" A sign of the Times..."

(*Editors note, The Island of Kauai was recently saddened with the sale of a local grocery chain named "Big Save," it was bought by anoither grocery chaiin named, "Times.")
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/article_fb9acf42-8135-11e0-9346-001cc4c002e0.html

'Big Save' Kapa'a is my favorite grocery store for numerous reasons and feel saddened that Times supermarkets will be taking over the Big Save chain of stores, commencing this coming July. I guess this is a sign of the "TIMES."

'Big Save' has the friendliest cashiers, when plastic was still available for bagging groceries the clerks would double bag me without even asking since they knew I ride a bike, and didn't want the bags to possibly break on the ride home.

I frequent the Kapa'a store since I never buy a lot of groceries at once, there's only so much one can haul on a bike, therefore I made it my business to check on an almost daily basis for red tag specials. There is usually yogurts marked down to between ten to fifty cents, 5 lb bricks of cheese for $1.00, Hebrew national hot-dogs for $1.00, Pillsbury quick bake muffing for $1.00, large packages of cold-cuts for 1.00 and just about any item that may be about about ready to expire is discounted on a daily basis.

I have walked out of that store with retail values of 80.00 that i purchase for less than 10.00. , hence the name "Big Save.!"

I hope Times will keep all the current employees and continue with the Big save tradition of Aloha, community and Big savings.

Hopefully this will be a smooth transition not only for Big Save employees but for the people that considered Big Save their Ohana. (family)

May Big Savings continue with the sign of the Times!

"Keep your spirits up, Japanese people..!"

I lived in Japan for one year teaching English in 2002-2003, it was one of the best experiences of my life. I wrote a book of essays back in 2004 about my experiences in Japan, called "Planet Japan." (The book was self published and never became a bestseller, however I have a few copies left if anyone is interested. I still never recouped my printing bill so if anyone wants one, I will gift it to you.

(email me your address, I will send you the book, if you like and enjoy the book you can then send me a monetary gift to cover expenses.)

I fell in love with the people, culture and food and even had a hard time re-adjusting to America and it's rudeness.

The respect,honor and integrity of the Japanese people(nihon-jin) amazes me.

I suffered reverse culture shock and found myself not enjoying much of anything upon my return to America.

If I hadn't become sick I would be living in Japan today!

 Japan has been out of the news lately with all the news of Osama bin Laden but our neighbors disaster is ongoing and  they are still in danger of radiation exposure and the search for bodies continues.

 To all my ( Nihon-jin Tomodachi's) Japanese friends may G-d Bless your health,your families friends and a speedy recovery with plentiful food for all. AMEN!

Gambette Nihon-jin! (Keep your spirits up Japanese people!)

"An eye for an eye..."

editors note, this blog idea is paraphrased in parts from Bill Maher's show Real time,May 13Th,. 2011, on HBO.)

The United states is so called, 'A Christian Nation," how ironic that many of the 'so called Christians' are cheering and celebrating the death of Bin Laden.

The New testament throughout speaks of forgiveness, loving thy enemy and neighbor, and turning the other cheek. If your a follower of the guy that repeatedly said , "love your enemies, you need to come up with a new name for yourselves and should not call yourselves Christian's.

Shooting thy enemy is not exactly what Jesus would do. "Gandhi gets to call  himself a Christian,  in fact Gandhi was so Christian he was Hindu."

Calling yourselves a Christian and rejoicing in killing according to Bill Maher is like "Joining Green Peace and hating whales."

President Obama said recently on 60 minutes, "Anyone who questions Bin Laden's assassination should have their head examined," this coming from our president who's says he receives scripture on his blackberry first thing every morning.

Don't get me wrong, I am elated Bin Laden is finally officially dead, but find it ironic that so many calling themselves Christians elate in killing.

I am Jewish, we believe in an eye for an eye,  which in the death of Bin Laden was fully warranted.

"If everyone tightened their belts..!"

The Garden island newspaper ran an opinion piece in this past Sundays newspaper titled, " End apathy: get involved in county budget process." http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_2e947ca2-7ecc-11e0-bca8-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story

May I suggest a simple solution to a complex budget; as we near the completion of the mayors proposed budget with final voting and public testimony on May 25Th.

Kaua'i county needs to keep some of this money for a rainy day fund, budget cuts straight across the board, at 20% starting with each of the 7 overpaid council members making $56,000 a year,(the chair makes an additional $7,000) $500 a moth car allowance and some of the best health insurance available to man.(and woman)

Nobody needs a pay raise with taxpayer money and a 20% cut across the board makes for a simple and money saving technique that could easily be employed if everyone tightened their belts and from the looks of things many of the council members have been eating quite well and could easily stand tightening their belts.

County Council members are listed as a part time job, the salary should be as such, these are public servants folks. They work for us!

Get involved, voice your opinions with public testimony, letters to the editor or by standing on the street corner with a sign that reads,"Enough already," or something you feel passionate about.

"The number one Aloha award!.."

If there is an award of 'Aloha' from the county of Kaua'i or the Kaua'i tourism authority it should without a doubt go to Burger King ,Kapa'a.

Most days I pay a visit for a cup of tea and glass of water. I sit in the same seat every visit writing letters to the editor, blogging and reading TGI.

Many visitors enter the door and proceed directly to the restrooms without ordering a thing, when they are finished with their business they leave without a purchase. One day I counted fifteen people in a thirty minute time-frame.

The staff see's all this, smiles and says nothing. Everything costs money, usually restaurants allow usage of the restrooms for patrons however Burger King acts as an ambassador of Aloha for those needing to relieve themselves.

Kapa'a Burger King is not only number one in Burgers but number one in the number one and number two business.

I am sure there are other establishments that do the same, going on and beyond the call of duty, however Burger King Kapa'a should be acknowledged for their unselfish aloha to visitors, the homeless and anyone who needs a restroom. You may even wish to try the food when you are done with your business, I am told they use local grown tomatoes on all their burgers and the french fries have zero trans fats!

"The conspiracy..."

The recent alleged assassination of Osama Bin Laden has paved the way for conspiracy theorists saying Bin Laden is not really dead.

Many are saying it is a distraction from the Fukushima nuclear disaster and the terrible economy and the many disasters happening at this time in history. The financial situation is not great, the presidents ratings were down, why not capture Bin-Laden at this time and become a hero?

Bin Laden had Kidney disease back in 2001 and many are saying he's been dead for over 10 years and the US has been waiting for the proper time to announce his death, also if Bin-laden was as sick as they say there would had been medical equipment all over the place, since he needed dialysis. Why was he buried at sea right after his death, there's no sea in the dessert where he lived?

I think Saturday night live on a recent 'Weekend Update' may have said it all, "President Obama may be the first black man that ever had to prove he killed someone."

Although I believe this is a conspiracy, I still love president Obama, I voted for him and would vote for him again if the election were tomorrow. The Bush administration knew of this conspiracy too, they were planning on using Bin-Laden's death to get McCain elected however the economy crashed at election time and with all the bailouts and chaos the administration decided it was not the proper time, both administrations have known of this.
For more info on this conspiracy, check out Jim Marr's at http://www.disinfo.com/2011/05/jim-marrs-on-obama-and-osama/

Why are being lied too? If we are not being lied to please comfort us in releasing the photos!

"What's really happening..."

My blood results were in, my doctor tells me don't worry, it's probably nothing. If it was nothing why do we need further tests and antibiotic treatment? It may be nothing, probably is nothing, but the paranoia in the back of my head starts thinking about the end.

None of us know how long we have to live, it's a mystery. We could be in a car wreck tomorrow, or get hit in a crosswalk by a bus, or find out you have untreatable stage 4 cancer and are given 6 months to live, but go on of for 20 more years.

This all gets one thinking about life and how you treat others and how others treat you.

How do we know that the waitress we are irritable with because she forgot our water, or took the order for the table that came in after us, before us, might be because she just heard heart wrenching news?

Maybe a loved one just died, maybe she just got positive results form a mammogram, maybe she's getting divorced?

Next time your driving, walking or visiting with friends and see the person next to you crying, or next time someone in the service business is forgetful, or someone seems to be mistreating you, give a smile, give a head nod, or if it feels right initiate a hug, it may just be what makes their day. I am betting it will most definitely make yours too!