"No more Aloha spirit in Pro bowl..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #132)

James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer
 and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
with his best friend and spiritual adviser Obama Da Dog!

Kimo's world #128
Editors note;
Hawaii tourism leaders lament loss of Pro Bowl to Florida; Read how Hawaii lost the Pro Bowl
http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/business-breaking/hawaii-tourism-leaders-lament-loss-of-pro-bowl-to-florida/

No more Aloha spirit in Pro bowl

The Pro bowl started becoming less of a game when they started playing  a week before the Super bowl making any Super bowl team players ineligible--thus making players give up their Pro bowl status to substitutions. 

The game is no longer played with a competitive edge since players do not want to risk careers to possible injury.

Football has become a monetary business and the good ole days of team spirit and players being rewarded with a trip to Hawaii  as a way to say thanks for their above average play amongst peers are long gone. 

These days players are paid well enough to afford Hawaiian vacations any time of the off season. It's all about the money and even though Hawaii is where most of us would a prefer it, the buck stops here and proceeds to  Orlando with all the bells and whistles, except  the Aloha spirit. 

Editors note, 

This blog appeared as an opinion article in the June 6, 2016 edition of the Honolulu Staradvertiser;

The Staradvertiser has a paywall, so for those without a subscription I have copy and pasted below along with the link;

http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Pro Bowl in Florida will lack aloha spirit

Hana Hou, (Encore)  

"One Day off can make a difference..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York

( A suburb of Buffalo, N.Y.)

 and has worked in the ophthalmology

 field of medicine for over 30 years

One Day off can make a difference

When you approach your 60's in the working world you begin to reflect on your past working years and ponder how much longer you can or want to work a full-time job.

 My career in my field started about 40 years ago and I have never lost the interest or enjoyment in performing my profession at any of the positions I have held . 

Over the last year or two, as the 60's have crept into my age bracket, it has begun to get a little harder to get up at 5AM and work a full day. The bones make a strange sound in the am as I get out of bed and use the stairs, the body takes a few minutes to wake up and the will wains a little in the am hours. Since I am not ready to retire just yet, I found a solution that seems to do the trick.

After convincing my boss over several months of cajoling and convincing, I now have off my Mondays! What a difference it makes to have a three day weekend every weekend.No more Sunday grumbles. The week somehow seems to fly by with only a short week. “Hump” day comes quickly and even though each day is a little bit longer – it is so worth it.

Arranging my schedule was a great way to give me a little break until I take the big step some day and really cut back. I have been working at some capacity since my teen years and am looking forward some day to “slowing” down a bit. So until then.....I am greatly enjoying my Mondays!!! 

"Judy, Judy, Judy!"

Hana Hou, (Encore)

Don't Miss This Year's Taste of Hawaii..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Gourmet edition~Kimo's world #131)

Katerina Norman, Kapa'a Rotary past president 
and Shawn Gallagher, Executive chef
of the Eastside in Kapa'a enjoy the
 25th milestone silver anniversary
of the Taste of Hawai'i at Smiths Tropical Paradise.

Kimo's world special Gourmet edition #131
Don't Miss This Year's Taste of Hawaii
Purchase Tickets Now~All For Charity!

The Taste of Hawai'i' is Kaua'i's annual signature event by which many visitors plan their trips  and locals count the days!There's still time to purchase tickets  for the 2016 'Taste' this coming Sunday, June 5th at Smiths Tropical Paradise!
Purchase Tickets now! 
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/

http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/shop/tickets/taste-hawaii-admission-ticket/
'Taste' is  my favorite annual event on Kaua'i and is basically my Christmas-Chanukah in June.  Last year I decided to buy a new shirt for  the event. I tried the shirt on and it looked very nice, a medium tight fitting pullover aloha shirt.  I decided right before leaving to change to my regular wardrobe, a loose fitting T-shirt and shorts with a draw string, I am so glad I did and here's why;
Purchase Tickets now! 
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/
The brunch which features over 40 chefs strutting their signature dishes, 10 plus beer, wine and soft drink beverage vendors allows you to eat  and drink to your hearts content. The 10 plus musical bands from Rock' roll to Big band allow you to burn off a few calories and make room for even more delicious ono grinds--then take a breather over  at the silent auction to make room for the Lappert's ice cream station. Therefore remember to wear  loose fitting clothing to get in as much as possible.
Purchase Tickets now! 
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/
The wood fired flat-bread brushed with olive oil and herbs presented by The Feral Pig restaurant along with their slow smoked  Porchetta, a savory boneless pork roast of Italian culinary tradition was one of many ono food exhibits at the 25th milestone silver anniversary at  the Taste of Hawai'i.  Everyone who tasted this culinary delight had two things to say, "Broke Da Mout and Wop Da Jaw" ( meaning delicious in Hawaiian pidgin) (photo bottom page)
Purchase Tickets now! 
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/
Rumor has it for this special day that the  food  and drink have zero calories, so just pretend your in heaven and eat to your hearts content. I feel sorry for the people wanting to lose weight that have had  their stomachs stapled, unstable them for da Taste! 
Purchase Tickets now! 
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/
Seriously,"Taste" is not only a taste of food but a taste of community, a taste of charity and a taste of fellowship."Taste" is a community event sponsored by the  Kapa'a Rotarian's. 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.

Purchase Tickets now! 
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/

The Taste of Hawaii is the original food and wine tasting event for the islands and on Kauai. Produced by the Rotary Club of Kapaa and countless community volunteers, this year marks the 28th year of hosting  The Ultimate Sunday Brunch. Taste of Hawaii will be held on Sunday June 5, 2016 at Smith’s Tropical Paradise. 
https://www.smithskauai.com/
Purchase your tickets online;
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/shop/tickets/taste-hawaii-admission-ticket/

Purchase Tickets now! 

http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/

When: Sunday June 5th, 2016, 11:30am – 3:30pm

Where: Smith’s Tropical Paradise
https://www.smithskauai.com/


Price: $100 online or $125 at the door
I always look at the event as being free since all proceeds are donated to charity, not only that you can  write off a portion of your ticket on next years tax returns! Wow!

Tickets: buy your tickets online here, or call 808-346-7095  Tell them  you saw Kimo's world blog!
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/shop/tickets/taste-hawaii-admission-ticket/

Or if your on Kaua'i you can still purchase tickets at the following locations;  

Hanalei surf company
Magi Dragon (Princeville shopping center)
North Shore Pharmacy
Jim Saylor Jewelers
Vicki Fabrics
Deli & Bread Connnections
Inkspot Quality Printing Corp.
Poipu Surf (Kukuiula shopping center)
Westside Pharmacy

BUY TICKETS Now!
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/shop/tickets/taste-hawaii-admission-ticket/

http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/

Taste is not only the ultimate
Sunday brunch but one of the best
parties on  earth! 

It's a bird, it's plane, wait, it's a drone
photographing the Taste!

Last years (2015) 27th annual Taste of Hawaii had a  bride and groom celebrating their reception. What a great idea! We were even spied on by a drone photographing the event.  

Photographer extraordinaire Dennis Fujimoto
of The Garden Island news, takes notes
for his cover story on the newly married
couple, Mr. & Mrs. Turner.

Bistro chef grilling the Ono Ribs!

 Does life get any better than this? 
Grilled St. Louis ribs, slow cooked,
 smothered with a secret recipe
 of pineapple BBQ sauce?

 

The Ebi Tempurura musubi was one
of the most delicious entrees!

Hee Fat shave ice artist putting
the finishing touches on
the most amazing shaved ice
on the planet!

My friends joke, but it's true. I am a hermit. I live for this one event. 

There's still time to get tickets for this awesome event. I look at this  event as free since all proceeds go to charity,not only that you can  write off a portion of your ticket on next years tax returns! Wow!  Such a deal! Ticket's are $100.00 in advance and 125.00 at the door.
Go online to purchase now;
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/shop/tickets/taste-hawaii-admission-ticket/

Cafe organic strutting the best and smoothest
 iced coffee and Kale salad.

For the complete photo gallery of the Taste of Hawaii 2015 click on the link below;
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10207186791132382.1073741846.1361088023&type=1&l=1db1d553ce

Steve Saylor and Bettejo Dux
discussing world affairs at the
27 annual Taste of Hawaii.
The Coconut wireless is
reporting Ms. Dux was
the best dressed at the event.

Last year I had a flip cam that I bought on closeout at Costco for only $25.00 and wound up getting it on KHON T.V.  with Joe Moore's nightly news out of Honolulu. Check it out. I was amazed what the guys in editing did with my video from a flip cam. Here it is. 
http://khon2.com/2014/06/03/kauai-man-sets-champagne-saber-record/

 Read dakinetalk blogs about  past Taste's of Hawaii;
2014-" A Taste of Google;
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-taste-of-google-james-kimo-rosen.html
2013- "Eat Drink And Be Merry-All For Charity;
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2013/06/eat-drink-and-be-merry-all-for-charity.html
2012-A Taste of dakine;
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2012/06/taste-of-dakine-james-kimo-rosen.html

Purchase Tickets now! 
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/

Hana Hou, (Encore)
Sunrise images below created by James"Kimo"Rosen with 'PIP' App Bon Appétit!

Purchase Tickets now! 
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/

"Taxation without representation..." 'Larry Arruda' (Special Kauai political edition)

Please welcome guest-blogger Mr. Larry Arruda.
 Larry was born and raised in Lihu'e Kauai.Graduated from Wilcox Elementary in 1959

and Kauai High School in 1963. Larry is a Vietnam war veteran. Larry served 30 years in Costa Mesa California  as a highway design administrator. Larry Retired in 2002 and moved back home to Kauai in 2003.

Taxation without representation

Some of our elected officials are looking for ways to come up with  funding for the repairs of our streets and highways and for improving them. Of course, that means more taxes for all of us.

Increase our GET(General Excise and Use Tax) rate;  Increase our Gasoline Taxes;  Increase our vehicle registration fees; and anything else they can think of.  And when I say "elected officials", that doesn't mean just our elected County Council and Mayor.   It is apparent that our island's representation to the state legislature have created some influence in the matter by urging our council members to impose those taxes on us rather than to fight for Kauai's fair share of the TAT and Gas Tax. 

What happened to the Gas Tax money that we've been paying all these years?  Where's the vehicle registration fees that we've been paying all these years?   THAT is the money that suppose to pay for new roads, and for maintaining our roads. 

I suspect that those funds were used to replenish other funds that were stolen from to fund their salaries and benefit increases.  Now we're told they need to increase our GET and Gas Tax and fees to pay for roads.  Imagine if they had to tell us that their reason for the increase was to fund their salary and benefit increases. 

Apparently many people on Kauai, and many of them voters, do not know that the people of Kauai are NOT receiving our fair share of the TAT and the Gas Taxes that we pay for at the pump. Here on Kauai, in addition to Federal Gas taxes, and State Gas taxes, our County Gas Tax is $.17 for each gallon that you buy.   Oahu pays $.165 per gallon; Maui pays $.16; and the big island pays $.088 per gallon.  Anyone been on the big island lately?  You notice how nice their roads are, compared to ours.

The additional State gas tax for the State of Hawaii is $.487 per gallon. Second highest in the country.  Only California is higher.   
Until such time that our elected officials can provide proof and assurance that the people of Kauai are receiving their fair share of these funds,  and that these funds are being properly and legally expended on highway improvements and repairs,  with all due respect, I feel that this council DOES NOT have the right to impose any additional taxes on the people of this island. And thanks to the majority of our 7 council members, all attempts to do so thus far have failed. 

It is the responsibility and duty of those individuals voted into power, and that includes our four state legislators, this council, and the Mayor, to provide proper and fair representation to those that elect them and to the entire population of Kauai and Niihau.
We elected each of you to do a job, and that job includes making sure that the taxes we all pay are properly and legally expended and distributed. 

As far as I am concerned,  our elected officials, except for a few of them, have failed to do exactly that and have failed to provide dedicated representation to the voters and the tax payers. 
To bring back a 250 year old phrase, "Taxation Without Representation".
REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOU VOTE this year.  Remember Which ones are REALLY for the people of Kauai.  WHO is really "representing" us in the state legislature?

Larry is very concerned about how Kauai is governed

 and sincerely believes that a County Manager system

 would be extremely beneficial for ALL the people of Kaua'i.  

Hana Hou, (Encore)

Andy Rooney on Memorial Day..."(Kimo's world #130)~Happy Memorial Day!~

Andy Rooney was an American radio, television and newspaper
journalist. He is best known for his famous commentaries
at the end of the CBS show 60 minutes
Born; January 14, 1919
Died; November 4,2011.

Andy Rooney is my mentor and all time favorite
journalist and columnist. Please listen and watch
 the 2 minute YouTube video about Memorial day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hffOK7W75c

Editors note, 
This blog originally ran May 25,2015. Because of popular demand  we are publishing it again on this 2016 Memorial day. Please thank a veteran or someone who is currently serving in the armed forces!  Aloha!
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2015/05/in-memory-of-all-who-gave-ultimate.html

Andy Rooney on Memorial Day

Today is Monday May 30, 2016. I usually post my blog Kimo's world blog every Monday, however this Monday there will be no Kimo's world in it's usual format in memory and honor of all Americans who lost their lives to protect our freedoms...

My favorite journalist, columnist and my mentor Andy Rooney speaks from the grave on the true meaning of Memorial day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hffOK7W75c

Andy Rooney explains the true meaning of Memorial Day, honoring those who did not give their lives, but had them taken.

Andy is the epitome of American freedoms with his witty wisdom, knowledge and genius. This is why I chose Mr. Rooney to to represent Memorial day.

Please take 2 minutes to watch and listen to what Andy had to say about this day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hffOK7W75c

Kimo's world normal format
will return next Monday!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hffOK7W75c

All photos of Andy Rooney are taken from public domain files.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hffOK7W75c

P.S.
 For further reading about Andy Rooney; please check out my blog titled;"Channeling Andy Rooney."
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2014/01/channeling-andrew-rooney-james-kimo.html

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

This photo is full of emotion and wins my vote
as truly telling the story of Memorial day
 without any words.

"How do I know I am starting my senior years..?" 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York

( A suburb of Buffalo, N.Y.)

 and has worked in the ophthalmology

 field of medicine for over 30 years

How do I know I am starting my senior years?

I look  forward to coming home from work - making dinner and  planting myself on the couch  and watching my favorite shows until I go to bed.

Taking advantage of early bird dinners
   and AARP rate discounts.

Taking in an early movie no later than 8PM and using senior discounts.

Making good use of coupons and discounts when grocery shopping and eating dinner out.

...and Taking and making time during the day to sit and chill  and just  do what I want ...

When growing up I used to think people in their 60's were ancient  - funny how your frame of reference changes...now I think people in their 90's are old. Why do I still feel 19 yrs old  in my head? 
If only I could feel as though the body was the same  as well.

"Judy, Judy, Judy!"

Hana Hou, (Encore)

"My heart aches for the skydivers and pilot..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer
 and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
with his best friend and spiritual adviser Obama Da Dog!

Kimo's world-Special Breaking News Edition #129
Editors note;
Read all about the tragic skydiving accident that took the lives of 5 people on Kauai
on Monday May 23,2016;
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/32052526/new-details-emerge-about-victims-killed-in-kauai-skydiving-plane-crash

My heart aches for the skydivers and pilot

I did not personally know any of the deceased  of the recent skydive Kauai tragedy in Hanapepe.

My friend Ken Landfield visiting Kauai from Homer Alaska
enjoying the time of his life skydiving with tandem skydive
instructor Enzo Amitrano whom tragically lost his
life in an airplane accident doing what he loved.
Photo courtesy; Ken Landfield 

I cried when I heard the story.My heart aches for the  the 2 instructors, 2 tandem skydivers and pilot. I felt a kinship, though I personally did not know any of the 5 who lost their lives.

Kauai is  a small and when something like this happens if feels like ohana (family) even when the people it happens to are not blood related.

For my 60th birthday I had planned a skydive with this company. I had a friend who had visited from Alaska who could not stop ranting and raving about how he had the time of his life--- and like Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in the classic movie. "The Bucket List" decided to take a skydive for his 60th birthday too, which is what prompted my idea to do the same. 

I decided to put it off since a very dear friend told me if I waited to do it on her birthday she would fork the bill! I don't know if we will still go, that's not why I am writing this.

None of this is about money or bucket lists. It's about life and how precious it is, and how in the blink of an eye any of us can be gone  within a  heartbeat.  Do you think any of the 5 people that died that tragic day woke up and  though that within a few short hours their life would end?

Life is short. Enjoy your neighbors, smile and shoot a shaka at a stranger, buy a homeless person a meal, eat a hotdog or spam musubi without guilt, and don't argue and loose friendships over presidential candidates, there not worth it.  Basically don't sweat the small stuff.

We may disagree on issues, however one thing is for certain, everyone reading this was given the gift of a life, So why not try your optimum to enjoy it--- you just never know when you will be taking your last breath.

The enclosed quote by -William Wallace- describes those who like to take adventures and live life to the fullest
“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.”  

Do a Mitzvot (good deed) in memory and honor of each of the deceased . It can be donation to your favorite charity, planting a tree  in their honor or just pleasant thoughts and reflections.

May God bless and comfort the family  and friends of the deceased.

 Editors note;
The Garden Island news published this blog as a guest column on June 1, 2016;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/life-is-precious-so-share-your-joy/article_5f3fca05-53e4-5e92-ac0d-9d19e86db36e.html#.V07t8vXuITg.facebook

Breaking News;
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/32057464/former-skydive-kauai-pilots-say-they-had-safety-concerns-about-crashed-plane
Hawaii News Now;
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -
Three former Skydive Kauai pilots said they were concerned about the airworthiness of the plane that crashed Monday just after takeoff, killing all five people on board.
"I didn't feel comfortable flying that plane myself," said one pilot.
Two of the pilots said they quit rather than go up in the 51-year-old plane again. The third said he left Skydive Kauai in 2012 when he asked to see the plane's maintenance logs and was fired.
Hawaii News Now granted the three pilots anonymity.
Read more;
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/32057464/former-skydive-kauai-pilots-say-they-had-safety-concerns-about-crashed-plane