Posts Tagged ‘hawaii’
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
1. Here’s the news of the day:
“Anti-missile systems sent to Guam to counter North Korean threat“
2. Those systems are called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).
3. THAAD was developed using the former USS Tripoli (LPH-10), an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship that’s basically a mini aircraft carrier.
4. The USS Tripoli was based at Pier 80 in Dogpatch as recently as last year and it’s still there right now, for all I know.
That’s the connection.
That’s San Francisco’s contribution to the war effort.
(And, just saying, THAAD could come in handy when dealing with NK’s big buddy China…)
All the deets:
“She was decommissioned in 1995 and as of 2004, she was on loan to the Army, but remained laid up at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. In December 2006, the ship was towed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where it now has a high-tech role as a launch platform with the nation’s developing ballistic missile defense program. Three times the ship was towed some 100 miles off shore and used to launch small ballistic missiles, which are then intercepted by Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Missiles, test-fired from the Pacific Missile Range Facility. The last test in the series was performed 26 October, when the ship fired a “Scud-like” missile, which was successfully intercepted. The ship will be towed back to the San Francisco Bay Area for the winter. Kaua’i lacks a suitable land-based launch site, and the costs of building one would far exceed the approximately $600,000 per year it costs to use the old warship, so the vessel returned to Pearl Harbor for a second series of tests in late spring 2008.[1] As of 16 June 2012 she berthed at Pier 80 in San Francisco, CA.”
From 2008:
Well, look what just got towed in from Hawaii. Fresh from testing of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, San Francisco’s favorite former helicopter carrier, the former U.S.S. Tripoli (LPH-10), had its ups and downs in the Aloha State.
Read all about the post-retirement adventures of the USS Tripoli at Telstar Logistics.
Under the Golden Gate Bridge:
Who knows what the future will be for this old ship. Probably more missile launching.
And from 2010:
Now I could tell you all about the supr sekrt USS Tripoli (LPH-10 (Landing Platform, Helicopter)) but that would be MUY PRO HI BI DA DO (I say that in Spanish because that’s how not allowed it would be).
Suffice to say the old girl has been chilling in the Dogpatch lately, right next to ridiculously hilly Potrero Hill. See?
Click to expand
Where, oh where, will it get towed to next?
What, oh what, will it next launch into the Heav’ns Above?
Courage.
The Trip as seen off of Kauai in the 808 State (or somewhere else in the wide Pacific) during the sum, sum, summertime. Whoosh:
E komo mai. Nou ka hale, USS Tripoli
Tags: 2010, 2013, Ballistic Missile Defense, bmd, bvessel, california, China, chinesese, crisi, Dogpatch, Golden Gate Bridge, guam, hawaii, hawaiian, island, kauai, korean, lph-10, missile, north, north korea, pearl harbor, pier 80, San Francisco, sbx missiles, ship, south, south korea, summer, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, THAAD, tripoli, uss, war, winter
Posted in vessels | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012
Hukilau is gone, long gone. (The City done closed it down for good.)
But in its place at 5 Masonic and Geary at the top of the tunnel and at the top of Mervyn’s Heights comes The Corner Store.
See?
I’ll tell you it was a beehive of activity last night in this otherwise sleepy part of town. And the Yelp Elites are handing out their five-star reviews already.
Now let’s hear about TCS from:
Dana Massey-Todd
The Thrillist
Welcome to the ‘hood, The Corner Store.
Bon Courage!
Tags: 2012, 5 Masonic, bay area, california, corner, Corner Store, Dana Massey-Todd, dept., Elites, five, geary, hawaii, hawaiian, health, Hukilau, masonic, reviews, San Francisco, shut down, star, store, TCS, The Corner Store, Thrillist, yelp, Yelp Elites
Posted in food and drink | 2 Comments »
Sunday, August 5th, 2012
All the deets on the 39th Annual.
As it looked yesterday on Post Street:
Click to expand
Webster Street Stage:
Ho`olaule`a Stage:
See you there!
Tags: 2010, 39tth, 4th, 5th, annual, asian, august, bay area, california, cars, Dance, dancing, families, Festival, food, free, hawaii, hula, japan, japan town, Japanese, japantown, kids, music, nihonmachi, Nihonmachi Street Fair, nihonmatchi, post, San Francisco, street, webster, weekend
Posted in events | No Comments »
Monday, July 16th, 2012
So, Kipahulu: The Seven Pools of O’heo might not be on the agenda. See below.
No judges here. See?
Click to expand
“Judges under fire for Maui conference have history of tropical getaways“
All the deets, ROF (Released on a Friday):
“July 13, 2012 / Ninth Circuit Public Information Office – The Ninth Circuit will reschedule its 2013 Circuit Conference to 2014 in Monterey, California. The postponement responds to the current budget constraints facing the federal judiciary and the federal government in general. The decision was reached earlier this week after consultation with the host hotel in Monterey, the Hyatt Regency.
“We firmly believe in the importance of the Conference in educating the federal bench and bar and in advancing governance of the Circuit. But we also recognize the need to conserve financial resources during the present fiscal crisis,” said Cathy A. Catterson, Circuit and Court of Appeals Executive. “We think this approach will meet both goals.”
The Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference has been held annually since 1944. Conferees include federal judges, lawyers, court staff, academics and government officials. The event provides a rich educational program and the opportunity to hold numerous business meetings.”
And Zumba, always with the Zumba. No matter, all this might be canceled:
“Saturday, August 11
12:00 p.m. – Conference Registration desk opens
Sunday, August 12
5:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Sport Fishing
12:00 p.m. – Golf Tournament
Monday, August 13
9:00 a.m. – Yoga
9:00 a.m. – Surfing Lessons
9:00 a.m. – Stand-up Paddle Board Lessons
12:00 p.m. – Welcome Luncheon & Book Review for Spouses & Guests
2:00 p.m. – Zumba
4:30 p.m. – Opening Program
6:00 p.m. – No-host Cocktail Reception
7:00 p.m. – Maui Dine Around
Tuesday, August 14
9:00 a.m. – Yoga
9:00 a.m. – Surfing Lessons
9:00 a.m. – Stand-up Paddle Board Lessons
1:00 p.m. – Tennis Tournament
2:00 p.m. – Floral Design Workshop (includes flowers & supplies)
7:00 p.m. – District Dinners
Wednesday, August 15
9:00 a.m. – Yoga
9:00 a.m. – Surfing Lessons
9:00 a.m. – Stand-up Paddle Board Lessons
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Day Trip and Tour of Upcountry Maui
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Gemini Catamaran Snorkel Trip (includes gear & lunch)
2:45 p.m. – A special treat! Ice Cream Social
6:00 p.m. – The Aloha Experience
Thursday, August 16
9:00 a.m. – Yoga
9:00 a.m. – Stand-up Paddle Board Lessons”
OMG, TMI TMI!
Aloha.
Tags: 13-16, 2012, 2013, 808, 808 state, 9th, 9th circuit, august, bay area, california, canceled, circuit, conference, federal, gulch, hawaii, island, judges, judicial, junket, lawyers, maui, monterey, O'heo, Pools, Public Information Office, San Francisco, Senator, Staff, state, trip, vacation
Posted in law | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
I don’t know what it costs to stay here, maybe $500 per night? But no matter, you can always just pass through the lobby to check it out the next time you visit the 808 State.
See? It looks different, huh?
Click to expand (Taken with my Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM zoom lens at 400mm before the time it suffered a barrel-bending calamity on Market Street. RIP 1-4.)
So, it’s less pink than before, but still pretty pink. Here’s your view from the tower you can see on the right.
Oh, and then continue your tour by getting some umbrella drinks at the Halekulani Hotel‘s House Without a Key.
Then you’ll truly be kicking it old-school, Hawaiian-style.
Tags: 2012, 808 state, bay area, beach, california, Halekulani, Halekulani Hotel, hawaii, hotel, House Without a Key, lobby, oahu, per night, Pink Palace, Royal Hawaiian, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, San Francisco, waikiki
Posted in travel | No Comments »
Friday, February 17th, 2012
The P&O* Cruises Aurora was just in town up near Fishermans Wharf at Pier 35 South for part of her 2012 World Cruise.
But three of the passengers on this ship got busted for blow, deets here.
Click to expand
*Peninsular and Oriental
Tags: 2012, 2012 World Cruise., Aurora, austrailia, australians, bay area, california, cocaine, cruise, Cruises, Embarcadero, fishermans wharf, hawaii, hawaiian, Hilo, Kirsty Harris, m/v, MV Aurora, new zealand, New Zealander, north point, passengers, pier 35, Pier 35 South, PO, police, port, San Francisco, south, street, sydney, Tony Earl Wilkinson, wharf, World Cruise.
Posted in vessels | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
Well here you go, you’ve already passed through the famous parts of the North Shore of Oahu, but you keep heading west until the semi-paved road turns to this, in Kaena Point State Park:
Click to expand
Here’s the birds-eye view, with the North Shore on the left side of the photo.
Alls that’s left to do is to hop out of your rental and then walk a few miles to go ’round the point by foot, why not?
After all, “Kaʻena Point is the “jumping-off” point for souls leaving this world.”
Put this one on your bucket list:
Kaʻena or Kaena Point is the westernmost tip of land on the island of Oʻahu. The point can be reached by foot from both the West (Waiʻanae Coast) and the East (Mokulēʻia) coastlines; walking in from the north side is recommended. An unimproved track extends some 3 miles (4.8 km) along the coast from the end of the paved road on the north side, where a gate prevents entry of all except authorized vehicles.
On the south side, at Kaʻena State Park, a paved road passes a beach before terminating into an unpaved road. It continues for a few miles, after which the road is washed out, and further travel must be on foot. It is not possible to travel around the point in a vehicle as the route is better described as a “path” in most places, and is lined on one side with a cliff and on the other with basalt rocks which are quite capable of damaging vehicles. The path is completely washed out in one place on the South side of the point and a rope helps hikers traverse the gap.
Aloha!
Tags: 2012, 808 state, bay area, beach, california, cave, Circumnavigating, Circumnavigating Oahu, hawaii, hike], Kaena, Kaena Point, Kaena Point State Park, North Shore, oahu, road, rope, San Francisco
Posted in travel | 1 Comment »
Monday, February 13th, 2012
This monkeypod in Honolulu’s five-star Yelp-rated Moanalua Gardens is quite an “exceptional tree,” don’t you think?
As it looked when I was there, on a slow day:
Click to expand
Check it out, next time you visit The Islands:
“The Hitachi tree, a large monkeypod tree with a distinctive umbrella-shaped canopy, grows in the middle of a grassy area in the middle of the park. The tree is registered as an exceptional tree by the City and County of Honolulu and cannot be removed or destroyed without city council approval.Japanese electronics manufacturer Hitachi, Ltd. has used the tree as a corporate symbol since 1973. An agreement between the Damon Estate and Hitachi gave Hitachi exclusive worldwide rights to use the tree’s image for promotional purposes in exchange for annual payments of US$20,000.”
Tags: 808, 808 state, area code, bay area, california, gardens, hawaii, hawaiian, hitahi tree, honolulu, Moanalua, Moanalua Gardens, monkeypod, oahu, San Francisco, the islands, tree, trip, vacation, yelp
Posted in travel | 3 Comments »
Friday, January 27th, 2012
Tags: 2012, 2012 World Cruise., Aurora, bay area, california, cruise, Cruises, Embarcadero, fishermans wharf, hawaii, hawaiian, Hilo, m/v, MV Aurora, north point, passengers, pier 35, Pier 35 South, PO, port, San Francisco, south, street, wharf, World Cruise.
Posted in vessels | No Comments »
Friday, December 9th, 2011
Well, here it is:
Click to expand
All the deets:
“Mitsubishi Motors Makes First Fleet Delivery of the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) to Bay Area’s City CarShare
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 8, 2011 – Representatives from Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA), along with San Rafael Mitsubishi, conducted the very first fleet delivery of the all-new 100% electric-powered 2012 Mitsubishi i to the California Bay Area’s City CarShare in a special ceremony held at the Green Vehicle Showcase located in front of San Francisco City Hall Plaza on Thursday, December 8 at 9:00 a.m.
City CarShare is a Bay Area nonprofit organization founded in 2001 with the help of several other local nonprofits and the cities of San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland. Their mission is to promote innovative mobility options to improve the environment and the quality of life in the Bay Area. By providing short-term access to cars City CarShare is reducing traffic congestion, parking problems and dependence on oil while promoting cleaner air and quieter streets.
“We are very pleased to introduce the all electric Mitsubishi i into our fleet. This vehicle brings us one step closer toward our goal of having 50% of our fleet run on alternative fuel as part of our mission to decrease carbon emissions in the Bay Area,” said Rick Hutchinson, CEO, City CarShare.
Numerous fleet orders have already been placed for the innovative, environmentally-friendly and fun-to-drive Mitsubishi i by a wide variety of organizations – multinational corporations, municipalities large and small, major utilities and nonprofit organizations – from New York to Hawaii.
“We thank the Bay Area’s City CarShare for being the first fleet recipient of our innovative 100% electric-powered vehicle,” said Yoichi Yokozawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA). “City CarShare’s stated goals are to help promote modes of personal transportation that help improve the environment while reducing noise pollution as well as fossil fuel dependence, so the 2012 Mitsubishi i is the perfect vehicle to help achieve this nonprofit’s ambitious mission.”
The 2012 Mitsubishi i is the first of several new advanced, alternative-fuel production vehicles that the Japanese auto manufacturer plans on bringing to the North American market in the next few years.
For more information about the 2012 Mitsubishi i, please visit media.mitsubishicars.com and i.mitsubishicars.com; for fleet sales information on Mitsubishi’s electric vehicle please log on to mitsubishicars.com/iMiEVfleet.
More information on the Bay Area’s City CarShare can be found at citycarshare.org.
SOURCE Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.”
Tags: 2011, 2012, battery, bay area, Berkeley, bev, california, cars, carshare, CEO, City, City CarShare, City Hall, county, December 8, delivery, electric, fleet, fleet delivery, green, green vehicle showcase, hawaii, i., marin, mitsubishi, Mitsubishi i, Mitsubishi Motors North America, MMNA, new york, nonprofit, Oakland, plaza, powered, president, Rick Hutchinson, San Francisco, san rafael, San Rafael Mitsubishi, Yoichi Yokozawa
Posted in cars | No Comments »
