The main stairway leading to the Hale Koa hotel in Waikiki has got to be one of the most confusing ever. If you ever walked up these steps, you know what I mean.
Each step is so long, you need to take an intermediary step just to reach the next step level. So instead of taking one step per leg stride, you have to step, walk on that step, then step up one. It reminds me of entering and exiting a stopped escalator. Your natural body motion gets confused.
You know it’s time for Hawaii elections when you see neighborhood walls covered with campaign signs.
This freezer unit with cube, block, and crush ice surely has character!
From the set of Pirates of the Caribbean 4.
Went to check out the hoopla at Heeia Kea Pier in Kaneohe, the filming site of Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides. Though Captain Jack Sparrow, aka Johnny Depp was no where around, the crowds were still coming. We lucked out with parking right at the pier side and stayed for about 15 minutes.
From the distant public viewing area, you couldn’t see very much of the Queen Anne’s Revenge. Lots of props and equipment blocked a clean view of the ship, and those were skeleton props in the cage hanging from the ship’s stern.
The little deli/supply store at the pier must have had more business than ever during the filming. The panoramic picture was created using Boinx Labs You Gotta See This.
Not sure if these bumper stickers are still there at the Windward end of the Pali, but someone wants to make sure we keep the country cropped.
Not sure where I saw this sign, but I thought it was entertaining:
Las Vegas • Paris • Tokyo • Waimanalo
In July 2009, the family enjoyed the hospitality of the Four Season Lanai, staying at Manele Bay and the Lodge at Koele for a wedding. And who knew the Four Seasons has an active social networking campaign, engaging customers on Twitter and even giving Twitter treats!
In July 2009, the Hawaii State Farm Fair featured a watermelon eating contest which my brother-in-law dominated. Witness.
In July 2009, Pulpconnection had serious technical issues so I upgraded to Dreamhost Private Servers and have been loving it.
In July 2009, Bytemarks presented his informal list of Top 20 Social Media Geeks in Hawaii, and I’m still honored to be recognized.
In July 2009, I saw Jorge Garcia from LOST… again.
Such a busy time was July of 2009. See all the posts from July 2009.
On the heels of touring the USNS Mercy, attending the opening of the RIMPAC 2010 exercise then enraptured by the arrival of Hawaii’s first F-22 Raptors, I had the fortune of flying on a C-17 Globemaster as it performed a simulated airdrop over the Big Island. During these events, my style is to observe and soak in the experience. What definitely left an impression and was clearly evident was the precision, discipline, and safety of our Pacific Air Forces crew.
After receiving the PACAF Command overview and safety briefing, the group was transported to the awaiting Globemasters. Inside this massive flying machine, the Loadmasters were meticulously inspecting the airdrop cargo. Watching them check the heavy equipment airdrop system was like watching an intricate performance. Front to back, side to side, pallet to pallet, the Loadmasters led by Chief Master Sergeant Louis Orrie hovered over the cargo, inspecting, double checking, thoroughly proceeding through their checklists.
Even after crew briefings of the C-17 capabilities and overview of our flight, the Loadmasters rechecked their work after one of the civilians touched or went nearby the cargo. Safety and a successful mission were paramount.
All that preparation was evident as the heavy cargo cleanly exited the plane and began its safe descent to the designated drop zone all within 30 seconds.
After the airdrop were fantastic photo opportunities as our C-17, designated Lava 31, made a second pass with its cargo door open. Staff Sergeant Lucas Crumpton and Senior Airmen Danny Hollister oversaw the safety of the passengers and tethered photographers and videographers for their coverage looking out the cargo bay.
We landed on the Big Island for a few minutes then I had a turn to sit in the C-17 cockpit as it took off behind companion C-17, Lava 32. The instrumentation in the cockpit was overwhelming.
While Major Paul Anderson outlined our flight plan, experienced Captain Alan Partridge turned dials, flipped switches, took the flight stick and in a matter of minutes, we were effortlessly airborne. For such a huge aircraft, the flight of the Globemaster felt smooth and surprisingly nimble.
What else caught my eye (and ear) was the constant communications the crew had with each other. Be it face-to-face talks, discussions on the aircraft’s intercom system, or with hand signals and gestures, the crew remained in concert with constant updates. In the cockpit, focused pilots participated in these discussions along with all the other chatter of the sky. The voices from the control tower, nearby aircraft, and audio warnings overlaid the humming drone of the C-17’s engines.
As a late addition to our flight was the intercept and escort by four F-16 fighter jets. As we made our way back to Honolulu, these jets approached from the sides then took formation behind Lava 32. Wow!
This was an absolutely remarkable and unforgettable experience to witness first hand all the work, man hours, and coordination required to keep our Air Force personnel trained and prepared to defend our nation. Thanks to Pacific Air Forces and the personnel who demonstrated the utmost precision and discipline for a successful mission and ensured the safety of its passengers.
A video collage of the airdrop including the C-17 taking off and the F-16 intercept.
See more pictures from the C-17 Airdrop.
With a vacancy left with the Old Spice Dude saying farewell, I wonder who’d make a respectable Old Spice representative from Hawaii?
How about the iBoxer-posing, redefining sexiness Wayne’s World? Who could be sexier?
Perhaps the the youthful and burger-addicted-vegetarian, Ryan Kanno? But he gracefully declined.
@geewhy Ahaha. Trust me… nobody would want to see me without my shirt on. 😀
Ryan Kanno
ryankanno
Or how about the cerebral physique of @abaggy? That’s a definite match!
Who would be your pick for Old Spice Hawaii?
On Friday, July 9, 2010, Hawaii welcomed the permanent arrival of its first F-22 fighter jets. The F-22 Raptors are significant assets to protect the strategic triangle of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, and their new home, Pacific Air Forces, held an arrival ceremony opened to dignitaries, guests, media, and for the first time, social media enthusiasts. This ceremony did not disappoint, enrapturing the five senses of sight, taste, smell, hearing, and touch.
The F-22 arrival ceremony was a stunningly visual collage backdropped by the decorated Hickam airfield, painted with streaks of the jets making their airborne introductions, adorned with a traditional Hawaiian hula, and accented by the many faces of family and friends.
There was no doubt of the palatable anticipation of the Raptors’ arrival, and when the jets roared through the blue sky, you had to savor moment.
The subtle scents of the morning cannot be forgotten. The day started with the distinct smell of fresh rain gently falling on our Aloha State. Then later, the acridity of jet fuel and exhaust permeated the air as the duo of F-22s approached the crowds.
The sounds of the ceremony ranged from the Air Force band playing familiar classics to the Hawaiian chant of Robert Cazimero to the whine of supercruise-capable, turbofan engines…
… to the spoken accolades of the Raptors’ significance.
a force multiplier… exponential leap in force… envy of the world… unsurpassed capability throughout the Pacific… aim high everyday for freedom.
And lastly, the sense of touch and being touched. The ceremony allowed for close proximity to these $140-million planes and handshakes with distinguished visitors and government leaders. Emotionally touching was the patriotism and pride displayed by the Airmen in attendance.
And what a fitting touch paying homage to Hawaii with F-22 pilot and Commander of the Air Guard’s 199th Fighter Squadron, Lt Col Christopher Faurot, a graduate of local Damien Memorial School and F-22 crew chief, Staff Sgt Ben Nitta, a graduate from Mililani High School.
Thank you to PACAF, the U.S. Air Force, and Pacific Command for this experience.
More links:
It’s too late for inoculations! Bieber fever is infecting Hawaii on October 8 and 9 so grow out your hair, sweep it sideways, and find your most colorful kicks for a night with Justin Bieber.
