Monday, October 18, 1999

Tapa



Stars are being worn as jewelry to
support the Star-Bulletin.



Five-pointed star
full of symbolism

By Burl Burlingame
Star-Bulletin

Tapa

Gold-star jewelry and pins are being worn around town as symbols of support for the threatened Honolulu Star-Bulletin. This makes us wonder about old motives. Where does the star come from in Star-Bulletin?

Wat Dat? Blame the Greeks. The five-pointed star has been a mystic symbol since ancient times, and was used by the followers of mathematician Pythagoras as a sign of health and knowledge. In the Middle Ages, it was a charm to keep away the devil, and was often drawn above a doorway or window.

Also known as the pentagram, Medieval Freemasons considered it a symbol of great wisdom, and trace its origins to astronomical observations of Venus' conjunctions with the sun.

Pythagoreans attributed certain numbers and geometric forms with heavenly qualities. The five-pointed star -- called "Solomon's Seal" by the ancient Jews -- fit the bill, being a recognizable symbol that could be drawn without lifting pen from paper, and also representing a prime number, as well as being the sum of prime numbers 2 and 3, and prime numbers 1 plus 2 plus 2. Christ had five wounds, and distributed five loaves to 5,000 people.

The top point of the star represents the human head or mind, and therefore the human spirit. But if you turn it upside down, you're placing spirit at the bottom, placing body over brain. The upside-down pentagram has become a symbol of uncool satanists.

The guys who founded the United States were hard-core Masons, and loved such symbolism. They sprinkled American democratic icons with five-pointed stars, such as in the flag, representing not just the union of the states, but the brotherhood of man.

The Honolulu Star, founded a few weeks after the monarchy was overthrown, was established to encourage disenfranchised Hawaiians to swing toward the United States. "Star" was chosen because it was a symbol of American democratic ideals.

The editorial in the first issue stated: "The STAR, as an annexationist journal, bids the natives of these islands be of cheer. Under the broad folds of the American flag there is no room for distinctions of race and color at the ballot box."


WatDat tries to explain those things we see that seem
inexplicable. Curious about something? E-mail us at features@starbulletin.com


Saxophone magic

Saxophonist Todd Yukumoto will demonstrate his versatility in a 7:30 p.m. Friday concert by the University of Hawaii's Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra.

With the orchestra Yukumoto will perform an arrangement of the Concerto for Oboe and Strings, by Paul Cimarosa. With the wind ensemble he'll perform a tribute to Rudy Wiedoeft, a sax virtuoso of the 1920's.

In addition, the orchestra will play a suite from "Star Wars," and the wind ensemble will perform several pieces for band by Persichetti, Milhaud and others.

Tickets to the concert at the McKinley High School auditorium are $8; $4 for students and seniors. Call 956-7786.


Hokule'a special airs

A half-hour special, "Daring to Dream: Hokule'a's Quest for Rapa Nui," will air at 5 p.m. today on KGMB/CBS.

The report will detail the voyage of the double-hulled canoe Hokule'a to Rapa Nui using traditional Polynesian navigational methods. It will feature interviews with the crew, comments on the importance of the journey from Rapa Nui residents, information on the history and culture of Rapa Nui, and coverage of the preparation for the canoe's arrival.

The special will be hosted by news anchor Kim Gennaula.

LOOKING FOR A BOOK?

When Tusitala Bookshop closed down, Oahu lost one of its most famous bookstores.

The Kohala Book Shop is now trying to fill the used and rare books niche on the Big Island. The owners of the Kohala store bought Tusitala's inventory and opened Oct. 16 at Nanbu Hotel in Kapaau.

The shop stocks more than 20,000 books, some of them rare or first editions, as well as historic prints, maps and engravings. It also has 2,000 publications available online through Advance Book Exchange. Owner Frank Morgan said he expect to have 15,000 listings online in two months. The store also offers a search service for out-of-print books.

Call (808) 889-6400, or email kohalabk@gte.net.


Radio Log

Tapa

KONG 570-AM / 93.5 FM: Adult contemporary rock with some Hawaiian music
KSSK 590-AM / 92.3-FM: Adult contemporary music
KHNR 650-AM: All news
KQMQ 690-AM / 93.1-FM: Contemporary hits
KGU 760-AM: Sports radio
KHVH 830-AM: News, talk, traffic, weather
KAIM 870-AM / 95.5-FM: Christian music and teaching
KJPN 940-AM: Japanese-language news, adult contemporary music and talk shows
KIKI 990-AM / 93.9-FM: Contemporary country AM; contemporary hits FM
KLHT 1040-AM: Christian radio
KWAI 1080-AM: Talk radio
KZOO 1210-AM: Japanese-language, broadcasts from Japan
KNDI 1270-AM: Live news and programs from the Philippines in 10 languages
KIFO 1380-AM: News, public affairs
KCCN 1420-AM / 100.3-FM: All talk / UH sports AM; contemporary island hits, FM
KUMU 1500-AM / 94.7-FM: Adult standards, AM; light favorites, FM
KHPR 88.1-FM: Classical, news, public affairs
KIPO 89.3-FM: Jazz, classical, news
KTUH 90.3-FM: Jazz, blues, Hawaiian, rock, country and alternative
KKUA 90.7-FM: Classical, news and public affairs
KKCR 90.9 / 91.9-FM: Hawaiian music, midnight-3 p.m.; and rock, reggae, classical and new age
KRTR 96.3-FM: Adult contemporary music and news
KPOI 97.5-FM: Modern rock
KKLV 98.5-FM: Classic rock
KORL 99.5-FM: Adult contemporary
STAR 101.9-FM: Modern hits
KKHN 102.7-FM: Country
KXME 104.3-FM: Top 40
KINE 105.1-FM:
KGMZ 107.9-FM: Oldies



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