a household that spoke both from the time of his birth. He is also able to speak and understand Maori, though he isn’t as fluent, mostly from lack of practice. He understands more than he speaks. In many ways, the languages are very similar. Arthur often got made fun of as a child for being different. Amnesty Bay was not an epicenter for diverse cultures and most of its inhabitants were white, with European backgrounds.

     He often got teased for speaking Hawaiian, though this did not deter him, and he was also made fun of for being different, aka not being white, even if it was not on a very malicious level when it came from children. Arthur was different. Arthur was Other. Arthur was also raised with the values of the Hawaiian and Maori people, which were much different from the very American values of the other inhabitants of his Massachusetts town. Arthur was raised to value and cherish concepts like Ohana, laulima (cooperation/helping) and kuleana (responsibility), as well as Aloha (love, compassion) and Malama (to care for). While he was not raised in Hawaii in a more traditional multigenerational family, he was always taught that family was important. Thomas even made a point of bringing Arthur to Hawaii a few times when he was growing up to meet his extended relatives. Similarly, Arthur was taught about:

Whānau is often translated as ‘family’, but its meaning is more complex. It includes physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions and is based on whakapapa. Whānau can be multi-layered, flexible and dynamic. Whānau is based on a Māori and a tribal world view. It is through the whānau that values, histories and traditions from the ancestors are adapted for the contemporary world.

     Basically, family was and remains a big part of Arthur’s upbringing, even if their family only consisted of the two of them. Arthur also maintains many of the Maori traditions and beliefs about life, and the best way to live it. He enjoys traditional arts, has learned how to fight using skills based on Maori practice, and partakes in the haka when the occasion calls for it. He has never been to New Zealand, but plans to visit there one day. Arthur was raised to have great respect not only for his elders and those in his life, but also the ocean and the environment. As a lighthouse keeper, and a fisherman, Thomas Curry (along with Atlanna) instilled in Arthur a love of the sea and all that dwell in it. This, and his desire to look after his father, is one reason why Arthur remains close to Amnesty Bay, even if he’s not there all the time. The waters surrounding their home are in fact, part of his home, and where he feels the most safe and happy.

[sufangyuan-blog]

post 1

Apart from my ElI 80 class, this week I attended  5 other class. They are also two online class which consider a little different with in person class. For those in person class, I think I had a hard time. Art history class, which I find slightly better than other class maybe because the topic is what I interested and familiar with . But My professor speak really fast maybe because the lecture is only 1 and half hour and she has so many material  to cover. My China's political economy professor is a Chinese lady. In her class, the speed was not the problem. The thing is I couldn’t understand of her 50% of her speaking due to the accent( even I have accent too). The good thing is I’m familiar with the topic, it basic talk about Chinese political economy from Mao’s. And the slide are really help, when I got lost of what’s she’s talking about, I just look the slide and take the guess. The art studio class are also difficult. I think its probably because it’s the new area I never learn before. Mostly my class start with a demonstration, that’s the most important part I don’t want to miss. Other than that, I’ll be fine. Some time I don’t know what to do, I just ask the classmate. For my two online class, one excise and one culinary which had no big issues  to me yet. All I need is watching the presentation in Laulima and take the note, reading the text and prepare the exam. For now, there are not too much speaking requirement  yet. But I do have 7-9 presentations in total included the ELI interview project. I feel a little nervous about that. The most memorable stands out is before I thought I could be fine with my political lecture. I was wrong. The accent is really matter. Like I mentioned I only understand 50% of her lecture. Usually  what professor  talk in class consider important, I missed half of her lecture will lead me to a really bad position. What I should do is go back to her book(she writes a book), and focus on the topic I pick to do the presentation. Her grade evaluate is base on one presentation and two paper. The listening strategies I use is look the slide she provide while she’s talking, mostly what she talking about will not too far from the slide. Next time, I think I’m going to choose to seat closer to her. I’m not sure will it help, but definitely I’ll listen more.

Neolithic (Adj) A period that people use grind stone as the tool to raise livestock and agriculture. I heard this word in my art history class, when the first class start the first chapter. When my professor said this word, I kind of knew it, but not 100% sure. After class I use the dictionary to make sure the definition. This is a important period when comes to history, culture and art, I really need to memorize this word. ‘Can you image in neolithic period, people in Yangshao created such an art already?’ I might use this word when I visit a museum or talk art with my friend

Optimum (Adj/N) the most suitable. I heard this word when I watching the intro to fitness and exercise online presentation in Laulima. My professor is trying to tell the differences between health with wellness. The definition of wellness he gave to us is ‘a state of optimum health’. I don’t know what’s the optimum mean, so I stop the presentation and looked it up. After I know the meaning, I wrote the Chinese vision of that word next to the ‘optimum’ incase I forget it. ‘the optimum temperature for a chick is 30-32 Fahrenheit.’ I think I could use this word is my paper.

[makahastudi0s]

😎This that New Vibe ❤️💙🤍 no 🧢 #makahastudios #maskon #besafe #socialdistancing #photoshoot @desireemcnally @contentinmotion.beauty . . . . shop.makahastudios.com #protectingthismoku . . . . . #makahastudios #nanakuli #waianae #makaha #laulima #waianaestrong #nanakulistrong #workhardplayhard #tellingstories #moku #westsidegold #beready #trending #96792 #prideofthewestside #flagshipcollection #hawaiiangold #hawaiian #protectthismoku #weinthistogether #covid_19 #facemask https://www.instagram.com/p/CD957T-hzS_/?igshid=1w4qk103y6n2n

[malialaka]

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A post shared by Temana Kaikoa Ohana (@hawaiianwatermovement)

#Repost 🌱💚#makaainana PATCH no.20: @paepaeoheeia Today we had the opportunity to work hand in hand with the @paepaeoheeia and @kupuhawaii crew to open up our newest patch and got to spend time learning from each other, making new connections and though it was a lot of hard work, at the end of the day we did it TOGETHER. Day in and day out we all work at our respective sites and it’s days like today when we are reminded that collectively we are all working towards the same goal of health and wellness for our community through Mālama ʻĀina ... Aloha ʻĀina ... It’s days like today that we are reminded that TOGETHER anything is possible. . . . . . #itsakakouthing #alohaaina #malamaaina #throughdoingonelearns #makahanakaike #laulima #buildingrelationship #themodernclassroom #hawaiianvalues #handsonlearning #community #hooku_communityday #hookuaaina #hookuaaina2018 #rebuildinglivesfromthegroundup #paepaeoheeia #kupuhawaii

[usfwspacific]

Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument celebrates its 10th Anniversary

The shallow waters and forest of Palmyra Atoll with the text, “Monument[al] Stepping Stones”.  Photo by Kydd Pollock

Comprising some of the most isolated, oldest, and healthiest atolls, reefs, and islands, the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (the Monument) is home to a vibrant underwater and terrestrial world.  Although the Monument is pocketed around the central Pacific Ocean, it is the most widespread collection of coral reef, seabird, and shorebird protected areas under a single nation’s jurisdiction.  These marine and terrestrial refuges sustain many endemic species of corals, fish, seabirds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere.  

On January 6, 2009, the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument was established, surrounding the areas of: Howland, Baker, and Jarvis Islands; Johnston, Wake, and Palmyra Atolls; and Kingman Reef.  We celebrate its 10th anniversary this year and all that the Monument has taught us.

Each land area tells of a unique history in geology, biology, and human history.  

The seven atolls and islands included within the Monument are farther from human population centers than any other U.S. area.  Though they are remote from humans, they are vital nesting habitat for millions of seabirds and resting habitat for migratory shorebirds.  These low-lying islands host up to 15 different breeding seabird species.  Some colonies are large enough to be of international significance.  

A map of the Pacific Ocean showing the 4 Marine National Monuments in relation to each other, including PRIMNM.  Graphic by Holly Richards / USFWS

Long after seabirds and marine mammals had been using these remote islands as stepping stones for their next destination, early Polynesian voyagers stopped here as well when exploring the Pacific.  It is known that Wake Atoll is an important cultural site for Marshall Islanders.  

Several of the islands were annexed by the United States in the 1850s under the Guano Islands Act.  The establishment of trans-Pacific air routes and territorial disputes led to official colonizing efforts by the US in the 1930s under the American Equatorial Islands Colonization Project. In 1935 the US occupied and reclaimed Howland, Jarvis, Baker, and other Pacific islands by sending young men who were mostly Native Hawaiians (now known collectively as Hui Panalā‘au) to construct settlements. In fact, the men on Howland were the ones who prepared for Amelia Earhart and Fred J. Noonan’s flight landing in 1937! However, radio contact was lost and Earhart’s plane never arrived: her fate still unknown. 

The Earhart Light day beacon on Howland Island at sunset. Constructed by the Hui Panalā‘au and named in Earhart’s honor.  Photo by USFWS

On December 8, 1941, a day after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Island territories were also bombed.  Two men were fatally wounded on Howland Island and the rest of the members of Hui Panalā‘au were evacuated in 1942. The contributions and sacrifices made by Hui Panalā‘au established these islands as part of the United States, thus setting the stage for their conservation status as National Wildlife Refuges and Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument today.

The emergent lands at Johnston and Wake Atolls remain under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Air Force, but the submerged lands and waters out to 12 nautical miles are protected as National Wildlife Refuges.  Important restoration work has been conducted for the preservation of wildlife and habitat on many of these refuges: including work towards eradicating the invasive yellow crazy ants on Johnston, the invasive rats on Palmyra, along with the removal of military debris from all of the islands for native habitats and species.

Several grey reef sharks swimming close to the top of the water’s surface at Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.  Photo by Kydd Pollock

These interconnected refuges are key stepping stones for the colonization and dispersal of species across the Pacific Ocean.

The threatened green and endangered hawksbill sea turtles, pearl oysters, giant clams, reef sharks, coconut crabs, groupers, humphead and Napoleon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, spinner dolphins, melon-headed, beaked, and humpback whales - all and more are found within the Monument.  Their abundant populations contrast with other areas where they are greatly depleted; many nationally and internationally threatened, endangered, and diminished species thrive in the refuges of the Monument.  Their history and current presence is what we aim to protect, as the Monument contains some of the oldest and most isolated atolls and reefs.

But what makes these islands and atolls specifically unique?  Here are some quick facts about them that no other place can boast:

Johnston is an ancient atoll, one of the oldest in the Pacific alongside Wake, which is the oldest living atoll in the world! 

Wake Island is a National Historic Landmark for the preservation of sites and artifacts from WWII in the Pacific and the transpacific aviation era prior to the war.

The Monument’s protected waters hold corals that are up to 5,000 years old and as many as 418 fish species and over 180 coral species (at Kingman Reef and Palmyra): numbers that are the highest in the central Pacific. 

Kingman Reef is known to be the most undisturbed coral reef within the U.S., containing a greater proportion of apex predators than any other studied coral reef ecosystem in the world.

Expansive shallow coral reefs and deep coral forests at just Howland, Jarvis, and Barker Islands teem with a fish biomass double than that found in the Hawaiian Archipelago.

Palmyra Atoll consists of over 26 islets, many covered in Pisonia grandis forests: one of the best and last in the Pacific.  These tropical trees provide habitat for 11 species of seabirds, including one of the largest red-footed booby colonies in the world and the largest black noddy colony in the Central Pacific.

A video showing the deep water of Johnston Atoll. Entitled “Forest of the Weird,” it shows a landscape of almost entirely tall glass sponges.  Video by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2017 Laulima O Ka Moana  

Because these atolls and islands are far from population centers and direct human impacts, we can gain knowledge from these protected waters to improve coral reef management in other areas. They are ideal “laboratories” for assessing the effects of climate change. Baker, Jarvis, and Howland islands afford unique opportunities to conduct climate change research at the equator: their coral skeletons recorded the earth's climatic history for millennia!  And by protecting the Monument, future generations of Americans will still have the opportunity to sense the wonder of nature in the heart of the Pacific.  

Want to Know More About these National Wildlife Refuges (NWR)?

Here are more links to describe what it’s like to visit: Jarvis and Palmyra

Take a virtual dive at Palmyra!

Here are more links to photo albums of the different NWR:

Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument

Palmyra Atoll NWR

Kingman Reef NWR

Johnston Atoll NWR

Baker Island NWR