The Kaaawa Cats are counting on you.

You've heard of the Oscars? Well, now there are the Oscats!

And our Kaaawa Cats are nominees for this month's Oscat Award.

Their chances depend on your vote.

Please visit the Oscat nominees by clicking on the Kaaawa Cats (below) and then cast your vote at the bottom of the Oscat page.

Of course, you can check out the other nominees (if you insist). But all of the current Kaaawa Nine would appreciate your support and vote (Aloha from Kili, Ms. Wally, Silverman, Leo, Harriet, Duke, Toby, Annie, and Romeo).

April 2, 2005 - Saturday

Did you notice the news this week about the big drug bust in Kaaawa? A Honolulu police officer was arrested on federal drug charges just down the road in the Makaua Village condominium after other residents complained to police about the unusual activity around his apartment. I guess this situation led to an investigation and arrest because it involved a police officer.

It's a sad story. This morning we ran into friends who had known the officer for years and described him as a very nice person. "He used to mow my mother's lawn," one said. Well, maybe not any time recently.

And Star-Bulletin/MidWeek owner David Black has launched free daily newspapers in a number of communities in British Columbia, including B.C.'s capitol of Victoria. And I note that Black is now being described as "the largest private newspaper publisher in Canada".

With MidWeek expanding to two days a week, and a positive experience with free dailies in Canada, Black must be keeping close tabs of the progress of Philip Anschutz's launch of free dailies in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Could the Star-Bulletin end up going this route?

April 1, 2005 - Friday

This morning's rain must be someone's idea of a good April 1st joke. I let the cats roam overnight but started counting heads after the rain started. They started showing up, one by one, and I locked the cat door behind them. It wasn't too long until all the insiders had checked in except Harriet. I've been trying to keep an eye on her, but she slipped away last evening while we were cleaning up after dinner. So I was sitting here fretting. Then I heard crunching sounds from a kitchen cat food dish and looked over--it was Harry. I don't know where she was hiding, but obviously it was somewhere in the house. A good place, too, as I looked a couple of times before assuming she was outside. Now just Mr. Silverman remains to make a morning appearance.

The file boxes pulled out of storage yielded their first "finds"--A copy of a half-page newspaper ad for the 1971 Kahala Mall Stag Nite, along with a wonderfully fragile original leaflet handed out by protesters who attended the event. The leaflet features the purple type from one of the ditto machines that was ubiquitous in schools in those days. Have these survived the post-Xerox era? In any case, I've added these gems to the Stag Nite collection.

Today's Washington Post has an interesting column on the Carlyle Group's latest money move.

From local writer Glenda Chung Hinchey comes this invite: "Check out my new web page that my friend, Jim Rizzuto, made."

And more on Tuesday's "ghost" pictures. Ted from Hilo writes:

Sorry, couldn't see the girl. But then I'm lousy at Rorschach tests and what are those posters that were popular a few years ago? The ones with the small colorful, repetitive print, that if you stared at it, or if you didn't stare at it (I can't remember), a certain type of figure was supposed to float above the poster? Well, you know what I mean. I could never see whatever "it" was. Did you really see "it" that clearly? Heck, I can't even see the"Madonna" in all those half eaten sandwiches or other food items either...

But Amy in Austin, who sent those photos our way, had her own thoughtful response:

I LOVE the comments. Had a similar set from a very skeptical friend in Georgia who took the pics apart with his various photo tools, and though still skeptical, acknowledges that there may be something in them. He may even venture up to do his own check-out of the place. If he does, I'll share his findings.

I wish that there was a 'logical' explanation for this, but there isn't. First, the people at Carnton just aren't sufficiently devious - or sophisticated - to insert a ghostly image in either a window or a project one onto it. (Plus they would not allow ANYONE to drill a hole and place a projector in a ballustrade - it's an historic building!) There is a good half mile across an open field, a couple of hedgerows and a 7' fence between the house and the nearest habitation, and we were among the last people at the house that night. I know that Houdini made a good living from the latter, but in this case I can say with 99.99% certainty that it just isn't a hoax. (OK, so I'm a skeptic at heart, but I did take the pictures.)

In fact, I get the impression from the folks at Carnton that they'd just as soon play down the whole ghostly thing, except at a certain holiday when it helps to generate additional revenue for the place. Take a look at their web site and it's pretty evident - they like weddings and festivals, not ghosts and haints.

I am still a credible, reliable witness, not prone to flights of fancy. I remember very clearly the chain of events leading up to when the images were captured, and the conditions at that time. I also walked all over that darned porch and didn't see anything that would lead me to believe that this image was 'rigged'.

And so the issues rest, for now.

March 31, 2005 - Thursday

The Honolulu Advertiser clearly bested its smaller daily rival by winning 11 first place spots and 22 awards overall in the annual competition sponsored by the Hawaii Publishers Association. The Star-Bulletin trailed, winning the top spot in five categories with 15 overall awards. The S-B continued its past success in graphics and design, but failed to show its former dominance in various news reporting categories.

AP reviewed the issue of blog related firings this week in an article worth at least a quick review.

Vancouver, British Columbia now has dueling free daily newspapers, including one by a partnership that includes Star-Bulletin stake holder Torstar Corp. of Toronto. Those are in addition to Vancouver's traditional dailies and several area weeklies.

The Christian Science Monitor cautions that the rising pro-Democracy mood in the Middle East is tinged with anti-American views, contrary to the simplistic understanding of the dynamics of change sometimes promoted by the Bush administration.

Thanks to the Online Journalism Review for its pointer to AbstractAppeal, a blog by a Florida lawyer who has patiently explained the legal and factual issues in the Terri Schiavo case. OJR calls it " invaluable, an oasis in the frenzied coverage and polarizing posts". As I write, it's being reported that Schiavo died this morning.

March 30, 2005 - Wednesday

Half of the Star-Bulletin's top story yesterday on the "No Child Left Behind" law reported why states' relative performance should not be directly compared, but the other half of the story (including the headlines) proceeded to highlight just such an erroneous comparison. It made for a grabby headline, but according to its own reporting was simply wrong.

Isn't politics interesting? The Republican Party continues to oppose a set of campaign finance reform bills still alive at the Legislature. Brennan Morioka, State GOP chairman, writing in Hawaii Reporter, says the bills "could adversely impact the 2006 elections". The bills include provisions that would substantially reduce contribution limits, put a cap on total contributions made by an individual, limit the role of out-of-state money, and provide a public funding alternative, while the GOP is trying to organize "grassroots" opposition. Now that the GOP and Gov. Lingle have its own successful money machine, beating up on the high cost of campaigns no longer holds the same appeal for them.

Those news stories noting public criticism of convention travel to Hawaii continue to appear. I've spotted recent stories from Kansas, Minnesota, Philadelphia, North Carolina, and elsewhere.

Don't miss SF Chronicle columnist Mark Morford's take on the whole Schiavo situation. He writes: "Warmongering: good. Death with dignity: bad. Ah, hypocrisy, thy playpen is America."

Here's a sobering factoid reported in a recent newsletter from the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly:

Directors were informed that UH President David McClain compared the University of Hawaii System with the State University of New York (SUNY) System. Directors were flabbergasted to learn that the SUNY System has 64 campuses and 600 staff positions with an enrollment of more than 413,000 students. While the UH System has 10 campuses and 400 staff positions with an enrollment of 50,317 students.

I have to admit being a bit flabbergasted myself at this measure of administrative bloat.

Finally, several responses to yesterday's entry were received.

Hank from Honolulu says simply: "I don't believe that supernatural crap. The picture doesn't look like anything at all to me. I guess I don't have the eyes of faith."

Ryan comments:

Well, the 'ghost girl' story is more fun, and that's what matters.

But, given how far offset the pillars that front the building are from the walls of the house, and the way the reflection looks to me (as if I'm a forensic photographic expert), I think we're looking at the backside of the pillar to the left of the window. Of course, it would mean there's _something_ placed there, and I have no idea what.

I think the question of whether the figure is inside the window or reflected in it is the first one to tackle.

And Scott adds:

Although that image looks fairly spooky, I have to say that I think it is a reflection from an object outside of the house, perhaps the banister.

The white object appears to be reflecting off of the glass, notice how it is positioned in front of the blinds? Also, above the white object is a darker column that also appears in front of the blinds.

I think it can be explained by the fact that the only lighting source (that we can see anyway) are those lanterns on the ground. If you look at the shadows that cover the front of the house, they are obviously from the banister, and in fact, on the shadows lays perfectly over the white apparition, making the reflection theory all the more plausible.

Having said that, this is an instance where I don't think we will ever know the true answer. I am actually hoping that someone debunks my theory!

March 29, 2005 - Tuesday

As the Pythons put it:

"And now for something completely different."

Chicken skin. Ghost tales.

This photo of Franklin, Tennessee's Carnton Mansion was taken by a friend from Texas on a recent trip. As she tells the tale, she went home and found something unusual when examining the picture. In one window, she says, the photo captures what appears to be a child carrying a doll. Just click here for her story and a closer look at the photograph. And please let me know what you think (if that link doesn't work, just email me, ian@ilind.net).

March 28, 2005 - Monday

It happens all the time. We're walking along the beach at dawn and find things left over from unknown moments of others. It's obvious there are stories there, but how to find them? We can only wonder or imagine. Perhaps that's better than knowing.

Employees at the local Sears stores are learning about upcoming changes, including layoffs, as a result of the merger with K-Mart just approved by shareholders, according to a Windward Mall store staffer we spoke with yesterday.

"Are you unionized?" we asked.

The answer: "No, so they can push us around."

That's it, in a nutshell.

We've heard the first-hand account of a veteran of the first Gulf War who blamed his fatal cancer on the depleted uranium used in certain U.S. munitions, and I see that the concern is spreading as a medical group in Australia is now raising the same issue.

Don't miss Frank Rich's column on the "God racketeers" in yesterday's New York Times.

And here's another report on the future of newspapering that's worth wading through..

You've met Alice Brown before if you've been checking this site for a while. We ran into her several times over the past few weeks, and she's one of the stars in the latest collection of Kaaawa. morning dogs. Just click on her photo to see this week's whole batch.

March 27, 2005 - Sunday

[early note: I'm getting started a little bit late on this Easter morning, so expect today's entry a bit later as well, probably after our dawn walk and even after the coffee is brewed after our return. Too much "after" in that sentence, but it's too early to deal with it.]

Killer story in today's Los Angeles Times on the death of Rep. Tom DeLay's father, when the Delay family agreed to remove him from life support. This is the same Tom DeLay leading the Congressional move to force prolonged life support in the Schiavo case.

There are quite a few interesting stories featured by the Corporate Crime Reporter. Well, their task has gotten easier recently with all of the corporate crime in the news.

It was a gray and subtle Easter sunrise in Kaaawa this morning, with a chilly wind blowing off the ocean. But it didn't rain, an advance over the last several days. Fishermen shouted out "Happy Easter" as we walked past, and we greeted familiar friends the same way.

As we neared home, I split off and walked to the end of Hiwahiwa Street, which is a short block closer to the ocean and running parallel to our own Haahaa Street. After it crosses Olohu Road, it runs behind a few houses before dead ending into one side of the 4-acre vacant state-owned parcel that is just below us.

All this is leading to Mr. Silverman's latest story. He hasn't been real happy about Romeo's presence and, as a result, Silverman's schedule has become somewhat more erratic. He used to regularly show up for breakfast and dinner, but now we might not see him for 36 hours. One afternoon a week or so ago I went out looking for him after a noticeable absence.

Down to the corner, a few steps down Olohu, then over to the dead end of Hiwahiwa. I saw two other cats, a big black guy and a friendly gray tabby, but no Silverman. Standing at the end of the road, with a hillside of five foot tall grass in front of me leading down onto the state land, I called his name. No response. I called again. Then there was movement. About ten feet away is an apparently no longer running car that's been shoved half-way into the bushes. Nice and shiny, but it's been there a while. The driver's side front window is askew, creating an opening. And out through that opening came Mr. Silverman, meowing happily as he reached the ground and ran over to entangle himself in my legs.

So now when he's been missing, I go down to check the car. That's what I did this morning and, sure enough, out he came. Same routine. I then bring him back the long way, back to Olohu, up to Hiwahiwa, and over to our house. I carry him along Olohu, which has some traffic, but he runs alongside the rest of the way. When we get home, I set a special clean dish of fresh cat food on the counter and he eats his fill. Then he's usually off again, taking the shortcut along the back side of our neighbor's homes to reach his new "secret" spot.

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