""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.