The domain, iLind.net, was created on January 27, 2000, according to public domain records.

So today is its 12th birthday, anniversary, whatever.

I started in mid-September 1999, when the old Star-Bulletin was targeted for closure. For the first several months, I was blogging–well, it was really before blogging–I was writing online using a bit of web space provided with our home Roadrunner account.

Once it because clear there was going to be a protracted battle over the future of the newspaper, I set up a new site with its own name.

iLind. It seemed simple enough. There was the iMac. Soon to be an iPod, and iPhone. But the name has never really worked. People see and hear “island,” causing endless confusion. I really should choose a less confusing name, but I somehow never get around to it.

Happy Birthday!

I”ve been a fan of her blog, MargaretWille.com, for some time.

In a recent blog post, she announces her intent to run and lists a number of her accomplishments in recent years. An impressive list, for sure. Here are a few items (and be sure to check out the rest).

§ Margaret’s proposed redistricting plan (Plan 40) was selected as the final base Plan for the Hawaii County Council Districts. [Margaret drafted this Plan 40 in consultation with community members around the County to challenge the Commission’s previously preferred Plan that was lop-sided in favor of Hilo.]

§ Margaret submitted various amendments to the County Charter Commission, which as adopted by the Charter Commission, were approved by the voters in 2008. [The amendments she submitted included the original draft of the voter approved “public trust” Charter amendment. The objective of the “public trust” Charter provision is to protect and preserve Hawaiian cultural sites and practices and environmental natural resources. The Charter Commission also adopted suggestions she made to provide internet notification about government meetings.]

§ In a pro bono legal action, Margaret successfully represented Waimea community members to force the County of Hawaii to require Parker Ranch to carry out its obligation to construct the Parker Ranch Connector Road as had been promised in the 1990s. As the result of these legal actions, the Parker Ranch Connector Road (2 phases) was completed in 2008.

§ In another pro bono legal action, while co-chair of the Waimea Planning and Design Committee, Margaret in collaboration with Parker School reached a settlement with the County and Parker School in the context of the school’s planned expansion. The additional permit conditions, as now being implemented, provide for increased pedestrian safety, and mitigation of traffic congestion in Waimea in the area of Lindsey and Kapiolani Roads.

Looking good, Margaret!

I’ve reported the slowdown to my hosting service, and hopefully they’ll be able to tweak things from their end.

So far, the site isn’t “down,” just very slow.

I thought maybe Oceanic Cable was causing problems, but speedtest results show my broadband connection is working just fine.

Thanks for your patience.