Program 384: Oklahoma City; Honolulu; A Blue Mind

Release Date: 11-08-2014

On-Air Description

On the next Travel with Rick Steves, we hear how recent upgrades to Oklahoma City have helped to make it into a "big league city."  And we'll hear what people are talking about in Honolulu, and how a trip to Hawaii is enhanced by exploring the cultural opportunities in its capital city.

Plus, author Wallace J. Nichols explains how being near the water really can have a psychological benefit on your state of mind, even if it just means taking a relaxing bath once in a while. 

Find an escape as you explore the world, near and far, each week on Travel with Rick Steves.

Guests

  • Travel writer Robert Reid
  • Don Wallace, author of "The French House" (Sourcebooks)
  • Wallace J. Nichols, author of "Blue Mind" (Little, Brown)

Related Links

Callers

  • "It seems almost cost prohibitive to rent a car on Oahu due to the expensive parking rates in Waikiki. However, public transportation to see other parts of Oahu, like Ko Olina on the Leeward Side have been limited. Will the new rail system make it much easier for visitors to get by without renting a car?"  (Scott in Reno, Nevada)
  • "I am thinking to move to Honolulu in the near future from Utah.  One of my concerns is the high cost in Hawaii."  (Keiko in Salt Lake City)
  • In Program Extra:  Caller seeks a recommendation on the best udon and ramen noodle restaurant in Honolulu.   (Charles in Naperville, Illinois)
  • "I grew up about one mile from the Atlantic Ocean in Lynn, Massachusetts, and now at age 72 I live six miles from the Pacific Ocean in Santa Clara, California. Still, it feels far from the blue. I don’t drive so that adds to it.  Help!"   (Bill in Santa Clara, California)
  • "Is there a difference in effect between salt and fresh water on human wellbeing?  Is water temperature a factor?"   (Katherine in Cambridge, Ontario)

Incidental Music

  • Electribe 101, “Talking with Myself,” Café del Mar, vol. 5 (collection) / Geffen 
  • King Cole Trio, “Route 66,” The World of Nat King Cole / Capitol - EMI
  • Intro to The Flaming Lips, "Do You Realize?," Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots / Warner Bros.
  • Spade Cooley, "Oklahoma Stomp," King of Western Swing, vol. 5 (anthology) / Soundies
  • Medicine Dream, "Medicine Dream," Identity / (self-released)
  • Nelson Riddle Orchestra, “Theme to ‘Route 66’,” Ultra-Lounge (collection) / Capitol
  • * Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, "Osage Stomp,"  The King of Western Swing / K-Tel
  • Dennis Kamakahi, "Ulili E," The Rough Guide to the Music of Hawaii (collection) / Rough Guides
  • Les Baxter's Drums, "Mood Tattooed,"  Cocktail Mix, vol. 1 (collection) / Rhino
  • Moonalice, "Coconut Wireless"  Dave's Way, vol. 7 / A Minor Label
  • Galliard String Quartet, "By and By, Ho'i Mai Oe,"  Songs of Liliuokalani / Wa Nui
  • Beamer Brothers, “Ka Poni Slack Key,” Honolulu City Lights / Paradise Productions (1987)
  • Carpenters, "Honolulu City Lights," Lovelines / Polydor
  • Closing motif from Alfred Aholo Apaka, "Na Moku Eha," The Rough Guide to the Music of Hawaii (collection) / Rough Guides
  • * Robi Kahakalau, family and friends, "Kohala March," Sistah Robi / Kanai'a
  • Nancy Allen, harp, Tokyo String Quartet, "Introduction and Allegro (Ravel)," The Music of Ravel and Debussy / Angel Records
  • Baka Forest People, "Water Drums I," The Big Bang (collection) / Ellipsis Arts
  • Sound recordist Gordon Hemption, "Ocean Beach Ebb and Flow," Earth Sounds Sampler / Miramar
  • Ruth Laredo, "Etudes-Tableaux for piano, op. 33 No. 8 in C sharp minor (Rachmaninov),"  Rachmaninov Etudes-Tableaux:  The Complete Solo Piano Music No. 5  / Sony Classical
  • Henri Salvador, "A Room with a View," Authenticity /   Blue Note
  • Susannah McCorkle, "The Waters of March," Shades of Jobim (collection) / Concord Records

Dated References

  • This week's segment A interview talks about recent improvements to the urban core of Oklahoma City.  Segment B talks about recent changes and issues in Honolulu.
  • At 8:08, Robert says that Oklahoma City has passed sales taxes in the past 20 years that have funded improvements to make the city center more vibrant, and have gained popular support, so that Tulsa is now following their example.  He mentions a new history museum and North Canadian River improvements as examples, and revitalization of a half dozen neighborhoods in the city center.  
  • In talking about having the largest per-capita Native American population, at 13:41, Robert notes that there is talk of creating a Native American museum in Oklahoma City.  He adds the largest pow wow, Red Earth, is in the summer. 
  • Rick says, at 17:08, that the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team "are doing well."
  • At 17:16, Robert says the largest amount of surviving miles of the old US Route 66 is in Oklahoma.
  • At 20:30, Don says the incumbent governor was thrown out in a recent election as a response to developers building more high rises in Honolulu, which he adds are often built as financial hedges for investors from China.  Construction has closed streets in busy neighborhoods. 
  • Don notes at 30:00 that a light rail system for Honolulu's urban core is scheduled to open in 2020, but won't go to either Waikiki or the airport.
  • At 31:24, Don mentions recent studies that indicate Honolulu has the greatest disparity in incomes in America, and quotes rents for a simple place outside the city running at more than $2000 a month. 
  • Don notes at 33:57 that the biggest surf on the North Shore is found in February through March or April, and starts in late November.  At 35:05, he exhorts people to visit Hawaii in the summertime with their children, and cautions that December weather can include heavy "pineapple express" rainstorms, especially in "El Niño" seasons.
  • At 36:10, Don mentions that Cyril Pahinui performs in Waikiki. 
  • At 37:17 he recommends brunch at the Koko Head Café at 12th Avenue and Waialae in Kaimuki.  
  • At 44:48, guest J. Nichols says the most popular sleep aid sound effect apps are of water and ocean sounds. 
  • Caller Bill and J. refer to the "extreme drought" conditions in California, starting at 48:36.
  • Rick says at 49:30 that you can readily find a water soundtrack on Spotify. 
  • J. calls Dr. Paul Piff at U. C. Berkeley "Doctor Awesome" for his work in psychology and social behavior.  (He's now associated with U. C. Irvine).

Program Extras

More with Don Wallace - Don Wallace gives a caller from suburban Chicago tips on two of the best ramen noodle restaurants in Honolulu.