"Getting leid, ain't like it use to be..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #98)

James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer
 and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
with his best friend and spiritual adviser Obama Da Dog!
Rosen's cousin Sue recently visited Kaua'i on the cruise ship
'Pride of America' as seen in the background of the above photo.
Shot by my awesome friend Rick Comstock.(Rikster)

Kimo's world #98

Getting leid, ain't like it use to be

First time getting leid!

A few short years ago one could get leid in Hawai'i for approximately $5.00--for a simple plumeria lei. They sold at many  grocery stores and flower shops.

My cousin Sue was recently visiting  Kaua'i on the 'Pride of America' cruise ship and we were scheduled to spend a day hanging out and talking story.

Cousin Sue really enjoyed the weather
station at the Kauai Marriott

The day before she came I went to Safeway to purchase a nice plumeria lei.  You guessed it, they had no plumeria leis and said they don't handle them anymore since they cannot find a local supplier or person who can make enough leis to supply them.

The least inexpensive Lei was $18.00 and it was wilted. I asked the girl behind the counter,"why is getting leid so expensive?" 

She told me all the leis come form the Big island and the freight alone on Hawai'ian airlines is outrageous. Therefore the majority of the cost is local freight. The cost of freight on these flower leis is just as outrageous as inter-island airfare prices, however that is a topic for another time.

I found it  beyond belief that a dozen red roses could be purchased for $12.00, however a simple Hawai'ian wilted flower lei was minimum $18.00, up to $50.00.

I proceeded to tell  the girl it was highway robbery. I decided on my  way home to pick a bag of yellow wild flowers along a trail I walk everyday.  I proceeded to go home watch TV and string a lei using dental floss and wild flowers. It looked better than the expensive supermarket leis and I had enough flowers left over o make a small lei for my best friend,Obama.

Cousin Sue and Obama Da Dog
with matching hand made leis

 It's the principle of paying $18.00 for a lei that should cost much less, not that our friends and relatives aren't worth it. It's just a matter of principle. Cousin Sue was  more happy with a hand made lei anyway...

Do it yourself and getting leid is not only inexpensive but gives you and the person receiving the lei a sense of accomplishment, artistic license and pride.

This meme was used on Facebook
to promote this blog!

Sue was happy and proceeded on her journey with the 'Pride of America' cruise ship wearing a lei of pride.

You've heard of kissing cousins?
Figure out the joke!  ;-)

This person is wearing
 a plumeria lei

Epilogue;
I  went to  Costco 3 days later and found the best deal for leis on the Island. Two plumeria leis for $9.49.
The moral of this story, always check Costco first--unless you make it yourself!

P.S.
I fact checked this folks, it's true! I am now more  proud than ever to be an American.   My Atheists friends in particular should love this story...  (Oklahoma 'Pastafarian' wears spaghetti strainer on head for driver's license picture...) 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/okla-woman-wears-spaghetti-strainer-driver-license-photo-article-1.1933118
God bless Paris!
Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook...