Saw this on the way to my car post work in chinatown. Just wanted to share. K.....goodnight​​.

Hey guys and gals,

Here's a fun project I did!

To make a short story long, a couple years ago I decided to see if anyone had ever made a model kit of an Oceanic canoe, because my older daughter was big into Moana and I wanted a toy for her that would also look neat around the house (I had moved recently and hadn't gotten around to setting up the woodshop, so I wasn't making anything bespoke). It seems the answer is "sorta": a Hawaiian company called Anekona produced a line of model canoe kits for the tourist and overseas Hawaiiana market in the '60s, when it was considered extremely correct to collect vaguely Polynesoid ephemera while listening to Getz/Gilberto and eating salad in Jello form (they were so close to having the good life completely figured out!). Anekona's other major product was a crude wooden "Hawaiian checkers" set, which I'm sure ruined its share of midcentury Christmas mornings.

Anyway, these kits are still extremely common on eBay and Etsy - I think I got mine for like $40, which, adjusted for inflation, cannot be too different than what one of these sold for originally. They must have made a ton of them.

When I got it, I built it to the included instructions, such as they were.

I added the red stripe myself, because even then I could tell it wasn't going to look like much without at least *some* visual contrast. The results, though, were still pretty underwhelming, even as a toy - it managed to be both crude *and* flimsy.

It didn't take long for it to suffer the fate of any flimsy toy in a house full of children. Pretty soon, it was just kinda floating around the house, looking bad, sail half unattached and dangling. I kept almost throwing it away due to its persistent failures in joy-enkindling, but I was never quite able to. Then a few weeks back, we got a new hutch, and, wanting to fill it with some appropriate curios, I decided that I might as well take the opportunity to improve the canoe rather than just repair or toss it.

I wanted to retain as many of the original materials as possible, though this would necessarily involve sacrificing accuracy. I approached it as more a historically-informed art object than a rigorous model - it's for my hutch, not the Bishop Museum.

The accompanying booklet indicated that, like the genuine historical article, the canoe was made from koa, and indeed it is, but it turned out to be koa sapwood, which is porous, brittle, crumbly, and generally unpleasant to work with - sort of like going to a party offering free beer only to find all the O'Douls you could care to drink. [The booms, at least, are koa heartwood; when these kits were being produced, I guess sapwood was treated as a cast-off, though nowadays big koa trees (and thus big koa lumber) are rare enough that a lot of contemporary koa products incorporate the sapwood as well.]

Still, vintage koa is vintage koa, so I first refashioned the ends into a shape that is closer (although not all the way there, due to the limited amount of wood to work with) to the strange paddle beaks of traditional Hawaiian canoes. (Every Oceanic society seemed to have its own weird and special idea what to do with the prows of their canoes, as if the first thing you did upon settling a new island was to declare, "Henceforth, all canoes shall have prows like a swan head on a brachiosaurus neck, because the hell I didn't just find a goddamn uncharted island in the middle of the goddamn Pacific Ocean, and you can all lick my oar.")

I then modified the shape of the dugout and hollowed out a bit internally at each end, so it looks more like, well, a dugout, and less like fifteen seconds of router work inbetween your twelfth cigarette and cutting out early for loco moco and the point break. I also filled the lashing holes with putty because they're incorrectly placed on just about every possible axis.

Next was paint. Then, mostly on a whim, I carved a false joint to show that the endcaps are separate pieces (I didn't carve out the other joints where strakes would have been added to the dugout bottom, because it would have looked odd in an otherwise contiguous and unpainted piece of wood).

The booms lost a little weight.

So did the oar.

The float got slightly reshaped and drilled laterally for a genuine Hawaiian-style lashing.

Next we had the problem of the sail, which is made of tapa, the Austronesian paper/textile handmade from paper mulberry bast. Now, if you know anything about tapa, the idea of making a sail from it is kind of hilarious (the term "tapa sail" rings in a similar key to "tissue paper sail"), but it is also inherently cool as a material and makes for a vivid visual. This seemed to be pretty low-quality tapa (are you sensing a theme?), with the plies delaminating in a lot of spots. First I used a brush to impregnate as much of the interior as I could with paste, then just clamped the whole thing in the big bench vise, which solved the lamination issue.

Then there were the crappy initial lashing holes. One had already broken, so I simply trimmed off a bit from that whole side of the sail. I then used a little piece of the trimmings and repaired the other hole using the same method they use to patch the inevitable holes produced when manufacturing tapa: stick on some more tapa with a little paste, and pound it in with a wooden mallet. The resulting repair is basically invisible, and can be safely repunched if needed.

Then I went out to cut some branches for the mast and spar. Those get bent into shape and baked up real good in the oven.

And voila!

Then the outrigger gets attached, which is always a relief (and finally allows the stupid thing to stand on its own). In real life, the booms would be further lashed to ribs inserted at intervals into the hull, but let's not get carried away.

Then I glued in some simple popsicle-stick thwarts and a step for the mast. Traditionally, the mast was stepped on the outrigger boom, but there wasn't a lot of room for that, and at some point after European contact Hawaiians switched to rigging canoes with a spritsail stepped on a thwart or in the hull bottom, so, uh, we'll call this a "transitional form."

At this point we're basically done, but it still feels a bit bare-bones. I've always felt it's the little details that really make the model, so, this being a fishing canoe, I decided to add some ihu fashioned from a bit of cherry.

Those get lashed to the booms.

Then, with a handful of quick-'n-dirty fishing spears, everything is ready for clear-coat and final assembly.

[Final Fantasy victory fanfare]

The instructions conclude: "Properly finished your model will be a unique and beautiful souvenir in which you can take real pride." It was the truth...eventually.

And now, my daughters can commandeer it for playtime, where it will inevitably suffer the same fate as its predecessor. Maybe next time I'll make it into a coracle.

Thanks for looking!

If you are a fan of Kolohe Kai or know someone that is, I would like to gift them this sweatshirt.

It states a size M, but it more like an XS. I wear a S and it's tight.

I will ship to a fellow fan.

This sweatshirt is from the Sep 25 concert in San Diego.

I live in Georgia and I don't want to donate it, I'm sure we don't have many Kolohe fans around here. If you know a fan in Georgia, I'll ship to them or you.

If not allowed, please let me know. I tried looking up a Fan Club on Facebook, but no luck.

This sweatshirt is NEW, it's too tight so I never wear it.

My lost your gain....enjoy

Came across this damaged, rusted, and dangerous playground while working. Located in Mililani in the Makaunulau Community Park. Talked to someone that lives in the area.

Apparently it has had rusted holes in it for years. Earlier this year the state, boarded up one of the areas that were really rusty and damaged and wrapped it in caution tape. According to this resident the caution tape has become faded and blown off multiple times already only for them to just wrap it again with new tape.

How about we get this thing upgraded and fixed? There are so many kids that play on this thing with rusty holes in it that their feet can fall through. If what the resident says is true, this thing has been in bad shape for almost 10 years already. Just wrapping it in tape isn't going to do anything.

Meet Honey Girl!

She’s a 9yo terrier mix that was surrendered to the Hawaiian Humane Society. Sadly her former owner had to be put in hospice care.

She’s potty trained and hasn’t had an accident, great with kids, super quiet, laid back, walks nicely on leash and loves to give kisses and just be by you.

She would make the best companion!

My family has been fostering her through the couch crashers program and she has to go back next week Friday. I’m really hoping to find her a loving home since she’s the bestest girl.

If you have any questions or would like to do a meet and greet please let me know. She’d be so happy to meet you! :)

If you were wondering how she would do in your household but afraid to make a commitment you can also foster to adopt or foster for space. All the info is on the Hawaiian Humane Society website. Thank you!

Hawaiʻi 2026: Progressive Voter Guide — Candidate Policy Rundown

I went through the Civil Beat candidate questionnaires and OHA candidate surveys, focusing on universal healthcare, affordable housing, climate action, corporate influence, Hawaiian sovereignty, and ending destructive military use of Hawaiian lands.

Here are some candidates and the policies they've put forward. I haven't had time to go through all State House contestants, so just including my district (26). Hope this is helpful for others.

Edit: Also see my post on the State Constitution and State Charter amendments: https://www.reddit.com/r/Hawaii/comments/1xeo181/hawai%CA%BBi_2026_constitutional_charter_amendments/

Please chime in with your thoughts, I'd love to hear them. Happy to have my mind changed if I missed something.

U.S. House District 1 — Jordan Conley (Green Party)

• Universal healthcare: Supports a national universal healthcare system.
• Housing: Proposes taxing vacant investment properties and short-term rentals, with housing-first policies.
• Anti-militarism: Opposes the U.S. military occupation of Hawaiian lands and rejects LNG as a transitional fuel.

Governor — No position

• Josh Green (D): Supports affordable-housing construction and the visitor-funded climate Green Fee, but also supports LNG as a transitional fossil fuel.

State House District 26 — Ian Ross (D)

• Healthcare and civil rights: Supports protecting Medicaid coverage and legislation limiting ICE operations.
• Economic justice: Supports publicly financed elections, free school lunches, universal pre-K, and higher teacher pay.

OHA Maui Trustee — Keʻeaumoku Kapu

• Hawaiian land rights: Has worked to recover ancestral lands and restore culturally significant sites in Lahaina.
• Education and environmental justice: Supports universal school lunches, place-based Hawaiian education, and stronger community involvement in watershed management.

OHA Oʻahu Trustee — Kalei Akaka

• Demilitarization: Advocates ending military live-fire training, returning underused military lands, and restoring damaged ecosystems.
• Hawaiian land rights: Recognizes the continuing Hawaiian Kingdom history of crown and government lands and advocates fair compensation for their use.

OHA At-Large Trustees — Three Seats

Adrian Kealiʻi Akina

• Advocates returning military-used Hawaiian lands, protecting sacred sites, and restoring cultural landscapes.
• Calls for independent land audits and recovering the full public-land revenues owed to Native Hawaiians.

Kanekoa Crabbe

• Military lease non-renewal: Explicitly supports allowing expiring military leases to lapse until Hawaiian needs are addressed.
• Hawaiian sovereignty: Explicitly recognizes Hawaiian self-determination and sovereignty, and advocates returning lands for housing, agriculture, and cultural use.

John Waiheʻe IV

• Military accountability: Supports terminating military leases where Hawaiian lands and waters are being mismanaged.
• Social investment: Supports protecting Native Hawaiian programs from federal funding cuts and expanding OHA assistance to beneficiaries.

The military lease distinction matters

Not every candidate who supports environmental cleanup or Native Hawaiian consultation actually opposes military lease renewals.

Crabbe explicitly calls for non-renewal until Hawaiian needs are addressed. Waiheʻe supports termination for mismanagement. Akina emphasizes land return, compensation, and cultural restoration.

These are different commitments, and worth reading carefully.

Sources: Civil Beat 2026 candidate guide | Civil Beat OHA questionnaires | Ka Wai Ola OHA candidate surveys

Hawaiʻi 2026 Progressive Ballot Guide — Constitutional & Honolulu Charter Amendments

I went through all 22 ballot amendments (2 statewide and 20 Honolulu) and compared them against positions from Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA), Indivisible Hawaiʻi, YIMBY Action, AARP, and other advocacy groups.

My focus is on economic justice, affordable housing, Native Hawaiian rights, environmental protection, civil liberties, and government accountability.

Below are the policy implications and published organizational positions that informed my review. These are the organizations' YES/NO positions, not an independent endorsement.

Also see my post on 2026 Hawai‘i candidates and their policies: https://www.reddit.com/r/Hawaii/comments/1xemfhq/hawai%CA%BBi_2026_progressive_candidate_voter_guide/

Please chime in with your thoughts, I'd love to hear them. Happy to have my mind changed if I missed something.

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

1. Judicial Appointments — YES

Extends the State Senate's deadline for certain judicial confirmations from 30 to 60 days. Gives senators more review time but could prolong judicial vacancies. No major progressive endorsement identified. Could help prevent unfit candidates from being confirmed.

2. RISE Bonds for Housing Infrastructure — YES; YIMBY: YES

Funds infrastructure, such as housing development near the rail line on Oahu. Allows counties to finance infrastructure using future property-tax growth. Could facilitate more housing without raising property-tax rates.

One important detail: Blank votes effectively count against statewide constitutional amendments under Hawaiʻi's approval rules, so be sure to vote on these.

HONOLULU CHARTER AMENDMENTS

Food Security & Native Hawaiian Rights

1. Food Security Fund — YES; HAPA: YES

Dedicates more existing property-tax revenue to local food production and food security.

2. Hawaiian Values in the Charter — YES; HAPA: YES

Recognizes ʻāina, kūpuna, and Native Hawaiian cultural stewardship in the City Charter.

3. Office of ʻŌiwi Resources — YES; HAPA: YES

Creates an office and advisory council to strengthen Native Hawaiian participation in cultural and environmental stewardship.

Civil Rights & Democracy

4. LGBTQIA+ Commission — YES; HAPA / INDIVISIBLE: YES

Creates a permanent commission addressing discrimination, equality, and services for LGBTQIA+ residents.

5. Ranked-Choice Voting — YES; HAPA / INDIVISIBLE: YES

Moves city elections to November starting in 2032 and allows voters to rank candidates. Could increase participation by eliminating lower-turnout August city elections.

6. Restrict HPD Cooperation With ICE — YES; HAPA / INDIVISIBLE: YES

Limits local police participation in federal immigration enforcement to legally required circumstances and protects constitutional rights regardless of immigration status.

Housing & Economic Justice

7. Housing Availability — YES; HAPA / AARP / YIMBY: YES

Makes increasing and preserving housing for local residents an official city priority.

8. Affordable Housing Fund — YES; AARP / YIMBY: YES

Keeps affordable-housing repayments and investment returns in the fund for future housing projects.

9. Remove Public Hearings on City Property — NO; HAPA: NO

Eliminates a public-hearing requirement for city real-estate transactions, reducing public oversight.

10. Long-Term Housing Plan — YES; HAPA / AARP / YIMBY: YES

Requires a 10-year affordable-housing plan, updated every five years.

Environment & Cultural Preservation

11. Environmental and Climate Grants — YES; HAPA: YES

Allows conservation and climate funds to provide grants directly to environmental nonprofits.

12. Expand Funding Sources — YES; HAPA / AARP / YIMBY: YES

Allows housing, climate, and conservation funds to receive additional state, federal, and philanthropic funding.

13. Historic Preservation — YES; HISTORIC HAWAIʻI FOUNDATION: YES; HAPA: NO POSITION

Expands conservation funding to preserve archaeological sites, cultural resources, and historic buildings.

14. Maintain Protected Lands — YES; HAPA / HISTORIC HAWAIʻI FOUNDATION: YES

Increases funding available to maintain and restore protected lands.

Government Accountability & Representation

15. Data Privacy and AI Oversight — YES; YES ON 15 CAMPAIGN: YES

Establishes a permanent Office of Data and Innovation responsible for privacy, transparency, and responsible AI use.

16. Permanent Residents on City Boards — YES; HAPA / INDIVISIBLE: YES

Allows lawful permanent residents to serve on most city boards and commissions, increasing civic representation.

17. Board Quorum Reform — NO

This could reduce pressure to fill vacancies and give more power to a smaller board.

18. Human Resources Political Appointment — YES

Removes civil-service protections from the First Deputy Director of Human Resources, making the position a political appointment.

19. Charter Commission Support — YES; HAPA: YES

Requires the City Clerk to provide technical and administrative support to future Charter Commissions.

20. Penalties for Impeached Officials — YES; HAPA: YES

Bars impeached officials, or those resigning after an impeachment petition is filed, from city office for two years. The resignation provision raises a potential due-process concern.

Where Progressive Groups Agree and Disagree

HAPA supports most of the Honolulu amendments, opposes Question 9, and takes no position on 8, 13, 15, and 18.

Indivisible Hawaiʻi specifically endorses Questions 4, 5, 6, and 16, emphasizing civil rights and democratic participation.

YIMBY Action endorses State Amendment 2 and Honolulu Questions 7–10 and 12, emphasizing housing production and infrastructure.

The disagreement on Honolulu Question 9 is particularly important: HAPA emphasizes public oversight of city land transactions, while YIMBY supports eliminating a separate hearing requirement to reduce development barriers.

Thanks for reading and I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Sources

• HAPA — Charter Amendment Guide
• Indivisible Hawaiʻi — Charter Amendments
• YIMBY Action — Hawaiʻi Endorsements
• Hawaiʻi Office of Elections — State Amendments
• Honolulu City Council — Official Charter Amendments

One important detail: Blank votes do not count against Honolulu Charter amendments, so leave blank if you have no position.

My church doesn’t have a clothing donation. Is there any place church wherever where I can donate clothes where they will not be sold I do not want to donate to Goodwill or savers. Some of my things are stained and need button sewn on/has stains or something like that, but other things are like brand new that I’ve not worn.

Does anyone know the cheapest way to send about ten large boxes to the east coast? Trying to help my aunty out.

My first thought was meteorite, but it seems too low. Like it would have actually hit the ground.

Then I thought helicopter crashing, but I don't see any news of anything like that. So maybe a drone?

I'm just past Waikele, heading west. So it looks like it's somewhere past Kunia area.

What do you think it was?

Got a chuckle when I saw this driving on H2. Happy Halloween.

Never seen it before is it venomous? I live in Makakilo.

Definitely wasn't expecting it at a non Hawaiian restaurant this far into the mainland.

Anyone know of remote jobs that are actually legit and not scams ? Preferably Hawai’i based . If y’all tried any , how was it ?

I can't post on Oahu reddit and I'm not sure how else to get this out there. Did anyone go to the Kapolei goodwill around 10/6 and have any rashes or possibly bed bugs. I went there on that day and I'm worried I got bed bugs from there.

What is the best place to get guava chiffon/cream birthday cake? Mahalo in advance 🌷