Dear Santa,

I really want an iPad for Christmas, please.  Tropic Mac has some that are refurbished.  I also would love to have that jewelry box I saw at Dragon Mama Futon Shop in Downtown Hilo.  A tortilla warmer and a garlic press, those would be nice, too.  Oh, and a new heating pad.  I also would love anything homemade, whether that be salsa, jams, jellies, cookies, soaps, lotions or candles.  I recently discovered the Ola Hawaii body products, and bottles of Coconut Lemongrass Shampoo and Conditioner, along with Passionfruit Body Wash, would be a great addition under the tree.  I have some Reef slippers, already wrapped with my name on them, down at Jeff Hunt Surfboards.  Also, there’s a kimono-looking Hinano blouse there that, again, is wrapped with my name on them.  Really, though, if you are coming by our house, focus on the keiki.  My daughter is at the age now that she is truly in wonderment with Christmas and the magic of you and your tradition of offering presents to the keiki.  I absolutely love gift wrapping and find great joy in giving, so, believe me, I can really get into the spirit of the season.  But the holiday is nearly over and, while I would love to keep this potted Norfolk pine in the house, strung with Christmas lights and ornaments, I have to tell you honestly that I’m starting to feel like I do every year about this time.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for the retail sales that keeps our business afloat.  But I’m also growing weary of the consumerism, the pressure to get my gifts and cards mailed in time to make it to relatives and friends, the late nights of wrapping and writing out snippets on how this year has gone for us.  I’m ready to bid farewell to 2010 and look forward to what 2011 will bring.  I know my greatest gift is yet to come; he’s in utero.  I’m grateful for him and for the rest of my family and, if we don’t have any gifts under the tree, we have each other — and that’s really all that matters to me.

I feel fulfilled, whether or not I get everything on my wish list.  I have a beautiful, growing family and work that totally satisfies me.  I enjoy managing the shop and maintaining my blog, and I’m really looking forward to my new part-time venture, which I’ll be announcing on another thread to come.

I have to say, Santa, with this sense of fulfillment I have now, my word for 2011 is going to have to be nurturance.  I just want to take care of what I have and what has been given to me, and not ask for any more.

With aloha,

Tiffany

Image courtesy of Politico. Email your letters to newswoman(at)mac.com or mail them to P.O. Box 557, Kurtistown, HI 96760

I received the following letter in the mail today, which was actually addressed to my family’s surf shop at 15-2883 Pahoa Village Road and, through the courtesy of the postmaster, ended up in the surf shop post office box.  If you would like to write a letter to the Big Island Chronicle and you don’t want to email it to newswoman(at)mac.com, please use the Tiffany Edwards Communications address: P.O. Box 557 Kurtistown, HI  96760.

The letter dated Dec. 14, 2010 is fascinating to me. It comes from an anonymous source who wants to be known to me and to you as “Butterfly Girl.”  The return address simply stated, “BG.”  As frequent readers know, we haven’t had anyone commenting on the site under that pseudonym.  Based the issues raised, I’m imagining this person reads my blog.  But then why would the person not simply comment under one of the posts, rather than take the time to compose a typewritten letter and pay the 44 cents it costs to mail? I guess, to amuse me.  You know, it’s funny, I typed that out and then looked down at the handwriting on the envelope and I had an intuitive hit as to who this could be. Whoever he or she is, I hope this was meant to be playful and not meant to creep me out.  I’ll let you read the letter and guess for yourself who and what is behind this.

Dear Editor,

Don’t you find those by-the-numbers sidebars just so interesting? Here’s what I’d like to see enumerated:

The number of studies it will take to get a lower road built between Pahoa and Hilo.

The number of people — if any — who enter the new Long’s parking lot by the correct entrance.

The number of times each year the Metcalf brothers will call 911 to report accidents they hear right on the doorstep of Pahoa Auto Parts.   Read the rest of this entry »

Aloha All,

Many thanks for all of your feedback regarding Dwight Takamine’s senate seat replacement.  The 3 names that will go on to the governor for potential appointment are:

1) Mark Nakashima
2) Malama Solomon
3) Ken Goodenow

Take care,
Justin Avery

(Media release) — Members of the Zonta Club of Hilo dedicated their Saturday morning Dec. 11 to the club’s annual Weinberg Service Project at the Neighborhood Place of Puna in Pahoa. For their efforts, the club earned the family-strengthening center a $10,000 grant.

“This grant will help us provide clients with basic needs to keep them afloat in tough times,” said Mary Hyslop, executive director of Neighborhood Place.  ”This really makes a difference in the lives of the families we serve.

To meet the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation’s criteria, 27 Hilo Zontians, along with some friends, worked for four hours cleaning, making curtains, assembling toiletry kits and constructing educational bookmarks and anti-violence posters.

“Zonta Club of Hilo is so lucky to be a conduit from Weinberg to the East Hawaii community,” said Zonta president Kathleen Nielsen. “Our members enjoyed a day of work and fellowship and, frankly, a lot of teasing.”

The Neighborhood Place of Puna’s goal is to prevent child abuse and neglect by helping families recognize their strengths. The center empowers families and communities in Puna by building strong foundations through healthy relationships that value each person’s uniqueness. For information, visit the website: www.neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org

Through service and advocacy, the Zonta Club of Hilo advances the status of women and girls worldwide. The Hilo group is part of Zonta International and its efforts to promote the health and welfare of women and girls around the globe, mainly, to prevent violence against women and end human trafficking. Business and professional women are the member base of Zonta.

Locally, Zonta supports programs and services that advance women and children, such as nursing and business scholarships for deserving women. Zonta Club of Hilo provides opportunities to serve the community, broaden member knowledge base and network among colleagues and friends through program meetings that feature community speakers. For more information on the Zonta Club of Hilo, go to: www.zontahilo.org.

Aloha politically savvy friends,
 
Tomorrow at 1pm I’m going to sit in on the senate replacement process for Takamine’s seat.  Below are the candidates and a link to their bios.  Any and all feedback would be appreciated.  Mahalo, Justin
 
Selection Process for Vacant Hawaii State Senate Seat, District 1
Senate Seat Selection Meeting Agenda

Kenneth Goodenow Cover Letter
Kenneth Goodenow Resume

Donald Ikeda Cover Letter
Donald Ikeda Resume

Lorraine R. Inouye Resume

Robert “Bob” Marx Cover Letter
Robert “Bob” Marx Resume

Mark Nakashima

Malama Solomon Resume

http://www.hawaiicountydemocrats.org/information_for_review.htm

RJ Kaleohano Mendoza

A Toast to 2010.

A toast to the year when I found the courage to walk away, only to realize that I still wanted to stay.

A toast to the year when I saw myself for who I really was.

A toast to the year when I felt dark and alone, and everything I worked for to make a life for myself here in Hawaii was worth nothing.

A toast to the year when I found myself constantly adjusting to a new way of living, and it was not as easy as it sounds.

A toast to the kind woman and her husband, for their words of wisdom and encouraging me in my learning of faith.

A toast to FaceBook, where I had several nervous breakdowns broadcasted to my friends.

A toast to the year when people fought me to get me to see otherwise.

A toast to the year when I discovered life, and the possibility of life after the death of a relationship.

A toast to the next man that managed to break my heart, ninety days after repairing it.

A toast to the people of the west side summer, beautiful women with great essence.

A toast to the woman who listened with empathy, sympathy and concern.

A toast to the technology that made it possible for me to see the cast of characters from a different script, but never forgotten.

A toast to those characters that make distance and time between sights and hugs a non-issue.

A toast to the married couple who may have left the island, but never my heart, and kept me grounded.

A toast to the woman who got married, an honest and long-lost friend in unlikely circumstances.

A toast to the Mother and Father, Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents and Cousins that did not “break up” with me.

A toast to the woman who will never realize the great wake up call she gave by an invitation for an essay.

A toast to the newcomer, quirky professor that is kind, exceptionally intelligent and loveable.

A toast to the “Grandma” and “big sister” who watches and guides from a distance.

A toast to cute guy that helped me find my groove. Heh heh.

A toast to the first person in 11 years that knew what it was like to get literally sucked into a book.

A toast to “tea time”.

A toast to the familiar faces that teach that life goes on, and it is okay.

A toast to the other cute guy that also helped me find my groove. Heh heh heh.

A toast to the students who choose to lead and better the college community.

A toast to the comrades and friends I found over burgers and beer.

A toast to the very bright, yet somewhat rigorous professor.

A toast to the aloha and passion filled, brilliant director, whose love for Hilo and the Big Island is a welcomed infection.

A toast to the students from Kau, for laughs, jam seshs, and familiar friendly faces.

A toast to the characters, that brought the celebrated drugstore to the stage, bringing light and laughter to the locals.

A toast to the “Aunty” students, who let me rest my head on their shoulders during midterms and finals.

A toast to the students from Samoa, because they got it like that.

A toast to the third cute guy that also helped me find my groove. Que bueno.

A toast to old endings, new beginnings, and everything in between.

A toast to 2010.

Aloha pumehana this holiday season to you and yours. Catch me in 2011.

(RJ Kaleohano Mendoza is a freelance writer and student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo)

Aloha Tiffany,  
Roger Christie asked me to send this link to you. It is an article recently published in Cannabis Culture Magazine.  It does mention Roger and sheds some light on his ministry.  He thought you would be interested in this.  If you have any questions or need to contact him, I can help you with that. 
The title of this article is “Chronic Christians-Did Jesus Heal with Pot?”   
Sincerely, 
Victoria Latenser

http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/node/25679

Hi Tiffany,

Hope all is well!!!

I read this story yesterday in the HTH (about a cyclist suing the County of Hawaii for at least $150,000 after Public Works employee Chris Domino struck him on Queen Kaahumanu Highway in June while driving a County owned vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.)

I can not believe there is a bigger story to this story here.

A simple check of the offenders name shows a very long list of traffic violations as well as the reason his license being suspended in the first place was for DUI.

One just has to wonder how this guy was ever deemed “fit for duty” and able to drive a County vehicle in the first place. Does the County NOT do driver checks and update them at regular (annual at a minimum) intervals?

I just can not believe this is an isolated case where a supervisor “did not know.” Also, is this guy still employed with the County?

I defer to your judgment — but I feel this type of crap is at the core of ethics and morals — this type of behavior is problematic — and leads to it being OK to do these types of activities. Before you know it, it’s OK for the employees to get million-plus-dollar contracts for “side businesses” owned by the employees.

At the end —  it’s the taxpayer once again stiffed by the County.

In private business — even if gone undetected by the management of the Company — his arrest when hitting the bicyclist would have been his termination. His supervisor most likely too.

It seems to me this story needs really huge exposure.

I defer to you to do as you please!

Thanks for listening and giving it your consideration!

Ken

In Memory of Joy Macres. Police have reclassified a domestic violence case to a homicide after they say Macres died Monday from a head injury she sustained by a loved one on Sunday.

(Media release) — Big Island police are investigating the death of a Kona woman.

Kona patrol officers responded to a 4:08 p.m. call Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010 from Kona Community Hospital reporting a 28-year-old Holualoa woman with a head injury who was in the process of being transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu. The case was originally classified as abuse of a family/household member.

At 4:39 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, the woman, identified as Joy Macres, was pronounced dead at Queen’s.

Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section have reclassified the case to murder and are continuing the investigation.

(Submitted by Hawaii Police Department via Nixle.)

East Hawaii is abuzz with news that Continental Airlines will begin daily nonstop service to Hilo from Las Angeles next year.  The new flights that begin June 9  will leave Los Angeles at 5 p.m. and arrive in Hilo at 7:40 p.m., and leave Hilo at 8:55 p.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 5:15 a.m. the next morning.  The round-trip fares are to start at $625 plus tax for 14-day advance pruchase, Continental Spokeswoman Christen David told the Los Angeles Times.

This not only opens up for us East Hawaii folk a convenient option for mainland travel, it also makes it more convenient for Southern Californians to visit the Big Island and Hilo, specifically.  I  see how this service can benefit my family for our personal travel — I typically travel to Southern California when I go to the mainland.  I also see how this could potentially increase the traffic coming into Pahoa, where we have a retail business.  Knowing there are days when Pahoa is like a ghost town and no one is out dining or shopping, I welcome any and every opportunity to bring visitors in to help stimulate economy.  E KOMO MAI, that’s what I’ve got to say to those Continental Airlines customers adventurous enough to find Puna and Pahoa specifically.

I also see how this move by Continental Airlines is an indication that the airline industry is making a comeback, and the powers at be recognize the Big Island, and East Hawaii specifically, is a destination for travel.  I really am very excited about this announcement, for us and for the travelers to come.

Justin Matias

(Media release) — Today detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigations Section charged Justin Matias with first-degree criminal trespass, first-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree promoting a detrimental drug, first-degree promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. The charges stem from an incident at Kealakehe High School on Tuesday.

Matias remains in custody at the Kona police station cellblock in lieu of $32,000 bail pending his initial court appearance.

(Submitted by the Hawaii Police Department via Nixle.)

Tawna-Lee Domingo

(Media release) — Big Island police have charged a 40-year-old Pāhoa woman with 22 financial crimes.
A Hilo woman reported on November 11 that she lost her wallet in the downtown Hilo area. It was later learned that an unknown suspect used several of the victim’s credit cards to transact numerous unauthorized charges.
Police identified the suspect as Tawnya-Lee Domingo of Nanawale and arrested her Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. On Tuesday, detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section charged her with five counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, three counts of third-degree theft, three counts of third-degree identity theft, five counts of second-degree theft, four counts of second-degree identity theft and two counts of theft and/or forgery of a credit card. Her bail was set at $253,000.
She was expected to have an initial court appearance today.

(Submitted by the Hawaii Police Department via Nixle.)