The Rainbow Connection Hawaii

Salsa Recipe

2009-05-09T23:25:00.002-10:00

Buying the 'right' salsa is always difficult and in a rush you pick whatever is on the shelf...
why not make your own salsa?

Here is an easy to make salsa recipe that always comes out very tasty.
The secret here is to have a sharp knife and the right chiles.

To make salsa for 3 people

Ingredients:

4 tomatoes
1/2 white onion (must be white onion, NOTHING else)
cilantro
salt

*** this ingredient is up to your withstanding of hotness.
chile:
hawaian chili pepper (hot but sweet)
habanero (just plain hot)
jalapeno (sweet at first then spicy)
serrano (just awful, don't even try it)

Directions:

Dice the tomatoes. Cut the tomato in half. Take one of the halves and make small cuts thru the center (about 3). Turn the tomato over on the skin side and cut tru the cuts to make smaller square pieces. If this doesn't make sense... micro dice the tomato getting clean square cuts.
Add into clean bowl.

Dice the white onion the same way you did the tomato. Add to bowl.

Dice the cilantro. Best way is to bunch up the cilantron into a little ball and cut thru. Add to bowl.

Pour tomato juice out from the bowl.
Make sure not to touch the chili with your hands, it will burn for hours.
Dice your chili of choice. Use a small spoon to scoop into bowl.

Mix all ingredients together in bowl and add salt to taste.

*** when choosing the tomatoes pick a red almost ripe tomato. It must have a somewhat hard texture, smell it to make sure it doesn't smell sour. When preparing the tomato, cut the "butt" off and then begin to dice.

Pair your salsa with corn chips and you're good to go.

Happy dipping!!!

A Look into the Diet of a College Student

2009-05-04T10:02:00.002-10:00

Food and drink is the fuel of our mind, brain, and bodies – so it would make good sense to feed the body good food and drink especially during ones college years as it is a time of great potential – for mental, physical, and spiritual growth. Yet, it is clearly evident by simply observing the eating habits of students around college campuses that good nutrition is not always the first priority. On campus at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I find the food options at the food courts very limited in terms of fresh healthful choices. There are many fast food options like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, as well as Chinese take out, Starbucks, and a handful of other small take out shops. There are some healthful vegetarian stalls located around the campus that offer tasty and healthy fare, though overall the majority of options at UH lean more towards the fast food type fare.

Although I am by no way a nutritionist, I have observed that a large portion of students drink too much soda, energy drinks, and refined carbohydrates such as muffins, chips, and other pastries. It is my belief that if students just take the initiative to change a few habits – big results can happen. If for example, a student stops drinking five or six sodas a week and instead drink more fresh water per week, that student will take in around 1200 less calories and 90 less teaspoons of sugar per week. In addition, that student will stop taking in such acidic drinks which are not good in general for the body, and instead be taking in more alkaline water that has a cleansing and regenerative effect on the human body. Next, if a student skips the 600 calorie muffin full of nothing but sugar, empty carbs, and trans fats and replaces with say a whole wheat muffin with peanut butter, fruit jelly, and a banana, that student should be able to avoid a rapid drop in blood sugar and instead be vitalized with prolonged energy as well as consuming much-need nutrients.

Despite the lack of much healthy eating options on campus, the real problem lies with how students view nutrition and make their food choices. This could be possibly attributed to the fact that many students have hectic schedules with not much time to plan and make healthful dishes or find businesses that serve healthy food that is tasty. With that in mind, I don’t expect that my article will cause a student to greatly overhaul their diet, but I hope that this article will shed some awareness about the issue and perhaps influence a student to make small changes in their diet that can really make a difference in their health and performance at school.

~Jennifer Tsukamoto

Ka Leo O Hawaii is Always Open

2009-05-04T00:37:00.002-10:00

Almost every school has their own school newspaper or magazine. At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the Ka Leo is a great way for students to become more involved with the school, know what is going on, and more. The newspaper which is run and made by students themselves is a great way for students to become more knowledgeable about the school in general. Also, it is a useful resource for finding jobs, apartments, and even volunteering. Did I mention that the Ka Leo is one of the most interesting places to work for? Often, as I walk past students or over hear them talking, they complain about how boring and bad the Ka Leo is. I say, if students think that about their own paper, then do something about it! Write for Ka Leo yourself! If you want to read better articles or stories, make a change and do it yourself. When you work with Ka Leo, they pretty much let you write about anything you want, with the exception of having to do some assignments from your editor. But besides, that you’re free to write about whatever you want at your own pace. Only when the article is time sensitive, you have to remember to hand in your work by a certain time to be published. They even pay you for the articles you write. Although the money is not much, it’s enough to cover some expenses such as parking, doing laundry or even buying lunch. In addition, the most important thing someone can gain from having a job at Ka Leo is real hands on experience and your work is being published! You can also work in which ever field you choose to, whether it’s editing, news, sports, or even by having your own column. If you do not want to write, you don’t have to. You can choose to work in photography or even advertising. I use to write for features and really enjoyed it. The work atmosphere is professional but at the same time laid back. The people who work there are all different and unique in their own way, and always willing to help. You have plenty of time to edit your work before it’s published and there’s even advisors you can meet to perfect your article. If you feel that you’re too busy to work consistently throughout the semester you don’t have to. They don’t require you to write every single week, you can write when you want to and send in your work. Ka Leo also provides many connections to internships, scholarships, and even conferences, where you can meet other professional writers. So, if you think you’re a good writer, want to speak your voice, share your ideas on absolutely anything, then, work for Ka Leo! The Ka Leo always advertises about wanting people to write for them, they don’t say it for nothing. Working at Ka Leo is probably one of the most beneficial jobs you will ever have inside school.

-Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

Comic Boom!

2009-05-04T00:29:00.008-10:00

All-Time World Wide Gross

#4 The Dark Knight (2008) $1 billion

All-Time Domestic Gross

#2 The Dark Knight (2008) $533 million #8 Spiderman (2002) $403 million

Recent Surge of Comic-Adaptations

Number of Marvel/DC/Dark Horse comic adaptations 1944-1999=21 films over 25 years Number of Marvel/DC/Dark Horse comic adaptations 2000-2009=29 films over 10 years (From BoxOfficeMojo)

Origin

These figures sure do say a lot, but they are, to be quite honest, quite boring. So if you haven’t noticed the sheer number of comic-to-film adaptations being put out lately, well, now you have. The past 10 years have seen a surge in the number of films based off of comic adaptations. Why? It’s simple, really. Hollywood saw that the comic adaptation could be its next veritable cash cow and it truly has if recent box office numbers mean anything.

It all began with X-Men (2000) and Spiderman (2002). Not the best of the crop but humble beginnings, to be sure. These movies weren’t bad by any means, but they did show that the comic-adaptation could net a considerable profit which was a crucial step forward for the genre. Crucial because this gave Hollywood the incentive it needed to further pursue and produce more comic book movies. After these two movies released studios began buying out movie rights for every comic property they could get their hands on. This is exactly why both X-Men and Spiderman went on to make numerous sequels while opening the door for a whole slew of other comic related adaptations.

Great Power and Responsibility

So with this comic boom, not only were mainstream comics getting the star treatment, but lesser known but equally compelling tales were getting their fifteen minutes of fame as well. The power of the comic-adaptation was growing.

As Hollywood dug deeper into this new found treasure chest of comics they started developing less commonly known stories; two of the more important ones worth mentioning are Sin City (2005) and 300 (2006). Both of these books held within them the most brutally violent and mature story lines ever to be translated to film. And therein lays the first reason why I say that they are worth mentioning; the content of these two books helped to dismiss the stigma that comic books were a children’s hobby, a hobby that some adults just never outgrew. This was a stigma that, no doubt, would have turned away a large demographic of viewers. The second and equally important claim that both these books can make is that they were slavishly faithful to the source material. In both cases Frank Miller, creator of Sin City and 300, played a heavy hand in the production of the films. So, as you can imagine, the films never stray far from the comics.

This new-found fidelity to source material is an integral part of Hollywood’s comic-adaptation behemoth. It was a very responsible choice, both to the writers and the fans. There are hundreds of great stories already out there that are just waiting to make the leap to the silver-screen. Fan-boy ranting aside, the recent crop of comic adaptations has been and probably will continue to be faithful recreations of already beloved comic book arcs.

“It’s not about money… it’s about sending a message.”

Joker, The Dark Knight

Sure, holding box office records does look pretty impressive on paper but even Beverly Hills Chihuahua came out on top its opening weekend. Of course that is not to say that money grossed is not indicative of success. In many cases it is. The point here is that there is an important distinction to be made between commercial and critical success. One does not equate to the other. Furthermore, it is rare to see a film which enjoys both of those successes; most films have one or the other.

Now this is where The Dark Knight (2008) comes in. This is one of those rare films that, as mentioned, have garnered both critical and commercial success. Coming in at the 4^th most money-making movie ever makes this film commercially very successful. But critics, too, found it worthy of their praise. The amount of awards that The Dark Knight has both won and been nominated for is so great that its Wikipedia page suggests a new article be created for it. The tightly woven and highly complex story of Batman’s fall from grace was the first truly brilliant film based off of a comic book. It is easily considered the greatest comic-adaptation ever made and a total testament to the strength of the comic medium as a whole.

The Future

So what does this mean for fans, both old and new? Well, it means a lot if this genre of film keeps up its current pace. The most obvious thing to look forward to is, of course, more movies. On a larger scale, however, fans can look forward to all encompassing “events.” These are story arcs that involve and affect everyone in a given universe, for example, the Civil War event which takes place in Marvel’s canon of superheroes. Now that Hollywood has introduced us to a decent amount of Marvel’s major players they can start to undertake grander story arcs like Civil War. In short, this is the most popularity and mainstream acceptance the comic medium has ever enjoyed and things only look like they are going to get better. It’s only a matter of time before another Dark Knight caliber film touches ground so until then true believers will just have to keep on reading.

Rainbow Connection Staff Writer- Drew Shinjo

UH Housing At It's Worst

2009-05-03T23:29:00.005-10:00

Housing is an issue for almost every single college student. Whether you’re just starting as a freshman or a continuing student. Some questions that will most definitely come into mind are, where can I find good housing for a reasonable price? At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, there a number of choices you have to choose from. When it comes to living on campus or off, the school provides “bearable” boarding. When I say bearable, this means barely making it livable conditions for human beings. UH offers quite a few selections for students besides, incoming freshman who are required to live in the freshman towers unless they chose to live off campus. For those who do choose to live on campus, I should warn you to be very wise when choosing where exactly you want to live. Students really need to know the deep dirty secrets of on campus housing, especially because they are paying so much money for it. As an out of state upperclassmen, I have been living on campus for the last three years, but not by choice. The places I have lived so far include, the freshman towers, Johnson Hall, Hale Wainani and Hale Noelani. Students really need to share what they see and what really goes down. The reality of UH living conditions need to be revealed to future students as an eye opener. The experiences I am about to share are all very much true. For the last couple of years there have been some extremely traumatizing moments and events while living on campus. After the second semester of freshman year, I was faced with the fact that I needed to take summer school to raise my GPA. If I had done my work like I planned then I would not have dreaded going to summer school, but as always, things never go as planned. As I signed up for on campus summer housing because my parents refuse to pay for my housing unless it was on campus, fearing my focus of studying would be lost. To my surprise, I got placed into Hale Wainani low rise. As I moved in, got acquainted with my new roommates, and settled down, I thought to myself “This is going to be a great summer.” As the first couple of weeks past, I was just getting use to the heat and dealing with absolutely no cool breeze blowing into my room on the second floor. My roommates and I kept our place very clean. I, myself am a neat freak and need to have everything tidy. We all took turns taking the trash out almost everyday, when ever it got full. But one, day as I came back from class I saw something running around on the ground in our kitchen near our trash bags, I thought “What could it be?” Taking a closer look I soon discovered it was a roach as long as my index finger, and in shock I screamed! You would think that having roaches around the house could be the worst thing that could happen, but guess again. Exactly one week later as I was brushing my teeth, I walked over to our refrigerator to see what I could eat for breakfast. As I was walking, I saw something very tiny and white. It looked like it was some sort of worm, but very short, and it moved kind of at a slow pace. I bent down and looked even closer, soon to find out that it was a maggot! It wasn’t even just one, as I took a look all round the room there were at least one hundred! Everywhere! Especially near the trash can where it was practically empty, it was only one fourth full. It was an infestation of larvae (maggots). I screamed out loud and ran up the stairs, but soon found that the maggots were even climbing up the stairs! It was definitely an emergency situation. So we contacted our RA and the maintenance men, who simply just sprayed some Raid. I mean even I could have done that! But the Raid did not help at all. The maggots were increasing as the hours went by; it was a very frantic situation. Eventually they were all vacuumed up and our apartment air was filled with the fumes of Raid. The smell did not go away for the longest time! People may think this is the worst situation they have ever heard of, but think again. This event only took place during summer session one. I also had the lovely chance of taking summer session two right afterwards. I thought maybe after moving to a new apartment, that event that it could never happen again. Yet, my hopes were just too high. As summer session two started not to far in, the same thing happened again! We once again had another maggot infestation in the new apartment in Hale Wainani low rise. This is probably one of the worst things that could happen to any student. You would think that will all the extra fees we pay for housing and the actual cost itself, UH housing would invest into insect spray or some kind of bug terminators. Where is all our housing money essentially going to? The following year later, I was unfortunately placed into Johnson Hall. Because we had no kitchen in our actual rooms, I thought that nothing worse could happen compared to the events that took place in Hale Wainani. I don’t know what it was, but my fate of ever settling down into decent housing was far away. One morning I woke up to my surprise, my roommate looking at me in serious shock. I asked her what was wrong? She told me to turn around and look at my pillow and the wall. I slowly turned my head to see little black ants or some sort of tiny caterpillars all over my baby pink pillow cover and against the wall. They were everywhere! In disgust I ran to the bathroom and took a shower with steaming hot water washing my hair at least three times. That day my RA had to call Ecolab which deals with pest control, cleaning, and sanitizing. I had to stay in my friend’s room for the next two days, while they were cleaning the room. When I came back I found my blanket was thrown away and the reason for the bugs was the wind had swept them into our room from the trees outside. That same year my neighbor woke up with very bad large bites the swelled all over her body. Ecolab came once again and declared that she had bed bugs in her mattress. She has to leave her room for almost one week. Now that is quite a lot of unexpected things that took place for the worse. After going through a series of unfortunate events, I want to warn students to be very wise when it comes to housing. Although on campus housing may be cheaper than paying off campus rent, it doesn’t mean it is going to be perfect. In fact, the only dormitory that I would actually consider “clean” is the newly built Frear Hall which opened in fall 2008. But the cost of living there is just as much as someone would pay living off campus in their own place with a few roommates. Another negative aspect of on campus housing that it is mandatory for students not living in the apartments to purchase a meal plan. If you like the convienece of having your meals prepared for you, the meal plan is a good idea. But keep in mind that each meal or “block” that you use, even in the cheapest meal plan is worth roughly $8.50. With that much money you spend on one meal, off campus you can find so many great places to eat, where the food actually tastes like real food, not cardboard. If you enjoy cooking, then definitely look into the apartments. But remember no matter where you go there is no guarantee that the place you choose to live is going to be clean or completely, bug free. Overall, on campus housing at UH is not one of the best places to live compared to other universities. But if you have no where else to go, can’t afford anything else, or your parents are forcing you to live on campus, then just remember to be smart about where you want to be staying. If you have the option of living off campus and can handle the responsibilities, then definitely go for it.

In conclusion, I find it so disappointing how over the years, the university has not made that much of an effort to clean up and make renovations to the dormitories, besides the freshman towers which is currently taking place. The student’s needs should be top priority for UH, above all, the living conditions. The money that students pay to live on campus is without doubt worth much more than what the school has to offer.

-Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

Must Read: Buy, Borrow, or Steal

2009-05-03T22:58:00.015-10:00

Tired of wasting your money on lousy reads? Daunted by the sheer number of comics available? Looking to make the jump into the colorful world of comics but don’t know where to begin? Well, look no further. Ahead you will find reader-friendly books that are worth both your time and your money.

X-Men: Magneto Testament (2008)

What’s it about:

This five-part miniseries is the origin story of Magneto as a Jewish boy in Nazi Germany circa 1944. For those familiar with Magneto this opens up a whole new grey zone for the character as he is infamous for his violence against humans; he survives the Jewish holocaust only to live through a mutant holocaust of sorts. Writer Greg Pak went to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy and it shows. This book reads more like a Holocaust survivor’s tale than a comic book. In fact, save for the title on each of the covers you’d probably never guess that this was even a part of X-Men canon.

Why you should care: This is hot of the press of Marvel’s MK or Marvel Knights line. To be brief, MK is a special division of Marvel’s best tenured writers who are allowed to operate in a zone with absolutely no ties to Marvel continuity. That means two very important things. First, it means these writers have creative reign to do pretty much whatever they want. Second, it means these books require no scribe-like-knowledge of past Marvel events. If you’re new to comics there is no greater place to jump in. And if you aren’t, then I’m preaching to the choir. Oh yea, by the way, IGN gave this the award for best miniseries of 2008 based on the strength of only 3 of the 5 issues (the final two weren’t even released yet!). Yea, it’s that good.

Y: The Last Man (2002-08)

What’s it about: In the year 2002, for reasons completely unknown, every living creature with a Y chromosome drops dead. Every single living male on the planet is wiped out. Well, except for protagonist Yorick, the titular Last Man and his pet monkey Ampersand. Together they travel the globe in search of family and a way to save mankind. No small feat when you consider that every infrastructure known to man has been crippled.

Why you should care: RevolutionSF.com says “This is why God created comic books.” Writer Brian K. Vaughn won the Eisner award (think Oscars of comics sans the fame and fortune) for this in 2008 when the series came to its conclusion. He now writes for JJ Abram’s hit television series Lost. I’ll be the first to admit that yes, sometimes reading about superheroes saving the world can get a bit, well, comical. Capes and spandex aren’t for everyone, not even me, which is why the plausibility of everything contained within these pages is such a breath of fresh air. At 60 issues or 10 trade paper backs this series is quite an investment, both in money and time but I assure you, it is worth every penny and every second. Ever wish you could read a book for the first time again? It’s one of those.

Joker (2008)

What’s it about: For reasons unknown and totally irrelevant, the Joker is released from Arkham Asylum. This appropriately ultra-violent stand-alone graphic novel follows the Joker’s rise back to his rightful throne as Gotham’s Clown Prince of Crime. Narrated by one of his low-level thugs, this book is the ultimate case study into the psyche of the twisted mind of the Joker.

Why you should care: Was your mind blown away by Heath Ledger’s performance of the Joker in The Dark Knight? Of course, it was. So this should be a no-brainer. For fans of a disturbing and twisted take on Batman’s archenemy, this one has got your name all over it. Winner of IGN’s best original graphic novel of 2008 this is easily one of the most gut wrenching books you’ll ever lay hands on. More Hannibal Lecter than Saturday morning cartoon special this book is not for children or the faint of heart. It is a brutal look into what makes the Joker tick. And while Batman only makes a brief appearance in this book his stock in comicdom immediately skyrockets as his heroics are only magnified when juxtaposed by this unnerving take on his greatest adversary.

P.S.

A quick bit of advice for those new to the medium: Follow writers, not characters. Good writing can elevate even the flimsiest of characters to greatness; weak writing can can bring great characters to their knees like a kryptonite bat to the teeth. Plus, it’s a great way to explore books you might have otherwise not read. Either way, you win. Enjoy.

Rainbow Connection Staff Writer-Drew Shinjo

Rough in Roller Skates

2009-05-02T14:26:00.015-10:00

Ladies, looking for an exciting way to work out and make friends? Guys, like seeing girls in tiny shorts and skirts bent over and getting physical? Then roller derby is a sport you need to check out.

Roller derby is a contact sport played on roller skates. It is usually played by women, tough, crazy women who don’t mind a few scrapes and bruises. Roller derby has only recently returned to Hawaii. It used to be popular here in the 50s and 60s and current roller girls hope it will be popular again. Pacific Roller Derby (PRD) is the O’ahu based roller derby league. There are only two teams on this island but they also play against Maui Roller Girls (MRG) and national teams.

PRD will be scrimmaging against MRG on May 17 as they begin training for this summer’s RollerCon. RollerCon is a national roller derby event held in Las Vegas. This year’s RollerCon will be held July 29 to August 2. (Check out footage of the last PRD v. MRG scrimmage here).

Roller derby is a great way to make new and diverse friends. My friend is a roller girl and her teammates are a fun and open group of people from all kinds of backgrounds. If you’re thinking about joining a roller derby team, PRG is always recruiting. Check out their site for more information. You must be 18 or older to join and be able to make it to six practices a month. And it’s relatively affordable, $20 monthly. You’ll also need a roller derby name. Anything goes. Be creative. Some of the women of PRD go by Soviette Suzette, Cookie Cut Her, Axle Greaser, Ophelia Coconuts, and Pulp Vixen.

Watching roller derby can be just as fun as actually participating, and safer. If you like to see people pushing each other or falling down, this is definitely your kind of spectator sport. Not that anyone ever cheers for unnecessary roughness or for anyone to get hurt. It just happens. These women are moving on skates, fast and in a group. Points are scored when a team’s “jammer” laps the other team’s blockers. And blockers don’t mess around. Things can get pretty exciting. Check out this video clip from KGMB in 2007 for a better idea of how roller derby works.

If you’re interested in watching roller derby live, keep an eye on the PRD website for upcoming events and practices.

C, Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

The Best Nights Out on the Town

2009-05-02T13:04:00.003-10:00

Living on the island of Oahu as a college student can prove to offer interesting choices as far as entertainment. On the one hand you have the infamous Waikiki filled with tourist traps and restaurants. On the other, you have Chinatown and the illustrious First Friday. Now while Waikiki doesn’t at first seem to be the best of choices, there are lesser known specials that could offer solid entertainment for the spending conscious college student. Since the bulk of employment options for college students is usually industry or retail, it is nice to know that almost every bar or restaurant in Waikiki has kama’aina rates as well as discount industry nights. Usually the beverages are not only affordable, but are dirt cheap. Example: Broke Ass Mondays at the Red Lion. Drinks are $1-2 and every night of the week offers certain beverages for a similar price. The Shack has $2 drafts on Thursdays. Kelly O’Neill’s offers reasonable prices as well as open doors until 4am. And while First Friday is also an excellent choice for arts and college nights out, you may find yourself a little lonely on any night other than the First Friday. Bars in Chinatown such as 39 Hotel offer reasonable priced drinks and a lively college crowd, but only if you catch it right. First Friday is by far the big event where you can meet people of your age that are most likely living on the island as opposed to tourists, great drink specials, artsy displays and a whole lot of fun. But any other Friday, or any day of the week for that matter, can prove to be a little dead. So in conclusion, both First Friday and Waikiki have something to offer college students if you know when and where to go.

If It's Called the Cockroach, Expect the Cockroach

2009-05-02T13:01:00.003-10:00

Nestled down in the heart of Waikiki is one of the few “Mexican” restaurants on the island. With a claiming of the most authentic and tastiest of Hispanic cuisine, The Cucaracha falls short of this false and self advertised reputation. If it happens to be the place where you want to “pre-game” with some margaritas, the restaurant may serve your purpose. Their drinks are average to high priced (to me that’s $10-12 a go) but do carry a decent kick in the pants in a sizeable glass. But that may be where your buck stops. I have been to this restaurant on several occasions always in the hopes that the last visit proved to be a fluke, when in reality, it is the food that is the fluke. Every dish is costly with little to no excitement for your taste buds and the only resonating impression it gives you is later in the day when you can’t leave the bathroom. My first attempt was the fajitas. For over $20 you get undercooked or burned veggies and meat with stale tortillas, limp Pico de Gallo, and one hell of a stomach ache. My cousin had the mole which was equally as bad. It seemed more a thick, brown, tasteless paste that reminded me of something that they’d serve in prison camps. The burrito was also pretty horrifying. The meat was charred, the rice had been sitting, and the beans were cold. Not only did we leave with light checkbooks, hungry eyes, and indigestion, but we also left with a rather disappointed regret in choosing a place that doesn’t even uphold to the true Mexican style of chips and salsa. They give you a set amount of chips and salsa, small portions mind you, and any extra was additional cost. If you are looking to save a few bucks when dining out or looking for any decent quality of food, stay away from The Cucaracha. The last thing I’ll add is that the name means cockroach and it fits perfectly since I do believe there were more cockroaches than happy customers in that restaurant.

Rainbow Books

2009-04-30T15:06:00.001-10:00

Rainbow Books

Rainbow Books is one of the most reliable used bookstores that’s merely a walk away from UH Manoa. Video Games, DVDs and the main staple, used books, are available at affordable prices in a relaxed atmosphere where conversations flow free and unhurried. While the books are easy to reach, the aisles are sometimes crowded with them due to the small size of the store. The employees do the best they can with the situation, making the books into neat little piles when they’re unable to put them on the shelves. However, the piles do tend to get messy at times. Parents with underage children should keep an eye on them as the pornography section is very easy to access without any barriers or wrappers on the adult magazines or books. One of the best things about Rainbow Books is that as long as you don’t block the aisle, you can sit down and read for as long as you want and the employees won’t tell you to get off the floor. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in bookstores doing nothing but sitting down and reading, and I say that it’s a great relief not to get scolded for sitting on the floor. The employees are also quite happy to talk to you if they’re not busy doing their work; I had conversations with them myself and quite enjoyed the experience. So if you want to go to a good used bookstore without the hassle of bus travel, Rainbow Books is one of the best.

Alkaline Water

2009-04-28T16:00:00.007-10:00

Recently, I was introduced to Kangen water by a close friend of my father. Kangen water is alkalized water produced from a water ionizing machine made by a company named Enagic. The term Kangen is basically a Japanese word meaning “returning to source / origin.” There are other companies who sell water ionizers but Enagic is the company that offers the highest quality product. So high, that the Japanese approved its use as a medical device.

At first, I was highly skeptical about the water because the company Enagic sells the device through representatives via a multi-level marketing format. That fact immediately made me doubtful on the worthiness of the product. Yet, I knew my dad’s friend, John, was a very honest and caring friend so I allowed him to supply with me additional information regarding Kangen water. Basically the Enagic water ionizer is a machine that ionizes the water and has the ability to make the ph balance of the water alkaline through the process electrolysis. The resulting alkaline water is water that has smaller water molecules which makes the water easier to absorb by the cells in the body – essentially making it‘wetter’ water. In addition, the alkaline water helps to reduce the acidity of the body which is beneficial as most chronic diseases dwell in acidic environments. Other positive attributes of the water is its high antioxidant value, purity, and its ability to address a number of chronic ailments such as diabetes, allergies, bowel problems, and more. This was all the information that John gave me at the time. It all seemed quite impressive that it sounded to good to be true. Later that evening I went home to research the alkaline water claims on the Internet and found a site that from the famous natural physician, Dr. Weil who stated that the alkaline water hype was baloney. That was all that was needed for the natural skeptic in me to immediately stop my interest in this ‘miracle’ water. John continued to extol the virtues of the water to my family members, while supplying them with the water month after month. I just ignored any conversation about the water from then and politely declined when offered more water.

About six months later which is now present time, the topic of Kangen water came up again after I suffered from a medical condition relapse. It would take a while to accurately describe my multiple symptoms but basically my well-being is extremely low and one of problematic symptom is my inability to take much fluid as I get too nauseous from them. Again, my father and grandmother prompted me to try the water as they were very concerned for health. Eventually, without much thought or expectations I tried the water and too my surprise it didn’t make me nauseous and within minutes I somehow just felt ‘better’. Being more of a natural pessimist and not easily susceptible to placebo affects, I was encouraged by this event. I have never believed much in natural cures, etc. and have always preferred real western medication so my biases definitely did not affect my reaction to the water. I have now been taking the water for about three weeks and while I wouldn’t call it a miracle cure, I definitely would say that I have felt progressively better which has enticed me to further research the water.

So again, I searched the Internet for information though this time looking also at positive reviews of the water instead of solely negative. I was quite amazed to have found a lot of positive remarks about alkaline water from sources other than customer testimonials – from sources from medical physicians, university research labs, and medical journals. A particularly convincing source of information came from a famed Japanese gastroenterologist, Dr. Hiromi Shinya. Dr. Shinya was an instrumental figure in the development of modern colonoscopy procedures. As a result, "many and probably most of the fundamental principles of the procedure [colonoscopy] were developed by Dr. Shinya" (Sivak 2004, p. 978). Performing over 300,000 colonoscopies, Dr. Shinya noted a link between intestinal health and disease. He routinely prescribes an alkaline diet and alkaline water resulting in astonishing improvements in health. This YouTube video,
of actual colonoscopic procedures show before and after views of colons that have showed dramatic improvement after a three month trial of an alkaline diet along with Kangen water. I found this proof convincing because Dr. Shinya is a well-renowned physician with no vested interests in the Enagic company yet he highly recommends Kangen water and offers convincing proof of real life colonoscopies.

In regard to the claims against the efficacy of alkaline water, since I have no background in neither medical nor scientific studies, I cannot confirm or dispute the claims. Also due to the scope of this paper, it would not be possible to compile an adequate amount of clinical research support to afford a definitive stand on the issue. I could however, give my personal opinion and experience with alkaline water and provide some evidence that provides ample evidence proving that alkaline water can be very effective for many health conditions. The strongest evidence is the fact that the very stringent Japan Ministry of Health and Welfare approved the Enagic brand alkaline water ionizer for use in medical facilities throughout the Japan. They state that alkaline ionized water (AIW) produced by this equipment is known to be effective against gastrointestinal fermentation, chronic diarrhea, indigestion and hyperchylia as well as for controlling gastric acid. Official Pharmaceutical Guidelines of Japan, Vol. IT' by Japan Public Documents Association, Hirokawa PublIshin Co., 1996.

- Jennifer Tsukamoto

5 cool gadgets under $50

2009-04-27T20:33:00.006-10:00

In this techie society keeping up with the latest and greatest gadgets is difficult; every week there is a new product. As students, we like to stay up to date but with our dwindling budgets it’s almost impossible to purchase all that’s out there. Nevertheless, here is a short list of gadget must haves that won’t break the bank.

1) The USB Aircraft Mouse ($17)

While this is not a wireless mouse, its hip design and user interface makes up for its rigidity. Besides, wireless mice are not always the best way to go… they need batteries and sometimes their response time is a bit lagged. Now a days it's cool to have a different type of computer mouse. This USB Aircraft mouse is compatible with Windows XP and Vista so it will work with most computers and it just looks cool (no word if it works on Mac). The Aircraft Mouse is available in black or white and features two buttons, a scroll wheel and LED lights in red and blue. Size: 149 x 109 x 30 mm. This is not exactly a gaming mouse, however, if you're just looking for a peripheral that will simply look good for office work, then 800 DPI are more than enough.

Features:
• Cool aircraft design
• Resolution: 800dpi
• Plug and play
• USB interface
• LED light up when it is plug into USB port
• Support Windows 2000/XP/VISTA
• Dimension: 155 x 115 x 35mm (approx.)
• Weight: 90g

You can find the USB Aircraft Mouse at brando.com

2) Rapid Charger with One-Touch Discharge Battery Charger. ($39.04)

Keeping your batteries full of life whenever you need them is a must.
According to a study done by the California Integrated Waste Management Board in 2008, the average person uses 14.7 batteries per year. With the average household being 2.5 people. If the initial purchase is 4 rechargeable batteries, the initial outlay for the rechargeable batteries and charger is $51.99: 4 batteries at $3 each, and $39.99 for the charger.

For non-rechargeable batteries, you spend $56 per year, assuming each battery is a $1.50 each, and this cost could be higher in some cases. Rechargeable batteries accept approximately 100 recharges, or approximately 2-3 years. In the first year of use you would save $14. Granted most people wouldn't recharge their batteries 100 times, because as we all know the more times you recharge a battery, the less usage time it has BUT for the sake of the argument... this charger can save you some cash.
Now check out for yourself why the Rapid Charger is such a remarkable product!

This marvelously compact, brilliantly designed product features a bright, eye-catching LCD display that reveals all the performance data you need to know at a glance. This Rapid Charger energizes AA or AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries with amazing speed.

What is NiMH, you ask?

NiMH stands for Nickel-Metal Hydride, the materials used in some battery packs. Unlike NiCad batteries, NiMH batteries do not use heavy metals that may have toxic effects. In addition, they can store up to 50% more power than NiCad batteries and do not suffer from memory effects.

As anyone who has endured long charging waits before being able to enable their digital equipment, a quick-charging device such as this Rapid Charger is a necessity. And one touch is all it takes to discharge! Nothing could be easier. With this little charger you get the rapid charge you need for all your digital devices.

Specifications:

• Chemistry: NiMH
• Capacity: 2500 mAh

For use with the following:
• Digital Cameras
• CD Players
• MP3 Players
• Portable Radios and all other electronic equipment using AA batteries
• Charge Time: Approximately 2 Hours (for 2 - 2000mAh Batteries)
• LCD Charging/Discharging Indicator
• Includes 4 - AA rechargeable Batteries

You can find the Rapid Charger at jumbomarketplace.com

3) Mini Bluetooth Keyboard ($39)

If you are into playing video games online this is the keyboard for you. This Bluetooth keyboard enables you to easily have text conversations with your online friends, instead of using the time consuming controller options.

This Mini Keyboard is a Bluetooth enabled keyboard. Its portable and tiny design can be used for travel, school, or any other working environment with a Bluetooth enabled interface. This new wireless Mini Bluetooth Keyboard perfectly combines compactness and functionality.The device supports technology Bluetooth version 2.0 and can be connected to any compatible handheld computer, the smart phone or even game console PS3.

Features:

• Bluetooth V2.0
• 83 keys
• Connect button to connect bluetooth in your PC and Playstation 3
• Slim body that save working place
• On/Off button at the back
• Operating distance: 15 meters
• Powered by 2pcs AAA batteries (Not included)
• Dimension: 140 x 70 x 12mm (approx.)
• Weight: 66g

You can find the Mini Bluetooth Keyboard at gadget4all.com

4) USB Flash Drive Wrist Band ($16)

Flash drives are useful to transport digital information from one device to another, especially for students. You may have written documents on a computer that is not connected to a printer so getting it from a PC to a printer dock can be a headache, this stylish little flash drive not only facilitates this problem but with it’s conventional transport ability, it is easy to carry around and find with ease.

The USB Flash Drive Wrist Band is a fashionable and stylish mass storage device. It is shockproof and moisture proof fashion gadget that you can wear wherever you go. With its seemingly weightless feature your data will come along with you even to the beach. Just plug it into any USB port, and your computer will automatically detect and configure your files without
restarting the computer.

Features:

• 512MB flash memory
• Mobile data storage and exchange
• Easy to view, edit, and copy files
• Made of flexible rubber, soft and comfortable
• Shockproof and moisture proof
• Small, light, portable
• Convenient for data-carrying
• Low power consumption
• High durability

• Long using life
• Plug and Play
• USB interface
• No external power supply
• Support Windows 98/Me/2000/XP or Mac OS 9.X or above
• Size: 210x17x8mm
• Weight: 16g

Colors:

• Red
• Yellow
• Blue
• Green
• Orange
• Purple

You can find the Wrist Band USB flashdrive on GraphicIce.com

5) Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 ($34.40)

Webcams are everywhere. Many PCs (and all Mac laptops) have them built in, and the prices for those sold separately have bottomed out. Microsoft's LifeCam VX-1000 sells for just $20. But you get what you pay for, so if you want a Microsoft model, skip that stinker and get the LifeCam VX-5000 for under $40. This premium model offers digital pan, tilt, and zoom, and its 640-by-480 resolution yields video quality just a little lower than that of a standard-def DVD.

Anyone shopping for a webcam probably has an older laptop with a thicker screen and wants to place the webcam on a desk or clamp it to an LCD screen. The VX-5000 looks good, thanks to a subtle color ring (it comes in blue, green, or red) around the casing. It has a cool bendable hinge that folds easily and clips onto your laptop screen or desktop monitor.

Once you find a place for it on your desk, you can simply plug in the USB cable and start using the VX-5000 with Windows Live Messenger. While Live Messenger is not as popular as AIM, most people at least have this app installed.

The 1.3-megapixel, 640-by-480 sensor on the VX-5000 is not going to set the world on fire with its stunning quality, but Microsoft has added a few tricks to improve the feed. One result is that the VX-5000's image looks about twice as bright as that of the LifeCam VX-7000, a poor performer when it comes down to actually seeing the person during a video chat.
Calls using Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger are consistently crisp and bright no matter what the lighting conditions. Low-light performance is critical, since most webcam users don't have a lamp pointing at their face at all times. The camera lets you control lens position by making slight pans to the left or right, 3X zooms (enough to go from a shoulder view to a headshot), and up-and-down tilts. We're not talking camcorder-level controls here, but they're enough to let you reposition the webcam for a more centered view without having to get up from your chair and make manual adjustments. These digital adjustments use the camera driver, so you can access them from Live Messenger, Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, or whatever webcam tool you use.

Audio quality for video chats are just passable. As long as you're sitting at your computer, your buddies can at least hear you talking. Because of the small microphone, if you move too far from the webcam, the audio goes silent faster than with other webcams, and it just doesn't pick up very well from even a few feet away. You're better off having a separate microphone hooked up.

Features:

• World Class VGA Optics - see more clearly with 2x the light collection than regular VGA optics
• Superior Low-light Performance - auto-adjusts for low-light conditions
• Bend, fold & shape the flexible base for the best angle on laptop screens, flat panels & traditional monitors
• Video Effects
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• 3X Digital Zoom
• Built-in microphone
• Weight: 0.3 Kg

You can find the LifeCam VX-5000 on Amazon.com

Elizabeth Gutierrez- Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

Skype

2009-04-27T20:17:00.010-10:00

Skype recently became available on the iphone on March 31, 2009, however, the service is also available on the Nokia N800/N810, the PSP, and the (still not available in the U.S.) SkypePhone.

Skype is a software application that allows users to make phone calls over the Internet for a minimal fee. Not free like advertised. There have been rumors of Skype being available on the BlackBerry but the processor, which is used in most recent BlackBerry devices, is only 312Mhz. This is nowhere near the 400 MHz, which Skype requires as a minimum for operation. If you do happen to have a phone that is able to download the Skype application the start up is very easy. You can either download it straight to your phone using a Wi Fi connection or from any computer connected to the Internet. There is a short registration process and once you are connected, contacts are easily imported from your phone to the Skype address book. As for the calling service, Skype allows you make your first phone call for free and calls are clear and uninterrupted.

Why would I need to use Skype on my cell phone if I already have a reliable mobile phone service, you ask? Skype offers much cheaper rates than most cell phone plans, it costs 2.1 cents per minute while most wireless customers pay between 50 cents and $1 per minute. Skype allows you to make calls to anyone around the world as long as they are connected to Skype. Overall, Skype is a good alternative to the traditional cell phone plan. With Skype you can pay as you go or have a monthly plan at a low cost, however, every call has a charge and you cannot call those who are not Skype members…even though some sites will tell you that it will.

Click Here to watch Demo

Additionally, there are claims that say that Skype will allow you to make calls for free. These statements, while technically true are very misleading. Your calls are not free in any sense of the word. You will be charged in two separate locations for your calling activities. The first hit you will take is on your phone plan. The Skype client does not work the way it is implied. Instead of limiting access to just data functionality while placing a Skype call on your phone, the various software solutions will actually place a call to your phone, which then call out to complete the connection. Does this not contradict the entire purpose of loading the software onto your phone in the first place?

The second place you will notice a hit is in your SkypeOut credits. It sounds like such a sweet deal, sign up for an unlimited Skype account (Just under $30), ditch your phone plan and just keep the data. You will be making calls left right and all your friends will be jealous of your low cellphone bills. The reality is that each call you make is deducted from your SkypeOut credits. If you have no credits left — no calling for you!

Elizabeth Gutierrez- Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

The Growing Face of Television

2009-04-27T14:14:00.004-10:00

What do Omarosa, Kelly Clarkson, and Spencer Pratt have in common? They have all starred on some type of reality television program. Whether it’s watching people in a competition, someone trying to find love, or how a family under unusual circumstances lives, almost everyone is fascinated with reality television. Since the writer’s strike and the poor economy, it seems some television networks are shifting more towards reality television. With no need for scripts or paying huge sums for professional actors, reality television seems like a cheap source of entertainment and easy way for producers to make money. I hadn’t really noticed this till the unexpected start of the latest season of “The Amazing Race”, which started late last year. This made me more aware of the vast number of reality television shows there really are and what stations are dominated by them.

Till this realization, it seems I was numb to the growing number of reality television shows on air now and have subconsciously just accepted it as something that was on. Although I do enjoy watching certain reality television shows, there are too many that make me feel like my brain is slowly rotting away. Many of these shows seem to be on stations like MTV and VHI which is probably why I’ve stopped watching these stations as the years progressed. With shows like “Rock of Love” and “The Real World,” regular people are able to gain their fifteen minutes of fame and will do so through any means possible. Many of the people on these shows will get drunk, fight, or lie on national television which is probably why I’ve stopped finding a lot of these shows entertaining. Even shows that involve competition like “Survivor,” or “Hell’s Kitchen” show how underhanded people can be in order to come out on top. These types of reality television shows make me question what intermediate and high school kids are taking away from those they see on T.V.

In an article by Andy Dehnart (2008) called, “Reality TV Presents Plenty of Moral Dilemmas,” he talks about lessons in morality that can be taken away from reality television shows. Dehnart (2008) cites Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, Bernard Gert’s ten rules for moral behavior: don’t kill; don’t cause pain; don’t disable; don’t cause loss of freedom; don’t deprive of pleasure; don’t deceive; don’t cheat; keep your promises; obey the law; and do your duty. The last five are more social morals that society holds and is what many in reality television are always pushing to the limits or breaking. One way to test if a situation is moral according to Gert is by asking “Would you be willing for everyone to know that they can break the rules in the same circumstances?” (Dehnart, 2008) It seems that some do reflect on their behaviors during filming and learn from their mistakes while on the show. Some shows have this goal in mind, like Oxygen’s “The Bad Girls Club” which throws seven self-proclaimed “bad girls” in a house together. One of the cast members from season three of the show named Ailea wanted to learn from the mistakes of the other girls in order to help herself overcome her own issues. (Dehnart, 2008) Yet it’s sometime hard to believe that people who have been on reality television shows, especially dating shows, have any moral epiphanies. This is evident from many of the reunion shows where viewers still see girls or guys getting into fights with each other or using profanity toward others.

However, I don’t believe all reality television is bad. In an article by Linda Holmes (2004) called, “Gentler Side of Reality Television,” she points out that many stations have found success though a “geek factor” and not so much through scandal and misery. One example of dominantly “geeky” reality television can be found on TLC. Holmes (2004) comments that TLC was the first to hit it big with the reality television show “Trading Spaces”. Now TLC has expanded with shows like “Jon & Kate plus Eight,” and “Little People, Big World,” which give people insight to the everyday lives of those under extraordinary or interesting circumstances. Although these shows are more “wholesome” there can still be moral questions brought up like exploitation in the case of “Jon & Kate plus Eight” or “18 and Counting”.

No matter what, there seems to be no escaping reality television. Many stations have come to adopt various kinds of reality shows and it seems it up to the viewer to figure out which one’s suit them best. Although there are many shows out there that don’t raise too many moral questions, it’s also up to the view to take away what they can from those who that raise many moral issues.

How You Drive

2009-04-27T14:07:00.008-10:00

Credible automotive sites like Kelly Blue Book and Car and Driver have published columns noting several ways you can improve fuel economy with your existing vehicle, whether it be a Toyota Corolla or a Ford Excursion. The practicality of some of these suggestions can seem odd; but ultimately, it is the driver who has the biggest impact on just how much fuel your engine is drinking down.

Maintaining tire pressure and changing your oil regularly are a couple of suggestions given that can help to improve the fuel economy of your vehicle; but honestly, maintaining proper tire inflation and changing your oil once every three to five thousand miles is a given. If these two tips are something that you don’t already do regularly, suffering a drop in fuel economy should be the least of your worries. Tire failure and engine damage are likely to be staring you in the face, and the repair costs for those issues will surely outweigh prices at the pump.

Driving with the air conditioning off and the windows down is another tactic to consider, but there are many variables here that affect just how much fuel you can save. Using the air conditioning does increase the overall demand for energy from the engine, thus using more fuel, but driving with the windows down hinders the aerodynamics of the car and can cause the engine to work harder to maintain speed. Some studies have found that using the air conditioning is more ideal than leaving your windows down, but I propose that you do both at particular times. When in slow moving traffic, open your windows as at those speeds aerodynamics won’t matter much. At higher speeds, such as when traveling down highways, aerodynamics becomes crucial; thus, closing the windows and switching on the A/C makes more sense.

Ultimately, it is the driving habits of the person behind the wheel that dictates just how well a vehicle fairs in terms of fuel economy. Erratic driving with sudden bursts of throttle and jamming of the breaks will almost certainly get you fewer miles per gallon. Ideally, drivers need to focus on smoothness. Ease on the throttle from stop-lights and signs. Use the principal of coasting as much as possible. Coasting is a technique where a driver lets the contours of the road and the momentum of the vehicle move him or her along without significant use of the throttle. Also, using the brakes sparingly is a good tip to follow as well. If a driver can maintain speed safely without unnecessarily applying the breaks, doing so will eliminate the need for the engine to bring the vehicle back to speed.

Kapena M. Landgraf - Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

Indie Rock Reviews

2009-04-27T14:06:00.007-10:00

5 of 5 for the new album, Bitte Orca, by Dirty Projectors

**Spoiler alert!: This album will not be released by Domino records until June 9th. Copies have leaked, though, letting this evaluation come prematurely. For the purists, however, the first single was released on April 21st.

Listeners would be hard-pressed to find an antidote strong enough to relieve the sing of Bitte Orca. Melodies come from outer space, with sounds from the sea. Lyrics and a voice stream from that girl next door – the one you’d never approach, but who always seems to get the paper in the morning the same time you do. Coincidence? I think not. Bitte Orca is cosmically alluring, more of a siren song than an experimental pop record. What’s more, the record is just plain catchy. Especially so, is the “Stillness Is the Move” single. Take some time out for this one. An album like this seems few and far between these days. Dirty Projectors challenge listeners to unique melodies and lyrics like of the album’s second track, “Temecula Sunrise”. Here, singer David Longstreth croons “And what hits the spot, yeah! Like Gatorade!”. Invention isn’t it, though. It’s a beautiful lens on the mundane. This album does it all. From impregnating a sports drink with sexual connotations never expected to mesmerizing listeners towards a world not quite their own. Despite all this talk of invention, Dirty Projectors stick mainly to pure passion of voices and expression of tone through beautiful instrumentation.

3 of 5 for the new album Maudlin Career, by Camera Obscura.

This album was released by 4AD records on April 21st.

Vegan or Bust: Part II

2009-04-27T14:03:00.018-10:00

Listen to my struggle. Hear my cries. Not really – it was easy! I tried to make this experiment as realistic as possible by shopping and eating things I would be able to if I were to make veganism my new permanent diet. Here, I will document my week as a vegan which started last Tuesday, April 20.

Tuesday: Today went pretty much ‘by the book’ in terms of my expectations. I spent a lot more money on food than I normally do. But, I guess my usual $1.35 bean burrito is thrifty to begin with. I spent $4.75 on a vegan mini plate lunch at Govinda’s in the Sustainability Courtyard. The tofu vegetable stew-like thing (the meals all usually look the same) was surprisingly delicious and the meal was finished off with a sweet berry hallava. I never knew exactly what those cake-y squares were made out of, but the plate was advertised as ‘vegan’, so I knew my diet was safe. Later, I put down $4.00 for a soy latte at Papa Luck’s coffee cart near the Art Building. I am a regular coffee drinker and usually use non-dairy creamer in my cups-o-joe, but Papa Luck’s just had cream, so I opted for soy. Besides, with all this awareness now on the food I put into my mouth, I felt compelled to go just a little step further and support the local business.

Wednesday: Since I didn’t quite prepare for this dietary change, there wasn’t much available at home for breakfast this morning. Thinking ahead to lunch and my extravagance with meals the day before, I decided on PB&J sandwiches. With the right bread (some include milk in the ingredients while other do not); a PB&J sandwich was my vegan savior! I made one for breakfast and packed another away for lunch. Later, I had an afternoon snack of hummus with cucumber chips at Coffee Line in the Atherton YMCA on University Ave. My plan for a pick-me-up, hot coffee, fell a little flat as; again, I was without non-dairy creamer. It was Earth Day, too, and at the school celebration I felt like I belonged just a little bit more. I even signed up to be in Sustainable Saunders, the campus environmental group I had always been interested in, but did nothing about. Now that I could feel the limits of on-campus eating for those with alternative diets, maybe I could try and do something about it with this large campus organization of students. Later, while trying to make plans with friends, I realized that I pretty much can’t go out to eat! Actually, I could go out to eat, but it was only to Down to Earth, and it was only if my Mom took me out! I had a deliciously meat and dairy-free dinner there. Dessert was the best part though – soy chocolate pudding!

Thursday: Today, I decided it best to stock on some vegan necessities and headed to Whole Foods market to check out their selection. Shopping for the right prices and nutrition took forever! Many items were advertised as ‘vegan’ on their packaging, but other didn’t say. I had to read the ingredient lists what felt like a million packages. I tried my best to buy things that would be practical if I were to really become a vegan for the long haul. In terms of price, calories, nutrition, and taste; choosing was difficult. I ended up buying a vegan macaroni and cheese package and some tempeh (soy protein). The Chreese, as the soy macaroni was called, tasted fine, just a little bland. The tempeh, on the other hand, was gross. I was disappointed because this was one of the least expensive sources of protein for my diet; and, I already bought two packages!

Friday: I bought soy milk at the store the day before so I was finally able to have cereal for breakfast again – my favorite! It was so bland and watery that it tasted like it was floating in dishwater, though, so I added some sugar and vanilla to sweeten the bowl. For lunch, I was resigned to eat my leftover Chreese and mixed dinner plate from Down to Earth. At a house party later I was pleased to find that I could munch away on all the chips there (BBQ and tortilla) as long as I stayed away from the overflowing bowl of peanut M&M’s. My friends all had a cook-out earlier, but I came late because I had to eat at home. I suppose I could have brought vegan dishes to share, but this would have probably been pretty expensive with so many servings.
Saturday: Again, I had watery soy and cereal for breakfast, now just because I need to use up what I already bought. For a snack, I made a peanut butter, banana, and soy milk shake. It was actually delicious, thanks to the peanut butter. I find myself eating spoonfuls of it throughout the day, convinced that ‘I need the protein’. I probably could use more protein in my diet, but peanut butter, in whatever form, has saved this vegan experimenter from disgust. Tonight, I made soy protein Sloppy Joes. This is a usual dish in my house, this time, though I had to leave off the cheese. In terms of taste, soy cheese, I heard, was definitely not worth the dollar-per-slice price.

Sunday: Today I had leftovers again. Nothing exciting to report. I miss ice cream. Vegan desserts are expensive! Soy ice cream was about $8 per quart.

Monday (today): I decided to jump off the vegan wagon this morning. I had milk in my cereal and cheddar on my burrito. Yum.

My five vegan days were easy to do for the most part. Taste was not the best, but it was a thrill of sorts to test my diet in this way. I felt like I belonged to something beiger than myself, as I contributed to my global responsibility with personal changes. Or, maybe I just need to get out more. Food is less important than we think. Anyone can make daily changes. They do not need a revolution to at least be responsible for their choices, and it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing like my experiment.

I would like to continue being responsible with my eating habits but need to customize it to suit my beliefs better. Customization of your diet is better that sticking to somebody else’s definition of a vegetarian, vegan, or whatever. At least you know why you make the choices you do and understand their consequences – good or bad.

I would like to discuss, now, things I will consider for a long-term, “modified vegan” (as I coin the phrase) diet. I would eat beef or other meat and drink cow’s milk if the farm it came from used methods to contain its methane emissions. I would consider consuming dairy products from other animals, depending on the contribution to methane emissions. Eggs and poultry do not contribute as much as cows to greenhouse gases, but their industry pollutes. As another giant in methane additions to the atmosphere, I will not eat rice or its products, such as rice flour. Lastly, I will consider trying to adhere the best I can to the “100 mile diet”, one that encourages eating locally produced foods.

A Better Alternative?

2009-04-27T14:03:00.016-10:00

In a world with ever increasing worry as to global warming and mankind’s responsibility to the well-being of future generations, younger consumers like us have become more eco-conscious. Recycling, eliminating wasteful actions, and considering the use of alternative forms of energy have become notable cornerstones in our lives. Among such environmentally friendly responsibilities is the option of purchasing a hybrid vehicle. However, in truth, hybrids are not the only way to go. In fact, if you are a cash-strapped college student seeking transportation that sips unleaded and leaves a carbon footprint as big as a your pinky, smaller compact and sub-compact vehicles should not be overlooked. Here’s why:

For one, hybrid vehicles are complicated machines. Nearly half, if not more, of the vehicle’s components are controlled by computers. Unlike their counterparts, hybrids utilize electric motors, in unison with a gasoline engine, to achieve movement. To get all of these systems to work together is no simple technological achievement. Because of its complexity, repairing hybrids that “break-down” will not be cheap, and mechanics and technicians approved to work on hybrid vehicles are in scarce supply. Furthermore, because hybrids have been on the market for such a short period of time, little data has been collected as to their reliability. To buy one can prove to be a bit of a leap of faith.

Secondly, hybrid vehicles can do more damage in the long run than conventionally powered vehicles. The big issue here has to do with the batteries they use. Though batteries have become smaller, more powerful, and cheaper to build, they still contain highly toxic chemicals. The batteries in hybrid vehicles are very large, and the disposal of these batteries – which have a life span of less than ten years – will definitely become an environmental issue.

Lastly, hybrids are not cheap. According to sources like Kelly Blue Book, hybrids can cost upwards of three to eight-thousand dollars above their non-hybrid counterparts, sometimes even higher. If you were to do the calculations yourself, you’d find that it would take several years of owning a hybrid to justify the added cost of buying one. Cars like the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Aveo, Toyota Yaris, or even the Volkswagen Jetta diesel earn comparable fuel economy ratings and meet similarly strict emissions regulations as hybrid vehicles, but cost thousands of dollars less to purchase and maintain.

Kapena M. Landgraf - Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

Going Amongst The Radicals

2009-04-27T13:59:00.009-10:00

Most Colleges, with the exception of the few conservative ones, have your typical cluster of left-
wing radicals exhorting their views on campus. This is not surprising since the majority of college
professors have sympathies towards the left one way or another and are more willing to work
with them to arrange protests or festivals of ‘resistance’. Still, even if you disagree with the
protester’s politics, they’re a good sign that our democratic system is still healthy and stable
since they’re free to do their protests without getting brutally beaten or executed simply for
having a different opinion. I’ll relate some of my own personal experiences with them during my
attendance at college.

I have a friend who is a radical communist, however, he’s one of the more independent minded
left-wingers I have ever met and I enjoy his unpretentious, down-to-earth sense of humor.
Although I do get irritated with his stereotyping at times; we usually just talk about our favorite
movies, shows and the personal things that annoy us from time to time. However, I have
sometimes scolded him for stereotyping people (Especially blonde women). But we get along
pretty well.

Now my friend had invited me to a few protest rallies against the War in Iraq. I accepted the
invitation because I enjoy spending time with him and his goofiness undercuts the more somber
mood of some of the other protesters. I felt rather out of place in the group because I felt like the only non-left-wing Capitalist protester who was against the War in Iraq. Still, we never got
arrested by the police for our protest nor did they attack us with no provocation. There was a
guy who booed at us from his apartment complex, but that was the extent of the complaints
against us. The only drama that I went through in those marches was that I needed to
desperately go to the bathroom at one march and during another march; I got rather sweaty and
tired. The very fact that I was able to participate in those marches easily without having to go
through grueling interrogations nor did I have a hard time finding the group in the first place
shows that free speech is still valued here, even if some people will respond with rudeness.
Another good example of why the left-wing groups show that we’re still the land of the free is the
existence of Revolution Books. As the New York Revolution Books web site says, they’re a
communist group dedicated to ‘making a better world’ and selling books with a Marxist
perspective and fiction from non-white writers. I mostly go over there because my professors
often order the class readings through Revolutions Books. I once went over there occasionally for fun, but I soon realized that if I kept going there, I’d probably drive some of the communists
insane with my constant questioning of the left. So I decided that it would be better just to not
visit the store anymore and go spend most of my time at Rainbow Books. Still, in all of my time
living near the place, I have never heard any news about it being vandalized by some irate
person who disagreed with the political views of the store nor did any right-wing radical fringe
movement tried to destroy it because they were ‘terrorists’ or any other inflammatory label
hastily drawn by the group.

They don’t get as much exposure to the mainstream crowd as other bookstores do, but that has
more to do with the fact that people tend to rely on well-known sources for their information
rather than any vast conspiracy against them. Of course, that may be a good thing since more
exposure will encourage those with an ax to grind to get into an inflammatory argument with the
workers from Revolutionary Books. I remember this argument that one of the Revolutionary
Books employees had with somebody who had ties to the military. Both side were not able to
convince the other of the ‘rightness’ of their viewpoint and I spent some time telling the military
lady that not all Hawaiians were like that employee. While I’m sure she was grateful for the
comfort, I’m not sure that I got through to her. Still, they’re not jailed or horribly executed for
being Communists; if the protestors do get arrested, it’s because they’ve trespassed on private
property or an asshole in the group thinks that goading the police with physical harassment is a
noble act against the establishment.

I believe one of the reasons why the left-wing groups are flourishing besides the fact that
democracy is still alive and well is the fact that the public is swinging toward favoring a Democrat
president. The Republican senate did a really lousy job with the War on Terror regardless if it
was a good idea or not in the first place. As a result, most of the public has become disenchanted
with them and is looking towards the Democrats for new idea on how to deal with Iraq and bin
Laden as well as our troubled economy among other things. It also helps that Barrack Obama is a
charismatic, articulate speaker, which definitely helped him to win the election.

However, there is a recent event that happened at UH Manoa that is one of the best examples of
how the presence of left-wingers shows that our democracy is still alive and well. A well-known
employee of Revolution Books was escorted off the premise for causing a disturbance within in
campus grounds. According to the April 30th Ka Leo article, the woman, C.J. Jong, was escorted off campus because she had called a female Campus Centre Representive 'A Good German', implying that she was blindly loyal. Now at first glance, one might assume that ‘the man is oppressing the people
again’. However, one needs a few more bits of important information in order to get the whole
picture. The employee is actually a well-known fixture of UH Manoa who quietly hawks the
Communist Newspaper without harassing people. C.J. Jong even points out this fact in the article. The University in turns lets her do what she
wants without insulting her beliefs or letting narrow-minded people assault or degrade her. They
even let Revolution Books set up booths at the Campus Centre and let Not In Our Name hold
rallies and Festivals of Resistance at UH Manoa. I’ve talked with her from time to time and our
conversations went pretty well. It turned out that she had already met my friend and we talked
a little bit about him. She thought that he was pretty intelligent and asked a lot of good questions.
The other important piece of information that I got from my Web Media Professor is that the
reason why she was escorted off the campus; she got into an argument with a person and would
not back down even when common sense indicated that she should have. My Professor also said
that her approach to Rhetoric was more confrontation than open and inviting and resorted to name calling, something a good
speakers avoids if they wish to persuade people to consider their point of viewer. This means
that she was escorted off campus not because she was hawking an alternative newspaper but
because she was causing a disturbance on campus grounds. This shows that even if security may
not agree with their viewpoints, they put their jobs ahead of their politics.

So if examples like these show that we don’t live in a ‘fascist’ society as the host of an alternative
news show said, then why do many left-wingers believe that we’re sliding down the path to
fascism? Well, the left-wing group is just as much affected by their own subjective viewpoints as
the right-wing group. This means they filter events through their own personal beliefs and
interpret them as a good or bad sign based on their hopes and fears for society. Another reason is
that many left-wingers share the right-wingers’ belief that the world is going to hell, although
their definition of it is quite different from the right-wingers. Also, it’s really easy for people
living in a prosperous, First-World country to take their good fortune for granted and interprets
their leader’s mistakes as a sign that their country has jumped off the slippery slope to Fascism.
Still, their hypersensitivity is quite useful in revealing important details that more mainstream
groups may ignore due to lack of exposure or fear of retribution.

Ultimately, no matter how much I may disagree with them on one level; I can take a sense of
relief from them on another level because the fact that they can protest without running the risk
of getting killed or sent to a high security prison where they’re never heard from again shows
that our country is still the place were democracy is alive and well. Granted, America isn’t
perfect, thanks to the economy and all, but the fact that the flaws are on at least an equal footing
with the merits shows that we live in a normal society. And those left-wing protestors are a
straightforward example of it. Now all we need to do is find a way to encourage passionate
political debate that doesn’t degrade into mudslinging and name calling and we’ll be all set.

Fight for your Right as a Student

2009-04-27T13:57:00.010-10:00

Let me precede this essay with a statement: I do love my school, UH Manoa, I just think there are necessary improvements not only for this school, but all universities. This may seem like a rant, but it is more a call to arms from experience and resources so that future students can have better experiences with their college years.

We as students need to take action. If there are improvements that we want made or if we want to change budget plans, we need to start writing. Sitting by and passing time taking classes until we graduate is not going to help. If the facilities that we utilize to covet an education are not to par and are actually downright dangerous, how can we be expected to learn? Health hazards now can prove detrimental in the long run as well. If we are breathing mold, or if someone gets stuck in an elevator or classes are ultimately cancelled because the plumbing finally went, we are going to pay for it later in life.

It may not seem like much at first, but this can cause a lot of problems. College has become an extended version of high school. We go through the motions and tolerate as long as we can until we leave with degree in hand. College should be about experience. We need to take action to enhance our experience. It’s time we took charge instead of standing by in the wings waiting. Facilities need to be fixed because they are hazards and not based on the popularity of the major or education offered in that particular building. And if they’re going to cut our classes and options making it impossible for use to stay on any sort of plan, don’t cut our tuition too. Use the money and offer classes. Raise tuition a bit if you need to. If we are stuck in college for extra semesters and years because they do not offer the classes we need, we are paying too much anyway. Increase the tuition and offer the classes now. We as students deserve healthy and comfortable learning conditions.

This applies not only to the classroom settings, but stress levels. If you by credits have a semester left but because of the offering of classes may be held for another year, unnecessary stress can build. And like senioritis doesn’t get bad enough, it’s dragged on. Or even think of the fact that the pressure to graduate quickly easily overrides the desire for particular classes. Students wait an extra semester or year for a class they actually want if a substitute now is available. And if we as students try to place out of a class, we should be able to. In my own experience and a couple of others, we’ve had to stay extra semesters for requirements that were ridiculous. I’m originally from California which, if you’re from there, you know that means I speak Spanish at least moderately from exposure. Coming to UH, I took a Spanish placement test and placed in the 400 levels. And yet, this semester finds me here simply to finish Spanish 202. A fellow student friend of mine is from Brazil and Portuguese was her first language. This semester she too is in Portuguese 202. Why? We should be able to take a substitute on culture or bypass. Teachers also seem to have the same concerns as students.

About one year ago, I was sitting in my 8am class waiting for my instructor to come in. I was having just and idle conversation with a classmate when an angry professor stormed into the room and threw her belongings on the desk in the front rom. Shocked, the class proceeded to inquire the reason for her distress. What followed was a 20 minute rant on the budget cuts and fallible architectural designs of the buildings on campus. She discussed how each building had some sort of major or even dangerous aspect that could cause harm and even more monetary inconveniences for the UH system. Evidently these huge and possibly costly disasters in the making were again being overlooked for other so called “improvements” in other areas. There were a few key complaints that stuck out from the rest of her rant such as the fact that the plumbing in three buildings, especially Moore Hall, was literally about to completely break down. In her own words, “If someone takes a large enough crap, the entire plumbing system in the building could blow”. Talk about a mind opener on a Monday morning. The next was the Kuykendall elevator. Evidently the cord was so deteriorated it could snap at any minute. I have since heard horror stories about friends that have gotten caught in the elevator between floors and literally had to crawl out. One of the last scary possible disasters was the air conditioning systems on upper campus being so old they were officially recycling mold. Recently they have begun replacing the air conditioning systems in different buildings, but not all, and not even the most necessary ones.

These major issues need to be addressed. Budget cuts and misappropriated spending have led to many of these potentially epic misfortunes being ignored. The largest irony is that if any of these troubles actually escalate, the damages and potential lawsuits will cost the school or even the entire UH system significantly more than it would take to fix it now. Even worse, one of the major deductions from the 2009 budget is security. They are closing the MCC dormitories and recently built, “A new privately owned 400-bed dormitories… which will generate a general funds savings of approximately $10,000” (FY 2009-Budget Adjustments). The new dormitories would have cost a significant amount more and have no security whatsoever. So we save a measly $10,000 on security and now not only are the students who live on campus at a higher risk, but other buildings are still waiting for repair. There was also a rather large sum of money, the exact figures were not printed but they were higher than double the $10,000 savings, put forth to build these new dormitories and we still have the old buildings. They will officially serve no purpose. UH would have saved over $30,000 if they had simply fixed up the old building instead of making an entire new section. Granted they were old and rugged dorms, but now we have less space, an extra building, and even less money.

Another big problem is that because there are so many little problems, there is a prioritization problem. What is the most necessary improvement now? What do we have to do to appease the individuals who donate funds to the UH system? Sadly, because the law schools and other specialty majors bring in a significant amount of money the repairs for their buildings seem, for some reason, a little more important. There is the Manoa Deferred Maintenance Backlog which offers a list of every minor to major improvement that has been put on the backburner. High on the list is the improvements necessary for Moore Hall and Kuykendall Hall. The topic for both is “Reconfiguration” which if you look up on the website means that the plumbing, AC, and other repairs (like an elevator) are included. What is also interesting is that this list is 5 pages long on Adobe Acrobat Reader with at least 30-40 deferred improvements. At least twelve buildings, according to the list, are in dire need or reroofing. The number one improvement is in Moore Hall. According to this chart, the reconfiguring of Moore Hall is estimated at $430,000 which is $45,000 just for the design and $385,000 for the actual construction (Manoa Deferred Maintenance Backlog). This list is from 2008. If we look at the 2009 repairs and renovations planned, Moore Hall is finally making the list. What is interesting about this list though is that majority of the $25 million improvements have to do with air conditioning repairs in several buildings. An elevator that could snap at any moment is still not on the list. At least the air conditioning will be fixed in several locations, but again not all. The air conditioning on many of the lower campus buildings was recently repaired over spring break. The music wings and dance rooms had the A/C repaired, and yet, they are failing already. If you look at the repairs lists and see how high of a priority these air conditioning systems in lower campus are, you might need to look towards the bottom. But, if you look at a chart that will prioritize the developments by price smallest to largest, this improvement was very close to the top.

While we as college students go through the motions of figuring out what we want to do with our lives, what our specialties will be, and where we want to go, we need encouragement. We need classes offered that are beneficial to our college experiences and efficient over time to save money. We need an environment that is healthy and we certainly don’t need extra stress that the possibility of faulty architecture brings. Some of the buildings and departments that get their funding and repairs are due to the noise. If we want these buildings fixed, we need to take action. We need to write, rally, or petition. These are only some of the issues I faced and they will probably affect so many others. Don’t be passive in your college experience; you have a right to demand for your education.

No More Dough in the Restaurant

2009-04-27T13:57:00.008-10:00

Whether it's tuition and books or Ramen Noodles and Beer, the list of expenses for a college student can go on forever. Like everyone, college students have needs that require money, but unlike everyone, college students find the majority of their time dedicated to class or homework. One might argue that some High School students have similar academic requirements and that combined with extra-curricular activities have an equally demanding schedule. Though both college students as well High School students may have hectic schedules, the key difference between the two is age and the responsibilities and expectations that are associated with it. High School students typically live at home with their parents, and though many have part time jobs, very rarely are they expected to shoulder any significant financial burdens. College students, who are older and typically live on their own, are at the age where independence is wanted and expected, but is it not free. Besides those college students who come from financially advantaged families, the majority of us are found trying to juggle full-time school while maintaining an independent adult life. It is this combination of a demanding school schedule and the need to be financially self supportive, that puts us college students in unique and especially challenging category. Now with this common dilemma, there has long been a common solution. Where can an energetic college student work part-time hours, make relatively full-time money, and not have it conflict with school? The answer is the restaurants, bars, and banquet rooms of America. Working within the service industry has long been a successful plan of attack for the self sustaining college student. Now considering Oahu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, a college student would think securing a restaurant job here would be essentially securing your financial needs. But, the unfortunate reality is that tourism in Hawaii is at its lowest in years. This meaning that all of the restaurants, bars, and banquet rooms that were at one point brimming with tourists and potential tippers, are now as empty as ever. The fact that our struggling economy is directly affecting Hawaii’s tourism industry, and in turn, directly affecting Hawaii’s service industry is undeniable. So, now that this financial crutch in which countless college students rely on is falling out from under us, what can we do? We can either choose to not believe it, hope for the best, and see what happens. Or, we can face the facts, accept the reality, and take the necessary steps now to ensure our security and independence later.

Before facing the harsh reality of our poor economic situation, I wanted to make sure it was true first. I wanted to find out if Hawaii, everyone’s paradise, was really struggling to attract tourists and money. To answer this question I went to the Halekulani Hotel and resort in Waikiki. Located off the beaches of Waikiki and Kalia street, the Halekulani is arguably the finest hotel in Honolulu in terms of luxury, service, and cliental. It is host to the French Restaurant La Mer, the only five diamond restaurant in all of the islands of Hawaii. Also, just two weeks ago, while in town to perform at the Blaisdell Center, rapper Li’l Wayne chose to stay at the Halekulani. So considering its status, accomplishments, and cliental, the Halekulani would be great standard in which to measure how the upper end hotels in Waikiki were doing right now. When briefly speaking with the Halekulani’s banquet manager Ronan Sakai, I asked him a few direct questions regarding to the how business is going right now compared to a year ago. He being extremely busy directly replied “it is not even comparable, house counts are down dramatically from a year ago”. When I asked about how he predicts business to be in the future he replied “I see it only getting worse”. After my short interview with Ronan I met with a banquet server who is currently enrolled at UH Manoa, when I asked him about business right now compared to a year ago he said “it’s amazing how incredibly different things are now from compared to only a year ago. Last year I was wishing I had a Friday or Saturday night off to go out. I was working, in my mind then, too much. Now, I have too many Friday and Saturday nights off, with no money to go out”.

After getting these two personal accounts of poorly the service industry is in Waikiki, I have no choice to accept the fact that the restaurant job in Hawaii is not what it used to be. We as college students can no longer depend solely on our serving jobs to pay the bills. We must look to alternative sources of income as well as lifestyles to make it through these tough economic times. We must consider researching and applying for scholarships, student loans, bank loans, and credit cards. We also can decide on new ways in which to live our lives that will fit into a tighter budget. For example, less drinking, less eating out, taking the bus or riding a bike rather driving a car. We can also look for jobs outside of the service industry, jobs that don’t pay quite as well as a server position, but make up in convenience and location. For example, an on campus job where the compensation isn’t too high, but where one can work before, between, and after class.

There are countless options, alternatives, and ways in which we college students can combat these economically stressed times. The first step is raising awareness and to recognize the issue exists. The next step, well, that’s up to you.

Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

The F Word

2009-04-27T13:56:00.015-10:00

Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I don’t think I could.
They say time heals everything, but I’m still waiting.

I don’t usually listen to country music, but this song by the Dixie Chicks has been on my mind all day. Okay, the first part is kind of a lie, but it would not be a lie to say that I do not willingly listen to country music. All of that is beside the point. I’m writing this to say that a big chunk of me is “mad as hell” and “can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should.”

I hate AC. I hate the way he looks. I hate the way he acts. I hate his orange apartment building. I hate his stupid, ugly handwriting. I hate the way his voice changes when he talks to other people. I just hate everything about him, and I have been, for over a year now.

It’s kind of a long story. In the short version, AC is just a boy, and I am just a girl. Maybe I expected too much. Then, I was too stupid to know that jealousy is not cute. And that it didn’t mean that he cared more about me than the boys who were never jealous. I was too distracted by the way he told me I was beautiful, that I was the best thing that ever happened to him, and that he loved me, to consciously dwell on the fact that he thought he was better than me. That he said he was better, and that I was less, and that he couldn’t be with a girl who was just a little more. Like an acid, it ate at me. Like a tumor, it grew. Like a landmine, he tiptoed around it until there was no where left to go. Boom.

Hating him this much is a lot of work. It takes a lot of effort to cringe whenever I hear his name, or when a song he used to like comes on the radio, or when I look at the spot on the street where he used to park to visit me at my house when I was too upset to talk to him on the phone or when I told him I just needed time to sort things out on my own. Being this bitter probably makes me more unhappy than it makes him.

I won’t say why I hate him, but you’ll have to trust me enough to believe that he deserves it—that whatever he did to me was bad, and my hatred is justifiable. Just trust me when I say that I was right, and he was wrong.

Anyway, I went to church on Sunday, and of course, I was convicted. The sermon was on the F word. Even more offensive than the one you’re probably thinking of—Forgiveness. Ick. Don’t worry. I’m not going to go religious on you. I think forgiveness is something that everyone struggles with, Christian or not. Holding a grudge against someone, refusing to forgive them, is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. At least, that’s what I was told. And, a part of that is true…

No... All of it is true. Every word. I hate AC and I wish he could feel how much I hate him, and none of my wishing and hoping he keels over is going to do me any good. In fact, I’ll probably keel over before he does if I don’t let this go. I can feel it all over me. It’s like a big, fat dragon wrapped around my neck, twisting over my arms, my chest, my legs. It’s harder to breathe now, than it used to be. It’s harder to walk without falling, too. Maybe it’s time to let go. One step at a time. AC, if you’re reading this, even though Third Eye Blind was your favorite band, I can still find it in me to like “Jumper”.

The iPhone 3g: A Brief Review

2009-04-27T13:56:00.014-10:00

The iPhone is a selling powerhouse. Within its first weekend of being on the market, the iPhone sold a whopping one million units. Now, a few months shy of its year anniversary, everyone has a friend or family member, or at least knows of someone else, that has an iPhone 3G. If Apple was intending world domination with the release of the iPhone, I think it’s safe to say that they are not far from their goal. Despite this, how does the iPhone really fare in terms of usage and functionality? I have had five months to play around with my own iPhone 3G and I’ll say this: it is amazing and I don’t know how I ever lived without it! With that being said, the iPhone 3G is not perfect and there is always room for improvement.

The iPhone 3G is your all-in-one, do-everything device. It plays music, it plays movies, it allows you to view and take pictures, it does internet and email, it has tons of downloadable games and applications that do everything from converting units to tracking your diet plan, and, of course, it’s a phone with visual voicemail. What I love most about the phone is its internet browsing and email capabilities. The Push technology incorporated into the phone that allows me to retrieve my emails automatically while I am on the go is absolutely wonderful. With the internet, being able to do a google search of concepts I don’t understand (and many other inane things) anywhere I am has completely revolutionized my way of life. Yet, not being able to compose and view emails in landscape view, and being locked out of some of the internet due to the iPhone’s inability to handle Flash, is somewhat of a pain (though it must be said that the iPhone’s Safari web browser is still far superior to the web browsers found on other smart phones). Also, it is frustrating when connecting to the UH Wifi without having an autofill function for my username and password.

Aside from the minor internet issues listed above, there are a few more things that keep the iPhone from being an immaculate phone. One major complaint about the iPhone is its lack of media text messaging support. People love text messaging, including picture text messages, so it really is a wonder why Apple did not include this service with the iPhone. Along the lines of text messaging, there is no copy and paste function for your texts, a function found on several other smart phones. For me, these are all of the problems I have with my iPhone (there is also the minor issue of not having a video recorder, but I am not all that interested in recording movies onto my phone).

Luckily, most of the problems I have listed above is going to be fixed with the iPhone 3.0 software! The software upgrade will be free for iPhone 3G owners and about $10 for those with iPod Touches. The upgrade will enable landscape email and text messaging, photo text messaging, autofill for internet browsing, an amazing Spotlight search function that can be used to search the entire phone and even in applications, and many more little additions. The iPhone will still not be able to handle Flash, but that is expected considering that Flash animation does hog resources. The iPhone 3.0 software will be available for download this summer.

Gecko Books

2009-04-27T13:55:00.028-10:00

Gecko Books is one of Honolulu’s leading comic book and role playing game stores that is quite
close to UH Manoa. Although you’ll have to do quite a bit of walking in order to get there.
They’ve just recently moved to a bigger place, but it’s still around the same distance from UH
Manoa. The selection of comic books and role playing books is great and they even have action
figures and used books as well. The bigger space also helps the customer to feel less cramped and gives them more room to find the thing they’re looking for. They’re also willing to have a casual
conversation with you when they’re not busy doing work. There are obvious drawbacks,
however. The used book section is still rather tiny and cramped compared to the rest of the store sections. Also, the used books could have used a little more variety in their selections as most of
the books aren’t out of print or are quite easy to find in Barnes and Nobles or Boarders. Although to be fair, I suspect that most of the rare and hard to find books are probably being sold to Jelly’s rather than Gecko Books. I’m not sure of this hypothesis, though. Also, while the back issues of
the newer comic series are very easy to find and flip through, the older comics are much harder
to find due to the fact that the boxes that they’re put in are often put in the most inaccessible
places. I had to carefully move some of the boxes to get to what I was looking for. Luckily, the
boxes are not only labeled in huge words, but the comics that are inside the boxes are grouped
together by their comic company and arranged in alphabetical order so the customer can find a
certain comic in the least amount of time. I also found it rather odd that the comics of the 60s
through early 80s were located behind the cashier’s counter and that you had to ask them that
you wanted to look through those boxes. Still, I can understand the concern that if those rarer
comics were within easy reach, they could get easily destroyed by a careless customer. They’ll
let you read the new releases for a few minutes, but after that, they’ll ask you to put it back in
the plastic wrap in order to preserve the relative mint condition of the book in question. There
are a few graphic novels that aren’t in plastic bags, but you can’t take them out and read them
unless you’ve already bought them. I’ll admit that most customers would have no problem with
that rule, but for a bookworm like me, it can get quite irritating at times. However, there are a
few comic books that don’t have wrappers on them, so it’s a minor irritation. Still, despite these
flaws, Gecko Books is one of the best Comic Book stores I’ve been to that is also within walking
distance behind UH Manoa.

Journey Still Knows How to Rock

2009-04-27T13:55:00.025-10:00

At the end of March, the rock band Journey came to Hawaii to perform on Maui, the Big Island, and three sold-out shows on Oahu. Journey’s sold over 80 Million albums and have two gold, three platinum, and eight multiplatinum albums during their long and successful career. They went on tour to promote their latest album “Revelations” which was released in June 2008, which features their latest addition to the band, Arnel Pineda from the Philippines. Arnel was found through Youtube while singing some of Journey’s greatest hits.

My friends and I were lucky to grab tickets for the third concert and I’m really glad we did. From start to finish, the concert was amazing. I had heard from someone that they weren’t considered a “show band” but Arnel definitely changed that. Arnel brought so much energy to the stage by moving around and almost got carried away by the audience. He also has such a powerful voice and I was happy that he sounded a little like Steve Perry, one of Journey’s most famous singers, but put his own small twist to the well-known songs. Throughout the two hours, the band played some of their greatest hits like “Lights”, “Wheel in the Sky,” and “Anyway You Want It.” Journey also played hits from their current album like “After All These Years,” “Wildest Dreams,” and “Change for the Better.” That was the first time I heard song from their “Revelation” album but I was not disappointed. There were also amazing instrumentals by lead guitarist, Neal Schon, and keyboardist, Jonathan Cain. The band ended with one of their greatest hits “Don’t Stop Believing” which got everyone up and out of their seats. The best part was just as the concert ended, the band ran off stage but came back to do three encores.

This was definitely the best concert I’ve ever been too and hope that Journey will come back again sometime in the near future. The only regret I have was not dishing out more money to get floor seats and being closer to the band. Although I wasn’t sitting close enough to the stage, I did get something better than front row seat. I got to ride on the same plane as Journey and took a picture with Arnel! That was probably one of the highlights of spring break.

Betty Brown versus Cultural Identity

2009-04-27T13:53:00.016-10:00

You know that scene in “Roots” when Kunta Kinte is being whipped because he refuses to be renamed Toby? Well, that scene ran through my head when Texas Representative Betty Brown commented about the Voter ID Bill that Asians should adopt names that were easier for Americans to deal with. It’s an extreme image to imagine in a, what is supposed to be, post-racial America but I couldn’t help but think of Betty Brown being the whip holder in this situation. During the bill testimony Brown said "Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese - I understand it's a rather difficult language - do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?" So, instead of trying to understand and gain knowledge of another culture, Betty Brown suggest that minorities be submissive to the American culture and replace their birth names to appease the American community. Should one’s culture be given up in order to have the same rights and freedom that the majority population has?

If Asians are going to be forced to adopt American names why not change the names of European Americans or African Americans who also have names that are difficult to pronounce for those who are unfamiliar with those language and culture. Why does Betty Brown just target Asians? Some Asian Americans already adopt American names when coming into America so that it is easier for them to fit in. Losing your name is a high price to pay to live in the country dubbed as the land of opportunity. It goes back during slavery when the slaves were given the names of their masters. It continues today, as people are unwilling to learn a difficult to pronounce name and immigrants adopt American names, willingly or forced, in order to fit the social standard. Many immigrant parents will name their children simple American names as to easier live in an American lifestyle resulting in a piece of their cultural identity lost. Many Asian Americans make this name sacrifice because it is easier if you’re just like everybody else. Individuality just seems so overrated these days.

In a land that is supposed to give equal rights to all, no matter the race, ethnicity, religion or socio-economic status, it seems that there is always a reason to discriminate. It looks as if the Bill of Rights is supposed to only give rights to a certain group of people. In 1854 George Hall, already convicted and sentenced for murdering a Chinese miner named Ling Sing, was freed because the California Supreme Court established that Chinese Americans and Chinese immigrants are not allowed to give testimony for or against a white man. In 1906, Japanese scientists studying the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake were stoned by the public. In 1907, the Expatriation Act declared that an American woman loses her citizenship if she marries a foreign national, which mainly targeted the Filipino population in America. In 1913, California ruled that aliens are ineligible for citizenship. In 1942, Franklin D. Roosevelt allowed military commanders to delegate military areas “from which and any all persons may be excluded,” mainly targeting the Japanese. These are just a few laws in the past that have discriminated against Asians and Asian Americans in the U.S. History.

This goes further than just Asian Americans adopting American names so that everyone has an easier time reading someone’s ID. This brings out so many old wounds that have been inflicted upon the Asian and Asian American community that should be healed but keeps reopening when events such as this happen. There have been apologies after apologies and monetary payments to make up for the racism and degradation that have targeted Asians. But, how do we move on from the past if people still make comments such as the one that Betty Brown made against the Asian/Asian American population?
Who is this bill supposed to really benefit anyway? Many of the politicians against this bill are saying that it will discourage minority citizens to vote because of the difficulty in obtaining a valid identification card. The CalTech study “Evaluating the Performance of Election Administration across the States: Lessons from the 2007 Gubernatorial Elections and the 2008 Super Tuesday Primary” showed that 14% of African Americans and 18% of Hispanics are more likely to be asked for proper identification than whites. It is estimated that about 12% of eligible voters nationwide are unable to gain a proper form of identification. So, the Voter ID Bill would be difficult for many to exercise their right to vote since there are many that have a difficult time obtaining proper documents in voting. While I agree that the Voter ID bill would help the Texas population in reducing voting fraud, it would also reduce the amount of eligible voters actually voting. Texas has the fastest growing Asian American population in the U.S. and with minorities being more likely to be asked for proper identification, how is this bill supposed to encourage more of their eligible voters to take action?

In this land of opportunity and equal rights why is it that minorities are still subjected to sacrifice a piece, if not all, of themselves to be the equals they dream of? Betty Brown has reopened old wounds and rubbed even more salt in them with the comments she made. While she did eventually make an apology for her comments, the damage has been done and will continue to stick in the minds of those Asian Americans she wants names changed. I don’t see how learning a name is as difficult as learning a completely foreign language. Many people take pride in the fact that America has come along way in racism and segregation. This is the image that we want to put out there for other countries to see and follow. In November of 2008 we have finally elected the first president of color and his name is Barack Hussein Obama. Some people have a difficult time pronouncing his name; shall we ask him to adopt a more American name as so all Americans can easily understand? Betty Brown has become the new poster child for ignorance and cultural insensitivity. I’d wag my finger at her but I’m sure the rest of the Asian American population is already doing so.

On a final note if Betty Brown did get her wish for Asian Americans to adopt American names mine would be Louise “Kool-Aid” Brown (according to the Betty Brown name generator on rumandmonkey.com).

Lourdes Acido—Rainbow Connection Staff

thirtyninehotel

2009-04-27T13:53:00.015-10:00

If you’re like me and tired of the overcrowded night scene at Waikiki, check out Chinatown. Chinatown has become the new hotspot for college students to hangout on a Friday or Saturday night. One of my favorite bar/club is thirtyninehotel located on Hotel Street between Nuuanu Avenue and Bethel Street. It's usually filled with 20-something college students and 30-somethings in business suits enjoying pau hana, so you're sure to meet some interesting characters. Unlike Waikiki Clubs most clubs at Chinatown do not charge a cover fee. Admission here is free but on some nights where they hold special events after 9 p.m. the cover charge is only $5. Thirtyninehotel usually features an artist of the month and displays the work throughout the entire bar, which makes going up the stairs to the bar a lot more enjoyable. Once you reach the top of the stairs, you entire a lounge area where the bar is located. The set up is really relaxed and has more lighting than clubs in Waikiki making it so much easier to see whom you’re talking to. I hate going to clubs and never having a seat except at the bar but thirytninehotel has comfortable couches and chairs scattered around the lounge area. My favorite area of the entire bar/club is their lanai where they have live music. The patio furniture and greenery surrounding doesn’t make you feel like you’re even in Chinatown. The music here is great ranging from what’s heard on the radio to underground artists making this club a lot more refreshing than others. The bar/club offers appetizer plates costing no more than $10, beers costing ranging from $4-$8 and cocktails from $8-$12. I’m not much of a club-goer but thirtyninehotel’s relaxed atmosphere, cheap food and drinks (compared to those in Waikiki) and awesome music keeps coming back. Chinatown has limited parking, but if you go early enough you can park at the lot at the end of Nuuanu Avenue and the parking structures located at various corners of the Chinatown for $5. If you’re not planning to stay after 11 p.m. at Chinatown, the Chinese Cultural Plaza’s parking is only $2 for the evening.

Lourdes Acido—Rainbow Connection Staff

Summer

2009-04-27T13:52:00.039-10:00

The end of the semester is so close, I can taste it. Summer. When we were kids, summer was so much sweeter. With no school, there were no worries, only sunburnt shoulders and noses to tend to. Summer was all about making each day last as long as it possibly could, and waking just before noon to start all over again. Summer was about adventures in cars, on mountains, living between the earth and stars, and finally being able to breathe freely. But with the passing of each year, all of that is quickly fading.

I need to worry about expenses. I have to find a better job. I have to be more responsible, and grow up. Summer for grown-ups doesn't seem all that special. Where is the romance? Where is the excitement? What is there to look forward to with the life of an adult?

Tell me. Really. Are there big grown-up things, like summer, for me to get excited about? Am I overlooking something? Or is it all downhill from here?

Saving Knowledge

2009-04-27T13:52:00.038-10:00

The more you know. A slogan made popular by the many commercials played and seen on the television network NBC. These advertisements use celebrities and well known figures to promote, encourage, and highlight the importance of knowledge and education. Stressing an idea that the more you know, the better off you will be. The more you know, the more successful you will be. The more you know, the powerful you will be. It is the fundamental idea that knowledge is power. An idea that is prevalent throughout our society and how it is structured. There are organized mandatory school systems at a young age, leading to for some, access into elite universities and academic institutions, and with the ultimate goal of landing a high paying and prestigious job. Getting this high annual income buys food, clothing, shelter, toys, comfort, ease of mind, status, and control. Essentially, knowledge is power. Now with this idea of knowledge and power established, I call attention to an institution of knowledge that in recent years has been slowly dying. It has been a foundation of education and academic guidance throughout history, and now, because of the surge of technology is being overlooked. The Library, with its thousands of books, millions of pages, and infinite amount of knowledge, it still is struggling to compete with the constantly progressing technology of tomorrow.

Information at your fingertips, a slogan that is now associated with computers, GPS systems, internet, and iphones. Our physical world is rapidly turning into a digital world, and I will be the first to admit that the benefits and conveniences brought on by recent technological advancements are immeasurable. The fact that one can find out movie times, learn recipes, see pictures of relatives from around the world, read books, get directions, etc. by simply clicking a button still amazes me. There is no denying technologies positive effect on mankind’s quality of life. But, just because there is a new form of accessing knowledge, doesn’t necessarily make all old forms obsolete. In fact, old forms of acquiring knowledge can sometimes be incorporated into new forms to create a best of both worlds. Because all things have their flaws, it is in combining the positives from both sides and creating a happy medium can we reach optimum efficiency. For example, acquiring information through computers and the internet provide for a fast and convenient way to reach knowledge. But, because the internet is unregulated in terms of the validity of information, the knowledge one might acquire may have no merit to it at all. On the other hand, though libraries offer a countless number of credited and cited sources, locating them can be quite daunting and overwhelming. So, it is in combining these two worlds will we find the best solution, and more importantly, in applying both methods neither become obsolete and forgotten. To find an actual example of the compatibility of advancing technology and existing library methods I went to the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Sinclair Library to see for myself. I met with Dave Bowman, a Library Technician and Student Supervisor at Sinclair and asked him a few questions. Dave has been working at Sinclair for 2 years now and when questioned about growing technology and its relation with today’s library system he replied that it “has affected our existing collection of media significantly.” Dave went on to explain to me that Libraries are evolving along with technology, for example, that “the bound academic journals on the second floor are now being converted into a digital database”, allowing a fast and efficient means of locating valid and credited sources of information. Once combining the established and credited sources of knowledge found in the library, with the efficient technology of today, UH Manoa reached a collaborative medium that is beneficial to all its students. Now when I asked Dave in light of the progressively growing technological world we live in today, is there still a real need for libraries? He replied “Yes. Though much more information is available to people today compared to the past. The skill and knowledge of finding the right information and citations are found here at the library.”

Students need to realize that though a lot of knowledge is available through the internet, sometimes that knowledge has no merit and is incorrect. Your library is a sanctuary of knowledge, a place where information is held and acquired. Within the countless volumes and endless pages is a vast artillery of power, you just simply need to go and equip yourself.

Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

Same-Sex Marriage, What's the Real Issue Here?

2009-04-27T13:52:00.037-10:00

Help, marriage is under attack! We cannot allow gays to get married, society as a whole is going to crumble if marriage is changed! You know, just like it did when interracial marriage became legal...

Gay marriage and civil unions have been popping up a lot in the news lately. Just recently, both Iowa and Vermont ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny the right to marry to same-sex couples. On the other side of the coin, Hawaii legislators deadlocked on a bill that would grant same-sex couples the right to civil unions a few weeks ago. Looking back on the history of such legislations, it is almost as if America is playing seesaw with the issue of gay marriage, with those opposed to the measures easily outweighing the proponents. Interestingly enough, when viewing the failed civil-union-based Hawaii House Bill 444, it is easy to forget that the gay marriage legislation seesaw started with Hawaii in the 1990s.

In May 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the state could not deny same-sex couples the right to marry unless it found a “compelling reason” to do so. The Supreme Court then sent the issue back to the legislators to figure it out. Four years later, in 1997, Hawaii was poised to become the first state in America to allow same-sex marriage when the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the state did not present adequate justification to deny same-sex marriages. However, a year later, in November of 1998, Hawaii voters approved Constitutional Amendment 2 which gave Hawaii legislators the power to “reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.” Sadly, rather than being the first state to allow same-sex marriage, Hawaii became the first state (along with Alaska) to have a “defense of marriage” amendment to its constitution.

The “defense of marriage” amendments of Hawaii and Alaska opened the door to many more to come. Just two years later, Nebraska voters approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, and in 2002, Nevada voters followed suite. Now, 11 years after the first same-sex marriage amendment, a total of 41 states have laws written into their constitution that strictly prohibit gay marriages. Arizona is, to date, the “only state that has ever defeated a constitutional amendment defining marriage between a man and a woman (2006), but subsequently passed one in 2008.” The constitutional amendments, for the most part, were approved via popular votes as it happened in both Hawaii and Alaska.

Many citizens would say that big issues like gay marriage should be brought up to a popular vote and that “the people” should be the ones that make the final decision. The thinking, apparently, is that people know what’s best for themselves and for the country. The problem with this kind of thinking, however, is that historically the general public has not made the right decisions when it comes to civil rights. It’s safe to assume that if it were left up to the people, interracial marriage may still be illegal and there would probably still be slavery in the United States. When civil rights are left up the general public, the mob mentality takes over, and progression no longer becomes possible.

From the standpoint of civil rights, the simple fact is this: the majority should never be allowed to vote on the rights of the minority. By the very act of being the minority, minority groups do not have enough numbers to out-voice the majority. If you look at the statistics regarding homosexuality in the United States, it is estimated that around ten percent of the population is gay, making them a huge minority. So, when it comes to popular votes, that ten percent of the population is left to sway the minds of the other ninety percent and convince them that that they do, in fact, deserve the same rights as everyone else. Trying to convince so many people is an almost impossible feat, as can be seen by the number of states that now have amendments to their constitution banning same-sex marriage.

Not all states have taken the dark path in relation to civil rights – there are four states in America where same-sex marriage is legal: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont. [Note: Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, and New Hampshire allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions as well, which is similar, but not equal to, full marriage.] Same-sex marriages have been performed in Massachusetts since May 2004 and in Connecticut since November 2008. Same-sex marriages will begin in Iowa come the end of April this year, and in Vermont by September. An interesting fact to keep in mind is that with each state that allows same-sex marriage, public opinion towards same-sex marriage improves. The mob mentality, it seems, works both ways. Despite the glimmering ray of hope created by the few states that allow same-sex marriage, there is still a ton of work to be done to change the minds of the masses. The only real way that people will understand that same-sex marriage is not the end of society is for their faulty arguments to be teared down in front of them.

A very common argument made against same-sex marriage is that same-sex marriage will harm the “sanctity” of marriage and the institution of marriage as a whole. The main problem with this argument is the idea of marriage being sacred. With fifty percent of all marriages ending in divorce (some within mere days), it is clear that not many believe that marriage is some kind of sacred institution that is even worth protecting from the big bad homosexuals. Same-sex marriage cannot harm the sanctity of marriage if such a notion doesn’t even exist, and I’d be willing to argue that same-sex marriage will actually help the institution of marriage by lowering the divorce rate in the country. If same-sex marriage becomes legal, then the stigma regarding homosexuality will diminish, lessening the amount of gay people hiding their sexuality, lessening the amount of men and women forcing themselves into marriage with someone they are not really attracted to, lessening the amount of divorces taking place when said homosexuals finally give up trying to be something they are not. If, in this way, less marriages are ending in divorce, could it not be said that same-sex marriage would be helping the institution of marriage?

Another major argument against same-sex marriage takes the whole “sanctity” argument a step further by drawing upon the religious nature of marriages. Marriage is fundamentally religious, the argument goes, so allowing gay marriages goes against what religion says. The religious argument for marriage is faulty on several levels. First, when marriage began, it was not done for religious purposes. Marriages were first performed as business transactions, not religious ones; they were used to form lasting bonds between families or even whole tribes. Marriage did not begin as a religious institution, and even today, heterosexual couples can get civil marriages without any input from religion. Secondly, arguing for marriage to be reserved between a man and a woman on religious grounds is in direct opposition of the Bill of Rights and the separation of church and state. While churches should be able to decide whether or not they perform religious ceremonies for marriage, denying same-sex couples the right to have civil marriages (just like heterosexual couples can) based on religious arguments is unconstitutional. Thirdly, different religions have different views on homosexual unions and how they relate to marriage. There is no universal religion that has a say on what is the right path for marriage to take.

A powerful argument often used to push for “traditional” marriage deals with children. The premise is twofold: first, marriage is for procreation and the continuation of the species; and second, same-sex married couples cannot provide the optimum environment for raising children (i.e. a mother and a father figure). The idea that the human race needs any help with survival is absolutely ridiculous. The population of our species is closing in on seven billion – we simply do not need an institution devoted to the continuation of our species. Also, if marriage is just for procreation, then one could argue that infertile couples and those not intending to have children should not be allowed to get married either. In response to the second half of the argument: single mothers and single fathers can only provide half of the equation as well, should their children be taken away? Also, research shows that same-sex parents perform just as well (if not better) as heterosexuals when it comes to raising children.

So what’s the big deal? How is it that so many people do not want same-sex marriage legalized when there are so few reasons against it that actually make sense (if any)? The simple answer is bigotry and fear. The general public does not like homosexuals. The idea of two men lying with each other or two women lying with each other disgusts and confuses people. Many cannot understand homosexuality, and as is often the case, because they do not understand homosexuality, there is an innate fear of it. With ten percent of the population being gay and more and more of those people being open about their sexuality, one is hard-pressed to not have some kind of relation to a gay person, whether that relation be family or friendship-based. Despite knowing gay people, the average person still has a hard time coming to grips with seeing homosexuals as equal and deserving of equal rights. When it comes to people that are different, historically the average person has felt that some things need to be reserved to just themselves, that thing being marriage in this case. The majority needs to see that homosexuals are not really different, just as African Americans and women are no longer seen as being different and deserving of less rights. Many years from now when homosexuals have finally won their equal rights, people will look back and wonder why same-sex marriage was ever even an issue.

Joseph Castro - Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

Volunteer Hawaii

2009-04-27T13:52:00.036-10:00

For those seeking volunteer opportunities, Volunteer Hawaii provides great opportunities for those seeking hours to fill on their weekends. Volunteer Hawaii is one of the volunteer resources provided by the United Ways in Hawaii organization. A few UH majors now ask for volunteering hours as a graduation requirement and Volunteer Hawaii can now help fulfill those students. Opportunities range from being administrative assistants for non-profit organizations to gardening projects in schools to American Red Cross positions in aiding with disaster services. These volunteer positions are also located on the outer islands, which is great for students who want to spend a few weekends on Maui or Kauai. Hawaii also posts board positions for various non-profit organizations for those who are possibly seeking a career in public services after graduation. The Volunteer Hawaii website provides a calendar that viewers can check to see what opportunities are available for the month making it easier to plan a schedule. One of my favorite features that Volunteer Hawaii does is the Gifts-in-Kind Match. If you would like to donate an item and want to give it to an organization appropriate for the donation the Gifts-in-Kind Match feature matches your donation to the organization.
For those without Internet, Volunteer Hawaii opportunities can be found by dialing 2-1-1. The Volunteer Hawaii website is http://search.volunteerhawaii.org/volunteer.

Lourdes Acido—Rainbow Connection Staff

The Career Development for Student Employment

2009-04-27T13:50:00.003-10:00

As graduation draws closer, so does the need to figure out what to do after college. Whether it is graduate school or finding a job, it helps to be able to talk to someone who can help answer your questions and concerns. At the beginning of the semester, I found myself in this exact situation and wanted to talk to someone who had the resources to help me figure out what to do after graduation. Then during my GRAD session, someone came in from the Center for Career Development for Student Employment to inform everyone of the services they provide.

I figured I had nothing to lose so I decided to schedule an appointment to meet with someone.
For those who don’t know, the Center for Career Development for Student Employment or CDSE is located on the second floor of the Queen Liliuokalani Building in room 212 and is open Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. One of the first things you notice when you walk into the CDSE is the amount of resources for students concerning resume tips, catalogues for graduate school, and lists of possible jobs for different majors to name a few. What makes these resources even better is that anyone can come in and pick up this information for free. There are also shelves full of books that students can look through concerning things like law school information at one of the tables in the middle of the room.

One reason I don’t think I ever wanted to see a counselor at the CDSE before is because of some of the students at the front desk. Sometime they seem unfriendly and talk story to each other which makes approaching them difficult. Yet, if you want to be helped, they probably won’t ask you so you need to go and ask them. If you’re planning to meet with a counselor, they’ll ask you to fill out a short form in order to alert the counselor of the type of service you want. After waiting for awhile, I met with my counselor, Naomi, I glad that she was very friendly and easy to talk to. I first explained my plans to her, which are to take a year off and then go to graduate school. She immediately started showing me websites and got me handout to for tips to getting into the graduate schools I’m planning to apply to. Naomi also recommended that I try to volunteer in the field that I’m interested in. She then proceeded to show me a website that listed different offices that offer students volunteer opportunities. After Naomi answered all my concerns about graduate school, she helped me possible places I can work in the meantime by giving me a list of websites I could go to and look for work. After she answered all my questions, she took me outside to show me some of the books I could use to compare graduate schools, see correlation of test scores and GPA in acceptance rates, etc. Naomi even emailed me a few days later to let me know about a graduate school presentation that was going to take place the following week. I was really surprised because I didn’t expect to hear from Naomi unless I had other questions or wanted to schedule another appointment. By her reaching out, it showed me how much the counselors at the CDSE really do care about students they talk to.

The CDSE office also offers many other valuable services like flexible walk-in hours for students who don’t or can’t schedule an appointment. The counselors are also available for consultation on resumes, practice interviews, and help students to find internships. For students who have graduated, the CDSE services are also available to them up to five years after graduation and will hold letters of recommendation for five years too if the service is requested. For students who don’t want to talk to a counselor but would like help on resume writing or interviewing skills, the CDSE also offers workshops for students to improve in these areas.

The experience I had with meeting with a counselor at the CDSE was really great and I would advise people to take advantage of this valuable resource. The counselors are very friendly and helpful in trying to answer the concerns of students who see them. Even if you don’t need or want to talk to someone, there are numerous free resources for students to help themselves to and other resources that are easily assessable. I just wish I had made better use of the services provided by the CDSE long before graduation.

Contact them at:
cdse@hawaii.edu
Or
956-7007

Vegan or Bust: the Inconvenience of Alternative Diets

2009-04-27T13:48:00.016-10:00

Eating meat has recently become a common question of daily lifestyle choices of Americans while other major cities around the world seem less interested. People change their diets for a variety of reasons, but an overarching theme is an acknowledgement of personal responsibility. With awareness of this social issue being a clearly slow-going process, the feasibility for change is likewise limited.

First, I would like to clarify the meanings of these dietary terms. People takes them to mean a variety of things, but for the purposes of this introduction I will specify one set of terms that will herein be referred to. Vegetarian[1] refers to the entire group of non-meat eaters including poultry and seafood. Semi-vegetarians are meat-limiters, or those who chose not to eat at least “red” meat. An ovo-lacto vegetarian does not eat any meat products but does eat dairy, such as eggs and milk. I would consider myself to be in this category. This can be separated out into two more categories depending on whether the person consumes only eggs or milk, but not both. Vegan is the strictest or the vegetarian categories, including those who consume no meat or dairy products. Some vegans include in this category any products from animals, such as honey.

Vegetarianism and other similar diet choices come on a range of limitations from eliminating only “red” meat, to the exclusion of all animal-based products. I chose to be an “ovo-lacto vegetarian” last year after learning about the environmental impacts of the cattle industry in a Religion class.[2] The UN article detailing the huge methane production and limitless deforestation from the cattle industry is a great source for real data about this issue. Not only was I shocked that I hadn’t heard about this before, but I was moved to change my dietary choices.

I decided to be a vegetarian (who eats dairy) only after discovering how inconvenient other better options would be. In terms of the environmental impact of our food supply, the list goes on and on. Imagine if we, at least in Hawaii, were to eliminate another methane-producing giant, rice, from out diets![3] “No Spam? Okay. No eggs? Fine. No rice? No way!” My dietribe still seems impossible, and for many, I believe it is.

To get a little personal about this, my opinion about vegetarianism focuses on the environmental impact it has and not about the morality of animal slaughter. This being the case, I am left with two problems. First, if I follow my own principle of environmental conservation, I should not eat dairy or rice either. Again, if sticking to my guns and realizing the feasibility of world-wide change, I should support alternatives in meat and dairy production by supporting sustainable ranching and agriculture. I would if I could; and, at this point I have no doubt I should be a rice-less vegan.

Here I am, though, writing this months after my denial of meat, still not walking my own talk. Again, I chalk this up to general laziness and the inconvenience of resources. Even the addition of Whole Foods market has not alleviated the problem. Sure, they provide vegan and vegetarian options, like others around town, but miss the mark when it comes to responsibly procured dairy and meat options.

After a friend’s recent trip to Portland, Oregon, she commented on the accommodation of these special diets exclaiming, “I was an accidental vegan!” As one feeling limited by the inconvenience of dining and shopping options here in Honolulu, let’s just say I was jealous. Eating this way was so convenient and accessible to the general public that her diet unintentionally adhered to the restrictions I, regrettably, am not.

Portland has been known for its appeal to new-age and alternative lifestyles for quite some time. Why not Hawaii? Although Honolulu does not fit the typical description of a college town, the student-aged population in the tens of thousands, I don’t imagine there isn’t a demand for these types of eateries. There are a few on-campus options to choose from at UHM. Govinda’s and Da Spot offer daily vegetarian and vegan meals.

I want more. I will find more. Stay tuned for Part II documenting my week of veganism, the search for methane-free meat, and the (anticipated) struggle to live the dream.

1 http://www.vegetarianvegan.com/Vegan_Vs_Vegetarian.html
2 http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20772&Cr=global&Cr1=warming
3 http://www.pnas.org/content/99/19/11993.full

Keeping an Eye on Domestic Violence

2009-04-27T13:48:00.014-10:00

Domestic violence is a serious issue that deserves more attention than we give it. Domestic violence affects people of all ages, races, genders, and socioeconomic statuses and it happens every day. Yet, it seems as though the only times that domestic violence becomes a topic of conversation is when something horrible happens and we see stories of extreme violence, often involving death, on the news. In 2008, nine people were killed by intimate partners, or significant others. So far there have been three such killings this year.

The most recent of these stories in Hawai'i was the murder of 25 year-old Royal Kaukani on March 19. Kaukani was shot several times by her ex-boyfriend, Toi Albert Nofoa, while she was sitting in her vehicle near her home in Ewa. Kaukani had reported being abused by Nofoa several times throughout their relationship and had filed for restraining orders twice before. She first reported abuse to police in 2006 when Nofoa threw her down a flight of stairs. Nofoa had even allegedly kidnapped Kaukani at gunpoint on September 15, 2008. She was able to escape with the help of a gas station worker in Hale'iwa. (More details on this case can be found here)

As sad and shocking as this story may seem, others like it occur all too often. We just don't hear about them. But it is important that we, as a society, become more aware of the prevalence of domestic violence so that we can find ways to reduce its incidence and so that victims of domestic violence feel more comfortable seeking help. One of the common beliefs held by victims of domestic violence is that they are alone. Frequently this happens because abusers make their victims feel alone and often isolate their victims from friends and family that might convince them otherwise. If we made it a conscious effort to keep public attention on this issue, it would be easier for victims to see that they are not alone, that there are many other victims out there, and that people really care about what they are going through.

At the same time, increased public awareness may also lead to an increase in reports of domestic violence. Domestic violence and intimate partner violence statistics are often hard to obtain and may be misleading because victims tend to be reluctant to speak out. For example, according to U.S. Department of Justice, intimate partner violence decreased between the mid 1990s and the mid 2000s. Some of the State Attorney General's office statistics seem to correspond with this decrease. For example, the number of police reports of domestic violence, arrests, and domestic violence related misdemeanor cases decreased between these years as well. This makes it seem like the incidence of domestic violence has been decreasing. However, according to the State Attorney General's office, the number of protective court orders, hotline calls, and abuse shelter bed use increased. These statistics seem to contradict the others. Why the discrepancy?

One reason is because victims tend to view the judicial system as "broken". Rob Perez discusses this sentiment in an online article for the Honolulu Advertiser called "System Failure". Overall, the judicial system can be very frustrating and unrewarding for victims of domestic violence. This reputation discourages victims from seeking help through legal means. However, it is important that victims know that the police and the judicial system are important resources and should not be discounted. Keeping a documented record of police reports can be very helpful in court cases. It helps to establish a history of violence and to draw attention to the problem.

The biggest reason why victims of domestic violence don't report incidents of abuse is fear. Abusers use fear to control their victims and to scare them from going to the police or from leaving the relationship. Sometimes people have a hard time understanding why victims of domestic violence don't just leave or why they keep going back to their abusers. This is a complicated issue. Victims are afraid that if they leave or report, their abusers will hurt them even more. They may also be afraid that their abusers will hurt people they care about. Victims may also think that abusers will change and things will get better. Another reason is because many victims also tend to blame themselves for the abuse they receive. This is sometimes referred to as the "battered wife syndrome". Victims can feel guilty and believe they brought on their attacks. It is important for victims of domestic violence to know and understand that abuse of any kind is never acceptable and is never their fault. There is never an excuse for domestic violence. Never.

Domestic violence has many signs and recognizing them is the first step in helping someone escape a really bad situation. The most obvious sign is bruises or other injuries but physical abuse is only one part of a domestic violence relationship. Another sign is verbal abuse. Abusers constantly belittle their victims to destroy their confidence, hurt them, and keep them from leaving. Abusers also threaten their victims to instill fear. They may threaten to hurt or kill their intimate partners, their family members, and even threaten to hurt or kill themselves. Another sign of an abusive relationship is extreme jealousy and control. Abusers tend to be very jealous and sometimes accuse their victims of cheating. They also demand that their victims spend almost all their time with them. Abusers get jealous of other people spending time with their victims and become very controlling over what their victims do and when they do anything. They also control who their victims talk to and may sometimes seem overly attentive. Another sign of domestic violence is that the victims become very quiet, timid, and withdrawn. Victims may also mention their abusers' mood swings or bad tempers. These are all red flags. If any of these signs applies to yourself or someone you know, seek help.

There are many resources and sources of help for domestic violence victims. On every page of the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (HSCADV) website there is a list of phone numbers for domestic violence victims to call for help. The first is 911. As already discussed, calling the police and filing reports of violence helps victims prove abuse if or when they decide to press charges against their abusers or apply for restraining orders. The other phone numbers are for 24-hour hotlines for each island. For the island of O'ahu, victims should call 841-0822 if they are in town or on the leeward side and 526-2200 if they are on the windward side. The Honolulu Advertiser website provides a fairly comprehensive list of resources here. This list includes the phone numbers to shelters and organizations like Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i and PACT Family Peace Center among others. The University of Hawaii also provides counseling and services for its students. If you feel like you may be in an abusive relationship or believe you know someone who is and would like more information on how to seek help, visit the Women's Center in QLCSS 211 or call at 956-8059.

C, Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

Movie Night

2009-04-27T13:47:00.016-10:00

Are you sick of paying late fees for those one day rentals from the video store? Are you mad that after a day of school and sometimes work, you don’t even have time to watch that one day rental? Are you tired of waiting endlessly by your mailbox for those movies you ordered weeks ago? Are you shocked when you realize how much money you waste on membership costs and shipping fees? If you answered yes to any of these questions and are a current University of Hawaii at Manoa student, I have the perfect solution for you. The Wong A/V Center located in our very own Sinclair Library. Sinclair Library’s A/V Center offers over 8,000 DVDs, over 10,000 Audio CD’s, and for you students who claim to be old school, the A/V center has an impressive VHS, Cassette Tape, and Laser Disc collection as well. The Wong A/V Center’s large selection of media can rival any local movie store, and its convenience of location to all UHM students makes it an obvious alternative next to any online movie membership. In considering all of this, the countless titles and the ease of use, one must also remember that it is all completely free. Being a UHM undergraduate, one can have up to 10 pieces of media checked out at one time free of charge. If you are a graduate student, you can have up to 20 pieces of media checked out at one time free of charge.

Now I know what you might be thinking. Why would I want to have 10 educational films from the 1980’s? I understand, what’s the point of being able to check out movies or music if we hate the selection we have to choose from? Well, another thing that might surprise you about Sinclair’s A/V center is that its Media library has a diverse and full selection of contemporary, relevant, and interesting films. Sinclair has the old school hits as well as new releases. Films ranging from tear jerking documentaries to hilarious cult classic comedies. Let me provide a personal example of how diverse the media selection is at Sinclair’s A/V Center. A few weekends ago I had a serious need to movie marathon. The movies I took home and watched were Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring, 40 Year Old Virgin Director’s Uncut Version, HBO’s The Wire Season 3, Obama Goes to Africa, Planet Earth the complete series, Harold and Kumar go to White Castle, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, Planet B-Boy, American Beauty, and The Never Ending Story on Laser Disc (because yes, I am old school). Granted, Sinclair’s A/V center may not have the latest new releases that other video stores and online memberships may have, but, if you want to check, the process is incredibly easy. Just go onto your computer, login to UH’s library search engine Voyager and click basic search. Limit your search to video recordings/DVDs and keyword, type in your title, and bingo! If it is in the Library selection you can place a hold on it over your computer, ensuring that it will be there for pick up within two days, and if you find yourself too busy to watch your movie, you can easily renew it online through essentially the same process.

From its countless selections, its minimal costs, and its ease of use Sinclair’s Wong A/V Center is a source of entertainment all UHM students must take advantage of. You can’t afford not to.

Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

The Right Choice?

2009-04-27T13:47:00.015-10:00

As college students, we all know how important higher education is in obtaining appealing and well-paying forms of employment. It is no secret that college is expensive, and as UHM students, each of us is aware of the benefit of attending the University of Hawaii: cost. UHM is a good choice for degree-seeking individuals looking for a cheap education, but what does this “cheapness” get us in the way of a quality education and an overall college experience? How does Manoa compare to other private and public universities within the state and abroad? As the saying goes, “you pay for what you get,” and here we will be comparing UHM against its closest institutional competitors, like the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Hawaii Pacific University, and Brigham Young University – Hawaii, to see just how good of a decision we’ve made in attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Naturally, when we speak of colleges, the subject of academics is paramount. After all, what would be the point of attending a particular school if it doesn’t offer the courses and programs you desire? In the way of academics, Manoa is a force to be reckoned with. Compared to other locally based colleges like BYU and HPU, UHM offers more in the way of academic programs (majors) with over 200 bachelor’s, master’s, doctorial, and post-secondary certificate degrees (Peterson’s, 270).

HPU offers less academic programs and areas of study than UHM, but this is by a slim margin of 10-15 offerings. In addition, according to Peterson’s Four-Year Colleges, HPU does not offer an extensive amount of doctorate degrees. Rather, if a student desires to go beyond a master’s level, HUP offers what is called a “post-master’s certificate” (269). One item HPU offers that UHM does not is an associate’s degree program. As most UH students have come to know, in the University of Hawaii system associates degree programs are mostly, to almost exclusively, offered at community colleges.

Another close competitor to UHM is BYU – Hawaii. Like HPU, it offers less programs of study, with around 20-30 less offerings. BYU has an associate’s degree, but this seemingly comes with a bit of a price; BYU does not offer masters or doctorate degrees (268). Though a post-bachelorette certificate program is available, BYU appears to be limited in terms of offering anything above a 4-year undergraduate degree.

When compared to a mainland-based competitor; however, UHM begins to show some shortcomings. The University of Nevada at Las Vegas is most likely Manoa’s closest rival, perhaps even edging out UH in a few statistical numbers. For one, UNLV offers slightly more academic areas of study (majors) than UHM. In addition, unlike the competing universities we’ve seen so far, UNLV offers bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees in addition to a number of certificate programs (556). So it would seem UHM has been out-done; nonetheless, students also need to consider some of the unique academic opportunities UHM offers, like an extensive Hawaiian, Pacific and Asian studies program, as well as a marine biology and natural sciences programs that UNLV may not carry.

Though we have touched briefly on the subject of academics, other factors such as the setting of the institution, total enrollment, faculty, endowment, as well as the condition of facilities are crucial considerations to keep in mind when comparing Manoa to other universities. Manoa is considered to be an urban university. As a result, the campus is somewhat utilitarian in appearance, with only the original five buildings illustrating some form of unique and memorable architecture and design. In 2008, 14,037 undergraduate students were enrolled at Manoa, with a complimenting faculty totaling 1,272; a student to teacher ration of 11:1. As a state-supported university, Manoa receives an annual endowment of $207.3 million (270).

In stark contrast to Manoa, the BYU campus is situated on a 30-acre lot in a small town setting. The campus itself has less of a utilitarian appearance compared to Manoa, with the architecture of buildings and structures reflecting unique designs indicative of their religious affiliations. In 2008, BYU had a total undergraduate population of only 2,473 students complimented by 184 faculty members; offering a student to teacher ratio of 15:1. In addition, BYU is classified as an independent (private) university of Latter-day Saints; thus, it is not state supported and receives an annual endowment of only $43.2 million (268).

Like Manoa, HPU is also described as an urban university situated on separate campuses totaling 140-acres. All campus extensions are similar to UHM’s in that building and facility design is utilitarian in form and appearance. In 2008, total undergraduate enrollment was 6,856 complimented by a total faculty of 618 with terminal degrees, offering a student to teacher ratio of 16:1. HPU is classified as an independent (private) institution with an annual endowment of $69 million (269).

Lastly, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas approaches Manoa, and in some respects surpasses it. Also designated an urban university, UNLV is situated on a 358- acre campus located in the metropolitan area of central Las Vegas. With such a vast campus, building layout is uncluttered, and the design theme is progressive, with several newly built structures illustrating futuristic themes. In 2008, the total undergraduate student population reached 21,853, significantly higher than UHM. A total faculty count of 1,677 educators allows for a combined student to teacher ratio of 18:1. Like UHM, UNLV is a state-funded institution; yet, given the financial strength of the state of Nevada and the high volume of student enrollment, it only earns an annual endowment of $124.2 million, nearly $85 million less than Manoa (556).

The issue of college rankings should also be a point of consideration. According to the 2006 edition of U.S. News and World Report, the University of Hawaii at Manoa is classified as a “national university – third tier” (U.S News, 163). In accordance to their classification system, colleges are classified into four tiers depending on various factors like the quality of an education, size, and so forth. Manoa itself is ranked 165 in the nation out of a total of 248; slightly less than average (83). BYU- Hawaii and HPU belong to different categories given their size and degree offerings. BYU- Hawaii is considered a “comprehensive bachelors” university; as it only offers undergraduate studies (162). It is ranked impressively as 4^th in its region; the west (107). HPU belongs to what is termed “universities master’s,” a category of universities whom offer “few, if any, doctorial programs” and is ranked 57^th in its region; also the west (92, 97). Manoa’s closest competitor, UNLV, is ranked on the “fourth tier” of the national colleges, and earns an overall ranking of 234 out of 248; well below the rankings of UHM (210, 85). In addition, Manoa’s Shidler College of Business ranks 19^th overall in terms of the international business program, and the John A. Burns School of Medicine is ranked 12^th in the nation for geriatric medicine (UHM Website).

The last item, of course, is the cost of attendance. To keep things simple, we’ll limit our scope to the overall cost of tuition and room/board for each institution for full-time students. In the 2006-2007 school year, BYU undergraduate students paid a very affordable average of $8210 per year including room/board, but this was limited to students who were considered to belong to the Church of Latter-day Saints (Peterson’s, 268). Students who did not belong to the church paid significantly higher tuition. In the 2007-2008 school year, HPU students were require to pay a staggering $23,000 per year with room/board included (269). In the case of UNLV, students attending the 2007-2008 school year were required to pay $12,480 including room/board for resident students. Non-residents were required to pay $14,433 including room/board (556).

Cost has always been an appealing trait of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. For the 2007-2008 school year, students paid an average of $12,321 for tuition, room/board included (270). As one can see, this undercuts UNLV by a couple hundred dollars though it’s still well above BYU. Nevertheless, students should consider that BYU is a highly exceptional university with cost figures contingent on meeting certain religious requirements. In the case of UNLV, though the overall cost is comparable to that of Manoa, it is appropriate to consider transportation costs as well as out-of-state tuition.

In the above paragraphs, we have considered many factors that might determine whether or not we, as students of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, have made a wise and cost-effective decision in attending this institution. As we have seen, there are many factors to consider, but for the most part it can be said that Manoa is a wise choice for students seeking an affordable education of decent quality. Though colleges like UNLV, and more so BYU, have certain facility and ranking advantages over UHM, on the whole, Manoa is the way to go.

So what do you think? Given the statistical facts it would seem that Manoa comes out on top with best value in terms of student to teacher ratio and national rankings. Some might argue that there are many other aspects of a college that should have been investigated here, like current student satisfaction; and this is true. Though the aim of this piece has been to establish a judgment based on the statistical facts and credible ranking sources, current student satisfaction is undeniably a must in terms of comparing one university to another. The only danger here is that such opinions tend to be subjective.

As a three-year student of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I must rate my personal experience as acceptable; a seven out of ten overall. Most of the positives I would like to note are similar to those expressed by students on YouTube. The environment and setting of UHM is unbeatable. The island of O’ahu is situated perfectly within the Pacific to offer so much in the way of travel and leisure, as well as studying abroad. From that point on; however, most other factors that determine the appeal of a college begins to fall short. It is no secret that facility conditions are deplorable, and it is often said that the “top brass” at UH do not place a priority on the education of students; a point supported by the fact that the highest paying person within the UH system is the football coach. How is it that UHM get nearly $85 million more than UNLV in annual endowments, yet boasts facilities that are in no way even comparable to those of UNLV itself?

Perhaps another gripe worth noting is the fact that UHM makes it very difficult for students to graduate within the accepted four-year degree timeframe. It is not uncommon for students to take five to six years to complete a four-year degree. Obviously, this offsets the cheapness of the tuition, and in my eyes, is UHM’s biggest problem. Offering required classes with only a handful of available seats, having high credit requirements for priority in registering for such classes, and offering required classes once a year, is inexcusable. Clearly the “top brass” does not have their eyes fixed on the success of their students, but more on the thickness of our wallets.

So from a statistical standpoint it can be said that we’ve all made excellent choices in terms of attending UHM. Nevertheless, we need to keep in mind that facts and statistics aren’t always everything. Though I mentioned a few disappointing aspects of UHM, I will state that there is much to like as well. Cultural diversity and the kindness of the people – students, faculty, teaching assistants, and so on – is well worth enduring the poor facilities and the lack of direction at the higher administrative levels. As a resident of Hawaii since birth, it is most fitting that I attended UHM as it offered me an education tailored to the specific social and cultural aspects of my home; ultimately the place I will live and work as a professional. Considering the statistics and simply enduring the small issues of chipping paint and stained carpets, I feel Manoa was a good choice. At least I won’t be leaving school $150,000 in debt.

Kapena M. Landgraf – Rainbow Connection Staff Writer

Works Cited:

“Colleges at a Glance.” Peterson’s Four-Year Colleges. Editor: Fern A. Oram. 38^th ed. 2008.

Wildavsky, Ben. “America’s Best Colleges.” U.S. News & World Report Jan. 2006: 80-110, 162-163, 210.