MESSAGE FROM OUR VP

Dear Valued go! Customer,

Aloha and welcome to go!, Hawai‘i’s low-fare airline.

Many of you who live in these beautiful isles or are visiting from afar may be living out a long-held dream or indulging a passion for one of the many diverse and exciting opportunities Hawai‘i has to offer. As you turn the pages of innov8, I hope you will be inspired by the wonderful stories of people just like you who are living their dreams and indulging their passions, right here in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. In this issue we feature a couple of my very own passions, sailing and polo, but there are other great stories too on active lifestyles like surfing, skateboarding, and rock climbing. With so many stunning locations and year-round sunshine, why not take this opportunity to do something you have never done before? Now is your chance to get up and go!

With the lowest fares in the market and more than 108 convenient daily flights to choose from, more and more people are seizing the opportunity to visit friends and family, expand their businesses throughout the islands, or simply get out and explore. The lowest fares will always be found on our website at www.iflygo.com. While you are there, simply enter your email address in the go! Exclusives window and be among the very first to get news of our latest deals and promotional fares, and, if you’re planning another trip soon, check out some inexpensive travel insurance and get covered.

After more than three years in Hawai‘i, go! has become a vital player in the local economy. Our pioneering low fares have saved the people of Hawai‘i tens of millions of dollars, which are available to be spent or invested elsewhere in our economy. Through our sponsorships, we are able to provide much-needed support for many grassroots activities in the local communities we serve, including helping to promote healthy lifestyles, contributing to worthy causes, and supporting many cultural and sporting events. It’s our way of saying mahalo, and giving back to the communities that support us.

So whether you are one of our growing number of go!Miles frequent fliers or a guest on board for the very first time, my sincere thanks on behalf of all the go! team for your business and continued support.

Have fun out there.

Paul Skellon

Vice President, go!

アロハ、ようこそ！

ハワイ諸島を結ぶ低運賃シャトル便、 go! エアラインへ。

「 Innov8 」 ９・１０月号のご案内です。

この美しいハワイ諸島にお住いの皆様、また滞在されている方たちの中には、長い間、夢を追い、その実現のために情熱を持ち続けている方たちがいらっしゃることと思います。そんな方たちにとってハワイは、異文化が混じり合い、エキサイティングな出会いがたくさんある所です。それがハワイの魅力の一つなのです。

 go! エアライン機内誌 「 Innov8 」 ９・１０月号 は、そんな夢を追い、情熱を持ち続ける 人々の物語を取り上げました。 私が今、夢中になっているセイリングとポロの特集はもちろん、サーフィン、スケートボード、そしてロッククライミングに関する最新の情報をお届けしたいと思います。数えきれぬほどたくさんの素晴らしいところで、一年中豊かな日差しを浴びながら、是非、この機会に今までにやったことのない新しい経験をしてみませんか？今こそ　go! でチャンスをつかみましょう！

ハワイで最も低価格な運賃設定と、一日あたり 108 便以上ある便利な運航スケジュール。 go! エアラインは、皆様に、ご家族や友人を訪ねるチャンスを増やし、またハワイ諸島のビジネスを広げ、また休暇を利用して冒険にチャレンジもできるのです。

 低運賃サービスをお探しの時は、ウェブサイト www.iflygo.com におこし下さい。お客様のメールアドレスを go!Exclusives 欄に記入して頂ければ、 直に最新の割引価格等のニュースを配信いたします。もし、すぐのご利用の場合は、ぜひ、<低価格旅行保険＞などの情報もあわせてご覧ください。

go! エアラインは、シャトル便サービスの開始より実に３年で、ハワイ諸島の経済を支えるという大切な役割を担うようになりました。この革新的な低運賃シャトル便サービスが、皆様に何千万ドルも節約するチャンスをもたらし、それによって、別の消費や投資に利用され、ハワイの経済に大いに貢献しているのです。 更に go! エアラインは、スポンサーシップを通して、地元コミュニティーに根ざした多くのグラスルーツ活動、健康的なライフスタイルの促進のための支援をしたり、と沢山の文化活動、スポーツイベントなどを サポートしています。それが私どもをサポートして下さっている地元コミュニティーの皆様に、感謝の気持ち「マハロ」をつたえることなのです。

すでに go!Miles メンバーの皆様、またこの機会に新しく go! エアラインをご利用のあなた、わたくしが go! エアラインを代表いたしまして、今回のご利用と継続的なご支援に心から感謝いたします。

Paul Skellon

Vice President go!

 GIVING BACK: BEACH CLEANUPS

Title: Giving Back: Beach Cleanups 

Image: Ryo Kubota

 There are two things an avid surfer needs: one is good waves, and the other is clean oceans and beaches. Two organizations have dedicated their time and energy to satisfy at least one of these needs. We will have to leave the good waves to someone else. 

Surfrider Foundation: Celebrating over twenty-five years of success this year, the Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves, and beaches. Originally founded in 1984 by a handful of surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation has expanded globally to include over fifty thousand members and ninety local chapters. With several hundred coastal victories under its belt, the Surfrider Foundation has become the world’s leading nongovernmental organization dedicated to the protection of our planet’s coastlines.

B.E.A.C.H: Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i (B.E.A.C.H.) is a nonprofit, volunteer organization concerned with bringing awareness and solutions to the problem of marine debris and litter on Hawai`i’s beaches.  B.E.A.C.H. organizes litter-prevention campaigns, presentations to schools and community organizations, and beach cleanups in order to educate the community about the need to care for Hawai`i’s beaches, coastlines, and marine life.

Get involved:

Surfrider Foundation O‘ahu Beach Cleanups (www.surfrider.org/Oahu)

                When: Sunday, August 30, 2009 (2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.)

                Where: Sand Island

                When: Saturday, September 19, 2009 (9:00 a.m.)

                Where: Maunalua Bay

Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i (B.E.A.C.H.)  (www.b-e-a-c-h.org)

                When: Saturday, September 5, 2009 (8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)

                Where: Kahuku Beach

ELEMENTS

Title: Biodegradable what?

Words: Jennifer Homcy

Pull Quote: "’BioDegradable plastic’ is an oxymoron!” 

The green movement is taking off like a fleet of fighter jets defending

our country, except some of the pilots are not qualified to fly.  The false

claims to being "eco" this and "environmentally friendly" that are as

common as rubber slippers in Waikiki. 

This labeling epidemic is commonly referred to as "green washing."

Sourcewatch.org defines greenwashing as "the unjustified appropriation of

environmental virtue by a company, an industry, a government, a politician,

or even a nongovernment organization to create a pro-environmental image,

sell a product or a policy, or to try and rehabilitate its standing with

the public and decision makers after being embroiled in controversy." 

With greenwashing in mind, I offer you this food for thought: What does biodegradable

mean? And why do biodegradable plastics exist? According to Webster's Dictionary, biodegradable –means that a material is capable of being broken down, especially into innocuous products, by the action of living things (microorganisms).  For a plastic to be biodegradable, it must be capable of degradation by living organisms. Does this mean that living things eat plastic and the chemicals that they are composed of? What?

Living things, in general, cannot and do not degrade plastic.

To claim that a product is bridgeable, companies add cornstarch to plastics so that

living organisms can eat the cornstarch out of the plastic, thereby

breaking the plastics down into smaller microplastic particles. Can you say “greenwashing”?

At this point, you may be asking, "What's wrong with that?" Here are a few facts:

1. Plastics, when heated or cooled, release carcinogenic dioxins into

liquids.

2. DDTs, PCBs, and other dangerous carcinogenic toxins bond to

plastics, which hyperconcentrate in the food chain (bioaccumulation).

3.  All marine life begins with primary producers (plankton) and small

fish and invertebrates, most of which filter feed (you guessed it—now on

to plastic).

4. Because these particles become so small over long periods of time,

they become less obvious and nearly impossible to remove.

We as consumers are being fooled daily by deceptive labeling and

marketing. Even the local health food stores have sadly announced their

switch to "biodegradable plastic bags." This labeling is currently under review by the

Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Since very few standards and regulations exist in the green products

industry, take your time to investigate the labeling claims. 

How a product is packaged says a lot.  Look for materials and printing that

are minimal, easily recycled, made from post-consumer recycled materials,

and that may have an alternative use. POM Tea is bottled in a glass  that can be used for drinking at home. (Reuse, reuse, and reuse again!)

When looking for alternatives to plastic, focus on things like

"biocompostable" and "made from corn" (such as Styrophobia and World

Centric). The best advice is for consumers to support local businesses that have made a sincere commitment to high environmental standards. Isn't your health and the health of the planet worth it?

 Green fundraising raises funds and awareness 

Did you ever think about the true cost of a fundraiser? It’s ironic how many fundraisers neglect to consider the social and environmental impact of their activity, when many of the funds they are raising will be used to support a social or environmental issue. The true cost of fundraising considers the economic, environmental, and community impact of the fundraiser.  Some things to consider:

Does your fundraiser use locally produced and sustainable goods and services? Selling locally produced products and services has a greater positive effect on the local economy. For example, when a fundraiser sells a bucket of popcorn made on the Mainland, the dollars used to purchase the popcorn leave the island. Better to buy from a local popcorn producer. Better still to purchase from a local popcorn producer that uses locally grown corn. Then more money stays in the economy, and you support local farmers.

Does your fundraiser have a negative environmental impact?  Look for products that are sustainably produced, or have zero carbon footprint. Many fundraising items are made overseas. But these items are often produced in poor work environments and must travel a few thousand miles to arrive in Hawai‘i. Consider making leis from local renewable plants and selling them as a fundraiser. This will reduce the need to ship items long distances, and reduce the carbon footprint. And you can easily track the environmental impact if the product is produced locally.

Does your fundraiser make the community better? Selling goods and services that support the community is better for the community. Selling throwaway items, such as candy or cheap trinkets, encourages people to be unhealthy and wasteful. Consider selling items that encourage health, or that encourage people to take positive action.  Make sure the fundraiser is in line with your organization’s mission and vision.

The 2010 HonuGuide (www.honuguide.com), set to launch in October 2009, is one example of a green

fundraising tool. It offers local, green discounts and resources that encourage support for the local economy, while educating people on how to live more sustainably. The environmental impact (or carbon footprint) of the publication has been offset by using Evolution Sage services, and it was printed locally with Hagadone Printing. And fundraising with the HonuGuide supports the community by encouraging people to visit local farmers’ markets and to shop at locally owned stores. It’s something that you feel good about selling.

To find out more about local, green fundraising with the HonuGuide, visit www.honuguide.com.

 SHOP: FROM HIPPIE TO HIP

Title: From Hippie to hip

Words: Leena Haija

Images: Leena Haija

Pull Quote: From timeless tees and the latest denims to sexy bikinis and edgy accessories, this store brings together flashy and classy in one beautiful storefront.

 You’ve enjoyed mai tais by the hotel pool, you’ve had your fill of water sports, and you’ve dined at some of Maui’s most fabulous eating establishments. What’s left to do before you head back to the daily grind of reality?  Shopping, of course!

Pa‘ia on the north shore of Maui is a shopper’s paradise.  This one-time hippie art town now offers an array of specialty stores, boutiques, antique shops, and award-winning restaurants unlike any others on the islands. 

Upon entering the main street of Pa‘ia, you will see the boutique Nuage Bleu located on Hana Highway.  This upscale women’s and children’s boutique has been a fixture in town for over twenty years and features a long list of trendy labels, such as Juicy Couture, Ella Moss, and Trina Turk. Also featured is the current summer sandal trend among celebrities—the beaded and glamorous Mystique Sandals.  Whether you are just passing through Pa‘ia or shopping for the day, Nuage Bleu is THE must-shop spot. 

Cross the street to find Imrie, a rock-n-roll meets surf-style boutique that takes beachwear to a whole new level.  With store locations in Westhampton Beach, New York, and Pa‘ia, these sister store-owners, Tamsan and Caitlin, know fashion.  From timeless tees and the latest denims to sexy bikinis and edgy accessories, this store brings together flashy and classy in one beautiful storefront.

As you explore and enjoy the two main streets of Pa‘ia, you will find over fifteen amazing shops.  However, none is more distinctive than Lilikoi Beauty on Baldwin Street. This quaint beauty bar is filled with the best organic, natural, and Hawaiian skincare products that the industry has to offer.  Whether you are looking to tame damaged hair, treat dry skin, or infuse your space with a tropical fragrance reminiscent of your island vacation, this charming beauty boutique has it all. 

Pa‘ia has fully embraced sustainability. Many of the restaurant’s menus are filled with locally grown produce and organic ingredients, and every boutique has converted to paper or fabric shopping totes. Bring along your reusable shopping totes or a beach bag and do your part to keep the islands beautiful.

While Pa‘ia is not considered off the beaten path, it is a great escape from the hotel-lined streets of Lahaina and Kihei, and a fabulous way to wrap up your stay on Maui.  

LOOKS: FASHION IN ACTION

Title: Fashion in action

Words: Melissa May White  

This year’s fall fashion has legs, and Hawai‘i’s seasonless style mavens are maxing it out on land and water, whether cruising downtown on fixie (a.k.a. fixed gear) bikes, skateboarding through Waikiki, longboarding a south swell, or shredding at A‘ala Skate Park. 

Roller Girls – Locally designed Made By Dawn swimsuits look seventies-sassy when paired with neon scarves, gobs of costume jewelry, and sand dollar-sized shades.

Fashion Fix – Sugary vintage frocks get toughened up with a dose of biker-chick attitude. 

Shredded & Threaded – Girls just wanna have fun—sassy ‘80s-inspired looks make for some serious eye candy. 
 
In the Fray – Louche, minimally styled locks (and a healthy dose of salt spray) take the polished edge off slinky maxi dresses.   

Photographer for Surf and Hotel Renew: Dave Homcy

Hair and Makeup: Nalani Ranis and Denica Jacinto

Photographer for Skate and Fixed Gear: Haj Gollestani

Hair and Makeup: Nalani Ranis

Stylist: Anné Au

Assistant Stylist: Matt Bruening and Inae Bloom

Skate Fashion:

Kiani Yamamoto is statuses in a black ‘80s CLOTH leather and lace ruffle dress,

hot pink CLOTH sash, So Good black glass necklace, and stylist’s heels.

Jeannie Randall is rocking a CLOTH navy velvet bustier dress, bleached-out Diesel denim, So Good multichain necklace, and stylist’s heels.

Fixed Gear Fashion:

Kiani Yamamoto is stellar in a CLOTH fuchsia floral-print vintage frock, So Good clear chandelier necklace, Colleen’s Vintage clear resin bracelets, CLOTH black feather headband, and own shoes.

Jeannie Randall is fixing it in a pale pink ‘70s CLOTH mini, So Good black bead and gold necklace, So Good arrow and rhinestone necklace, So Good square black and crème bracelets, CLOTH brown feather headband, blue RVCA knee highs, and own boots.

Surf Fashion:

Crystal Thornburg is toes to the nose in a fire-red CLOTH vintage evening dress, Colleen’s Vintage red rhinestone and gold long necklace, and Colleen’s Vintage clear rhinestone and gold choker.

Kiani Yamamoto is radiant in an ocean-length vintage white-and-black CLOTH dress, Colleen’s Vintage gold and bead necklace.

Hotel Renew:

Crystal Thornburg is fly in a striped green-and-yellow Made by Dawn one-piece, CLOTH hot pink headband, So Good gold and bead necklace, So Good black and gold bracelets, Colleen’s Vintage clear resin and white resin bracelets, and stylist’s own shirt, sunglasses, and shoes.

Kiani Yamamoto is hot in a red-and-blue Made by Dawn one piece; CLOTH vintage Hawaiian floral-print jacket; Electric sunglasses; So Good square bracelets, silver and resin bracelets, and black glass necklace; own shoes; and stylist’s head scarf.

ARTS: STATE OF ALOHA

Title: Film: State of Aloha

Words: Sarah Honda

Pull quote: “Working on this documentary project was a tremendous opportunity, as well as a responsibility."

Anne Misawa knows about the Aloha State, and she has a story to tell. Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Anne graduated from University of Southern California’s Graduate Film and Television Program, and has worked internationally in the film industry as a producer, director, cinematographer, and editor for thirteen years. Her directorial credits include Waking Mele (2000 Sundance Film Festival) and Eden’s Curve (2003 Emerging Film Best Feature Award, NCGLFF), and her work as a cinematographer includes many award-winning films, including director So Yong Kim’s Treeless Mountain (2008 Toronto International Film Festival, 2009 Berlin International Film Festival, and 2009 New Directors/New Films). In addition to her professional filmmaking career, Anne also teaches film production and cinematography at the Academy for Creative Media, University of Hawai‘i.

Anne’s latest directorial work is the documentary State of Aloha, which traces Hawai‘i’s fifty years of statehood and includes thirty key interviews. It is the culmination of a larger research project entitled the Hawai‘i Statehood Project," prepared by the University of Hawai‘i’s Academy for Creative Media.

"Largely anchored by personal narrative, the motivating paths toward statehood are addressed, as well as the legacy left behind," says Anne. "We tried to have interviewees who would cover a representative span of the population here, including people from the political, cultural, business, and academic communities, as well as the person next door. "

Students at the Academy for Creative Media were able to work alongside professional mentors on all aspects of production on State of Aloha. Through preproduction and research, questions from students came up regarding the historical elements. Students often had strong opinions regarding the legacy of statehood, but little historical context, so a decision was made to show the historical steps towards statehood for Hawai‘i, and the motivating forces that wanted or did not want statehood. "We also couldn't ignore the dynamic current dialogue regarding statehood and its legacy," says Anne.

"I was personally very interested in showing the diversity of people and viewpoints in Hawai‘i regarding the topic and, especially, in the opportunity of being able to put some of our kupuna’s personal narratives to tape," says Anne. "Working on this documentary project was a tremendous opportunity, as well as a responsibility."

 State of Aloha is playing at the twenty-ninth annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF), October 15–25, 2009. For more information on HIFF, how to buy tickets, and how to become a member, go to www.hiff.org.

The term “State of Aloha” is a reference to Reverend Abraham Akaka's sermon of March 13, 1959.

Excerpt: "The fears Hawai’i may have are to be met by men and women who are living witnesses of what we really are in Hawai’i, of the spirit of Aloha, men and women who can help unlock the doors to the future....

This kind of self-affirmation is the need of the hour. And we can affirm our being, as the Aloha State, by full participation in our nation and in our world. For any collective anxiety, the answer is collective courage."

PERSPECTIVES

____________________________________________________

Title: SURFING Maui with Ian Walsh (and his goat)

Words: Ian Walsh

Images: Zak Noyle

Not many people can say they have surfed the big waves of Jaws in Maui. And even fewer people can say they have surfed a seventy-foot wave. Maui resident Ian Walsh is known for doing both. If he could just teach his goat to surf, he would really make the record books.

Who is Ian Walsh? The son of Peter and Kitty and the brother of Luke, Shaun, and D.K.

If you could be the leader of a country, which one would it be and why? Upcountry Maui, it's nice...

Finish the following: Goats are cool because... They thoroughly love grass

 What makes you feel the aloha? Maui.

Swine Flu—vaccinate or don't vaccinate? What's that?

How are you Innov8tive? I have goats for lawn mowers...

 SKATEBOARDING

______________________________________________________

Title: SKATE

Images: Bayly Buck

Hello, BMW. First off, how many years have you been skateboarding?

I think I’m close to nine years now.

I hear you’re quite the ladies man. What is your best pick-up line?

Ya, I can pull a pretty nice nose bone (skate trick)! -

Give me your thoughts on the local term "we grew here, you flew here."

I grew up on the North Shore of O‘ahu and graduated from Kahuku High School.  That term’s pretty popular, ha ha, but I think it’s mostly intended towards people who just show up somewhere new and forget to respect the people who grew up there.  Hawai‘i is so small, so it’s understandable that people get territorial.

What is your relationship to marine life artist Wyland?

My father Bill Wyland is the founder of Wyland Galleries in Hawai‘i, and his older brother, my uncle, is Wyland the artist.  I just call him Uncle Wy.

With traffic as bad as it is here in Honolulu, how do you manage with such a crappy automobile?

They’re asking about my VW Bug!  I currently own a 1967 Bug. It’s the best car, people don't know, ha ha!  Hawai‘i is the perfect place to drive an oversized go-cart.

You always have a tan. Do you go to the tanning salon or do you actually surf?

Ahhh, common, I surf.  It’s a really nice remedy and change of pace from coming home every night with a swollen elbow or bad road rash from skateboarding.  I have been surfing a lot this summer, but Town is so crowded, and the vibe out there is nothing like it is on the North Shore. I can’t wait for the winter!

What is your current occupation?

I'm kind of balancing between three jobs.  I teach surfing at Hans Hedemann Surf School, work at Hale‘iwa Wyland Galleries with my buddy Matt (stop in for some of his famous sangria and the best selection of artwork), and I work at Al's Tinting in Pearl City, where I learned that literally anything can be tinted, ha ha! Oh, and I'm a student.

Who supports your skateboarding nowadays?

A‘ala Park Boardshop (APB) in Chinatown, Emerica shoes, RVCA clothing, Almost skateboards, Hoven sunglasses, my friends and family, mom and dad definitely, ha ha!  Also, Fitted Hawai‘i.

Last, but not least, how are you innov8tive?

I think it’s important if you are a boarder to board on everything. I even try to make it out to the snow at least once a year to get in some powder snowboarding—mammoth in February, unreal!  Most of all, you just gotta remember why you do it, because you love it!

 POLO

______________________________________________________

Title: POLO: Food, Community, and Horses

Words: Tyler Mongan

Pull quote: "It’s an addictive sport."

Everyone is welcome at the polo field. At least that is the message Enrique Diaz, founder of the Hawai‘i Polo School, would like to share with Hawai‘i. He has lived a life that many Argentinean boys can only dream about. Inspired by his first encounter with a horse and rider, Enrique was determined to work with horses at a young age. By thirteen, Enrique was a student of polo. "Although it takes about twelve months to train a world-class polo horse, it takes more than a lifetime to train a world-class polo player," notes Enrique. "You'll never learn everything about polo in one lifetime," he continues, as he explains his over thirty years of studying, playing, and teaching the game on a world-class level.

Every Sunday afternoon throughout the summer you can discover the game of polo on the North Shore of O‘ahu. It may seem like an unlikely setting for a sport that has such a "proper" air to it. With the feeling of a royal occasion, shampooed horses and perfectly manicured riders strut onto the field.  But it's the ocean backdrop, family picnics, and community feel that make the Hawai‘i Polo Club experience unique.

With over one hundred years of history in Hawai‘i, the sport and lifestyle of polo is still very much alive and well. "It's an addictive sport," notes Dallas, a seventy-two-year-old ex-pilot who started training with Enrique just three years ago. "The horses respond like fighter jets—you think it and they react."

Five students from the University of Hawai‘I at Manoa are determined to make polo a permanent part of Hawai‘i's lifestyle. Chelsea and Alyssa, currently members of the UH Polo Club, moved from Town to the North Shore so they could dedicate more time to studying  polo. "I’ve got a family," states Alyssa. "Without Enrique's school, I would never have the chance to play polo."  With international media starting to take interest, the UH team may have the opportunity to play Stanford, Enrique's old stomping grounds, sometime in the near future.

With the support of the Dailey family, the driving force behind the Hawai‘i Polo Club, and Dillingham Ranch, which leases the land to the club, Enrique is living his dream.  He has spent the past three years clearing the land, training horses and riders, and converting part of the grounds into a community of polo enthusiasts. Enrique's hope is to see polo become a welcomed community sport throughout the islands. His next mission is to organize a once-a-year polo exhibition in Kapi‘olani Park in Waikiki, where it was last played in 1963.

What makes Enrique happy? "Happy polo players, happy spectators, and happy parents," watching their children and friends enjoy the game of polo.

You can enjoy the game of polo and make Enrique happy every Sunday afternoon at Dillingham Ranch in Mokule’ia. Gates open at noon. For more information visit: Hawaiipolo.com

GO! MARATHON

Title: Go! Marathon

Words: Val Ogi from go!

How long have you worked for go!

Since the initial start up in April 2006.

What do you like about Hawaii?

I love the mix of people and their cultures, Oahu will always be home, I was born and raised here.

Describer yourself in one sentence. I have a positive outlook in life, and always wear a smile, it never goes out of style.

How many marathons have you been in? 24

How many days a week or hours a week do you dedicate to running? 3 days, 5–30 hours a week depending on training schedule.

Where is your favorite place to eat and refuel? Café Laufer after our Sunday morning run.

What keeps you going when a run gets tough? Visualizing the finish line, because I know that I have to finish.

What is your best marathon time? Honolulu Marathon 4:21, Volcano 5:29 (usually takes an hour longer than a regular marathon).

When you’re not running, what do you do? Eat out, that’s why I need to run so that I can eat all the great food on this island.

KAMA A-INA SPECIAL

Title: Kama a-ina special
Words: Fitted Hawai‘i
Images: Fitted Hawai‘i

Being Hawaiian to me means being proud of who we are and where we come from. The rich history and mana’o passed down from our elders are what keep our traditions and culture vividly alive. We as Hawaiians had control of our land, ideas, and traditions over two centuries ago. I can’t help but imagine what life was like back then. The transition from the old independent chiefdoms to a monarch in favor of an elected legislature…the protocols of the reigning dynasty and attending royal galas…the way us

Hawaiians lived in the country…it still intrigues me. Meet Uncle Bill (William John Kaihe’ekai Mai’oho), a sixth-generation kahu (honored attendant, guardian) and a direct descendant of the two brothers, Ho’opili and Ho’olulu, on the state seal. Uncle Bill, a man who has a very unique position as kahu of Mauna ‘Ala (the Royal Mausoleum of Hawai‘i) is rich with knowledge. His grandfather’s side of the family was chosen by King Kamehameha the Great to make sure no one would find his iwi (bones) once he passed away. It is believed that one’s mana (power) is found in one’s bones. Sitting with Uncle Bill is like entering a portal that travels back in time through the centuries. The knowledge he has accumulated over the years is boundless, and the fact that he’s willing to share his wealth of wisdom is something to admire. Besides giving a tour of the grounds, Uncle Bill was kind enough to sit down and answer a few questions, speaking on topics ranging from the different royal monarch families that are buried there to the unique laws applied on the property.

1. Hello, Uncle Bill. Could you please start by letting everyone know how many generations your family has been caring for the property here in Nu’uanu.  For the last three generations: my grandfather, my mother, and myself.

2. Exactly who is buried here? The Kamehameha dynasty, which is the first to have been placed at Mauna ‘Ala. That is from Kamehameha the second to the fifth, and there are a total of twenty-four Kamehamehas buried here. We also have the Kalakaua dynasty, where there are members of King Kalakaua’s family and Queen Kapi‘olani’s family, for a total of twenty members of the Kalakaua family. Then we have the Wylie crypt, named after a government official during the Kamehameha dynasty, and it also contains eight members of Queen Emma’s family. Lastly, we have the grave site of John Young. John Young and Isaac Davis were the two foreign sailors who helped Kamehameha create the Kingdom of Hawai‘i.

3. Who was initially responsible for setting aside these grounds for the royal families? King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma.

4. I heard somewhere that local laws do not apply to the property. Is this true? That’s not true, but the state and federal land laws do not apply to Mauna ‘Ala.

5. Living this close to so much mana, you must be constantly visited by spirits from the past. Would you care to share any of these experiences? Those are gifts from my ancestors, so I do not share these experiences with anyone.

6. Has any individual or group ever tried to take bones or artifacts from the property? There really hasn’t been any desecration of the burial sites or crypt sites of Mauna ‘Ala, although the fence was once vandalized and one of the small crowns pried from it.

7. Is there anything visitors should absolutely not do when they visit the grounds? You can take pictures of the chapel and the Kalakaua crypt, but no video or camcorders are allowed to film in either of these places.

8. Please describe what it means to you to be a Native Hawaiian? In today’s modern world, I am privileged to practice this sacred aspect of our culture.

 IN MOTION: I CLIMB ROCKS

Title: I climb rocks

Words:  Jennifer Hee

Pull quote: “I consider climbing Hawaiian rock sacred, a Mayan temple, a secret I want to tell only my best friends about…”

Rock Climbing in Hawaii

I can see the anchor just a few feet, a few moves away.  Is it possible?  Both feet cramp while toeing a too-smooth smear, fingers pinching a crimper.  Believe in friction, trust in man-back.  I want to make the next move, want there to be another hold beyond what I can see.  Let go, self, let go.  I reach up.

This time there’s nothing there.

Swinging out into midair, I am terrified and I am alive.

I don’t know what confuses people more—telling local people I was born and raised here in Hawai‘i but cannot surf, or that I climb, to which they respond, “What do you climb?” -- “Rocks, I climb rocks.”

Every time I’ve tried to surf, it’s ended up with me caught in the crush of the wave, bikini around my neck, salt water up my nose and down my throat in the I-used-the-Neti-Pot-Wrong-Again kind of way, with the sense that I almost just died. 

I don’t kayak, dive, stand on a board and paddle between islands, or mountain bike either, but this is not what concerns Hawai‘i. You fail a test of kama’aina-ness if you can’t surf.

What can I say?  I’m an up girl. 

It should be no surprise that climbing in Hawai‘i is phenomenal.  Yet, most people are indeed surprised that there is a small but dedicated climbing community, consisting mostly of Mainland transplants, college students, and military people.  The experience of spending a day scaling cracks, arêtes, and face climbs on eighty-five-foot cliffs, one thousand feet above the Mokule’ia shoreline, jumping into the ocean for a post-climb rejuvenator, heading to Celestial Natural Foods for further rejuvenation in the form of Matte Lattes—is my Hawai‘i.  I consider climbing Hawaiian rock sacred, a Mayan temple, a secret I want to tell only my best friends about, or, in this case, all of you reading this piece, because I need to make a living, and selling secrets is lucrative business in tough times. 

Still, I can’t help but want to share the same exhilaration I experienced when lucky enough to meet the friend of a friend from the University of Hawai‘i who climbed, and introduced me to what my own island had to offer. 

To explain the peace of being on top a mountain all day, overcoming physical and emotional impossibilities, on a backdrop of nothing but blue sky, a bluer ocean, watching skydivers tracing helixes down through the air.

Yes, I just called rock climbing peaceful.  Climbing makes it impossible to be anywhere but on the rock, your survival instincts forcing your thoughts into sharp focus.  Breathe.  Assess.  Move.  Breathe.  Don’t look down.  All you are aware of is your next best move, and your belay partner many feet below, who is disconcertingly eating from a bag of chocolate-covered espresso beans with her lock-down hand and flirting with the belay partner over on the route next door.

No bother.  You are in the moment.

This is what I want to share.

If interested in climbing, it’s important to understand the inherent, often unpredictable risks involved, and take every precaution to prevent unnecessary injury.  The best place to get started is Climb Aloha, the store Mike Richardson opened in 1999.  There you can rent or buy gear, sign up for lessons, and get more information on our three well-maintained, accessible climbing sites on O‘ahu--Makapu’u, Mokule’ia, and Waimea Bay.

Makapu’u

Ideal for beginners, the Makapu’u site is a forty-foot chunk of rock, an easy fifteen-minute hike from the Makapu’u lookout parking lot.  The trail is hard to discern from the parking lot, but hike along the ridge until a path emerges to the right of an old bunker.  Continue until the trail opens to an exposed plateau, with the top of the climbable rock in the foreground.  You’re at the right rock if you see bolts marking routes and anchors.  This site is incredibly beautiful, but if another group is climbing at Makapu’u, it’s crowded. 

Mokule’ia

Going to the Mokule’ia Wall, you might feel as though you’re lost on the Lost set.  The hike begins at an almost imperceptible indentation in the underbrush, about five minutes after passing the YMCA’s Camp Erdman on the North Shore.  If you hit Kaena Point, you’ve gone too far.  The secret to finding the trailhead is to drive five miles per hour shortly after passing the signature yellow cabins of Camp Erdman.  Have your belayer/passenger stare vigilantly at the chaotic superweeds on the mountain-side of the road, until you see a narrow dirt trail begin and end in the overgrown greenery.  Expect a short but challenging hike to the climbing wall. 

Waimea Bay

Don’t expect a full day of bouldering at Waimea—after about an hour on the fingertip-unfriendly Waimea rock, you’ll be ready to shake the chalk off your hands and jump in the ocean.  As you approach the ocean from the parking lot, you’ll see a wall with signature chalked-up holds on the left side of the beach. 

The six steps to becoming a local climber, in just five steps:

1.  Take a beginner’s class with Hawai‘i Rocks Climbing School.

2.  Get addicted.

3.  Spend your last paycheck on gear at Climb Aloha.

4.  Convince your friends to trust you with their lives, and take them up for an unforgettable day at the Mokule’ia Wall.

5.  Stop staring at the surf below.  You can dawn patrol tomorrow.

www.rockclimbinghawaii.com

An excellent resource for detailed information on Hawai‘i’s current climbing sites.

www.climbaloha.com

Find out about lessons, shop for gear, acquire a belay slave on the forum, rent commercial rigging equipment.

Hawai‘i Rocks Climbing School

Hawai‘i’s Source for Outdoor Climbing Courses, Guiding, and Commercial Services

Phone:  (808) 387-7825

E-mail:  [email protected]

Climb Aloha

Hawai‘i’s Climbing Shop

2241 Noah St.

Honolulu, HI 96816

Phone:  (808) 391-3575