Month: March 2009

First we’ll look at the latest tech news and happenings in Hawaii and beyond. Later, Natasha Chappel from the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council will tell us about “Our Energy Future”. Finally, Olin Lagon and Kylee Omo from KanuHawaii.org will join us, and we’ll talk about using the web to inspire people to do good deeds.

First the News:

• In 2005 while vacationing in Puako on the Big Island, two Silicon Valley engineers, Joe Rizzi and Roger Hine, began building a device that would allow them to listen to the calls of humpback whales. What they produced, with their two-year-old company, Liquid Robotics, is the Wave Glider, a vehicle that will not only allow them to eavesdrop on whales but could also become a powerful tool that helps scientists better understand climate change and the military to monitor the high seas.
• The Hawaii County Police Department is deploying BlackBerry smartphones throughout its force to gather and look up real-time information from a variety of databases, and to connect directly with each other.
• isisHawaii a Hawaii-based non-profit organization has developed a partnership with complex administrators from the Pearl City school district. isisHawaii provides resources and opportunities to students to foster interest in the exploration of science, technology, engineering and math (i.e., STEM) education.
• The Polynesian Voyaging Society is eager to begin its 1,050-mile journey to Palmyra Atoll aboard the Hokule’a, after several days of weather delays. Though the mission is to demonstrate traditional navigational skills, the crew is not afraid to embrace new technology. They’ve set up an official Twitter account to post updates on their progress, with the ultimate hope of “Tweeting around the world” when the Hokulea begins a two-year circumnavigation of the globe in May 2012.

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First we’ll look at the latest tech news and happenings in Hawaii and beyond. Later, Bill Spencer from the Hawaii Venture Capital Association will tell us about their monthly lunch panel. Finally, Sandee Oshiro and John Garcia from the Honolulu Advertiser web team will join us, and we’ll talk about the engine behind honoluluadvertiser.com and what it takes to deliver today’s multimedia news content.

First the News:

• The Blue Planet Foundation is helping energize a new generation of leaders for Hawaii’s renewable energy movement by giving three University of Hawaii students free trips to Power Shift 09, a national youth summit on renewable energy being held in Washington, D.C., Feb. 27-March 2.
• Millions of dollars have been allocated to upgrade the nation’s tsunami warning networks following the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster. But an Associated Press report out this week says that progress has been slower than expected.
• In a house bill moving through the legislature, the state is considering awarding up to $500,000 in tax credits each year for donations benefiting science, technology, engineering and math programs at public schools. The bill would let donors claim a credit worth half the amount they give to support STEM subjects.
• A local Navy facility is testing a new solution to dispose of thousands of gallons of oily sludge waste. The new process is both cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the old way — shipping the waste to the Mainland.

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