Friday, March 28, 2008 - Surfing
I start each day quite early - around 4:30 am at the office each day. I enjoy getting an early start on the day, and usually cannot wait to get going (I end each night thinking about what I want to do at work the next day). I guess you could say that I live and breathe my work - it's not something that most people ascribe to, but for me, I have a passion for what I do and give mahalo to ke akua for allowing me to get paid to do something I would do for free. There is something else for which I have great passion, but have been disconnected from for years: surfing. I was taught the ways of the ocean - to fish, dive, swim and surf - by my father, who was a great waterman. I was in the ocean every day (which was easy since our house was on the beach) of my youth, but lost my way after graduating high school. The pursuit of a career and education isolated me from the ocean for thirty years. I know it sounds really strange to hear this when I live on an island, but it was true and I lost my way to the ocean despite its being all around me for the whole time. I think the voyaging canoe Hokualaka'i had brought me closer, but not quite to the point of being back in the water (as opposed to on the water, as a canoe). The galvanizing event was when we sailed Hokualaka'i into Hanalei last summer to throngs of standup paddle boarders who flocked around our canoe. I didn't know what it was, but knew I had to get on one. And so I purchased a 10'2" quad fin fish and began my reintegration into the ocean by practicing at Radio Bay at first, then to Waiuli for some good two hour sessions paddling around. Over six months, I got back into shape, dropping 30 pounds. I also got my seven year old son to join me on the paddle board, and we shared many awesome moments playing with the dolphins, turtles and whales. Once, while paddling around with a pod of fifty spinners as close as a foot away from our paddle board, my son quipped, "Wow dad, this is like the Nature channel". No son, this IS nature! You can't buy or manufacture those moments, and in an instant it brought me back to my dad teaching me about the ways of the ocean. Its funny how things come full circle, and for me its the sharing of the knowledge of our ancestors that is most important, so I am hoping that my son gets as much out of these experiences that I got from my dad. Since then, I have gotten myself a longboard to surf, and I took it out for the first time (for the board, first time in 30 years for me) a couple of weeks ago when a north eastern swell created epic 4-6 foot waves at Honoli'i. Most prudent people would start off in small 1-2 foot crumblers, but not me. In my over-exuberence I decided to tread where I have not been, in waves that could seriously get someone in trouble. Oh, I got myself in trouble a few times, looked foolish a few, got caught inside during several outside sets and got my butt handed to me on more than a few occasions. That is the beauty of the ocean - it is sooo humbling. But I did survive, and came back the next day ... and the next ... and the next. I think that by the time the swell dropped to 2-3 feet is when I started getting my surf legs back, and started really having FUN. In the six sessions I have had in the water, I have now regained most of my ability, sweeping bottom turns and cutbacks, noseriding, and off-the-lips are back in my repertoire and it feels like I never left. As a matter of fact, I feel just like a teenager again (sans the muscle pain) and there is no better way to put a smile on your face than to start the day with a session in the water with your favorite stick. Life is good!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - 'Imi Na'auao for the Classroom
I was surprised at the number of crew that were present to help support the educator workshop at 'Imiloa Astronomy Center today (it seemed like the entire Namahoe (Kaua'i) crew and a few folks from O'ahu joined Hokualaka'i crew). I recognized four or five educators from schools around East Hawai'i, and we managed to converse a bit before the workshop began. I brought in my HVX gear to shoot some activities, but had to leave early to attend a teleconference with some O'ahu folks regarding our proposed Hawai'i STEM Academy summer workshop. There appears to be interest in supporting our program, and we should be hearing something within a week or two (although I've learned not to be too optimistic). Meanwhile, back at the office I was busy migrating files over from my Firestore FS100 video hard drive to my video production hard drive. I just love the HVX200 because of its ability to record to any firewire hard drive or P2 flash cards in many different formats (DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO 50, DV, etc), frame rates (24-60 fps) and bit rates. Next I needed to go through the footage and select a dozen clips to edit into a simple highlight reel of the workshop that can be sent off to the broadcast news stations on O'ahu. I selected some scenes of the crew training workshop at 'Imiloa, the hand and arm measurement and knot tying/rope work at Nawahi, the educator workshop, the sail day outside of Hilo Bay, and a couple of interviews with Na'alehu Anthony, Pua Lincoln and Nainoa Thompson. Once completed, I printed three copies to DV tape, packed a clip inventory list and dropped them off at 'Imiloa for Gloria to send off. In retrospect, the footage that I captured on the HVX turned out fairly good with a few hitches that I will need to work out with more experience on the camera. HD is very unforgiving of the videographer - shaky handheld shots, focus, exposure and panning are magnified on the edit bay monitor (and are emphasized even further if broadcast or played on the small or large screen. My only regret would be that I didn't really have any practice on the HVX before this workshop shoot - so it was a trial by fire learning experience. There is nothing wrong with this type of learning except that your project takes a hit as you are figuring things out (I can tell you that I muffed some scenes with incorrect white balance, forgetting to switch audio inputs when going from shotgun to wireless lav mics, and losing focus in the middle of an interview). It would have been much more prudent to have gotten these learning experiences over a series of small inconsequential projects instead of something of importance like 'Imi Na'auao.
Monday, March 24, 2008 - 'Imi Na'auao on the Water
Today we are taking the crew members from voyaging canoe programs from around to state onto seven smaller coastal sailing canoes for a day on the water. We begin the day at Kuhio Wharf in Hilo Harbor with some breakfast, followed by instruction on sail theory. We will then work on the standing and sail rigging of the canoes and work on their proper implementation. The group will then be split up and assigned canoes on which they will crew, while Kenyan and I will be aboard Kaleo's 17 foot Boston Whaler filming them with my JVC GZ-HD7 hard drive HD camcorder. I am hoping to get some footage of all of the canoes in the flotilla as well as some tighter shots of the canoes with their crew members on video and stills. This is the last day of the ‘Imi Na‘auao Wayfinding Skills Workshop, and a day that most if not all in attendance are most excited about. We hope to capture that excitement and update our webpage later today, so stop by later...
Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 'Imi Na'auao Wayfinding Skills Workshop
The ‘Imi Na‘auao - Wayfinding Skills Workshop commenced today at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo, with over 130 crew members from voyaging canoe programs across the state. This is the second such workshop in two years, the last one taking place at ‘Imiloa last year about this time with only the crews of the Namahoe and Hokualaka‘i canoes in attendance (around 40 in total). It was certainly a reunion of sorts for both of our programs and it was great to see most of them back (since that time, many had graciously hosted us while we were layed over in Hanalei at last summer‘s sail across the state). Today was like a blur, with so much content to cover in less time than the first workshop, with more people. Kenyan and I were tasked to photo- and video-document the activities of the workshop with our Panasonic AG-DVX100, AG-HVX200, and my Canon Elph. I am filming on the HVX200 in HD, at 1080 60i, and am recording onto a Firestore FS100 hard drive. It is a delight to work with this setup and the pure digital workflow makes my work as a videographer much easier. After a full day at ‘Imiloa doing activities in the Moanahoku Hall and planetarium, we are moving over to the Nawahi Hawaiian immersion school in Kea‘au for dinner and a bath before heading south to Ka Lae. After learning about the four star lines and meridian star pairs and celestial north and south pole pointer star pairs, we are going to put theory into practice by observing the actual stars up in the sky at South Point. The group will stay at Ka Lae all night, and head back for Nawahi at sunrise, to begin another day of learning the skills of a navigator.
Thursday, March 20, 2008 - Two Islands
I was on Dawn Patrol today, grabbing a few waves from a waning north-east swell at Honoli'i (a surf break in Hilo). At a solid two to four feet (Hawaiian style), glassy faces and a hint of an off-shore breeze, I had a lot more fun than the previous couple of sessions (Monday was an amp yer heart up fun day). By 8:00, the crowd had arrived and it was time for me to head in to work. Meanwhile, Kenyan is on his way to Maui with CFHT astronomer Jean-Charles Cuillandre to tour the summit of Haleakala before presenting his Hawaiian Starlight movie at an IfA Maui Community Lecture at the Advanced Technology Resource Center. This would be his first trip to our Maui facility, and although I wish I could be there to escort him, I am up to my ears with work back in Hilo. By the time Kenyan, Jean-Charles and JD Armstrong (IfA Maui Astronomer) are touring Solar-C and Mees, I am at Imiloa in a meeting with Hokualakai voyaging canoe captain Kalepa Baybayan. We are discussing some of the logistics of the upcoming 'Imi Na'auao Wayfinding Skills workshop at the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center. Kenyan and I will be photo- and video-documenting the workshop and I am looking to develop the shoot schedule. Back at the office, while Kenyan, Jean-Charles and JD are probably up top, touring through one of the observatories there, I work on designing a theme for all of the printed material to bind everything together for the canoe crew training workshop. Files are sent off to large format printers as soon as I'm finished with them, and by the end of the day I've got a collection of table skirts and banners drying on the floor. By the time I leave the office, darkness begins to fall and I realize that its a special day. Happy Vernal Equinox.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - FIRST Team Sendoff
It was an overcast day with threatening clouds overhead for the Hawaii Island sendoff for two of the five local teams who will compete in the FIRST robotics regional tournament at the Stan Sheriff Center in Manoa March 27-29. The shady weather certainly did not dampen the spirits of the people in attendance. Roughly eighty people came out to support the endeavors of the Hilo High and Waiakea High robotics teams and teachers at the Mo‘oheau Bandstand in downtown Hilo. Students, teachers, parents, a Principal, team mentors and sponsors were treated to the presence of Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona, who gave a rousing speech about his experiences with the FIRST robotics program and what it can provide to our youngsters in Hawaii. The crowd were treated to a video of several Hawaii FIRST robotics teams in the throes of competition at regional competitions across the United States. The crowd were also offered a glimpse at what one of these FIRST robots look like, with two older robots on display from previous competitions. We extend our aloha and support for all of the Hawaii Island FIRST robotics teams who will be competing next week: Parker School/Earl‘s Garage, Kohala High, Honoka‘a High, Hilo High and Waiakea High School.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - STEM Academy Planning
Today, we had a meeting with the Directors of two Hawaii Island charter schools to discuss logistical issues regarding the running of a summer STEM Academy at multiple sites in Hilo and Puna. I am definitely committed to establishing at least one Puna site for our proposed program, preferably in Kea'au and Pahoa. I am hoping that the DOE Kea'au-Ka'u-Pahoa complex will be able to provide a venue for one of the workshop sites, but if not we have support from the charter schools to host it on one of their campuses. We have commitments from some of the local instructors and students who will be employed in the robotics camps along with our lead instructors from Rensellaer Polytechnic Institute. We also have commitments from the local digital media instructors. I think things are moving along nicely and if the funding comes through, we should have a great program this summer!
Monday, March 17, 2008 - Surfs Up
The morning started before dawn (like always), except today I had strapped on my 9' longboard thruster onto the top of the XTerra for a morning expression session at Honoli'i. The waves had come up over the weekend, and I was hoping to catch a few of them before work. By the time I got to the beach there were already over two dozen surfers out in the water. Luckily, Honoli'i has many lineups so they were spread out somewhat. The waves were 3-4 feet with occasional 6 foot sets - getting caught inside was not a fun thing, but paddling out for the sets and up over larger waves got my heart pumping for sure. Being the first time on the 9 footer, it took a while to get used to the board, but I did catch a few good waves before being pummeled by a late takeoff which resulted in me digging a rail and getting crunched by the lip. Of course this was the first wave of a set so by the time I gathered my board back under me there were some huge closeout waves directly in front of me. Ten minutes later I was about fifty feet closer to shore and about 100 yards down the beach. Took a bit out of my gas tank too (its interesting that even though I consider myself in good shape with the standup paddleboard, I was huffing and puffing considerably after this exercise - yeh I know, different muscle groups). The morning was really kind of epic: no wind, glassy water conditions and awesome waves. If not for the crowds, this would remind me of the days of my youth on the north shore of Oahu (when crowds were five guys you knew). Ah, but you can never go back, but today was one for the memories of my return to surfing.
Thursday, March 13, 2008 - STEM Academy?
We are exploring the possibility of establishing a Hawaii STEM Academy program this summer that would include two separate but parallel workshops for students and teachers. The first would be a robotics workshop exactly as we modeled with our Hilo Youth Robotics program over the last two years. The second will be a digital media workshop for teams of teachers and students from the same school. Both workshops will provide instruction to kids: 9 to 13 for the robotics, and high school age for the digital media course. Both workshops provide training for teachers, and offer equipment and resources to initiate and sustain STEM programs at their respective schools. The digital media teams will be photo- and video-documenting the activities of the robotics teams and other digital media teams. The outcome will be a video that will be screened during awards ceremony at the conclusion of the last day with an audience of invited parents and community guests. On the same day, the robotics teams will be demonstrating their creations and sharing their experiences. As an outcome, we hope to be able to provide equipment for teams who have demonstrated keen interest and dedication so they may be able to incubate sustainable programs at their home schools. As an incentive, we would offer airtime on cable access television to participating schools who have produced quality segments. I don't know if this will happen this summer, but what a summer it would be if it did!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - AstroDay Venue Meeting
Kenyan and I met with Prince Kuhio Plaza mall management today to discuss our upcoming AstroDay Festival event with them. General Manager Kimberly Shimabukuro and Marketing Assistant Glenn Manaba have been very supportive of our event from the beginning and have helped us develop our program to become stronger and more full featured each year. With all of the other programming that SEPO has been involved in throughout this year, we have gotten a very late start on AstroDay this year. What I am truly hoping is that experience will be on our side to catch up to where we should be at this time, seven weeks to the event. Most people would be stressing right about now, but I suppose I have been too busy to get stressed (or even notice that we are so behind schedule). So its catchup mode with respect to AstroDay Festival, but I am also pursuing a Hawaii County Supplemental funding grant and a proposal for a scale-up of our Hawaii Youth Robotics summer program. Add to that the challenge of finding replacements for two cancellations of our AstroTalk speakers. Hmm, I guess there was a good reason why I didn't start working on the promotional artwork yet ;=)
Saturday, March 8, 2008 - Hawaiian Family AfFair
The Institute for Astronomy Science Education and Public Outreach (SEPO) office was represented at the seventeenth annual Na Pua No'eau Hawaiian Family AfFair at the UH Hilo Campus Center and Plaza today. Hundreds of visitors came out to enjoy the musical entertainment, get health screenings, see the Healthy Keiki contest, engage in "make and take" arts and crafts and to learn of the many programs available to Hawaii Island families. Along the exhibitor runway were more than two dozen organizations, most of whom offered interactive, hands-on activities in which the keiki can engage. This year, SEPO used a button making machine to assist keiki to create, make and take home a button they can pin on their clothing. Several designs were provided, along with blank ones that allowed the children to create their own artwork. The IfA SEPO also served on the Hawaiian Family AfFair planning committee that organized the event and consisted of representatives from many community groups that serve the Hawaiian community. In addition to offering our mana'o (all $0.02 worth), we designed and printed up many of the event posters and banners on our large-format printer, and helped set up and break down the venue on the event day. We appreciated the opportunity to assist Dr David Sing and Na Pua No'eau to bring the Hawaiian Family AfFair to our local Hawaii Island community for the seventeenth year - and offer our best wishes for another seventeen (at least).
Friday, March 7, 2008 - STEM Working Group
While on O'ahu, I was able to attend the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Working Group conference at Honolulu Community College. The group first convened over a year ago at the Institute for Astronomy Hilo auditorium. Then a group of the state's education leaders joined in a call for a STEM Leadership conference on October 5 and 19, 2007, to develop a STEM education framework. This effort was designed to identify and formulate a shared vision and goals for STEM education outcomes in Hawaii and to elicit community input and build a Framework for Action. The first session gathered over 150 community leaders, professionals and practitioners from diverse organizations across the state to discuss the components of such a STEM education framework. At the second session, the proposed framework was reported to and discussed with the state's government, business and community leadership. The intended result was to develop a common agenda and practical steps toward achieving increased STEM education outcomes in Hawaii. The community leaders reconvened on November 29, where working groups were formed for each of the goals in order to produce actionable, measurable and sustainable plans to meet each goal, while supporting the efforts of the other working groups. Which brings us to this meeting where the working groups (Partnerships, Integrated Curricula, Equity and Access, Communication, Excellence and Sustainability) presented their action plans to the entire group. The consensus of this group felt that an entity would need to be identified or created to drive this initiative forward.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - Science & Tech Day
I hopped on a plane for O'ahu to join Mike Maberry at the Science and Technology Day at the State Capitol, hosting an Institute for Astronomy (IfA) booth. The event affords organizations and institutes to bring awareness to our legislators of the diverse sciences and technologies flourishing in our fiftieth state. The IfA booth will feature pictures and information about the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) proposed for Haleakala on Maui and the Panoramic Survey and Rapid Response System ()Pan-STARRS) prototype telescope on Haleakala and the four-shooter system proposed to replace the UH88 Telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea. Special informational posters were created and printed at IfA Publication Office and were prominently displayed at the event. We also featured a poster of the Hoku Kea observatory (refurbished UH24 Telescope), which was provided by the UH Hilo Physics and Astronomy Department. Their 1 meter Equinox telescope will replace the old telescope and allow students to operate it remotely from the campus in Hilo. We met a lot of people at the Science and Technology Day at the State Capitol, including a group from the Halau Lokahi charter school. The students and teachers from the school were interested in the use of stars, asterisms and constellations to navigate canoes throughout the Polynesian Triangle without use of modern instruments. Boy I wish I had thought of bringing my Hawaiian star lines charts. Well, I did give them my business card, so hopefully I hear from them in the future.
Monday, March 3, 2008 - Yet More Event Planning
Mahalo nui to Big Island Toyota and David DeLuz, Jr for their support of an inaugural event called AstroFest that will be held at the Imiloa Astronomy Center on Sunday, April 27. The event takes place on the Sunday preceding the AstroDay Festival at the Prince Kuhio Plaza and will bring awareness of educational programs like Journey Through the Universe and AstroDay to educators and students from South and West Hawaii. AstroFest also serves to launch a week of activities that build excitement for our seventh annual AstroDay Festival. What kind of activities and excitement? Well, you're just going to have to come back to find out. Suffice to say that we're going to step it up a notch this year. AstroFest Hawaii will be an island-wide event that brings the Universe down to Earth, with free admission for those with tickets distributed through the Department of Education and Big Island Toyota. Activities will include planetarium shows, Science on a Sphere programming, exhibits, special discounts at the Museum Store and educational workshops for teachers throughout the day. We are looking at obtaining bus service to shuttle teachers, students and parents from South and West Hawaii. This is shaping up to be an exciting event and a way to engage folks from under-represented areas of Hawaii island. Hope to see you there!