Wally Amos Returns to Cookies with ‘WAMOS’

Nationally renown, Honolulu-based entrepreneur Wally Amos is returning to the business that made him “Famous Amos.” He posted the announcement on Facebook, where he’d accumulated the maximum 5,000 friends, asking them in turn to spread the word.

“I am re-entering cookie business,” Amos wrote. ” I will sell three flavors from my original recipe; chocolate chip, butterscotch chip pecans, [and] chocolate chip pecans.”

Amos launched the “Famous Amos” brand of cookies in 1975, starting with a cookie store in California and growing to find space on supermarket shelves across the country. His name and likeness became so synonymous with success that he found a career in public speaking and authoring books. Amos even appeared as himself in an episode of the ABC sitcom “Taxi” in 1981.

Waikiki Aquarium seeks kids’ YouTube videos

The Waikiki Aquarium has become a partner with Youth on Board, a collaborative project with Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in California and Nausicaa Aquarium in Boulogne, France. The program encourages young people to tell others about the ocean near where they live in a humorous, one-minute video. Videos will be uploaded to the respective aquarium’s YouTube channel for the world to see.

All videos will be entered into a contest and one will be selected at each partner aquarium as the Youth on Board Video of the year. Applications are due on April 20, 2012, with videos being due on May 24, 2012.

“Our oceans are all interconnected and so it’s critical that we not only learn how to care for our own marine life but also learn about the marine life in other parts of the world,” said Aquarium Director Dr. Andrew Rossiter. “The Youth on Board program encourages youth to be inspired to take care of the ocean by learning about the diversity of marine species that call the ocean home. Our hope is that through the video-making process and viewing portion of this contest, the young people of our community will develop a deeply-rooted appreciation for our delicate ocean ecosystem.”

Hawaii students headed to international science fair

Two dozen high school students from Hawaii public, private, and home schools will travel to Pittsburgh next month to represent the Aloha State at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college science competition.

The students took top honors in their respective categories at the 55th Annual Hawaii State Science & Engineering Fair (HSSEF), held April 2-4 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Over 700 students from schools across the state participated in the HSSEF, the oldest and largest science education program in Hawaii and the showcase event of the Hawaii Academy of Science.

The Intel ISEF allows more than 1,500 high school students from 65 countries, regions, and territories to showcase their independent research as they compete for over $4 million annually. This premier global science event will be held May 13-18, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pa., and will give Hawaii students a chance to showcase their efforts, and an opportunity to interact with leading scientists and engineers from around the world.

Kakaako incubator hatches Screenfuse service

A local group of entrepreneurs and developers yesterday unveiled ScreenFuse, an interactive social media display for businesses and special events.

The web-based service creates an attractive, live-updating screen that can show real-time social media activity connected to a store, restaurant, hotel, concert, or conference.

Screenfuse was developed in under a month by Hawaii-based web developer Evan Nagle, digital designer John Garcia, and L.A.-based entrepreneur Mike Prasad. The startup was incubated at The Greenhouse Innovation Hub in Kakaako.

Offshore Fish Farm Receives Key Permit

Hawaii Oceanic Technology, Inc. has been issued permit HI-0028140 in accordance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 342D; and Hawaii Administrative Rules as administered by the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH).

In a letter dated March 30, 2012, the DOH stated that it has “reviewed the (company’s) application for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, and that after consideration of the expressed views of all interested persons and agencies, pertinent Federal and State statutes and rules regarding the discharge, the DOH hereby issues the NPDES permit effective April 30, 2012.”

This comprehensive process took the company more than a year of effort and required a thorough public review and response to comments from the public and several NGOs.

‘Five-0′ Star Hosts Wrap Party at Aloha Tower

Taylor Wily, who plays shave ice entrepreneur Kamekona on CBS’ reboot of “Hawaii Five-0,” is hosting a “Wrap ‘Um” party to close out the second season of the show on Saturday, April 21. The event will feature live music by Fiji, a red carpet with photo ops with Wily and other “exclusive guests,” T-shirts and other swag, and drink and food specials courtesy Gordon Biersch. Discount advance tickets are available online for $25, and admission at the door will cost [...]

City Smartphone Apps Gaining Steam in Honolulu

The City Department of Information Technology (DIT) partnered with local developers to enhance public service by providing key information to campers, bus riders, and those interested in reporting problems to the City and the public is making good use of the new services.

“We are pleased that the public has embraced the City’s newest online services as well as other services such as the NIXLE notification system and our Facebook and Twitter accounts,” said Mayor Peter Carlisle.

The successful online camping registration program allows campers, who formerly had to wait in line for hours—and sometimes days—before camp registration deadlines, to now register online for campsites. More than 1,300 users have already taken advantage of the new registration system.

STEM Week Awards Recognize Hawaii School Excellence

The inaugural STEM Week Awards were given out yesterday, celebrating the achievements of 14 high and middle schools in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). For the first time, diverse fields like VEX Robotics, FIRST Robotics, Science Olympiad, the Hawai‘i State Science & Engineering Fair, and CyberPatriot were recognized in a single awards ceremony. In his keynote address, Senator Daniel K. Inouye recognized the importance of STEM and its contribution to the competitiveness of Hawaii’s students. He reflected on his [...]