Up And Down In Dubai

Dubai has been known as the world's richest city in past decades, mainly because of its abundant oil and gold resources. However, a recent project of building man-made islands off its coast known as "The World", fell short on funding as a result of the city's recent economic downturn. The crisis comes as a result of Dubai's real estate market crashing by 50 percent. Dubai's government recently received two bailouts from neighboring city Abu Dhabi at a combined price of 25 billion dollars-money that is supposed to help pay back the loan taken out to finish the semi-built utopia.


Dubai World, the corporation that is planning the project feels some relief that the cash injection will help offset their enormous debt. Although pay back seems to be increasingly difficult as the remaining 75 billion dollar balance due continues to weigh the Emirates government down. The crisis caused all major construction projects to halt, yet they are insisting on building Burj Dubai, the world's largest tower.

The plan for Burj Dubai was revealed in January by the company Emaar. The announcement is creating skepticism among critics who feel it will only add to Dubai's increasing debt. In opposition, the Dubai government claims its sole purpose of erecting such an enormous building is for stimulating the local economy. Ten percent of units are already sold nearly six years before its official grand opening. This gives the city hope that more wealthy people will want to purchase space in the extravagant, 160 story tower. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, is proud of the Burj Dubai and what its construction will do for their long-term economy. He will hold a special celebration the day it opens.

Dubai's newly opened Metro Network, a driver-less rail system, is another potential sign of the city's re-emerging economy. The Metro is already becoming a success as millions of tourists and work force commuters utilize the world's most advanced transit system on a daily basis.

Despite skepticism of the The World's future island construction, high hopes of the Burj Dubai and the Metro Network, many now feel that the previously wealthy city has lost its reputation because of its financial bailout and their incessant need to keep blindly creating unrealistic projects without money to back it. Only time will tell what the economic outcome of Dubai will be.


http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/01/03/dubai.worlds.tallest.ft/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8462218.stm

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/dubai-metro/

photo courtesy of morguefile.com/Khalednj

D.O.E. All Spent

Due to limited funds within the Department of Education, the institution canceled after school tutoring, made less hours for Professional Part Time Teachers, and started furlough Fridays. In the past, DOE implemented school programs such as early morning care and A+ to assist local residents in before and after school child care. However, this year alone has seen the most furlough days and budget cuts the state has ever seen. Hawaii ranked 48 out of 50 states in student achievement scores, ultimately revealing that public school education may not be a top priority in Hawaii.

After Governor Lingle issued the budget cuts of nearly 500 million dollars, results have been increasing furlough days and school consolidations. These are only some of the threatening realities Hawaii's education system is currently facing. The majority of non-certified teachers are the first to be let go as they are easily replaced. Therefore Part-time Teachers (Hawaiian, Music, Art, PE etc,) face the second wave of cuts.

Federal funding for Special Education Services are still going strong by keeping their recommended minutes such as physical, occupational and speech therapy. Parents also receive training on how to cope with DOE administration’s inconsistencies such as misappropriation of funds and school days lost from budget cuts. My roommate is currently on Department Directed Leave with pay till the end of the school year due to a minor allegation. His main concern is how can they afford to pay a substitute teacher AND him when the state is facing tough economic times? What about the children? This example shows a glitch in the education system and improper procedures at the state level.

http://doe.k12.hi.us/news/furlough/index.htm

Good Vibes to Playing Dives

It is not that often I get to play REALLY GOOD MUSIC with more than a few like-minded individuals. Last week, some friends and I collaborated at Vibe Asylum, a recording and rehearsal studio off Ward Avenue. It is the best public studio on the island because each room is fully stocked with top-of-the-line musical equipment and ice cold air conditioning. For a drummer like myself, the latter makes a world of a difference! Tracy gave great customer service too by loaning out pairs of drum sticks and allowing drinks inside the room. Thanks Trace!

The jam comprised of Girish (gear-ish) on psychedelic guitar, HPU Ian on thumping bass, Joey Zeez on drums, old man Neil on the fluttering sax, and Dizzy Darren on keyboards. All of us were equally as hyped to play because we knew it was going to sound amazing, and it did! The mixer levels were perfectly preset, so my friends plugged right in as I threw down some funky drum breaks. We blended Reggae, Blues, Funk, Soul and Hip Hop with each of our own diverse improvisational styles. It sounded better and better till we finally tore the roof off!

My mission was to record the jam on my friend's MacBook but was not working with the PA and mixer. I was only able to record a few songs on my phone, therefore only crappy sounding versions exist. It is okay because I knew we would meet again soon...

A week later on May 8th, we had a chance to play inside Bar 35. Everyone was stoked again, but this time I was exhausted from school, printing, and selling at First Friday the day before. Despite my condition, we constructed some good improvisational jams to the soulful singing of Capp on the microphone, whose vocals complemented our overall sound very nicely (Capp performed with Mykah 9, featured on my Jazz Minds and Rhymes blog).

After jamming for an hour straight, my limbs started tensing up. I was determined to finish strong so I clenched my hands tight until that last chord struck. Then wow! I was spent, and could not imagine trying to carry the drums back up four floors.

For compensation they gave us gift certificates in which we used immediately on pizza and beer! Whew!It was all down hill from there.

Into the Scene

Katie Whitman is the brainchild behind the 808 Scene Zine, a free publication that supports underground music and all art forms. The idea for it came after Whitman started writing reviews of local bands she saw on Myspace. Each band contacted her shortly after because they were ecstatic someone was writing about them. Their appreciation for Whitman's reviews motivated her to expand the idea of a website into a zine, or mini-magazine, where people could find information on the expanding underground movement.

The publication showcases all music styles along with tattoos, album and show reviews, artist bios, and other material pertaining to the culture. Whitman claims "I've always wanted the publication to be all inclusive of all styles of music, while focusing on those styles that get very little press or attention elsewhere in Hawaii's media." Katie knows the city's crevices are exploding with diversity and expression yet feels there are too many oblivious of it. Therefore her goal is to inform the masses while simultaneously having an outlet for talent to gain exposure.

Her previous experience of putting together a show for HD Radio Free Hawaii inspires her to take the zine in a different direction. She would like to have the online version include a streaming radio show of local bands. The focus on other entertainment such as comedy performances at the Laughtrack Theatre and independent films add to where Whitman sees the 808 Scene Zine headed.

Artists covered in the zine are oftentimes those who approach Whitman about the exposure. She added "There are a lot of bands out there and it's difficult to know them all. It's a great help when people contact us about being interviewed in the zine". Here Whitman proves she is a supporter of all who reciprocate the love for the underground scene.

After four years at the controls, Whitman recently handed over the publication to a few individuals she says "have similar visions for the zine in the future". She highly anticipates what these new visionaries have planned. Whitman proudly mentioned that her exposure to the island's enormous amount of talented and dedicated artists who follow their passion molded her "transformative experience" at the zine.

The 808 Scene Zine's past, present, and future contributions are helping shape the art renaissance. It continues to inspire artists and enthusiasts alike to do-it-yourself. Only a handful of active participants in Oahu's underground art scene really make it thrive, and Katie Whitman is one of them. Thanks Katie!!!!

http://www.the808scenezine.com/

Fun, Inside and Out.

Kokua Fest is one of the biggest concert events of the year. The earthy, eclectic people of Hawaii come together at the Waikiki Shell to enjoy mellow sounds of such performers as Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley and Paula Fuga. This year, there were back-to-back shows on Friday and Saturday, possibly to make up for the festival's hiatus last year.

I remembered from past Kokua Fests that a very large number of fans congregate at Kapiolani park to listen from outside the Shell. I also remembered those fans were my JoZo!Prints target audience. At dusk, I walked with friends to the park and got ready for a live social networking frenzy.

What a turnout! By merely taking a stroll in the park, I sold 9 shirts and made some good contacts! I also threw a couple out to people that embraced my mission but had no funds. Some bought prints for sustainability support while others who were intoxicated flung ten bucks at me. Maybe it was my friend's bag that said "Feed the children of the world". Some girl insisted I sell the shirt off my back! I ended up walking home wearing a tight female shirt. I was most definitely going back on Saturday.

Saturday was a lot more calm; big family barbecues, lovers frolicking, and fans hungover from the previous night-like Joey Zeez. I took my chances with the not-as-enthused crowd anyway. It proved to be alright by selling 6 more shirts. Grand total for selling outside Kokua Fest-$150.

Not bad for just hanging in the park.

Just Like That

After a little over a year of selling high-end lighting to snooty customers with deep pockets, I was asked on the spot to leave the Honolulu Design Center. "No problem!" I exclaimed. It is surprising they kept me there as long as they did. Their reason for termination was the company's downward spiral of sales and the waning economy. I always questioned how they would make a profit with an over-stocked, outrageously plush, 50 million dollar building to account for and maintain. It was pointless why they hired me seeming only a handful of customers would come in a day on average. Business would be so slow it got me through many classes until they cracked down on employee Internet use. I will only miss the sound system I wrote about. There were no hard feelings in the end, though it's ironic it occurred on such an already eventful day in history (4/20); Hitler's birthday, Columbine massacre, National Marijuana Day, Guru's death (today), and now, getting canned in 2010. Every 4/20 gets crazier and crazier.

Captain Barney