Kama‘āina Backroads

“Fill Er Up With the Good Stuff!” - At $4.74 for a FULL TANK, Why Not?

roland — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:04:28 +0000

After our recent shoot on Kaua‘i where we did “Lihu‘e by moped,” I’ve been haunted with the question of why I wasn’t driving one of those things at home. Just one more fueling of the Volvo pushed me over the edge, and ba-da-boom, I was talking story with the owners of the Hilo-based Insane Cycle Imports about purchasing one of those bad boys. One test ride and I was hooked.

Sam, on the left, and his lovely wife Kim (a sweet young Hawaiian couple) own Insane Cycle Imports, and take pride in the work they do. Rounding out the team at Insane are Toshi Lopez (A Japanese Puerto Rican braddah!), Perry Johnson and Trenton Aurello. They know their stuff, and are well-known in the circle of motorbike enthusiasts on Hawai‘i Island.
But the best part of it all, I think, is when I pull into a gas station (a rare occurrence) to “Fill Er Up.” From absolutely empty, a fill up is $4.74 for the whole tank.

Its a lovely conversation piece, especially with the frustated person at the gas pump ahead of me, filling an SUV with more than $100 of gasoline…
Watch for our participation in an upcoming moped weekend ride organized by the guys at Insane. That’s going to be fun!

roland — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:35:36 +0000

A Touching Break

roland — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:24:08 +0000

Yesterday, while on O‘ahu for a couple of business meetings, I made a run up to Hawai‘i Kai to get a first-hand look at the King Lunalilo Senior Care Home, and visit with some of the residents and staff. The home’s director, Peter Higgins, is eager to share the work that his dedicated team (some have been working there 30+ years!) do.
Lunalilo Home was founded in 1883, under the terms of King William Charles Lunalilo’s will.
Of course, given the economic challenges of the day, Higgins is working dutifully to make sure they’re doing everything in their power to maximize their efficiencies, while maintaining a “Hawaiian home” environment for the residents.
After meeting a few of the kupuna onsite, I joined them in their main living room area and played a few tunes on the piano. Their appreciation for song was heartwarming; looking around the room, broad smiles broke out on faces rich in life experience, joyfully swaying along to the music. It was a touching break in an otherwise hectic day in Honolulu traffic.
As I was ending my visit, I walked by one resident’s room and saw the sight below. I couldn’t help but take a snapshot of this lovely tutu’s room - her collection of posessions most dear lovingly arranged with pride. (Thank goodness for my Mobi camera phone!)
A picture does paint a million words, woudn’t you say?

Wailea-Hakalau: A Walk Back In Time

roland — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:29:16 +0000

We’re pleased to pass on an invitation from our friends in the charming village of Wailea, just north of Hilo, for everyone to attend an event they’re calling “Wailea-Hakalau: A Walk Back In Time.” Its a wonderful mix of kupuna talk story, reflections on plantation life, and a hearty beef stew plate-lunch from Cafe 100. Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday.
Held at Akiko’s Buddhist Bed & Breakfast in Wailea, visiting this place takes you way, way back in time. We covered their annual Mochi Pounding community event at New Years, and completely loved it. Below the poster, watch the segment we produced in its entirety — you’ll get the jist of life in Wailea. For more, plan on attending their “Walk Back in Time” gathering on June 29.

To view the YouTube version of the segment we produced on the Wailea Mochi Pounding event, click on the image below. To download a higher quality, larger Windows Media Player of the segment (83 mb) click HERE.

Lava By Night…

roland — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:40:54 +0000

Our good friends Sammy & Brian (Sammy is a talented video professional, model, and actor [watch him in the lead of “HAIR” at the Theatre On The Square] in his own right) recently visited us from their San Francisco home. They’re the hardcore outdoorsy types - competing in triatholons, soccer tournaments, etc. While on the Big Island, they did that night-time hike-from-hell to the current flow way past Kalāpana, where this incredible image what shot.
Sammy tells us “…walking out to the volcano was utterly breathtaking. The first thing we were startled by is a young man and his brother leaping over the lava rock. As the approached we noticed one was bleeding from the knee, he advised us to be careful. We had our flashlight and water as well as jeans so we weren’t too worried. But having that visual was a nice reminder that we basically were walking on shards of glass. It took us about an hour to get really close to the lava- about as close as we felt safe, which was still a hundred or so feet away. Plumes of methane shot from random holes and the surface we walked on seemed to change it’s feel- kind of like it was hollow underneath.The heat would randomly arise from cracks in the surface, which was also unsettling.
As the sun disappeared the embers of the volcano quickly illuminated the shore. We could hear crackling as the magma entered the ocean. It was like being at the edge of the earth and watching the world create itself all over. Truly remarkable.”

Hamakua Springs tomatoes safe and delicious…

roland — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:56:36 +0000

With the current concerns about certain mainland tomatoes involved in a salmonella outbreak, we’re very pleased to pass on the news that Hamakua Springs tomatoes aren’t just spectacularly delicious, they’re safe. There’s an excellent article about it in today’s Hawaii Tribune Herald. Read it in its entirety HERE
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At 125 Miles Per TANK of Gas - Smart Choice for Exploring Līhu‘e!

roland — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:02:35 +0000

Learning From our Kūpuna, Celebrating the Best of Hawai’i Nei, and Inspiring folks to Take Action for a Better Hawai‘i — if you haven’t heard, this is KBR’s mantra as we head into our Fall ‘08 New Season of production. And what better way to explore historic Līhu‘e town than atop a zippy scooter?! That’s how we did it. In just a few minutes you’re signed up, taking a quick training run with the pro’s, and then you’re out on the road. WHAT A BLAST! And to think you’re getting up to 125 miles on ONE TANK OF GAS. You see EVERYTHING — take away the typical car doors that block half of your line of sight, a scooter puts you way out there. With the great weather we’ve got year-round, this is one akamai option that is fun, inexpensive, and incredibly fuel efficient. I can’t imagine a better way to see the sights like Nawiliwili and the Menehune Fish Pond.
Here’s a sneak peek of our Scooter traipse through old town Līhu‘e. Mahalo to Mike at Kauai Scooter Rental, such wonderful folks.
Also, do like us and grab some unbelievably delicious grinds at Fish Express at 3343 Kuhio Hwy, telephone (808) 245-9918. I have just 6 little words for you: Pan crusted wasabi ahi - katsu style - that is, fresh filet of ahi, lightly battered and pan fried katsu-style, in a creamy-yet-bold wasabi sauce… trust me, I know food. This was to die for.

Nani Kaua‘i (Beautiful Kaua‘i)

roland — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:00:41 +0000

Here’s a sneak peek at our visit to the Kilauea Lighthouse on northern Kauaʻi island… simply breathtaking. Click on the image to launch the YouTube™ version of the clip, or to download a higher resolution WMV file, click HERE.
Watch for the complete episode, part of KBRʻs new entire half-hour episodes dedicated entirely to each of Hawaiiʻs island destinations.

KBR Introduces Ka Leo Hano

roland — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:30:07 +0000

Since KBR’s inception, an extremely popular segment has been our “Kupuna Stories.” Traveling through various regions of the islands, we make a concerted effort to find, and “talk story” with kupuna (elders) from that region. This segment has evolved into a very special element within the show, offering historical and cultural texture found only in the voices of Na Kūpuna.
In the first 2 seasons of KBR, guests have included Kindy Sproat (N. Kohala), Auntie Pele Hanoa (South Point), and Auntie Mona Malani (Lāupahoehoe). Collectively, these - and many more - digitally-recorded sequences have been broadcast throughout Hawai‘i Nei and the world (via simulcast internet webstream) 760 times since Kama‘āina Backroads’ premiere in November 2006.
With the new Fall 2008 season of KBR, we are thrilled to announce the production of a brand new series of Kupuna Stories shot entirely in the Hawaiian Language (with English language subtitles). To more accurately reflect the essence of these stories, we’ve re-branded the segment with the title: “Ka Leo Hano” (Voices of Honor).
Additionally, we’re thrilled to announce the addition of special Ka ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i correspondent Kainani Kahaunaele. A respected scholar of the Hawaiian language, Kahaunaele is a Lecturer at the University of Hawai‘i – Hilo, and a Hoku Award-winning singer & songwriter. She is a former teacher with the ‘Āha Pūnanaleo, where she worked with a dedicated team of people on the development of educational curriculum utilized by Hawaiian Immersion school teachers throughout Hawai‘i nei.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Kama‘āina Backroads™ and capture the voices of our treasures – our Kupuna,” says Kahaunaele.
Perhaps the one most significant long-term value of KBR’s Ka Leo Hano is the creation of a permanent digital “home” for the unedited talk story sessions - the newly established interactive website kaleohano.org
Hawaiian Language segments are being shot on the islands of O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, Lānai, Moloka‘i and Hawai‘i Island. These, along with English language Kupuna Stories, will now be easily accessible to the public worldwide at no cost.

By Popular Demand… the Kona Historical Society’s Living Coffee Farm

roland — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:26:55 +0000

This segment was a part of our Episode 2, and introduces viewers to an actual family-run coffee farm that was originally established back around the turn of the century. Its since closed down as a farm, then was purchased by the Kona Historical Society, and with a lot of hard work, turned into a “living museum.” We’ve had requests to show this again, and in the short term, here’s a web sneakpeek. Enjoy!