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A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR
JAMES NAKAPAAHU
Join us on
Saturday
Sept. 26
Noon – 4 pm
Nuuanu Valley Park
[just above Queen Emma’s Summer Palace]
bring chairs and mats
set up tables to gather petitions
and/or share information
come talk story with each other
while we celebrate the life of
a brother in the struggle
for more info, email palolo@hawaii.rr.com
or call 284-3460
SALES and MARKETING!LEARN HOW TO KILL FOR CORPORATE GREED, ILLEGALLY OCCUPY OTHER NATIONS AND COUNTRIES AND RAPE THEIR RESOURCES, HIDE BEHIND AND TWIST THE WORD "FREEDOM", TO MEAN: "YOUR FREEDOM TO TAKE AWAY THEIRS!" LEARN HOW SLAUGHTERING BABIES, SISTERS, BROTHERS, MOTHERS AND FATHERS IS A GOOD WAY TO CONTROL THE HOMELESS!YES LEARN IT ALL HERE IN " HAWAI'I", AMERICA'S TROPHY, HIDDEN BEHIND A 50TH STAR.
September 18, 2009
Students climb aboard military aircraft during Education Day at Hickam
Advertiser Staff
Advertiser Staff
Hickam Airforce Base — About 1,500 Oçahu students got a chance to climb aboard a fuel tanker, and peek inside the cockpit of an F-15 this morning duringEducation Day, a sneak peak at Hickam's flight line that visitors willsee tomorrow during the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds show.
Starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow, residents may come on base and tour the civilian and military aircraft. Military personnel will be on hand to explainthe aircraft.
This morning, students from schools from Kailua toEwa were in awe as they were allowed to sit in the pilot's seat in afueling tanker, looking at the vast array of dials and levers. Theywere told by a pilot of an F-15 the specs: It's called "The Eagle," itcarries eight missiles, cost $15 million and has a machine gun on theright side of the aircraft.
"It's awesome," said Noah Au Young, aMomilani sixth-grader. "It can shoot 950 bullets in a couple ofseconds. I've seen one of these before."
This morning, students from schools from Kailua toEwa were in awe as they were allowed to sit in the pilot's seat in afueling tanker, looking at the vast array of dials and levers. Theywere told by a pilot of an F-15 the specs: It's called "The Eagle," itcarries eight missiles, cost $15 million and has a machine gun on theright side of the aircraft.
"It's awesome," said Noah Au Young, aMomilani sixth-grader. "It can shoot 950 bullets in a couple ofseconds. I've seen one of these before."
More than 120,000 people are expected to come on base to see the aircraft or to watch the Thunderbirds air show during Hickam's 2009 open housecalled "Wings over the Pacific." The air show is scheduled to begin at3 p.m.
Parking is available on base, but residents are being askedto not bring coolers, backpacks or duffle bags, chairs, weapons,alcohol or drugs on base. Fanny packs and purses, food and snacks willbe allowed on base. For more information go to wwww.hafb2009openhouse.com.
Parking is available on base, but residents are being askedto not bring coolers, backpacks or duffle bags, chairs, weapons,alcohol or drugs on base. Fanny packs and purses, food and snacks willbe allowed on base. For more information go to wwww.hafb2009openhouse.com.
honolulu weekly article from 6 years ago.
Our Cable Monopoly
How the state's secret deal with AOL/Time Warner and Oceanic imperils the future of public access TV inHawai‘i.
How the state's secret deal with AOL/Time Warner and Oceanic imperils the future of public access TV inHawai‘i.
Ian Lind in Honolulu Weekly
April 16, 2003
In a controversial mover hidden from the public, and even from most insiders when it occurred in mid-2000, state cable regulators gave a multimillion dollar windfall to Oceanic Cable and its corporate parent,AOL-Time Warner. The windfall came in the form of lowered franchise fees to bepaid by the cable company and a cut in the number of channels required to be setaside for future public, education and government use. Supporters ofpublic-access television, which uses cable franchise fees to provide communityprogramming, say the state’s action was just one example of political pressuresthat threaten to undermine the fragile arena of free speech carved out by localaccess providers.
The unexpected dose of corporatewelfare was buried in the state’s lengthy review and approval of the $350billion merger of Internet pioneer America Online with the entertainment andmedia conglomerate Time Warner, which could not be finalized until it got anofficial blessing in each community where the company owned cable systems,including Hawai‘i.
At that time, Oceanic was thesole cable provider on O‘ahu, the Big Island and Maui County. It established astatewide monopoly last year when, with little fanfare, it took over Garden IsleTelecommunications on Kaua‘i, the last independent cable provider in the state.Now if you want or need cable anywhere in the state, from Ka‘ü to Hanalei,Oceanic is your only option.
Regulators had onlylimited discretion in dealing with the AOL-Time Warner merger, but in some partsof the country the occasion was used to try to leverage additional publicbenefits from the cable company. Few succeeded, but here in Hawai‘i stateregulators went in the opposite direction, apparently paying tribute to AOL-TimeWarner’s political clout.
Decision and Order No. 261was signed by then-director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs(DCCA), Kathryn Matayoshi, on Aug. 11, 2000. It slashed the number of cablechannels Oceanic is required to set aside for future public, education andgovernment use (known as PEG access channels), and at the same time changed akey formula that essentially lowered the rent Oceanic pays to string its cablesalong publicly owned rights-of-way.
For example,Oceanic had previously been required to devote up to 10 percent of availablechannels for PEG access on O‘ahu, but Matayoshi’s order reduced that to justfive channels, the number of channels already being utilized. Although notconsidered an absolute cap, it makes future expansion for public access channelsmore difficult to justify. With Oceanic now bragging about delivering 220digital channels, the reduction from the former 10 percent standard takes onadditional significance. Although putting a value on the lost channel capacityis difficult, knowledgeable observers estimate the value of each channel atupwards of $500,000 annually.
Those directly andimmediately affected by the cuts in Oceanic’s fees include the public access orcommunity media centers on each island. Cable fees also go to PBS Hawaii’s KHET,to an educational consortium that includes the University of Hawai‘i and theDepartment of Education, and to support an electronic network tying togetherschools and public buildings statewide, allowing for teleconferencing and otherdata services. The DCCA’s Cable Television Division itself retains a share ofthe fees to pay the costs of regulation.
Those whofollowed the process closely were stunned when the changes were discovered.Although a series of public hearings was held across the state to solicitcomments on the merger, there was no public notice that any giveaways of thiskind were even being considered.
“It came as a veryunpleasant surprise,” said Lurline McGregor, president and CEO of ‘ÖleloCommunity Television, Hawai‘i’s largest public access provider and one of thelargest in the nation.
“I first learned of it whenI read the signed D&O, after it was a done deal,” McGregor said. “We werenot given an opportunity to comment. Had I known this was in the works, believeme, I would have.”
Sean McLaughlin, director ofAkakü, the nonprofit group that operates Maui’s community access stations, wasalso caught by surprise.
“As a practical matter, wedidn’t find out until our check was reduced,” McLaughlin said. “We received nodirect notice.”
Dirk Koning, director of theCommunity Media Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and president of theWashington, D.C.-based Alliance for Communications Democracy, a legal defensefund supporting access centers across the country, told the Weekly that hedoesn’t know of any other place where a local community voluntarily gave upfunds or future channel capacity during the AOL-Time Warner mergerprocess.
In a world where global access toinformation and entertainment is controlled by fewer than 10 mega-corporations,the merged company took its place as the world’s largest media company,according to Advertising Age magazine.
............................................................The unexpected dose of corporatewelfare was buried in the state’s lengthy review and approval of the $350billion merger of Internet pioneer America Online with the entertainment andmedia conglomerate Time Warner, which could not be finalized until it got anofficial blessing in each community where the company owned cable systems,including Hawai‘i.
At that time, Oceanic was thesole cable provider on O‘ahu, the Big Island and Maui County. It established astatewide monopoly last year when, with little fanfare, it took over Garden IsleTelecommunications on Kaua‘i, the last independent cable provider in the state.Now if you want or need cable anywhere in the state, from Ka‘ü to Hanalei,Oceanic is your only option.
Regulators had onlylimited discretion in dealing with the AOL-Time Warner merger, but in some partsof the country the occasion was used to try to leverage additional publicbenefits from the cable company. Few succeeded, but here in Hawai‘i stateregulators went in the opposite direction, apparently paying tribute to AOL-TimeWarner’s political clout.
Decision and Order No. 261was signed by then-director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs(DCCA), Kathryn Matayoshi, on Aug. 11, 2000. It slashed the number of cablechannels Oceanic is required to set aside for future public, education andgovernment use (known as PEG access channels), and at the same time changed akey formula that essentially lowered the rent Oceanic pays to string its cablesalong publicly owned rights-of-way.
For example,Oceanic had previously been required to devote up to 10 percent of availablechannels for PEG access on O‘ahu, but Matayoshi’s order reduced that to justfive channels, the number of channels already being utilized. Although notconsidered an absolute cap, it makes future expansion for public access channelsmore difficult to justify. With Oceanic now bragging about delivering 220digital channels, the reduction from the former 10 percent standard takes onadditional significance. Although putting a value on the lost channel capacityis difficult, knowledgeable observers estimate the value of each channel atupwards of $500,000 annually.
Those directly andimmediately affected by the cuts in Oceanic’s fees include the public access orcommunity media centers on each island. Cable fees also go to PBS Hawaii’s KHET,to an educational consortium that includes the University of Hawai‘i and theDepartment of Education, and to support an electronic network tying togetherschools and public buildings statewide, allowing for teleconferencing and otherdata services. The DCCA’s Cable Television Division itself retains a share ofthe fees to pay the costs of regulation.
Those whofollowed the process closely were stunned when the changes were discovered.Although a series of public hearings was held across the state to solicitcomments on the merger, there was no public notice that any giveaways of thiskind were even being considered.
“It came as a veryunpleasant surprise,” said Lurline McGregor, president and CEO of ‘ÖleloCommunity Television, Hawai‘i’s largest public access provider and one of thelargest in the nation.
“I first learned of it whenI read the signed D&O, after it was a done deal,” McGregor said. “We werenot given an opportunity to comment. Had I known this was in the works, believeme, I would have.”
Sean McLaughlin, director ofAkakü, the nonprofit group that operates Maui’s community access stations, wasalso caught by surprise.
“As a practical matter, wedidn’t find out until our check was reduced,” McLaughlin said. “We received nodirect notice.”
Dirk Koning, director of theCommunity Media Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and president of theWashington, D.C.-based Alliance for Communications Democracy, a legal defensefund supporting access centers across the country, told the Weekly that hedoesn’t know of any other place where a local community voluntarily gave upfunds or future channel capacity during the AOL-Time Warner mergerprocess.
In a world where global access toinformation and entertainment is controlled by fewer than 10 mega-corporations,the merged company took its place as the world’s largest media company,according to Advertising Age magazine.
Ethics concerns
Although cable regulators defend the changes in franchise terms, they have little comment on the secrecy with whichthe decisions were made, feeding the perception that state policies are undulyinfluenced by backroom deals between cable regulators and the industry they aresupposed to regulate.
It wasn’t simply that thepublic didn’t figure out what was going on until it was too late. The recordseems to show the issues were systematically hidden in order to eliminate anyopportunity for public questioning or debate.
Addingto the perception of backroom deals was the disclosure that Pamela Sonobe, wifeof Cable Division Administrator Clyde Sonobe, began working for anotherTime-Warner company in 2001, just a year after the merger was approved and asOceanic was preparing to establish its statewidemonopoly.
In September 2002, the CommunityTelevision Producers Association filed a complaint with the State EthicsCommission, alleging that Pamela Sonobe’s job with Time WarnerTelecommunications in Honolulu created a conflict of interest for her husband inhis oversight of Oceanic, another Time Warner company. The complaint cited anethics provision that prohibits any state employee from taking any officialaction directly affecting a business “in which he has a substantial financialinterest. …”
The Ethics Commission agreed thatSonobe’s employment gave her husband “a substantial financial interest” in TimeWarner Telecommunications. But the commission concluded it was not a conflict ofinterest. The commission’s ruling is contained in a Nov. 20, 2002, letter, acopy of which was provided to the Weekly by current DCCA Director MarkRecktenwald.
According to the commission’s findings,the cable and telecommunications firms are separate and distinct subsidiaries ofAOL-Time Warner with separate offices and no shared officers. Further, thecommission determined Clyde Sonobe’s cable duties do not require him to take anyaction “directly” affecting his wife’s employer.
“Wehave not been presented with any evidence that any specific action you take asthe Cable Television Administrator directly affects Time Warner Communications,”the commission concluded, a finding that is unlikely to give access advocatesmuch comfort.
However, in a March 11, 2003, letterto the Ethics Commission, Recktenwald disclosed that the Cable Division and TimeWarner Telecommunications are parties in a pending Public Utilities Commissionproceeding involving the state’s communications infrastructure. According toRecktenwald’s letter, the Cable Division has not “actively” participated in thecase since Clyde Sonobe took his post in 1995.
Forpurposes of the ethics law, however, “official action” is defined as “adecision, recommendation, approval, disapproval, or other action, includinginaction, which involves the use of discretionary authority.” As a result, eventhe decision not to participate actively in the PUC case could raise additionalethics concerns, and the matter is again being reviewed by the EthicsCommission.
Clyde Sonobe declined to discuss theconflict of interest charges with Honolulu Weekly except to refer to thecommission’s November letter, but did defend his role in handling the AOL-TimeWarner merger hearings.
“There were public hearingsgiving the community opportunity to voice whatever concerns they would have onthis change of ownership,” Sonobe said, referring to hearings held on eachisland except Kaua‘i during April and May 2000.
Butrecords show Oceanic did not request changes in the franchise agreement and gavethe public no warning of other issues that were ultimatelyaddressed.
“Time Warner Entertainment [the corporatesubsidiary that controls cable operations] will continue to honor its existingcontract with the state which is embodied in cable franchise,” Honolulu attorneyJohn Komeiji stated in testimony on behalf of the cable company. The company’scommitment to the franchise’s existing terms “will not be affected by AOL-TimeWarner merger in any way,” he said.
Reminded ofOceanic’s public position, Sonobe backpedaled.
“Ican’t answer specifically if these items were offered for public comment ornot,” Sonobe said. “I can’t remember. It may be the public was not aware ofthem.”
Former DCCA Director Matayoshi was unable toexplain how issues of channel capacity and franchise fee payments entered intothe proceedings if they were not in AOL-Time Warner’s application and did notcome up during the hearings.
“I just actually don’trecall,” Matayoshi said.
One group that should havehad a hand in the process is the Cable Advisory Committee, established by statelaw to offer advice to cable regulators.
In makingdecisions on cable franchise matters, the DCCA director is legally required toconsider any objections raised by the advisory committee. But the committee waseffectively eliminated by then-Gov. Ben Cayetano, who took office in 1994 andrefused to appoint any members to the committee. As terms of existing membersexpired, they were not replaced.
Akakü’s McLaughlinwas the last official member of the Cable Advisory Committee. His term expiredon June 30, 1996.
“It was never formally disbanded,”McLaughlin says of the committee. “It just sort of fadedaway.”
McLaughlin said he occasionally contactedCable Division staff before his term expired.
“Iwould call and ask, what’s going on? Any meetings?”
“They would tell me, ‘We don’t need your advice,’” McLaughlinsaid.
Although cable regulators defend the changes in franchise terms, they have little comment on the secrecy with whichthe decisions were made, feeding the perception that state policies are undulyinfluenced by backroom deals between cable regulators and the industry they aresupposed to regulate.
It wasn’t simply that thepublic didn’t figure out what was going on until it was too late. The recordseems to show the issues were systematically hidden in order to eliminate anyopportunity for public questioning or debate.
Addingto the perception of backroom deals was the disclosure that Pamela Sonobe, wifeof Cable Division Administrator Clyde Sonobe, began working for anotherTime-Warner company in 2001, just a year after the merger was approved and asOceanic was preparing to establish its statewidemonopoly.
In September 2002, the CommunityTelevision Producers Association filed a complaint with the State EthicsCommission, alleging that Pamela Sonobe’s job with Time WarnerTelecommunications in Honolulu created a conflict of interest for her husband inhis oversight of Oceanic, another Time Warner company. The complaint cited anethics provision that prohibits any state employee from taking any officialaction directly affecting a business “in which he has a substantial financialinterest. …”
The Ethics Commission agreed thatSonobe’s employment gave her husband “a substantial financial interest” in TimeWarner Telecommunications. But the commission concluded it was not a conflict ofinterest. The commission’s ruling is contained in a Nov. 20, 2002, letter, acopy of which was provided to the Weekly by current DCCA Director MarkRecktenwald.
According to the commission’s findings,the cable and telecommunications firms are separate and distinct subsidiaries ofAOL-Time Warner with separate offices and no shared officers. Further, thecommission determined Clyde Sonobe’s cable duties do not require him to take anyaction “directly” affecting his wife’s employer.
“Wehave not been presented with any evidence that any specific action you take asthe Cable Television Administrator directly affects Time Warner Communications,”the commission concluded, a finding that is unlikely to give access advocatesmuch comfort.
However, in a March 11, 2003, letterto the Ethics Commission, Recktenwald disclosed that the Cable Division and TimeWarner Telecommunications are parties in a pending Public Utilities Commissionproceeding involving the state’s communications infrastructure. According toRecktenwald’s letter, the Cable Division has not “actively” participated in thecase since Clyde Sonobe took his post in 1995.
Forpurposes of the ethics law, however, “official action” is defined as “adecision, recommendation, approval, disapproval, or other action, includinginaction, which involves the use of discretionary authority.” As a result, eventhe decision not to participate actively in the PUC case could raise additionalethics concerns, and the matter is again being reviewed by the EthicsCommission.
Clyde Sonobe declined to discuss theconflict of interest charges with Honolulu Weekly except to refer to thecommission’s November letter, but did defend his role in handling the AOL-TimeWarner merger hearings.
“There were public hearingsgiving the community opportunity to voice whatever concerns they would have onthis change of ownership,” Sonobe said, referring to hearings held on eachisland except Kaua‘i during April and May 2000.
Butrecords show Oceanic did not request changes in the franchise agreement and gavethe public no warning of other issues that were ultimatelyaddressed.
“Time Warner Entertainment [the corporatesubsidiary that controls cable operations] will continue to honor its existingcontract with the state which is embodied in cable franchise,” Honolulu attorneyJohn Komeiji stated in testimony on behalf of the cable company. The company’scommitment to the franchise’s existing terms “will not be affected by AOL-TimeWarner merger in any way,” he said.
Reminded ofOceanic’s public position, Sonobe backpedaled.
“Ican’t answer specifically if these items were offered for public comment ornot,” Sonobe said. “I can’t remember. It may be the public was not aware ofthem.”
Former DCCA Director Matayoshi was unable toexplain how issues of channel capacity and franchise fee payments entered intothe proceedings if they were not in AOL-Time Warner’s application and did notcome up during the hearings.
“I just actually don’trecall,” Matayoshi said.
One group that should havehad a hand in the process is the Cable Advisory Committee, established by statelaw to offer advice to cable regulators.
In makingdecisions on cable franchise matters, the DCCA director is legally required toconsider any objections raised by the advisory committee. But the committee waseffectively eliminated by then-Gov. Ben Cayetano, who took office in 1994 andrefused to appoint any members to the committee. As terms of existing membersexpired, they were not replaced.
Akakü’s McLaughlinwas the last official member of the Cable Advisory Committee. His term expiredon June 30, 1996.
“It was never formally disbanded,”McLaughlin says of the committee. “It just sort of fadedaway.”
McLaughlin said he occasionally contactedCable Division staff before his term expired.
“Iwould call and ask, what’s going on? Any meetings?”
“They would tell me, ‘We don’t need your advice,’” McLaughlinsaid.
Access to free speech
The public access movement dates back to the 1970s and ’80s, when federal law recognized the importance of the publicstake in alternatives to commercial television. As television became thedominant source of news and community understanding of public issues, lawmakersrealized the public has to be provided a way to participate in what is otherwisea prohibitively expensive medium, just as leaflets and pamphlets gaveindividuals or groups a way to express themselves inprint.
As a result, federal law gave communities theright to demand cable companies pay a fee and set aside channels for public,education and government programs. In order to avoid First Amendment issues thatwould quickly arise if local governments directly controlled these programs,they are administered by separate nonprofit organizations designed by cableregulators and funded by franchise fees.
‘Ölelo,O‘ahu’s access provider (broadcast on Oceanic Channels 52-56), was incorporatedin 1989, and others followed — Akakü on Maui, Na Leo ‘O Hawai‘i on the BigIsland, and Ho‘ike on Kaua‘i. All offer free or low-cost training in televisionproduction, support for individuals and groups that want to produce their owntelevision programs, and several channels to reach thepublic.
In the midst of the increasingly vociferousnational debate over the concentration of media ownership and control in fewerand fewer corporate hands, public access or community television has become aprimary battleground where free speech advocates confront corporate dominationof the airwaves.
“Public access cable is the onlyplace where the average, ordinary person can take the podium and have a voice,”said Richard Turner, a longtime advocate for community media and state policycoordinator for the Washington, D.C.-based Alliance for CommunityMedia.
“The whole principle underlying the FirstAmendment is that the people have a right to speak, but if it weren’t for publicaccess, this would no longer be possible in this electronic age,” Turnersaid.
Public access provides the only broadcastchannels without prior restraint, according to Akakü’s McLaughlin. “Any othercommercial or public channel would have to pre-screen and pre-approve everythingthat gets on the air.”
The upside, McLaughlin said,is that some very good programs are produced about local community issues andpublic affairs that would otherwise not exist. On the neighbor islands, wherethere are no locally originated commercial television stations, public accessprovides the only available local televisionprogramming.
The down side is sometimes unevenquality.
“We provide unfluoridated public speech,”McLaughlin said with a laugh. “No chlorine, no fluoride, and its got otherimperfections.
“With every other channel, whethercommercial or public, you don’t know what’s been taken out or put in by hiddeninterests,” McLaughlin said. “We deliver itunfiltered.”
The public access movement dates back to the 1970s and ’80s, when federal law recognized the importance of the publicstake in alternatives to commercial television. As television became thedominant source of news and community understanding of public issues, lawmakersrealized the public has to be provided a way to participate in what is otherwisea prohibitively expensive medium, just as leaflets and pamphlets gaveindividuals or groups a way to express themselves inprint.
As a result, federal law gave communities theright to demand cable companies pay a fee and set aside channels for public,education and government programs. In order to avoid First Amendment issues thatwould quickly arise if local governments directly controlled these programs,they are administered by separate nonprofit organizations designed by cableregulators and funded by franchise fees.
‘Ölelo,O‘ahu’s access provider (broadcast on Oceanic Channels 52-56), was incorporatedin 1989, and others followed — Akakü on Maui, Na Leo ‘O Hawai‘i on the BigIsland, and Ho‘ike on Kaua‘i. All offer free or low-cost training in televisionproduction, support for individuals and groups that want to produce their owntelevision programs, and several channels to reach thepublic.
In the midst of the increasingly vociferousnational debate over the concentration of media ownership and control in fewerand fewer corporate hands, public access or community television has become aprimary battleground where free speech advocates confront corporate dominationof the airwaves.
“Public access cable is the onlyplace where the average, ordinary person can take the podium and have a voice,”said Richard Turner, a longtime advocate for community media and state policycoordinator for the Washington, D.C.-based Alliance for CommunityMedia.
“The whole principle underlying the FirstAmendment is that the people have a right to speak, but if it weren’t for publicaccess, this would no longer be possible in this electronic age,” Turnersaid.
Public access provides the only broadcastchannels without prior restraint, according to Akakü’s McLaughlin. “Any othercommercial or public channel would have to pre-screen and pre-approve everythingthat gets on the air.”
The upside, McLaughlin said,is that some very good programs are produced about local community issues andpublic affairs that would otherwise not exist. On the neighbor islands, wherethere are no locally originated commercial television stations, public accessprovides the only available local televisionprogramming.
The down side is sometimes unevenquality.
“We provide unfluoridated public speech,”McLaughlin said with a laugh. “No chlorine, no fluoride, and its got otherimperfections.
“With every other channel, whethercommercial or public, you don’t know what’s been taken out or put in by hiddeninterests,” McLaughlin said. “We deliver itunfiltered.”
Pressure on providers
Public access television has grown in sophistication and influence since ‘Ölelo was formed in 1989, providing a wayfor groups outside of the political establishment to make their views known andto impact public policy. It is not a contribution that is universallyappreciated.
Michael Edwards, an independent accessproducer on Kaua‘i, said he ran afoul of corporate interests when he begandocumenting the debate over the proposed sale of the island’s electric utilityand creation of a utility co-op several years ago.
Edwards said Kauai Electric officials first tried to block him from videotapingpublic meetings where the utility discussed its plans. Later, after Edwardscompleted a show and scheduled it for showing on Ho‘ike’s public access channel,the program was suddenly pulled from the schedule in the face of pressure fromthe utility. Although the program was later rescheduled, it did not appear atthe announced times, reducing its potentialaudience.
“It was a sad commentary for me thatpublic access would just roll over and give into censorship like that without somuch as a whimper,” Edwards said.
Sean McLaughlin onMaui tells a tale of arranging a lunch meeting with an island business leaderwho he hoped would help underwrite Akakü’s broadcast of a series of candidateforums during last year’s election campaign.
BeforeMcLaughlin could make his pitch, the developerinterrupted.
“He says, ‘Before we get started, letme just tell you I hate Akakü,’” McLaughlin recalled. “‘You guys use publicfunds to give a voice to people who misrepresent my projects. If I could, Iwould shut you down, I would put you out of business because you are giving avoice to irresponsible people.’”
McLaughlin said heoffered a standard response — that the answer to irresponsible speech is evenmore responsible speech rather than censorship.
Butthe businessman responded: “Sean, I can buy that [favorable programming]. I don’t need you for that. I need you to not let those people on yourstation.”
Akakü did not give in, and it isn’t clearfrom McLaughlin’s telling whether his developer friend ever seriously pushed hisattempt to silence critics. But it’s a clear warning of the pressures facingaccess providers.
Open access is also threatened byan internal dynamic, what Dirk Koning calls “the PBS-ing” of public access andcommunity television.
“The original kind of activistmovement that public access grew out of is losing some steam,” Koning observed.Whereas the original mandate was not to produce programming but to enable othersto produce their own programming on a first-come, first-serve basis, many accessorganizations are being reshaped into PBS-style productioncompanies.
Public access television has grown in sophistication and influence since ‘Ölelo was formed in 1989, providing a wayfor groups outside of the political establishment to make their views known andto impact public policy. It is not a contribution that is universallyappreciated.
Michael Edwards, an independent accessproducer on Kaua‘i, said he ran afoul of corporate interests when he begandocumenting the debate over the proposed sale of the island’s electric utilityand creation of a utility co-op several years ago.
Edwards said Kauai Electric officials first tried to block him from videotapingpublic meetings where the utility discussed its plans. Later, after Edwardscompleted a show and scheduled it for showing on Ho‘ike’s public access channel,the program was suddenly pulled from the schedule in the face of pressure fromthe utility. Although the program was later rescheduled, it did not appear atthe announced times, reducing its potentialaudience.
“It was a sad commentary for me thatpublic access would just roll over and give into censorship like that without somuch as a whimper,” Edwards said.
Sean McLaughlin onMaui tells a tale of arranging a lunch meeting with an island business leaderwho he hoped would help underwrite Akakü’s broadcast of a series of candidateforums during last year’s election campaign.
BeforeMcLaughlin could make his pitch, the developerinterrupted.
“He says, ‘Before we get started, letme just tell you I hate Akakü,’” McLaughlin recalled. “‘You guys use publicfunds to give a voice to people who misrepresent my projects. If I could, Iwould shut you down, I would put you out of business because you are giving avoice to irresponsible people.’”
McLaughlin said heoffered a standard response — that the answer to irresponsible speech is evenmore responsible speech rather than censorship.
Butthe businessman responded: “Sean, I can buy that [favorable programming]. I don’t need you for that. I need you to not let those people on yourstation.”
Akakü did not give in, and it isn’t clearfrom McLaughlin’s telling whether his developer friend ever seriously pushed hisattempt to silence critics. But it’s a clear warning of the pressures facingaccess providers.
Open access is also threatened byan internal dynamic, what Dirk Koning calls “the PBS-ing” of public access andcommunity television.
“The original kind of activistmovement that public access grew out of is losing some steam,” Koning observed.Whereas the original mandate was not to produce programming but to enable othersto produce their own programming on a first-come, first-serve basis, many accessorganizations are being reshaped into PBS-style productioncompanies.
Ideological tensions
There has traditionally been a basic philosophical difference between public television and public access television,although both started from similar motivations. Public television says: “Supportus and we will provide you programming that we select and control, and that wethink will be beneficial.”
Public access, on theother hand says: “Support us, and we’ll take those resources and provide a freeplatform and production resources so that anyone can produce television programsthat reflect their point of view.”
One vision iselitist, the other grassroots. Although not necessarily mutually exclusive,there is a clear tension between the two approaches.
As a result, ‘Ölelo has drawn heavy criticism from a group of access users forits increasing readiness to use its resources to produce and air professionalquality programs, which critics say compete unfairly with volunteer efforts.They say ‘Ölelo fails to assure that all have fair and equitable access toresources, including equipment, studio use, air time, production assistance andpromotional resources.
Lurline McGregor saysin-house productions take advantage of ‘Ölelo’s underutilized resources but donot crowd out other access users. Although she rejects the view that ‘Ölelo isshifting its emphasis, she also articulates the reasons for pursuing preciselysuch a path.
“When public access started out, it wasas a facilitator, but I’ll tell you, it hasn’t panned out,” McGregor said. “Onthe Mainland, communities are anxious to get rid of it because you don’t wantthat stuff in your living room.”
McGregor saysHawai‘i has largely been spared offensive programs like those seen in someMainland cities.
“We don’t have Nazi programs, hateprograms, or the penis-piercing programs,” she said. “But we are the place wherethe disenfranchised have a voice.”
“Look,” McGregorsaid, “everybody pays for access, but less than 1 percent of the community evercomes down and actively participates. What about the other 99percent?”
‘Ölelo, in McGregor’s view, has stayed astep ahead by assessing the community and attempting to serve up qualityprograms that match viewers’ perceived interests. Sometimes that can be done byproviding training and resources, or steering volunteers towards particularproductions. In other cases ‘Ölelo responds by taking over fullresponsibility.
“I really make no apologies for thein-house productions we do,” McGregor said. “We’re not a production house, butif there is a hot event, and we deem it will be beneficial to the community, wewill send our staff. But we don’t want to let an opportunity go by just becausewe can’t get volunteers.
“We’re not exactly changingthe paradigm, but expanding it,” she said. “We’ve got to do something to getcommunity support. If we don’t, the community is not going to give a damn if wewent away.”
Although ‘Ölelo remains committed toexpanding its core of active users, McGregor dismissed calls for more internaldemocracy in ‘Ölelo’s governance, including more representation of active accessusers on its board of directors.
“It’s kind of likethe food bank,” she said. “It’s not like foodless people are voting for membersof their board. You want people who will bring in differentqualities.”
But Richard Turner warns that pursuingboth production and access requires a very delicate balance that is difficult tomaintain.
“It’s a slippery slope,” Turner said.“When access providers become producers, there are unintended consequences.There’s a tendency to play more towards some opinions than others. And who’scontrolling the message? Is it a staff member or a communitygroup?”
“On the practical side, people who arevolunteering long hours to produce access programs feel disenfranchised when theaccess organization puts its staff and financial resources into producing itsown programs, with the natural tendency to devote advertising and promotionalresources to be sure those programs are watched. Individual producers begin tofeel disenfranchised, and wonder why they can’t get comparabletreatment.”
There has traditionally been a basic philosophical difference between public television and public access television,although both started from similar motivations. Public television says: “Supportus and we will provide you programming that we select and control, and that wethink will be beneficial.”
Public access, on theother hand says: “Support us, and we’ll take those resources and provide a freeplatform and production resources so that anyone can produce television programsthat reflect their point of view.”
One vision iselitist, the other grassroots. Although not necessarily mutually exclusive,there is a clear tension between the two approaches.
As a result, ‘Ölelo has drawn heavy criticism from a group of access users forits increasing readiness to use its resources to produce and air professionalquality programs, which critics say compete unfairly with volunteer efforts.They say ‘Ölelo fails to assure that all have fair and equitable access toresources, including equipment, studio use, air time, production assistance andpromotional resources.
Lurline McGregor saysin-house productions take advantage of ‘Ölelo’s underutilized resources but donot crowd out other access users. Although she rejects the view that ‘Ölelo isshifting its emphasis, she also articulates the reasons for pursuing preciselysuch a path.
“When public access started out, it wasas a facilitator, but I’ll tell you, it hasn’t panned out,” McGregor said. “Onthe Mainland, communities are anxious to get rid of it because you don’t wantthat stuff in your living room.”
McGregor saysHawai‘i has largely been spared offensive programs like those seen in someMainland cities.
“We don’t have Nazi programs, hateprograms, or the penis-piercing programs,” she said. “But we are the place wherethe disenfranchised have a voice.”
“Look,” McGregorsaid, “everybody pays for access, but less than 1 percent of the community evercomes down and actively participates. What about the other 99percent?”
‘Ölelo, in McGregor’s view, has stayed astep ahead by assessing the community and attempting to serve up qualityprograms that match viewers’ perceived interests. Sometimes that can be done byproviding training and resources, or steering volunteers towards particularproductions. In other cases ‘Ölelo responds by taking over fullresponsibility.
“I really make no apologies for thein-house productions we do,” McGregor said. “We’re not a production house, butif there is a hot event, and we deem it will be beneficial to the community, wewill send our staff. But we don’t want to let an opportunity go by just becausewe can’t get volunteers.
“We’re not exactly changingthe paradigm, but expanding it,” she said. “We’ve got to do something to getcommunity support. If we don’t, the community is not going to give a damn if wewent away.”
Although ‘Ölelo remains committed toexpanding its core of active users, McGregor dismissed calls for more internaldemocracy in ‘Ölelo’s governance, including more representation of active accessusers on its board of directors.
“It’s kind of likethe food bank,” she said. “It’s not like foodless people are voting for membersof their board. You want people who will bring in differentqualities.”
But Richard Turner warns that pursuingboth production and access requires a very delicate balance that is difficult tomaintain.
“It’s a slippery slope,” Turner said.“When access providers become producers, there are unintended consequences.There’s a tendency to play more towards some opinions than others. And who’scontrolling the message? Is it a staff member or a communitygroup?”
“On the practical side, people who arevolunteering long hours to produce access programs feel disenfranchised when theaccess organization puts its staff and financial resources into producing itsown programs, with the natural tendency to devote advertising and promotionalresources to be sure those programs are watched. Individual producers begin tofeel disenfranchised, and wonder why they can’t get comparabletreatment.”
Public access advocacy
The three years since the merger have not been kind to AOL-Time Warner. The company’s total market value has plungedby more than 80 percent, falling from an estimated $350 billion at the time ofthe merger to just $55 billion today. Company Chair Steve Case, architect of themerger, was forced to resign.
Any hopes that reducedfranchise fees might translate into lower consumer prices were quickly dashedwhen Oceanic raised its rates almost immediately, leaving consumers paying asmuch as before. And the company has continued to raise rates, with another roundjust announced for O‘ahu consumers.
But OceanicPresident Nate Smith said rates have actually increased at a slower pace thanthe company’s costs of providing programming, and “our charge to consumersremains one of the lowest in the country.”
At thesame time, Oceanic has retained its reputation for providing cutting-edge cableservices, while investing millions in rebuilding and upgrading its neighborisland cable systems.
“With Time Warner owning themall, we’re able to bring the same quality of service enjoyed on O‘ahu to Kaua‘i,Maui and the Big Island,” Smith said.
Meanwhile,access advocates took their case to the Legislature again this year, withunsuccessful attempts to get a legislative audit of access providers and torequire them to comply with state open meetings and recordslaws.
Cable watchers are waiting to see whenGovernor Linda Lingle will move to shake up the DCCA Cable Television Division.Both during the campaign and after the election, Lingle has publicly called forshifting power over cable issues to the counties.
Anextreme move might be to transfer all regulatory powers to the local level,where cable decisions are made in many parts of the Mainland. A less ambitiousplan might aim to spread PEG resources more evenly among the counties, althoughthat would mean further reductions in funds available to‘Ölelo.
An immediately useful step would be tosimply appoint new members to the Cable Advisory Committee, which is stillauthorized by law, a quick way to reestablish a degree of public accountabilityto the cable regulation process.
The three years since the merger have not been kind to AOL-Time Warner. The company’s total market value has plungedby more than 80 percent, falling from an estimated $350 billion at the time ofthe merger to just $55 billion today. Company Chair Steve Case, architect of themerger, was forced to resign.
Any hopes that reducedfranchise fees might translate into lower consumer prices were quickly dashedwhen Oceanic raised its rates almost immediately, leaving consumers paying asmuch as before. And the company has continued to raise rates, with another roundjust announced for O‘ahu consumers.
But OceanicPresident Nate Smith said rates have actually increased at a slower pace thanthe company’s costs of providing programming, and “our charge to consumersremains one of the lowest in the country.”
At thesame time, Oceanic has retained its reputation for providing cutting-edge cableservices, while investing millions in rebuilding and upgrading its neighborisland cable systems.
“With Time Warner owning themall, we’re able to bring the same quality of service enjoyed on O‘ahu to Kaua‘i,Maui and the Big Island,” Smith said.
Meanwhile,access advocates took their case to the Legislature again this year, withunsuccessful attempts to get a legislative audit of access providers and torequire them to comply with state open meetings and recordslaws.
Cable watchers are waiting to see whenGovernor Linda Lingle will move to shake up the DCCA Cable Television Division.Both during the campaign and after the election, Lingle has publicly called forshifting power over cable issues to the counties.
Anextreme move might be to transfer all regulatory powers to the local level,where cable decisions are made in many parts of the Mainland. A less ambitiousplan might aim to spread PEG resources more evenly among the counties, althoughthat would mean further reductions in funds available to‘Ölelo.
An immediately useful step would be tosimply appoint new members to the Cable Advisory Committee, which is stillauthorized by law, a quick way to reestablish a degree of public accountabilityto the cable regulation process.
ALOHA,
The Dept of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) is reviewing Oceanic Time Warner franchise renewal for cable services on O`ahu. Under federal law, Oceanic must provide funding for public access.
`Olelo Community TV is under attack. Oceanic Time Warner is greedy and wants to cut back on channels and funding for community access.
Mahalo to all those who attended last night’s Public Hearing on Franchise Renewal at McKinley High School!
The outpouring of support demonstrated at the rally prior to the hearing as well as the heartfelt testimony shared by so many at the hearing was truly inspiring. It is always wonderful to hear about the value of Community Access from those who benefit from its resources. Those resources still need protecting, so please submit your written testimony by this WENSDAY 9-30-09.
Here’s how to submit testimony:
Fax: (808) 586-2625
U.S. Mail:
Cable Television Division
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 541
Honolulu, Hawaii 96809
Cable Television Division
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 541
Honolulu, Hawaii 96809
There’s more information on our site here:
Thank you again to all who attended the hearing and rally as well as all of you who have already submitted testimony. For those of you who still wish to submit testimony, the deadline is this Friday, 9/30 at 4:30 pm.
Sincerely,
Keali’i Lopez
Honolulu Weekly on DCCA, 2003Honolulu Weekly on DCCA, 2003
Find Out HereStopAkakaBill.com
McKinley's magic moment
Students roar their approval for the day's special guest -- Earvin "Magic" Johnson
JOHNSON HAS TO TAKE SECOND SEAT TO THE REAL MAGIC THAT WAS DONE BY USA
BACK IN 2/23/1911
A statue of President McKinley was commissioned for $8,000. Completed in New York, the bronze eight-ton statue was shipped to Honolulu and dedicated on February 23, 1911
HOLDING A FAKE TREATY OF ANNEXATION. TO COVER THEIR PART IN AN ILLEGAL OVERTHROW AND BELLIGERENT OCCUPATION.
McKinley High School was officially established in 1865, as the Fort Street English Day School by Maurice B. Beckwith. In November 1869, the English Day School moved from the basement of the old Fort Street Church to a new stone building on the corner of Fort and School Streets. The Fort Street School later moved to the Princess Ruth’s Palace in 1895 and was renamed the Honolulu High School.
In 1907, Honolulu High School moved to the corner of Beretania and Victoria Streets. The school’s name was then changed to President William McKinley High School, after President William McKinley, whose influence helped to bring about the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States.
A statue of President McKinley was commissioned for $8,000. Completed in New York, the bronze eight-ton statue was shipped to Honolulu and dedicated on February 23, 1911.
With growing enrollment, a new and bigger school was necessary. In 1921, the present site on King Street was acquired through territorial condemnation. In 1923, the school was moved from the Beretania Victoria site to its present location. McKinley High School is proud to be listed on both State and National Register of Historical Places.
At this time, McKinley had no auditorium, and through the efforts of the McKinley Parent and Teachers Association, a building drive was formulated.
In 1927, the Marion McCarrell Scott Auditorium was dedicated. This new auditorium was then the largest theater in Hawai’i.
In 1920, McKinley began the publication of the Daily Pinion. Fluency in written communication was developed in the publications classes that the Daily Pinion, a school newspaper published daily and made possible with the assistance of the McKinley print shop.
The school’s swimming pool was the students’ pride of the 1920’s because they played an active part in its construction. Armed with picks, shovels, and determination, the students began the excavation for a pool in 1923. Construction was halted due to a lack of funds.
Students solicited the funds from the Honolulu business community and collected the necessary $12,000 to complete the pool. The pool was completed in 1926 and named in honor of the late Honolulu Mayor Fred Wright.
The appointment of Dr. Miles E. Carey in 1924 as principal opened a new era of leadership. In 1931, Dr. Carey introduced the “core” program, integrating English and social studies classes, to McKinley’s academic program. It was an immediate success and by 1933 the 3,000 students of McKinley were actively enrolled in the core program. The school cafeteria and road encircling the front mall are named after Dr. Miles E. Carey.
The Second World War proved to be a challenge for the students of McKinley. They wanted to do their part in the nation’s war effort. A savings bond drive was conducted, and the students responded by buying over $200,000 in bonds and stamps.
The overwhelming success of the bond drive, instigated a new project, purchasing a fighter bomber for the U.S. Air Force! Students again raised over $333,000 in war bonds to cover the cost of a Liberator bomber. In February 1944, the plane, christened “Madame Pele,” was presented to the U.S. Air Force.
August 14, 1945--the war was won! Veterans’ School was begun on campus to help the McKinley young men who had left school for the war. One hundred and five veterans came back to McKinley and finished their education.
The Korean War, begun in 1950, interrupted the peace. Again, McKinley boys volunteered their lives for their country. The 1950’s was also a period of readjustment. The core program ended and another chapter of the school’s history was brought to a close.
In 1960’s, McKinley met the demands of a progressive society. Educators instituted new methods in teaching science, mathematics, and the foreign languages. With the addition of new and revitalized curriculum, the students had an opportunity to choose from a wider range of subjects in preparation for their post-high school education. McKinley continued to be a comprehensive public high school in Hawai’i.
Just as McKinley’s curriculum expanded, the facilities also increased from the original four buildings. In 1959, the Social Studies building was added and named after Chief Justice Wilfred Tsukiyama.
And, in 1961, the award winning design of the Miles E. Carey cafeteria was completed. With growing interest in the music program, the music building was added in 1962.
In 1964, the students of McKinley petitioned and lobbied the State legislature for a gymnasium. Their efforts paid off as a gymnasium was built in 1964 and is aptly named the Student Council Gymnasium. In 1965, the football field was named the William Wise Field. William Wise coached the football team to the Interscholastic championship title of 1947.
McKinley High School is proud of her long standing traditions. Over the years, they have been proudly and steadfastly maintained by students, teachers, administrators, and alumni of McKinley.
The school colors, black and gold, were selected when McKinley High School was very young. Gold was chosen for McKinley’s close association with Hawaiian royalty. Not only was the school started during the reign of Kamehameha V, but also Honolulu High School, the predecessor of McKinley High School, used the palace of Princess Ruth for a school house.
In searching for a color to compliment the gold, black was agreed upon. Part of the reason for the selection was that many McKinley graduates continued their education at Princeton University, whose colors are also black and gold. The nickname, “Tigers”, was possibly derived from the close association with Princeton.
Other cherished aspects of McKinley’s history is the Code of Honor written in 1927 by student Mun Chee Chun. The code expressed the high standard of behavior which McKinley students tried to maintain. The original plaque of the code is proudly displayed in the main foyer of the Administration building.
Commencement Exercises are traditionally held on campus. Beginning in the 1930’s, the growing enrollment in the student body made it increasingly difficult to hold an indoor graduation. For this reason, it was suggested by a faculty member that the ceremony be moved outdoors on the front of the Administration Building on the first Sunday in June. This tradition is still honored today.
A tradition firmly upheld by all McKinley students is the respect given to the oval area surrounding President McKinley’s statue. No one is allowed to walk on the grassy oval. Only a graduating senior is allowed this privilege of crossing the oval on his or her Commencement Day.
In 1923, a contest was held to choose a school song. Of the many excellent entries, the song written by Edward Himrod, then adviser of the Daily Pinion, was chosen. “Hail, McKinley, Hail” was chosen as the school alma mater and was set to music by Walter Maygrove, McKinley band director.
Singing “Black and Gold” during the last three minutes of each football game began in the late 1950’s. Dr. Richard Lum, the band director of McKinley, used it to boost the pride in the team. Though the song had been sung since the 1920’s, establishing this tradition was especially loved by the students.
This tradition continues and the “Black and Gold” is traditionally sung at all spirit rallies, athletic games, class reunions, and Commencement. “Black and Gold” is so well known that it is often mistaken as the school alma mater.
Since its beginning, McKinley has always produced leaders and forerunners for Hawai’i. But she has also produced men and women who are not famous, yet who are a vital part of the life of these Islands. Prior to 1986, photographs of distinguished alumni were hung in the hallway of the Administration building in no formal or organized manner.
In 1986, the faculty and alumni formalized and implemented the Hall of Honor recognition program. The Hall of Honor recognizes McKinley’s outstanding alumni who have brought honor to the school and community through their achievements and contributions. Today, this program continues as distinguished alumni are recognized with a formal induction assembly before faculty and students.
Perhaps the most outstanding McKinley tradition is the school spirit and pride which has sparked campus life. We have a proud tradition...fund raising by students and teachers for a swimming pool, forming a human chain to pass rocks from the campus to Punchbowl to help build the lookout, collecting coconuts for trees to be planted at Ala Moana Park, and baking cookies for American soldiers during World War II.
These traditions have made McKinley students and alumni proud to be Tigers. Though our school has been modified with the times, our spirit and pride remain constant.
McKinley High School has contributed to the growth of our state and our nation. Our alumni have poured into the mainstream of American life in times of peace and stress.
It was best put by Teichiro Hirata, principal of McKinley High School during its Centennial Celebration in 1965:
“Yet, by far the greatest contribution McKinley has made and will continue to make is in her graduates, nameless in many instances, who served their respective communities in honest human endeavor. The day-to-day average citizen who provides goods and services, provides the best for their families with the sweat of their brow, who respects law and order, and who furnishes their sinew of war in times of international conflict. This is McKinley’s claim to greatness. Like Cornelia, mother of Roman Gracchi, McKinley echoes:
“These are my jewels. I give them to my country.”
McKinley continues to respect her past and build towards the future.
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20090917_mckinleys_magic_moment.html
UNLOCKING JUSTICE
Protecting Communities & Saving Money
Saturday, October 17, 2009
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ching Conference Center
Chaminade University
3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu HI
Suggested donation is $15.00 to cover conference materials and meals.
Scholarships available to students. Parking is free.
Times are hard. Money is tight. Crime continues on a downward trend.
Most of Hawai`i’s incarcerated population is projected to
be classified as minimum or community custody –
the least restrictive of all custody levels.
Yet prisons continue to use up precious resources.
Join us to learn about new research, data & alternatives
proven to protect communities, save money, and strengthen families.
NOW is THE TIME FOR SMART JUSTICE
For more information, contact Community Alliance on Prisons – (808) 533-3454; kat.caphi@gmail.com
Sponsored by Chaminade University’s Alpha Phi Sigma – Criminology and Criminal Justice Department,
Community Alliance on Prisons, Drug Policy Forum of Hawai`i, Ka Lei Maile Ali`i Hawaiian Civic Club,
League of Women Voters
Mahalo to Hawai`i People’s Fund, Hawai`i Community Foundation, & the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation
For their generous support
__._,_.___
ALOHA,
The Dept of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) is reviewing Oceanic Time Warner franchise renewal for cable services on O`ahu. Under federal law, Oceanic must provide funding for public access.
`Olelo Community TV is under attack. Oceanic Time Warner is greedy and wants to cut back on channels and funding for community access.
Mahalo to all those who attended last night’s Public Hearing on Franchise Renewal at McKinley High School!
The outpouring of support demonstrated at the rally prior to the hearing as well as the heartfelt testimony shared by so many at the hearing was truly inspiring. It is always wonderful to hear about the value of Community Access from those who benefit from its resources. Those resources still need protecting, so please submit your written testimony by this Friday.
Here’s how to submit testimony:
Fax: (808) 586-2625
U.S. Mail:
Cable Television Division
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 541
Honolulu, Hawaii 96809
Cable Television Division
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 541
Honolulu, Hawaii 96809
There’s more information on our site here:
Thank you again to all who attended the hearing and rally as well as all of you who have already submitted testimony. For those of you who still wish to submit testimony, the deadline is this Friday, 9/16 at 4:30 pm.
Sincerely,
Keali’i Lopez
For my family and friends who like KNOW:
Some of y'all asked me how the toy sharks (that I have in my office and in my bags) look. Yes... exciting! LOL I carry them everywhere and while some people immediately tell me that it is my aumakua, that was not the motivation for me to buy them from the Dollar Store. It was because for my work I work in a shark tank LOL Actually I told my husband that I HAD to get some toy sharks.Things happen for a reason.My office at home is in my reading room. I have two computers in my reading room... and one in my livingroom which is what my husband wanted but I did not want LOL Well the two that are in my reading room/office is set up so that one is for me and one is for my husband. My husband's desktop is right behind me. Sometimes my husband helps me with my work. I set up a system. He helps me on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.Well here is a crappy pic of one of the toy sharks that I have that I took with my Blackberry:
Isle inmates' plight spurs tighter securityMale guards at a Kentucky prison have been accused of sexual misconductBy Roger Alford / Associated Press
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Sep 15, 2009
(Single Page View) | Return to Paginated View
WHEELWRIGHT, Ky. » Investigators from the Kentucky Department of Corrections called for security improvements at a private Appalachian women's prison to protect inmates from being sexually assaulted by male guards.
State investigators looked into the handling of 18 alleged cases of sexual misconduct by guards in the past three years at the Otter Creek Correctional Complex in this tiny coal town some 150 miles southeast of Lexington. Investigators made 14 recommendations to protect the more than 400 female inmates, including basic strategies like assigning female guards to supervise the women in their sleeping quarters.
Department of Corrections spokeswoman Jennifer Brislin said yesterday that a two-month probe by her agency turned up seven new allegations of sexual misconduct that she said will be reviewed for possible criminal and administrative charges.
Perched on a mountainside above Wheelwright, the Otter Creek prison came under public scrutiny earlier this summer when female inmates from Hawaii complained that they had been the subject of sexual assaults by their male guards. Corrections officials in Hawaii recently removed 165 inmates from Otter Creek, citing safety concerns.
Steve Owen, spokesman for Corrections Corp. of America, said the Tennessee-based company fully cooperated with Kentucky's investigation.
"We have a zero-tolerance policy for that kind of conduct, and we're going to fully support full prosecution," he said.
The medium-security prison, surrounded by fences and razor wire, employs about 190 people in this hardscrabble town which is struggling from job losses in the coal industry. While some communities fight to keep prisons out, Wheelwright and other Appalachian towns have welcomed prisons in because of the jobs they create.
The Rev. John Rausch, head of the Catholic Committee of Appalachia, has voiced concern about the growing number of federal and state prisons that have been built in the mountain region in recent years. Rausch said inmates who are often shipped in from hundreds, even thousands of miles away are reduced to "the status of commodities" by using them for job creation.
Kentucky Corrections Commissioner LaDonna Thompson said finding enough women willing to work as corrections officers at Otter Creek has been difficult. That, she said, had resulted in male guards supervising female inmates in areas of the prison where female guards would be a better option.
Owen said his company has already taken steps to prevent sexual assaults in the prison, built on a flat spot carved out of a Floyd County mountainside. Those steps include the installation of video cameras that he said will be a deterrent to sexual misconduct and will help investigators determine future allegations' validity.
Investigators from the Department of Corrections recommended yesterday that security cameras be installed and that staffers be assigned to monitor the cameras. They also recommended that the company hire more female corrections officers, conduct a security assessment of all areas of the prison vulnerable to sexual assaults, and train all staffers on provisions of the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
Justice Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown said last week that the state will not renew a contract to house inmates at Otter Creek unless Corrections Corp. of America hires a female security chief and hires a security staff that is at least 40 percent female.
Brislin said sexual misconduct charges have been substantiated against only five corrections officers at Otter Creek since 2007.
"The rogue actions of a few bad apples has really led to a very unfortunate characterization of the entire work force at that institution," Owen said.
Let's talk about racism and white privilege.
In 1932, a Native Hawaiian St. Louis graduate by the name of Joseph Kahahawai was shot in the back by a gang comprised of white military men and aeast coast socialite named Grace Fortescue. As good fortune would have it,they would get caught, tried, and convicted. Then-Governor Judd would famouslycommute their sentence to an hour over cocktails in his home.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are the political cartoons of the 1800s and 1900s. Racists laws against language and culture. Disparatetreatment of Hawaiians in the judicial system. Racism against Hawaiiansremains prevelant, systemic, and continues to destroy our population.
There is just so much it would take a lifetime for me to recap it all.
The Southern Poverty Law Center decided to recently write an article on racism in Hawai`i... against whites in Hawai`i.
You have got to be kidding me.
So I wrote to them. I'm reasonable like that, explaining that portraying white people as victims here is silly and inaccurate in the grand scheme ofthings. And I was told my Mark Potok, editor of their magazine: "I don’t doubtat all that many Native Hawaiians live in real poverty, or that they arefrequently the subjects of real racial hate and discrimination. It may well bethat we will do a story some time in the future about that situation."
In other words, we really don't give a damn about the racism against or suffering of Hawaiians.
And this is why we never get anywhere with race relations in Hawai`i.
So I'm opening the floodgates, because it's about time we started having this conversation in Hawai`i. Among ourselves... for ourselves... (so I willbe writing about regularly... buckle up.)
In my opinion, white people do not experience racism in Hawai`i. They experience lack of privilege.
And there is a select minority of white people who continue to complain about our rejection of white privilege in Hawai`i. And it hurts everyone,mostly, other white people. I don't actually know anyone, white or otherwise,who wants to be arbitrarily privileged. Most people I know only want theopportunities which they have earned and to which they are justly entitledto.
Everyone wants to be able to get along and work together to fix our community's problem.
The problem is that articles like the one for the Southern Poverty Law Center are so racist that is breeds anger and resentment in the community. Letme explain why (in the form of a question).
In consideration of the fact that we have sex trafficking from Asia, Micronesians denied health care, the grave overrepresentation of Hawaiians inour prisons, why is it that a national organization chooses to run a story ona couple of children being called names in school? To me, it looks like theyare getting the attention simply because they're white.
And I call that racism and white privilege. And it makes me mad.
What (to me) confirms that it's racist, is a response that says: we don't doubt there's racism against Hawaiians, but maybe we'll talk about thatlater.
We've been waiting for 116 years. What exactly are you waiting for at this point?
Yes, there are race problems here in Hawai`i, but the problem is not "Hawaiians versus everyone else." There are people who want everyone tobelieve that because Hawaiians are a threat to existing power structure inHawai`i - where the wealthy stay on stop and everyone else works two and ahalf jobs to make ends meet. The problems in Hawai`i are everywhere: in thedomestic violence rates; in the continued denial of health care and healthbenefits; sex trafficking; discrimination against gay couples; languagebarriers for immigrants.
You don't want to talk about Hawaiians? Fine. Then talk about sex trafficking.
Or talk about nuclear testing on Pacific Islanders.
There are a thousand race-related problems that the Southern Poverty Law Center could have championed and they stood up for white privilege. It's sad,because there are so many other groups who needed those resources more andmore urgently.
It's absurd when educated, middle-class, white males complain about discrimination, because the truth is not one of you would trade lives with ayoung, black lesbian. Or, more applicably to Hawai`i, someone find me aneducated, middle-class white male who would trade lives with a femaleMicronesian immigrant with Type II Diabetes.
Anyone?
That's what I thought.
Bottom line is: whether or not there is actually is a "kill haole day" is irrelevant, because I can find you thousands of Micronesians, Asians,Polynesians, and other minorities who would gladly trade your "kill haole day"for their dispossessed and painful lives.
