SunDub's Blog

Howzit everybody. Yesterday was a holiday here in Hawaii, Kuhio Day, so I observed that. It is in honor of Prince Jonah Kuhio. Prince Kuhio was also known as the Merrie Monarch because of his demeanor. Each year in Hilo on the Big Island, hula halaus from each island gather to compete against one another. The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week long and features performances in different hula categories. It is quite the site to behold. If you can't watch it live, the event is showcased on local television so if you're out here, check it out, it'll be something to behold.

For all of you who are planning on coming out here... the weather is horrible. Now, most people I tell this to tell me, "But it's Hawaii." Which is true, this is Hawaii. However, I don't think spending your Spring Break in rain and in dirty water is what you want to do. With the recent massive amounts of rains, the ocean has become polluted from run-off and a sewage line broke to leak tons of wastewater into the ocean. State health officials are monitoring the bacteria level but still I would say it's not worth chancing. Try a different island than Kauai or Oahu. The ocean should be better on other islands.

Best of luck to those of you who head out this way. Aloha.

Aloha everyone. Well Spring Break is here and I just wanted to give you the heads up and where to go, what to do, and what not to do.

Where to go:
The beach of course is where you'll find everyone basking in the sun (or trying to cause it's been stormy as of late). The beaches to hit will be Waimea Bay, Makapuu, Sandy's, Pipeline, Ala Moana, and Waikiki. Bring sunscreen because you can still get friend if it's over cast.

What to do:
Surf, body board, body-surf. Definitely try any water sports that you might not have the chance to do when you are inland. You also want to check out what type of tours are offered. There are alot of specials for Spring Breakers so be sure to do your research and find the best fit for you. You should be able to get surf lessons, hikes, place to stay, and meals with some companies.

What not to do:
Don't be disrespectful. I know the Aloha Spirit is a big part of Hawaii however the culture and the people have been disrespected for many years and don't take kindly to it. You wouldn't piss in your living room at home right? Well don't use Spring Break as an excuse to piss on Hawaii.

You ever stop to ask the question: why does that athlete get paid so much? Well, I am not asking that question today about the athlete. I'm asking about his coach. Now don't get me wrong, I think coach's who have proven their worth, won championships, etc. should get the lucrative contracts. I'm talking about a coach in particular, June Jones of the Univerity of Hawaii Warriors football team.

Jones makes over $800,000 each year. With his other incentives and bonuses he can get near $900,000. Now during his tenure, he has turned around the Hawaii football program. However, to make that kind of money, I would expect to have at least a top 15 in the nation program. Not to mention a visit to a bowl of some consequence. No. What did UH and outside investors do? UH and the outside investors gave the man more money than the President, the University Chancellor, the Governor, etc. That's right, outside investors are paying about half his contract.

I opened up the paper and found an article about how UH has lost five football scholarships because of academic ratings. Below that article, was an article with a picture of Jones smiling because he had been given nearly $30,000 in bonus money this past season. A season, in which, UH failed to make the Hawaii Bowl, the only Bowl UH has visited. Withing UH going to that Bowl, ConAgra, the sponsor, loses money because not too many local fans are going to go on Christmas Eve or Christmas to watch away teams play.

I walked into my bathroom tonight and for whatever reason saw an article that mention the Hawaii Athletic department was finally getting out of red ink, or at least predicted to get out, this fiscal year. Hmmm.. paying a coach of a average-below average team that much money... Whatever.

Let's take a page from the BCS. I propose a formula for paying coaches (and athletes on the professional level). Factor in wins, strength of schedule, academics, etc. From there determine what a coach gets paid. Now it might piss off Bobby Bowden (whom I respect quite a bit) but it would be fair and Universities would pay for what they get.

What do I know? Football is the money maker for most schools and that will make the powers that be see differently.

So my girlfriend tells me I party like a rockstar. I added the broke part. Now I will present the argument on both sides and see what you think. Rarely do I drink with anyone but her. We go out maybe once if not twice a week and have a few drinks. This past weekend I went out again. I had a few more drinks. Saw some old friends. Cruised with my boy, etc.

In the midst of all that, I lost my keys (no idea where they are), can't find my cell phone, and to be quite frank, I'm having a hard time finding the wallet. So I ask, does that make me a rockstar or just irrensponsible. I'm leaning with the latter part. Darn you to heck drunk me. Darn you to heck. Now I have to either pray everything turns up or get new everything. Oh, well, I guess it was bound to happen, never lost a wallet and I should have had bad karma for getting that overpriced phone even though I was broke. Ah, funny how life works.

Howzit going me people? You know what time it is... no not Flava Flav, it's March. It's the time of March Madness, St. Patrick's Day, and none other than Spring Break. I can't believe the year has gone by so quickly. I recall excatly what I was doing this time last year. Ok, not excatly but in general, going out, new job, falling in love, missing too many classes. Well, I'm on the prowl again ladies. Hold up, for a new job not for love.

Anyway, if you're in Hawaii, the thing to do will be hitting up bars with TV's, any and all because you'll find a game on for sure. And maybe, Hawaii will make it into the tournament. Ha, right. Anyway, if you're out here, there is going to be all kines of specials to attract viewers, guarans. And the NCAA tournament is some of the best sports to watch by far.

As for St. Patrick's Day, even though I have an ounce or two of Irish, I don't really know of anything to do for the event. I know you're supposed to wear green but aside from like a pin or some green in the clothing, I don't recall ever seeing anyone going off and dressing all crazy like. But eh, you can be the first to get a tradition going and you can bring your friends to join in that tradition each year and thus stimulate our economy over here. Ha. Alright, Spring Break to come in a future blog in addition to the pidgin translator. Shoots den. Aloha my people.