State legislature honors CBS, Hawaii Five-O

Alex O'Loughlin, Scott Caan, Grace Park, and Daniel Dae Kim have made their roles on Hawaii 5-0 memorable for fans of the original show with the late Jack Lord. These cast members have a unique chemistry that have seen the show enjoy a revival, after many failed earlier attempts, and drawn tourists back to the islands.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Hawaii State Legislature Thursday honored CBS and Hawaii Five-O Thursday for engaging a new era of viewers and showcasing the beauty of the islands as never seen before.

CBS' Hawaii Five-0 took the police procedural drama set in the backyard of Hawaii, and updated the show's brand appeal with a new generation of fast-paced, high-action, eye-seducing, crime-fighting quartet.

The legislature honored representatives from CBS, the show's producers, cast and crew on the global success of their first season.

Honorees include Senior Vice President of Current Programming for CBS Glenn Geller, Executive Producer Peter Lenkov, Co-Executive Producer Paul Zbyszewski, Co-Executive Producer and Director Brad Turner, Producer and Co-Unit Production Manager Jeff Downer, cast members Alex O'Loughlin (Steve McGarrett) and Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly).

"While some may have had their doubts about bringing back this iconic series," said Rep. K. Mark Takai (District 34 - Aiea, Pearl City), "It really was a win-win for everyone involved-especially our local film and television industry. The success of the new series tells other production companies that Hawaii is a good place for film and television ventures."

In its first season, Hawaii Five-O led with notable rating recognitions. The highly anticipated pilot episode was watched by over 17-million viewers and on January 23, 2011 Hawaii Five-O picked up its highest ratings to date, with the fifteenth episode of the first season drawing 20.95 million viewers. (Source: Nielsen Galaxy Explorer. As dated. P2+, L+7 000s)

For his portrayal of New Jersey transplant, devoted father, and McGarrett's partner in crime and crime-fighting, Detective Danny "Danno" Williams, Scott Caan was nominated for a 2011 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.

At the 37th People's Choice Awards on January 5, 2011, Hawaii Five-0 won "Favorite New TV Drama."

Shot entirely on-location, Hawaii Five-O has brought the flavors and stunning backdrop of the Hawaiian islands to viewers across the country and the world - in over 200 international markets. Locals here and abroad look forward to new episodes (CBS, Mondays 9 p.m. on KGMB) to spot their favorite hangouts and maybe even their friends and family as extras.

"In the words of the late James MacArthur," Takai said. "I, too, am heartened to see the legacy of this popular cultural icon, preserved and perpetuated in the hands of the terrific people now at the helm."

Copyright Hawaii News Now 2011. All rights reserved.

Big Island of Hawaii ranks near top of tropical destinations

Active volcanoes. Black-sand beaches. Coffee plantations. Four national parks. Hawaii's Big Island is a boon for nature lovers who want a tropical vacation beyond sun and surf (although there's plenty of that, too). Visit between December and May for humpback whale watching, or any time of year to dive with friendly manta rays. Get your thrills at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, which is both a UNESCO World Biosphere and World Heritage site, and offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to tour the area around Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes. Want beauty that's a bit more genteel? Botanical gardens, hiking trails, and countless waterfalls also await you.

Lava spews 65 feet high after crater collapse

Story by the A.P.


VOLCANO, Hawaii – A new vent has opened at one of the world's most active volcanoes, sending lava shooting up to 65 feet high, scientists at Kilauea volcano said Sunday.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the fissure eruption was spotted shortly after the floor at the Pu'u O'o crater collapsed around 5 p.m. Saturday. It occurred along the middle of Kilauea's east rift zone, about 2 miles west of Pu'u O'o.

"As a volcanogist, this is what we do. These are the moments we wait for," volcanogist Janet Babb told KHON2. "It is exciting to see an eruption begin particularly if you can see it from the very start."
Kilauea has been in constant eruption since Jan. 3, 1983.

At the summit, lava receded rapidly late Saturday but seemed to slow Sunday. There were also about 150 small earthquakes were recorded within Kilauea in the past 24 hours.

Scientists said areas near the vent could erupt or collapse without warning, posing a threat to visitors or hikers to the area. Also potentially lethal concentrations of sulfer dioxide gas could be present within about a half-mile downwind of vent areas.

Because of the latest activity, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has closed Chain of Craters Road and all east rift zone and coastal trails. Kulanaokuaiki campground was also closed until further notice.

Babb told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald that the fissure has expanded to about 535 yards long and that scientists were hiking into the remote area to observe the fissure and take readings.
No homes are under threat.

Some highlights of Sen. Akaka's decades-long career on Capitol.. - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL Home

By Minna Sugimoto

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - US Sen. Daniel Akaka announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2012.

The World War II veteran was a school teacher and principal long before entering politics. During his decades-long career in Washington, DC, he perhaps taught us about perseverance as he steadfastly fought for bills he believed in.

Last month, Sen. Dan Akaka made history on Capitol Hill, becoming the first Native Hawaiian to chair the Indian Affairs committee. It was just another ground-breaking accomplishment for the well-liked 86-year-old, known for his wide smile and aloha spirit.

He's America's first senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry, serving since 1990. The former educator also served 14 years in the US House, starting in 1976.

He spent the past decade fighting unsuccessfully for the so-called Akaka Bill, which would have given federal recognition to Native Hawaiians. The latest version of the measure died in the Senate last December.

"I will not give up until the Native Hawaiian people have the same rights to self-governance already afforded to the rest of the nation's indigenous people," he said at the time.

In 2008, Akaka and Sen. Daniel Inouye fought for long-denied pension benefits and recognition for Filipino veterans.

"I believe it's a moral obligation of this nation to provide for those Filipino veterans who fought under the US flag during World War II," he said at the time.

In 2009, the Vietnam Veterans of America honored Akaka for his public service, service that really began upon his high school graduation. He joined the US Army Corps of Engineers and served during World War II.

"Some doubted that a generation of veterans could reintegrate into society without disaster," he said. "They were wrong. This is because when we come back home, we return to a grateful nation."

But not all of the recognition has been good. In 2006, Time Magazine named Akaka one of America's five worst senators, calling him a "master of the minor resolution and the bill that dies in committee."

"I think that was wrong," he said at the time. "I mean, what is minor? Everything we do is really important and major."

Copyright 2011 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

Mahatma Gandhi's grandson spreads message of peace in Hawaii - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL Home

By Teri Okita – www.HawaiiNewsNow.com

WAIKIKI (HawaiiNewsNow) – The grandson of spiritual and political leader, Mahatma Gandhi, is carrying the family's message of peace and non-violence to Hawaii. Arun Gandhi says the world is being consumed by too much violence, and it's time to break down barriers.

Arun Gandhi stood underneath his famous grandfather's statue in Waikiki - to talk about transformation in an era of turmoil. "The time has come when the world needs to look at alternate ways of resolving the conflicts that we face," says Gandhi.

With violent protests sweeping through the Middle East, an on-going tit-for-tat in the Koreas, and the U.S. fighting two wars, Gandhi points out: we're living in a time of international instability.

"We cannot secure our nation here in this corner of the world, if the rest of the world is going down the tubes. So, we have to ensure that the whole world lives in peace and harmony," explains Gandhi.

Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi pioneered the civil disobedience movement in India during the early half of the last century - based on his philosophy of peace and non-violence.

At age 12, Arun Gandhi went to live with his grandfather who taught him the principles that he now teaches today. Arun's first test of forgiveness, rather than revenge, came just two years later, when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. His parents reminded the young Arun: change had to begin within.

He says about his grandfather, "Gandhi's very famous quotation is: that we must become the change we wish to see. And I have added onto that: and I said, we must not only become the change we wish to see, we must also become the agents of change that we wish to see."

The 76-year-old Gandhi, who now lives in the U.S., is carrying on the family name and message through his lectures, on his Washington Post blog, and through the Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute.

He'll be in Hawaii through Monday - speaking at various venues across Oahu. For more information, here is a link to a website with the list of events.

www.gandhianpeace.com/events.html