Tag Archives: 2008

Culture, maui, Travel

Orchid Show at the Maui County Fair

This year’s Maui County Fair, to be held October 2 to October 5, 2008, promises an all new orchid show put on by the Maui Orchid Society. If the idea of change frightens some, the Fair also promises to offer most of its other popular attractions, including the local favorite, deep fried twinkies.

With travel to the islands slumping, now is a good time to start planning a getaway to the Maui that includes a trip to its unique County Fair. Room rates and interisland fares are starting to dip and availability is good, making a trip to Maui more affordable than its been in a while.

For example, a room at the no-frills Maui Beach Hotel, which is walking distance to fair grounds, offers a nightly rate during the fair of $117 for a standard room. The Hawaii Superferry offers interisland transport for $59 each way from Honolulu.

For more details about the new orchid show at this year’s fair, see my article in the current issue of Hana Hou!.

Politics

Obama Rally on O’ahu, Hawaii

Obamapalooza? That’s what some have called his recent world-wind trip, which winds down this week with a visit to his elderly mother, who lives on O’ahu. This afternoon he is holding a free public rally at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park, which is near the airport (map). Doors open at 12:30 pm. According to the website, hawaiiforabama.org, admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis. No one has said when he or Michelle will appear. But if you haven’t heard him speak in person before, this is a great opportunity.

If you’ve never been to Keehi Lagoon Beach Park, it’s basically a big, grassy field that runs into a beach. There are public showers and toilets, but there is very limited shade. That part of O’ahu bakes all the day in hot sun, so if you’re going to the rally, bring at the very least a broad-rimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water. If you have a small shade tent and some beach chairs, even better.

By the way, the size of Hawaii’s Democratic Party has doubled based on the strength of his candidacy. So you might want to get to Keehi Lagoon as early as possible.

Politics

Obama McCain Nader Comparison

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Which candidate best matches your views? Here are few ways to sift through the hype and partisan bickering to figure it out.

To start, download the non-partisan guide published by the League of Women Voters called the “2008 Presidential Election General Election Voter’s Guide”. They offer brief, non-partisan information in detail. For instance, did you know that the President of the United States earns a salary of $400,000 per year? According to Salary.com, that’s equivalent to most presidents of public universities and football coaches.

The nonpartisan site, glassbooth.org, is another good place to go for more in-depth comparisons of the candidates. You can take a closer look at each of the three presidential candidates, Barack Obama, John McCain and Ralph Nader. (If you’re looking more info on each candidate’s pick for VP, see the post “Biden Palin Comparison”.)

At glassbooth, you can compare the presidential candidates on these issues:

  • Abortion and Birth Control
  • Civil Liberties and Domestic Security
  • Crime and Punishment
  • Education
  • Environment and Energy
  • Gay Rights
  • Gun Control
  • Health Care
  • Immigration
  • Iraq and Foreign Policy
  • Medical Marijuana and Drug Policy
  • Social Security
  • Taxes and Budget
  • Trade and Economics

Let’s take a closer look at the three candidates on one issue, the environment and energy. Obama supports the idea that human pollution is a significant cause of global warming. McCain says the same. Nader strongly supports the idea that human pollution is a significant cause of global warming. Read more at glassbooth to see where they differ.

Or you can start with issues and work back to which candidate most closely matches your views by taking glassbooth’s quiz. There are twenty issues, and you rank each of them according to how much it means to you. The issues in the quiz are the same as those listed above.

Another informative, non-partisan site to compare the candidates is procon.org . In addition, users can compare the pros and cons of controversial issues such as gay rights, illegal immigration, and the death penalty.