"Forever Young on Kaua'i..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo  has lived on Kaua'i over 30 years and is a
people lover,animal lover, lover of life and strikes a dashing yoga pose...

Today Bettejo blogs about  a wonderful life on Kaua'i... Bettejo turned 83 today!  
Happy Birthday... Enjoy!

To order Bettejo's best selling novel,"The Scam" Go to;

www.bettejodux.com

Bettejo is 83 years young today, Mazol Tov!

Forever Young on Kaua'i

To wake up on Kaua'i is to be happy.

If we could share what we have with the world, it would be a happier place. At the moment I am looking at a bank of Walking Iris, dappled with sunlight, brimming with joy and life’s perfume.  I walk though a screen door into a leaf-strewn courtyard and, standing tiptoe, on a hollow block, peer in to see the babies. The mother Thrush was in the nest and she gave me a look that said, “Can’t you knock?”  She and her mate work hard feeding these big mouth screamers.

Feeding my zoo is hard work, too. It’s a 24/7 operation. Hungry mouths-nine counting my own- must be fed.  It’s interesting that the eight others don’t seem to get it: I also indulge.  I’ve got the feeding end of it down to a science but convincing them I’ve got to eat is the hang up. Part of the morning routine is sharing. “See, guys,” crunch, sip, swallow, ”I eat, too….”

…A major distraction, within arm distance of where I’m working, a brilliant red cardinal is teetering on a leaf and tweeting. He wants a cracker.  If so he’s going to have get with the program and show up at the cracker station.

My husband, taught me to love the early morning hours. We were always up at 4AM, except on weekends, and I would be out in the fields at 6AM-horses have to be fed two hours before riding-and Bill would be behind his desk at five. But that schedule has shifted. No fields. No Bill. And the high cost of electricity has got me up and moving with first light. It’s beautiful then. Early morning light flatters my house.  Me, too.

The birds, roosters, too, have been singing and crowing for hours- I love them- but I wonder why. Dawn seems to have nothing to do with their early morning chatter. I think they’re just happy to be alive.

The first thing I do is get up. Stretch. Healthy animals always stretch when rising. Everybody stretches around here. For me, morning ablutions and bed making are a constant. Then a set up. All the animals’ bowls and pails and buckets are lined up where they belong. Spoons, measuring cups, oil and molasses for Ari’s mash. Warm in the winter, cold in the summer. My father taught me that trick.

Then it’s boots on tall and Boots and I are off to the races. My jungle jungles thickly abundant with cliffs and slides and slippery slopes. I carry my shillelagh and have several steep traverses where I’ve strung a rope to haul me up and ease me down. It’s an obstacle course. The most dangerous obstacle? Dodging Boots as she careens across my path.

If I get back, I’ll feed.  If I fall and break a leg, orders are to shoot me. I want to die with my boots on.

Waking up on Kaua'i is to be young. For a day.

P.S.
Judge changes baby's name from 'Messiah' ( Totally Unconstitutional, if someone wants to name their kid Messiah, so be it, as the expression goes, call me anything you want, just don't call me "Late For Dinner" On second thought name the kid" Late For Dinner! How bout changing the judges name to D---- bag! ;D)
Check out the story below;
http://www.kitv.com/news/national/judge-changes-babys-name-from-messiah/-/8905418/21429172/-/hke85o/-/index.html?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=kitv&utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"Chris Deedy, When Time Stands Still" 'Deborah Morel'

Guest blogger Deborah Morel paying respects this past Memorial Day at
O'ahu Veterans Cemetery of the Pacific...

"Law enforcement officers are never 'off duty.' They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to protect public safety at any time and place that peace is threatened. They need all the help they can get."
-U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer

"Courage is rightly esteemed the first human qualities...because it is the quality which guarantees all others."
-Winston Churchill

Guest blogger and friend Deborah Morel recently moved to Australia  from Honolulu Hawaii to work in law enforcement. This employment in Australia follows three years previously employed with the New Zealand Ministry of Education, as an Education Adviser and member of a trauma team responding to threats of suicide and possible sexual assault. Deborah also servred as a probation officer for the state of Hawai'i

One of Deborah's  favorite quotes close to heart is, "The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do this for them." Lois McMaster Bujold
Today Deborah talks about  the current trial making  national news in Honolulu of Special Agent Christopher Deedy.

This blog is  a continuation from last weeks article,""Christopher Deedy & Chronicle's of Racism in the 50th State..." by 'Deborah Morel'
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2013/08/christopher-deedy-chronicles-of-racism.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. Please feel free to submit your guest-blog and or opinions  to Dakinetalk.    Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

Deborah (D) has put timeless hours of passion into her research of this case and has come to the reality of the enclosed;

Photo of Christopher Deedy
used by permission from "Support Chris Deedy
Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/deedysupport?fref=ts

WHEN TIME STANDS STILL

In The City and County of Honolulu Prosecutor's Case against a U.S. Department of State, Special Agent Christopher Deedy, some confusing and questionable testimonies, examinations, and redirects of prosecution witnesses have arisen in the Prosecutor's argument. The Honolulu Police Department and Prosecutor were not deprived of evidence. There are any number of conflicting testimonies by some key prosecution witnesses--suggesting in this trial, the point that it is always dangerous to try and read tea leaves.  

Key prosecution witness, Mr. Michel Perrine, states under oath that he did not feel threatened by harassment on him by Elderts; however, quite conflicting to this testimony, Mr. Perrine states that on this night entering the McDonald's restaurant, Perrine had consumed 3 shots of Tequila and a pitcher of beer within a few hours' time, and did not remember what happened the night of the shooting. Perrine continued that it was Perrine's roommate who would explain the following morning what happened the evening prior, and to the shooting incident. There are questions to Mr. Perrine's quality of memory...then, the fog rolls in.

According to retired HPD Detective Theodore Coons' testimony, HPD did not obtain a blood alcohol reading on Special Agent Deedy at any time during HPD Officer contact. According to Prosecuting Attorney Janice Futa, and responding retired HPD Sgt. Kenneth Schreiner, this was the case because SA Deedy was not "stopped for a DUI." 

Concluded in The City of Honolulu, Medical Examiner, Dr. Kathy De Alwis' report, Elderts' toxicology showed a "significant" amount of cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana in his blood. Research proves combining cocaine, "chased" with alcohol, prolongs the effect of cocaine, and is linked to risks of violent and impulsive behaviour. This combination becomes cocaethylene. U.S. National crime statistics indicate that cocaethylene increases violent behaviour. Expert witness for the Defence, Dr. Johnathan Arden, Medical Examiner and Forensic Pathologist for 30 years, testified to these facts.

Defence witness, Dr. Jonathan Arden, also, presented credible forensic evidence: Gun powder burns on Elderts' face, the angle of the bullet's path, and marks around chest wounds of Elderts', clearly indicated it was the third bullet shot that killed Elderts, and not at the time SA Deedy and Elderts were standing up--as Attorney Futa and HPD Investigator argue--but at the time that Elderts had shoved SA Chris Deedy to the floor a second time. In testimony by retired HPD Lieutenant Wayne Fernandez, this Lt. states that in 2008 Mr. Kollin Elderts was convicted of Disorderly Conduct--Elderts having challenged males in a fight club in Kailua; refusing to stand down to HPD Officers' repeated warnings, and telling police to "F__ you." 

Mr. Kollin K. Elderts and Mr. Shane A K Medeiros were no strangers to contact with the Law and Courts, and up to this incident in Waikiki McDonald's and on November 6, 2011. In less than 11 months' time, between February 2010 and November 2010, Mr. Kollin K. Elderts was Charged and/or Convicted of at least 7 Traffic Crimes, some serious, including:  Guilty Plea of DUI/Impairment--determined by Breathalyzer  Noncompliance with Speed, Seat Belt Requirement, Failure to Surrender Plates, and Driving With Suspended/Revoked License.

Mr. Shane A K Medeiros, between the time of 2007 and 2012, chalked-up approximately 11 Charges and/or Convictions, some serious, including:  False Vehicle Registration/Inspection Certificate, NonCompliance With Speed Limit, Tinted Glaze/Glass-Sunscreening, No Motor Vehicle Inspection Certificate, NonCompliance of Possession of Driver License Card, High Occupancy Vehicle Lane, and Disregard for Red Light. Kollin Elderts' and Shane Medeiros' records indicate these two  males believed themselves above the law. Sometimes circles just make sense.

In Prosecuting Attorney Futa's cross-examination of SA Deedy--as prosecution witness testimonies appeared tailored for secondary gain--this prosecuting attorney attempts to turn the world side ways, to Special Agent Christopher Deedy's sense of duty and responsibility as a law enforcement officer, and Deedy's obvious moral decency, in an unsettling tone of voice stating exact, "You knew though whatever you did, you (SA Deedy's) made the situation worse. And, you said this was a situation you felt responsible for." 

I believe Prosecuting Attorney Futa is sly on the facts--contrary to what justice is about, therefore; let's be clear.The truth is that Special Agent Deedy stated in testimony in examination by Defense Attorney Brook Hart that SA Deedy felt "a responsibility,"--not that SA was responsible for Elderts' behaviour. Are not all sworn law enforcement officers demanded to uphold duty and responsibility in such similar rapidly escalating scenes such as that which Elderts and Medeiros had instigated...to preserve, protect life from someone who is trying to diverge a life?

Ask for Mr. Kollin Eldert's state of mind. SA Deedy's actions--as a law enforcement officer--being responsible for Elderts' racially motivated outburst, hate crimes on innocent Caucasians--while Elderts was loaded with cocaethylene and marijuana? No, Special Agent Christopher Deedy did not "make" Kollin Elderts go into a dangerous spike of rage. No one was responsible for Elderts' behavior, but Elderts himself--an individual with aggressive and violent characteristics. Elderts was enraged, out of his head, and deadly. SA Deedy attempted many times again to deescalated Elderts' behavior. Elderts could not be reasoned with. It was "Kill Ha'ole Day," topped off with cocaethylene and marijuana.

In Special Agent Christopher Deedy's testimony, Deedy states that he was fighting for his life. Deedy states to the events exact, "It was so vivid in my mind--as I said--when we were standing there with the gun drawn. I was driven to the ground; Elderts mounted on top of me...Elderts began punching me in the face with his right hand, when his (Elderts') left hand grabbed the back of my gun. I prayed he (Kollin Elderts) would stop. All the commotion from the shouting and fighting was drowned out. It was dead silent. It was at this moment that time stood still; I know it was only seconds, but for me it was minutes or hours."

That which Special Agent Deedy describes he experienced is referred to as "Slow Motion Perception." Research and discovery have been accomplished regarding this phenomenon. At the Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, and Baylor College of Medicine, and by Dr. David Eagleman, research and brain activity resonance patterns indicate that such a sensation of time slowing is activated in a portion of the brain called the amygdala, and during life threatening situations.

The event requires anticipating, and life threatening conditions in which massive amounts of data to process is presented. In effect, and according to Dr. Eagleman, "The amygdala becomes more active--laying down a secondary set of memories that go along with those normally taken care of my other parts of the brain, and which alters the brain's perception of time." Consciousness seems to become "postdictive"--that is constructed in retrospect.

According to The Society of Neuroscience, glimpse of alcohol's effect on the amygala have been captured in images, and in which The Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins research concur--alcohol dampens activation in brain networks responding to life threats; therefore, in turn to a loss of any sensation of Slow Motion Perception. An individual must be free of the influence of alcohol and drugs to experience Slow Motion Perception. 

The point? Special Agent Christopher Deedy was not under the influence of alcohol when Elderts reeled out of control on Elderts' own terms, and SA Deedy was clear that his life, and possibly others' lives were in eminent danger. It is time this charade ends. 


Update 08-14-13;"Prosecutors aiming high in Christopher Deedy murder trial"
Read more:
http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/prosecutors-aiming-high-in-christopher-deedy-murder-trial/-/8905354/21474956/-/bec5ay/-/index.html?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=kitv

From KHON TV (this news story only compliments Deborah's blog)
...Nurse: Special agent did not appear drunk the morning of deadly shooting;
http://www.khon2.com/2013/08/05/nurse-special-agent-did-not-appear-drunk-the-morning-of-deadly-shooting/

Read Deborah's other article concerning  Chris Deedy and racism in the 50th state."Christopher Deedy & Chronicle's of Racism in the 50th State..." 'Deborah Morel'
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2013/08/christopher-deedy-chronicles-of-racism.html

Photo of Christopher Deedy
used by permission from "Support Chris Deedy
Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/deedysupport?fref=ts

It is my hope that Deborah's  guest-blog will bring awareness to racial tensions in Hawaii and realize that  Special agent Christopher Deedy was only defending himself and friends when he felt  their lives were being threatened. This  is  a reality in Hawaii,  a state that still hosts,"Kill Haole day." at the end of each school year.  (Kill haole day is listed in Wikipedia) It is a real thing. Haole is a derogatory term for white person, it is the equivalent of calling a black person the "N" Word.   James "Kimo" Rosen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_Haole_Day

P.S.
You can follow the trial daily with videos, live-streaming and more at Hawai'i News Now; Get the facts...
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/category/266930/christopher-deedy-trial

Defense rests in Deedy murder trial; KITV, Honolulu 08-08-13;
http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/deedy-enters-day-3-on-the-stand-in-his-defense/-/8905354/21389120/-/ycyr10/-/index.html

KHON is also live-streaming the trial of Christopher Deedy;
http://www.khon2.com/deedy/

"Hawai'i is currently going through it's own version of a Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman trial with the Christopher Deedy- Kollin Elderts trial...."
Read more;
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2013/07/deedy-guilty-or-not-guilty-that-is.html

The word 'Haole' needs to be erased;
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2010/03/all-have-life-love-and-spirit.html

American flag at O'ahu Veterans Cemetery of the Pacific...
Chris Deedy has also served his country with dignity
and respect.  When somebody is threatening your life
and the life of your friends, self defense is a no brainer.
Photo by Deborah Morel

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook....

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. Please feel free to submit your guest-blog and or opinions  to Dakinetalk.    Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"Banned In Boston And Elsewhere..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Monday Surprise-by popular demand!))

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic garden island
of Kaua'i over 30 years. She is an animal lover, people lover and lover of life.
She will be 83 years young on August 15th and still active in life and community.
Today she talks about being banned on a local talk comment board. this week
we will publish 2 blogs by Bettejo due to popular response...  Enjoy!


You can order a copy of her Novella "The Scam "below.www.bettejodux.com

Bettejo will be 83 on August 15th!

Banned In Boston

There can’t be anything less attractive than a man who has a tantrum. I feel fortunate I’ve not had one in my-real-life. Met these curiously warped ‘male?’ creatures often on the web.

In print, they are usually no namers or silly namers. They are always chronically addicted name callers. They scream with caps and are often so long winded you fall asleep before you hit the second semi-colon.

Kurt Vonnegut, one of my favorite atheists, said “Don’t never use a semi-colon. It only proves you been to college.”

I met these tantrum riddled blokes daily on a small web site I was invited to join after the new editor-Bill Buley, a darling man-of the The Garden Island newspaper closed it’s discussion site. It was really getting silly stupid out there.

Before Bill, the Garden Island Island made it mandatory responders use real names. That got rid of a lot of the loons. No rabid ‘no name or silly namer’ would dare use his or her real name in such pathetic antics.

There is almost always-in fact I’d dare say ‘always’- a close connection between bible thumpers and the military mindset. Devout ‘believers’ in the authoritarian and critical god. It is a patriarchal thing they follow in  the goose-step order-thump, thump, thump-of that dreadful god of the Old Testament they invented, worshiped and mimicked.

These sillies know one book cover to cover. At least the relative good parts. They drag out the bad stuff when they need to scare the pants off some male bullied chattel or guilt or fear immersed male (?) follower.

I love to quote Richard Dawkins, “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all of fiction, jealous and proud of it, a petty unjust, unforgiving control freak, a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser: a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.” The only reason  he isn’t dubbed narcissistic is ’cause  he never fell in love with anybody. Anyhow Narcissus was mythical Greek.

I once said to this tangled web of  religious buffoons, “If this critter were to come back to earth today and find himself in an American Court of Law, he’d end up on death row.”

That went over like fire in a circus tent.

So I, the outspoken non believer-I’m not chattel-end up banned. Forbidden from entering hell ever again. I wept. I wailed.  I tore my hair The stench of hells fire, the taste of  escharotic, blistered my good sense. As it was supposed to do.

Then sanity and reason returned. The force was with me.. Well these blokes talk to themselves, or to others just like them and begin to believe their own lies. Talk back and “you’re screwed”.

I remembered a wag once said, during the Anthony Comstock censorship era, “If you want to write a best seller get banned in Boston.

Scam hasn’t been banned in Boston-yet-but the words I dared to speak were banned in TG**alk. I’m off to a good start.

Editors note, you can visit the site Bettejo was banned from at
www.tgitalk.com    Please note, this site is Independent and not affiliated in anyway with The award winning Garden Island news.

b 

P.S. "If we could see in other people's heart."
This makes you humbled, please watch;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQtOgE2s2xI

P.S.S. 
Hawaii's Senator Schatz is all over the internet, just Google "Schatz, Sheep." 
This is really BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD! This is pure sensationalism.
http://www.hawaiifreepress.com/ArticlesMain/tabid/56/ID/10312/Hawaii-senator-Brian-Schatz-involved-in-simulated-sheep-rape-rituals.aspx?utm_source=August+11%2C+2013+News+From+Hawaii+Free+Press&utm_campaign=August+11%2C+2013+Email&utm_medium=email

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook...

"Family Reunion..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years...We take a break from the controversy of GMO's and a Racially based court trial in Hawai'i to guest-blogger Judith Whitehead's upcoming family reunion! Enjoy Inspiration Sunday! ;D)

Family Reunion

On only a few short weeks a year do I have my entire core family together; this weekend is one of those weeks. As we anticipate my youngest visiting from the West Coast I am stocking the refrigerator with his favorites and preparing for commotion this week.  

We usually make a few trips out west during the year to visit with him and share in his lifestyle but since his brother lives here, we are never all  together but for a few weeks a year.

It’s so quiet in the house during the year, I forget how the house comes alive with visitors and laughter when he comes home to visit.  Along with him comes all the local friends to stop over and visit and catch up on the years happenings.  

At times I miss the banter during the year but have settled down to a quiet home where everything looks the same in the house when I return home from work…less cleaning, less cooking, etc. 

I do enjoy getting a few extra hugs and squeezes in that I miss all year and I know the week will fly by along with a few extra  miles he will put on the car. 

It’s hard when family is spread across the states; be prepared…pictures will be posting soon.


P.S. A silent message for us all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1g3Y2y89EU

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

Now this is what I call news! 'Obama Da Dog'

Obama Da Dog is back summarizing  blog #1085, the blog
her master James "Kimo" Rosen wrote titled,
"To Pee Or Not To Pee, That Is The Question."
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2013/08/to-pee-or-not-to-pee-that-is-question.html

Now This Is What I Call News

The most popular  story for the week of  August 5, 2013 was Leo Azambuja's " To pay a fee, or not, to pee,"in the Garden Island news according to their website.
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/to-pay-a-fee-or-not-to-pee/article_d42e64b8-fd99-11e2-aa6c-0019bb2963f4.html

I find this quite amusing  with all  that's going on statewide and locally with GMO's , The Christopher Deedy trial, Sears closing and  so many other real news that this story gandered  the most interest of any article in the paper?

The article basically told the story of the Bistro restaurant in Kilauea's Kong Lung shopping center  that charges non patrons  $10.00 to use the restroom and those  shopping at Kong Ling center  but not eating at the restaurant can pay $8.00, while customers that eat there can use it for free! The shopping center  currently has septic problems and have brought in porta potties as a temporary fix, yet everyone is still up in arms.

Dakinetalk blogged about this  and received many comments  from, "what's next, charging for the  fresh salted ocean water we breathe, to charging extra if you use the toilet paper." 

The best  comment about this whole scenario was,"I believe use of restroom is free if you eat there. So you could get the cheapest thing on the menu which is probably less than $10."

To pee or not to pee, that is the question on Kaua'i's  north shore city of Kilauea,  it's all up to you. Maybe just purchase a coffee to go, then if you have to pee, you can wee for free!  Now this is what I call news!

Photo courtesy;
Leo Azambuja, Kaua'i Garden Island News

P.S. Enclosed is another  version of the above sent  to the Garden Island News for possible publication as an opinion article;

To pee or not to pee, that is the question on Kaua'i's  north shore city of Kilauea? 

The most popular story of the week in the online edition of TGI according to their website  was Leo Azambuja's, " To pay a fee, or not, to pee.

This is  why,
1- Leo is an excellent writer. 
2-This is what  people crave to read.
3- The story  makes you laugh, think, and scratch your head, it's not always about breaking news that wins our hearts.

The article told the story of the Bistro restaurant in Kilauea's Kong Lung shopping center that charges non patrons $10.00 to use the restroom and those  shopping at Kong Ling center  but not eating at the restaurant $8.00, while customers that eat there can use it for free! 

The shopping center currently has septic problems and have brought in porta potties as a temporary fix, yet everyone is still up in arms.

 The best  comment  on Facebook about this whole scenario was,"I believe use of  the restroom is free if you eat there, therefore you could purchase  the least expensive  item on the menu which is most likely under $10."

Purchase a coffee to go, then if you have to wee, you can pee, for nearly  free, say that ten times fast. Now that's what I call news!


Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"To Pee or Not to Pee, That Is The Question..?" 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Photo of sign at the Bistro restaurant on the North shore of Kaua'i,
you can't make this stuff up...
Photo courtesy ; Leo Azambuja- Kaua'i Garden Island News

To Pee or Not to Pee, That Is The Question

To pee or not to pee, that is the question on Kauai''s  north shore city of Kilauea .

"To be, or not to be" is the famous opening phrase of a soliloquy in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. In the soliloquy, Hamlet questions the meaning of life, and whether or not it is worthwhile to stay alive when life contains so many hardships. He comes to the conclusion that the main reason people stay alive is due to a fear of death and uncertainty at what lies beyond life."

 Like the play Hamlet visitors and locals alike are questioning whether it's worth staying alive if you have pay to pay 10.00 to a local restaurant  to urinate  or defecate while visiting Kilauea  , a city on  the North shore of Kaua'i.

Ten dollars can buy one  a decent lunch even on the overpriced island of Kaua'i but to have to pay another $10.00 to relieve oneself is totally insane?

A recent article in the Kaua'i Garden Island News by Leo  Azambuja   titled, "To-pay-a-fee-or-not-to-pee."  tells the story of a restaurant  owner  trying to come up with a permanent solution to restroom problems but laws have gotten in the way. She was having  the septic tank pumped every week, and now has installed porta potties. If the county opened the neighborhood center's restrooms it would alleviate the problem....  Read Leo's story;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/to-pay-a-fee-or-not-to-pee/article_d42e64b8-fd99-11e2-aa6c-0019bb2963f4.html

My friend Chuck Lasker recently posted on his  Facebook wall  something I think says it all concerning this scenario,  "How to overreact and lose business out of spite: After reading the article, my opinion, right or wrong isn't what matters. What matters is, if I was planning on eating at Lighthouse Bistro and I saw that sign, I'd walk away. It's massively rude, regardless of the reasons. The tenants at Kong Lung need to demand that Patricia Ewing install/maintain sufficient restrooms for the entire need, regardless  if it's homeless, tourist or patrons. If it's too expensive, then close it up - that's how business works. To anger your customers while you wait for government to come solve your business problem is a uniquely Kaua'i thing. To put it all on homeless people is not only offensive, it's unconstitutional by the Hawai'i state constitution - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kānāwai_Māmalahoe  

"It's ironic really, because if you ask anyone where the "bleeding heart liberal" part of the island is, they'd say the north shore. But if you look at north shore businesses regarding the homeless, etc., they're often cold as ice."

At  least guys have an easier time finding a bush.... I say if you plan a trip to the north shore of Kaua'i, men  remember to  bring a portable urinal like us old guys over 55  keep by the side of our beds, woman bring a 5 gallon bucket, your guy may need it too.  By law  restaurants must have wheel chair accessible restrooms, now imagine if someone in a wheelchair is turned down because they do not have the ten dollars?The ADA would be all over them with lawsuits coming out the butt (excuse the pun) (Cha Ching)

A  sign at the restaurant  in the future might read; one slice pizza $5.00, one drink $2.00, restroom use $10.00 and $15.00 to breathe our AC, or $20.00 for fresh salted ocean air! For our loyal patrons coffee is on the house, literally on the roof of the house! 

Photo courtesy; Leo Azambuja,
Kaua'i Garden Island News

A restaurant that charges ten dollars to use it's toilet right or wrong must realize many will be offended by the sign alone and never come in the doors.They have even posted a sign as seen above that violators will be prosecuted? Prosecuted for using a restroom?

 It looks like this would be a good restaurant for Chef Gordon  Ramsey's show, "Kitchen Nightmares."
http://www.fox.com/kitchennightmares/

 This  restaurant is most definitely number one in the number two business! 
You can't make this stuff up! ;D)

Epilogue:
A conversation between  a visitor and the restaurant owner might go like this;
Restaurant owner- "Sir, will there be anything else besides your $10.00 fee to poop and shishi?"
Visitor-"Yes please give me some of that fresh salted ocean air for $20.00 and a fake smile for $30.00."
Restaurant owner-"Will there be anything else?"
Visitor- "No Thanks"
Restaurant owner- "OK then,  that will be $ 60.00, did we mention toilet paper is an extra 25.00 plus tax?...And let us say ALOOOOOOOOOOOOHA!"

P.S. Bathroom Humor by Youtube, dis funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCFuwJPwUTM

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"Friends..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

An early birthday for Bettejo as she blows out the candle
on a freshly picked organic Mango. Happy early Birthday Bettejo! 

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic garden island
of Kaua'i over 30 years. She is an animal lover, people lover and lover of life.

Today Bettejo blogs about  her friends at Talkstory Bookstore...Enjoy!

She will be 83 years young next  week and is still active in life and community.

You can order a copy of her Novella "The Scam "below.www.bettejodux.com

Friends

My grandfather taught me, “True friends are like diamonds, precious but rare, false ones like autumn leaves found everywhere.” Does anyone remember autograph books? I used to quote  this little ditty in all the books I signed.

I’m not a people collector. Many writers are not. I was born a wordsmith-it’s the Irish in me.. My mother said I was “…born with my tongue tied in the middle and wagging at both ends.” It’s lucky for the world there’s ink and paper, otherwise you’d all be deaf.

But I love friends. I’m very proud of the friends I’ve made. So many wonderful people. New ones keep popping in. Old ones- not false ones-often take another path. We meet.  We smile. Exchange tid- bits. Wave. Move on.

I’m thinking of a wonderful  pair, Cynthia and Ed Justus at the Talkstory Bookstore in Hanapepe. Cynthia with her glorious  red hair is almost like a new one. She ‘s gorgeous. Always was, but today, holy moly. The last time I saw her, my hear skipped a beat.  I thought Ed had got himself a new wife.

These two started collecting awards for their book store years ago and never stopped. They need  a new wall and some more shelves to hold all the framed documents and  trophies.  I love sitting in Talkstory on a Friday Festival and Art Night.   I call it a ‘people’s party’. To sit there, signing books is a treat. People come from all over Kauai, all over Hawaii, all over the world. If you love and need to collect people-for a moment-take this in. Starts about 5:30.  Ends about 9:00.

The food. The aroma. Those scrumptious pies and the-I’m running out of adjectives- delicious girls who bake and sell them.  The fish photographer. The folk art.  The music. The sheer joyful moments that surround the place, like frosting on a cake, are to be devoured by the senses. It’s an emotional high that youngs the heart and the mind. Hanapepe is still old Hawaii. Roosters are a feature. Part of nature’s wonder. Artists paint them. Sweet, wonderful dogs- some free, some leashed- are part of this remarkable scene.

It’s like the old song, “Oh give me a street where the lap doodles meet, and the young and the old folks abound…”

Occasionally we even get a celebrity. On Kauai we smile and let them roam free, too.

I’m waiting for George Clooney. When his hat and his wig fall off, I’ll never tell. There’s a perfect part for him in "The Scam." There’s even a swig of white wine in a honey bottle to quench his thirst.
(order your copy  Bettejo's best selling book "The Scam" at www.bettejodux.com )

I could watch The Men Who Stare at Goats until I go blind. My favorite line, I can’t even write about it-it wasn’t George’s-”…the silence of the goas,” always cracks me up.

It’s  rare to  see a film about the killing machine that’s full of humor, magic, fun.

Come to Hanapepe any Friday night and enjoy the humor, magic, fun and friends that are there.  For free.

You can check out and like "Talk Story" on Facebook at;
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Talk-Story-Bookstore/262372823808772?fref=ts

P.S.

"Have you ever noticed...when you put the words "the" and "IRS" together, it spells "theirs."     


Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...