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Monday, May 30, 2022

"Taste of Hawaii Paying it forward... 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #331)


James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer  
amongst other things is a Humorist writer.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
                                         with his best friend and spiritual adviser,                                  
                                   Ivanka "Costco" Obama, The Bipartisan Dog!
                            Sunrise/Weather Photos, May- 2022
                                 These photos appeared on Hawaii News Now
          
                  Blog #2085~Kimo's world #331
Taste of Hawaii Paying it forward 
 
 
The Taste of Hawaii would be celebrating its 34th anniversary this coming Sunday, June 5th

however, when I texted 'The Taste' if the event would be held this year they texted back, "Many restaurants are struggling with staffing. As such, sadly, we will not have a Taste of Hawaii this year. Please plan to attend 2023!"

The 'Taste' did not take place in 2018 after severe floods ravaged the Garden Island's North shore

and many other parts of the state while a good majority of Kauai Rotarians were busy volunteering to help distressed flood victims. The 2020 and 2021 'Taste of Hawaii' were also canceled due to the Pandemic, which means in the last five years 'The Taste' has been canceled four times.

'The Taste of Hawaii' is Kauai's signature event held at Smiths Tropical Paradise where many visitors schedule their vacations around which is always the first Sunday in June and in the past has featured over 50 chefs strutting their signature dishes, plus approximately 15 beer, wine, and soft drink beverage vendors allowing you to
Councilman Bernard Carvalho Jr.
and Mayor Derek Kawakami boogie
the day away at the 2015 'Taste.'
Ironically back then their roles
were reversed, Bernard was Mayor
and Derek was a councilman...


eat and drink to your heart's content. There are also give or take 10 musical bands from Rock'n' roll to Big band allowing you to dance and burn off a few calories and then take a breather over at the silent auction.

I  always look forward to 'The Taste of Hawaii' as do many locals along with the visitors.

The $100.00 price tag for the ticket currently seems cheap with how expensive everything has skyrocketed. I imagine when 'The Taste' eventually resumes that the $100.00 price tag will be a real deal if the price tag isn't increased.

Inflation is so bad,

that companies are afraid to raise prices, therefore, a new word was recently coined called shrinkflation,(sic) the bag of chips, can of coffee, or even that plate lunch is the same price, it's just a smaller shrunken amount.

There’s a Seinfeld episode

where George believes he is being short-changed after Jerry’s girlfriend accidentally sees him in his birthday suit after swimming in cold water. That would also be shrinkflation or shrinkage. LOL

The Taste may want to consider the shrinkflation concept since most everyone loves 'The Taste,' not only for the food, music, and drink but for the

fellowship and Aloha. Why not keep 'The Taste' functioning with fewer vendors, and fewer musicians, but at least reopen the event, even if it's not as big as it used to be? Shrinkflation may not be so bad in the case of 'The Taste' if that's what it takes to keep it alive.

Since 'The Taste' is not happening this year why not celebrate 'The Taste' by paying it forward with some deep soul searching with a donation to your

favorite charity and or supporting a local restaurant on the first Sunday in June by taking a friend, family member, or even a homeless person to lunch. Let's call this, "The Taste of Hawaii goes dakine, or simply, 'The Taste of Hawaii' paying it forward!"

'The Taste' is a community event sponsored by the  Kapa'a Rotarians. All profits go

towards scholarships for our local youth and fund international projects such as providing safe drinking water and sanitation in schools for people in poverty-stricken areas around the world. 

 There is not a better event in the state of Hawaii. In the past, many politicians and

VIPs frequented 'The Taste' along with news personalities, singers, actors, rock stars, and even yours truly.  

We miss you and all

your Aloha 'Taste of Hawaii' and hope to see you next year, even if you're shrunk! 
An edited version of this blog appeared as an Op-ed/column
in the Monday, 06-06-22 edition of the Garden Island news
with the title, "Please bring back Taste of Hawaii"




Hana Hou (Encore)



Monday, May 9, 2022

"Things are looking up for our country..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen (Kimo's world #330)

 


James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer  
amongst other things is a Humorist writer.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
                                         with his best friend and spiritual adviser,                                  
                                   Ivanka "Costco" Obama, The Bipartisan Dog!
                            Sunrise/Weather Photos, May- 2022
                                 These photos appeared on Hawaii News Now
          
                  Blog #2084~Kimo's world #330
Things are looking up for our country
 
 
Ever since Biden came into office, things are looking up for our country, 'Gas is up,

rent is up, food is up.' said  Trevor Noah at the Whitehouse correspondent dinner. He may have been joking, however as the expression goes, many of earnest word was spoken in jest. 

 Biden accomplished

this by giving us record-high inflation with among many things his handling of the ongoing Ukrainian war and disastrous supply chain dilemma. There are also record-high gas prices brought on by one of many issues including the canceling of the

Keystone XL pipeline on his first day in office with an Executive order. There's also record-high illegal immigration brought on by another Executive order reversing all of Trump's restrictive immigration policies including halting the construction of the 16 billion dollar wall.  Biden also had record-high covid cases in 2021, record-high violent crime statistics, and the disastrous Afghanistan pullout resulting in 13 service members killed. Biden also left behind enough of our military equipment and weapons to make the Taliban the best-equipped terrorist group on the planet. 

The question still remains who will be the Republican nominee for president in 2024.

it's still a bit early with mid-terms still upcoming in November. The word on the street is Biden will not seek a second term. Time will tell? This will leave for two interesting primary races for both the Democrats and Republicans for the 2024 presidential race which will start in about a year's time. 

 If Brandon (Biden) doesn't run,

Political analysts are saying 'The Bern' (Bernie Sanders) may be back. When 'Brandon' was asked about 'The Bern' being back he thought they were talking about his hemorrhoids. (LOL)

Currently many

believe former President Trump has too much baggage to make another run for President. Some believe Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis is an upcoming political rock star and frontrunner. I believe Donald Trump Jr. will be the nominee, and why not? This is why it's a win-win.

Trump Jr is a great public speaker, he doesn't need a teleprompter to remind him who

he is as does the current POTUS. Junior is young and does not have dementia and will not be an embarrassment and laughing stock to America as is the current President.  Junior can actually make eye contact with reporters and answer questions without a prompter that aren't pre-screened as is the way the current administration does business.

Those who supported Trump in 2016 will be able to recycle Trump Yard signs,

bumper stickers and other election paraphernalia since Donald Trump's son has the same name as him. They both have the same platform and political beliefs so if you like Donald Trump senior you're bound to like the son. 

I predict Trump Jr.

will be the Republican nominee for President in 2024! If Not Junior, maybe Ivanka? The best part of it, either way with Junior or Ivanka is they can recycle all the 'MAGA' hats!    

The left should be proud that the right is able to recycle, whoever said that the Republicans aren't into the  Green movement, how bout that! 
This blog also ran as an Op-ed/opinion column  under
a different title, " Another Trump likely for White House run", 
in the 05-24-22edition of the Garden Island news!
Hana Hou (Encore)