The overnight boat from Bombay is jammed with cadaverous natives on their way to an easier life. Some other westerners and I pitch our tents on the deck between gibbering families and betel-nut chewers. The boat goes into the night as gently as a cradle, rocked by warm southern waters and sweet breezes blowing from our destination, but the air of expectancy on board – westerners are no less excited than the natives – makes it almost impossible to sleep.

Before  full sunrise everyone is up, bundling ragged possessions together and crowding around the deck rails. We are there! A golden radiance swells up behind thick palm jungle and spills across splendid empty beaches where waves run gently up and down for sparkling miles. I want to  dive overboard for joy! We are in a tropical paradise: Goa.

We  come ashore at Panjim. I catch a bus to the market town Mapusa and land in the bustling central plaza. It’s a circus! Motorcycles vroom, bicycle bells shrill, rattletrap buses wheeze by, the chants of bus recruiters vie with the cries of little boys hawking their wares. Stalls offer chunks of palm sugar, black with flies, tiny bananas pink as baby fingers, papayas big as watermelons.

Honey bees swarm around fragrant flower necklaces, smiling ladies under fractured umbrellas offer a skirtful of dried mackeral at a bargain. Drunk on exotic sights and smells, I catch the bus to the beach town of  Adjuna.

My  bus reels along a dusty road overhung with starlike blossoms, past blindingly green fields, past stocky little whitewashed missions and stocky pastel houses with molded love seats flanking front doors. At the Adjuna stop I drop out amid browsing goats and a few chickens. Some brown legged children carrying jugs start up the trail to Adjuna, and I follow.

It’s hot and dusty, I  am caked with dust. Then we are in the blessed cool of a palm forest, and suddenly through the trees sunlight glitters on blue water, the sound of flutes and guitars mingles with the cheerful namaste (good morning) of schoolgirls passing by. We are in Adjuna.

For two dollars I buy a beach hut  fully equipped (a kerosene stove, a lantern, a Ganesh poster for prosperity, a biscuit tin for storing food) and join the colony of beach dwellers. Mornings I wake to a girl leading a water buffalo by a string, selling fresh milk, or a boy selling  bottles of watered-down honey, a papaya lady, a coconut lady, a chiki lady. Many things come to my door.

A man dressed as a Hindu Jezebel goes from hut to hut dancing for coins. And dope is rampant. About once a week a nice looking clean-cut guy carrying a burlap sack of ampules of morphine  strolls door to door with his friendly greeting, “Hi. Want some morphine? 25 cents or two rupees an ampule.” The junkies mostly keep to themselves though once in a while a rash of thievery breaks out and you pretty well know who’s to blame.

There  is entertainment aplenty. Westeners make music, read tarot cards, do tattoos, preach, throw impromptu parties with shark stew for everyone and rock music blasting out of human-size  speakers, courtesy of a generator. Wandering home late at night with my coconut shell flashlight in hand (half a coconut shell with a candle stub inside) I stop for a visit with the banana man who fries bananas on the beach till midnight. At times I choose to stay in my little hut, reading by candlelight, or early to bed and to sleep lulled by the muted thunder of the waves, a sound I have come to love.

One day I decide to go exploring. North of Adjuna and Calengute, the favorite beach villages,  lie ten miles of  gorgeous and relatively isolated beach gashed by outcroppings and ending in jungle. I pack my sleeping bag and canteen, shut up the hut, and start walking.

I walk all day, sometimes crossing little rivers that cut into the beach, sometimes passing fishermen drawing in their nets; but mostly it is silent and empty, just me and the sea. Near sundown, approaching a nudist village, I see my first nude westerner. There are only a few dozen. They move quietly between the beach and their secluded village, or disappear  around a little freshwater lake and up into the jungle that swallows the hills behind  the sea.

In the jungle, I am told, some French girls live around a banyan tree. The next day I take the lake trail to find them and am soon hopelessly lost. A dry river bed leads me to a sheer red wall, on either side steep slopes mangled with roots. In a panic, I scramble up  a slope and  meet a tribe of large white monkeys loping along.

They stop and gather around me, and I plunge back down into the river bed. Somehow hours later the riverbed  leads me to the banyan tree where the French girls are indeed living on rice and  tea in primeval nude bliss. I stay the night, and snug in my sleeping bag hear a beast tearing another beast apart in the river bed below. In the morning I carefully follow the trail they show me  and leave the jungle behind.

I never  go  back to the jungle but gladly return to the cheerful noise and confusion of Adjani . Is there anything better than to stand in the doorway of your own little hut  in the cool pre-sunset breeze, sipping a cup of freshly brewed tea and watching the sun slip into the sea? But I’m almost out of money, and the year of my wanderings is over. I sell the hut for the $2  I paid for it, pack, and say my goodbyes. The Goa I am leaving has the friendliest natives, the gentlest sea, the most unspoiled beaches I will ever know. May

Vishnu the Preserver keep it so.

Rebecca Bruns, was a freelancer living in San Francisco, who specialized in the tropics and exotic culture. To find out more about her, visit www.rebeccabruns.net.

What’s more, he said a 20 minute work out on his equipment would provide you with the equivalent of a conventional two hour work out. Suffice it to say, this sounded like fodder for a late night infomercial.

Despite the promises, I could see he was a serious guy and deserved the benefit of the doubt. I listened to his story.

He had been in the medical device business in California, sold his company and retired (at least he thought at the time) to the Big Island. Retirement left him restless and recovering from a bout of arthritis. He had a real incentive to mend his body so he started tinkering and he came up with an exercise machine prototype which eventually became the genesis of his current company, Vasper.

Wasow­ski has a clinic at the Cades Shutte building on Bishop Street that for all practical purposes, looks like a gym. There are rows of exercise machines, stacks of towels, and attendants at the ready. Clients pump away at the machines as they would at any gym but there’s a difference. Each individual is outfitted with something that looks (and feels) like one of those inflatable cuffs that the nurse puts on your arm when she’s taking your blood pressure.

The cuffs surround your biceps and your quads. They also fit you with a similar vest-like device around your chest. These devices put pressure on the muscles and to keep the body temperature down. They are attached to tubes which pump a cooling liquid through the device and in effect act as a radiators chill your body.  Even your feet are cooled on the Vasper machines. Clients take their shoes off and place them on a stainless steel foot rest which is also “refrigerated”.

Why keep the body cool during a workout?

He brought me over to a large TV screen on the wall of the clinic that’s usually reserved for broadcasting basketball games and the like. He explained that the cooling the body and compressing muscles traps the lactic acid in the muscle tissue. Lactic acid is what produces that burning sensation when you exercise heavily. It also stimulates natural growth hormones that according to Wasow­ski, do wondrous things for your body.

The main difference between Wysenski’s clinic and a conventional gym is that individuals are fitted with belts resembling the inflatable cuff that would normally be used to take your blood pressure. These devices, are attached to your biceps, quads and chest act much like radiators to cool your body during the exercise routine. Each belt is connected to a hose running from the wall filled with a cold liquid. Even your feet are cooled. It’s obligatory to take off your shoes and place your bare feet on a stainless steel plate that is also refrigerated.

By keeping putting pressure on the muscles and dropping the temperature the Vasper machine maximizes lactic acid build up.

Following the exercise routine, Wasow­ski has his clients lie down on special cots, also fitted with coolant-infused mattresses, for 15-20 minutes.
I became addicted to it after only a few times. Wasow­ski’s claims, that sounded like late night TV braggadocio, were true at least in my experience.

Wasow­ski is convinced his system is more than just theory. He’s working with Stanford University to improve his product and has an R&D facility in Silicon Valley.

He clients are not simply well heeled Bishop Street executives. Wasow­ski has a Mainland clinic that attends to professional athletes with multimillion dollar contracts and does pro bono work to repair the bodies of injured Navy SEALs and other vets.

In addition to earth-bound clients, NASA has shown a real interest in using some variation of the system for astronauts. After all, it’s a long way to Mars.

Rob Kay has written about technology and life sciences for over 20 years. His columns have appeared in Pacific Business News, the Honolulu Star Bulletin and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 

Six months later, I wondered what became of the HECO guy who was supposed to put in that digital meter. I called HECO and was told that they hadn’t received any documents from the contractor. I followed up with Mr. Solar Guy who said he wouldn’t be able to help me and that I needed to hire someone else to finish the job. He referred me to Mike Tanuvasa, founder of SolarTech Industries, a Honolulu-based PV and solar heating company.

Mike essentially picked up the pieces that the Solar Guy had left on the floor.  

The lesson for the prospective PV customer is that setting up a solar system is much more than simply putting panels on a roof. There are permits that need to be approved by the city and ever changing rules from HECO that need to be followed. You will need somebody that understands the system to help shepherd your project through the bureaucracy.

That’s where a competent, thoughtful contractor such as Mike Tanuvasa, is invaluable. 

The following Q&A with Mike will be instructive to anyone who is interested in putting in a PV system. 

***********************

Q: How do you choose a good contractor? How would check on their credibility?

A: You should always ask your installer to show you a timeline on how they will execute your installation from start to finish. From the pre-construction inspection to the closing of your permits, you should know every step of the way what to expect next. You should also ask your installer what type of warranty and maintenance packages they offer for your photovoltaic system.

Online reviews are a good way to check if a company is credible or not, but it’s always best to have a full understanding of what an installation company is offering before signing up with them. Hawaiian Electric is constantly updating the requirements that are necessary before you can even consider installing a photovoltaic system. Make sure your installation company knows exactly what is required in order to complete this process.

Q: Does it matter what size company you engage with? Wouldn’t a smaller firm not have the overhead and expenses to tack onto your bill?

A: Not necessarily. Smaller companies will usually offer more competitive pricing, but the size of a company shouldn’t be a deciding factor on who to choose. You want to choose a company that is competent in every aspect of your installation. Filing required applications, permitting, workmanship, monitoring, and maintenance of your system should all be considered when choosing an installation company.

Q: How should you prepare your home prior to a PV installation?

A: The integrity of your roof and the capacity of your existing electrical system should be the first thing to check on before considering a photovoltaic system.

Q: When does it makes sense to replace the roof before purchasing the system?

A: Your installation company should do a thorough pre-construction inspection of your roof before installing your system. This will determine whether your roof needs to be replaced. If you want a second opinion, it would be a good idea to have a roofer inspect the integrity of your roof before moving forward with the installation process. If you plan on reroofing your home within the next 7 years, it would make sense to replace your roof before installing a photovoltaic system. Some solar companies charge upwards of $150-$200 per panel to remove and reinstall your system for reroofing.

Q: How do you evaluate the contract? What should be in there to protect you (the consumer).

A: The warranty portion of the contract is very important. You should exactly what is covered in your warranty and for how long. A 5-year warranty on workmanship is an industry standard. Monitoring and maintenance of your system should also be considered. Your contract should also state that all proper permits are pulled before any work is performed on your home.

Q: Given that Net Metering Agreements are no longer available, is the newest solar program worth considering for homeowners?

A: Solar will always be worth it for the homeowner in the long run. The big question now is how many panels will best fit my usage?  To make PV work under the new (CGS) Customer Grid Supply system will mean installing (if needed) a separate solar water heating and a solar air conditioning system in conjunction with your PV panels. With these components, combined with a PV system, the average three bedroom home with a $400/month electricity bill could shave $250 per month. After tax credits and a possible rebate, the whole system will cost you about $9000.

Q: What if you’re not ready for a PV system? Does it makes sense to have a solar water heater?

A: Makes a whole lot of sense. A stand-alone solar heating system will save you 30-40% of your electricity bills.

Q: Will I be totally off the grid with PV?  

A: No, this isn’t possible without a battery system.

Q: Does the PV system work if the grid goes down?

A: The PV system will not work if the grid goes down.

Q: How long should it take to complete a residential PV system from start to approval by HECO for my new meter?

A: There’s no set amount of time it takes for a photovoltaic system to be installed. There are a lot of different factors that contribute to the amount of time it takes. Grid saturation, system size, interconnection program, utility guidelines/requirements, and electrical upgrades will all play a roll in how long it takes to install your photovoltaic system. Understanding this process will make the homeowner’s experience a lot less stressful.

Q: How do you hold them to their schedule/commitment?

If the homeowner is actively involved in the installation process, the installation company will be more likely to meet deadlines and complete the installation in a timely manner.

Q: How do you know your contractor is buying quality gear?

A:  Buying quality equipment does make a difference. You also want to chose a Manufacturer that will be in business to honor your product warrant for the next 25 years. Your installer should have more than one type of panel and inverter for you to choose from. Brands like SolarWorld and Enphase are household names, but there are many more options to choose from depending on your price range.

Q: How do you know that your system is being sized properly? (How large should the inverter be, how many panels etc).

A: Your installer should give you a breakdown on how they calculated your electric bill. Under the CGS system you’ll need an energy audit to come up with the amount panels your system will need.

Q: What about consulting with an engineer even though the county of Honolulu doesn’t require it?

A: This shouldn’t be necessary unless your system is on a commercial building or over 10kW. Instead of consulting an engineer I would suggest consulting a local equipment supplier like R&R Solar Supply or Inter-Island Solar Supply.

Q: What kind of operational manual/documentation should be available to the home owner?

A: Product data sheets for equipment that will be used should be provided to the homeowner. More importantly, customers should be educated on how to use their online monitoring system to track the production of their system.

Q: What kind of regular maintenance should a home owner be prepared to do?

A: Actively monitoring their system will help ensure its production output. Having your installer perform a maintenance inspection on the system every 2 to 4 years will extend the life of your system. Cleaning your solar panels every 1-2 years will also help boost energy output. If your contractor goes out of business who do you call if you need service? Call a company that specializes in photovoltaic maintenance and repair. Choose a company that will actively monitor your system every day of the year and have technicians onsite in a timely manner. You should be able to enjoy all the benefits of solar without any of the headaches.

Q: Can the county provide a full inspection if asked by the homeowner?

A: The City & County will only perform the required inspection after the completion of your installation. Any additional inspections will need to performed by a third party company at the homeowner’s expense. At SolarTech Industries we perform free photovoltaic and solar hot water maintenance inspections to all new customers.

Call it shameless promotion, but I thought it only appropriate to discuss why I took the trouble to write this book.

I had never intended to write a book about how to buy an AK-47. The best laid plans, as everyone knows, are always subject to change. As I shopped around for an AK, I became acutely aware of how different an animal it was from other rifles. Finding good advice on this iconic weapon was hard to come by, which made the task of choosing the right one downright confusing.

That’s why I spoke to some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry—builders such as Marc Krebs, Jim Fuller and Chase Sisgold. I also interviewed bloggers who know the gun inside out—guys like Larry Vickers, Rob Ski, Mrgunsngear and Tim Harmsen, just to name a few. Finally, I spoke to experts who understood the ins and outs of adding third party parts. Guys like Tim Yan (who knows his way around optics) and Graham Baates (who understands muzzle brakes and a whole lot more).

I needed to speak to the pros because of the challenges of determining how to buy the best AK for your own needs.

Whether I was inspecting rifles at a neighborhood dealer or an online auction site, it occurred to me that choosing an AK is a bit like walking through a house of mirrors. Regardless of price, to the untrained eye, they all looked the same.

What I came to discover was that trying to assess the merchandise superficially was an exercise in futility. I found out that you need to know what’s under the hood. Unless you’re intimately familiar with the individual manufacturer and the provenance of the parts, you don’t know what you’re getting.

Even Amazon.com didn’t help my research at all. There were some books on AKs listed, but they were either highly technical or devoted to the history of the rifle. Elsewhere online, objective information was also in short supply. The forums were too esoteric and while there were a few websites with good data, they were few and far between.

A comprehensive AK buyer’s guide simply didn’t exist, so I figured I’d write one.

As a discerning buyer, I needed to understand some basics. These included:

• The differences between a $600, $1200 and a $2000 rifle.
• Which AK manufacturers offer the best bang for the buck.
• Whether to buy online or from a local dealer.
• Whether to buy new or used.
• What type of optic to buy and how to mount it.

So…the purpose of this little book is to provide buyers with answers to these queries and much more. In short, my objective is to de-mystify the process of purchasing an AK.

In addition to the basic questions that revolve around choosing the right gun, How to Buy an AK-47 also offers ideas on customizing your AK with aftermarket parts such as stocks, folders, grips, rails, etc. Many of these suggestions come from my own product reviews but most advice is garnered from professional gunsmiths and trainers—the folks I mentioned at the beginning of this article. The people who design, build and operate Kalashnikov-style rifles for a living.

I believe the book will be valuable to people who both have experience with firearms or complete neophytes.

Rob Kay writes about firearms for Hawaii Reporter and is the author of How to Buy an AK-47.

Photos by Rob Kay.

Questions?  Comments?  Contact us at ontargethawaii@gmail.com