(Part 2) Best products from r/Hawaii

Ok, I did a lot of research, not just Amazon reviews, but across the web. I found that most of cooking sites which reviewed the different makers, preferred this manufacturer for various reasons. Stupid name, but you get more things with it for free (not a huge reason to buy, but it's a plus). It got better reviews for faster time to pressurize, reliability, consistency, etc.

That's the medium-size one I bought and love it. When I decided I wanted a 2nd smaller version, I wanted to get a non-stick pot and InstaPot is the only manufacturer that makes that (sold separately) so I bought the small InstPot. It's good, but I still like the first one better.

How long are you going to be here? There's so much cool stuff to do in Oahu. JimmyHavok already grabbed 2 of my ideas, the Diamond Head Hike, and Hanauma Bay (literally 3 minutes from my house) which is pretty solid snorkeling, but it can get crowded quickly. Come early!
There's a lot of pretty badass hikes, ranging from an hour to a full day. If you can find the book Oahu Revealed, I highly recommend it for finding all sorts of fun little trips, and it has contact information for all sorts of places.
One note: If you've heard about Stairway to Heaven / Haiku stairs, don't even try to take them. They post a guard at 3AM (his hours just recently changed from 7AM) and even finding the unmarked trailhead is a huge pain. There's plenty of other fun things to do.

I've been an Oahu biker since I moved here from Maui in 2008. I attended UH and two years had gone by before I needed a car. Beyond the infrequent trips into town that require a car to haul back things from the mall or walmart, I've always been able to get around just fine with my bike, theBus, or a combination of the two.

The campus is very bike-friendly, and if you have any experience riding with cars on the roads, you shouldn't have a problem adapting.

However, it always seems that Hawaii drivers haven't had any experience riding with bikes on the roads, so you'll need to be extra careful. Drivers don't know what they're doing sometimes, or what to watch out for, which means you'll need to watch out for them. Imagine all the cars don't have brakes; that's how I ride.

Most of the major roads have bike lanes, but I prefer the sidewalk when I ride.

But beyond needing to bike defensively, you don't have much to worry about. Exercise good defensive bike security (lock it up well when you walk away) so invest in a really good lock. Personally, I have one of these and one of these for when I lock up my ride outside overnight.

Expect lots of hills. The island is just one big hill, so you'll be fighting several inclines at some point in the day. Because of our humidity, its really easy to work up a decent sweat when riding. I keep an extra shirt with me to change into so I look at least decent in between rides.

Since you're going to be a student, most of your rides will be between campus, your apartment (if you live off-campus), and the mall. Occasionally downtown. The rides in between these are relatively easy, done in about 15 minutes in any direction. The biggest of the climb (<500ft over 2.5 miles) being from town/the mall to campus.

If you're into long-distance riding for exercise, there is a long stretch of flat road that people ride all the time. It has a bike lane and wide right-shoulder (mostly used by buses). It should take you about 30-40 minutes to ride if you're an experienced rider.

Check out your routes on google maps (and street view. It helps) to get an idea of how long and where you'll be riding. Happy riding and hope this was helpful.

>“It is often said by the critics of Christian origins that certain ritual feasts, processions or dances are really of pagan origin. They might as well say that our legs are of pagan origin. Nobody ever disputed that humanity was human before it was Christian; and no Church manufactured the legs with which men walked or danced, either in a pilgrimage or a ballet. What can really be maintained, so as to carry not a little conviction, is this: that where such a Church has existed it has preserved not only the processions but the dances; not only the cathedral but the carnival. One of the chief claims of Christian civilisation is to have preserved things of pagan origin.” – G.K. Chesterton

Lots of things that are considered Christian today are rooted in what appears to be Pagan. Christmas was once Yuletide, All Hallow’s Eve(Halloween) was once Samhain, a bride wearing a veil at her wedding was once used to hide her from the “Evil Eye” spirits, etc.

One of the biggest Christian organizations the Roman Catholic Church/the Vatican grew out of one of the biggest polytheistic empires in the world “The Roman Empire” but they eventually became “The Holy Roman Empire” when they became a “Christian nation” and yet the Catholic Church preserved the things from Rome that were once Pagan, like the Pantheon, once a Roman temple dedicated to the gods became a Christian Church.

I think how Christianity “reconciles” with Modern Christian Hawaiians who want to preserve their history/culture is handled in a couple of different ways:

Biblically: A Catholic Bishop talks about how Jesus’ apostles were able to evangelize in a heavily pagan culture. The main takeaway quote from this video for me is “You can’t evangelize a culture you don’t love” The idea that “all things are redeemed” through Jesus also seems to be how to reconcile culture & faith

Historically: We are still learning about how our kūpuna(ancestors) reconciled their Hawaiian culture with Christianity as well. Historians have usually gone to English language sources to learn about Christianity in Hawaiʻi which obviously has given us a VERY biased view of what it was like for Hawaiian Christians back then but as of recently more Historians have been trying to uncover Hawaiian language based historical sources for a more balanced view of how our kūpuna justified their culture and faith. Ronald C Williams Jr. the Director of the Lāhui Hawaiʻi Research Center at University of Mānoa is interviewed on that exact topic. He also wrote a dissertation on Christianity & Hawaiians called Claimimg Christianity: The Struggle Over God and Nation in Hawaiʻi. Historian Nancy J Morris & Theologian Robert Benedetto released a book about Hawaiian Pastors called Nā Kahu giving small biographical portraits of many Native Hawaiian Christians.

Philosophically/Theologically??(Dont know if thats the right word LOL): George Heʻeu Sanford wrote a book during the beginning of the Hawaiian Renaissance called Kū Kanaka the book was a philisophic understanding of what it means to be a Hawaiian that holds Hawaiian values in the Contemporary age. The first chapter is dedicated to the topic of Religion and what that means for the modern Hawaiian. Sanford states that ka poʻe kahiko (The Hawaiians of Old) were one of the MOST religious people, everything was Ritual and Religion, sleeping, eating, canoe-building, war, etc. The philisophic claim Sanford makes is that our ancestors wouldnʻt be shocked at us for being religiously Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, etc they would be more shocked at how Secular we are. From the Christian side of philosophy JRR Tolkien, of Lord of the Rings fame, and CS Lewis, of Narnia fame, wrote two of the most “pagan” Christian fantasy book series in all of history the way they reconciled that was the idea of Christianity being the “true myth” and I think many Hawaiians see the myths of old Hawaiʻi reflected in the myths of Christianity.

I think this is the same Rise episode we were discussing here: /r/Hawaii/comments/5vcuhp/viceland_airing_disharmony_in_paradise_how/

I found the episode to be very informative, but definitely bias in favor of the Native Hawaiian viewpoint.

There (as I recall) were three segments: general Hawaiian sovereignty, the Thirty Meter Telescope, and a homeless encampment.

I also can't overemphasize that Sarain Fox is so perfect as the host. She comes of as very curious, respectful, nonjudgmental, and interested. I also think her being Native American and cute doesn't hurt.

Amazon has the episode for $2.99 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XC55BTD/?tag=tvg_aiv_eptab-20&ref_=asc_tvg

Hōkūleʻa History~

• The Story of Hōkūleʻa
  
  http://www.hokulea.com/voyages/our-story/
  
  
• Hōkūleʻa: History of Hawaii’s Voyaging Canoe
  
  https://hawaiianpaddlesports.com/news/hokulea-history-hawaiis-voyaging-canoe/
  
  Some videos I highly recommend and a few more links with additional information.
  
  Master Navigator Pius May Pialug was instrumental in passing on his traditional Satawal knowledge of wayfinding. The "star compass" being one of extraordinary value beyond measure. His wisdom was of great benefit to the Polynesian Voyaging Society, the Second Hawaiian Renaissance and the journey of the Hōkūleʻa.
  
  
• Master Navigator- Papa Mau (56:41)
  
  https://youtu.be/j-e12Mg1alg
  
  
• Grand Master Mau Piailug and his Star Compass (6:45)
  
  https://youtu.be/OPNUJqPoKQI
  
  
• Hawaiian Voyaging Traditions
  
  http://pvs.kcc.hawaii.edu/holokai/2007/mau_1_intro.html
  
  http://pvs.kcc.hawaii.edu/index/founder_and_teachers/mau.html
  
  
• Hōkūleʻa website with updates, videos and written blogs
  
  https://www.hokulea.com
  
  
• Hōkūleʻa image gallery
  
  http://pvs.kcc.hawaii.edu/ike/kalai_waa/hokulea_photo_gallery.html
  
  
• Mo'olelo of Hōkūleʻa
  
  http://www.samlow.com/mooleloHokulea.htm
  
  
• ‘Ike: Knowledge & Traditions
  
  http://pvs.kcc.hawaii.edu
  
  
• Another video- Talk story with Nainoa Thompson (1:12:56)
  
  https://youtu.be/7EpX8N2Ju7I
  
  
  Nainoa Thompson is president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and a master in the Oceanic tradition of wayfinding. Thompson studied under Micronesian master navigator Mau Piailug of Satawal, and became the first Native Hawaiian since the 14th century to successfully practice long-distance wayfinding. Over the past 40 years Thompson has helped lead a revival of Hawaiian and Polynesian culture with the launch and navigation of Hōkūleʻa, a traditional wa‘a kaulua (double-hulled voyaging canoe).
  
  There is quite a lot of information about Nainoa that can be found online. Here is a book recommended to me I have yet to read.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Hawaiki-Rising-Thompson-Hawaiian-Renaissance/dp/1617102008
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

First thanks for watching! I used a camalapse 4 that I got used on Amazon for about $15, it only supports cameras that weigh less than 5lbs (4lb was pushing it). It is a gloified egg timer, but by buying it I saved the headache of trying to mod something myself. My only two quibbles with it is that you can't change rotation speed or rotation direction, but for $15 I can live with those issues. BTW full price is $30, it's a great buy at $15 but at $30 I can't give my whole hearted recco because of the two issues. It is a fun toy however. http://smile.amazon.com/camarush-1004-camalapse-4/dp/B00LV5LBE2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415637406&sr=8-1&keywords=camalapse+4

Sort of pic of my setup, different camera (the one in the pic turned out to be too heavy) and different trigger (before I bought the triggertrap dongle). http://instagram.com/p/si3NEYvTBp

No, my friend. This is the 'new' travel version. It's cool, but I really want the old Mahogany version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNGFk5DZruU

THANK YOU for your help anyway.

the Mahogany version is cheaper (I would problably have to pay the shipping and I don't have a lot of money) but Acacia or Spruce/Flame Maple Pocket should be great too.

http://www.amazon.com/Kala-KA-PU-SSFM-Spruce-Pocket-Ukulele/dp/B004W40154/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt/179-0114044-5106710
http://www.amazon.com/Kala-KA-ASAC-PU-Acacia-Pocket-Ukulele/dp/B003ZF66RI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I have also done the Na Pali Coast trail. Spent 7 days in the valley with 15 of my best friends. One of the best weeks of my life. The trail is not easy. We did it all in one day. Maybe like 5-6 hours of hiking. Depending on the fitness of your group it can take considerably longer to finish. Some people camp at campsites along the trail.




I would be seriously concerned about a dog on the trail at certain points because of how narrow it gets at points all their general unpredictability. Especially if you to have them on a leash.



If you're really worried about weight you can ask/hire someone to kayak stuff in for you.

The best piece of equipment we had was a hanging water filter, I think this was the one:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007U0148/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1SMJNN6CS2RW1&coliid=I1ZWUTY8R65P3O&psc=1


You may not need it, depending on the size of your group but with 15 pumping water was just going to be a pain in the ass.

Please feel free to PM with any questions, would love to help.

I think it's an interesting question. I just recently read the book Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell, which is a great book about the history of the Americanization of Hawaii. It really shows how huge a role that Christianity played in the overthrow of Hawaii, generations before the actual annexation.

It kind of baffles me as well, knowing that history, that so many (native) Hawaiians are very religious, while still advocating Hawaiian independence. Maybe it speaks to the power of Christianity, or any of the other "big" religions, to inspire fervor in its followers?

According to a book published by the authors, they wrote the lyrics (which state the dragon is from Honalee) without being aware of Hanalei. https://www.amazon.com/Puff-Magic-Dragon-Peter-Yarrow/dp/1402772165/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=#reader_1402772165 and scroll to the "From the Authors" page.

> I was once on the island of Kauai with my family and friends and we came across a gigantic lava cave on the edge of Hanalei Bay. My friend asked me how I came to set Puff the Magic Dragon here and I told him the truth: I had never heard of Hanalei and I had no idea it had a cave fit for a dragon. I can't explain it, and like so much of life, this is another mystery to accept and enjoy.

One I always recommend is Unfamiliar Fishes.

Captive Paradise is good too.
Shoal of Time is widely praised.


While these pre-date the overthrow, they are good books on Hawaii's History and available for free (large PDFs):
Moolelo Hawaii
Ruling Chiefs of Hawaii

If you want something more science fictiony / fantasy stuff and more inspired by Hawaii, the books by Carol Severance are good. Reefsong and Demon Drums. It took me years of hunting used book stores and library sales to get my own copy, they are now on amazon kindle so everyone can easily enjoy them.

Reefsong: https://www.amazon.com/Reefsong-Carol-Severance-ebook/dp/B00J90EU12/
Demon Drums: https://www.amazon.com/Demon-Drums-Island-Warrior-Book-ebook/dp/B00J90EY0E/

It's not inexpensive, but this is the one I have. It has great night viewing capability and the cord for the rear camera is long enough that I had to wrap it in my compact car's ceiling to keep the excess cord away.

I'm sure you can find cheaper ones on Amazon if you read through the reviews, but I've been using it for about a year and I haven't had any problems with playback.

Interesting story--my family flipped out a bit when the Y2K thing happened. We basically stocked up on a year's worth of supplies, mostly grains, in large, airtight sealed buckets. We had a solar oven, water purifiers, hand-cranked flashlights, you name it. Started a back-yard garden along with a bunch of other people and were growing our own veggies, beans, etc. It was actually kind of an interesting experience.

Eventually nothing happened, and the supplies got slowly used up over the years. But it was an interesting scenario to go through.

Our neighbor on Kauai across the street actually does live almost entirely like this. His house is off the grid, he's got solar and catchment, and has a large garden.

Currently, being on Oahu, if anything were to go to shit, I'd be screwed along with everyone else. On an outer island? Might have an easier time of things if you're already partially stocked and growing your own things.

EDIT: Oh, and read the book Disaster Diaries for a good look at what one person tried living like this experienced.