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.

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.

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.

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.

2 more hours to go as the 2009 year closes here in Honolulu. It has been an uncertain year in terms of economic times, but yet we were blessed with our first child – Nanami to be born this year. Our priority and time are now mostly with her, and each day brings new joy and smile to see her grow. Thanks to both of her grandmothers who took time to fly here and take part of helping with everything. There are times when – lack of sleep and baby’s never ending cry – become a big frustration ready to explode, but seeing her grow just melts that away. We thank all our family members, co-workers, and friends for all their love and support this year. May you all have a great new year and also a healthy lifestyle!

Need a time-out? Enjoy this nice melody and lyrics from Fergie.
It’s G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S!

Eddie Aikau 2009 was “ON” today at Waimea Bay. Impressive 35 – 45 ft faces are happening at the moment and this is probably the biggest since 1969 (40 years ago). Condition looked great with famous surfers going for the Big One! Check out the live webcast here.

UPDATE: California’s Greg Long overtakes Slater to win Eddie Aikau big-wave surf meet. Read here.

Panya Group (also known as Panya Bakery) will be opening their new Panya Waikiki store at the Royal Hawaii Center. They will move into the former Sakura Cakes space later this month. According to the article from the Pacific Business News, Panya Bakery was started back in 1997 by sister team who wanted to bring a Japanese-style self-service bakery to Honolulu. Some of you might remember their former location in Kakaako where Hokua residential condo currently resides. Since then, they have opened at the Ala Moana Center and also at the Cooke Street location. Panya Waikiki aims to provide quality pasteries as well as gift items for tourists.

Read more about it here.

If you think it’s a bad time to opening a restaurant business, you might want to think about it again.

Everyone knows the prevailing wisdom about the restaurant business: It’s a bad bet, notorious for failure, with three out of four places closing within the first three years.

But consider this: Studies have found the risk of closing is the same in good times and bad, according to Andrew Rigie of the New York State Restaurant Association. And the upsides to a down economy make it a risk worth considering. Rents have dropped by as much as 66 percent in prime locations, and landlords are actually offering abatements. There’s a huge pool of talented chefs and workers desperate for jobs and willing to work for much less. And, as Hoffman says, “There’s money sitting on the sidelines” to be tapped for investments, even if banks are not loaning at all.

Yes, the cost of space has gotten down and landlords are bending their backs for tenant occupancy. Although Hawaii’s scenario might not be in tact, asking the right questions can garner the right terms and agreement of operating a restaurant.

As always, the bottom line really is the bottom line, which is why successful restaurateurs hammer on the importance of a business plan. “You can’t think you are going to open a restaurant and only pay the bills,” Mendes says. “You really have to have a strong plan. It’s tedious, it’s a test of patience. But it’s key.” More important, “don’t open with zero in the bank –I’ve been open for six months and am still paying bills for construction.”

Arpaia and others lament that culinary schools graduate chefs with no serious training in business beyond managing food costs. And so she advises: “Partner with people who know what they are doing and not be undercapitalized. If you think you need $50,000, you really need $100,000. You need to cover payroll, food and wine. People who are undercapitalized make it to nine months; most don’t make that first year.”

As always, homework is always necessary and something you cannot dismiss especially in this competitive age. One needs to dissect the cost of operating and expenses very seriously to break even. Don’t you wish it was a lot easier like school homework?

Read the full article here.

Brothers Glenn and Gregg Uyeda make their magic from creativity, passion, and hard work at Aiea Bowl – one of Hawaii’s best and fun places to bowl. These 2 successful brothers from Hawaii are making a profit of 25% a year by making use of their bowling commercial space to the most potential.

Read more about it here.