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Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Over 35 million in taxes for road maintenance, yet what's to show for it.." 'Glenn Mickens' (County Watchdog)

Glenn Mickens has lived on Kauai  with his wife Ruth for the last 26 years. Born July 26, 1930 in Wilmar, California, USA) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched in four games (two of which were starts) for the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers. He also played for five years in Japan, from 1959 until 1963 for the Kintetsu Buffaloes. There, he compiled a record of 45–53 with a 2.54 ERA.  Glenn also  served in the Army for 2 years and coached baseball at UCLA for 25 years. 
Last but not least Glenn would really like to see Kaua'i give the county manager style of Government a chance.
Above photo of Glenn Mickens courtesy of Kauai Garden island news, used with permission...

Mr. Mickens is locally known
as one of Kauai county's
political watchdogs
and Nitpickers...
Mahalos Glenn!

Over 35 million in taxes for road maintenance, yet what's to show for it? 
For 20 years I have been pursuing getting our 300 miles of county roads properly maintained. And with our road conditions in the same or worse shape today than they were years ago, it appears that this administration and council need to have a thorough investigation to find out what is going on.

Our council hired an outstanding auditor, the late Ernie Pasion who did a fine 28 page audit of our roads using fiscal year 2006-07 as a test project. Many very good "findings" were uncovered along with corrective "recommendations" and though Public Works concurred with these findings and corrections, we look at our roads today and they are still in terrible shape.


Over the years I have factually shown the many councils how the tax payers were being fraudulently cheated out of millions of dollars by paying for materials (AC) to be used on our roads that we were not getting. We were paying for 1 1/2" to 2" for the final course on the road but were getting far less than that. 

And if anyone doubted the accuracy of my many testimonies before the council where I showed samples of AC less than what we paid for why then did someone not tell me I was wrong and show me the inaccuracy of my findings? Or if I were proved to be right then why was there no investigation to solve the problem? 

In Oct of 2010 the county hired an engineer, Larry Dill and a deputy, Ed Renaud 
who did paving by HAPI and AASHTO standards which was never done before causing our roads to be in such terrible condition. They were doing a fine job of trying to undo years of incompetent work but regretfully Mr Dill left his position and we have no engineer.
Da Shadow has a weekly
column in The Garden
Island News fighting for the
advocacy of peoples rights!


One of the biggest reasons given for the sorry shape our roads are in is lack of funds, which has some merit. However Da Shadow (Jerome Freitas) asked the administration in TGI (4/29/16) about our vehicle weight tax, our gas tax, our registration fees and public utility franchise fees--how much are we taking in each year. 

The answer was that we took in over $35.33 million for years 2012 to to 2015 for these taxes that were supposed to maintain our roads. Also we did no paving in years 2011 to 2013 so where did this money go? 

Let me quote from the Pasion audit of 2006-07: "The county's highway fund is comprised of monies subject to restriction (such as fuel, and vehicle weight and utility fees). The funds are COMMINGLED AND USED FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES. INCLUDING NON-HIGHWAY PURPOSES, SO THE COUNTY CANNOT ENSURE THAT THE FUNDS ARE BEING USED AS REQUIRED BY LAW." (Emphasis added)


Thus before we ask the tax payers for more money to properly pave our roads (more excise tax) lets make sure we know where all these millions of dollars are going now! When the audit showed that these road taxes are being used for other than road purposes then let's plug up that hole and see what we still need if anything? 



P.S.
Check out Glenn's Wikipedia page;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Mickens
Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...
Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen---Blogger-n-chief, dakinetalk blog---

Kapaa Sunset over Sleeping Giant,
Check out the Kitty cat cloud!
From my back lanai!
i-Phone photo by James "Kimo Rosen
Hana Hou, (Encore) 






Monday, January 30, 2017

" Fasten your seat-belts for the Trump era..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #169)

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 Da Dog!



Kimo's world's #169~Blog #1893


Trump is right! Most THE MOST DISHONEST
 people out there IS THE MAIN STREAM MEDIA!!

Fasten your seat-belts for the Trump era

 I am blown away the way President Trump 
 is  binge signing
Executive orders.  To many it may  seem more like a dictatorship than a democracy.


My defense in voting for "The Donald" was always, don't worry this is America we have a system of checks and balances. Bills must pass the senate and Congress before coming law and it is usually a long tedious  process.  

10 days in office and it seems Trump has already accomplished more than Obama did in 8 years? Did he do it with checks and balances? Did he do it like other Presidents? Did he do it in a pono (righteous) manner? 
However, believe it or not it's all legal, it's just never been done like this before!


 The next 4 years Americans will be taken on the ride of their life's! Some will rejoice, while others will believe it's the end of times.  

Remember Kennedy put a man on the moon, Obama put a man in the Ladies room! (it's a joke folks) And Trump is a man who will make America Great again?  

Fasten your seat belts for the Trump era, for a new America, of the likes you have never seen before!

Sleeping Giant Sunset
 01-14-17 Voggy conditions

In honor of Martin Luther King Day!
iPhone photo-James "Kimo" Rosen
P.S.
Check out this YouTube;
Psychotic Lib Abuses Trump Supporter, Goes Berserk When Police Refuse To Let Her Play The Victim;  (comments are great too!)

 Hana Hou, Encore!






More dakinetalk reading on Donald Trump; (Great reading!)
(All Trump related  blogs by James "Kimo" Rosen unless otherwise indicated)
1-Trumped by "The Donald" 'Obama Da Dog' (Special political edition)
2-Trump supporters must come out of the closet! (Kimo's world #118)
3-Trump, the election and the Jewish connection...(Kimo's world #119)
4-Trump-fulling... (Kimo's world #120)
5-A poem about Donald J. Trump...
6- Trumps Failing businesses are his strengths...
7-Extra! Extra! Read All About It!--Trump Hijacks Republican party into Hell
8-Trump and the race for President, a nasty one fueled by the media (Carrie Eckert)
9-Win or Lose, Could Trump Be A Secret Agent For Hillary
10-Raccoon's and Trump~Larry Arruda~(Source)
11-Definition of Trump
12-Hillary and Donald Trump walk into a bakery
13-Kaepernick and Obama, trump this Kool-Aid
14-Hoping one thing will remain after the election
15-Undecided voters
16-Don't be surprised if Mr. Trump is hired
17-Biggest Hail Marry of all time, Obama Da Dog to change name to Ivanka
18-Mazol Tov Mr. Trump!
19-Just Give Trump a Chance
20-Wishing Hillary well and why all the protesting?
21-The election is over (and)Trump is our captain and is on our side..!
22-Trump's Political Chess
23-Who would you rather kiss goodnight, Obama or Ivanka..?

Friday, January 27, 2017

Shopping malls not what they used to be... 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Friday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York
( A suburb of Buffalo, N.Y.)
 and has worked in the ophthalmology
 field of medicine for nearly 40 years

Shopping malls not what they used to be


What is happening to our Shopping malls? When I was a young girl growing up in the Buffalo suburbs and it came time for clothing shopping, we would put on our “ good wear” clothing and take the public bus downtown. It was the only way to shop in those days. 


The suburbs had no chain stores to shop in and the hub of shopping took place in the downtown Buffalo area. Especially during the holiday season, it was an adventure to shop main
street with the beautiful window decorations and adorned holiday windows that sparkled and entertained. There were “lunch counters” inside each department store where we would take a break from our shopping and relax.

The 1960's hit soon enough and as the suburbs became more populated, the idea of having a group of stores gathered in doors became a novel idea.  The shopping mall was born.

What an amazing idea to have all of our favorite stores in one place. We no longer had to take a bus downtown and could car pool to an area close to our homes. The mall also was an answer for many people who would use the mall as a makeshift area to exercise and wallah. the 'Mall Walkers' were launched. 



When I was a teenager, my first real job was working at the Boulevard Mall. It also served as a gathering place for my friends and I to meet, talk, shop and have lunch. It was a novel, enjoyable and convenient idea that lasted for many years, until the computer age came along. Now we no longer had to spend our time leaving home to purchase items, clothing and other accessories. We purchased on the world wide web, and with a click of the mouse turned shopping into a quick easy way to accomplish in what took hours in the past.

Recently, over the last 5 years, I have noticed that many chain stores and Malls are now in financial trouble and the oh so favorite malls are closing all over the country. We spend a fair amount of time traveling to the West coast and have found that the malls there are closing as well and now a new
novel idea has begun to spring out there; The “Outdoor Mall."


 A group of stores, some chains, that are built in a confined area that open to the out of doors. In the middle mall are resting areas, play areas for the children, park like groupings of benches and trees and pleasant live music that soothes the shopper. This can only be accomplished in a warmer weather environment and I find myself being drawn to this novel environment to have a coffee and relax in the middle of the mall area.

I have found that this idea is sweeping through the country and in Buffalo the idea has been tossed around to turn the Eastern Hills Mall into such an idea.


I still reflect with fondness on the past when my mother and I would take the local 'NFT' bus downtown to window shop and spend the day but those days are far behind us now. 

Perhaps this new way of shopping and gathering can bring back some of those social interactions as we knew in the past, only in a different way. I prefer to mix my shopping styles, some on line, some in person--some items will always need to be tried out first and “on line” shopping will never have an answer to that.

Hana Hou, (Encore)






Monday, January 23, 2017

"It was a beautiful Inauguration yet I am scared for my country..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #168)

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 Da Dog!


Kimo's world's #168~Blog #1891
James "Kimo" Rosen had the
 opportunity  to interview
and photograph Trump friend
 and supporter
Reverend Franklin Graham
 back in 1998 in
Anchorage Alaska while publishing
Alaska people magazine!


It was a beautiful Inauguration yet I am scared for my country

I am scared for the way many of  my fellow Americans are acting towards the commander in chief.

Why is it I feel that I am the only one  that voted for Trump? 62 million people plus voted in favor of Mr. Trump.  Recently I got chewed out by a liberal friend because I am the only guy in America that voted for Trump, at least it seems that's how she thinks? She has had a hard time sleeping since the election, to this person this is Armageddon and it seems to be all my fault.

 Last Friday was a beautiful Inauguration ceremony, yet the vibe was wrong with so many in protest refusing to not show and not watch on TV.  The vibe was all wrong in what should have been a day of national unity.
Civil rights icon and Congressman John Lewis
is one of many Democrats who boycotted
Trumps inauguration.

To those in opposition to Mr. Trump, let me make a football analogy;  It's like betting against your favorite team to win.  Let's say your favorite team drafts a quarterback you don't like, you still root for your team to win-- the team is more than just a quarterback.  Likewise in politics, the team is more than just the President.


We do not want to show other countries our weakness. For the sake of national security America must show unity! 

To my liberal friends, the Hollywood elite are not on your side, while they ponder which Mercedes to drive to dinner you are pondering on how do pay next months mortgage.

Get over the guy saying a few words you didn't like, let's start judging him by his actions in office. His ego is huge,(YUUGE)(sic) believe me, he will do everything possible to be the best President ever. I won't say give him a chance, that has become too cliche. I will say one year, two years, three years from now, I told you so; look at those jobs he brought back and look at those companies that didn't move their plants to foreign countries.
A Beautiful transition of power! An example
of what Democracy is all about!
God bless The Obama and Trump families!
God bless President Trump and his wonderful family for a productive and successful tenure  as the first family of the greatest country on planet earth.
Sleeping Giant Sunset
in honor of the 45 President
of The Unite States
Donald J. Trump!

iPhone photo;
James "Kimo" Rosen

I am honored of my mention in the 01-22-17 edition  in the Garden Island news  guest commentary  by Al Albergate. Check it out! "How about a little respect for everyone?"
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/how-about-a-little-respect-for-everyone/article_465b1b38-edaa-59ed-8f15-d6947987f8c4.html

P.S.



Do you see this CHILD? This child's life was changed forever when his Father was sworn in as President of The United States of America yesterday. Long before his Father, President Donald J. Trump, was sworn in- this child became the center of hateful online attacks. From a certain celebrity attempting to diagnose him with a learning disability with her degree from "The University of Google" to now, when a writer from Saturday Night Live decided to make a tweet saying that he would be the "first homeschool shooter". Which she must not do any research because he does attend an actual school. Some of you liberals go on and on about peace, hope and love, and yet you spew hatred out the other side of your hypocritical mouth. Tonight, when you tuck your children into bed, look them in the eyes and ask yourself, "could I say these things to my baby?" Whether you like or dislike the Trumps- this is their ten year old son. He is still growing and words hurt. Words have the potential to form a person while they are growing into their adult years. Would you say these things to your own child? NO child deserves to be talked to in such a manner. Don't be a hypocrite. His name is Barron Trump. He is a child. He is to be respected and he is off limits!


Check out my letter to the editor in the January 27,2017 edition of the  Honolulu Staradvertiser.
(The states largest daily newspaper) The Staradvertiser has a paywall, therefore I am copying and pasting it below;
Americans must remain united
Why is it I feel that I am the only one who voted for President Donald Trump? More than 62 million people voted in favor of Trump. Recently I got chewed out by a liberal friend because I am the only guy in America that voted for Trump — at least it seems that’s how she thinks. To those who oppose Trump, let me make a football analogy. It’s like betting against your favorite football team. The team is more than just a quarterback. Likewise in politics, the team is more than just the president. We do not want to show other countries our weakness. For the sake of national security, America must show unity.
To my liberal friends: The Hollywood elite are not on your side. While they ponder which Mercedes to drive to dinner, many of us are pondering how to pay next month’s mortgage.
James “Kimo” Rosen Kapaa, Kauai

http://www.staradvertiser.com/


Hana Hou, (Encore)




More dakinetalk reading on Donald Trump; (Great reading!)
(All Trump related  blogs by James "Kimo" Rosen unless otherwise indicated)
1-Trumped by "The Donald" 'Obama Da Dog' (Special political edition)
2-Trump supporters must come out of the closet! (Kimo's world #118)
3-Trump, the election and the Jewish connection...(Kimo's world #119)
4-Trump-fulling... (Kimo's world #120)
5-A poem about Donald J. Trump...
6- Trumps Failing businesses are his strengths...
7-Extra! Extra! Read All About It!--Trump Hijacks Republican party into Hell
8-Trump and the race for President, a nasty one fueled by the media (Carrie Eckert)
9-Win or Lose, Could Trump Be A Secret Agent For Hillary
10-Raccoon's and Trump~Larry Arruda~(Source)
11-Definition of Trump
12-Hillary and Donald Trump walk into a bakery
13-Kaepernick and Obama, trump this Kool-Aid
14-Hoping one thing will remain after the election
15-Undecided voters
16-Don't be surprised if Mr. Trump is hired
17-Biggest Hail Marry of all time, Obama Da Dog to change name to Ivanka
18-Mazol Tov Mr. Trump!
19-Just Give Trump a Chance
20-Wishing Hillary well and why all the protesting?
21-The election is over (and)Trump is our captain and is on our side..!
22-Trump's Political Chess
23-Who would you rather kiss goodnight, Obama or Ivanka..?

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

"A Helping Hand Through Customs..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source of comedy relief)

Dakinetalk's favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)
Unc's really passionate about creating
 a National day To Help US Veterans
  and  their families for their risks
 and sacrifices to keep America FREE . 
'Unc' currently resides on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu. 
He is a retired cinematographer,
 and  enjoys giving the politicians a bad time...

 A Helping Hand Through Customs

A distinguished young woman on a flight from Switzerland asked the priest seated beside her: "Father, may I ask a favor?" 
                                                                                                      
"Of course. What may I do for you?" 

"Well, I bought an expensive electronic hair dryer that is well over the customs limits and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it through customs for me? Under your robes perhaps?"                                                                                                   
"I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you: I will not lie." 

"With your honest face, father, no one will question you." 

When they got to customs, she let the priest go ahead of her.

The official asked: "Father, do you have anything to declare?" 

"From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare." 

The official thought this answer strange, so asked: "And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?" 

"I have a marvelous little instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which is, to date, unused."

Roaring with laughter, the official said: "Go ahead, Father. Next! " 

 From :Unc C ==
Remember,
If you haven't got a smile on your face
And laughter in your heart,     
Then you are just an old sour puss
Ha ha ha,
L'oncle Ammusant  AKA~ Chester "Unc" Lau




 Hana Hou, (Encore) 




Monday, January 16, 2017

"Trump era off to shaky start..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #167)

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 Da Dog!



Kimo's world's #167~Blog #1889
Editors note,
 This same blog appeared this same day, 01-16-17 as an opinion article
in the Kaua'i Garden Island News;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letter-for-monday-jan/article_81d0fa14-7b9a-522e-a346-6d60c673f2cb.html

Trump era off to shaky start.

I find the Donald Trump era off to a shaky start.

The election is over and yet the country stands largely divided.


The Hollywood elite has turned on the President elect. Broadway plays and recent award ceremonies have been platforms for actors and actresses to spew their hatred toward the President elect.  There is a time and place for everything. Award ceremonies such as the Golden Globes are not the proper venue to give a hate speech on politics, as Meryl Streep recently did.  An evening of relaxation at a Broadway play is not the forum for actors to go off politically on the vice president elect either.

I have been open about my support for Trump and during the election many times wrote about the closet Trump supporters. I believe those closet supporters are the ones whom helped get him elected.  The sad part is even after voting for him have still stayed closeted and anonymous.

I was recently at a public event and two well known local  politicians whom I did not think even knew me came up to me and thanked me for my numerous opinion pieces in the Garden island news about Trump. I asked, did you like them? They replied, of course, we love Trump but do not feel comfortable talking about him in public. That's why we appreciate you.

I have become somewhat of a fall guy. Even religious leaders have said likewise, they appreciate me because I come out openly. They are afraid because of the backlash they may receive from liberal minded congregants should they show their open support for Trump.


It's somewhat ironic that I have lost many liberal  minded friends and at the same time do not have the open support of other Trump supporters.  I feel like I am living in the Twilight zone.


I go to see my  psychiatrist and  tell  him, oh boy everybody hates me over this Trump situation, and the psychiatrist says that's not true, everybody hasn't met you yet. (LOL)

I said it during the election, people need to come out of the closet, Big news folks, it's not fake News! Trump won the election!  It's time to openly celebrate!
Sleeping Giant Sunset
 01-14-17 Voggy conditions

In honor of Martin Luther King Day!
iPhone photo-James "Kimo" Rosen
Editors note, 
This same blog appeared this same day, 01-16-17 as an opinion article
in the Kaua'i Garden Island News;

 Hana Hou, Encore!





More dakinetalk reading on Donald Trump; (Great reading!)
(All Trump related  blogs by James "Kimo" Rosen unless otherwise indicated)
1-Trumped by "The Donald" 'Obama Da Dog' (Special political edition)
2-Trump supporters must come out of the closet! (Kimo's world #118)
3-Trump, the election and the Jewish connection...(Kimo's world #119)
4-Trump-fulling... (Kimo's world #120)
5-A poem about Donald J. Trump...
6- Trumps Failing businesses are his strengths...
7-Extra! Extra! Read All About It!--Trump Hijacks Republican party into Hell
8-Trump and the race for President, a nasty one fueled by the media (Carrie Eckert)
9-Win or Lose, Could Trump Be A Secret Agent For Hillary
10-Raccoon's and Trump~Larry Arruda~(Source)
11-Definition of Trump
12-Hillary and Donald Trump walk into a bakery
13-Kaepernick and Obama, trump this Kool-Aid
14-Hoping one thing will remain after the election
15-Undecided voters
16-Don't be surprised if Mr. Trump is hired
17-Biggest Hail Marry of all time, Obama Da Dog to change name to Ivanka
18-Mazol Tov Mr. Trump!
19-Just Give Trump a Chance
20-Wishing Hillary well and why all the protesting?
21-The election is over (and)Trump is our captain and is on our side..!
22-Trump's Political Chess
23-Who would you rather kiss goodnight, Obama or Ivanka..?