It’s been six months since I started a new health regimen, led by a complete overhaul of what and how I eat. Gone are Coke Zero, things with refined sugar, all cheap carbs (white flour, white rice, white potatoes, pasta, etc.), and anything dairy. All had been staples of my diet for decades. I thought it was going to be more difficult than it was. I’m not someone who can make small, incremental changes to my lifestyle – it’s an all-or-nothing deal for me. I don’t do moderation well. The foundation of these changes has been the mornings. For a…
Getting On The Healthy Train
I’ve not talked about it on social media at all, but after a few “are you OK?” comments after seeing many old friends at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in Honolulu I figured I should spill the beans. No, there’s nothing wrong with me, my health is fine, and better than that – it’s better than it’s been in decades. (Photo to the right: me on Moloka‘i about two years ago) Late last year, after receiving a lot of bad news in my labs, my primary care physician recommended I work with a nutritionist she knows. I was one two high…
We Kinda Did A Thing…
Calling the evening of July 1, 2023 a great one doesn’t do it justice. My fellow bandmates (Tarvin Makia, Jeff Dayton, Māpuana Makia, and Kenneth Makuakāne) and I in A‘ea‘e picked up two Nā Hokū Hanohano Awards for our debut eponymous release, for Hawaiian EP of the Year and – surprise of surprises! – Group of the Year. Kenneth and I also picked up the award for Anthology of the Year (a producer’s award) for his anthology release, “Huliau.” Words can’t express our gratitude. Sadly Kenneth wasn’t present for the awards as his presence was required at a church conference in…
It Was 20 Years Ago Today, Apple Helped ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i To Play…
On August 24, 2002, Apple Computer released Macintosh OS X 10.2. Among the many improvements included in that now-ancient release was the first official support for ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (the Hawaiian language) by any major computer platform. The story, originally published by the Honolulu Advertiser, was syndicated by Associated Press and was picked up by over a hundred news outlets (here it is on MacWorld). Here is the original press release sent out by Hale Kuamo‘o on that date. I later posted a story about how a serendipitous meeting at Apple’s headquarters led to this development. I couldn’t share the backstory…
Getting Māori Language Programming Outside of Aotearoa
Since I began study of te reo Māori a bit over a year ago, I’ve enjoyed watching Māori language TV programming. But it hasn’t always been enjoyable. I first used a VPN connection from my phone, but, well, it’s my phone. I was able to accomplish the same thing on my computer, and also used chromecast to stream the programming from my phone to our TV, but that neither satisifying nor elegant. I also experienced buffering and less-than-optimum video quality on our TV. The Easy Ways There are three relatively easy ways to accomplish this. I’ll only provide a brief…
He Roa Te Wā (It’s Been A Long Time)
It’s been nearly four years since I’ve done anything significant with this website. It was hacked a few years ago and it took some effort and a lot of help from the folks at Pacific Pro-Tech Services to get it ressurected. I noticed that most of the graphics are broken and I’m working with them to get them working again. The only significant new post here was my development of a Hawaiian keyboard for Chrome OS, which can be found in the ‘Ōlelo Tech area above. In May 2020 I started a new journey in learning Te Reo Māori (the…
Nā Hōkū Hanohano 101, Part 4: Compilations, Anthologies, and Hybrids
Disclaimer: I am a member of the Board of Governors of HARA, but this document is not an official HARA communication. What I write here is based on my prior experience as a board member, continuting interaction with them and other members, and continuing service on the selection committee. Hopefully it will help, inform and entertain you, but take it with a grain of salt, and a dash of sarcasm. This document was updated on 7/5/17. This is the continuation of a series of essays I posted here, starting a few years ago. I am posting it in the hope…
Back On (The) Board
After a two and a half year long respite from the Board of Governors of the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, I’m back. Or at least I will be back officially after the swearing-in ceremony at the General Membership meeting. Mahalo to the current members of the board for accepting my offer to step back in and fill a vacant seat on the board. The General Membership meeting will be held on November 11, 2015 at Island Sound Studios in Hawai‘i Kai. I hope to see many members there. Please contact the HARA office for more information by calling (808) 593-9424…
Cutting The Cable, Pt 1
A few weeks ago I mentioned to some friends that my wife and I were considering cutting off our cable TV services and simply going with their RoadRunner service for Internet, getting a Roku 3 (about $95) and an HD antenna (about $20 for a basic model from Amazon.com). Weʻre figuring that if we cut the cable TV weʻll be saving $80 or so a month. The HD antenna has not been all that we had hoped. We get the following Hawai‘i broadcast services from our place just above the new Pu‘u Kukui School and below Wailuku Heights: 4.1 –…
Nā Hōkū Hanohano 101, Part 3: Award Categories
Disclaimer: I am a member of the Board of Governors of HARA, but this document is not an official HARA communication. What I write here is based on my prior experience as a board member, continuting interaction with them and other members, and continuing service on the selection committee. Hopefully it will help, inform and entertain you, but take it with a grain of salt, and a dash of sarcasm. This document was updated on 7/5/17. It is important for HARA members, individuals who may submit product for consideration, and fans to understand the various categories for which Nā Hōkū Hanohano…