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It's just 4:15 a.m., and Starbulletin.com has today's edition online already. I'm not sure how early the S-B is getting online on a daily basis, but it is certainly quite a bit earlier than previously. Progress.

From the "Duh" file, did you notice this little item in the Star-Bulletin's "Police, Fire, Courts" briefs last week (Nov. 20)? Read on....

Accused bank robber left note with name

A man charged with three bank robberies left a note at one of the banks that included his name and other personal information, according to court documents.

Police said Fernando Matutina, 36, was arrested in Kalihi on Monday and was charged yesterday with robbing the Kalihi Branch of First Hawaiian Bank on Oct. 3, Bank of Hawaii's Mapunapuna Branch on Oct. 7 and the Kalihi Branch of Hawaii National Bank on Monday.

In all three robberies, Matutina allegedly handed bank tellers notes stating that he had a gun or knife and demanding money.

In the Oct. 7 robbery, according to the affidavit, Matutina passed a second note to the teller that included his name and Social Security number.

Using the information on the second note, police identified Matutina and found him at a Kalaepaa Drive address.

Police said Matutina admitted robbing the banks.

Police officials would not comment on why they believe Matutina left his personal information at the bank.

[emphasis added]

Kudos to Sen. Les Ihara and the Office of Information Practices. Ihara prompted an OIP review of the Board of Regents' meeting agenda, according to a story in today's Honolulu Advertiser. The agenda failed to comply with the Sunshine Law in key respects and led to several committee meetings being cancelled and some agenda items deferred.

November 28, 2003 - Friday

The Washington Post reports today on the expanding investigation into the leak disclsoed earlier by Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Indoor rowing? I'd never heard of such a thing until I got a recent email from my cousin, Joan Van Blom, in Long Beach, California.

Joan, a three-time Olympic rower, sent along some information on her world record for her age group and division in indoor rowing competition. In December, she'll be part of a U.S. team heading to Paris for the 1st Annual European Indoor Rowing Championships.

It sounds kind of funny, sitting in a row of rowing machines which measure "distance" rowed in meticulous detail, but if Joan is any indication they've got some great athletes involved. She said some competitors are long time rowers like herself, while others have never been in the water. And at least one listing of the 12-member team includes Honolulu resident T.J. Oesterling, who pops up in a Google search as an Outrigger Hotels exec. There's a sports story waiting to be told in more detail.

Thanksgiving started out like this, clear and relatively calm. But it started drizzling late in the afternoon, and rained most of the night. The rain has continued on and off until this morning. It's still a little too dark to see what it looks like outside now. Ms. Harriet has been out there all night. I'll search for her after our walk when it's light.

Kaaawa dawn Thanksgiving Day, 2003

November 27, 2003 - Thursday

The Star-Bulletin's Susan Essoyan's reporting of Gov. Lingle's attack on DOE spending patterns was far ahead of the competition. Her story scrutinized and evaluated Lingle's comments and the "evidence" they were based on, raising essential questions. Essoyan's writing stands out from the many local news stories which simply repeat the claims of public officials.

A column by Mike Littwin in the Rocky Mountain News earlier this week provided a look at how news of presidential appearances is being managed, in this case W's speech in Colorado Springs.

While the investigation of White House news leaks has disappeared from view, now there's another case of Republican leaks, this time in the Senate. In this case, confirmed by Senator Orrin Hatch after an internal investigation, Republican staffers first raided Democratic computer files, and then apparently leaked them to selected reporters (although the latter allegation has not been confirmed).

I'm told that my interview about the first Kahoolawe landing was broadcast Sunday night on Oceanic's Channel 53 (NATV). I missed it.

Oh--Happy Thanksgiving! I'm experimenting this morning with a low fat pumpkin pie using nonfat evaporated milk and a carton of that processed egg stuff, whatever it is. Last night I was successful with a large pot of beef soup, thanks to a few soup bones and a leek. I've never tried them before, and was surprised by how good this leek was.

November 26, 2003 - Wednesday

"There must be more to this than what's reported..."

That was the reaction of one alert reader who spotted a brief Thanksgiving-related item in The Garden Island newspaper--click here to read. Meanwhile, we await further word on this mystery.

A friend in Oregon added to concerns about the fate of the National Writers Union in light of the current internal meltdown:

in Oregon all but one of the Steering Committee has quit the union and most of the 106 current members will resign. Nationally about 1,500 have announced their resignation. As the new [and controversial] dues kick in, there will be a steady drain. The anger is over the "top-down" style of the current leadership and the concentration of power in the NY office, downsizing of the locals, etc.

This is not good news for writers or labor.

I note that the group Reporters Without Borders immediately called on the Iraqi Governing Council to drop its ban on broadcasts by a major Arab news network announced earlier this week. Are other media groups going to address the issues?

The following memo was distributed to staff in a major federal agency in Washington. Blessed are the rule makers. And bureaucratic greetings to all!

With the approach of the holiday season, many of us look forward to decorating our workplace. When planning, here are some practical guidelines to minimize fire hazards. Many of these fire-safety tips are equally appropriate for your home as well.

* Christmas trees may be displayed beginning December 1.

* Only small artificial trees are permitted in laboratory areas.

* The height of natural trees is limited to four feet. Be sure that the tree base is submerged in water at all times.

* Display trees and decorations away from room exits in a manner that does not obstruct entering or leaving the room. Trees are not permitted in corridors or stairwells.

* All artificial trees and decorations must be made of flame retardant or non-combustible materials. Non-combustible decorations are safer and are preferred.

* Open flame candles are not permitted.

* Because of the risk of electrical shock, lights are not to be used on aluminum trees.

The Division of the Fire Marshal, Office of Research Services, wishes everyone the happiest of holidays and a safe and prosperous New Year.

November 25, 2003 - Tuesday

No shortage of important news this week, despite the looming Thanksgiving shutdown.

The Los Angeles Times just completed a critical three-part series, "The Wal-Mart Effect". Part 3 appears in today's Times. With those buildings going up rapidly along Keeaumoku, this is relevant reading for island folks.

Another article in today's LA Times on the budget cuts being proposed by Gov. Terminator quotes former islander Jack Lewin, CEO of the California Medical Association.

They are also gearing up to fight a major Medi-Cal cut proposed by the administration. Schwarzenegger suggests saving $595 million by cutting 10% from the rate at which the program reimburses doctors. That would be in addition to a 5% cut that was approved last year, which several health-care groups are challenging in court.

"It will not save money," said Jack Lewin of the California Medical Assn. The rate cut would drive low-income Californians to hospital emergency rooms, and leave the state stuck with the bill, he said. "It just isn't going to work."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on former President Jimmy Carter's critical comments on the erosion of civil liberties in this country which, in his view, has emboldened dictators elsewhere around the globe.

And the Washington Post today sings the praises of the humble bus as a lower cost transportation solution than rail, another currently hot island issue.

November 24, 2003 - Monday

A bitter election campaign appears likely to split the National Writers Union, which seeks to represent freelance writers and authors. One side, backing a slate of candidates billed as "working4writers" is accusing the union's current leadership of censorship and corruption, while the slate led by the incumbent president implies their opponents aren't serious enough about building union power instead of organizing just another association of writers. Both sides have their own web sites: www.membersfirstforwriters.org vs. www.working4writers.org. I suspect that a lot of members are bewildered by the charges and countercharges and will simply drop out of the election process and the union.

UH Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert's choice for the position of vice chancellor for academic affairs was scheduled to be discussed by the Board of Regents in executive session at last week's meeting on Kauai, but the appointment apparently won't be acted on or the candidate publicly announced until the regents meet in mid-January 2004.

This extended period of secrecy and delay in processing the appointment were announced by Englert during a meeting of the Manoa Faculty Congress several weeks ago. Although there has been some faculty grumbling about the long delay in disclosure of the name that was forwarded to the BOR, there has apparently not been much open criticism.

November 23, 2003 - Sunday

Time to change the iLind.net graphic at the top of the page, given the week's weather and the obviously changing season. Hello, winter.

Hello, winter. Indeed. We had our taste of winter yesterday in the snow in Denver. We've been in Denver where Meda's been working hard at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology. But after several days of bright sun and temperatures nearing 70, the temperatures suddenly plunged beginning Friday afternoon. By yesterday morning it was snowing. Naively, we thought it would be fun to walk down to the Denver Art Museum in the snow.

Two views. The snow quickly covered the streets, sidewalks, and people silly enough to be outside. Below, a view from inside the museum as the snow kept falling.

It was great fun, for about block. Then the cold started seeping in from all directions, top, bottom, whatever. We started worrying about falling on the icy sidewalks. But we made it. After we warmed up, it felt like kind of a victory. And it seemed fun, in retrospect. Something we won't get at home. But every time we looked out a window it was still snowing. After a couple of hours wandering the exhibits, we decided it was time to get back before conditions got even worse. So, of course, we walked. The Donner Party flashed through my mind as we shuffled along past the snow covered monuments and the state capitol across the street. The hotel came into view just about the time I lost feeling in my face. But, again, we made it. And with any luck, our flight will leave on time this a.m. and get us back to Kaaawa without unnecessary delays.

The national weather service reports that it is 0 degrees outside this morning, and at the airport the windchill brings that down to -16. That doesn't really compute for me. I think it spells cold.

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