by Mark on January 13, 2010
Land-use planning, more than any other public policy, shapes the way you live. It’s responsible for your 60-to-90-minute commute from Kapolei or Hawaii Kai. It’s why you live in a three-bedroom, two-bath home with a two-car garage.
It’s what influences you to work downtown, shop in Kakaako and spend your weekends playing on the North Shore or carousing in Waikiki. In short, the decisions of land use planners affect almost everything you do. However, land-use planners have changed their thinking in recent years and that may change the way your children live.
Interesting article about ‘Smart Growth’ with a mixed use theme. It goes over Oahu’s infrastructure, land-use planning and the challenges we face today. A nice read.
See story here.
by Mark on January 5, 2010
Jung runs a seminar called the Coffin Academy, where, for $25 each, South Koreans can get a glimpse of the abyss. Over four hours, groups of a dozen or more tearfully write their letters of goodbye and tombstone epitaphs. Finally, they attend their own funerals, and try that coffin on for size.
In a candle-lighted chapel, each climbs into one of the austere wooden caskets laid side by side on the floor. Lying face up, their arms crossed over their chests, they close their eyes. And there they rest, for 10 excruciating minutes.
Is this for real? I mean why do they have to go through that ordeal and horrified experience? Never knew the suicidal rate is the highest in the world for South Koreans. Even New York Times recently reported the rise of suicides amongst New York Koreans.
See story here.
by Mark on January 2, 2010
The Hawaii state legislature and Mayor Mufi Hannemann are considering a honorary recognition to mark President Barack Obama who is a native of Hawaii. Recognition includes:
- Renaming Magic Island in Ala Moana to President Barack Obama Beach Park at Magic Island
- President Obama Day (August 4th – his birthday)
- Barack Obama II Ohana Day (January 20th – his presidential inauguration day)
- President Barack Obama Birthplace State Park
- President Barack Hussein Obama II Elementary School (His first school)
- President Barack Hussein Obama II High School (Renaming McKinley High School where he attended)
- Apartment building where his grandparents lived to a National Register of Historic Places
See story here.
by Mark on January 2, 2010
If you thought this was crazy, well you might want to know how Japan’s capsule hotel evolved from a “one night stay after missing the last train’s ride” to a “weekly/monthly rental” for some. The timing of this worst recession combined with the rise in homeless dwellers and high rental rate (living expense) has attracted a niche in the busy Tokyo.
See slide show here.
See story here.
