I’ve decided that whether or not I have anything to post, I will make at least one post per month here on Culture Hack. Actually I do have things to talk about… While my Fulbright application for UC-Cork was turned down, it apparently isn’t the end of the road. I learned about a new program with a focus on music which may allow me to pursue studies there, and I am preparing an application for it. I’ve also continued my discussions with the folks at the University of Otago in Aotearoa (New Zealand). They are excited about my tentative research…
No Joy In Fulbrightville
I just received the sad word that my Fulbright application was “non recommended”, which means that it will not be sent to Ireland for consideration by their selection panel. While I’m disappointed I’m not really surprised; the scholarships are highly contested and I’m certain that the applicants that they selected were deserving. Unfortunately they provide no feedback whatsoever, so I have no way of knowing what the strengths and weaknesses of my application were. Not that it matters much. My daughter will be a senior in high school in the 2008-2009 year (the next Fulbright cycle), and we both would…
Hawai‘i Music Awards Voting Begins
Aloha everyone, I’d like to ask all of you who are willing to help support my songwriting partner Kenneth Makuak?ne in the Hawai’i Music Awards. Unlike the Grammy and N? H?k? Hanohano Awards in which voting is restricted to members of the recording industry, the Hawai’i Music Awards are open to everyone with an email address. Go to http://www.hawaiimusicawards.com/ and click on the large “Vote” graphic. You will need to enter your email address and the code that appears in order to vote. The categories are listed alphabetically, and “Makuak?ne” is in the “Traditional Hawaiian” category. You can skip categories…
No Joy In Mudville
And Hilo certainly is mudville these days. We’ve enjoyed [sarcasm alert] probably the wettest period of the past 5 or 6 years. I actually enjoy the rain, except that it makes it most difficult to mow the lawn or get anything accomplished outside the house. It also makes my wife miserable. My father, who lives in Kihei on Maui (one of the driest spots in the state) actually has a device next to his bed that generates a rain sound which helps him get to sleep. I know the feeling, the pitter-patter of rain on our metal roof is hypnotic…
Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou!
Aloha k?kou and hau‘oli makahiki hou i? k?kou a pau (Happy New Year to all of us). 2006 went by in a blur and I imagine 2007 will go by even faster. We spent the last week of 2006 on Maui visiting my parents, brother and his family, and my wife’s family as well. I was expecting a lot of rest and relaxation but it was more of a working vacation. I did get to meet up with many old friends, colleagues and former collaborators, and planted seeds for a number of new musical projects. Of course, Kenneth already has…
Mele Kalikimaka and Catching Up
Merry Christmas to the handful of people who actually read this blog. Again, it’s been far too long since my last post. I’ve only been paying attention to this blog as it has been attracting an incredible amount of comment and trackback spam over the past week or so. Thank goodness for Akismet, I finally got around to activating it and I’ve seen none since activating it. My deepest condolences to Conn on the loss of his mother. I lost my maternal grandmother on Thanksgiving day, she was the last of my grandparents. It’s been close to 15 years since…
Woman lights match on plane after passing gas
I can hear the pilot now, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are experiencing severe flatulence and will need to make an emergency landing…”
Second Life One Life Too Many
Thanks to Scott and Conn I jumped into Second Life this week, and in some ways I’m glad I don’t have broadband at home or I’d never get anything done there. I get a few minutes in before and after work, but it certainly could be a time sucker. If you ever run into Keola Prospero, just say “Hi!”, “Aloha!” or “Dia dhuit!”. I got my piece of First Land, but need to pretty it up before inviting anyone over. I did figure out how to use the Media Player, and linked to a video of Kenneth Makuak?ne I recorded…
Manu For OHA
Ho‘okena’s leader Manu Boyd is running for an at-large seat OHA (Office of Hawaiian Affairs) seat. In addition to his work with Ho‘okena, Manu has been Public Information Director at OHA for 14 years, is past president of the statewide Aloha Festivals, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, past commissioner for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and is a renown kumu hula. For all of the good work his done and his striving for excellence in everything he does, Manu has earned my endoresement endorsement. I mua a loa‘a ka lei o ka lanakila! (Go foward and…
Edge Case Becomes Edge Cast
I really admire Conn Ó Muíneacháin and the work that he has done for many reasons, not the least of which being such a strong advocate for the Irish language without approaching it from an academic or theoretical perspective. He simply does what he does in such a way that everyone knows this is simply the way manner in which he goes about his life. I was very much following his lead when I converted my Nahenahe.net podcasts to be exclusively in the Hawaiian language last year. Language blogs and language podcasts shouldn’t just be about the language but in…