"Where news was news and being a professional had it's merits..."‏

Anybody can be a writer or photographer and have their own daily periodically for free. Blogs, where you write whatever is on your mind, somewhat like a personal diary that you share with the world.

Daily newspapers, writers and professional photographers have lost millions in the last 10 years since the digital world has become mainstream.

Twenty years ago rumor had it that someday you would be able to push a button on your computer and send a photo instantaneously anywhere in the world. Digital camera's, even the small amateur type that fit in your shirt pocket are capable of taking photos of such great quality that they can be reproduced in many national publications.

People believe what they read in print, they don't check to see if the person doing the reporting is legitimate, maybe the person just has a jazzy website with a blog, but it's in print and people believe it as newsworthy.

I remember the days when being a professional reporter or professional photographer belonged to an elite class. All you need now is a computer and a cheap digital camera and your in business.

The situation is similar to sports among the youth where everyone gets a trophy, because no one child should feel bad. Many schools play sports games and do not keep score as to not make the loser feel bad, G-d forbid we call a loser a loser.

Technology is great, but sometimes I long for the days where news was news and being a professional had it's merits.

"It's a different world nowadays..."

It's a different world nowadays, most people including myself read their local daily newspaper online and one of the features and advantages is being able to be interactive with any story. Most articles have comment boards where you can write back along with anyone else who read the story and insert your two cents worth.

Since I live in a small town (small island)many times people will attack you with personal here-say that has nothing to do with the article.

I recently wrote an opinion article about the local correctional facility that the local paper ran in the editorial section of the Kaua'i Garden Island news. The gist of the article was two point.

!- Prisons are not Hotels

2- We need to enforce stricter rules to defer crime, such as chain gangs and the death penalty.

Here are some responses to that article, these are actually quoted from the comments page of that article;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_2a251034-10a7-11e0-955c-001cc4c03286.html?mode=comments
"Nobody cares if you dumpster dive for your dog's dinner & nobody really cares if you get hauled off to jail for trespassing. Nobody cares if you have Christmas envy. NOBODY CARES"

"You are obviously unstable based on the fact that you named your dog Obama. That is pretty racist, equating our failed president to a black dog don't you think? The guy already has enough legitimate critics and doesn't’t need people like you comparing him to a mangy flea ridden animal. I know you are upset that he has lied and broken almost all his promises (closing gitmo, the wars, patriot act, extra-ordinary rendition etc etc etc). But it is really not necessary to compare him to a dirty mutt that eats out of dumpsters. Have some respect."

"I am not among your fans;

Perhaps one of your resolutions this year will be to stop posting your observations because for the most part they are basically annoying and you obviously need a lot of attention..."

These comments had nothing to do with the article, just personal para-social attacks from people who feel they know me

It's a different world nowadays for the better or worse we go on...

All I can say is "WTF." ;D)

"Aloha Mr. President..."

(Editors note, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser is asking for Letters to the President while he vacations here in Hawaii they will run some of the letters. They ask for what you think are the top 5 priorities the president should tackle in the next two years, here's mine.)

Aloha Mr. President,

I live on the "Garden Island" of Kaua'i and one of your biggest advocates, I even named my four legged companion after you. My dream someday is to introduce my dog to you and say, "Obama meet President Obama."

Here are the top 5 priorities you should tackle in the next two years.

1- We need to withdraw from both wars, per your campaign promise. The money saved from war will be better used at home.

2- The U.S. needs to do something similar to Roosevelt's New deal, get American working for real.

3- With the money saved from withdrawing troops, Health care could be part of just being an American.

4- We need to become Independent of the oil rich nations, with alternative energy that we produce solely in the U.S.

5- If there is another bailout, give the money to the American people. Alaska Has the permanent fund dividend program where every year, every man women and child in the state of Alaska receives a four figure bonus check, it wildly stimulates the economy, by stimulating the economy it will have a positive massive economic epidemic trickle down effect.

I am proud to call you "My President!" Mahalo Nui Loa.

"Girls in the Boy Scouts..."

There is a ring at the doorbell, it is a young boy around the age of 10 asking if I would like to buy some boy scout cookies, ten minutes later there is a knock on my door and it's  a 12 year old girl asking for a donation for her football team.

This may sound like fiction, however there are many who believe that little girls should be eligible for the boy scouts. Canada currently allows Girls to become Boy-scouts. I am a liberal for the most part, however give me a break. Where does all this craziness end.

What's next Men in the Miss American Pageant, wait come to think of it, many men would probably enter.

"Don't ask, don't tell..."

I'm overall a pretty liberal guy, I also live by the adage, If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Don't ask don't tell worked, nobody said anything about their sexual preference and that's the way it should be.

Men in the army do not want to know if the guy showering next to him is gay, it can only lead to fighting. Having gays showering with the straights is going to cost the military hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is talk of constructing barriers in the showers since it would be like showering with a coed for a gay. Bunks are inches apart, is a straight guy going to want to be bunking next to an openly gay person?

There's the old joke about about the guy who left the marines and wrote the song, "I hate to leave my buddies behind." What used to be somewhat of a racist joke is now a reality.

The big question remains are straight servicemen going to be forced to watch "Dancing with the stars?"

"Bring back chain gangs and the death sentence..! "

The jail on Kauai is not even fenced in, when you drive by the inmates are usually playing volleyball or tending to the jail garden.

I called the correctional facility and spoke with Warden Wagasama concerning escaped convicts, since there is no fence what is stopping an inmate from a pretty easy escape and just walking out? First all, everyone is advised of the consequences on many matters inclusive of escape and signs a disclaimer as such. If convicted first degree escape is an up to an additional 10 years jail time and second degree escape holds up to a 5 year additional sentence, plus the facility would be on lock down, jeopardizing all the other guests, (inmates) freedoms. "Nobody wants to be the one responsible for a shut down," the other guests won't welcome you back, and third, an escapee conviction stays on your record for life, thus any prison you may go to in the future you will be high risk and not have all of the rights as others inmates.

With three square meals a day, free medical and dental, a weight room, volleyball court, television and garden, these guys do not mind being incarcerated.

In these rough economic times many prisoners have it better than most. We need to defer criminal acts, bring back chain gangs and the death sentence!

The recent cold blooded murder in Anahola was between a couple of local career criminals, who most likely had it to easy at the Kauai community correctional facility. What is the detriment for their criminal acts, free health-care, 3 catered meals a day, volleyball and a vegetable garden maintained by inmates, with products used by KCCC's food services unit.

Prisons are not hotels and unless we change the system the lines will continue to grow for a visit to your local correctional facility.

"Time to liberate..."

Have you ever wondered why boys bikes have a bar straight across from the seat to the handlebar section and girls bikes do not have that bar.

It seems to reason it should be just the opposite, boys bikes should not have that bar, it's prone for danger to the groin area, in contrast the open space of the girl;s bike would be added protection for the male species.

Why not make all bikes the same, it's time for bicycle liberation or shall it remain don't ask don't tell?

"Stress had it's benefits!..."

                                                                                                                                                                  

I was a professional photographer from 1974-1999 (25 years) and during that time photographed hundreds of weddings, portraits and commercial work.

Photographers back then were taught to bracket as an insurance policy, shoot every shot, one over exposure and one underexposure and one normal, in case the light meter may had been off, or if the light shifted during the photo. I can remember taking 20- rolls for a wedding to get a nice album of 30 great shots.

There was always the wait for the film, since most photographers had a professional lab they relied on, and living in Alaska I had to rely on Labs in the Seattle area, it would be 7-10 days until my stress level was calmed by seeing the results of my labor.

Now photographers can photograph digitally and see the results instantaneously, no need to bracket exposures or buy hundreds of rolls of film. No need when traveling to take your film out to be hand inspected since airport x-ray could damage film with streaks.

No need to buy film, no waiting for your results and now being able to see your work immediately has taken most of the stress out of a profession that used to be quite the challenge.

Professional photography has become fool proof, the only draw back is the photographers of this age, make much less than I did back in the day. Stress had it's benefits!

""What's in a a name..."

People call me many names. When I was a child they called me Jimmy, in my teenage years they called me Jim, in high-school and college they called me JR, in Alaska they called me sourdough Jim and in Hawaii I am either James or kimo.

The funny thing is in Hawaii that the locals have a hard time calling me Kimo, they will address me as KKKKKKK James with a stutter on the K.

People think because i have white skin I cannot be called 'Kimo,' that's as silly as saying someone with brown skin cannot be called Bernard.

I have gone by many names, my current name of 'Kimo' was actually born while working for Kauai Magazine. We had a staff meeting one day, during that time Senator Gary Hooser was the owner. I brought up that here we publish a quarterly Hawaiian publication and do not have one Hawaiian name on the masthead, Hooser said OK, Kimo, and thus 'Kimo' was born.

I still do not understand why it is so hard to call me 'Kimo' if i can call you Duke, Bernard, Derek, William, Peter and the list goes on.

Next time you have a hard time calling me 'Kimo' remember I do not have a hard time calling you by your English name, or maybe I should.

Call me anything you want, just don't call me late for dakine.

(EDITOR'S NOTE, 'DAKINE' IS A TERM USED IN HAWAII TO MEAN ANYTHING...)

"Public servant, do what is pono! (righteous)..."

County council members need to represent the people that elected them.

Salaries are extravagant at $56,000.00 a year,(the chair at $63,000.00) approximately $500.00 a month car allowance and health-care most would sacrifice their mother-in-law for.

The seven council members by law have only one requirement, that is to attend the weekly Wednesday meetings.

There current management of the way the council handles our concerns is in a carte blanch system of dis-array.

There needs to be a territorial factor where each of our county council people would represent a section of the island, similar to the senate and congress but on a local level.

Back in the 1990's county council members made $12.00 per hour, currently they make in access of over $1,000.00 per meeting, this is criminal for a part time job as a "public servant."

It's time we hold our public servants accountable, remember we pay their salaries and they work for us.

Most our council members are retired with a nice pension or have professional jobs where they do quite well, may I recommend while budgets are being slashed across the board that our public servants do what is pono and revert back to the good ole days of being public servants with humble salaries or even volunteering.

There is a frequent contributor to this forum who ran for mayor in 2008 and promised if he won the election he would donate his salary of 107,000.00 to charity. It's a shame more politicians cannot think outside the box. Rolf Bieber was that candidate and although we don't agree on all issues Rolf is my kine (sic) of politician!

"Christmas envy..."

Growing up in a Jewish home was not the norm to listen to Christmas music, in fact it was taboo.

Whenever "Silent Night" or any Christmas carol came on the radio I immediately suffered an episode of Christmas envy. Many Jewish children suffer from this syndrome 'CES' (Christmas Envy Syndrome). Christmas envy is where you wish you were Christian and able to celebrate Christmas in the open and not in the closet.

Little girls suffer from the freudian syndrome of penis envy, myself and many Jews suffer from Christmas envy, and some of us suffer both forms of envy.

As an adult I can pick and choose what i listen to and not bound by what my parents believed. I enjoy Christmas music but deep inside always feel guilty for listening to it.

It's like falling in love with someone of another religion and marrying them. You combine your beliefs and realize Christmas envy does not need therapy

"My doctor, my friend..."

Living outdoors for numerous years with multiple medical complications was taking it's toll.

Dr. Gary Blaich came to visit me at what I called home, which was a tent, clothes line and a single burner propane stove with a makeshift outhouse.
Dr. Blaich made one feel right, you felt good about yourself after talking story with Dr. Blaich. He was the feel good drug within, his presence alone made one feel like life was worth living.

Dr. Blaich's office was a small one room place, he was a one man band, being the receptionist, secretary, manager and resident Psychiatrist. The waiting room consisted of a few benches outside in the elements of fresh air and open sky with the aroma of plumeria from potted plants encompassing his office.

He listened to every one's demons even while going through radiation and chemotherapy. He was there for his patients. It gave one a humbling experience releasing your quandaries in therapy with a man braving a terminal illness. I am not a hugging type of person, however Dr. Blaich and myself always ended our sessions with a hug.

Dr. Blaich, OK, Gary, passed away on Thanksgiving day, such an appropriate day for man with so much character and empathy.

My doctor , my friend, your legend lives on.

your friend, your patient. Aloha Kakou, Mahalo Nui Loa and A Hui Hou.

"Has anyone ever seen a legal alien?"

If you think prices are high now imagine going to the grocery stores and paying $5.00 for one tomato, or $7.00 for a head of lettuce. That's what would happen if we shut down employing illegals.

Look what's happened in society, cleaning ladies are now making $25-$50 an hour at a job that used to be quite affordable, often times making more than highly educated professionals.

Everyone from gardeners to cleaning services, to massage therapists are demanding outrageous wages for the service provided.

When we the consumer accept it, it has a trickle down effect that effects everyone.

If  Illegals were to totally disappear, most of us would not be able to afford groceries.

I still don't know why they call them illegal aliens, has anyone ever seen a legal alien?

"Epilogue, eerie, G-d's work-Planet Japan..."

Editors note, this is the epilogue to my book, "Planet Japan."

The Torah states: "A man is (like) a tree of the field," the vineyard of

the G-d of hosts is the house of Israel. "The fruits are the children, who are like sons and daughters. How great is the responsibility of the leader, the gardener, to whom the owner of the garden entrusted his garden! For this reason our sages referred to teaching children as "the work of G-d."

"How great is your merit to have been appointed by G-d as a keeper of his vineyard. We see that even the slightest improvement in a seed greatly increases the beauty and value of the tree which grows from it."

The above letter was written to the Rebbe (Top Rabbi) (like the Pope for Jewish people), from an unknown source. The letter can be found in the book, I Will Write it in Their Hearts, a treasury of letters from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.

I now know why I am so heartbroken and emotional over leaving Japan and teaching, being a sensei. I was helping to do G-d's work, teaching sure felt wonderful. No job will ever be the same. Though I thought I would never teach again because by profession I am a photographer and publisher, I have come to find teaching the most rewarding and spiritual job in the world.

My life has changed, I feel for the better!

Shalom and Bracha,
Peace and Blessings, Jim Sensei aka James "Kimo" Rosen

"The way of Tea..."

Editors note, I published in a book in 2004 called Planet Japan, the next couple blogs will be excerpts from that book. The book never really sold  many copies and the supporting website was not economically feasible to keep running. None the less I feel some of the entries are worth posting to my blog for two reasons. 1- I like them and 2- The blog is free and does not cost  any money, enjoy.

The way of tea is one of Japan's traditions. It is connected with various styles of art, including calligraphy, flower arrangements, woodwork, cooking and gardening...

A highly developed spiritual culture has emerged through the
encouragement of a bowl of green tea. It is based on the act of preparing and drinking powdered green tea.

The philosophy of the way of tea combines four principles:

1-Harmony... You can create it between person and person, thing and thing, person and thing for everything

2-Respect... Respect each other, not to judge one's title.

3-Purity... Spiritual purity

4-Tranquility... whatever happens to you, keep tranquil

There is a quotation from the Japanese tea ceremony which symbolizes and reflects Japan's spirit,"A once in a lifetime chance"(Ichi-go- Ichi-e)

To begin, one should experience every tea as if it's your first. The host should treat every guest with generous hospitality and each guest should try to express their gratitude graciously. Even if you have been to many tea ceremonies with the same host, you should keep in mind the meaning of "Ichi-go-ichi-e” and try your utmost to appreciate the tea ceremony as a unique and memorable experience. This way of thinking can also be extended to everyday life.

When you meet somebody for the first time, try and look at it as a special occasion, if you meet that same person again you should try and appreciate the meeting as another unique and meaningful moment. Living in this way, it is believed one will have no regrets and feel that life is enjoyable and fulfilling.

"Kaua'i County Coucil, Fiction!.."

(Bloggers note- The names are all members of  Kauai County council, for those of you not living on Kauai, just substitute your own city or county council members names in lieu of Kauai's.)

The question remains for the Kauai county council, If Jay Furfaro is the chair, what are the other council members?

Joanne Yukimura is a lamp, because she has many bright idea's, plus being the mayor during Iniki was no cake walk.

Nadine Nakamura is an end table, she can support the lamp, is a rookie and needs to settle in.

Tim Bynum is the couch, since he is a little bigger than the chair.

Dickie Chang is the remote control, so we can turn him off or on, just like his television show.

Derek Kawakami is the HDTV, he's young and in the prime of his life, just like HDTV.

Mel Rapozo is the table, he lays it all out, and needs space to do it.

I still don't understand why the chair makes more than the couch?

"What's wrong with profiling...?"

It's pure capitalism, convincing the American people they need to show their family jewels by means of a full body scan while lining the pockets of wall street executives.

In Israel the most dangerous airport in the world there are no full body scanners.

Would president Obama submit his wife, children and mother in-law to full body scans or body pat downs?

Why are we making everyone from from grandmothers to children go through body scans and pat downs as though we are all criminals?

How many people who have been convicted of terrorism fit the profile of your mother, father, sister, brother or cousin?

Every terrorist I recollect had had a certain profile, why are we making everyone suffer?

Bring back profiling, in the meantime, men pop a Viagra before going through airport security and give them something enormous to contemplate.

'101 things to not do on Kaua'i, ' Halleluyah!

There is a publication in the visitor industry called 101 things to do.

I have decided to make a list of '101 things to not do on Kaua'i' , but will limit this response to my top ten of things not to do.

#10- Do not use lights at night in violation of the shear-water birds possibly colliding with them...

#9-Do not support ferry boats on the Hawaiian islands unless you want rocks thrown at you...

#8- politicians, please do not block sidewalks while waiving signs...

#7- Do not call 'slippa's' flip flops...

#6- Do not say how are you, "say Howszit..."

#5- Do not have peaceful loving concerts, or else you may be arrested...

#4- Do not walk on well groomed taxpayer supported trails that are safer than the roads, since you will be issued trespass warnings...

#3- Do not support any new development, and if you do go back to the mainland or wherever else you may be from...

#2- Do not sue the county of Kaua'i, or you will probably settle out of court of a large sum of money and live happily ever after.

#1- Do not use the term 'Haole' when describing a Caucasian person because anyone can be without spirit or the breath of life, including you.

Finally for my 'Hana Hou.' Please do not take the Garden Island newspaper for granted. We must be thankful for many things during this Thanksgiving period and one of the many things to be thankful for is the great periodical of the Garden island news, Halleluyah!

"The best things in life are free..."

I say one of the best things to do on Kauai is spend an afternoon at 'Kapa'a sunshine market.' (Every Wednesday commencing at 3:00 P.M..)

Experience exotic fruits like Lychee, Rambuton, mango-steins, passion fruits, mountain apples, and vegetables like breadfruit (ulu) Japanese cucumber, Filipino beans and monster radishes.

Prices are cheaper than the local supermarket where most of the fruits and vegetables are imported from the mainland United States.

Eating local is suppose to get you in tune with the aina (land) eating things from the ground where you live can connect with one spiritually, also there is a big push to eat local for sustainability to create more local jobs and better ones health.

I always go late for the best deals since many vendors don't like to take the extra ripe fruit home with them, also you avoid the crowds going late.

Without a doubt the Kapa'a sunshine market is my favorite thing to do on Kauai.

Support your neighbor, buy local,connect spiritually, strive for sustainability, eat healthy, get great deals and shop sunshine markets happening daily around our cosmic island.

"My weekly pilgrimage to Costco..."

Every Monday I make my weekly pilgrimage on bus from Kapa'a town to Lihue to shop at my favorite store, "Costco."

The Costco outdoor cafe is a favorite of many, including yours truly. Where else can you buy a slice of pizza with everything for $1.99, a slice large enough for two sittings. You can also purchase the famous almost 1/2 lb hot-dog and drink for $1.50, in Hawaii this is especially a great deal since anywhere else a drink alone is more than a $1.50.

The problem is with the 3-4 available windows to purchase, it's a gamble on what line to stand in. They do not have it roped off as banks and other short order restaurants, allowing for the next available server for the next person. Instead you are stuck in the line you gamble on. I usually pick the line where the person in front of me is ordering for a tour bus full of tourists, or the single person who is ordering for all their friends still shopping in the store.

Although the prices at Costco are throwback the management skills are  also throwback from the Dinosaur age.

Every week I talk to a manger and write my suggestion down for the suggestion box. The manager always tells me great idea and he will bring it up at the next meeting.

The other problem is I always ask them to give me a fresh hot-dog out of the steamer, I don't want one that's been sitting against the roll for who knows how long, making it stick to the bun like paste. They always tell me it's fresh, they're all the same, eventually after an exchange of stink eye with resentment they comply. The same with pizza, there may be three pies and one has been sitting for 30 minutes another one is fresh out of the oven, I say I want a fresh piece, they go bezerk, and say, "we only serve fresh?"

What ever happened to the good ole days, where the customer was always right and management actually gave a sh-t?

All in All Costco is still my favorite store, probably because of the free samples inside!

"Thank you,candidates..."

We finally have our sidewalks back. No more loitering and trespassing and getting in the way of pedestrians by sign waiving politicians and their "sheeple.'(sic)

I must admit even though the politicians break the law when they obstruct a pedestrian's ability to walk, jog, or run safely, I miss having access and being able to confront them on my daily sojourn through Kapa'a Town.

The campaigning is over and now the ones who were blessed enough to be elected need to commence business and concentrate on what really matters most to them, their paycheck, car allowance and great health-care benefits.

I am looking forward to the next election when we can all wave in unison, honk our horns and smile once again.. Until then we will miss all of our wonderful self serving narcissists.

Thank you candidates!

"Don't I know you...?

Many of us including myself have become victims of para-social behavior.
We watch "Wheel of Fortune," "Hawaii Five-O," "Jerry Springer," "Jay Leno," "Oprah" and the list goes on.

We become familiar with our favorite TV personalities,even our elected officials and feel we know them. We can now follow our favorite celebrities on Face-book, My-space and Twitter and feel like they are our best friends.

This par-social behavior has created a generation of self serving narcissists that do not have many friends or much of a social life, not because they are shy but Because they feel this is their circle of friendship and social activities.

Just as I feel all of you reading this are my good friends, I know this is really not true, but like many have fallen victim to the Para-social phenomenon.

Don't I know you?

"The audacity..."

The audacity of a few gas stations on our cosmic island, charging for radiator water and air for inflation of tires.

I do not drive often, therefore I have not been to a gas station in quite a while. Most the time I take a bus or ride my bike for transportation.

This past week I was horrified after going to a local gas station with a friend and seeing the water and air pumps connected up to a change machine, charging seventy five cents for air, and another seventy five cents for water.

When I was a young man, they had service stations, you would drive into a gas station, they filled you up, washed your windshield, checked your tire pressure, checked your oil levels and said thank you, come again.

Now you go to a self service station, no mechanics anywhere, making you fill up your gas tank on your own and when finished having to walk into a quick save store where they hope to gouge you five dollars for a bag of chips.

Filling a gas tank can cost fifty dollars or more, is it to much to ask for a little air for a flat tire?

What's next charging to use the squeegee to wash your windshield, wait they didn't even provide a squeegee.

"Running for public office in 2012!..."

With the 2010 elections just around the corner excitement is at an all time low, I for one am not excited about any candidate. I am pushing for all the new people to create change, otherwise we have more of the same.

How many of these people running for public servants would be a council member, Governor,senator, congressman,or mayor without a salary, car allowance and health benefits?

If my health prevails I am thinking of running for county council in 2012. I am constantly criticizing government and like the old expression goes, "if you want a job done right, do it yourself."

The first thing our county and most cities need to do is privatize local government by contracting out to the private sector the jobs of fixing potholes and sewers, trimming trees, construction of and sidewalk repair, street cleaning and synchronizing traffic lights, just to mention a few.

Mayor Eva Galambos of Sandy Springs Georgia did exactly that. It was discovered that the private sector worked faster, cost the taxpayers less and had a 90% approval rating by it's residents. Imagine that the private sector working harder than government employees. She is being hailed a hero.

My first goal for the county of Kauai would be to privatize local government and use the city of Sandy Springs Georgia as a role model.

I look forward to the 2012 elections and look forward to many new faces this coming election. Remember the best way of change is to re-elect nobody, otherwise we have more of the same. Vote for the new people!

"A simple solution..."

It's all in the words. 'Marriage' is defined in the Oxford Dictionary Thesaurus as;"The Legal union of a man and woman."

Therefore there can be no gay marriage according to that definition.

Simple solution, make up a new word for gay marriage, may I suggest "Garriage," replacing the "M" in "Marriage," with the "G" from "Gay," hence "Garriage."

Give "Garriage" the same respect as Marriage, by having a new word, 'Marriage' remains the same holy bond between man and woman and "Garriage" becomes a new institution with a definition all it's own.

Get rid of comment boards.

One of the things I used to find most fascinating was the comments boards when reading the Garden island paper or any periodical  online.

I thought it was modern science, interacting and commenting to any story along with your fellow neighbors.

The comments boards have become nothing more than people fighting, threatening and being rude to one another.

There are a few who actually stay on topic and are humane, but they are few and far between.

I for one would prefer the comments section suspended enabling to let people read the paper in peace.

"A peanut coated marshmellow bank roll..."

What do all the recent sexual harassment settlements on Kauai teach us?

What is sexual harassment? Back in the 20Th century one could tell a person of the opposite sex they looked hot, now if you tell someone they look hot, or whistle at them it's sexual harassment.

I am constantly being hit on by older women, if i was a middle aged women being hit on by older men, this would be sexual harassment.

The question remains,where does harassment begin and flirting end?

Payday is a marshmellow peanut coated chocolate candy bar, but on Kauai it seems a way of life with the payday being a peanut coated marshmellow bank roll.

"The beauty of Kaua'i..."

The beauty of Kaua'i is like that of a beauty queen, beautiful, breathtaking and gorgeous on the outside.

From a distance or as a spectator one is in awe, but once you get to know most of them, you find huge ego's and much distress on the inside.

They always said, "find a girl with a good personality," which meant, not really good looking, but will treat you like a king.

Do you want awesome eye candy beauty or do you want to be treated like a king.

I opt for the latter.

"Students talk about local elections..."

When I taught English a s a second language in Japan, I always enjoyed having the students talk about local elections.

Since the Japanese pronounce L's to sound like R's, they just have a hard time pronouncing R's.

'Election day,' became 'Erection day.'

I would laugh to myself internally but in essence the Japanese have it spot on.

What is an erection? To erect means to build or construct., erect, means big, and all the politicians I have met have big ego's, and love to construct anything with their name in bold print.

What did you think I meant?

May the best sign waiver win!

"May the best wave win..!"

Surfers live for the right wave, Visitors to Hawaii love to watch waves.

The political waves are something I look forward to every two years in all their various motions.

You can gather alot by the way politicians hand wave, for instance the Shaka wave means they think they are awesome, usually they are the only ones that think they are so awesome.

There is the five finger stationary common wave. a very conservative wave, like the missionary position of waves so to speak.

Not very creative, but gets the job done.

The washing the window wave is associated with beauty pageants and parades, most people possessing this wave believe they are gorgeous.

I do not read what a candidates positions are since most of what they say are UN-truths and make promises they never keep.

Therefore before entering the voting booth, I always ask myself, how does that candidate wave? There are as many variety of waves as there are politicians, however as long as they have not given me the one finger hand wave, I will considering voting for them.

May the best wave win!

"What's next, Potluck weddings?.."

Potlucks gatherings are popular in Hawaii and I have been invited to my share of potluck dinners over the years.

They ask you to bring a dish to feed 5-20 or more people and sometimes if it's a public event they will ask for a donation at the door besides bringing a dish.

I can go to the local Chinese restaurant and buy a fresh plate to go with two entrees, fried rice and chow mein for $5.99. tax included. The restaurant needs to pass state health regulations which gives me insurance that the food is fresh and not going to give me salmonella, on the other hand going to potlucks and eating various foods from strangers, who knows if they changed their babies diapers on the same table their cutting mushrooms for the salad, or if the fish was refrigerated properly before making the sashimi.

If someone throws a party, throw a party, but insisting your guests bring a dish is craziness.

I will take Chinese takeout verses making a potluck dish that would cost me four times as much. Why pay four times as much to go to a potluck with the food in question when you can eat out for a fraction of the price and be safe.

Potlucks may be nice for a family of 5, but for a single guy it just doesn't pay, unless of course you like indigestion.

What's next potluck weddings?

Don't sweat the small stuff...

I go to my Doctors office for the results of a recent ct scan since a nodule was found on my right lung.

The time frame between the scan and when you find out the news seems like years. The radiologist cannot legally tell you the results, you need a medical doctor.

My scan was done on a Friday, my follow up visit with my good doctor was on a Tuesday, four long days. During that time thoughts of all sorts are rummaging through my brain. (what happens if it's cancer, how will my life change?) How long do i have, will the chemo and radiation hurt, will i get tired and nausea?)

The drive to the doctors was deliberately slow. They call me into the doctors office. I am waiting for the doctor and I see the folder and CT scan results on top of my file. Should i sneak a peak or wait for the doctor? My heart is pounding, I will wait for the doctor, OK I won't wait for the doctor... I couldn't stand the tension, I took a look, and as I am reading it says, noted is a 2.5 cm non-calcified module, I am thinking the worst, until the last sentence that said, the nodule has not changed since 2007 and is currently stable, no further CT examinations.

I can feel my blood pressure going down and a love of G-d and life infiltrate me. I start thinking about all the small stuff that gets me upset, and now I am just thankful for being alive and a happy ending to my CT scan.

Ironically all this happening in the midst of the birthday of creation, the birthday of Adam and Eve, The Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah, the head of the new year. A time for renewal and forgiveness, to ask the Lord to enter you into the book of life and pray you are granted another year on planet earth.

There are no guarantee's in life, but somehow I feel this is going to be one good year. "Remember to not sweat the Small stuff."

Happy Jewish New year, La shana Tova, (may you all be entered into the book of life!)

"A Hui Hou Perry's..."

I read with sympathy the recent article in the Staradvertiser, the closing of Waikiki's famous restaurant, "Perry's Smorgy."

There was one time in my life I had very little money and for three years on a daily basis, I would sit and relax and eat like on a king while people watching from my favorite table facing Kuhio Blvd.

I would start with the awesome salad bar, then the drink bar for a few lemonades. I would finish and start on sliced turkey, prime rib, shrimp, mahi mahi, beef stew, pizza, and an array of many other entrees to choose from, along with corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, gravy, rice and more...

I would need to rest, then proceed to watermelon, cantaloupe and papaya form the fruit bar, with a small dish of vanilla ice cream from the sundae bar, occasionally I would also sample the puddings, jellos cakes and cookies.

I would finally finish eating, I would read the paper, relax and have a cup of Lion coffee which Perry's was famous for serving.

Back then it was only 4.95 for all you could eat and drink. Most people never tipped but I could feel like a hot shot and leave one dollar and they were ecstatic.

I now live on Kauai and when I visit Honolulu I always looked forward to visiting Perry's. Many ties when visiting I would take the bus directly from the airport to Perry's.

It comes with great sorrow that another great Hawaiian Institution is closing it's door.

To Perry's, you were more than a restaurant, you were a friend and lifeline. I say mahalo and A Hui Hou,

"Sporks for Sprunch..."

The 'SPORK' never really gained any momentum or took of to be a competitor with the knife fork and spoon.

The fast food restaurant chain taco bell is famous for it's disposable 'spork.'

The 'spork' is a spoon with 4 teeth that can be used as fork or spoon. it is a genius piece of cutlery that no home or restaurant should be without.

Brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch. Why hasn't someone invented the "SPRUNCH," a combination of supper and lunch, hence "SPRUNCH."

Ideally one could eat "Sprunch with a 'spork' and not look like a dork, unless of course you use your fork.

Try it, Sporks with Sprunch!

"If I were a crook..."

Hawaii like the rest of the country is going through the worst recession in history. The recession was at one point so bad that our keiki (children) were given a four day school week in order to save the state monies.

These furloughs are no longer in effect, however the county and state now have furloughs on the first and third Friday of each month.

Lifeguards, police, the courts, the mayors office and many county and state offices are closed to save money.

If I were a crook, the first or third Friday of each month is the day I would pick to commit my crime. Robbing banks, murder, rape, selling drugs, speeding, running stop signs, drunk drivers all getting away with their crimes in turn will cost us much more in the long run.

Lawsuits will increase with the lack of a well staffed county, no lifeguard on duty, means there may be a lawsuit for a drowning, then who pays? Who pays when the bank robbers shoot the tellers and their families suffer?

Let's wake up and end all furloughs, since furloughs in the long run will cost! Penny wise and dollar foolish is not the way to run a state.

"College Degrees..."

Why is the number sought after degree form Universities called a Bachelor's Degree?

I understand why one may want to be a Master, hence 'Master Degree's.' I understand how one would like the title Dr. and go for a 'PHD,' a Doctors of philosophy Degree.

Why do people want a Bachelor Degree? I would think many bachelors would prefer being called a Playboy?

A bachelor is an unmarried man, a degree is a way we measure temperatures, therefore a bachelors degree is something for a single man with a temperature? A single man with a high temperature could be called a Playboy, so why not call it a Playboy degree?

Or it could be called a Bachelorette degree, after all women now have equal rights, or if the women has a high temperature she could also receive a Playgirl degree.

The women could receive Bachelorette degree's and the men could receive Bachelors degrees and married people could receive Tie The Not degree's, and the singles with high temperatures would receive the Playgirl or Playboy degree's.     :D)

I'm glad we have that straightened out.

"Write-in candidates..."

Hawaii does not allow for write in candidates on any political position.

Many State's have a provision to write in a candidate whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote for anyway.

Write-in candidates rarely win, and votes are often cast for ineligible people or fictional characters, such as Mickey mouse...

However in a democracy where all men and women are supposedly equated equal there is no reason to not allow for the freedom of democracy by changing the ballot to allow for write in candidates.

I would like to write in the names of the few people I know who care about the health, well being and future of our cosmic island and seem to have more passion than most of the politicians running.

Please encourage the department of elections to allow for write in candidates, it is our right as Americans.

"Vice Governors..."

Wikipedia states the following information;

"Currently, 25 states elect a lieutenant governor on a ticket with the governor, while 18 states elect a lieutenant governor separately. In West Virginia, the state Senate chooses. In Tennessee, the senators elect a Speaker of the Senate who also serves as Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee. Five states have no lieutenant governor. There are currently 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans serving as lieutenant governors or serving as the first in the line of succession in the United States."

What is a Lt. governor, some are elected by separate elections and some are appointed by the governor as a president would appoint a vice president. In some instance you could actually have a Democratic governor with a Republican Lt. Governor or vice verse.

It's confusing since every state has it's own laws concerning the Lt governor, in fact six states do not even have a Lt.governor.

Those states are Arizona and Illinois where the state attorney general acts in absence of the Governor, Main and New Hampshire where the Senate president acts in absence of the Governor and Oregon and Wyoming where the Secretary of state acts as Governor in the absence.

Hawaii has a separate election for Lt. Governor, it's really quite a confusing job.

In Hawaii the Lt. Governor could be of a different party than the governor, which would make for some fun politics.

Remember though that the Lt. Governor is basically just there in case the governor dies is sick or missing in action.

I think the Lt. Governor should run on the same ticket as the governor and be appointed as a vice president is appointed by the president before a general election.

It makes no sense that the second in command could be of a different party affiliation and not even like the governors political stands.

The Lt. Governor is one position that needs to be standard in every state. I make a motion to dismantle the name Lt. Governor and start calling them vice Governors.

"Just go to the airport for your next medical checkup..."

Wikipedia states the same type of of radiation used in medical diagnostic imaging, such as CT scans, MRI's and X-Rays is used in the new state of the art full body scanners employed at many airports including Hawaii's own Lihue airport.

For those who cannot afford health insurance, buy a cheap  air-flight and go through the  airport full body scanner, ask them if they see any polyps in your colon, or ask them at security if  it's scar tissue on your lung or a cancerous tumor?

Although these full body scanners may cause some embarrassment, it sure beats the average cost of a spinal MRI at $2,500.00. So if your back is killing you and you can't afford the MRI, or your insurance won't pay for it, just thank Uncle Sam and the war on terror for providing free medical imaging for one and all.

To be on the safe side it's always best to travel with a Doctor or radiologist friend in case there's a question of your full body scan diagnosis.

No worries, let your next physical be at your local airport.

"Deposit returns, a win win for everbody..."

When I was a child you could buy a bottle of soda and the corner store or grocery store and return it to the same store yo bought it at for a deposit. many state have started this procedure again.

Most people living in Hawaii do not even know where to go to recycle, and why drive 20 miles to receive a $1.00 refund, it costs more in gas. The solution is not more deposit money to be collected but to have the store that sold the item accept it back.

OK, you say it's going to cost the store too much money having to hire someone to do this job? My sister who lives in Buffalo N.Y. told me every convenient type store and grocery store has a Kiosk type machine, available 24-7, that scans your returns and gives you your deposit money back on the spot. Many states have adopted this user friendly procedure.

I hope our state and local government's can adopt a similar procedure, it would be win win for everybody, the consumer gets his deposit back at his next visit to the grocery store and the grocery store has people returning more frequently,hopefully they stop in and buy something.

The only problem I see is that the current way makes it easy for the state to keep the deposit since most don't bother with returns.

Could it be our politicians just don't want to improve the system?

" I Like movies..."

A person can be heterosexual, homosexual , bi-sexual or tri-sexual.

Why are these type of terms only applied to one's sexuality?

Why can't a person be bi-spiritual, tri-spiritual or poly-spiritual, to some this would be somewhat of a paradox and schizophrenia.

What's wrong with enjoying, Christianity,Judaism and Hare Krishna's?

My Parents always taught me there is more than one way to get somewhere.

Too many wars and disagreements happen over ones faith. Every Religion believe there's to be the correct and only way to achieve eternal happiness. Every group will quote something written in a book a long time ago, quoting it as the gospel truth.

Baptists, Assembly of God's, Lutheran's Methodists, Mormons, Jehovah Witness's, Seven day Adventists, and Non-Denominational are all forms of Christianity that differ within the same religion. In Judaism you have the Orthodox, Chassids, Conservatives, Reforms, Reconstruction, and the Messianics.

There are many other religion's I know little about that most likely believe they are the truth and only way also.

I like movies, but sometimes I am in the mood for a thriller, sometimes, action, drama or even comedy. It would be boring to constantly watch the same types of movie.

Faith is important, it makes most better neighbors, friends and citizens, however I find it hard to believe that there is only one road to Rome.

Don't send me scriptures, understand what I am saying, I believe you! I just feel come judgement day we are going to be in for a surprise, and say, "Oh that's what you meant Lord.!"

Shalom,Aloha and G-d Bless...

"Short order restaurants are my favorite spots to unstress and relax..."

Many times I go out to eat alone and write my thoughts down, short order restaurants are my favorite spots to blog and write.

People see me sitting alone and feel I want company ,sit down next to me and start asking me dumb questions. "what are you doing?" My response is, "what's it like I'm doing?" I'm writing, and finishing my coffee because this is when I am the most creative with a pen.

They continue to ask me more idiotic questions and start eating with their mouth open and trying to talk with food in it, smacking their lips, licking their fingers and belching.

Finally I excuse myself and go to the restroom because I am grossed out and just cannot concentrate, I came to unstress, not stress, plus I actually had to urinate.

I get back and they are still there, I kindly thank them for this material you just read. They seemed to have settled down and are now quiet and reading the local paper as I start humming Tiny Bubbles out of tune, they give me stink eye, and all I can do is smile back,smack my  lips, lick my fingers and belch.

Polidicks, not Politics.

Polidicks (a word I made up to describe most politicians)

I was cruising on my bike with my constant companion and best friend, "Obama," The dog.

I see a bunch of people campaigning and polidicking 'sic' sign waving and throwing Shaka's to oncoming traffic for Hawaii Governor hopeful, Neil Abercrombie.

These polidickers "sic" are across from the Pono Kai condos in downtown Kapa'a town,and are being more respectful than most other campaigners I have seen there over the years by not blocking the sidewalk for pedestrian and bicycle usage. Most political sign waivers usually block the sidewalk making it difficult for pedestrians and bicyclists.

I see a short stocky man with a white bead, it wasn't me and it wasn't Santa Claus since it's only August, it was Neil Abercrombie himself.

I had to stop. I introduced him to "Obama the Dog" and he proceeds to tell me about how he's going to make change.

I said, "Great, I'm heading to the laundromat can you make change for a $10.00?

We both laughed and had our photo taken with "Obama," (the dog) and with a twinkle in his eye, he said I really am the guy to make change.

OK, I'm waiting, in the meantime the machine will do just fine.

"Kids eat free..."

Why do so may restaurants have the come on motto and advertisement, "kids eat free?"

Why do the airlines let kids fly free if they are small enough to sit on your lap?

Kids should be charged, double, triple, and quadruple. They take more time away from servers and flight attendants than adults, they constantly kick the seat in front of them, run wild on the airplanes and in restaurants, throw things, break thinks, and when they go to the restroom usually don't flush the toilet.

Why don't the restaurants let the adults eat free and charge kids double, triple, quadruple or even $4.00 per lb. This would cover all the broken dishes, clogged toilets and Valiums for the hired help.

I would frequent any establishment that would enact such a policy. Any takers?

"Why does everyone look so young these days?.."

I see 15 year olds driving, which is the legal age for a drivers permit in Hawaii. They look like children at a carnival steering their bumper cars.

Police officers have such young faces, when they pull you over and ask for your license you feel like asking them if they have their parents permission to be out after 10:00 P.M

Professional football players look like 7Th graders on steroids, they have these really young faces with these huge out of proportion bodies.

Why does everyone look so young these days, or is it I'm just getting wiser?

"POLITICIANS ARE LIKE DIAPERS..."

YOU KNOW THERE'S ALOT TO BE SAID FOR ANYBODY EXCEPT THOSE CURRENTLY RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE. I AM NOT BEING FACIOUS TRULY RE-ELECT NOBODY.

DO NOT VOTE FOR ANY INCUMBENT, VOTE FOR THE ROOKIE FIRST TIME RUNNING POLITICIAN WHO HASN'T YET HAD PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN SUCUMBING TO SPECAL INTEREST, BIG MONEY AND LIES.

I AM HAVING SIGNS PRINTED AND WILL STAND IN FRONT OF EVERY INCUMBENT SOMETIME DURING THEIR FALL SEASON, EGO-SIGN AND SHAKA WAIVING CURBSIDE TRESPASS CAMPAIGN.

RE-ELECT NOBODY,  POLITICIANS ARE LIKE  DIAPERS....NEED TO BE CHANGED AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE !!!ONE TERM IS ENOUGH !!!

My manic time is over, I was Duped...

I was duped, like the sting, The DLNR comes to my residence and befriends me and today they add a sticker to their no camping sign that says no trespass after telling me 2 days ago I Have every civil right to use their trail.

This is all freudian, just a macho thing, the authorities not wanting to admit their wrong, I cannot fight city hall , DLNR and the cops on my own. I tried. I have medical problems to deal with and don't have time to waste on whose has the biggest cigar.

Enclosed is a letter to the DLNR officer who seemed to be going to bat for me 2 days ago...

Why did you get me excited coming to my residence on a Sunday morning telling me I had civil rights and could walk the trail as long as I didn't cross KPAL leased land, but if I could access the DLNR trail from state-land which borders PAL, it was totally legal, I only needed a letter from the state

Your co-worker, two days later tampers with the no camping sign , by posting on a sticker that says no trespassing" When I call Tommy to ask a question, he says I Have caused enough problems and hangs up in my face.

I really thought you were on my side and told my friends what a great guy you were only to be defeated. I blogged about what a great guy you were.

I cannot fight City Hall,DLNR and the cops, I have 3 chronic illnesses that take most of my time to manage.

I hope all of you can look yourselves in the mirror when eventually a serious accident or death occurs, since the safe alternative trail was shut off to the public.

I will be the first to say, "I told you so."

The time wasted on this with all the people involved, has  cost taxpayers thousands of dollars only to be resolved to the abolishment of a safe trail, this makes me sick.

I cannot believe the people fighting this are in charge of a youth center, teaching our keiki(children)  how to be selfish, and not share a safe trail with senior citizens and those with disabilities.


I hope some attorney reads my blog and takes this case pro bono. I thought I could play attorney but have developed too many enemies.
G-d Bless, Aloha Kakou

"Rights of Individuals..."

There is a knock on my door this morning, I see a man in blue strutting a gun in holster, I think the worst...

Who is it?" Department of Land and natural resources officer."

He hands me a piece of paper, untitled, "Rights of Individuals."

He told me all state land is open to public 24-7, he said there are no pins separating the new KPAL police youth center  form state property, and told me it's like walking on the beach. The Hilton can have a beach in front of it's property, the Hilton is private land but the beach although looks like it's the Hilton's beach is the peoples beach.

He also said it is OK to walk on DLNR land, as I suspected they have  let people use the trail for years because they know of it's popular usage and is a much safer alternative than Kawaihau or the other trail that is broken payment and runs steep, he also said they will not be putting up no trespass signs as one local lieutenant   has stated.

He said  I should  ask the state  for something in writing stating allow me access  to   cross the state property. The key is finding the boundary, since much state land is not surveyed.

He confirmed it is the lieutenant  who has the fight with me since I initiated this whole process sending photos of the deliberate trail blockage ordered by one local lieutenant. It was the Honolulu office that ordered local police  to clear the land they blocked, hence the local lieutenant  in charge  gets mad at a little old sick Jewish guy (me) and orders 3 cops, 3 squad cars, 2 video camera's in my face  on the first furlough shorthanded day our conty had to deal with.

He also confirmed that the reason the cops came to harass me was an anonymous call to KPD, he told me I have the legal  right to know my accuser, he believes as I did, it was one of the out of uniform cops landscaping that day. He told me to demand who my accuser is, as is our right.

Mr. Milton  Ching the DLNR officer  was a true gentlemen, I invited him in we talked well over 30 minutes, before I had to excuse to myself to medicate my diabetes. He said he came because everyone has been sending their office complaint's, he was basically here to tell me to stand up for my rights, I told him  I have been, nice having it reinforced by a man in uniform wearing a gun.

I will call his boss tomorrow, to see what I can get in writing, in the meantime my rights were highly violated, not only with harassment,  but by the cops helping a local man on the same trail  home the other night and not arresting or giving him fair warning, that man  of course being a relative of the lieutenant in charge.

 I am siting on pins and needles since everyday we take the alternate routes it makes life much more stressful and dangerous.

This is not a done deal but looks like the ball is rolling my way... stay tuned.

"The news will come to me..."

Somehow the news seems to follow me. I do not need to go anywhere special, whatever is in my daily agenda usually brings tomorrows headlines on Kauai.

This past week I was the first to find out our Mayor was no longer running un-apposed and broke the scoop to the mayor and local paper.

I also found out another unknown want to be politician is running for county council.

Then on Wednesday, the day I go to the farmers market I am late and the people I usually sit with were run over, normally I would had been there with them. Thank G-d they are OK.

Last night my neighbor walks on the trail I have been harassed by 3 cops, 3 squad cars and 2 video camera's but he is not even given a warning of trespass but is guided home since he said he was on medication and is local.

Finally Friday, I decide to relax and garden and right in my back yard on a road hardly nobody drives on a former NFL football player and a local man calling each other racist slurs have a major fight, leaving the NFL guy all bloody and rushed to hospital.

I don't know what tomorrow will will bring but know that the news will come to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23E606rxBI4

" It was a manic moment, followed by a depressive overture..." Local politics

Lani Lani Lani Lani Lani!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lani Kawahara is a local  woman who serves on the county council, A few of us are hoping she runs for mayor to give our current mayor some competition.

Diana Labedz, an unknown political name is running for mayor, a huge long-shot, (I would have a better chance than Diana) to get her name and ego out, there's no way to beat our current NFL good ole boy mayor, Bernard Carvalho  jr. who played for the 1984 Miami dolphins, go ahead google it.

I actually was at the elections office on Monday,the day  Diana Labedz applied for her  papers to run for mayor.  I was actually the number 3 signature on her list of registered voters. I actually gave the scoop to the local paper and also advised the mayor he was no longer running unopposed since I had stopped by his office to talk about local police harassment, but he was in a meeting? (yea right)

Ken Taylor another unknown political name  also pulled his papers to run for county council the same day,  to run for county council.

The reason I was at the elections office is that I was actually thinking of running for county council myself, It was a manic moment, followed by a depressive overture. I actually asked to file, they took my license, I then felt ill, and said maybe next time.

I do like Bernard our current mayor, but so far this coming mayoral election is like watching a blowout football game, everyone enjoys a nail biter, especially on the winning side.  so I will say it again, Go Lani Go, instead of, “Go Granny go, the little old lady from Pasadena,” HOW ABOUT “GO LANI GO, THE LIBRARIAN WITH BRAINS FROM KAPA'A TOWN.” Lani Kawahara for mayor!