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Monday, May 5, 2014

"How long have you lived here..?" 'James 'Kimo" Rosen' ( Column)

James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a
with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby...


This blog was published in my bi-weekly column in the Kaua'i Garden
Island news on 05-05-14 titled, "How long have you live here..?" Please click on
the link below and check recommend...
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/how-long-have-you-lived-here/article_f6e84d68-d41a-11e3-950e-001a4bcf887a.html

How Long have you live here


When Ronald Reagan was  President he disagreed with "Tip" O'Neill, the democratic speaker of the house numerous times. Reagan being a republican and the speaker being a democrat  made for frequent disagreements, however when the business day was over they often shared a cocktail or even dinner together as friends.  O'Neill and President Reagan managed to work together even with their numerous differences on policy and government. 

President Obama on the other hand and the current republican speaker of the house John Boehner are in constant battle over everything and anything and appears they do not enjoy each other in the off hours. It has  become the norm  for republicans and democrats to verbally fight  each other with warlike partisan battles in lieu of doing whats pono (right) for America. Even in real everyday life it has gotten to the point if you do not think like me, I cannot talk to you or be your friend.

I  enjoy blogging and having the opportunity to express myself in a bi-weekly column here in the Garden island news, however  it has gotten to be if I write something someone disagree's with they with stop talking to me. They  will give me stink eye in public and even un-friend me on Facebook, just because they may have disagreed with something I said in a column or blog.  

Please don't get me wrong, I truly enjoy  writing a column, it's a bucket list dream come true.I have learned that   it takes a thick skin of which I have developed over the years  to be an opinion columnist, however I can only imagine how thick your skin must be to be a politician. 

The current GMO debate is the most erroneous debate I have seen locally beside the super ferry debate. If you are Pro GMO you are  evil and if your anti GMO you are stupid and ignore science, both sides hate each other even before they try and get the facts.

This goes one step further;
"I have found that the Aloha spirit here, for some, lasts only as long as you agree with them..."

There is a frequently asked question in Hawai'i which equates somewhat to partisan politics. "How long have you lived here?" I used to despise that question since it is usually asked in an arrogant way. It's a seniority type thing.  If one is in Hawaii 30 years, they are better than somebody whose been here 20 years, someone who is in Hawaii 20 years is better than someone who has been here ten, and someone born and raised here is better than anybody including  all of you reading this.   

I was always under the influence that  a person who actually moves on their own free will is actually  where they are by choice, whereas a person born wherever and never left  is only there because their parents happened to live there the day they were born. 

The newcomer has gone out of their way to be in Hawaii which actually makes one a stronger Hawai'ian. Like a convert to a religion, they are usually the strongest congregants because that religion is their choice, not just a religion they were born into.

I recently saw a meme post on Facebook that exemplifies this subject. The meme shows a photo of an American Indian couple sitting outside a  teepee, it said, "A redneck told us to go back to where we came from, so we pitched our teepee in his backyard."



The world is changing, we need to start accepting differences of opinions in each other without major meltdowns  and going off on one-another.

I just have one question, how long have you lived here?

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook








47 comments:

Beth Tokioka, Mayors assistant said...

via email;
Enjoyed it immensely!

Jean Bornell said...

Via email;
not in Kapaa to give you a stink eye / xo j

KimoRosen said...

It's OK, I accept stink eye via email! ;D)

Bettejo Dux said...

via email;
I love it and want to reply as a column...

Keahi Tucker, KHNL Anchor. said...

Good one Kimo. I've LOVED living here all my life! I also am amused at how it's become a status symbol. Aloha, KT

KimoRosen said...

Keahi,
yea, I hear ya! ;D

Douglas Dunn said...

Yes, I read the article online in The Garden Island.
Loved it!
Reminds me of my neighbor, who is as strong a conservative Republican as I am a liberal Democrat, but he is a nice guy, friendly, with a twinkle in his eye. We always have a good word and a good chat, but we do avoid politics.

KimoRosen said...

Doug, that's the way it should be, people are just so narcissistic and anal these days. People need to chill... I differ in opinion with so many people, it's refreshing when we can dis-agree and still be cordial and friendly. Many can no longer do what we do.

Thomas LaVenture said...

Obama did invite Republican leadership to the White House many times in the early days of his first administration to take input on health care reform and other administration objectives including the bail out. The far right controlled now unrecognizable Republican Party interpreted this as a sign of weakness and used it as a strategy to undermine his then majority DNC Congress and managed to get them to fail to produce a workable national healthcare system and stymied immigration reform for six years. Then again, if the DNC really wanted change they would have done it anyway. Its one party with two faces that have one common interest of maintaining the status quo.

Douglas Dunn said...

"Agreed, Thomas. I think liberals (as well as the conservatives of earlier generations) are more willing to differentiate between politics/political situations and other areas of social interaction than the new hot-headed brand of TEApubliCON extremists. Though, in fairness, I probably have to admit that if I met my neighbor in an online discussion group instead of in person, where I couldn't see that twinkle in his eye or how nice he is, and our interactions were specifically about politics instead of avoiding the subject, the chats might be somewhat, er, shall we say, less amicable."

Rick Comstock said...

@Thomas Laventure.....The obstruction was the Rep. use of "Filibuster" don't forget the 75% of voting people want, gun control, underemployment, equal pay, SSI, emigration and a jobs bill all DNC platform stuff. Never seen one party two faces, don't fool yourself. Congress is Divided.

Unknown said...

great article and we will be promoting you in a GOOD way. Have promoted you on our Google Plus account.

Kauai Snarklectic said...

Just found this website by Kauai Snarklectic! Check it out!
https://plus.google.com/107492815088018476595/posts

"Da Kine talk is a great blog. Its "snarky", but extremely mild, borderline snarky, actually there is barely any snark at all. And if it is snarky, its the kind of snark we like. We don't always agree with him, but hey we like the guy, yanno? And his blogpost today was timely and decidedly epic. Kimo is a part time staffer for the G.I>, and frankly, since he is an acutal paid writer, is reams and reams better then Joan Conrow, who needs to beg donations on her blog to keep her in GMO food. Kimo doesn;t need to do that. We like his blog, and we like him. SO, check him out today!"

Renee Harden said...

I have an Hawaiian flag sticker on my car...most people think it's the British flag, but I do get to meet true Hawaiians who comment on my flag. When they asked, "How long did you live there?" I reply, "Not long enough!"

KimoRosen said...

Renee, great answer! Love it!

surf-kauai51 said...

via Garden Island comments section;

"I've never commented, or at least not favorably commented, on anything that Kimo has written before. But this time, he has brought up a subject that is constantly on my mind.
I've also written letters to the editor that have received very harsh criticism, and that's OK, but when I tried to widen my stance and better explain the point I was trying to make, the hazing only got worse. Those that chose to disagree with me got so caught up in their rant that they quit listening to what I was trying to say. They basically refused to even TRY to understand my point of view. That kind of closed-mindedness doesn't help to convey understanding or compassion for other ways to see and perceive the world around us.
Open up you eyes and your minds so that you can see what's going on around you and how other people also see it.
How long have I lived here? Coming up on 48 years. I grew up as a young boy here, so this is my home, my culture and the only real way for me to live. I love all things Hawaiian. But I have little to no respect for those that don't respect me. When we first meet and shake hands, we are the same. It's what we do from then on that makes us different. Cut me and cut you, we both bleed the same color.
We won't always agree on everything, but we DO have to live around each other.
Good article Kimo!"

AnonyMouse said...

via garden island comments section;

"I think Trey Parker painted the most accurate image of so many folks here."

commonsense said...

via Garden Island comments section;

"Good job Kimo. I don't always agree with your opinions, but this one is right on the mark. We all need a little more tolerance and acceptance."

Anonymous said...

I have to say that the anti-GMO crowd isn't about being non-science and you're right, it's a religion. It's all based in ideology, something that doesn't with science. They love to worship Revered Hooser, Priestess Shiva. All you have to do is believe, believe, believe!

KimoRosen said...

A Kauai blogger by the name of Joan Conrow commented about my column in her blog today, feel free to comment back to her, "Still, I found it fascinating that Vesselina's piece followed one by James “Kimo” Rosen, who wrote about how much he hates the standard Hawaii question: How long have you lived here? He then goes on to make his case:

I was always under the impression that a person who actually moves on their own free will is actually where they want to be by choice, whereas a person born wherever and who never leaves is only there because their parents happened to live there the day they were born.

The newcomer has gone out of their way to be in Hawaii, which actually makes one a stronger Hawaiian. Like a convert to a religion, they are usually the strongest congregants because that religion is their choice, not just a religion into which they were born.

Hoo boy." http://kauaieclectic.blogspot.com/2014/05/musings-to-victor.html

Kauaisnarklectic said...

reply from Kauai snarklectic, Kimo, Joan Connrow(We like to call her Loan COrnrow, and Loam Bummedrow) ripped you a new hole on her post today, but never fear, that is what Kauai Snarklectic is here for. Stay tuned for us praising you, and going for her jugular. I know its harsh, but someone has to do it! Also, feel free to comment and post on our blog, and also please tell everyone you know to do so. This is a new blog started 10 days ago, with already hundreds of page veiws, and thousands of views on googleplus!

https://plus.google.com/.../10749281.../posts/8FDA4A7aTiu...
Thanks Kimo...

tiki808 said...

via garden Island newspaper;

"Do you know the President have counselors to consult them on important activities in their president's run and their quest to keep the United States together? Not everything you read is straight forward. An example of this is when a president gets elected, one of his job duties is to uphold certain by laws in democratic conventions or republican conventions. President Ronald Reagan was not a good public figure. He was an actor. He lacked any insight in military, just chose to become an advocate of military security and place more money in it, just for his run as president. Quantanamo Bay, Cuba, for example, had some run in with some Americans in the regions of south Florida and the Bahamas. What does Ronald Reagan know about international marketing or international business? Null! Meaning nothing. Interesting president we had and for us to follow him and his decisions, a hog wash time in politics and sad time for many Americans in the 1980s. Ronald Reagan was the who in world politics and order. An actor, just as they said so in his old 1955 movies western style in California."

Joni Kamiya-Rose said...

Joni wrote: "This person is just a wee bit bizarre. Just read what they tried to post on my blog. Very, very strange person indeed. It is someone in Kapaa. http://hawaiifarmersdaughter.com/2014/05/02/kauai-snarkleclectic-confused-trust-fund-babies-in-need-of-a-needle/"

Yvonne Kealoha said...

this person smokes too much pakalolo.....man needs to get their head examined.....so damn sick and sarcastic.....

Snarklectic commments said...

James Kimo Rosen Rick, do you know the guy or gal who publishes this? Name?
10 hrs · Like

Marianne Jones says Juan Wilson yeah?
10 hrs · Unlike · 1

James Kimo Rosen don't believe Juan's da Juan, the blog also talks about him in pat posts?
10 hrs · Like · 1

Marianne Jones ahh ok, it's a hard site for me so far....not very user friendly
10 hrs · Unlike · 1

Rick Comstock No.....
10 hrs · Unlike · 1

James Kimo Rosen I heard from another friend it may be Ann Punaho?
10 hrs · Like

Marianne Jones refers to writer as a he
10 hrs · Unlike · 1

Rick Comstock Well if it has Jonathan Jay, Jaun Wilson, and Ann Punaho .... count me out..... I'm rather thin skinned when being associated with that crowd.
4 hrs · Like

James Kimo Rosen Rick, remember, we need to be accept differences..? ;D)
3 hrs · Like · 2

Marianne Jones I thought it might be Chuck since he's the only one banned. And what's up with them making you sign in saying who you are if they dont?
3 hrs · Like · 1

James Kimo Rosen ??? no idea????
3 hrs · Like

Marianne Jones says you cant comment anonymously
3 hrs · Like · 1

Marianne Jones The writer and editor in me cringed as I read the blog
3 hrs · Like · 1

James Kimo Rosen oh well? so far I like them, they got me by complimenting my blog! ;D)
3 hrs · Like · 1

Rick Comstock I know my limits, I know the Serenity Prayer, live to the beat of my own drum and get a bad gut feeling of that sight. By the way thanks for the compliment of being called Chuck. Marianne follow your inner self that cringe is a warning sign. Jimbo accepting difference is like holding a personal check you just felt was bad, to late to be on the receiving end of that group.
3 hrs · Like · 1

Marianne Jones I didnt call you Chuck...I was saying I thought the blog writer might be Chuck since he goes on about blocking Chuck.
2 hrs · Like · 1

James Kimo Rosen c,mon, lets' sing kumbaya! ;D)
2 hrs · Like · 1

Snarklectic commments said...


Marianne Jones hey I am making a daisy chain with my dandelions! I am a proponent of the Serenity prayer too it's all good!
2 hrs · Like · 1

Rick Comstock I know that Marianne, I just made the connotation because Chuck is my closest friend. I like for "row your boat" Jimbo.....Just this thread is tells me I need not visit that sight....Little humor, sarcasm and good friends.
2 hrs · Like · 1

Marianne Jones I apologize Rick, didnt mean to offend.
2 hrs · Like

Rick Comstock You did offend me, no apologizing necessary you speak from the heart and that friends to me....
2 hrs · Like · 1

Rick Comstock NOT....sorry typing to fast
2 hrs · Unlike · 2

Rick Comstock Amazing the damage a sharp mind and one finger typing can do...
2 hrs · Like · 1

James Kimo Rosen reply from Kauai snarklectic, Kimo, Joan Connrow(We like to call her Loan COrnrow, and Loam Bummedrow) ripped you a new hole on her post today, but never fear, that is what Kauai Snarklectic is here for. Stay tuned for us praising you, and going for he...See More

Kauai Snarklectic - Google+ - Da Kine talk is a great blog. Its "snarky", but extremely…
plus.google.com
Da Kine talk is a great blog. Its "snarky", but extremely mild, borderline snark...See more
31 mins · Like · Remove Preview

James Kimo Rosen A Kauai blogger by the name of Joan Conrow commented about my column in her blog today, feel free to comment back to her, "Still, I found it fascinating that Vesselina's piece followed one by James “Kimo” Rosen, who wrote about how much he hates the...See More

KauaiEclectic: Musings: To the Victor
kauaieclectic.blogspot.com
17 mins · Like · Remove Preview

Joni Kamiya-Rose This person is just a wee bit bizarre. Just read what they tried to post on my blog. Very, very strange person indeed. It is someone in Kapaa. http://hawaiifarmersdaughter.com/.../kauai.../

Kauai Snarkleclectic: Confused Trust Fund Babies in Need of a Needle
hawaiifarmersdaughter.com
Today I was lucky enough to get several blog posts commented on by none other th...See more
8 mins · Unlike · 1 · Remove Preview

Yvonne Kealoha this person smokes too much pakalolo.....man needs to get their head examined.....so damn sick and sarcastic.....
3 mins · Like

Joni Kamiya-Rose Its not even sarcastic or snarky as they claim. It's just plain old weird, and Yvonne it sounds like something clouding the mind. The fact that these are the people demanding a law, yikes.
2 secs · Like
James Kimo Rosen

Snarklectic commments said...


Marianne Jones hey I am making a daisy chain with my dandelions! I am a proponent of the Serenity prayer too it's all good!
2 hrs · Like · 1

Rick Comstock I know that Marianne, I just made the connotation because Chuck is my closest friend. I like for "row your boat" Jimbo.....Just this thread is tells me I need not visit that sight....Little humor, sarcasm and good friends.
2 hrs · Like · 1

Marianne Jones I apologize Rick, didnt mean to offend.
2 hrs · Like

Rick Comstock You did offend me, no apologizing necessary you speak from the heart and that friends to me....
2 hrs · Like · 1

Rick Comstock NOT....sorry typing to fast
2 hrs · Unlike · 2

Rick Comstock Amazing the damage a sharp mind and one finger typing can do...
2 hrs · Like · 1

James Kimo Rosen reply from Kauai snarklectic, Kimo, Joan Connrow(We like to call her Loan COrnrow, and Loam Bummedrow) ripped you a new hole on her post today, but never fear, that is what Kauai Snarklectic is here for. Stay tuned for us praising you, and going for he...See More

Kauai Snarklectic - Google+ - Da Kine talk is a great blog. Its "snarky", but extremely…
plus.google.com
Da Kine talk is a great blog. Its "snarky", but extremely mild, borderline snark...See more
31 mins · Like · Remove Preview

James Kimo Rosen A Kauai blogger by the name of Joan Conrow commented about my column in her blog today, feel free to comment back to her, "Still, I found it fascinating that Vesselina's piece followed one by James “Kimo” Rosen, who wrote about how much he hates the...See More

KauaiEclectic: Musings: To the Victor
kauaieclectic.blogspot.com
17 mins · Like · Remove Preview

Joni Kamiya-Rose This person is just a wee bit bizarre. Just read what they tried to post on my blog. Very, very strange person indeed. It is someone in Kapaa. http://hawaiifarmersdaughter.com/.../kauai.../

Kauai Snarkleclectic: Confused Trust Fund Babies in Need of a Needle
hawaiifarmersdaughter.com
Today I was lucky enough to get several blog posts commented on by none other th...See more
8 mins · Unlike · 1 · Remove Preview

Yvonne Kealoha this person smokes too much pakalolo.....man needs to get their head examined.....so damn sick and sarcastic.....
3 mins · Like

Joni Kamiya-Rose Its not even sarcastic or snarky as they claim. It's just plain old weird, and Yvonne it sounds like something clouding the mind. The fact that these are the people demanding a law, yikes.
2 secs · Like
James Kimo Rosen

Joni Kamiya-Rose said...

"Its not even sarcastic or snarky as they claim. It's just plain old weird, and Yvonne it sounds like something clouding the mind. The fact that these are the people demanding a law, yikes."

KimoRosen said...

I just wish they would identify who they are?

Michael Mann-LTE said...

Michael Mann responds with his own LTE

All opinions not worth sharing TGI-05-07-14

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-may/article_97960fc4-d5a7-11e3-9a47-001a4bcf887a.html


All opinions not worth sharing
In response to Kimo Rosen’s editorial piece, I would like to say the following. Surely, we can agree that some opinions, no matter how much it is one’s right to state or believe them, are not generally acceptable. Those who believe, for example, that adults should be able to engage in non-platonic relationships with children are generally shunned and viewed as pariahs, if not utter predators. This is at one extreme. At the other, you have opinions which are generally accepted by all, and those who don’t are considered to be off their rockers. The sky appears blue. The Earth isn’t flat and revolves around the sun.
It is to be expected that there is some distribution between these two extremes. Each individual is at liberty to decide for themselves which opinions they are going to tolerate and which they are not. It is not incumbent upon anyone to tolerate opinions they find abhorrent, and most certainly if that opinion is baseless, demonstrably dangerous or extremist.
Frankly, the fact that Tip O’Neill and Ronald Reagan could disagree so bitterly on issues and then go have a cordial dinner with each other speaks more about the pathetic game that is American politics than it reflects on how people should behave in regards to the opinions of others. I care nothing for an opinion that is based upon fear rather than observable facts, innuendo rather than intelligence, or pseudo-science or mysticism rather than science. Those holding such opinions will not have my respect, either.
Michael Mann
Lihue

Unknown said...

We, here at Kauai Snarklectic LOVE that you want to know who we are. We love the names that you have tried to guess. Why not play our interactive staffing game? It's fun, try it! Select 10 staff members for the month! Take a break from all of this high brow deep thinking and have some fun.

Hi Joni, check out our post regarding your post regarding us. We love that you think we are crazy, bizarre, type badly, and there was a lot of cringing going on. But that is exactly the reaction we are looking for, and you guys are giving it to us in spades. What an adreneline rush!

Yet, you do not see the dark humour, snark, diss, and other stuff that we do, because their funny bones are permanently buried deep in GMO Kim-Chee. And we aren't taking sides, (we are lying, of course we take sides)we just choose the snarkier side, and just "go there".

Then you all post here, on Kimo's blog, while your good com patriot, Joan Conrow disses the man on her blog. None of you can take it when its thrown back in your face though. Also, its very friendly on our blog. Go ahead and post. See if your post makes it. It is the same as it is on Joni's blog, or Joan's blog.

They pick and choose and make their rules and so do we. Further, you just have to know "who it is", so you can do a complete expose on that person, and "expose" them. Well, we expose Joan. She wrote a book for tourists, a tour guide for Kaua'i encouraging people to come here, then rips people for being from the mainland, when she herself is from the mainland.

So here is the deal. Kimo wrote something that tried to be a true good article, and to bridge the gap. He saw the duplicity in all of it. He did a great job. And what is the first thing Joan does? Make fun of him for it. That is the mentality that our blog fights against. Well, we don't fight, we just make fun of it. We are lovers not fighters. We love to diss stuff. That's our real love. But of course, one man's humour is another man's "crazy talk".

What makes us crack up, is that as Joan rips Kimo, yet you post here as if you are his friends. IF Kimo wrote an article in favor even the tiniest bit of 2491 supporters, the whole pile of you would be writing scathing "expose's" on him. you know its true, and so do we. As for Chuck, he is our poster boy of mirth and girth. he isn't our friend, so of course you're gonna hate our blog. As it should be.


This blog (Kauai Snarklectic)is sarcastic, rude, obnoxious, and totally off the wall crazy. As it was intended to be. Unlike other blogs it doesn't pretend to be serious or take itself all serious n stuff.

We try to show the ridiculolus-ness of the blogs out there, including Joni's and Joan's, that show their own duplicity.

Kapaa is a big place with lots of people that live there. perhaps we are just a group of people you have never heard of before, who just enjoy ripping people a new hole, that enjoy doing it to others. Frankly we were just sick and tired of stuff that was being written about people.


Think about it. While you are writing bad things about Kimo, someone may be writing bad things about you.


We are the Kauai Equilizers, when it comes to writing snarky stuff. We aren't trying to be professional writers, or experts on anything

But we love watching you all try to figure it out.

Love to Kimo, and Snarks to the rest of you!. BTW-Don't watch Saturday Night Live...it could be too much for you people.

Oh, and please read our latest post, where we defend Kimo, and deflate Joan. Tokyo Rose, your next!

Oooh, so drug induced, not funny, and cringeworthy!

The Kauai Snarklectic Team.

Mitchel J. Schapira said...

This works better with a Maine accent: "Lived her all your life?" "Not yet."

Rick Comstock said...

I read it.....Micael Mann considers himself Kauai's noteworthy intellect on every subject....Meh, just noise from him!

KimoRosen said...

Michael totally missed my point, no idea what he was even talking about. I do not respond since it only entices more madness...

Rick Comstock said...

He's always standing to far from first base.

Rick Comstock said...

another Yogi Berra ... Rickism

KimoRosen said...

You need to publish a book of Rickism's! I buy da first

KimoRosen said...

Michael isn't even close to first base, more like the moon, or should i say Uranus (his anus)

Rick Comstock said...

I will only be selling one then...."Rick's Bathroom Reader" would be the title.

Rick Comstock said...

Mann in the Moon

KimoRosen said...

?? allusions?

Rick Comstock said...

Delussions

KimoRosen said...

dat's what I meant, just spelled to fast... ;D)

Rick Comstock said...

The picture you take after some just got done chew your ass.

Rick Comstock said...

Got to go ... a small bowl of frozen yogurt has my name on it......

KimoRosen said...

Me too, gotta go, my dinner has Michel Mann's bicture on it! ;D)

Rick Comstock said...

You used the word correctly, put that in your Funken Wagnal.....MM is the poster child for the bicture.... perfect for flash cards....