Because The Cure Is in Concert
And Facebookers’ timelines are blowing up with The Cure concert highlights, I feel compelled to buy The Cure Greatest Hits
hawaii
Demand a Buttnut
Need comfort food while waiting for tropical storm Flossie to arrive? It’s not too late to partake of the buttnut, Hawaii’s answer to the popular cronut. Well, okay, the real name from Regal Bakery is BUTTerNUT, so it seems like “buttnut” is the intended moniker.
Available in bavarian cream, green tea, and POG, the buttnut isn’t in the same class as THE cronut and probably not on par with the frissant. Personally, I’d rather try out the croissada before demanding a buttnut. But then again, the buttnut is available here and now in the 808 state.
Ready for Tropical Storm Flossie
Are you ready for the potential impact of tropical storm Flossie? While the storm’s strength has been downgraded, the media and the state of Hawaii is taking Flossie very seriously, closing facilities and shutting down services over the weekend.
If you need toilet paper, Palama Market has a sale going on and as a bonus, you’ll be bestowed with wisdom. If you’re anxious about Flossie, let these words calm your spirit as the TP calms something else…
If you have to walk outside in the rain, make sure you’re protected. How about The Wirecutter’s best umbrella, the ShedRain WindJammer. I got mine.
As of Monday morning, perhaps early effects of Flossie were affecting morning commutes.
Do you remember the last time then-Hurricane Flossie approached Hawaii? It was back in August 2007 and brought along the introduction of Olena Rubin.
Stay safe people!
Perry Says Rip It Up!
Perry the platypus says to rip it up in Crazy Shirts’ latest Disney collection.
Google Street View Trekker Hits Hawaii
The popular Google Maps service has a simple goal – to make the perfect map. With views from space to views on the street level to views underwater, you gotta be passionate, dedicated, and just a little bit crazy to get the “perfect map.” And that’s what the team at Google Maps is, a little bit crazy (crazy good, not crazy bad). From a car to a trike to a trolley to a snowmobile and now a wearable backpack version of the Street View Trekker, their passion for the perfect map is crazy.
Partnering with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), Google launched its third party Street View Trekker program. If your organization has amazing visual stories to tell, you can now apply to borrow a Trekker to capture your geographic stories. For the Hawaiian islands, the Big Island will be first to get mapped by Hawaii Forest & Trail whose focus is on popular Hawaii trails.
So what’s the Google Street View Trekker like? Well, it’s like this.
The backpack version is about 40 pounds heavy (with the batteries) holding a ruggedized rig of 15 cameras. Taking pictures every 2.5 seconds to compose a 360-degree view of the surroundings, you’d think this high tech gear is fragile. Not in the least. Constructed to take a fall, this rig is tough and is designed to be exposed to the elements. It raises your profile about 18 inches and along with its weight, your body’s center of mass is significantly altered. You have to be a little bit crazy to take this on a hike! I felt like I’d topple over with every turn, and you can’t lean over otherwise you’d surely topple over. A strong back and strong legs are definitely recommended.
How much does this backpack Trekker cost? A million dollars? Probably not. Buku bucks? For sure, and Google is letting you borrow it. Supposedly it has no comms although I find that highly unlikely since Google has the ability to remotely update and troubleshoot the packs. Images are stored on media cards which are then sent back to Google for processing. The cleaning and stitching of all the images could takes months before they’re live on Street View.
Street View collections recorded with this Trekker should be available in September and who knows, soon enough you may see this Trekker pack roaming the scenery of Oahu.
More pictures from today’s announcement.
Thanks to Nathan Kam for this invitation.
Sargeant Shaka Shirt
Didn’t see the subtle chevron patterns behind the classic Sharka. Hence “Sargeant” Shaka. Click on the image for more details.
Ala Moana Unveilings
In the upcoming weeks, there’ll be some “unveilings” done at Ala Moana. Of course, there’s the grand opening of the new Microsoft Store on Thursday, June 13, 2013. Following the store’s launch is their exclusive concert featuring Macklemore & Ryan Lewis + Neon Trees (at Kakaako however).
The following week on June 19, this mysterious Lexus will be uncovered. It’s a reddish maroon IS model that’s completely covered over, including the wheels. Kinda gimmicky but if the car looked as is, then it’s kinda fascinating.
Even with these unveilings, do not forget the titans.
Where Titans Once Stood
It’s somewhat saddening to see these locations vacated and boarded up. Both stores were long time tenants at their respective shopping malls, Sears at Ala Moana and Cinnabon at Kahala Mall. Now, both are mere shells of these ancient titans.
Signs of Hawaii: What Goes Up
While driving on the H3 headed town bound, you may notice this sign on the underside support pillars of the freeway.
It’s hard to notice while zipping along the H3, but if you’re slowed by traffic then you have a better chance of seeing the sign. Not exactly sure what it says, but it looks like “What goes up must be down.” I don’t know how this sign made it up there and so I don’t know if it’ll come down.
Signs of Hawaii: Unattended Children in Vehicles
Say what? I had to do a double take when I saw this sign at the entrance of Walmart. If there’s a professionally made sign for this, you know there’s got to be precedence. I’ve heard of problems leaving pets in parked cars, but leaving children in parked unattended vehicles?!
And look before you leave? Really? You have to look in the back seat to see if you got your kid back there? This sign is just odd and troubling.
Bikes Be Gone
What does it mean when the rent-a-bike concept fails in Kailua? Obviously, it means a non-profitable business with the disappearance of the rental bikes that showed up in August of 2011.
I can’t say that I’ve ever seen these rentals riding around the Kailua neighborhood.
Signs of Hawaii: Climb at Your Own Risk
Even without the textual caption, this sign makes it evident about what could happen. Where in Hawaii have you seen this warning sign?
