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July 26, 2003 - Saturday
It's been drizzling all night in Kaaawa, with lightning flashing for several hours. Right now, at about 5:21 a.m., there are cats crashing around the living room and kitchen as they play some hyper version of tag, then down the hall, now returning. There are between two and four participating in this saturday session, depending on the dynamics of the moment, although it sounds like a dozen. [First thunder heard about 5:45 a.m.--I guess I should post this before the power goes out, as it too often does here in Kaaawa.]
I was spammed this morning by something called NewsFirstHawaii.com. The unsolicited message included a newsy subject line about the Hawaii Tourism Authority, but the content appeared to be an HTA press release, followed by a list of appearances by Gov. Lingle and her "quote of the week" copied directly from Lingle's web site. The message was garnished with a "vacations for less" ad, along with a solicitation for "freelance reporters and advertising reps on all Hawaiian islands." Coincidentally, Lingle's automated news "update of the week" arrived over night as well containing the same quote and list of public appearances. Is this a clue?
Newsfirsthawaii.com was registered this week by Jurgen Steinmetz and something called eTurbo News, Inc. at a Haleiwa P.O box. State business records list the officers of eTurbo News as Juergen Steinmetz, Nelson Alcantara, and Michael McCoy.
July 25, 2003 - Friday
I don't like to revel in other people's problems, but yesterday afternoon's announcement that PGMA founder Peter Wong has been indicted by a federal grand jury was cause for a small personal celebration, although I'll have to do a better job over this weekend. Both the Star-Bulletin and Advertiser have stories this morning.
If I recall correctly, I was the first to report that state regulators believed widespread fraud was behind the collapse and takeover of PGMA back in mid-January 1998. That same foray into court files led to the disclosure that there was a link between the PGMA fraud and then-UPW director Gary Rodrigues. Click here for both of those initial stories. For whatever reason, other reporters were reluctant to write about the fraud, and Peter Wong and PGMA provided lots of additional copy for me over the next couple of years.
Interestingly, the federal indictment apparently relates to false statements made by Wong and not to the alleged theft of millions from PGMA coffers.
For more background into the whole situation, browse through the report by investigator Tom Hayes, which offers a sobering look at what was going on within Wong's little empire.
July 24, 2003 - Thursday
From the "it could be worse" file: it was recently disclosed that leaders of the Oregon Senate's Ways and Means Committee have been quietly refusing to sign off on routine acceptance of federal grants won by agencies in the state, forcing the grants to be turned down. More than $22 million in grants have already been lost, more than a quarter of all grant funds. As you can imagine, disclosure of the rejections has infuriated those who worked to bring in the federal dollars to the cash-strapped agencies.
As if UH didn't have enough problems, now it's a series of big time, apparently organized burglaries, according to a KGMB report earlier this week.
The Dixie Chicks, attacked by Clear Channel's orchestrated outrage for expressing opposition to Bush's Iraq policy, are launching a campaign urging young people to register and vote. Now that's one of those "don't get mad, get even" moves.
One reader had this reaction to comments yesterday about the situation over at St. Louis:
Hey, I'm curious, too...but it IS a private school. Not at all comparable to Kamehameha, in which there is more of a general public stake (altho' trustees probably would argue otherwise).
My response:
"private school."
Does that make it less news worthy?
Businesses are private...lots of stuff is privately owned, but with no less of a public impact or legitimate news value. Perhaps public interest wasn't the proper term...news value? Basically, it could be a hell of an interesting tale to be told, power, religion, sports, money, politics, all wrapped up together?? A winner.
July 23, 2003 - Wednesday
Ooops. Please disregard the information below about Meda's appearance on Talk of the Nation. One of their staffers called at 7:15 a.m., less than two hours before showtime, to say that the segment is being postponed until August 6. Apparently they didn't realize that it would trip over an upcoming three-part series on sister program All Things Considered, so they decided to hold off until after that series airs. Sorry for the confusion.
So what's really going on over at St. Louis School? On Saturday, the Advertiser, following two broadcast stations, reported that athletic director Todd Los Banos had offered his resignation, just weeks after accepting the job. Yesterday the Advertiser reported that Los Banos is still at the school after all, although the school's statement was very carefully worded.
But I believe St. Louis is still searching for a new principal, and appointed a new football coach who lacks any coaching experience. The school's politically influential governing board includes heavy hitters like former judge Walter Kirimitsu, now chief legal counsel for the University of Hawaii; former HVCB head Tony Vericella; Federal Judge David Ezra; and Judge Jim Burns, son of former governor John Burns. Others serve on the boards of the school's foundation and alumni association. With all this political firepower, problems at the school certainly seem to be of interest and should make good reading, but so far we're only getting spotty reporting of single issues. Someone needs to tell us the "real" story of what's going on there at the Kaimuki campus.
If you check in early today, you may still have time to catch Meda's last minute appearance on National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation.
Girls are the fastest-growing population in juvenile detention. Many enter the system with mental illness and a history of being abused. We'll look at what's being done to meet the specific needs of female juvenile offenders.
Meda's scheduled to be on the air sometime between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Hawaii time (3-4 p.m. Eastern time). The audio will also be available later today at the Talk of the Nation site.
Cat people might want to check out Home & Garden TV's Extreme Homes tonight for a report on a famous California cat house (no, not the Nevada kind). The family that lives in the house has nine cats, according to the promo for the program. Nine cats. Imagine! Extreme!
July 22, 2003 - Tuesday
A story in Editor & Publisher last week paints a sobering picture of the state of newspaper unions and the collective bargaining atmosphere, including several references to the situation in Hawaii. It's not a pretty picture.
We were trapped in the Portland airport a week ago waiting for our flight while FOX news droned on in the background with endless repeats of a story about a business featuring paintball hunts of naked female prey. The story stirred outrage across the country. Problem is that it all was apparently a fake that depended on the lack of skepticism of the reporters involved. Snopes.com, which debunks urban legends, took on the Bambi hunt a couple of days ago, setting the record straight.
The resignation of Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau chief Tony Vericella seems to come at a bad time for HVCB, which is struggling to maintain it's position in the state's overall marketing strategy. I wonder how folks in the visitor industry are taking the news?
July 21, 2003 - Monday
A Seattle union arbitration decision could give a boost to staffers at Honolulu papers who seek freelance work to supplement their incomes or to get broader exposure. Freelance work is typically allowed as long as it is not done for a competitor, but employers have been trying to extend the definition of "competitor" to include, for example, any publication with a web site. In the Seattle case, an arbitrator rejected the Seattle Times' definition of "competitor" as "so sweeping as to render the rights granted to employees to freelance meaningless.” The decision isn't binding here, of course, but it certainly bolsters the Newspaper Guild's position locally.
And the latest move in the battle over the future of the Seattle Joint Operating Agreement is Hearst's threat to put the Post-Intelligencer up for sale if court proceedings aren't speeded up.
I hope it wasn't an editor who mangled the lead of Star-Bulletin writer Rick Daysog's front page Saturday story on the state of our child welfare system:
A shortage of resources and a high number of caseloads for social workers are taxing Hawaii's child welfare system, according to a comprehensive review by the federal government.
It's one of those small errors, perhaps, but "a high number of caseloads" just doesn't work. High caseloads, yes. High number of cases, okay. High number of caseloads, no way.
| After posting more dog photos, I worried about the cats getting jealous. So here's another cat update. Just click on Mr. Duke or the Cats banner to the right to get your feline fix. |
The Duke
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Today's spell checker oddity: "Hawaii's" returned the suggested substitute "Hee-haws". No editorial comment needed.
July 20, 2003 - Sunday
The Advertiser continues its aggressive pursuit of public records with a good story today by Johnny Brannon describing the University of Hawaii's refusal to disclose contracts related to construction of the new medical school complex.
It's a sad tale, another instance of UH in its own aggressive defense of secrecy.
Where's President Dobelle in this matter? Contrast the UH secrecy with Dobelle's public pledge in a Freedom of Information Day speech last year.
Dobelle pledged:
Henceforth, the University's administration will follow the intent of Hawai`i's laws that the provisions requiring open meetings and open records SHALL be liberally construed. Our Board of Regents has its discussions, deliberations and actions as openly as possible, just as the Sunshine law requires.
With specific reference to the medical school construction, he said:
By now, you have all heard that the University has named a contractor for the construction of the Health and Wellness Center in Kakaako. We made a commitment early in the process that we would be open, that we would involved the public in the decision making process to the greatest extent possible .
Now all we hear is a faint voice echoing out of Manoa valley...."Never mind."
Meda took a call yesterday from a survey firm seeking responses about Hawaiian issues. She thought the name was White Research, although I don't find anything about a company by that name. Questions included reactions to various Hawaiian issues, sources of information, and Hawaiian leaders, living and dead, from Clayton Hee to Liliuokalani as well as Lingle and Aiona. It wasn't clear who was sponsoring this survey.
| There were lots of people and dogs out yesterday morning, hence a new round of morning dogs has been added to the photo gallery. Just click on the photo, or on the "Mornin' Dogs" banner to the right, for the latest. |
Mr. Kolohe
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