Damon Tucker's Weblog

• Bees Get Bronze

  Number of comments: 2
  One thing cool about playing sports when I was growing up was receiving trophies. I still have a few of my trophies around somewhere and they still mean something to me to this day. Yesterday, my son got his second trophy! Posted in Announcements, Kids, Sports Tagged: AYSO, Kids Sports [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 11:15am EST
  by Damon

• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events in Hilo and Kona

  Media Release: The County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management will be conducting Household Hazardous Waste Collections events at its Hilo and Kailua-Kona Recycling & Solid Waste Transfer Stations in December. The Hilo HHW Collections Event will be held on Saturday, December 5; and the Kailua-Kona HHW Collection Event will be held [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 7:20am EST
  by Damon

• 8th Annual Hawaii Ukulele Guild Exhibition and Conference

  Number of comments: 2
  On November 21, 2009, the Hawaii Ukulele Guild held its 8th annual Conference and Exhibition. Mike Chock, founder of the guild, and Doug Long, a committee member, walk us through the exhibition showing us some of the beautiful ukulele produced by the members. Posted in Announcements, Entertainment, Hawaiian, Oahu Tagged: [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 5:16am EST
  by Damon

• Who, Where or What is the Hawaii County “Traffic Safety Council” as Mandated

  I sent the following email of to State Transportation Director Jiro Sumada: Dear Mr. Jiro Sumada, I was curious who is on the Big Island County Traffic Safety Council or if one has even been implemented as required by law. See page 15 of the 2010 Highway Safety Plan: The Governors of all states [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 4:40am EST
  by Damon

• Sunday Skink

  Posted in Environment Tagged: Hawaiian Lizard, Skink [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 2:00am EST
  by Damon

• ALL UH Manoa Students to be Charged $20.00 Per Semester “Bus Fees”

  Number of comments: 1
  I don’t think this is right to charge ALL students $20.00 per semester to have a certain percentage of the students be able to ride the bus for free. What about students who drive their own cars?  What about students who live on campus in the dorms. This “Fee” is another money [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 4:06pm EST
  by Damon

• SAVE OUR SCHOOLS HAWAII… The Videos

  Posted in Education, Hawaii, Kids, State Affairs Tagged: Furlough Fridays, Save Our Schools Hawaii [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 1:18pm EST
  by Damon

• A Message to Prosecuting Attorney Jay Kimura

  Mr. Jay Kimura, Prosecuting Attorney for Hawaii County has a budget of 9 million dollars to prosecute and convict Hawaii residents. He’s continuing to use public funds to prosecute cases which are defined as ‘adult personal use’, involving 24 or fewer plants and 24 or fewer ounces on private property. [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 8:04am EST
  by Damon

• Stinging Bees Invade Shipman Park One Last Time

  Number of comments: 2
  Media Release: Today, the Puna Green Stinging Bees will be invading Shipman Park for the final time this season. I’d like to say congrats to this fine group of Stinging Bees: Posted in Entertainment, Kids, Puna, Sports Tagged: AYSO Soccer, Puna Stinging Bees [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 2:36am EST
  by Damon

• Police Catch Kona Crime Spree Suspect

  Number of comments: 1
  Media Release: Big Island police have arrested a 19-year-old Kona man for 17 offenses in connection with a series of crimes in the Kailua-Kona area during October and November. Detectives in the Area II Criminal Investigations Section have confirmed that between October 14 and November 14, Justin M. J. Gryde was responsible [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:09pm EST
  by Damon

• Friday Photo – Angry

  Seen on the wall outside of the old county building. I wonder why there might be folks that are angry at the county? LOL! Posted in Blogs [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:37am EST
  by Damon

• 7th Annual Ben Franklin Holiday Craft Fair

  Posted in Blogs [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:20am EST
  by Damon

• Temporary Road Closure on Kilaha Street Next Tuesday

  Media Release: The staff of the Department of Parks and Recreation will be removing a large tree at Ainaola Park on Tuesday, November 24, which requires a temporary road closure on Kilaha Street between Kilaha Place and Maunakai Street beginning 8 a.m. until approximately 2 p.m. The Department of Parks and Recreation [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 8:28am EST
  by Damon

• What Are You Thinking McDonalds?

  Number of comments: 3
  So I go into McDonalds the other day and pick up a “Happy Meal” for my son. I see the toy in the package and I tell my son he can’t open it until he gets home. We get home and open it…  and it’s this: It’s a little taser looking thing [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 7:10am EST
  by Damon

• 3.0 Earthquake Just Shakes Kalapana

  A minor earthquake occurred at 9:34:31 PM (HST) on Thursday, November 19, 2009 . The magnitude 3.0 event occurred 6 km (4 miles) S of Kalapana. The hypocentral depth is 42 km (26 miles). More Here Posted in Environment, Puna, Unexplained Phenomenon Tagged: 3.0 Earthquake, Kalapana [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 4:59pm EST
  by Damon

• 5 New Jets Arrive at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor

  Number of comments: 2
  Media Release: Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor’s aircraft collection received a major boost yesterday and today, November 18 and 19, when it received five of the most famous jets from the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Donated by the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) and the USAF Museum, the five aircraft now [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:59pm EST
  by Damon

• Hilo Entomologist Working to Thwart the Stinging Caterpillar

  Number of comments: 1
  This is cool as Mr. Jang was one of my wife’s co-workers at one time and if you have ever been stung by one of these buggahs… you know it hurts like hell: …That’s why Jang, who’s at the U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, Hawaii, is working with [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 11:01am EST
  by Damon

• Nothing Better then Free Ad Space

  Number of comments: 1
  Posted in Blogs [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 9:52am EST
  by Damon

• Puʻukoholā Heiau, Kaloko-Honokōhau, Puʻuhonua o Honaunau, and the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail

  …series on the National Parks of the Pacific, this :60 interstitial was created for PBS Hawaii to air in conjunction with the Ken Burns series, “The National Parks: Americaʻs Best Idea.” This piece features the four parks on the West side of Hawaii Island: Puʻukoholā Heiau, Kaloko-Honokōhau, Puʻuhonua o Honaunau, [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 4:35am EST
  by Damon

• New Candidate Pops up in the District 5 Council Race

  As I’ve said before… this is going to be one weird election season. I won’t allow my self to be pawned off to any politicians this year but I will bring notice to new folks that decide to enter the race. It looks like Puna resident Loren Baker is jumping into the [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 4:43pm EST
  by Damon

• New Recycling and Transfer Stations Hours… The Survey

  The Department of Environmental Management has finalized a change to the operating hours and days at County of Hawai`i Solid Waste Recycling and Transfer Stations (also known as (a.k.a.) convenience centers or transfer stations) beginning December 1, 2009. The county is also asking folks to take a survey and “Talk Story” [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 12:27pm EST
  by Damon

• Pictures With Santa to Help the Hawaii Island Food Basket

  Media Release: Naughty or nice, visitors or residents, all the keiki have plenty of time to see Santa Claus in person and have their picture taken with him in The Studio at Queens’ MarketPlace. Free photos kick off the holiday season for one day only Friday, November 27 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 11:03am EST
  by Damon

• UH Hilo to Host Presentation on Homeless Issue

  UH News: The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo launches the first in a series of research presentations by university faculty with a free, public discussion on the homeless issue. The presentation, entitled “Homelessness in Hawaiʻi,” will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 20, in UCB 127. Dr. Todd Belt, associate [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 7:09am EST
  by Damon

• I Want These!

  Number of comments: 2
   Posted in Entertainment, Hawaii, Hawaiian Tagged: Nike SB Hawaii [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 6:05am EST
  by Damon

• Wordless Wednesday: 350+ Lau Lau

  Number of comments: 1
  Yes… I was quite busy yesterday as a few of us worked 14 hours straight 250 Lau Lau’s into the Steamer tonight… another 125 + tomorrow. Posted in Food & Drink, Hawaiian, Sustainable Living Tagged: Lau Lau, Wordless Wednesday [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 4:00am EST
  by Damon

• Pahoa Home Featured in New York Times Great Homes and Destinations

  This is kind of some cool exposure for Pahoa in the New York Times today, even if it was probably auto generated by the NY Times via some sort of IP feed pick up. ...The cabin is octagonal, centered on a living room with vaulted, skylighted ceilings. Most of the wood [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 7:12pm EST
  by Damon

• Sydney Singer: “Should Vaccinations Be Mandatory in Hawaii?”

  On Wednesday, November 18, the Hawaii County Council will again consider Resolution 237-09, providing exemptions from vaccinations. At the core of this resolution opposing mandatory vaccinations is a deep sense of distrust — distrust of Federal and State governments that may want to impose their will on the public, as [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 5:53pm EST
  by Damon

• Hawaii Wildlife Center Update

  Media Release: Construction at the Hawai‘i Wildlife Center (HWC) is progressing along with continued fundraising efforts to insure project completion. The Center’s foundation was recently poured following installation of plumbing and wastewater systems. Framing begins next and will be followed by roofing and siding, all planned for completion before the end of [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 10:13am EST
  by Damon

• District 5 Office Will be Moving Dec 1st

  County Council vice chair Emily I. Naeole-Beason announced today that she is moving into restrictive quarters in order to save money for the County.  She is moving into the Pahoa Election office at the Malama Market Place in Pahoa.  According to vice chair Naeole-Beason, the Election Office is being closed [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 10:05am EST
  by Damon

• China Joins Thirty Meter Telescope Project

  Media Release: The National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) has joined the Thirty Meter Telescope Project (TMT). As an Observer, China will participate in planning the development of what will be the world’s most advanced and capable astronomical observatory. “The TMT is delighted to take this exciting new [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 1:43am EST
  by Damon

• How Cool is This… Damon Tucker: Featured Blogger

  Number of comments: 2
  I’m not gonna beat around the bush… I’m blushing a bit that Social Media extraordinaire Jasmine Guevara featured me as her first “Featured Blogger” on her site “Community Connect“. I met Jasmine through Twitter for her love of coffee… as you can tell by her Twitter “Alias” @coffee tweets. I later bumped [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 5:57pm EST
  by Damon

• Mayor, Council, Departments Move to New County Building

  From the Mayors Office: The Office of the Mayor, Hawai‘i County Council, Office of the County Clerk and six County departments are moving into the newly renovated Hawai‘i County Building at 25 Aupuni Street this week. The County building has been out of commission for normal County services since 2006 when the [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 1:33pm EST
  by Damon

• Ni Hao China… Governor Lingle Makes Big Announcement

  Posted in Announcements, Hawaii, Lingle, National Affairs, Something New?, State Affairs, Tourism Tagged: Goveror Lingle, Hawaii and China [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 9:27am EST
  by Damon

• BJ Penn in the Olympics, Why Not… St. Pierre is Thinking of It

  Number of comments: 1
  So George St. Pierre has announced that he’s thinking about turning out for the Canadian National Wrestling Team for the 2012 Olympics. I’d love to see BJ Penn turn out for US Judo team for the 2012 Olympics. Let’s take a look back at what he did when he was younger in [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 8:11am EST
  by Damon

• New Farmers Market to Open in Upper Puna

  Media Release: Plans are underway to establish a new farmer’s market in Mountain View at the Hilo Coffee Mill on Saturdays. The new “Market at the Mill” will be held at the Hilo Coffee Mill farm and is scheduled to start Sat., Dec. 5, 2009 — a significant convenience for local residents [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 4:28am EST
  by Damon

• Rescued Couple on CBS The Early Show

  Number of comments: 1
  Yesterday I reported about the Seattle couple that was rescued by the Coast Guard and the Cruise Ship off of Hawaii. This morning they were interviewed by CBS The Early Show from the television studios in Honolulu. Posted in Announcements, Hawaii, Military, Security, Television, Transportation Tagged: Brandy Meisner, Christopher Miller, Golden Princess [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 4:13am EST
  by Damon

• Aqua Hotels and Resorts to Manage 17th Hawaii Hotel

  Note from a Sponsor: Aqua Hotels & Resorts will manage the Maile Sky Court Hotel in Waikiki beginning Dec. 1. The addition of Maile Sky Court grows Aqua’s Waikiki inventory to 14 hotels and its overall portfolio to 17 properties on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Molokai… More Here Aqua to Manage 17th Hawaii [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 3:33am EST
  by Damon

• Survey Says… Find the Demographics of Your Audience

  I noticed that both the Kona Blog and My Hawaiian Home are running surveys right now to figure out their demographics of their audiences. I posted a survey like these more then a year ago entitled “Survey Says” and I’m not sure how much it really helped me define my audience… [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 11:35am EST
  by Damon

• $5.00 Chopping Fee! I Guess They Will Kill Your Turkey Too

  Number of comments: 1
  I know L&L Pahoa meant well with their sign… But I think they meant $5.00 Carving fee. When I envision the word “Chopping” around a turkey… this is the image I come up with: Posted in Comedy, Food & Drink Tagged: Carving a Turkey, Chopping a Turkey [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 9:04am EST
  by Damon

• “A Challenge to Democracy”

  Number of comments: 1
  A Challenge to Democracy was a 20 minute 1943 film produced by the War Relocation Authority. The film could be considered a companion piece or sequel to 1942’s Japanese Relocation. This film is more sober in its description of the events. It states that while many Japanese were loyal and in [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 8:26am EST
  by Damon

• Coast Guard and “Golden Princess” Rescues Seattle Couple off Hawaii

  Number of comments: 2
  Yesterday at the Big Island Internet Society Meet Up, Devany Vickery-Davidson of My Hawaiian Home Blog, mentioned to a few of us that a cruise ship assisted in a rescue the other day off of Hilo. Here is some information I was able to glean. The Coast Guard and the cruise ship [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 6:46am EST
  by Damon

• More of My Pictures Made the News

  Number of comments: 5
  Four days ago, one of my pictures from Pahoa was on KHON News at 10:00. I got a tweet yesterday asking me to submit some pictures of yesterdays weather. As I was driving through town I caught this shot of the runoff at Prince Kuhio Plaza: Which later got put on the news [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 3:50am EST
  by Damon

• Hawaii Pet Film Festival Award Winners

  Posted in Comedy, Entertainment, Movies and Film, Something New? Tagged: Hawaii Pet Film Festival [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 3:17am EST
  by Damon

• Masked Ball in Seaview

  Noticed this poster earlier today… forgot to send this from my phone. Posted in Blogs [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 4:50pm EST
  by Damon

• Foodland Opening Soon in Keaau Shopping Center

  Posted in Announcements, Big Island, Community, Economy, Food & Drink, Hawaii, Puna, Something New? Tagged: Foodland, Keaau Shopping Center [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 12:50pm EST
  by Damon

• Hilo Gets Record Rainfall

  Statement as of 2:47 am HST on November 14, 2009 Record daily maximum rainfall set at Hilo, Hawaii.. A record rainfall of 4.46 inches was set at Hilo, Hawaii yesterday. This breaks the old record of 1.87 set in 1996. Warnings for Big Island Posted in Announcements, Big Island, Environment, Hawaii, Hilo, Rumors, Something New? [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 4:49am EST
  by Damon

• Video of Hawaii DLNR Talk Story Meeting From November 2nd Hilo Meeting

  Part I: Part II: Posted in Announcements, Big Island, Environment, Hawaii, Legal, Politics, State Affairs Tagged: Hawaii DLNR Talk Story Meeting [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 3:33am EST
  by Damon

• Police Release Picture of Missing Fisherman

  Big Island police have opened a missing person case in connection with a missing fisherman. Devin Johnson, 23, of Kamuela was last seen on a commercial fishing boat 60 miles south of Kona. He and his brother were taking turns tending the lines while the other slept. When Johnson’s brother woke [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 1:21pm EST
  by Damon

• Hilo and Honolulu Joins List of “Playful City USA” Communities – Celebrate at Community “Play Day” on November 21

  Media Release: Hilo will celebrate its national designation as a “Playful City” on Saturday, November 21, with a community Play Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mo‘oheau Park. Hilo was selected one of the Playful City USA communities by KaBOOM! a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into children’s [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 12:55pm EST
  by Damon

• Mayor Kenoi Announces Agriculture Plan for County Lands

  From the Mayors Office: County of Hawai’i Mayor Billy Kenoi told a community meeting in Honoka’a last night he is committed to making 1,739 acres of county-owned land at Kapulena available for community-based agriculture. Mayor Kenoi outlined efforts by his administration to partner with the Hamakua County Farm Bureau and other farming [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 11:57am EST
  by Damon