One Island People to Another—
Governor Affirms Japan-Hawaii Bond
Hawaii's relationship with Japan goes beyond the relationship of families with relatives in Japan and Hawaii. It is a relationship of "one island people to another" and a relationship that is "more important than ever before."
That was Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie's messsage to guests attending the Japan-America Society of Hawaii's New Year Reception. JASH held its annual event once again at historic Washington Place on Jan. 25. The annual event celebrates the previous year's accomplishments and dedicates the society to tasks ahead. Gov. Abercrombie
Participants included business and political leaders and other dignitaries.
Photos by
Ray Tabata
Left: Joyful Taiko Drummers hail the New Year.
Below: Okinawan Lion Dancers delighted guests.
Edwin P. Hawkins is the JASH president. The society has been receiving donations to help victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. One hundred percent of all donations go to the relief and recovery effort.
JASH is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established on September 28, 1976, with a mission of "promoting understanding and friendships between the peoples of Japan and the United States through the special and unique perspective of Hawaii." Membership is open to anyone interested in learning more about Japan, the United States, and the U.S.-Japan relationship. The Society sponsors a wide range of business, cultural, and educational programs to fulfill its mission. There are forty Japan-America Societies in the United States representing over 30,000 members and twenty-nine America-Japan Societies in Japan.
See the official JASH photos of the event by Ray Tabata and more photos by Ed Morita.
Whale Watching Season
Hawaii's annual visitors, the Humpback Whales, are back to delight visitors and residents alike.
The Division of Land and Natural Resources reported one of the first sightings of the new year when a pair of humpback whales, likely a mother and its yearling, entered Honolulu Harbor on Jan. 5, 2012 in the morning, and spent time within the harbor near Pier 35, and later Pier 29, moved out of the harbor in the afternoon and were headed out to sea by 1:45 p.m. that day. For details, see Whale Sighting.
Whale Watching Cruises
Star of Honolulu Photo
Hotel resorts such as Kapalua Villas offer opportunities for whale spotting while enjoying first class accomodations and activities.
Star of Honolulu offers whale watching cruises through mid-April. The whales visit Hawaii normally from November through May.
Waikiki Sewer Line Project
Scheduled for March
The Star Advertiser reports that the city plans to begin a $5.7 million project in March to repair "sagging and clogged sewer lines" and sewer manholes in Waikiki. More than 6,000 feet of pipes on Kuhio Avenue, from Namahana to Kapuni Streets, will be rehabilitated and manholes throughout Waikiki will be improved. The Star reports some residents are already complaining about the upcoming noise, smells, road closures, and other inconveniences. For details, see the Star's 500-day Repair Project.
Get wave and beach hazard information that is updated every 10 minutes based on forecasts by the National Weather Service. The web site is presented by the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, City & County of Honolulu, County of Maui, Hawaii Department of Health, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. The site also includes lists of recommended beaches.
Ocean Conditions
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