The past year was all about change, as exemplified by Barack Obama's presidential campaign. My column "Floating Ideas" (2/28) touched upon the cresting wave of "Obama-mentum" washing over the Hawaii Democratic caucus. "True Blue Change" (11/13) reported on my trip to President-elect Obama's neighborhood and the surge of optimism that prevailed in Chicago the day after the … [Read more...] about The year that was
The Rob Report
Hosts of Christmas past
“Numbah One day of Christmas, my tutu gave to me/One mynah bird in one papaya tree.” –Hawaiian pidgin holiday song, Kenny/Magoon/Phelps (1959) I first arrived on Maui 31 years ago, the Monday before Thanksgiving, just in time to body surf my way into the holiday season. Stepping onto the tarmac at Honolulu Airport for the first time, I was caressed by the tropical humidity, … [Read more...] about Hosts of Christmas past
Malama Kaua‘i
Travel always provides the gift of a differing point of view. Five days on the island of Kauai over the Thanksgiving holiday offered ample perspective on opportunities for community sustainability and ways to support traditional approaches to modern issues. Apart from the big box stores and malls of Lihue, Kauai has, for the most part, retained its rural character and small … [Read more...] about Malama Kaua‘i