Clear Channel Streams HD Radio

HD Radio is in Hawaii but few know about it. In order to receive an HD radio signal, a special HD radio receiver must be purchased. Current models sell for about $250. There are only 4 HD radio stations broadcasting in the Honolulu market. They are owned by Clear Channel. The stations are KSSK 92.3-1 (adult contemporary music) and KSSK 92.3-2 (smooth jazz) and KUCD 101.9-1 (modern rock) and KUCD 101.9-2 (Hawaii's Hard Rock). The secondary HD stations are playing commercial free music. Those without HD sets can listen to many of Clear Channel's HD stations by selecting the streams from the following website:

Clear Channel Music HD Radio
KUCD 101.9-2 is the only Hawaii station with a stream on that site.

Unlike satellite radio, HD Radio is a free over the air service that does not require a subscription fee.

More information about HD radio can be found at the following links:

HD Radio @ Wikipedia

HD Digital Radio

Apollo 11 - July 20, 1969

Top: Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin. Bottom: Historic photo of astonaut Aldrin on the moon at "Tranquility Base", July 20, 1969. Photos from NASA.

July 20, 1969 -- I remember the day was like no other. We all gathered around our small black and white TV set to catch a glimpse of the first images of Neil Armstrong stepping off "the LEM" and onto the surface of the moon and into the history books.

The first lunar landing and moonwalk by Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin went off without a hitch on that distant Sunday in 1969. I still remember a lot of it and I was only a kid. A true space cadet for sure, I kept track of the progress of every flight in the Apollo program. Just the sight of that blurry TV image coming to us from more than 200,000 miles away in space was enough to get me excited about our future in space.

The moonwalk was shown on live TV all around the world. Millions of people watched it. It was one of America's most finest moments. It was a time to truly be proud to be an American. We had won the "space race" and our guys were walking on the moon. And while my vision of personally going to space was never realized, I support the continued success of the United States man in space program.

Yes, our space program is floundering given all the problems with the Space Shuttle and even the space station. Yet, in the spirit of advancing space exploration, the United States and its partners should continue to move forward to take us back to the moon and beyond and create new opportunities and technologies for everyone on earth.

Space is the final frontier. We need to continue to go "where no man has gone before".

The Hawaii Superferry is Here

The Hawaii Superferry will be a classy new way to travel inter-island. Residents and business users will be able to travel to another island bringing their own vehicle with them. This new inter-island travel option allows passengers to bring their vehicles with them for a weekend getaway, or for a longer time on another island. The big plus is that passengers will be able to load their vehicles up with all of their personal belongings or goods (in the case of businesses) and take them along for the trip.

Hawaii Superferry starts passenger service sometime after September 5. The vessel called The Alakai will undergo Coast Guard certification over the next few weeks. It is expected to get its okay soon after.

Service will initially be offered between Honolulu, Lihue Kauai and Kahului Maui. Service to the Big Island of Hawaii will commence sometime in 2009 after another vessel is built.

Needless to say a lot of people are excited about the new travel option the Superferry will offer. Businesses are eager to test out a new way to deliver goods; transfer tools, gear and personnel between islands. Sports teams will probably have an affordable option in which they will be able to move an entire busload of kids and equipment with them and also bring the bus! Families are figuring out how to maximize the capacity of their vehicles when traveling between islands. The possibilities are probably endless and the days of "traveling light" may be over!

Certainly the Superferry will not be perfect. I am sure there will be some growing pains for the firm as they get adjusted to the marketplace. The public may also have to adjust to higher than normal discount air fare prices when using the Superferry. The nagging 30% fuel surcharge will be a concern for more than the seriously budget minded.

However the sailing experience will be new and I am sure many people will give the ferry a try. Plus the fact that people will be able to travel with their vehicle may justify some of the higher cost. We'll see.

Whatever happens, I am sure the travel experience will be interesting, certainly scenic and perhaps less hectic than flying the local airlines.

This weekend Hawaii Superferry offered limited public previews of the vessel. I was lucky enough to get onboard today (July 13). I took a lot of photos all of which can be accessed at this link:

Mel's Hawaii Superferry Photostream @ Flickr

Top Photo: The main deck dining area of the Hawaii Superferry. All photos by Mel.


The forward section of the Alakai will offer panoramic views of the Hawaiian islands.


The Hawaii Superferry docked at its home port at Honolulu Harbor's Pier 19.


The second floor vehicle ramp.


Airline style tourist class seating.

Access to the bridge of the vessel is not allowed due to new security measures set in place by the Federal Government. I assume the bridge looks quite similar to this vessel that sailed into Honolulu in 2004: BRIDGE OF THE SPIRIT OF ONTARIO

Legislature Override Governor Lingle's Vetoes

The Hawaii State Legislature met in special session yesterday to override 12 of 27 bills Republican Governor Linda Lingle vetoed on the last day of a 45 day period for executive action on all passed legislation this year.

Among the bills that were overridden were SB 1066 that imposes a new tax on shipping containers that will surely increase the cost of consumer goods in Hawaii, a $3 million raid (SB 1191) on the State Highway special fund to finance pedestrian safety improvements and HB 1830 which will allow people to abandon newborn babies at designated places with immunity from prosecution.

Legislators who voted to override most bills were Democrats and those who voted to uphold the vetoes were mostly Republicans. Not surprising since Governor Lingle is a Republican.

The $3 million raid on the highway special fund for pedestrian safety is a misuse of that fund, which is supposed to go to road maintenance and new highways. Governor Lingle will probably not release the funds for this purpose.

Every time the legislature meet costs for Hawaii consumers increase. This certainly is the case in SB 1066 which imposes a $1 tax on containers to fund preventive initiatives against invasive species. The tax collected will go into a special fund set up for this purpose. The Hawaii State Legislature has a record of raiding special funds over time to finance things that the funds were never intended for, like public union worker pay raises.

Regardless of SB 1066’s intent, this is bad legislation that increases the cost of living in Hawaii. The container tax will certainly be passed on to consumers. Hawaii continues to be a tax hell with recent increases to the General Excise Tax (12.5% to pay for rail) and a recent gas tax increase that was written into a bill that also decreased the GET on the ethanol in gasoline for 2 years. If legislators were truly concerned about people's pocketbooks, they would certainly see the bigger picture of how tax increases here and there cumulatively hurt pocketbooks of consumers and business.

Lastly, HB 1830 creates a “baby safe haven” for people who want to abandon newborns. As some legislators indicated, this is a bill that is looking for a problem to happen. Over the last 10 or so years less than a half dozen newborn babies have been abandoned in dumpsters or elsewhere in Hawaii. This law will legitimize baby abandonment by allowing people to drop off their unwanted children at a designated place. Anyone heard of restraint or responsibility? If you cannot care for a child, do not have one.

These bills represent only a handful of bad bills that are passed annually by the Hawaii State Legislature, many of them increasing Hawaii’s taxes and cost of living. As long as the legislature continues to meet we have to keep on holding to our wallets tighter every time!

Bills Vetoed by Governor Lingle
Special Session Info & Bill Links
$3 Million for Hawaii Pedestrians in Limbo
11 Vetoes Overridden


Photos: Senate & House majority leaders justify their positions on various bills at a press conference yesterday (above). Senator Fred Hemmings speaks for the minority with reporters on the veto overrides (top photo). Photos by Mel.

Celebrate Feedom, Celebrate America

Wishing you all a safe and happy 4th of July. Hope all of your celebrations were fun, safe and happy. Remember the freedoms that we enjoy in this great country of ours... The United States of America. Let freedom ring!