Nat’l Mentoring Month Day 7 of 2008 358 days left in this year

HAWAIIAN PROVERB OF THE DAY —

WEB SURF SPOT OF THE WEEK — Think Green Hawaii
WEB VIDEO OF THE WEEK — Uncle Jay Explains 2008
NETCAST OF THE WEEK — Slate’s Podcasts
GOOD DEED SITE OF THE WEEK — Maui Food Bank

YESTERDAY: 1.2-Megawatt Lanai Solar Farm is Dedicated. The island is now home to the state’s largest single-site solar farm, La Ola Solar Farm, built on 10 acres former pineapple land. A project of Castle & Cooke Hawai’i and SunPower Corp, it can supply up to one-third of Lanai’s peak electrical needs. More >

January 7, 1873: William Lunalilo is elected King of Hawaii by the legislature after overwhelmingly winning the popular vote. It was actually a part of the Kingdom’s constitution that if a ruler died without naming an heir (in this case King Kamehameha V had died) then the legislature would have to appoint a king. Much like our election system today, any “high chief” could announce his candidacy, run for office of King, and be elected supreme ruler of all Hawaii. Lunalilo, unlike his more conservative opponent, David Kalakaua, wanted to reform the Hawaiian government and amend the constitution to make it more democratic.

He ruled only until 1874, a little over a year, before he died of tuberculosis at the age of 39, leaving his estate to needy Hawaiians. Some believe he was poisoned due to his efforts to reform the Hawaiian government. Because Lunalilo’s popularity was so great, and because he became king through a democratic process, he became known as “The People’s King.” Upon Lunalilo’s death, David Kalakaua gained the throne, becoming the last monarch to rule Hawaii.

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