"Aloha Friday Redux.." 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

 Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday about the history of Aloha Friday, read this and you will know the rest of the story!
Michael is happily retired and pursuing his dreams of writing and publishing books, he currently lives in Walnut Creek California.  (Michael is pictured above with his latest book,"The old Queen and the Maui Maiden." To purchase this book or any of Michael's 6 other novella's go to; http://www.michaelherr.com

ALOHA FRIDAY

March 16, 2012

It's Aloha Friday.

Aloha Friday Redux

Aloha folks. No, this is not an article about ducks. It's an article I should have written a long time ago. I should have started my series of Aloha Friday articles with this one. So bear with me as we go back and start over.

Aloha Friday, Hawaii's own term for TGIF, itself goes back officially only to 1966 when the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce in Hawaii voted in favor of it. Shortly afterwards the spirit spread to the Mainland, but there it caught on under the guise of "Casual Friday".

But Aloha Friday's origins actually trace back to the earliest design of the Aloha shirt in the early 1930's by Ellery Chun who ran a dry good store and began sewing shirts out of old kimono material. The Honolulu Advertiser first coined the term; but Chun quickly trademarked the name. What began as an effort to promote the wearing and sales of Aloha shirts now has become a symbol of Hawaii.

Vintage Hawaiian Aloha shirts now sell for high prices on sites such as eBay. Modern ones with names such as Tori Richards and Tommy Bahama command a great deal of money. Others, manufactured in the Far East, go for much less.

Nowadays, since casual attire is generally worn as business attire throughout the week, Aloha Friday primarily refers to the last day of the work week. Aloha Friday has become the TGIF of the islands with the 1982 song by Kimo Kahoano and Paul Natto, "It's Aloha Friday, No Work 'til Monday", becoming the theme song of that day.

So, take off that tie. Hang the suit back up. Reach into your closet and pull out a truly magnificent Aloha shirt. Slip it on and feel your soul drift away to the islands.

Okay folks, see you next week.

For more of Michael's writings go to http://www.michaelherr.com

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, Publisher.

"How about Kokua..?" 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

James "Kimo" Rosen with Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. Carvalho is under the gun for placing the Chief of police on leave, the police commission is saying the mayor does not have the authority, the mayor say's he does.

Kaua'i Chief of police Darryl D. Perry at a recent Martin Luther King day rally. This blog was published an an opinion article in the Kaua'i Garden Island news on 03-17-12...
http://thegardenisland.com/promo/homepage/letters-for-saturday-march/article_fcae786e-7010-11e1-81bc-001871e3ce6c.html  

Karma-Drama should be Kauai's catch phrase, instead of live Aloha, how about live Karma-Drama?

The recent weather with flooding, mudslides, thunder and lightning storms along with hail might be the result of karma, others might say it's G-ds way of punishing Kaua'i for it's lack of Kokua? Kokua is a Hawaiian word, that translates as "extending loving, sacrificial help to others for their benefit, not for personal gain..." 

The recent drama between our Mayor and Police chief , The electric company's mandatory smart meters and the lack of aloha with TSA agents at the airport  will certainly deter visitors from vacationing on our once upon a time awesome and cosmic island.

Instead of the Mayor and Police chief having  ongoing animosity why not just really live Aloha and  be Christian-like and forgive? If we want G-d to forgive us we need to forgive others, and for those who don't believe in God it boils down to basic karma.

The mayor and police chief need to show true leadership skills and show the true  heroes and gentlemen  they both are and not take these misunderstandings into a court of law where each side fights to prove who has the biggest whatever while costing the taxpayers millions.  

It's time for each side to take no fault  and realize Hawaii indeed has something to teach the world other than the Hula, how about Kokua!

http://thegardenisland.com/promo/homepage/letters-for-saturday-march/article_fcae786e-7010-11e1-81bc-001871e3ce6c.html

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, Publisher

G-d the father on Kaua'i and elsewhere..."'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesdays)

Guest-blogger Bettejo Dux is one of Kauai's most colorful people, she has lived on the cosmic island of Kaua'i for over 40 years... She is an animal lover, people lover and enjoys life to the fullest. She publishes her own blog column too, you can check it out at ;  http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com .   Besides her blog she recently published and authored the humorous fiction book, "The Scam," check it out at(www.bettejodux.com) or  on Amazon.

The old bloke is certainly all over the news, isn't he? Hope all of you read Donna Brazile's column this morning, "Belief, as in believing in God, can be a tricky thing.One's person's faith is another persons' heresy.  Some people proclaim no faith but still are strong believers. While others believe they have all the answers..." She writes simply, surely, and well and always on interesting subjects. She's one of my favorite columnists  Her title this morning on the forum page is Why should  there be a religious test for election to public office? It caught my eye. I've never understood the concept of a political god, it always sounded a bit beneath him. And, of course, I am always troubled with the gender. The patriarchal god makes me want to vomit. In our country today, he is owned outright by the Republican Party which is patriarchal to the core.

On a personal note, I used to wonder why I am so lucky to have no religious hangups, but if all of us are the product of our past- I think we are- then we can turn back the clock and find the reason.

I had a father I adored. Very handsome. He looked like Clark Gable. Very intelligent. Very wise. He strung none of the rocks of sin, guilt, and fear around my neck and he taught me I could do anything a boy could do. He solved so many of my childhood problems I lived in awe of him.

I remember once, out in the cold woods, I found a half dead cat with its head stuck in an empty can of dog food. I tried to yank its head out but couldn't. The poor little thing was so weak it couldn't fight back. No claws to scratch me with. it was a Saturday and I knew my father was home, so I grabbed the wretched thing and raced back. My father was in the kitchen sipping a glass of milk, he didn't drink. He took one look at me and the cat, grabbed the cat  and hung it can-side up on a wind- up wall can opener. The cat took a deep breath, the stinky suction wafted, leaped from my father's arms and streaked out the door. Now come on, wasn't that godlike? It was godlike enough for me.

There were no Bibles or holy books in our house but the shelves were filled with books. He bought me books about animals. He introduced me to  Mowgli and Shere Khan and Rikki Tikkie-Tavi and Bagheera. They were the animals in Rudyard Kipling's Garden of Eden, the only Garden of Eden I was taught about, and, as I grew up his stories filled me with delight.

'Witty, profound, acerbic, and occasionally savage, Kipling's poetry can be bother tender and deeply moving." My father opened up these dimensions and, oddly enough, both Bill and I shared this love, too.

So, the point is: I had a real god the father in my childhood. I didn't need a make-believe one in the sky.

Bettejo has a blog of her own you can check out at ; http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com  

www.bettejodux.com

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, Publisher.



http://www.bettejodux.com/



"Sears closing it's largest retail store..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

"The recession is anything but over..." This is an election year, remember to vote out most incumbents..."

The recent news of the Sears store at Ala Moana center in Honolulu closing it's doors is just another sign of the times. The flagship store is Sears largest store with over 300,000 square feet.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/17004866/sears-selling-ala-moana-center-location-closing-next-year  
 This is huge news, Sears an American iconic institution decides to sell it's largest retail store. This is proof that the  recession is anything but over.

 We can stop the recession from progressing even further. This is an election year, remember to re-elect nobody unless they're a somebody, vote the incumbents out!

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, Publisher.

" Spring has come..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Monday)

Judith Whitehead is back guest-blogging on this awesome Inspirational Monday . Everything is relative, the weather has been unseasonably warm in Buffalo, N.Y.
Although many of us reading this from warm water climates would consider 60 to be cold, Judith and her friend's feel blessed for an early spring has sprung. Judith   lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the medical profession for over 30 years.

Spring time has reached New York!

It’s amazing what a little warm weather can bring to the day; today it reached the high 60’s in temperatures today in Western New York.  I know people all over the country especially on the west coast wake up in the morning and say to themselves,   “it’s another great day outside”, but in New York to be able to walk outside without a coat on is an uplifting experience.  It’s a shot in the arm, an experience that puts an extra spring in ones step and no matter how bad the work day is, the stress melts away when the sun is shining and the air smells fresh.    

Maybe Buffalo gets a bad rep during the winter months but I know WE  know how to appreciate good weather more than many other parts of the country;  when the temps reach the 60’s it’s a topic of every conversation above all others.

Here’s hoping Spring is here to stay…  ;)

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, Publisher.

"No ferry boat, or modern bridge, what do you expect..?" 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

"This past week Kaua'i  suffered extreme flood damage, many residents needed the help of the Red cross, many others were stranded on the north shore of Kaua'i in a land called Hanalei..."

"Aloha,  This blog  also ran as an  opinion article in today's (03-10-12) Kaua'i Garden Island news, "No ferry or new bridge, what do you expect?"
 No ferry or new bridge, what do you expect?
 http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-march/article_4311eaea-6a92-11e1-9878-001871e3ce6c.html

An island community, a rock in the middle of the Pacific decides they do not want a ferry boat or a modern day bridge, what do you expect?

Fast forward to the current Garden island floods with visitors and locals stranded  in Hanalei with no way to escape.The Hanalei bridge is flooded, helicopters are not flying, cars are stranded and the bus has cancelled service, even walking and bicycling are out.  

How about a boat?  Now that's an unique idea for an island.... 

Just imagine if the Super-ferry had not been scared away, I am betting they would be shuttling passenger from Hanalei to Nawiliwili and points between.

I still cannot get over an island in the middle of the Pacific that declines ferry service and a modern day bridge, being stuck could easily had be avoided, after-all it's not rocket science, just common sense.
Aloha,  This blog  also ran as an opinion article in today's (03-10-12) Kaua'i Garden Island news, "No ferry or new bridge, what do you expect?"
 No ferry or new bridge, what do you expect?
 http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-march/article_4311eaea-6a92-11e1-9878-001871e3ce6c.html

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"Bumper to bumper nightmare..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

"Traffic is not only a problem in major cities but small island communities with lack of roads..." This blog is about Kaua'i but will most likely apply to where you live too...

There is no denial , Kaua'i can no longer continue to have just  one major road from one end of the island to the other.

This latest storm with all the flooding and closure of the Kapa'a bypass was a nightmare of bumper to bumper traffic from Anahola to Wailua and beyond.
 I was walking my dog from Kealia to Kapa'a, and was passing every car as I leisurely walked . 

 Traffic gets worse every year as more drivers become of age and with people living longer than ever makes for a lot of cars on very few roads. How much longer before there is traffic like this everyday? How long can we endure the stresses traffic moving at a snails pace?
Everyday car dealerships sell more and more cars, pick-up trucks and SUVs, where will all these  vehicles go?  It's crazy when it can take less time to walk from Kapa'a to Wailu'a than it does to drive.
I  have dreams that in the very near future we will no longer need  motor vehicles, we will just log onto our computers, connect  ourselves to  a special device that breaks down our molecules and sends us instantly anywhere we want to go.  These devices would be true smart meters.
 In the mean time, riding the bus, walking or bicycling will help render this situation ,however  there is no question we need more roads, we need more trails and those in denial are just that, in denial...
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, Publisher