Locals have been complaining about how busy the freeways are on the Honolulu freeways for years. On Oahu you have the following major junctions on the freeways: West end:Route 93 in Kapolei, H-2 in Pearl City, H-201 in Aiea, H-3 in Halawa, East end:Route 72 in Honolulu, HI. The H-1 freeway is the busiest Interstate Highway in Hawaii, is also known as the Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway. Here's a trivia fact about the H-1 freeway: It is the westernmost and southernmost Interstate Highway in the United States.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_H-1 provided the above information.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation or HDOT has for years been trying to figure out what the best way to possibly alleviate the heavy traffic on Honolulu freeways, thus making it easier for residents traveling to and from work. It's possible had the H-4 freeway been permitted to be built back in 1965, that some of the traffic problems wouldn't be as bad. Honolulu has the nation’s second highest metropolitan travel time during peak commute hours, second only to Los Angeles.
These are some alternatives modes of transportation Oahu has recently put to good use, such as using buses. Established by former Mayor Frank F. Fasi as the Honolulu Rapid Transit (HRT), Honolulu's TheBus system has been twice honored by the American Public Transportation Association bestowing the title of "America's Best Transit System" for 1994–1995 and 2000–2001. TheBus operates 107 routes serving Honolulu and outlying areas on Oahu with a fleet of 531 buses, and is run by the non-profit corporation Oahu Transit Services in conjunction with the city Department of Transportation Services. Honolulu is ranked 4th for highest per-capita use of mass transit in the United States.
The other possible mode of transportation using a Rail system is hitting snags. Currently, there is no urban rail transit system in Honolulu, although electric street railways were used in Honolulu prior to World War II. The government of the City and County of Honolulu is currently planning a 20-mile (32 km) transit line that will connect Honolulu with outlying suburban areas to the west of the city on the southwestern part of Oʻahu. The Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project is aimed at alleviating traffic congestion for Leeward Oʻahu commuters, but has been criticized for its cost and environmental impacts (including the likelihood of disturbing Native Hawaiian burials and the visual impact of the fully-elevated line.)
As the points of view from Native Hawaiians is understandable and respected, there should be a way of possibly putting a railway on Oahu without causing any major environmental damage to native plants and sacred sites. The fact that locals don't want a railway being an eye sore to residents and visitors alike, plays a major component on how HDOT possibly comes up with an idea on how to install a railway system. Should a railway ever be built on Oahu, it'd have to go around the entire island, stop at selected railway stations close to work, shopping malls, hotels& beaches, and not to far from home.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Hawaii board OKs plan for giant telescope
The following story is by the AP or associated press.
HONOLULU – Hawaii has moved a step closer to the construction of the world's largest telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea.
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously approved the plan Friday. A consortium of California and Canadian universities had applied for a permit to build the Thirty Meter Telescope on conservation land.
The board, however, also granted a request by opponents for a case hearing on the telescope.
Some Native Hawaiians say the construction would defile Mauna Kea's summit, which they consider sacred. Environmentalists also oppose the telescope, claiming that it would harm the rare wekiu bug.
The telescope would be able to observe planets that orbit stars other than the sun and enable astronomers to watch new planets and stars being formed.
HONOLULU – Hawaii has moved a step closer to the construction of the world's largest telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea.
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously approved the plan Friday. A consortium of California and Canadian universities had applied for a permit to build the Thirty Meter Telescope on conservation land.
The board, however, also granted a request by opponents for a case hearing on the telescope.
Some Native Hawaiians say the construction would defile Mauna Kea's summit, which they consider sacred. Environmentalists also oppose the telescope, claiming that it would harm the rare wekiu bug.
The telescope would be able to observe planets that orbit stars other than the sun and enable astronomers to watch new planets and stars being formed.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Living in Hawaii
I'll say this about living in Hawaii, it's not for everyone, as many families have found out for themselves. At first the idea of actually living in Hawaii seems cool or perhaps a once in a life time experience. From personal experience living in Hawaii taught me many things about life and about myself. Even though Hawaii is located nearly 3000 miles away from the U.S. mainland, the fact that when you're inspired to take a long drive somewhere proves limited when living in the islands. Island fever is a term for those who aren't able to adapt to living in the islands, as once you've lived on the U.S. mainland, there are many things you're able to do there that you aren't be able to do in Hawaii. Exploring other states is something you can't do from Hawaii in a car or a train, leaving air travel as the primary mode of transportation.
Should your family be the ones moving to Hawaii for being closer to either spouses family or because your job firm transferred you there, please make sure it's really something meant for your family. I've seen situations where families didn't do well living in Hawaii for several reasons, the primary reason being jobs. Unlike their mainland counterparts, getting a job in Hawaii generally proves challenging, especially when you didn't prepare for that in advance. Through the years I've learned about the important things to be aware of or learn more about before possibly moving to Hawaii.
Before agreeing with your boss on a job transfer to Hawaii, requiring you to move your entire family, the following things are important to know before hand.
1) Will your salary(s) increase enough to offset the higher living expenses Hawaii has?
2) What sort of housing will you be able to afford living in the islands? Will you be able to afford the different selections of insurance required to have in the islands? Earthquake and Flood insurance would be at the top of the list.
3) In the event you've got kids attending school, does the school they'll attend have or come close to the
curriculum of your child(s) previous school? In case it turns out the curriculum is behind what your
child had been taught in school previously, how will you deal with that? In my personal experience, it
hurt me more then I suspected, that the learning curriculum was two years behind.
4) Health insurance for you and your family, will you still remain with your company's health care plan
or have to purchase another health plan once you've settled down? Health insurance plans in the
islands have selected price ranges on what you're able to afford.
5) The weather in the islands varies somewhat from island to island. Getting acclimated to the island
weather temperatures shouldn't take long adjusting to, unless you've moved from a cold weather state.
6) Auto Insurance it's important on checking to see how your auto insurance rates will differ living in
Hawaii. At last check all licensed drivers were required to no-fault insurance on their vehicles.
7) In the event of a family emergency that requires you to return to the mainland, will you be able to bear
that unexpected expense. Depending on which island you're living on, the costs of an airline ticket
could possibly shock you. Most airline flights directly out of Honolulu are the least expensive, should
that be where you're living.
With the technology of the internet available these days, it's quite simple checking on these important things before possibly moving to Hawaii. The many families who relocate to the islands, end up loving the laid back life style, as for some families it doesn't work out as well. The important thing is doing a complete research, thus making a educated decision before moving to the islands, having feedback in knowing or not if living in Hawaii is right for you and your family. With Hawaii being located in the Pacific Ocean, remember it's still an approximate 5 to 6 hour flight back to the mainland.
Should your family be the ones moving to Hawaii for being closer to either spouses family or because your job firm transferred you there, please make sure it's really something meant for your family. I've seen situations where families didn't do well living in Hawaii for several reasons, the primary reason being jobs. Unlike their mainland counterparts, getting a job in Hawaii generally proves challenging, especially when you didn't prepare for that in advance. Through the years I've learned about the important things to be aware of or learn more about before possibly moving to Hawaii.
Before agreeing with your boss on a job transfer to Hawaii, requiring you to move your entire family, the following things are important to know before hand.
1) Will your salary(s) increase enough to offset the higher living expenses Hawaii has?
2) What sort of housing will you be able to afford living in the islands? Will you be able to afford the different selections of insurance required to have in the islands? Earthquake and Flood insurance would be at the top of the list.
3) In the event you've got kids attending school, does the school they'll attend have or come close to the
curriculum of your child(s) previous school? In case it turns out the curriculum is behind what your
child had been taught in school previously, how will you deal with that? In my personal experience, it
hurt me more then I suspected, that the learning curriculum was two years behind.
4) Health insurance for you and your family, will you still remain with your company's health care plan
or have to purchase another health plan once you've settled down? Health insurance plans in the
islands have selected price ranges on what you're able to afford.
5) The weather in the islands varies somewhat from island to island. Getting acclimated to the island
weather temperatures shouldn't take long adjusting to, unless you've moved from a cold weather state.
6) Auto Insurance it's important on checking to see how your auto insurance rates will differ living in
Hawaii. At last check all licensed drivers were required to no-fault insurance on their vehicles.
7) In the event of a family emergency that requires you to return to the mainland, will you be able to bear
that unexpected expense. Depending on which island you're living on, the costs of an airline ticket
could possibly shock you. Most airline flights directly out of Honolulu are the least expensive, should
that be where you're living.
With the technology of the internet available these days, it's quite simple checking on these important things before possibly moving to Hawaii. The many families who relocate to the islands, end up loving the laid back life style, as for some families it doesn't work out as well. The important thing is doing a complete research, thus making a educated decision before moving to the islands, having feedback in knowing or not if living in Hawaii is right for you and your family. With Hawaii being located in the Pacific Ocean, remember it's still an approximate 5 to 6 hour flight back to the mainland.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Visiting and Vacationing in Hawaii!
This map is courtesy of the following website: http://www.hawaii-accommodation-pictures.com/map/index.html
For many visitors visiting and vacationing in Hawaii it's quite an uncommon experience and adventure. Located nearly 3000 miles from the U.S. Mainland of California, the sites and scenery of the islands, are quite unlike any other place in the United States with tropical scenery. Tourism is important to the islands, as various televised commercials broadcast on TV & radio try to show what Hawaii has to offer the visitors from around the world. With the recent success that Hawaii 5-0 is having, that show itself has been successful in marketing the natural beauty of the Hawaiian islands.
Whether you're traveling by plane or cruise ship, make your visit or vacation to the islands as memorable as you're able to. A few visitors have come up to me and mentioned that Hawaii is expensive, I've replied by saying, since you're there for a vacation to relax with family members, just enjoy it. Yes it's true some things in the islands are priced higher then in San Diego county, however, that isn't far behind some priced items being nearly the same. When you do visit Hawaii for a vacation, the following advice should prove helpful:
1) Depending upon what time of year your visiting, bring a light jacket in case of unexpected rain.
2) Bring a suntan lotion with a high spf count of over 30 at least, Hawaii is located near the equator, but south of the tropic of cancer. People with sun sensitive skin should be especially aware of this when visiting.
3) Spending Money- Don't bring more then you actually need. Whenever possible use traveler's checks for traveling purposes, or what ever credit card your family uses for vacations only. You don't want to make yourself a target by advertising you're carrying large amounts of money on your person. Frommer's Hawaii 2010 (Frommer's Colour Complete Guides)
4) Locals naturally speak a dialect of English and Hawaiian called Pidgin English. Unless you're familiar with that dialect, don't attempt trying to use it. The words used have different meanings, as you could possibly offend someone unknowingly, in attempting to use Pidgin English. I myself can still speak the dialect with no problem, one of the benefits of living in Hawaii.
5) Site-Seeing: Most important thing here to remember is genuinely know your physical limitations when scuba diving, swimming, hiking, biking, or what ever you have planned during your visit. Each island offers some uncommon tropical beauty, making for lots of pictures. The Big Island offers the many diverse options as far as weather conditions go. Just for example, say you're visiting the summit of Mauna Kea be forewarned that even though the thermometer reads 85 at sea level, the temps change drastically the higher in elevation you climb. A thicker jacket is highly recommended for the mountains to keep you comfortable. The Big Isle is also the largest of all the Hawaiian islands combined.
6) Shop carefully for good deals when it's known you'll be visiting Hawaii. Some package deals look good at first, however, take a closer look at the fine print. Your visit to Hawaii should be memorable, as misfortunes sometimes occur out of the blue. From airline, rent a cars, hotels, an important thing to understand is staying within your budget range. Don't try impressing anyone by staying at some expensive hotel you can't genuinely afford on your budget. When staying at a hotel be sure to ask about the local farmers market near your hotel, good deals are often found there on assorted items. Don't forget to ask where a local supermarket is located you'll save money. Another hint is ask the hotel clerk when the local grocery store ads appear in the newspaper. You'll save some additional money doing that and use it for other things.
7) Enjoy your visit to the Hawaiian Islands as you experience the aloha spirit in person!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Kilauea Volcano
of the flow. U. S. Geological Survey photo by Don Swanson, May 8, 2004. The volcano has continually erupted since 1983, providing spectacular picturesque moments you wouldn't normally get to see. Since 2008, rising emissions of sulfur dioxide from the Halemaʻumaʻu crater at Kīlauea's summit have led to increased levels of volcanic smog and air quality concerns. Located within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Kīlauea is visited by millions of tourists each year, making it the most visited attraction in Hawaii and the most visited volcano in the world. Despite its relative safety for researchers and visitors alike,[6] Kīlauea is regarded by the USGS as the most dangerous volcano in the U.S.
My Family, who resides on the Big Island, are roughly an hour or so from the Hawaii Volcanos National Park. When the trade winds aren't going, lots of volcanic ash known locally as vog fills the atmosphere, depending upon the severity level, a health alert will be issued via radio or tv stations. Trade winds keep the vog level to a minimal, but, more importantly bring rain clouds with them, bringing much needed rain to the islands.
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