www.thegardenisland.com

Monk Seal and Me...

Search This Blog

Monday, December 21, 2015

"Who is Lester Lopes..?" 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #104)

James Kimo Rosen is the Blogger-n-chief
of dakinetalk blog and lives on the cosmic
island of Kaua'i with his spiritual advisor
Obama Da Dog!  

Who is Lester Lopes?


Editor's note;
This blog also appeared as an opinion article in the Christmas 2015 edition of The Garden Island News!
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-dec/article_48cdcaaf-4b0b-5719-b4c8-ed35b0f9a60e.html

I go to Kapaa Burger King 3-5 times a week to get a diet coke,and one of those times I will treat myself to french fries and use the free WiFi and just relax. I find it one of the most inviting places on the cosmic Garden isle.

They have an area of which I refer to as the 'VIP lounge,' there are four large easy type chairs and a couple small tables located away from the main seating area.


This area is highly attractive to the homeless, maybe that's why I like it, after all, I too was house-less for 7 years.

There was this  man named 'Lester' that hung out there on a daily basis. I would talk story with Lester and he always had something to say about everything, usually negative.

Lester had disability for something from the VA and said  he could afford  a  $500-600 a month to rent a room. I told him check Craigslist. He doesn't know how to use the computer and had to much anxiety to ask the librarian for assistance on the free computers.


I started printing out Craigslist rooms for rent,  he would call but the room was always taken, so he said?

The last time I saw Lester, he  did not look good and was complaining he was tired. I said do you want me to call 911 for you? "No!" I said you need to check into Mahelona, (the closest hospital.) He had a negative excuse, "you can't just check into a hospital," he said.
My friend 'Lester' at Burger King
 3 days before he passed away.


I said, brah, you don't look good. I gave him a few coupons I had for a free french fry  and ice cream.  I  was looking for a cop on the way home to tell  them they should check on this guy, I never found the cop.  

I did find on the front page of the Garden Island news on Tuesday December 8, 2015, that a 62 year old homeless man was found dead in front of a business he slept at.
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/body-found-in-kapaa/article_1c4a0906-9d6f-11e5-a627-4750d068739d.html

That man was Lester. I wish I could had done more, it was so obvious this man was in need.


I am not a trained professional, this man was highly visible in the public eye--if only myself or someone else had stepped up. I am starting to think what Lester really needed was a friend.

I am going to try and step up and make someone in need my friend. I cannot bring back Lester, but I can shed a tear, hoping he knew somebody cared.

  Lesson learned;
All of us need to step up and make someone in need our friend. Many times they don't want money or food , just someone to talk to, who will will listen and care.
This meme was published on Facebook
to help promote this blog!

Editor's note,
Lester's name was officially released after contacting the next of kin;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/kapaa-body-identified/article_be61452c-be7b-5407-a2c5-45a4014e4493.html

James "Kimo" Rosen ~ 1976~ Santa Barbara~
Photo courtesy of  John Franssen
P.S.
Editors note, The photos below were created with photos I took on an iPhone using an app called PIP!


Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook