"Cost-U-less, more than a store..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #227) (Special midweek edition)

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 Ivanka-Obama Da Dog!

-Blog #1980~Kimo's world's #227-Special midweek edition-

This blog also appeared as an opinion column in the Kaua'i 
Garden Island news on Monday  02-19-18.
http://www.thegardenisland.com/2018/02/19/opinion/cost-u-less-more-than-a-store/

Cost-U-less, more than a store

When I walked into Cost-U-less on Wednesday February 7th one of my favorite neighborhood stores ,I was greeted with the normal smiles and hello Kimo, howszit?  Great, How bout you?   Always friendly greetings and the employees

 know  most the  people who shop there on a first name basis and even if they don't know you  they will afford you a friendly head nod.

I was at the checkout and the  supervisor on duty, Beth exchanged a little talk story, she then told me she had some news for me. I always get paranoid when people say that, Oy, what did I do now?   Beth proceeded to tell me Cost-U-Less would be closing for good on March 31st.  I said ,your joking, right?   She shook her head, no.   My heart sank.  I asked if it was OK to tell others.  I did tell many people. I posted on Facebook and to date it was my most popular thread ever with over 400 likes, 300 shares, and 200 comments. All comments displaying disbelief, concerns and Oh no's!

Cost-U-less is my favorite Kapaa store. I buy most my produce there , in fact, the local produce there is most times  less expensive than the farmers market.

Back in 2010 I bought a new couch and easy chair from Cost-U-Less. I asked the manager, Diane if they deliver, she said they don't deliver but for you Kimo, my boyfriend and I will deliver to you , no charge.   They not only

delivered the discounted furniture but did all the heavy  lifting since I have a bad spine and not only that it was such a tight fit it took over an hour of twisting and turning to get that couch into my place.  I offered Diane and Keala Kai a tip for the delivery, I tried forcing money on them, They would not accept anything. They just said to pay it forward.   Where do you find this kind of Aloha in this day in age?

The Cost-U-Less Ohana, I say Ohana since they are more than a store will be sorely missed.

To Cost-U-Less management, If there is anything at all as a community that can be done please let the community know? Is there any amount of money that would keep the store stay open?   50-K, 100-K? Maybe the community could set up a Go-Fund-Me page and buy Cost-U-Less a year to  come around?  Let  me know, I will organize the drive.  Just wishing and praying for a last minute  miracle. We need you guys. 

Hana Hou, (Encore)

Some of the comments from my Facebook post about the closing of Cost-U-less

James Kimo Rosen is with Mel Rapozo and 8 others at Cost U Less Kauai.

February 7 at 4:56pm · Kapaa · 

Bad news for Kauai peeps, I was at Cost-U-Less in Kapaa today and they told me their last day of business is March 31st. I said your joking, they said, for real. Don’t know if our Mayor or local county council can contact their corporate office and plead for them to stay open, lots of tax revenue there!—-or maybe somebody whose good at petition writing can organize a petition drive to keep Cost- U-Less open!

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Francine Grace I used to love shopping there, when I lived in Kapaa & even though we’re there on School Days; that traffic sucks. So I take any alternate route possible (bypass, scenic route) & when I pass by in the mornings, they aren’t open yet. 
It’s been several months since we shopped there...

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James Kimo Rosen I buy most of my produce there, cheaper than farmers market and much of it is local.

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Francine Grace Yes, I hardly go to the Farmers Markets anymore. Occasionally, I’ll drop in to the one in front of the County Building. Thinking it’s not Costco bought stuff, like most of the other ones. Otherwise, it’s Times, Kapaa Big Save or Foodland for Produce. ...See More

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Nalani Kaneakua · 28 mutual friends

I love this store 😔 they are like family 🙏🏽 They get the best organic products n prices...so so bummed 🙁

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Louise Sausen · 15 mutual friends

Me too 😔

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Kainani Kahaunaele Oh no!

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Kanani Cremer Kawamura · 12 mutual friends

What omg 😡

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Suzanna Kennedy No. Please stay.

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Shilo Pa · Friends with Arryl Kaneshiro and 39 others

What???

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LisaanPauly Kuwamura · 7 mutual friends

Trisha Inanod-Lizama

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Shan Rego · Friends with Rollin Simao and 6 others

What!!!! Oh no that was my store to go to when i was in the kapaa area. Ugh

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Mark Gregory · Friends with Tracy Davidson and 30 others

Every time I go there, not too many people are in the store. They can’t be making much money and that’s probably why they are closing. A petition won’t keep them open, getting more people to shop there might do it.

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Ilima Lotu-Kinney · 40 mutual friends

Sad.

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Barbara Wiedner · 34 mutual friends

Bummer

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Noreen Ohai-Daniels · 15 mutual friends

Sad. I love that store.

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Mel Rapozo Thanks for the info. Wasn't aware that they were closing. Sad news.

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James Kimo Rosen Mel, I spoke with two of the employees, they were devastated. I told them I would try and get people to email their corporate office explaining the importance of the store? Maybe coming from a Mayoral candidate and county chair might help! 👍

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Mel Rapozo I'll definitely look into this further. Not sure why they are closing but I will check into it.

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Chevelle Montalbo · 2 mutual friends

Sandra Andrade Hornbeak

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Alison N Derek Watanabe · 2 mutual friends

Noooooo.... 😔😔

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Janine Vidinha · 7 mutual friends

Woooow...crazy!

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Adele Kaui-Santos · 5 mutual friends

No that’s where I shop😯

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Carol Lopez · Friends with Martie Law and 9 others

I’m in there constantly!! Nooooo!!!!

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Bernie Ragsac-Torres · 11 mutual friends

Aww man I love this store

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Marv De Vera · 15 mutual friends

Loves Bakery shop on Rice Street is closing too

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James Kimo Rosen Oh no!😢

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Aimee Inouye · Friends with KipuKai Kualii and 5 others

Sad😢

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Melanie Costa · 43 mutual friends

OMG nooooooo

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Melanie Costa · 43 mutual friends

OMG our island is hurting.. businesses are shutting down!!!!😢

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Pua Remata · Friends with Arthur Brun and 2 others

Awww I love that store!

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Terri Workman · Friends with Patsy Rapozo and 5 others

Hopefully the corporate office knows how this will hurt the people of Kauai who shop there 😕

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Snoopytani Woodstock · 3 mutual friends

Really? I thought they were doing well

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Unko Beejo · 6 mutual friends

Nalia Leong,
You guys closing down March 31....?

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Alyssah Kawaiokanaio Vierra · Friends with Derek Monica Kawakami

Wow... my grandma would drive all the way Cost U Less from Kekaha when we was kids to go shopping once a month.... so sad

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Carol Lopez · Friends with Martie Law and 9 others

http://www.northwest.ca/
Perhaps we should write these guys and let them know how we feel???

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Denise Thomson What a shame

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Leinanikai Brun · 11 mutual friends

Sad indeed

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Michael Cox · Friends with Martie Law and 42 others

This is not good. 🤔

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Rusty Klutke · Friends with Dolly Kaawa and 1 other

kuz every one goes costco

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Aniana Pursell · 5 mutual friends

It was on the news this morning. Oh bummers .

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Denise Takahashi · 19 mutual friends

Awwww.....this place been our family's place to stock up once a month........sad,

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Rollin Simao Sad Too Say But Since Walmart And Costco Arrived To Kauai They’ve Been Taking Out All Da Competiotion

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Astrid Drolsøn What???? i love "my" cost u less.... ;(0

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JoAnn Yukimura Mark Gregory is right. We need to marshal our cooperative consumer power to keep this precious community resource open.

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Belinda Dolor · 5 mutual friends

Wow Sad 😔! Love Cost-U-Less❣️ Great Ladies up Front.

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Deanna Lovenia Woods · 33 mutual friends

Must not be making money if closing. $ is always the issue of tgey not making revenue doesn’t matter that we don’t want to lose it it’s not a charity business. I know I go there much less than 7 years ago because half of what I’m looking for is usually...See More

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LeeAnne Mariko Nago · 2 mutual friends

😭😭😭😭😭 nnnooooo..we need cost u less

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Valerie Saiki · 60 mutual friends

Is it all cost u less or just kauai?

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Oren Tyrel Kahiwalani Anderson · 4 mutual friends

Just Kauaʻi, I heard their lease is up and I'm pretty sure corporate doesn't want to Renew

Randall Francisco · 18 mutual friends

One real way to help is for all of us as best as possible to shop there. Although I live in Hanapepe, when I know I am in the area, I make it a point to shop there. Sales $ are what really drives a business success. If you haven't shop there lately, good to ask why not and start shopping from now. Never too late.

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