Vacation Mode

HAWAII STORIES 

Being in “Vacation Mode” … typically refers to—

• “A state of relaxation, leisure, and time off from work or regular responsibilities.”
• “It implies that someone is taking a break from their usual routine and activities to travel or engage in enjoyably and leisurely pursuit.”
• “It might mean you say everything in a super-relaxed voice, and spend all of your time daydreaming.”
• “A time when someone does not go to work or school but is free to do what they want, such as travel or relax.”                        

• Sarah Kim-Seu (62, hospital pharmacist)

“You know, I actually think I have been in a kind of ‘vacation mode’ ever since turning 62 last June.  But the truth be known… ‘I AM IN A VACATION MODE’… right this moment!!!   The reason for this is simply that my three (3) older sisters and I are planning to get together and go on a ‘ROYAL CARIBEAN VACATION CRUISE’ out of Miami this Summer, just the ‘Four of us Sisters’, and simply ‘Party On’ together (no other family member to be present)!!”

“I can almost recite that Royal Caribbean advertisement verbatim—‘Feel the heat of adventure in The Magic City and cool off with a cruise to the Bahamas or Caribbean from the Miami cruise port …’.  YES… we will enjoy those tropical cocktails served up on the ship’s top deck; and, of course, we intend to try our luck the at the multiple gambling tables and slot machines on the lower decks.”

     PARTY ON… INDEED!!!

“However, what really motivated us to plan this ‘togetherness trip’ was the recent Korean Broadcast Station (KBS) airing of a K-TROT music special featuring a newly-formed group of four senior divas (each had individual star-power careers in their younger days)— and they are now being promoted as a new female diva group called — “THE GOLDEN GIRLS”!!  Now get this, the four female vocalists are ages 57, 58, 58, and 66.  They made their debut in Seoul, Korea in September 2023.  Suddenly, they are one of the leading musical groups in the Asian Pacific.

“So why relate my present ‘Vacation Mode’ phase and this Korean ‘Golden Girls’ phenomenon??  Well, my sisters and I emigrated with our parents from Seoul to Honolulu, Hawaii in the early ‘70s.  And over the years, my three sisters and their families relocated to the mainland U.S. (L.A.; Atlanta; and Newark) and I remained here with my family…   Long story short— now that my sisters and I are already enjoying our Golden Years (ages 62, 65, 67, and 68) – why not PARTY ON together one more time as—”

 THE HAWAII GOLDEN GIRLS!!

• Jonah Peahi Nakashima (35, realtor)

“Wow, Sarah, what a neat happening for you.  Just FANTASTIC…  By the way, I bet you do know that when you all turned 60-years, that was your ‘KANREKI’ beginning (second childhood).  So, to you all— ‘PARTY ON’!!!”

“My ‘Vacation Mode’ situation at this time is not as exciting as yours; however, in June my wife (Allison) and I celebrate our 10^th wedding anniversary!!!  Yep, it has been that long already—not GOLDEN, but definitely still very ‘LOVE-STRICKEN’…  You know, for our First Anniversary celebration, we took an around the Hawaiian Islands five-day cruise.  Very, very enjoyable!!  Allison and I are in that ‘Vacation Mode’ now as we plan our 10^th Anniversary on a 10-Day Japan vacation; our primary stays will be—Toyama/Kanazawa; Osaka/Kobe (and YUMMY KOBE BEEF!!); Kyoto; Tokyo (and SUMO!!).”

“We both are Hawaii-born and of Japanese heritage, but we have never before toured or visited Japan.  Too busy with our education and business ventures, I guess…  Anyway, now time and opportunity are with us; so, we just can’t wait to ‘Fly Away’ and…”

               ENJOY OUR 10^th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:       

Puanani/Internet                                                                                                            

Memories Messages

HAWAII STORIES 

The Reminder Missives… started arriving last week—

• “USF is excited to be back in Hawaii to connect with alumni and current families…  (Mark your calendar) …  Thursday, April 4…”. (POST CARD)

• “Mr. Abalone!!… arriving on Cruise Ship in June.  Details later.  YOUR DIVING PARTNER (ha-ha)”.  (TEXT MESSAGE)

Then Followed… the classic movies, and travelling songs of long past—

• “Play it, Sam! Play As Time Goes By.” (CASABLANCA, 1942)

• “On the road again; Just can’t wait to get on the road again; The life I love is making music with my friends; I can’t wait to get on the road again”. (WILLIE NELSON, 1980)

• Sanford Murray (78, retired advertising executive)

“You got me on a couple of those ‘Memories Messages’… (One), I did recently receive a mail-piece regarding this year’s annual reunion with my college graduating class—1967, USC; and (Two), my other recent memory spikes included… watching a TV news clip on the Vietnam War; recalling MY ROTC U.S. Army Officer Commission I received on graduation day; and hearing a WILLIE NELSON classic song…!!! (Whew—a lot on my mind at this time).”

“So, here’s ‘my memories story’— Following graduation from USC, a couple of my pals and I received military orders for Officers’ training at Fort Knox, KY with immediate tour of duty assignments to Vung Tau Airfield, South Vietnam following completion of our training at Ft. Knox.  And because back then we were so ‘Brash; Bold; AND… Young’, we decided to take that famed cross-country drive (in my 1963 Chevy Impala Convertible), to Ft. Knox, via U.S. ROUTE 66.  Yes, you got that right… Before going to that VIETNAM WAR ZONE, we first wanted to go… ‘On the Road Again’.”

“SUCH AN UNFORGETABLE MEMORY”

• Clarence “Macho Guy” Kekuewa (75, retired radio personality)

“Great stuff, Sanford…!!!  As for me, my recent ‘memories jogger’ was receiving a text from a long-time college friend (JOHN MATHIAS) who now lives in Claremont, CA.  He texted that he and his wife were coming to Hawaii for vacation this June.  The memory-kicker was his calling me, MR. ABALONE… a funny reference of the time he and I visited my uncle who lived in Redondo Beach— oh, I guess this was in the early ‘60s.  Anywayz, it just happened that abalone harvesting (legal back in those days) was in season, and my Uncle Stanley wanted to go diving for abalone around the Dana Point area.”

“Being that John and I were both ‘seasoned Hawaiian spear-fishing, skin-divers’, we decided to join-in the ‘Abalone Adventure’, a first-time experience for us both…  Long-story, short— (1) we didn’t realize that although this was Summer, the coastal water temperature in the area was 59-degreesF (compared to 80-degreesF in Waikiki Beach waters)!!!; (2) we were Hawaii-born, skin-divers (so no divers wet-suits for us)!!!; and, (3) we had to learn to dive observing the flow of the tall ocean kelp to get to the Abalone on the rocky ocean floor (otherwise, get tangled in the kelp before getting up to the surface)!!!”

“Let me tell you—there is nothing like sitting around an open bonfire with abalone on the fire pit while you’re trying to get—WARM.”

“MR. ABALONE, INDEED!!!”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:       

Puanani/Internet

Ides of March

POTPOURRI

“Beware the Ides of March”… is a line from Shakespearean tragedy Julius Caesar, which itself is based on the assassination of Gaius Julius Caesar, the Ancient Roman general and statesman.  And, as presented in the play, “… a soothsayer foresees Caesar’s death at the hands of sixty Roman senators and utters this phrase to warn him. Not heeding the warning, Caesar goes to a session of the Senate and is fatally stabbed by his peers.”  

However, Did You Know—

• “The Ides of March is the 74th day in the Roman calendar…  More specifically, the Ides are the fifteenth day of the months of March, May, July, or October, and the thirteenth day of the remaining months. The Ides were the designated days for settling debt each month in the Roman empire and generally included the seven days preceding the Ides for this purpose. No doubt debtors who could not pay their debts considered the Ides to be unlucky days as they were typically thrown into prison or forced into slavery.”

• “When is Ides of March 2024??— As the word ‘ides’ refers to the middle of the month, the Ides of March is on March 15.  And, contrary to popular superstitious belief surrounding its origins, Ides simply marks the first day of the full moon in every month.”

• Kevin K. Walker (62, financial counsellor)

“I travel a lot as you can imagine; so, for me, Ides of March indicates ‘Spring is Here!!’.  And, as you realize, money is my business, and consequently I’m following the daily movements in the U.S. Stock Exchange.  For me, March is ‘Spring Forward’ relative to U.S. and World time zones.”

“I do realize we no longer ‘Fall Back’ in November (as we had done in the past years) but this outdated mantra still keeps me on my toes…  Now, let me hasten to add, that since I am a kind of ‘Travellin’ Man’, for me March also means—NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL AND ‘MARCH MADNESS’!!! – And for that reason alone, I usually take side trips to Las Vegas and get really serious in the Sportsbook gambling scene there.  I’m sure you all realize that Nevada is the only state in the Union that allows legal betting on all major individual sporting events.   That fact alone draws thousands to Vegas every year!!”      

“Believe me—REAL MARCH MADNESS IN LAS VEGAS, BABY!!!—

• Sean “Paddy” O’Sullivan (66, electronics engineer)

“Really, now…  What more do I have to say??  My name, my whole being tells you, –’I’M IRISH’!!!  C’mon… Ides of March??  Nonsense.  March is all about—ST. PADDY’S DAY, MARCH 17!!!” … Also, did you know that Saint Patrick’s Day was perceived as the middle day of Spring in the Irish calendar?? People expected that weather would be improved following the festival, and farmers would begin planting potato.”

“Believe the ‘SECRET LEPRECHAUN” in me; I know where I’ll be on that sacred Irish Feast Day of St. Patrick—where else but MURPHYS BAR & GRILL on Merchant St, downtown Honolulu.  I’ve already put my order in for my regular—Gaelic Steak; Fish N’ Chips… ‘Me Pint of Ale’…  ‘SLAINTE!!!”

     “ERIN GO BRAGH”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:       

Puanani/Internet

Goin’ Home

HAWAII STORIES 

Remember Dorothy’s Quote?… “There’s no place like home” (Wizard of Oz)—

• “(Dorothy): Oh, but anyway, Toto, we’re home. Home! And this is my room, and you’re all here. And I’m not gonna leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all, and – oh, Auntie Em – there’s no place like home!”

And There are Other Popular Quotes—

• “Peace, like charity, begins at home.’
• “Home is a shelter from storms—all sorts of storms.”
• “No matter who you are or where you are, instinct tells you to go home.”
• “Home is the nicest word there is.”

• Riley O’Hagan (20, UH student-athlete)

“Yes, I’m one those ‘homesick’ daughters who just had to travel the Pacific Ocean and across the mainland U.S. during this past busy holiday season to visit Mom and Dad in my home town, Virginia Beach, VA.  Actually, this trip was my first one home since I left three-years ago.  My full-time studies and Beach Volleyball schedule here at UH left very little ‘vacation time’ for visiting the folks.”

“I’ve got to say this – ‘As much as I loved every moment spent with family and close friends while in Virginia Beach, now that I’m back here in Hawaii (and Manoa), I actually feel like ‘Hawaii IS Home’.  My close family now are my teammates and fellow students.’  Oh, I hasten to add—there’s also this local guy (KALANI THOMPSON, MS Candidate, Architecture) … and yes, things look pretty serious with us!!!

“I really don’t know who penned this quote; but maybe…  ‘IT IS TRUE; HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS’!!!”

• Shirley Kalei Simao (66, retired real-estate broker)

“I have to totally agree with Riley— “Home is where the heart is.”  I left my safe-haven Paradise in Makaha Valley on the West Side of Oahu Island six years ago and relocated with my husband (RANDY) to Pahrump, Nevada to assist our daughter and two little ones.  My son-in-law was in construction, and his company had just won a major housing development project there in the Vegas area.  Great opportunity for them, but they still needed mine and my husband’s help caring for the two grandchildren, at least until the children were ready for school.”

“The change with family worked out fantastically well until 2020 and the COVID PANDEMIC!!!  Work slowdown; health problems; and general frustration for everyone caused re-evaluation of our current family arrangement… prompting the need for change.  Randy and I decided it was best for us to return to our home in Hawaii (we had rented our ocean-front residence during our absence).  As you can imagine, it was a painful decision for everyone; however, it was “PONO”, as we say in Hawaiian.”

“So, now that we’re back here in Makaha Beach, and perhaps, like…  ‘DOROTHY SAID: THERE’ NO PLACE LIKE HOME’!!!”

• Wally “TOP” Kekuewa (72, U.S. Army retired)

“It’s really difficult for me to give my 2-cents worth about— ‘GOIN’ HOME’.  You know, after 30-years in this Man’s Army, I uttered that phrase countless times after all of my overseas deployments—Vietnam, Germany, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bahrain.  ‘Goin’ Home’ to family waiting for me at Ft. Ord, CA, or Ft. Lewis, WA, Ft. Knox, KY, and, of course, home in Honolulu, HI…  ‘I GOIN’ HOME’!!!”

“All fond and nostalgic memories; however, my happiest (yet, most heart-wrenching) ‘Goin’ Home’ recollection was after my first Vietnam tour—it was 1974, and my unit was being sent back to Schoefield Barracks in Honolulu.  Cease fire was declared and the United States ended its military commitment to the South Vietnamese Government and its people.  It was a sad ending for us who had risked life and family in support of a U.S. Ally.”

“So, “’GOIN’ HOME’ from the war zone in 1974 still elicits heart-breaks for me…  Nonetheless, the memory of eagerly searching the throng of ‘Welcome Home’ revelers, hoping to finally reach out to that 20-year-old bride I left almost a year ago earlier, still haunts me.”  

 “I AM HOME, BABE”

CTY POW- Prisoners of War return from Vietnam. Kisses and leis welcomed the former prisoneers including Army CWO Roger A. Miller, left, and Michael D. Benge, a civilian released with the prisoners. Star-Bulletin photo by Bob Young. 8 March 1973.

CTY POW- Prisoners of War return from Vietnam. After a few moments of almost eerie quiet, persons closest to the fence at Hickam this morning break out into cheers and begin waving welcoming signs as the former POW’s leave their plane. Star-Bulletin photo. 14 February 1973.

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

Puanani/Internet

What is the home quote from Wizard of Oz?

Dorothy: Oh, but anyway, Toto, we’re home. Home! And this is my room, and you’re all here. And I’m not gonna leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all, and – oh, Auntie Em – there’s no place like home!

Search for: What is the home quote from Wizard of Oz?

Short quotes about home

• “Home is a shelter from storms — all sorts of storms.” — …
• “No matter who you are or where you are, instinct tells you to go home.” — …
• “Peace, like charity, begins at home.” — …
• “Home is any four walls that enclose the right person.” — …
• “The sun at home warms better than the sun elsewhere.” —

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Come The Dragon

HAWAII STORIES

In Chinese Astrology…  2024 will be the Year of the Wood Dragon—

• The Year of Dragon is favorable for: Monkey, Rat, Dragon, Rooster and Tiger
• The Year of Dragon is unfavorable for: Dog
• The Year of Dragon is neutral for: Horse, Sheep, Rabbit, Ox and Pig

Lunar New Year…  falls on February 10, 2024—

• In Chinese culture, a big New Year’s Eve dinner will be prepared on the evening of Friday, February 9, 2024.
• Symbolic foods, which represent wishes for health and longevity, prosperity, family togetherness, happiness/sweetness/laughter, and progress will usually be prepared.
• Examples of Luck Foods includes… Dumplings and Potstickers—Wealth; Noodles—Longevity; Fish— Surplus; Fortune Candy—Happiness and Prosperity; and Mandarins and Tangerines—Good Luck.

• George “Keoki” Chang (59, media production)

“KUNG HEI FAT CHOY…!!!  Lunar Year; Zodiac Calendar; Chinese Astrology— ‘Whatevahz’, but to me (of Hawaiian-Chinese heritage living here in Hawaii), plain & simple—it’s Chinese New Year!!!”

“And, this is a very special year for me since I will be 60-years old in this 2024 Year of the Dragon (birthdate, April 7, 1964).  Yes, I AM A DRAGON… Hey, just think, following the Japanese Zodiac, I will also attain the ‘first later-life milestone- KANREKI’.  You do know that means— ‘Life Starts Again at 60!!’…  Heck, my birthday hasn’t arrived yet, but I can feel good luck and continued success in my business and personal life!!!”

“FANTASTIC 2024 FOR ME!!!  So, like we used to ask ‘Back-in-the Day’—”

 “WHAT’ YOUR SIGN??”

• Karlene Rapozo (67, real-estate development)

“Well, for me this past year was ‘so-so’…  heck, I am still recuperating from hip-surgery from back in December 2022, so I am slowly (Yes, pun intended!!) getting back on my feet and straightening up.  However, on my real-estate development business side, ‘Great Guns’—ending 2023; and ‘Full-Blast’ going into 2024!!”

“YES, I AM SNAKE (September 1953).  And according to Chinese zodiac analysis”—

** “People born in the Year of the Snake are well compatible with Dragon and Rooster signs on the whole, and the couples in high compatibility can gain a happy and everlasting relationship no matter in love or marriage.”

** “Further, while in the Western culture, we may have a slightly negative impression of snakes, it is not the case in the East. People born in the Year of the Snake are seen as the ones who are the most collected of all the animals in the zodiac.” 

** “In addition, they are also the most introspective, intuitive, and refined. They’re also largely intelligent and enigmatic. However, snake people can also be seen as cunning.  Such character traits are put together to make them particularly excellent at conducting business.”

“NO BRAG—ALL FACT!!”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

Puanani/Internet

Something’s Fishy

HAWAII STORIES

Benefits Eating Fish… as determined by health and nutrition experts—

• “High in important nutrients that most people are lacking”
• “May lower risk of heart attacks and strokes”
• “May boost brain health”
• “May help prevent and treat depression”
• “May protect your vision in old age”

Experts Also Claim… that some of the most popular seafood in America include Salmon, Tuna, Tilapia, Cod, Shrimp and Crab—

• Franklin “Scoops” Kimura (62, news media reporter)

“What Can I Add??? …  I LOVE all kinds of seafood, especially when presented Japanese sushi-style.  My absolute favorite varieties are Maguro (Bluefin Tuna); Hamachi (Yellowtail or Amberjack) and Salmon (Farmed Atlantic or Alaskan) for sashimi, (and, don’t forget my SAKE, ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!!).”

“Seriously, I think therein lies my dilemma.  Unless I eat the fish raw or go to the fish market to buy my dinner, I really don’t know what kind of seafood or fish I am being served at most of the restaurants here in town!!   For example, just the other day my wife (JANICE) and I played golf at Pearl Country Club (overlooking Pearl Harbor Naval Base); then had lunch there.  She ordered a sauteed fish and pasta dish.”

“When our orders arrived, I asked the server about the ‘white fish’ (I was expecting COD) with the linguine.  She smiled and replied, ‘SWAI’…   My immediate thought was— ‘What is SWAI??…  So, later when I got home, I Googled the Internet!!  Here’s what I found—

• Swai fish is a type of white fish with a mild flavor and flaky texture. It’s a freshwater fish that’s native to Vietnamese rivers and a type of catfish.
• After it’s cooked, Swai becomes what people love it for: flakey, yet tender and moist. Its meat also turns white after it’s cooked. But above all, people prize Swai for its sweet, buttery, and mild flavor without any hint of fishy taste. In fact, Swai fish’s taste and texture also closely match the popular salmon.—.”  

• Ronald F.M. Chang (72, retired hospital administrator)

“Interesting ‘research’… but, are you really sure it was SWAI?…  ‘Why? You Ask??’… Because I am ‘Pake’ (Hawaiian for Chinese), and regularly dine in downtown Honolulu Chinatown restaurants; and among other delicacies, I order Chinese-style Steamed Fish!!”

“Now, in many cases, the dinner menu advertises— ‘Chinese-style Steam Fish Filet w/Ginger & Onion Sauce’—right (or other variations of the menu-ed dish)??  But, let me tell you… ‘Wander into the kitchen, and in most cases, that menu-ed, white Sea Bass will probably be TILAPIA!!!’…  I’m not saying the fish is bad; however, ‘Something’s Fishy’ here.  Now, to be fair, here’s what MY recent research uncovered—

• In nature, tilapia is mainly a freshwater fish that lives in shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes. Today, these fish are of increasing importance in aquaculture and aquaponics. Tilapia eat mostly plant-based diets which make them incredibly inexpensive to farm.
• Tilapia has a dense, firm texture. The mild flavor adapts to nearly any cooking tradition, from Asian to Italian to Mexican, fitting for a fish found in kitchens throughout the world.—.”

• Thelma Nell Andaya (69, homemaker)

You guyz have really neat ‘Fishy-Tales’ (ha-ha-ha)!!  So let me jump-into this mixed conversation, and add some home-style Hawaii fishing authenticity experiences…  I grew up in a family of avid spearfishermen—my father, brothers, uncle.  Dad had a 14ft. Sears GameFisher w/25 hp Johnson motor (he was really proud of his boat; he named her ‘LOKE’ [Hawaiian for ROSE] after his mom).  And, they all used the Hawaiian three-pronged spear for their off-shore shallows and reef diving; and with no scuba-gear, only snorkels.”

“What was speared was DINNERZ, BABY!!”

   

“We all had our favorite fish to spear and eat.  I always wished for and lusted the red reef-fish—KUMU (Whitespot Goatfish) and MENPACHI (Squirrelfish).  My brothers loved—AWEOVEO (Hawaiian Bigeye) & AHOLEOLE (Hawaiian Flagtail).  My Dad??  Would you believe… MANINI!!!

 

“And me???  To tell the truth, when it comes to ‘FISHY TALES’, it doesn’t matter.  I just love most kinds of seafood—Open Ocean; Reef; Farmed.  Also, gotta have my share of Octopus and Squid.  But I must admit, ‘I love shellfish’—especially, Lobster, Crab, Clams, Oysters… and ABALONE!!! (so delicious, any style).”

“Oh…!!  One more very, important and necessary reef-shellfish prized for us, Native Hawaiians.  We gotta have our most delicious and succulent—OPIHI.  Scientifically, theses ocean lovelies are described as—

• “Limpets (called ‘Opihi Hawaii’) are common snails found on rocky shores throughout the world.  But the four species that occur in Hawai’i are endemic, found here and nowhere else!”

“Hey, so let me ask this of you–???”

          “WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLATED FISH???”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

Puanani/Internet

The Tearjerker

POTPOURRI

 

According to Various Sources … A “Tearjerker” can be described as—

• A story, play, movie, or the like, that is sentimental or sad enough to evoke pangs of emotion to the point of tears
• Something that provokes sadness or pathos.
• A story, song, play, film, or broadcast that moves or is intended to move its audience to tears.

And For Many … thatapplies to many “old movies and memorable songs” from precious years long gone—

• Samantha “Sammi” Santiago (retired ophthalmic tech)

“BEACHES!!  How can anyone not feel the pangs of loss when they hear that song, ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’… and Bette Midler!!  ‘Oh, My Gosh’.  Makes me sad all over again just talking about it with you guyz.”

“Remember??  I worked at Straub Medical Center Eye Clinic for some 30 years.  And, one of the doctors’ offices was always streaming that movie, BEACHES, in the clinic waiting room.  This movie was on almost every day, especially the last couple of years I worked there…  A Tearjerker??  The song; the storyline; and, BETTE MIDLER— Hey, I bet you didn’t know who played the Bette Midler role (Cissy) when she was a youngster…  I’ll tell you—it was none other than – Mayim Bialik of THE BIG BANG THEORY.  Remember??  She was Sheldon’s girlfriend/wife, Amy Fowler…”.

“Yes.  Definitely a Tearjerker – BEACHES…”.

  

• Michael “Gunny” Walker (retired, USMC)

“I guess you can say ‘It’s a Guy’s thing’, but my vote would be ‘SHANE’, with Alan Ladd and that young Brandon deWilde.  Just great acting for both (and of course, Jean Arthur; Van Heflin; Jack Palance); and who can ever forget that ending— ‘Shane! Come back… Shane.’!!”

** TRIVIA— “Did Shane die or live” –

“Here’s what I found when I did some investigating:

…  The ending actually wraps the film up as an allegory for the gunslinging way of life in general – Shane is a dying breed, and the ambiguity of the movie’s ending serves to nail this point home: Shane is moving on not because he’s injured and doesn’t want to die in front of Joey, but because there’s no place left for him anymore in the changing world…!!”

  

• Barbara “Miss Bobbie” Montague (retired, administrative secretary)

“I agree with the Gunny… SHANE was an awesome movie.  However, my pick tops everyone’s choice for ‘Best Tearjerker’ – and, I can give proof that the Saddest Movie of All Time is – THE CHAMP, starring Jon Voight and Globe Award Winner—Ricky Schroder!!  (C’mon, who could ever forget the movie climax when the boy’s father dies in front of his young son – a scene of almost three minutes— the boy sobs, ‘Champ, wake up!’…’’

  

“And, here’s The Proof –

…  According to published reports in SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE, in 1988 Robert Levenson, a psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and his graduate student, James Gross, started soliciting movie recommendations from colleagues, film critics, video store employees and movie buffs.  They were trying to identify short film clips that could reliably elicit a strong emotional response in laboratory settings….

After evaluating more than 250 films and surveying almost 500 test subjects, they found that the three-minute climax of THE CHAMP provoked detectible sadness in more lab subjects than the other contenders…!!”

(The Editor’s Choice) …

• A Tearjerker that is a simple life-story of innocence and youth which is predominantly based on a HIT SONG and stars Didi Conn… “YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE”, a 1977 feature film with the title song by singer Debbie Boone

  

The song became a phenomenon, hitting # 1 on the Billboard singles chart and staying there for a record-setting 10 weeks.  It remained on the chart for an astounding 25 weeks…   

     You Light Up My Life was the biggest hit single of the 1970s.

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Travelin’ Man

POTPOURRI    

Ricky Nelson… rocked-it best—

“I’m a travelin’ man and I’ve made a lot of stops
All over the world
And in every port I own the heart
Of at least one lovely girl…”

Remember When… life was simpler and taming your carefree spirit was your only challenge??  Rember those yesteryears??—

• Daniel Y.L. Kam (62, lead singer/guitarist)

“Speak for yourself, man…  In my profession playing gigs here in Waikiki, I’ve got to be ‘forever-young’.  Know what I mean??  But I have to admit, I’m not much of a Travelin’ Man, though; never have been one.  Yes, I do Maui and Kauai gigs quite regularly, and sometimes I have played with my group (Pau Hana Four) on special Japan tours, but that’s about it…  Guess I never thought about me yearning to own— ‘the heart of at least one lovely girl’— from every port that I’ve ever visited!!!”

• Walter “Mako” Kaopua (68, philanthropy development consultant)

“OK, I admit, I was a Travellin’ Man like in that Ricky Nelson song.  Well, sort of, when I was l in my early 30s and still very much unattached and very-single…  Yes, I did meet a little sweetheart while attending a Fund Development Seminar in Chicago; and ‘Mon Cherie’ in Montreal, Canada; and in Vancouver, too…  Those were the days!!”

“But, all those ‘Travellin’ Man’ dalliances ceased after meeting my wife (REGINA) some 30-years ago…  Now, as to one of my most memorable Travellin’ Man experiences since those early years of life?? I would say it was probably the time a few years back when I went to visit my son (REGGIE) who was a Merck Pharmaceutical Sales Rep working in Philadelphia at the time.  REGGIE was giving me a guided-tour of that historic city, and that’s when I got to see that fantastic Bronze Statue of ‘Rocky Balboa’ atop the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  Remember that scene of Rocky with raised arms in the ‘1982 Rocky III’ movie??—Just so-oo— AWESOME…!!!”

“Hey, wait a second!!!…  I’m not done with my ‘Yesteryears Tales’.  That Rocky Balboa Iconic Statue life-episode was just a snippet of my Travellin’ Man memorable moments…   Another of my other indelible travel remembrances occurred while I was visiting our Hawaii Congressional Delegation in the Capitol Building in D.C.  And it just happened that I along with other local, Hawaii business types were invited to call on U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka.  As it turned out, Senator Akaka wanted to introduce us to a young Hawaii-born U.S. Senator from Illinois!!”

“If memory serves me correctly, this must have all happened in 1987…  Oh, and that young guy from Hawaii, and an Alumnus from Punahou High School in Honolulu??  If you guessed—U.S. Senator Barack Obama (IL)—I’ll buy you all a beer when I see you!!…  And, as you all know, Senator Obama was elected the 44^th U.S. President, serving two consecutive terms, 2009-2017.  And, I was there to meet that Illinois U.S. Senator.  Just like you would see in the movies…  SO VERY COOL, YEAH??”

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Simply Speaking

POTPOURRI    

Talk to Government Officials and Attorneys…  and you will soon be overwhelmed with all that overly complexgovernment-speak phrases.  Like these examples—

• ‘De facto” (in reality)
• “Quid pro quo” (an equal exchange)
• “Ipso facto” (by that very fact}
• “Habeas corpus” (bring a person to court)
• “Prima facie” (at first sight)

And According to Many…  the vocabulary of the US legal system has been strongly influenced by Latin.  Consequently, many Latin terms taken from their original text have been translated into a language that lawyers commonly use, are referred to as— ‘LEGALESE’.   The most common place you can find legalese is within a ‘contract and within Government documents’—

• Robert “Buddy” Aguiar (69, public workers union representative)

“As you all know, I’ve served as a Union Rep for some 30 years now, and let me tell you, negotiating the workers’ contracts have been nerve wrecking—especially when dealing with the State and the Feds.  UNBELIEVABLE!!!  It really seems like each Government agency negotiator is trying to ‘out-gobbledygook’ the last contract-attorney guy…  Everything presented, written or said, seem overly complex, incoherent—and, even incomprehensible most of the time.”

“Seriously, I think my one really ‘Saving Grace’ during all this time on the job working on a variety of workers’ contracts is the fact that I had attended a Catholic High School in Hawaii, and Latin was one of my required ‘Academic Division’ study curriculum languages— (also, would you believe I was an Altar Boy, and Mass was then said in Latin??).  My thoughts on that high school language requirement now??”

                 “DEO GRATIAS!!  FOR THAT BRO…”—

• 

• 

• Florence Kuulei Ching (70, medical clinic administrator)

“AMEN… to that, my Friend!!!  I know exactly what you’re talking about, and how that Legalese and Gobbledygook can mystify simple processes of living.  I can vouch for what you are saying; and can even add… MORE!!”

“Healthcare professionals— doctors, nurses, specialty technicians—want to always sound so highly trained.  And, maybe ‘YES’, they all are!!  Heck, I’m not berating their professional bearing; instead, I think we’ve all got caught up in the jargon of our business and have forgotten how to see people as ‘PEOPLE’—and not just simply another person who needs medical expertise so as to heal quickly.”

“Think about it…

…  An accident victim is rushed to the ER, quickly examined, and that attending physician orders: ‘WE NEED A BIOPSY (tissue sample for testing purposes) OF THAT LESION (cut, wound, or sore).  STAT (urgent or rush— from the Latin word ‘STATIM’—meaning immediately)!!!”

“That poor crying, scared, suffering little girl.  Probably thinking immediately that she will be scarred for life.  And all that emotional pain because that physician forgot to get out of his ‘Dr. Mode’;and make that necessary code-switch, from ‘Dr. Speak to Patient Speak’.  Sadly, this scenario is played-out all too often in hospitals and medical clinics everywhere…!!!”

• Jonah “Nasdaq” Lum-Kee (79, retired strategic planning consultant)

“Hang-on!!  I gotta get in on this…  I’ve got more of these kinds of complicated ‘Legalese Mumbo Jumbo’ stories.  As you know, Strategic planning has literally been my life, even back in my U.S. Army days when I was Transportation Officer at Ft. Shafter here in Honolulu.  And, actually, I had one experience that was my first brush with legalese and Latin!!”

“Here’s the story:  I had agreed to the use of U.S. Army 44-seat passenger buses under my supervision to support a Honolulu Police Department secret raid of an illegal chicken fight gambling ring on the West side of the island in Waianae.  According to the legal complaint filed by the gamblers’ attorneys, I as the Transportation Officer-in-charge, was guilty of violating the— The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 which bars federal troops from participating in civilian law enforcement except when expressly authorized by law.”.

“Can you believe that??  Had it not been for U.S. Army JAG legal assistance, I would have been hit with a misdemeanor charge!!  So, guess what??  Now that I’m nearing that ‘Big 80’-age bracket, I’ve been meeting with my Trust Attorney to plan distribution of my personal real-estate and financial assets which means More Legalese, like—PER STIRPES; PER CAPITA; FIDUCIARY; REVOCABLE; IRREVOCABLE; DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY…!!!”

“All good and necessary language, but sure seems to ‘Complicate the Simple”.  Anyway, I know a lot more legal and Latin jargon now than just ‘Posse Comitatus’…  Oh, and of course, I still recall my all-time favorite Latin phrase— ‘CARPE DIEM’!!!”

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Aging In Place

POTPOURRI    

U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention… defines aging in place as—

• “The ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level”.

• “(Further), most adults would prefer to age in place—that is, remain in their home of choice as long as possible. In fact, 90 percent of adults over the age of 65 report that they would prefer to stay in their current residence as they age.”

• “(And), one-third of American households are home to one or more residents 60 years of age or older.”

Research Also Indicate…

• “The major aspect of aging in place is the feeling of being at home.  Our homes provide us with a comfortable, familiar environment that is more than just a place… it is a sense of stability.”

• Aging in place often gives older adults the ability to continue enjoying what they value on their own terms, which may enhance independence and happiness.

So, What Are Your Plans??—

• Paulo Serrao (69, aircraft mechanic)

“Good question…!!  I’m planning to retire in 2024, so this question of spending my next 10-years have been foremost for my wife (Nelli) and me.  We’re so-called ‘Empty Nesters”, three-kids all out and about living their own lives; and we’ve lived in this very comfortable three-bedroom condo for some 10-years now…  Oh, and Nelli (67), is a surgery nurse supervisor at Queens Hospital and has already decided to retire this year.”

“Age in Place??  I don’t see that as a real option for us, certainly not in our near future.  Remember, I work for a major international airline, and my retirement benefits include flying to just about anywhere in the world—at very little cost to me.  Also, we’re eager to try some of the various ocean cruises we’ve been reading about.”

“Oh, one more important point that I want to make… both my wife and I really do not expect (nor want) any assistance from our families as we age.  For sure!!  And, in this regard, we have made our decision to age and reside in an assisted living community when that right time comes—probably in our mid-80s.”

In fact, we’ve already checked out these places in—”

 “Honolulu, and Las Vegas, Baby!!!”

• Frances Kanani DeSilva (76, retired beautician)

“I’m definitely ‘Aging in Place’.  Remember, I’m a widow… my husband (Rodney) died in 2018, and we had been in our home here— (FOSTER VILLAGE near Aloha Stadium in Halawa)— now for some 30 years.  Also, keep in mind, I was Rod’s caregiver for about four-months following his brain cancer surgery (before he went to Hospice).  During that four-month period, I had to make some home modifications to accommodate Rod’s care at home—grab bars in the Master bedroom; walk-in bathtub; flexible shower head—and, I even had our plush carpeting replaced with non-skid flooring.”

“Obviously, I’m ready to continue living here in this very comfortable, single-level, Ranch Style home.  If and when needed, I’ll call for at-home assistance, like I did when I needed additional caregiving help with Rod…  Hey—I’ll probably also have some newly-developed Artificial Intelligence gadgets at that time to help in my daily routines!!”

“Gee, guess I would just have to give a… COMMAND …”

“HEY, ‘ROBBY’.  MIX ME ANOTHER DRY MARTINI…!!”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Blue Moon

POTPOURRI   

“Blue Moon 2023”

According to NASA –

• “The moon’s orbit is elliptical as it follows an oval course around the Earth, meaning that it is closer farther away from the Earth at different times.”
• “It had been anticipated that there would be 13-Full Moons in CY 2023.”
• “During the month of August 2023, two (2) Full Moons had been expected—August 1 and August 30.”
• “According to many (and folklore), the second Full Moon in a calendar month is called a ‘Blue Moon’.”

Songs About Blue Moons … date back to 1934 and a popular song written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.  Other notable recordings since that time include—

• “Blue Moon of Kentucky” by Bill Monroe (1944)
• “Blue Moon”, a hit song twice in 1949, with successful recordings in the U.S. by Billy Eckstine and Mel Tormé.
• “When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again” by Eddy Arnold (1951)
• “Blue Moon” by Elvis Presley (1954)

And, For Many… it really is a ‘Once-In-A-Blue Moon” experience—

• Aaron Kuualoha Aragon (75, retired U.S. Marshall)

“Listen, forget everyone else…  I’m really ‘THE BLUE MOON’ guy!!  Seriously!!  I just celebrated my 75^th birthday on August 31, 2023.  And, can you believe I saw the Blue Moon here in Aiea on Oahu… and even captured the event on my iPhone camera (albeit of somewhat ‘fair’ quality).  The 2023 moon calendar places a ‘Super Blue Moon’ on August 30—however, that is Eastern Standard Time and not Hawaii Standard Time!!!”

“Needless to say, I was so ecstatic and filled with a feeling of ‘magical wonderment’.  You talk about that, ‘ONCE IN A BLUE MOON’ moment!!  I actually experienced it in my lifetime…  Do you realize that the next Super New Moon moment is projected in the Year 2037??  And, I seriously hope I’ll be here at that projected period of my life.”

“Oh, one more note—I have real proof that the Blue Moon is not made of Green Cheese…  Here, check these out for yourselves— “.

(MY BLUE MOON SHOT)                     (GREEN CHEESE MOON)

Other Blue Moon Factoids—

• About 25 percent of all full moons are Super Moon; but only 3 percent of full moons are Blue Moons.
• The time between Super Blue moons is quite irregular ― it can be as much as 20 years ― but in general, 10 years is the average.
• The term “Blue Moon” has been around a long time, well over 400 years, but its calendrical meaning has become widespread only in the last 25 years.
• The next Super Blue Moons will occur in a pair, in January and March 2037.

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Starry Nights

POTPOURRI

Singer, Songwriter Don McLean Penned—

Starry, starry night

Paint your palette blue and grey

Look out on a summer’s day

With eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Shadows on the hills

Sketch the trees and the daffodils

Catch the breeze and winter chills

In colors on the snowy linen land

(‘Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)’ lyrics)

And There’s the “ANONYMOUS”—

And More Starry Facts—

• Wishing on shooting stars originated from Ptolemy, who said that the stars were a sign that the Gods were listening to our wishes.
• Legend has it that wishing upon a shooting star makes the wish come true. It is believed to have originated in Europe.
• If you are broke and need money, superstitions state that if you say the word “money” three times before the star burns out, you’ll soon be on your way out of poverty.
• In England, people believe that looking at the first star appearing at night is a good time to make a wish.
• In Christianity, a shooting star denotes a light streak following fallen angels.  If you analyze the biblical events, the birth of Jesus was linked to shooting stars.

• John H.Y. Moon (82, retired family-business chairman)

“Hey, GREAT discussion!!!  Not to be ‘cheeky’, but my Korean family name is MOON, and I need to add my ‘Moon-Starry Story’ to this interesting conversation…”.

“My family originally came from Seoul, South Korea (as you all knew!!); and, in South Korean mythology, ‘The Big Dipper’ (or Ursa Major) is also called — “The seven stars of the north.” It is said that a widow, along with her seven sons, used to go by the house of a widower, but to get there, they had to cross a river.  Each son places a stone into the water so that it would be easier to get to the other side. The mother didn’t know who put the stepping stones there, so she blessed them, and when her sons died, they became the –      

‘Constellation of Ursa Major’.”

“But, that’s not all for my ‘Starry Nights’ interjection!!…  Yes, my family name is MOON; however, my Zodiac Sign is LIBRA.  And, further, my favorite star attraction is not actually a STAR, but rather, a planet—VENUS!!  How about that??

“Now, can you beat this uncanny ‘Synchronicity of STARRY NIGHTS Facts’…  Last week, in this past month of August, I watched the first sighting of the Crescent Moon or “New Moon” after its monthly 3-day absence… (I’m told that the 3-days include the 36 hours before the new Moon and the 36 hours after it.). “

“And, guess what??  There it was, the other night… my magical Starry Delight –

 VENUS and the CRESCENT MOON!!!”

And The Editor’s Final Starry Gaze—

“YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE”

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Empty Nesting

POTPOURRI

According to Several Sources…  “Empty Nesting”—

• “Is a major transition in life…  After spending years caring for your own children, your set of responsibilities suddenly changed.  This may leave one at a bit of a loss on what to do when you become an empty nester.”

• “Parents often become empty nesters when the last (often the youngest) of their children go off to college, or when they turn 18 and decide to move into their own apartment.”

• “Empty nesters are typically in their later 40s, 50s and 60s.”

So, What Were Your Experiences—

• Samson Dela Cruz (54, information systems analyst)

“Good Question!!!…  You know, I’ve been working since I was 10-years old—delivering the morning newspaper with my older sister and brother; waiting tables part-time during my high school years; then, joining the Air Force Reserve when I started college for my BS and MS degrees.  All told—I guess, including my full-time job now, I’ve been on the active workforce for nearly 40-years!!”

“And, as to family—my youngest is on her way to Oregon State U; middle son, is in Japan studying multi-media production as part of his University of Hawaii course curriculum; and, my oldest, is now in real-estate sales and is already on his own…  So, I guess I can be considered an ‘empty nester’!!”

“But, as far as my wife and I are concerned, our life now is full of opportunities!! …  Hey, no more kids to worry over, so as a positive consequence, we’re seriously considering renting out our (mortgage-free) three-bedroom home that we purchased 25-years ago; and moving into a condo unit in Makiki (closer to my business—also, my wife (Alma) wants to return to work; she has an accounting business background, but she gave that up her early professional career to care for our young family!!).”

 “BOTTOM LINE—We’re DEFINITELY moving on with our lives… just the two of us!! “.

     “THANK GOD ALMIGHTY WE’RE FREE AT LAST”

• Robert “Lopaka” Freitas (57, pharmaceutical rep)

“I hear you guyz; but for me, I guess you can say I really don’t understand the dilemma you all seem to be facing…  My wife (Pamela, United Airlines flite attendant) and I agreed to ‘NO KIDZ” when we were dating some 25-years ago.  And this year, we will be celebrating our 20^th Wedding Anniversary and plan to go to where we both promised, “I DO”—RENO, NV!!”

“You’re correct—we’re DINKS!!  Yes, as in ‘Double Income; No Kids’.  Actually…  I should correct that—we’re DINKAD; that is, ‘Double Income; No Kids, with A Dog’.  Funny, yeah??  Hey, we both love this life of US, TOGETHER!!…”—

                                  “UP, UP AND AWAY”

Text Speak

POTPOURRI 

Various Definitions for Text Speak—

•   A form of written language as used in text messages and other digital communications, characterized by many abbreviations and typically not following standard grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

• The kind of language and spelling, often containing short forms of words, that people use when they are writing text messages.  It was all in textspeak, saying things like, “I am sorry 4 U.“

• SMS language or textese, refers to the shortened and informal language we use when communicating with each other digitally (usually online). The term was initially used to describe the language used in SMS (Short Message Service) text but can now be used to discuss any form of digital communication.  Nowadays, the term is used to describe messages and posts on social media sites, such as Instagram and TikTok.

Examples When Textease Used Include—

• Telegrams (written messages shared via an electronic device) charged per word.

• SMS text messages (sent via cell phones) cost per text, and each text was restricted to 160 characters

• Tweets on Twitter were restricted to 140 characters; today they are restricted to 180 characters.

So… “R U RDY 2 LRN?”—

• Gary “Guy” Moniz (82, retired civil service accountant)

“I don’t know; I just can’t seem to grasp it all—this LOL; and CU talk…  yet I do understand that this is how it is today!!!  But, the problem for me is— ‘I’m of the TYPEWRITER GENERATION’!!  My God, do you realize the trauma for me trying to converse in this present day and age??”

“You know, in my professional life, I was often referred to as a ‘BEAN-COUNTER’… many co-workers believed I had no emotions because I was considered a ‘Numbers Guy’.  Well, in this texting-age, typed messages and tweets take true emotions and feeling out of personal speech….  The best examples are the shortened phrases, ‘Love U’ and ‘Shout Out’.  Think about it; the emotion of humanness has been stripped from the message…”.

“You know what I mean??  Like, LOVE U—who loves you— ‘ME’, the person sending that love-message.  And, as to A Shout Out – who is saying ‘HELLO’ or ‘CONGRATULATIONS’??  Again, ‘ME’, the true friend of yours.  But, again, like my young cohorts think, I’m just an—

                                          ‘Old-School Romantic’…”.

• Kelli Malia Alphonso (76, retired administrative assistant)

“MR. MONIZ—I get where you’re coming from.  And THEN, there is that Twitter, ‘HASHTAG’, that simply blows my mind—For gosh sakes, I always thought that was the symbol for ‘NUMBER’…!!  Like you, numbers were always part of my business monthly, quarterly, and annual summary reports for the company execs.”

“But I just have to say something positive— I enjoy learning and using ‘EMOJIs’.  Real fun way to communicate with family and old friends.  These characters simply help create appropriate feelings when I’m messaging…  Sometimes I try to simplify my responses using more EMOJI than typed words.”

“As I said—                  ‘JUST GOOD FUN STUFF’…”

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Kanreki Musings

HAWAII STORIES

“Kanreki Musings”

According to Noted Source…

• “In Japan, the 60th year of life is called “kanreki” (還暦) and is celebrated as a rebirth or re-entry into childhood.”

• “Hitting 60 in Japan offers a chance to start over, so don’t waste time looking back.” (The Japan Times, December 17, 2014).

• “(In Hawaii) … Kanreki is a celebration held on a man’s 60th birthday. Kanmeans ‘return’ and Reki means ‘calendar’. At 60, according to the Chinese zodiac, a person has returned to the calendar sign under which the person was born.”

And What Were Your Big “6-0” Memories??—

• George Ishida (70, retired electrical engineer)

“OMG!!!—Celebrating MY KANREKI—That almost seems like a ‘lifetime’ ago.  Yes, time does fly when you’re enjoying the fruits of your labor and sacrifices…  I tell you this, my celebration was in 2013.  My wife (Erin) had gifted me such an unforgettable vacation trip to San Francisco where I had gone for my Engineering Degree.  Talk about– SURPRISE-SURPRISE-SURPRISE!!!”

“When I was in college, my wife’s family at that time lived in the Bay Area, so we had dated frequently in The City.  On my 60^th Birthday, unforgettable memories were revisited… Fisherman’s Wharf (my favorite; a 4-pound lobster}; Cable Cars; Nob Hill; Maiden Lane; and – Golden Gate Park (our secret ‘make-out’ spot).  Certainly, this was a very special ‘KANREKI’ gift to me from Erin…”.

“Yes, and as the Incomparable Tony Bennett crooned—

                  ‘I LEFT MY HEART—IN SAN FRANCISCO

                  HIGH ON A HILL, IT CALLS TO ME

                  TO BE WHERE LITTLE CABLE CARS CLIMB HALFWAY TO THE STARS…’.”

• Keiko Hayashi (67, retired pediatric nurse)

“Hey, Ishida— my Big 6-0 celebration was also very special… never expected such a treat!!  A BIG BRILLIANT DIAMOND RING … (‘ha-ha’; no, just joking.  I already own an extremely beautiful diamond wedding ring!!!).”

“Actually… my 6-0 Birthday Gift was a return trip to Tokyo.  Just my husband (Ricky) and me; all-FIRST CLASS…  He planned the simple, 8-day ‘Tokyo Honeymoon Tour’; everything was fabulous, and I really felt totally pampered!!!”

“Rickey and I had visited Tokyo some years back, when we were both much younger; so obviously on that trip we had toured the ‘gotta-go-to’ sites…. We went to Osaka; fell in love with Kyoto; also, Hiroshima; Hakodate (ancient hot springs town); Hakodate and a fishing village up north; and ended on Sapporo on Hokkaido.  Oh; and Kobe, too!! …  And, while in Tokyo, we had even experienced the Ginza Strip bar-hopping night-spots where— ‘the younger set’ frequented.”

“All fun-time and great memories…  But not this time; this vacation was one of REFLECTION; I guess a kind of re-birth since it was – “…

     MY LIFE’S KANREKI MOMENT

• Robert “Champ” Miyama (84, retired sales executive)

“Hey—you guyz make me feel really… OLD!!  To tell the truth, as you all were reminiscing your KANREKI MEMORIES, I tried to remember my own—and guess what??  I CAN’T RECALL THAT BIRTHDAY NOR THAT YEAR!!!   Seriously; I just can’t recall the celebration.  I know my wife (Mayo) would never forget my 60^th birthday; so there must have been something special prepared for me at the time… (But I know my Golf Handicap is 24; my auto license plate # is ADF 402; phone # is 808-486-3874) …  OMG !!!”

“You Know What??  Next year—2024; on June 26— Mayo and I will be celebrating our Big 60^th Wedding Anniversary, and I think I will call that our “KANREKI 2 CELEBRATION” … Afterall, the Big 6-0 Wedding Anniversary is referred to as one’s Diamond Anniversary(like the 60^th birthday).”

“So… I ask: ‘Where else would a good Hawaii-born Local Boy go to PARTY-HARDYand (with PURE INDULGENCE) celebrate with one’s special ‘Big 6-0 Diamond Wedding Anniversary Martini’??”—

                         AT THE CAL IN VEGAS, BABY!!!

________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:      

            Puanani/Internet

Long Covid?? Or Just Tired…!!

POTPOURRI

The Honolulu Star Advertiser Newspapers… recently reported that—

• “About 10% of people appear to suffer long COVID after an omicron infection.”
• “By some estimates, roughly 1 in 3 of COVID-19 patients have experienced long COVID.”
• “Millions worldwide have had long COVID, with dozens of widely varying symptoms including fatigue and brain fog.”

And According to Federal Government Agencies—

• “Long COVID is broadly defined as signs, symptoms, and conditions that continue or develop after initial COVID-19 infection.”
• “(Further), people call long COVID by many names, including Post-COVID Conditions, long-haul COVID, post-acute COVID-19, long term effects of COVID, and chronic COVID.”
• “(And), while most people with Long COVID have evidence of infection or COVID-19 illness, in some cases, a person with Long COVID may not have tested positive for the virus or known they were infected.”

So, How Are You Feeling Today??—

• Rodney Vasconcellos (61, TSA agent)

“Hey!!  I normally work at Terminal #1 at Honolulu International Airport; so obviously I am exposed to this ‘post-pandemic’ COVID spread.  Or, whatever it’s being referred to today… in fact, I’ve been referring to my current ‘malaise condition’ as a case of ‘flu variant’ (a term that CDC has been using, post pandemic!!) …”.

“Actually, because of this feeling of health-uneasiness, I have been noticing a lot of scientific news articles about these post COVID experiences.  From what I can find on the Internet, some of the symptoms I’m experiencing sound very much like this long COVID continuing disease…  You know, tiredness; fatigue; post-exertional malaise; slight cough.  Fortunately, ‘no fever’!!”

“And, according to National Institutes of Health studies on the matter – ‘millions worldwide have had Long COVID, with dozens of widely varying symptoms including fatigue and brain fog’…  OMG, I hope I’ve never unwittingly experienced this brain fog while on duty checking travelers going through the – TSA clearance gate in HNL Airport-Terminal #1!!”

• Laura Choi Sunahara (68, retired beautician)

“Now you guyz are Scaring Me!!  Listen, in February this year I went to LA to attend my niece’s wedding, then onward to Las Vegas for Superbowl LVII and Baccarat gambling. Fantastic 10-day trip; won almost $10-Grand!!  That’s… the Good News.”

“Now… the BAD.  You know, it’s been a few months now, and I still have this somewhat debilitating, tired feeling; and some stomach gas issues; with some ragged, minor coughing; no fever.  Mild symptoms to me, but health problems, nonetheless…  So now you’re suggesting this could be a case of long COVID??”

“Well, when I first noticed these symptoms, I had a COVID home-test done— NEGATIVE.  But, like I said, no fever and the such so I’ve been taking some OTC flu/cold tablets as safeguards, just in case…  Oh, and discussed this issue with my PCP, but all my blood/urine tests proved—EXCELLENT; EXCELLENT; EXCELLENT”.

(Editor’s Final Notes)—

• “CDC and other federal agencies, as well as academic institutions and research organizations, are working to learn more about the short-and long-term health effects associated with COVID-19, who gets them and why.”
• “Better understand the role vaccination plays in preventing long COVID.”
• “Collaborate with professional medical groups to develop and offer clinical guidance and other educational materials for healthcare providers, patients, and public.”

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Favorite Movie Quotes

POTPOURRI

The American Film Institute (AFI)… in 2005 released its list of memorable movie quotations.  The top picks included—

• “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” (Gone with The Wind, 1939)
• “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” (The Godfather, 1972)
• “You don’t understand!  I coulda had class.  I coulda been a contender.  I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.” (On the Waterfront, 1954)
• “Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” (The Wizard of Oz, 1939)
• “Here’s looking at you, kid.” (Casablanca, 1942)

Go Ahead; Test Your Memory… and see how many Movies Quotes you remember—

• Carole Millard (69, registered nurse)

“Aha—you’ve finally brought up one of my favorites “Oldies but Goodies” topics…You see I just love old-movies quizzes!!  When I was growing up in the ‘50s and ‘60s, I used to go to the local neighborhood movie theatres a lot.  Also, I religiously watched the old movie re-runs shown on television…”.

            “I have many favorite-movie quotes, like—”

            ** ‘Love means never having to say you’re sorry.’ (Love Story, 1970)         

** ‘There’s no place like home.’ (The Wizard of Oz, 1939)

** ‘May the Force be with you.’ (Star Wars,1977)

            “Now, having said that…  I must admit, my two absolute favorite-movie quotes are—”

                        ** ‘A martini. Shaken, not stirred.’ (Goldfinger, 1964)

** ‘There’s no crying in baseball.’ (A League of Their Own, 1992)

• Joel Camara (76, PR executive)

“All good-ones, guyz.  I guess in my line of work over all these years, I used great movies lines all the time, especially when I’m writing speeches and articles for magazines (promoting our Advertisers’ services and products).  If I really reflected, I probably preferred lines from movies and TV shows popular at that particular period of time.”

“I especially liked Arnold Schwarzenegger simple, direct sayings, such as— ‘I’ll be back’ (The Terminator, 1984) …  But I have to go with my all-time, ‘Best-in-Showbiz’ movies quotes—”

                        ** ‘You talking to me?’ (Taxi Driver, 1976)

                        ** “Hasta la vista, baby.” (Terminator 2: Judgement Day, 1991)

“For me, Taxi Driver struck a nerve because I served in the Vietnam War in 1969-1970 (one tour of duty following the TET Offensive in 1968) …  The movie underscored the psychological struggles that was endured by many veterans of the War…  And, what else do I need to explain regarding The Terminator movies—other than— ‘AH-NOLD, IS AH-NOLD’…”.

Editor’s Final Movie Quotes Cut—

                   ** “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” (Cool Hand Luke, 1967)

                        ** “Here’s looking at you, kid.” (Casablanca, 1942)

                        ** “E.T. phone home.” (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, 1982)

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Chatbots

HAWAII STORIES

It’s In the News Media… almost daily headlines; everywhere—

• “Like humans, AI chatbots tell lies and act weird.”
• “Into the AI unknown.”
• “AI spotting breast cancer that doctors miss.”
• “What can ChatGPT maker’s new AI model GPT-4 do?”
• “Microsoft 365 apps will receive new AI features.”

But What are Chatbots??… According to various sources—

• “Chatbots are computer programs that are capable of maintaining a conversation with a user in natural language, understanding their intent, and replying based on preset rules and data.”

• “Chatbots are a type of conversational AI, but not all chatbots are conversational AI.  Rule-based chatbots use keywords and other language identifiers to trigger pre-written responses—these are not built on conversational AI technology.”

• ”Chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversations to create better experiences for customers. Some operate based on predefined conversation flows, while others use artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP) to decipher user questions and send automated responses in real-time.”

However, Personal Experiences with Chatbots Vary—

• Albert “Butch” Botelho (68, retired pharmaceutical representative)

“Are you kidding me??  This Chatbot business is still new, and mystifying stuff for me—most annoying; gibberish!! —   I was a Customer Sales Rep and a staunch believer in ‘face-to-face-sales.  I visited MD offices and always greeted clients with a smile and some promotional products.  I believe this was the primary reason I was named ‘Salesperson of the Year’ on several occasions when I was in my prime!!”

“Having said that, I query SIRI on my iPhone constantly now (and a lot more often during the NFL Football Season).  Also, I am now considering ALEXA for my condo in Waikiki.  Just imagine commanding ALEXA to tune my home lighting; provide security; and control electrical usages!!  Hey, I’m a single guy and soon get to retire— ‘IN STYLE’…”.

• Yvonne Evalani Wilcox (71, retired corporate administrative assistant)

“You know BUTCH, I thought you would be ‘All In’ on Chatbots because of your experience in the medical field!!  Maybe I am a little older than you and rely on regularly getting my medical prescriptions filled at CVS Longs in Pearlridge…  So simple; I get my physician office to order my meds via fax; then Longs texts me for pick-up; and, of course, CVS refills orders when need be.  In a way, I now have my very own ‘Pharmaceutical Rep on my CVS APP…”.

“Seriously, though, I am so surprised to learn of the many uses for Chatbots in the healthcare industry.  To me, that’s great in terms of getting routine care; however, I do really miss my nurses calling me to follow-up on the doctors’ orders.  Like you—I prefer the ‘face-to-face’, patient-doctor relationships…”.

“Like we all reminded ourselves when were in the active workforce… “                         

“THE FUTURE IS NOW!!”

• Harold “Champ” Castillo (60, news media sales)

“Call me ‘Suspicious’, or whateverz…  I find this whole advance of AI and Chatbots technology very ‘chilling’.  I’ve been following the progress (or degradation) of generative artificial intelligence, and, quite frankly, I am spooked!!”

“For instance, take that new AI ChatGPT— According to what I’ve read in newspapers, this new chatbot can produce (I mean like write!!) essays or just about anything prompted of it…  Get this; in a recent Honolulu Star Advertiser news article, ChatGPT was prompted to write a wedding vow; and it accomplished the task!!  Remember… I’m in the sales pitch business, and guess what??  Soon the Company may want to replace me with bots like ChatGPT!!”

“Hey, I just had this idea– What if I get on the ChatGPT bandwagon and learn this new technology.  I could then easily prompt the bot to generate my sales pitches, and with my expert editing skills, I would add local Hawaiian phrases and specific media jargon.  Just think… all my office work would be so easily accomplished by Chatbot!!”

 And, like all sales guyz, I do prefer working out of the office making face-to- face client-calls… ChatGPT would be really great for me since…”

“I WORK ON COMMISSION!!”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Generation What

 POTPOURRI                                   

According to Pew Research Center… generations are defined as “groups of people born within the same 15- to 20-year span.  These divided time periods can help us understand how worldview is shaped by the events that occur during our lifetime”  Further, generation can also be described as, “the average period, generally considered to be about 20–⁠30 years, during which children are born and grow up, become adults, and begin to have children.”

And, According to The Atlantic…  the current generation of people being born is “Generation Alpha”, the first born wholly in the 21^st century.  It covers 2012 to 2024—

• Walter “Waltah” Harada (84, retired construction company chairman)

“I guess I am lumped together with those born before the start of WWII in 1941.  What was that again, — ‘The Silent Generation’??  Must be true since I can hardly understand these younger kids anymore… always talking too fast; or not saying anything at all— and instead just ‘texting’ on their mobile phone.  Very annoying to me!!”

“Maybe ‘Yes’— that’s the reason we 1930-born types are referred to as, The Silent Generation… it’s too difficult for us to speak to the other ‘later-born-kids’!!  Poor people communication skills on their part.”

“And that’s the other annoying communication problem… the kids nowadays don’t seem to read books; only read stuff on computer tablets and on cell phones.  Also, they rarely seem to be going to movie theatres—entertainment is provided via video-streaming, or whatever these programs are called.  And, they even watch streaming on their cell phones (while wearing headsets)!!  Oh, yeah—and then, there are those social media app posts.”

“I bet my old English teacher (Mrs. Rodgers) at Farrington High School would hit me on the head with her favorite ruler if she had ever caught me just sitting there at my desk with the cell phone and headset!!  Yes, new Generation.  And as the Saturday theatre movie news trailers used to remind us—

     ‘TIME MARCHES ON’…!!”

• Mary Alice Geer (62, insurance agent)

“Gee, ‘WALTAH’—I didn’t realize you were born before WWII; heck, you’re like my father’s age—OMG!!  Maybe that is the reason you always seem to be counselling me regarding my work-habits—just like my DAD used to.  You know what I mean, in a guiding, caring manner, of course.”

“And, that’s just my point when you talk about the ‘Generation Gap’.  I mean like even kids’ names today.  I admit I’m a Boomer, and lean a lot toward Traditionalist.  I guess this is the reason I became a life-insurance agent; I just believe in taking care of family and heritage…  Even my given-name, MARY ALICE, speaks of my own old down-South family upbringing!!…  And, by the way—Mary means ‘Darling’ (that’s what my Daddy told me!!); and Alice was my Mama’s name.”

“But look at this new generations’ names for girls—OAKLEIGH; CHLOE; HAISLEY; RIDLEY; ASHLEY—all nifty and meaningful.  But, very different—at least from a ‘Traditionist’ point of view.  However, my ‘Boomer-self’ says in genre-jargon justification—

                                            ‘IT’S ALL COOL, DADDY-O’…!!”

Editor’s Final Picks (Guys)—

               JESSE; SEAN; RAMON; VINCENT

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

A Timely Tip For 2023

POTPOURRI      

“Automatic Tip Requests” … are ticking people off, according to a recent Associated Press article in USA Report—

• “Some fed up consumers are posting rants on social media complaining about tip requests at Fast Foods drive-thrus…”.

• “Others say they’re tired of being asked to leave a gratuity for a muffin or a simple cup of coffee at the neighborhood bakery…”.

• “What’s next (they wonder)—are we going to be tipping– our doctors and dentists too??”.

These Reports Make a Person… question as to what is the accepted protocol when receiving various dining, travelling, and other services from vendors.  According to one national news source (Table Agent)—

• “In most cases, the standard rule of thumb or etiquette for tipping is to leave 15 percent for service you consider ‘average, ’and 20 percent if the service you received was above average.  If you feel the service was ‘outstanding’, feel free to leave even more.

• “Servers are paid based on a reward system.  The person receiving the service can pay the server according to the quality of their performance.  The better service the server provides, the more they are tipped.”

• Wesley Solidad (70, electrical engineer)

“I’ve owned my contractor business for some 30-plus years, and for me, my work requires a lot of entertaining— clients from here in Hawaii, the U.S. Mainland, and the Far East.  I must admit, I have almost always followed that 10-15-20 percent gratuity rule; and sometimes more, if warranted.  Actually, the big stuff isn’t the problem; it almost always seems like small restaurant businesses appear to want to ‘nickel & dime’ corporate diners when it comes to service gratuities.”

“I guess it was last year that some of the chain restaurants here have instituted a new charge— a ‘Service Fee’ or ‘Kitchen Charge’ on the bill.  Not a significant dollar amount (somewhat equal to our Hawaii GET).  I normally just accept the additional charge without complaint simply because I understand the difficulties that beset small business operators.  You know, COVID and employment problems.”

“Bottom Line…??  I just follow my ‘10, 15, 20++ Percent Satisfaction Rule’…!!”

• David “Larry” Lorenzo (45, Waikiki security services)

“I don’t receive ‘Tips’ at my work place; I work in the security video-camera center of the hotel.  Besides controlling outside security cameras from the office center, I physically patrol the outside premises, just to inspect the multiple video-camera areas of surveillance…”.

“I’m a single guy and have no family responsibilities; my lifestyle is simple so I also do part-time work in food service delivery—you know, like Uber Eats, Grub Hub and Door Dash.  I realize this kind of job doesn’t sound exciting, but it is somewhat rewarding and I get to learn about the different kinds of restaurants in Honolulu—as well as to where to find the ‘Best Take Out Meals’…”.

“Oh, yeah… I forgot to mention… the driver-delivery payrate is set by the Company and is ‘good’, if a person is willing to work the busy hours.  And, ‘YES’, I usually do receive ‘Tips’ when I make the deliveries.  Fortunately, GrubHub app makes things simple for the delivery guy by suggesting Tips around $3-$5 for most orders.”

“I understand salaries for food delivery drivers in Hawaii range from a low of $25,000; average, $50,000; and high, $75,000…  AND as the GRUBHUB HR Officials say—

 ‘If you give the time; you can do just fine!!!’.”

________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:      

            Puanani/Internet

Oh My!! Glorious Food!!

HAWAII STORIES

Remember the Scene…  from the movie musical production, “OLIVER!”??—

• “The evening arrived; the boys took their places. The Master, in his cook’s uniform, stationed himself at the copper… and a long grace was said…   The gruel disappeared; the boys whispered each other, and winked at Oliver; while his next neighbors nudged him…”.

• “Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table; and advancing to the Master, basin and spoon in hand, said: somewhat alarmed at his own temerity—

        ‘Please, sir, I want some more.’.”

And Remember that Resounding Chorus…  that filled the hall!!??—

• “Food, Glorious Food… We’re anxious to try it…Three banquets a day—our favorite diet!!”

• Cynthia “Kanani” Civico (58, marketing promotions-tours)

“Yes!!  Definitely!!  In fact, those are my exact sentiments following this busy Holiday Season of returning tourists to Waikiki hotels…  And parties, parties, parties…  That’s in my job description—entertain and PARTY ON!!”.

“And, ‘FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD’ for me…  All kinds—Japanese, Chinese (especially around this Lunar Chinese New Year period- 2023 Year of the Rabbit!!), and the like.  But I must admit the best Party-On meal was at the Polynesian Cultural in Laie (on the island of Oahu).  I took a couple of tour groups there and each had the ‘Alii Luau Package’’, delicious, succulent Polynesian style food (or like the local Hawaiians simply say— ‘ONO KINE GRINDZ’)”—

            ** Imu Pua ’a Pork

            ** Pipikaula in orange rosemary vinaigrette

            ** Huli Chicken

            ** Moa with Ulu (chicken & squash)

            ** Pan Seared Local Fresh Fish w/ Olena Calamansi glaze

            ** Whole Steamed Kona Kanpachi in Ti leaves

            ** Teriyaki Brisket

            ** Kalua Pork

            ** Fried Saimin

“Know what??  I can still smell that food; feel the breeze; and hear the music and chatter.”—

• Anthony “Kamana” Samson (62, fund development consultant)

“I, too, entertained a lot these past months; especially in January and February.  It seemed as though everyone decided to come to Hawaii to play golf and sample our island delitez—my treat, of course.  In my line of work, that would be, ‘Par-for-the-Course’.”

“My usual ‘Go-To’ place has been Upstairs at Pier 38 right there on the waterfront along Nimitz Highway.  That would be after our round of golf at Honolulu Country Club in the Salt Lake area, of course.  Actually, the cozy restaurant had been closed because of the COVID Pandemic, but had recently re-opened in the summer of 2022.   My favorite dishes are the Appetizers (go fabulously with a chilled bottle of Riesling). —

** Seared Scallops— Avocado Mousse, Bacon Tomato Jam, Ikura, Salmon Chicharron

** Crispy Brie— Hawaiian Chili Jam, Blueberry Coulis, Grilled Sourdough Points

** New Zealand Green Mussels— 1Lb Steamed, Leeks, Cherry Tomato, Beurre Blanc, Pommes Frites

** Korean Oysters Rockefeller— Gochujang Compound Butter, Seaweed Salad

 “OH!!  FOOD… GLORIOUS FOOD…!!!

________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:      

            Puanani/Internet

Work Longevity

POTPOURRI     

USA TODAY… recently (January 2023) reported that—

•  “A French woman believed to be the world’s oldest person (Lucile Randon) had died shortly before her 119^th birthday… (she was born in France on Feb.11, 1904) …”.

• “The oldest living known person in the world listed by the Gerontology Research Group is now an American-Born woman who is 115…”.

• “The oldest known person who ever lived was from Aries, France.  She was born Feb. 21, 1879; she died Aug. 4, 1997… (she was nearly 123 years of age) …”.

Further, According to The Report… when asked about her exceptional longevity through two World Wars, she (Lucile Randon) told French media that – “working…makes you live.  I worked until I was 108”.  She was known “to enjoy chocolates and a daily glass of wine.”—

• Bertram “Bert” Makana (82, registered legislative lobbyist)

“Heck, I totally agree with that 119-year-old French woman!!!  Nothing like daily intake of ‘chocolates and glasses of wine’…  I must admit, though, in my line of work this lifestyle regime is easily achieved, especially since I’ve been involved in all things political since the early 1970s.”

pix on disc from poulain chocolatier. please scan pix of woman holding square of chocolate and pix of chocolate with glass of wine.

“But I have slowed down a bit since turning ‘The Big 80’.  Now I operate as a part-time, private consultant available if my personal schedule permits.  Also, I will accept only planned land development projects located on the Island of Oahu…  Having said that, recently I did do some consulting for an investment group planning development of a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) on the Island of Maui.  However, no more Neighbor Island projects for me going forward.”

• Juliette “Julie” Stevenson (83, published author)

“I’ve been steadily working since I graduated from Seattle University in Washington.  However, I spent most of my adult years – (following Graduate School and obtaining a Certification in English as a Second Language Teacher) – in China, Japan, and South Korea.  My work-history was primarily in public schools in grades K-12…  I loved working overseas, and had met my future husband who worked in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China.  Exciting Experiences!!!”

ÃÀ¹úפ»ª´óʹ¹ÝйÝ8ÔÂ8ÈÕÆôÓÃ

“Following my career in ESL, I began writing children’s books—a kind of carry-over of my 40-some years teaching in the schools, I suppose.  Oh, my husband and I moved to beautiful Hawaii almost 15-years ago; however, I still write and in fact, I started a ‘Writers Workshop’ program at the University of Hawaii…  Hey, you should join the staff and share your experiences with us!!”

“I plan to keep writing and being a part of the so-called workforce until well into my 90s.  I still feel very energized, and keep fit by strolling along Waikiki Beach near our condo home overlooking the Ala Wai Canal…  By the way, let me share some statistics of older persons in the workforce—a kind of comparison of generations and lifestyles, if you will…  Look here— “.

  What About Your Work Longevity Plans???

________________________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

How Old Are You . . . Really??

POTPOURRI

Remember That Little Kiddies Ditty … 

            “How old are you today;

            How old are you; How old are you;

            How old are you today?”

Now, a Question Bluntly Asked …‘What is your age now??’  And, ‘How old did you say you were??’…  Here are a couple of AGE FACTOIDS–

• Most Western cultures use the age system wherein if a person has lived for 7 years and 10 months his/her age will be 7 years.
• In other cultures, such as in East Asian, age reckoning is different.   In some of those countries, a person begins their life at the age of 1 (by Western standard).  Then another year is added to their age at New Year’s Day, even if this happens to be the second day of their life.

And in Many Western Societies … getting old is feared; thus, leading people to feel and appear young as long as possible. It is contended that having this mentality can change the way aging is perceived—

• Reggie Choi (71/72, petroleum sales consultant)

“I don’t know…  I guess now that I’m transitioning from the exciting ‘Swinging 60s’ of life to the ‘Sunset 70s’ generation, I agree: ‘I don’t want to readily admit that I was born in 1951.  Heck, young people today may start referring to me as a Korean War Baby!!  Do you realize how long ago that was?? … 1951— OMG!!”

“And, yes, I do go to 24-Hour Fitness gym in Pearl City.  I really felt I needed to ‘tone-up’ my body, and I even have a personal trainer (Melissa)!!  At least I feel like just observing all those younger people doing their exercise routines makes me feel and think a little like a YOUNGER ME.”

• MARGARET Kim-Seo (64/65, hospital emergency RN)

“Hey, Reggie… RELAX!!  Maybe you should just retire now and spend more time playing golf at the Country Club.  Enjoy these years, and stop your worry…  You know, I’m of the Post-Korean War Generation (b.1958), and I’m looking forward to retiring – perhaps next year.  Anyway, I wanted to share this age calculation information with you…”.

“In South Korea (Seoul, where I was born), we have a different way of calculating one’s age (Korean age) – It works like this: ‘People are considered a year old at birth; and then they add a year to their age every January 1’.   So, when a child is born; she/he is one- year old.  On January 1, the baby is then 2-years old’…  Sounds weird; however, true.  My oldest sister (Nancy) was born December 31, 1946; and now reports her age as 76.  Yes, she will be 77-years old this December 31, 2022!!”

• KaNani Lee-Machado (76/77, retired insurance sales)

“Yes, you can add me to the list of ‘I am getting-older believers.  Time does march on; however, I do maintain a strict regimen as to a healthy physical and emotional self.  I regularly exercise, visit my doctors, my beautician, and I dress in the fashions of today’s older females.  I really do enjoy this phase of my life – PLUS, my husband (Jesse, 79/80) still gets jealous when other men (especially the older ones) smile at me!”

“I decided to fully retire at age 71-years, because I had already planned to draw that Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from my long-time USAA IRA account when I reached 71-years.  This was all part of my personal retirement strategy.  With the IRA distributions, MEDICARE, my health and other long-term care insurances, I was confident in facing health deterioration possibilities as I aged.  Just remember, I was in the Insurance & Annuity business for some 40 years…  I had a lot of time to prepare myself for my ‘GOLDEN YEARS’.”

• Clifford ‘Noble’ Madrid (80/81, investment consultant) 

“I’ve always liked the phrase…’Go with the Flow’.  So, when I turned 79-years a few months back, I adopted that ‘go-for-it challenge’ as my Life Philosophy.  How old am I??  Well, I follow the ‘Running Age’ rule; so, today I am 81-years old since I was born September 1941 (yes, and I am of the Silent Generation, pre-WWII, those born from 1928 to 1945.).”

“But, let me explain further… As to aging, I subscribe to the belief that ‘I will never be OLD’; rather, ‘I will always simply be ONE DAY-Older than I was yesterday.’.”

One Final Age Thought/Query—

• Problem Statement…

A father tells his son, “I was your age now when you were born”.  If the father is now 38 years old, how old was his son 2 years ago?

________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

• (Problem Answer:  Two years ago, his son is 17-years old.)

Hop Along 2023

POTPOURRI

Year of the ‘Water Rabbit’ … will run from January 22, 2023 to February 9, 2024.  Rabbit years include 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 and 2023.  One note— however, if you were born in January or February check whether you are the same Chinese calendar year as your Gregorian calendar year.

2023’s ‘Water Rabbit’ …  is especially important if you’re born in a Rabbit year.  2023 is a ‘Fan Tai Sui’ year for Rabbits – which brings tests.  You’re in the spotlight; so be sure to rest often. Feeling nervous? Relax. You have free will, and your birth sign is only part of your horoscope.

• Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Pang (53, investment counsellor)

“As you know, my father is Chinese, so I was brought up adhering to the predictions of the Lunar New Year.  My birthday is January 16, 1970, so I’m a Dog in this ‘Year of the Rabbit’…”.  And according to various sources, 2023 Rabbit should be a somewhat good year for me; but I’m not so confident.  You know, the Stock Market is worrisome for me as an Investment Counsellor, a real headache actually—what with COVID, international economic crises, and high inflation, etc.  However, I do remain ‘cautiously optimistic’.”

“Here… look at this.  I’ll subscribe to this one predication that was given me—

Dog Chinese Horoscope 2023 – Dogs will be favored by luck in the Year of Water Rabbit. Most aspects of your life will see growth which will make you extremely happy. You are lucky to be surrounded by people who motivate you and root for you, and this year you will feel blessed to have them in your life.”

“Well, I guess you can say that in this 2023 Year— ‘I’M JUST A LUCKY DOG’…!!!”

• Constance Bennette (57, State attorney office)

“SSS-sss… Step aside, Bro!!!  I’m a Snake in the Water Rabbit Year…; and you do know what that means.  That’s right –

Snake Chinese Horoscope 2023 – Reveals that the ‘Year of the Water Rabbit’ will bring significant changes in the lives of Snake natives. Things will become better than before as your hard work will finally be recognized and pay off. Positive changes will enter as a ray of hope in your life.  You might come across some people who will help you explore a new world of endless possibilities.”

“You know I actually have held a strong sense that Rabbit 2023 will be extremely exciting for me.  It seems these last two years were difficult; however, I just kept grinding and expecting all my hard work would result in personal growth and more success in my business endeavors – SSS-ss…should mean Big $$$-$$ in 2023…!!!”

Let Us All Celebrate This Water Rabbit Year –

________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

2023 Life Quotes

POTPOURRI

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! …  and the opportunity to wish family and friends continued good health, peace, and happiness in this 2023 New Year.  And asMr. Spock of Star Trek fame would advocate —

AND WHAT “WORDS OF WISDOM” … will continue to guide your future?? … Such as these famous Life Quotes Examples –

• ” The purpose of our lives is to be happy.“ — (Dalai Lama)
• ” Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.“ — (John Lennon)
• ” Get busy living or get busy dying.“ — (Stephen King)
• ” You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.“ — (Mae West)

• Ronald F.M. Leong (82, retired restauranteur)

“I guess I’ve always been a ‘keep busy’ kind of guy my whole life…  Even as a 9-year-old, my father insisted I work delivering the Honolulu Advertiser Newspaper in the early mornings before leaving for school.  Then, when I returned from school, I had to go to where his two fishing boats were moored, (there in Kewalo Basin), and help clean up the fishing gear that my Dad; my Grandpa; and my Uncles used for that morning’s catch…  This was in the late 1940s right after WWII.”

“I guess it was that kind of early strict upbringing that set my life’s focus.  That ‘Old Man’ provided me the lessons of entrepreneurship and independence…  So, what is my ‘Life Quote’??  I guess my successful restaurant business provides the answer — ‘A MAN WHO CAN COOK, WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY’…  Oh, and you can give my ‘Old Man’ credit for that life-lesson pearl!!!”

“But I have to confess, the quote more commonly referenced my philosophers, reads—

‘Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.’— (Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu).”

• Pamela Guiterrez (62, non-profit foundation administrator)

“I think genius ALBERT EINSTEIN is recognized as the originator of the oft-repeated quote—

            ‘Learn from yesterday; Live for today; Hope for tomorrow…’

“I’ve been in this non-profit Foundation business for almost 20-years now; and for me, this quote kind of describes my duties and responsibilities as the organization’s chief executive officer…  However, I was taught a different (yet similar) quote to which I subscribe and believe—

‘LEARN FROM YESTERDAY; LIVE FOR TODAY; PLAN AND DREAM FOR TOMORROW’ – (Sister Maureen Keleher, OSF)

“I think Sister’s version best describes how I dedicate myself to living life daily.”

• John “Seattle Steve” Lockwood (70, retired civil service planner)

“Basically, now that I’ve fully retired from government work, I feel like I’m in a ‘Good Place’ in my life…  And life do continue to evolve, and now I’ve become a GAMLING NFL FOOTBALL FANATIC!!!   Definitely, YES!!, I do bet on football games during the entire NFL season (Online sports betting has been legal here in Washington State since 2020) … Really, a lot of fun and excitement.  I DO win most of the time…”.

“One confession to make—I am a LOYAL SEATTLE SEAHAWKS FAN…  However, for me, at this great time in my life, AL DAVIS, the legendary coach of the ‘Hated OAKLAND RAIDERS’, has provided all NFL football fans like me, the all-time ‘Life Quote’—

  “JUST WIN BABY!!”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Let’s Lose Weight

POTPOURRI

Top Reasons People Lose Weight…  according to recent studies –

• Health – The most critical reason for losing weight is improved health.  Fifty percent of participants in a 2007 study of overweight and obese people cited health improvement as the No. 1 reason for wanting to lose weight.  Being overweight is associated with heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.

• Appearance – Improved appearance or vanity is the second most cited reason for wanting to lose weight. People who are overweight often suffer from prejudice and discrimination both in their personal and professional lives.

• Mood – Improved mood is another important reason for losing weight.  The insecurities associated with being discriminated against foster depression and low self-esteem.

• Fitness – Improved fitness is also a top reason for losing weight, especially for men who are deemed overweight but otherwise healthy, according to a study published in the “International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders”. Most physical movement, from walking to running is easier for normal weight people.

Those Findings Might Be Valid … but what are friends and associates reporting??

• Natalie Kimie Pratt (68, real-estate sales)

“APPEARANCE AND FITNESS…  bottom-line for me!!  I’ve doing everything since I turned ‘65’ a few years back.  I regularly do 24 Hour Fitness Center three-times a week; walk 18-holes at HCC Golf Course at least once-a-week; even strict diet and drinking less alcohol…!!!  Hey, you do realize that in my line of work, what counts are experience; knowledge of the market; positive-attitude… and APPEARANCE.  You’ve got to look CONFIDENT in this sales business!!”

“But guess what??  I only tried to lose five-pounds, 135 to 130.  I’m 5’2” and trim for my age; but really, I can never get down to that 129-130 weight that I strive for so I can feel… ‘perky and alert’!!”

“What can I do??  I’ll almost hit that big, ‘SILVER 70s’– age bracket!!  Then What??”

• Dale Lum-Kee (62, wholesale distribution)

“Heck, Kimie – I thought you were younger than me!!  Around 58-years!!  Wow; you really look good to me—no need to lose any more weight…”.

“Seriously, to me, Living Healthy is top priority – HEALTH –gotta stay healthy!!  I tell you all this fact of my life.  Five-years ago, I suffered a SEIZURE.  I had gone to bed one night, and the next thing I know, these four people in dark uniforms are standing around, and my wife there, sobbing.  Everybody looked like ‘Dark Shadows’!!…  The next thing I know, I’m in a hospital bed with my wife curled-up beside me.”

“The doctor later explained that I had suffered a ‘Complex Partial Seizure’ since I had lost consciousness and no other changes in my brain activity had occurred.  I now take high blood pressure medication as well KEPPRA (anti-seizure drug).  And, of course, I regularly take two-mile walks around my neighborhood… plus, keep a watch on diet!!”

Simple vs Complex Febrile Seizure

• Wally “The Chief” Oshiro (78, retired Hawaii State-engineer)

“HEALTH.  STAYING HEALTHY…  that should be ‘Priority One’ for guyz our age!!  No doubt in my mind.  You know, a couple of years ago, I found out that my heart pulse rate was low; I really had no idea I had any kind of health problems.  I did my regular morning walks around my family business office almost daily; played golf with you guyz every Wednesdays; and even played a little softball with my two young grandsons!!”

“It was only during one of my quarterly PCP visits that my MD noted my low pulse rate.  After some simple tests, it was decided that I best have a Pacemaker surgical implant.  Anyways, no problems now…  Oh, one more thing I want to share with you so you can improve your walking exercise – try walking, BACKWARDS!!!  Really this is supposed to be extremely helpful for a cardio-fix, and balance…”.

“Now I usually do morning walks outdoors alone, so I only try Backwards Walking at home, in my ‘REC-ROOM’.  And, guess what??  All this got me to remembering MICHAEL JACKSON’S MOONWALK… I started doing his little dance – got to be fun and energizing for me…  Yeah!!!  I’m –

MOONWALKING!!!”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

My Home

HAWAII STORIES

‘Eh, Where You Live?’ … is a common expression made by local Hawaiians when asking where one is from; or where one’s home is located.  Other similar local idioms of that same query may include: ‘Where you come from?’; or ‘Where your house?’; or even ‘You come from here?’ …

Interestingly Enough, … many folks simply consider: ‘Home is where your heart is’; or ‘Home is where you grew up’; and for some, even ‘Home is where you hang your hat’—

• Roland “Rolo” Kekuewa (retired, systems analyst)

“Simple Simon… HAWAII IS MY HOME.  I one real ‘Local Boy’.  I was born and raised here.  In old Kakaako place, Keauhou Lane, when this small residential community was referred to as a Japanese Camp – ‘Aoki Camp’.  I even attended Pohukaina Elementary School, right there in the heart of Kakaako; and later, went to Central Intermediate, McKinley High – then Hawaii National Guard, and on to the University of Hawaii…”.

“Hey, after the Army Reserve and UH, I even worked for Hawaiian Telephone Company, in 1973 just a couple of years after HTCO was bought out by GTE…   You ask, ‘Where do I Live??’…  HAWAII – BRUDDAH!!“

• Patricia “Alice” Garrett (58, real-estate sales)

“I live in Kapolei on the West side of Oahu, moved there after coming to Hawaii about 11 years ago.  Just my husband (Robert) and me now – we have two adult sons living on the mainland (Portland and Seattle) …  Hawaii definitely is HOME to us!!”

“But, I’ve gotta tell you… in my heart I have mixed feelings as to HOME.  Both Robert and I are 1/4^th Native Hawaiian.  However, unlike my husband (who is from Maui), I was born in Paso Robles, California and lived there a couple of years while Dad was stationed at nearby Camp Roberts.  Then, because of Dad’s Army commitment (and the Vietnam War), we moved around a lot (various U.S. Army bases on the mainland U.S.) … eventually relocating back to Dad’s home in Pearl City here on Oahu.”

“Oh, and I attended Loyola Marymount in LA and got my BS degree in Business Management there…  You know, I do still have fond memories Paso Robles ‘cause Mom loved driving and sight-seeing.  She would tell me of our visits with friends from Templeton and, of course, going to Mission San Miquel.  I still remember the address of our home in Paso Roble— 1415 Vine St.

“I guess I’ve still got a lot of ‘CALIFORNIA GIRL’ in me!!!”

• Mathew “Matt” Flores (68, investment broker)

“You know, my native background is somewhat similar to Alice’s (The California Girl) …  I am part-Guamanian, of Chamorro descent on Mom’s side.  My Dad met her while in the Navy, stationed at Guam Naval Base.  The family moved to Hawaii when Dad’s unit returned to Pearl Harbor on Oahu Island.  We lived in the Ewa Beach area while I attended Maryknoll High School on Punahou St.”

“My wife (Charlotte, a TRUE California girl from Marin County) and I now reside in San Diego; and both of us are eagerly planning to spend our retirement years in Hawaii.  Hopefully, this ‘dream will come true’ next year (2023) …  I’ve had business projects on Maui as well as Honolulu over these past two years; we’ve both looked at some ‘Home possibilities’ in the Manoa residential area near Maryknoll Schools.”

“So, ‘Where is Home’??  That really is a tough-one for me…  I still have strong leanings toward my Guamanian heritage and childhood remembrances there; yet, my adult years have been both in Hawaii and California (which includes college years at San Diego State University, and early business experiences throughout the State of California) …  I guess I would have to cop-out and just admit— ‘HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS’!!”                          

So… Going Home for The Holidays???—

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Travel Woes

HAWAII STORIES 

When You Live Here in Hawaii… AIR TRAVEL is the only way to Staycation visiting the Neighbor Islands, or Vacation to U.S. Mainland and foreign destinations.  And, everyone knows air travel is a mess right now.  Most agree that’s because the travel industry is dealing with the same problem that the rest of the economy is facing – a staffing shortage prompted by a tight labor market and a quick rebound from the Covid-19 Pandemic.

But There’s Obviously More to the Story… crowed airport check-in points; departure delays; TSA security gridlock; confusion at the gate; and the like…

So, How Was Your Vacation??—

• Rodney Jesse Sumida (55, Hawaii National Guard)

“Hey!!  I just returned from my ‘Worst-Cation’ experience, ever…  First, at Honolulu International, the Vacations Hawaii ticket agent hadn’t included my wife’s and my TSA Pre-check KTNs on our tickets.  And, those ticket agents just were not going to correct the error!!  So, we had to go through and snake around in that long TSA clearance line (for both domestic and foreign travel).  Probably, 30-45 minutes.  So Ridiculous, especially since I had just paid for my TSA Pre-check 6-year renewal!!”

“Fortunately, though, I did hit a machine KENO JACKPOT which brightened this Las Vegas return visit to The Orleans!!  But everything was downhill again when returning home.  Yes, at Las Vegas McCarran International.  And, again, TSA Precheck KTN#s could not be retrieved for our return tickets to Honolulu…  So frustrating and certainly IRRITATING…”.

BUT I DID WIN A JACKPOT

• Laurie-Mae Netto (65, residential interior designer)

“Travel woes??  I have ‘travel woes’; and I haven’t even left the islands…!!  Just as you mentioned, it seems like everyone has suddenly decided to ‘get outta here’ and ‘go somewhere… anywhere’.  Especially during these next few months – you know, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve – and the grand illusion of turkey, roasting chestnuts, mistletoe, and snow!!”

“That was my vision – to be with my family in Northern California for the Holidays.  And, in fact, I even anticipated that 2022 would be a big peak travel season so I made my Hawaiian Airlines ticket reservations at the end of August for departure to San Francisco to celebrate Thanksgiving with family in Marin County.”

“And guess what??  When I did call to make my flite reservations, the best departure dates and plane seats for Thanksgiving Week were practically sold out.  I had to then make adjustments to our plans so as to get the best flite and seats available.”

“Bottom Line … The air travel cost for this Thanksgiving Family Gathering was more than DOUBLE THE REGULAR FARE, HONOLULU TO SAN FRANCISCO…  And just think, we still have to deal with crowded, rowdy, impatient Honolulu/San Francisco air terminal hassles…”.

YES…  WOE IS ME

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Hair Today…Gone Tomorrow!!

POTPOURRI

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Newspapers … recently reported some interesting findings—

• “There is an endless array of useless hair-growth remedies,” often at “significant cost,” said Dr. Brett King, a dermatologist at Yale School of Medicine. Yet, he added, “because people are desperate, such hair growth remedies continue to abound.”

• “But there is a cheap treatment”, he and other dermatologists say, “costing pennies a day, that restores hair in many patients. It is minoxidil, an old and well-known hair-loss treatment drug used in a very different way.”

• “Rather than being applied directly to the scalp, it is being prescribed in very low-dose pills…”.

Interesting Claims for Those Experiencing Hair-Loss –

• Danny Salvador (68, Kenpo Karate master)

“SOUNDS GREAT…if it works!!  To tell the truth, I have hair-loss problems; so, about a year ago, I went to see my dermatologist for consultation.  The hair on the top of my head had thinned-out; and I wanted a full head of hair again!!”

“Doctor Chinn, MD, suggested I start using Minoxidil Topical Solution, 5%.  Apparently, this hair regrowth treatment solution is the same as the more popular advertised-brand, ROGAINE.  Same, but different label, I guess…  Well, I’ve been applying the solution onto my scalp twice-a-day, as directed.  I’ve not really noticed any real regrowth of hair as of yet, but I’ll continue.”

“By the way, Dr. Chinn took a picture of my head (of thinning/loss hair) before I started the Minoxidil treatment—HERE…TAKE A LOOK-SEE!!”.

• Nanci Gerard (70, retired airline flite attendant)

“I don’t know… my experiences lead me to being, ‘SKEPTICLE’!!  Really, not based on my own personal experiences, but of those for my younger sister’s (Anna) hair-treatment problems over the past years…  Anna, like me, worked for United Airlines, before retiring a few years ago.  She was fortunate to have been blessed with long, auburn color hair—very attractive…”.

“But as she aged, Anna relied on hair-beauty treatments, so she regularly visited her favorite local beaty salon.  However, in time she noticed hair-damage and some hair-loss; so, she sought further help from a hair-loss Clinic near her home in Jersey City, NJ…  Sadly, none of the Clinic-directed specialist treatments resolved Anna’s problems.  Also, she experienced some unforeseen negative side effects after the various treatments…”.

“Anna now wears a hairpiece.  And in my (and others) opinion— Anna still is very Attractive!!!

Final Minoxidil Sidebars—

• Minoxidil… is a vasodilator used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Minoxidil is usually given together with two other medications including a diuretic (water pill). Minoxidil is available in generic form.

• Common side effects… include dizziness; drowsiness; tiredness; and temporary edema (swelling) while taking this medication, especially during the first few weeks as your body adjusts to the lower blood pressure. This is normal.

• Other Medical Problems…  The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
• Any other skin problems, an irritation, or a sunburn on the scalp.  These conditions may cause too much topical minoxidil to be absorbed into the body and may increase the chance of side effects.
• Heart disease or Hypertension (high blood pressure).  Topical minoxidil has not been studied in patients who have these conditions, but more serious problems may develop for these patients if they use more medicine than is recommended over a large area and too much minoxidil is absorbed into the body.

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

In the Doldrumz…???

HAWAII STORIES                        

Ever Feel Like Being Caught in the Doldrums… or at least feel as though life is at a stand-still??  And just for the record, the dictionary defines Doldrums as –  

• An old sailing phrase describing a region around the equator where the trade winds meet and can cancel each other out in stillness.  The wind is in the equatorial region of the ocean and can be stagnant for long periods.
• An area of the ocean where ships are unable to move because there is no wind.
• A state of inactivity or stagnation.

Nowadays, Most People Think… of the Doldrums as that listless, purposeless, feeling of drifting.  And, generally speaking, it’s not pleasant, and it certainly is not productive.  Some healthcare studies also suggest getting out of the Doldrums may not be an immediate life or death issue, but rather, it is undoubtedly a Quality-of-Life issue…

So, ‘WASSUP??’… with you during this extended period of quarantines, mask-mandates, and travel restrictions that made you feel like you’re experiencing a ‘Stagnant Endless Summer’—

• Theodore Dillon (32, part-time employment)

“Yeah, same-o, same-o, I guess.  Boring routines; but still enjoying the single-guy’s life in Hawaii just like I did back a few years ago when I left college in Seattle…  As you know, I had initially planned to complete my studies and graduate with a Marketing degree from University of Hawaii, but found it difficult having to work, study, and… PARTY-ON – all at the same time!!”

“However, I did manage to survive.  But, then in 2020, – COVID-19 AND QUARANTINE MANDATES…  Who could’ve guessed.  Right??  Actually, I’m in a quandary at the moment – ‘Party-On’?? or ‘Go back home to Bremerton, WA’.

• Conrad ‘ConMan’ Frodente (28, TSA agent)

“I guess you can say I’ve been in the Doldrums since I graduated from U.H., four/five years ago.  Nothing seemed to be going my way ‘job-wise’ at the time, but I kept applying for various full-time employment.  And??   NOTHING!! … I even tried to enter the U.S. Air Force Reserve commissioned officer candidate school!!  ‘NADA!!’  Keep in mind, too, that I had a Bachelor’s in Communications with a Minor in Chinese (language)—still, ‘MEI SHENME; MEI SHI…!!’.”

“So, I kept looking; and kept working part-time stints for Hawaii Public Radio; the University of Hawaii Radio (KTUH); and even ‘Book Off’ in Hawaii Don Quijote Convenience Store in Honolulu K-Town area, Ala Moana!!   And, finally, in 2020, I landed full-time employment as a TSA agent at Honolulu International Airport.  But, then, here came COVID-19 travel restrictions and U.S. government quarantine mandates—so, the job became more of a hassle than it needed to be.  I just got tired of always ‘scouring at people’.”

“But, guess what??  I think ‘The Tide is Turning’… Last week I received a call-back from the U.S. Space Force recruitment office!!  Earlier this year, in February, I had submitted a video-application; and, now I’m being scheduled for a personal interview in Space Force Los Angeles office!!  The position I’m being recruited for is in Space Force Logistics…   Cool, yeah???”

“Heck, what can I add to this DOLDRUMS SAGA, except—

‘BEAM ME ABOARD, SCOTTIE—CANDIDATE ‘CONMAN’ IS HERE TO COMMAND’!!!”

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

After-Dinner… Delitez

HAWAII STORIES

After a Satisfying Dinner … there is really nothing like an after-dinner drink, or as is more deliciously referred to as – “Digestif” (actually the French word for “digestive,” suggesting that alcoholic beverages typically served after a meal is meant to aid digestion).  And, as the experts advise, these “Delitez” are not to be confused with desert drinks.  Rather, Digestifs tend to be far less sweet with a higher alcohol content and can be enjoyed during, after, or even in place of a dessert.  Also, traditionally, these drinks “simply consisted of an alcohol with herbs and spices” … but they have since evolved to encompass much more than that.

Gin tonic long drink as a classic cocktail in various forms with garnish in individual glasses such as orange, lemon, grapefruit, cucumber or berries.

 Now, According to Our Local Survey …

• Guy L. Kamei (60, petroleum purveyor)

“Randy Loc’s martini served in the small bar at Palazzo Ristorante in Aiea…  Always perfect following my dinner there of Clams Casino-Linguine; and always perfectly tended by Loc, the Master Himself.  Actually, the drink is Loc’s own version of the famous James Bond Vodka Martini (‘Shaken; not Stirred’) – You know, 4-oz. vodka (only Grey Goose for Loc’s masterpiece); a whisper of dry vermouth; Shaken HARD so it appears ice-shavings float atop; and a lemon twist, for garnish.”

“My problem… I own the Aloha Gas Station across the street above Palazzo Ristorante!!!  So, I am there almost 3-4 times each week just so I can experience Loc’s After-Dinner Delitez.  Great Excuse… Ya-Think??”

• Samson Kaulana Freitas (57, uber/lyft businessman)

“Most of my business is in the Waikiki-Ala Moana-Kahala areas.  So, I’m usually cruising the Kaimana Beach and Daimond Head districts which ‘compels’ me often to dine at Michel’s at the Colony Surf (elegant, classic French restaurant)!!!  Yes, ‘Woe-is-Me!!’… and, of course, I get to again experience my specialty-ordered – ‘HAOLE GRASSHOPPER’!!”

“Simply, my concoction. — ‘All same ingredients (vanilla bean seeds; heavy cream; white crème-de-cacao; finely shaved chocolate, and mint leaves for garnish; — now, pour WHITE Crème-De-Menthe); shake 30 seconds, and garnish’…  Ta-Da, my Haole (Caucasian or white person in Hawaiian) Grasshopper!!! …  Michel’s pours my perfect ‘After-Dinner…Delite’.”

• Joel ‘Kekoa’ Park (62, Honolulu emergency services)

“Hey, as you suspect, my job is high-stress and physically demanding.  I really look forward to ‘down-time’, rest, and relaxation.   Now, about that – ‘After-Dinner… Delite’??  I’ll tell you about my special evening cocktail…”.

“My family (especially my two older brothers) regularly ‘gift’ me with presents of Korean Red Ginseng Tonic (usually a box of this herbal drink, each containing (30) 1.35 Fl. oz. pouches).  Now listen…  for the ‘uneducated’ non-Korean friends of mine – Ginseng tonic is a caffeine-free wellness drink made of 6-years grown Korean Red Ginseng root/extract.  The drink includes Jujube fruit, cinnamon, and ginger for added flavor and benefits…”

“And, what happens if you drink Ginseng every day??  Well, according to medical research studies…

**‘Ginseng tonic is commonly touted for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It could also help regulate blood sugar levels and have benefits for some cancers.

**What’s more, Ginseng may strengthen the immune system, enhance brain function, fight fatigue and improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction’.”

“With that background, I share my daily (almost) home cocktail – ‘Pour (1) 1.35 oz. Korean Red Ginseng extract into a scotch rocks glass; pour (2 or 3) oz. Korean Chum Churum Soju (original flavor, 16.5 ABV); gently stir, add rocks/lemon or orange for garnish- if desired.  I prefer, my drink, ‘Up/Clean’.…  NOW Sip – while enjoying another NETFLIX K-Drama) …”

“MY K-COCTAIL”– ‘After-Dinner… Delite’!!!”

         ______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:          

Puanani/Internet

You Know Me…?

POTPOURRI       

This Recent GQ Magazine Report … was quite startling, (to say the least) –  

• “Hollywood Super-Star Brad Pitt recently revealed that he lives with ‘face blindness’, also called Prosopagnosia, a condition that causes the inability to recognize faces…”
• “Experts say the condition can be socially disabling and may run in some families…”
• “They also say there are coping mechanisms people can learn to help manage living with this condition…”

Brad Pitt Continued Further …

• Pitt said that he struggles to remember new people or recognize their faces. Never officially diagnosed, he fears this has led people to believe he’s “…remote, aloof, inaccessible, and self-absorbed…”.
• “Nobody believes me,” he told the interviewer, “… and it’s not difficult to understand why,” he said.

Early Reactions…

• Paul Rego (59, CVS store manager)

“You know I did see that story about Brad Pitt.  How sad!!  Still a young guy (58 years); good actor…  And the article mentioned another actor with that same ‘face blindness’ problem – a Bollywood model-actress, Shenaz Treasury.  Such a young woman (only 28 years of age).  Apparently, in a series of Instagram stories, Shenaz shared that she didn’t know about her cognitive disorder, and considered herself ‘dumb’…”.

“I know I’ll sound kinda-weird, but when I read about Prosopagnosia and the fact that only about 2% of people suffer this disorder really hit home…!!  To tell the truth, here in Hawaii with this ‘Mask-Mandate’ in effect for some two years, ‘I had difficulty recognizing friends and our regular LONGS store customers now that wearing mask is optional’.  Heck, I’ll be only 60-years old in 2023; I was afraid maybe I was suffering the onset of Dementia or Alzheimer’s’…!!!”.

“Woe Is Me!!, I thought!!”

• Sandra “Evalani” Anderson (36, TV news anchor)

“Ha, Ha, —you’re funny!!  Maybe you better call – ‘988’—the New Hawaii Health Crisis Hotline.  Check you out, Bruddah!!!…   Seriously, I’ve been following up on this disorder and learned that, simply put, … ‘Prosopagnosia is a condition where one struggles to recognize faces or can’t interpret facial expressions and cues…  The disorder usually happens because of brain damage, but some people have it at birth. Treatment focuses on underlying causes or helping you adapt so you can recognize people in other ways.”

“Here’s something I found very interesting… One of the telltale signs of Prosopagnosia is the great reliance on non-facial information; such as hair, gait, clothing, voice, and other information.  Also, a most common complaint of ‘Prosopagnosics’ is that they have trouble following the plot of television shows and movies because they cannot keep track of the identity of the characters. ‘Prosopagnosics’ also sometimes have difficulty imagining the faces of people they know.”

“Maybe, like you, Bruddah– I better call ‘988’ … I can never follow these complicated K-DRAMA plots on TV; I can’t tell who the really bad guyz are…  They all alike to me!!!”

The Bottom Line …

• The primary symptom of Prosopagnosia is an inability to recognize persons by their faces.  This difficulty with facial recognition can manifest itself in a number of ways.
• Poor recognition of familiar individuals in person or in photographs.
• An inability to describe faces.
• Confusion regarding plotlines in movies or plays with numerous characters.
• Difficulty distinguishing individuals wearing uniforms or similar articles of clothing.
• Refusal to greet individuals by name.
• Avoidance of meeting new people.

Prosopagnosia Treatment …

• Prosopagnosia – is currently incurable, according to current research.  There are no widely accepted treatments … 
• ‘Prosopagnosics’ often learn to use “piecemeal” or “feature-by-feature” recognition strategies. This may involve secondary clues such as clothing, gait, hair color, skin color, body shape, and voice.
• Face-Blindness can lead to feelings of alienation and depression.  “Mental Health Therapy” is one option for overcoming the psychological burden that it creates.

______________________________________________________________________________

STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Midsummer Musingz

HAWAII STORIES

It Was the Incomparable Nat King Cole… who warbled (back in the day)—

“Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer…”.

What Else Could Explain These… “meandering memories”—

• John “Keoni” Mathews (68, recently retired)

“Yes, this is what retirement is all about—relaxing here under the shade of this coconut tree in Waikiki Beach Park, and feeling that embracing, tropical, Mauka (‘from the mountains’) Trade Wind.  And, simply daydreaming; and remembering…”.

“It was back in the early 1970s (July, I think), and I had just left Camp Roberts, CA, destined for Vietnam and my first tour of duty there.  I was home on leave and just had a swim right over there at Kaimana Beach, and was sitting near this very spot, contemplating my life-to-be in the U.S. Army— ME, a young, eager Second Lieutenant ready to ‘serve my Country’—whereverz!!”

“And, guess what I’m daydreaming about right now??  Would you believe, I’m imagining drinking that awfully bland Vietnamese beer, “33”,(or in the language), – “Ba ‘mi Ba”.  Why??  Probably because I just had some Vietnamese PHO at a restaurant near here, and guess what??  They actually had the ‘reincarnated version’ – “33” Export.              And YES!!  I just had to drink a bottle (or was it two/three??)”

“You got it!!” …   Hazy Memories… Crazy Summer Daze!!

Tom “Nolo” Novack (73, development consultant)

“OK, before we go any further… yes, I am a ‘Lobbyist’ here in Hawaii.  However, I gained my experience at the school of hard-knocks while studying in San Francisco.  By that I mean I was trained by The Jesuits at University of San Francisco Law School.  My gosh—that seems like ages ago.  And, oh, people call me ‘Nolo’—you know, as in that legal phrase, ‘Nolo Contendere’ (heh-heh, no-contest!!).”

“These tropical summers here at home make me fantasize over my past life at USF – ANDMarket Street, Maiden Lane, Fisherman’s Wharf, and, of course, Golden Gate Park during those lazy, sunny Dayz of September and October (and always with blanket and bottle of red California wine in hand) …  Definitely unforgettable reverie!!!  Top of my list of ‘best musingz’ of San Francisco??  It always is that fun ‘5 McAllister’ afternoon bus ride from USF campus, then past Lone Mountain Women’s College, and Mercy High School, and finally through Filmore, and right to the Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround…”.

“California Dreaming??” … Hazy Memoriez are Made of Theze!!

Katheryn “Kimi” Pang (66, real property rental agent)

“Crazy Lazy Daze… maybe for you, but for me??  Heck, I’m showing rental properties all week long; lot of visitors visiting the islands here during the Summer; and at the same time, they start looking for short-term rentals for the November and December ‘Giant Surf Season’ on the North Shore of Oahu – you know Haleiwa, Pipeline, Waimea Bay & Sharks Cove.  During those months, most of the time… ‘big waves average about 6-12 feet; and the really big ones reach 30-50’!!”

“Since you ask… right now I’m dreaming about this weekend, Saturday and Sunday.  I’m taking some time-off from this real-estate madness, and plan to just relax and chill and enjoy the solitude and beautiful sand-and-surf at our Family Retreat Beachfront Home right there on Alii Beach in ‘country-Haleiwa’…”.

“You’re absolutely correct!!” …   Hazy Dreaming.  So Real.  So, Mine!!

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Where-O; Where-O… Wendover

POTPOURRI

Did You Know …

• Wendover – is a small community on the Utah/Nevada border. It is located along Interstate 80 about 120 miles west of Salt Lake City.  It offers casinos, gambling, shows, concerts and liquor.
• Wendover – is also where the crew of the Enola Gay trained before dropping the atom bomb on Japan in 1945.
• West Wendover, Nevada – is a cozy northeastern Nevada city on the Utah border, which separates it from its sister town of Wendover, Utah, both of which form a joint community at the western edge of Utah’s Great Salt Lake Desert.  The two cities are separated only by the State line and a handful of differing laws.
• Wendover City – is famous for the nearby Bonneville Salt Flats, the 26,000 acres of salt flats where world land speed records have been made.

Maybe You’ve Heard of Wendover … but, I bet YOU never knew those interesting factoids –

• Conrad Simeona (68, mortgage broker)

“Wendover??  Heck, I remember Wendover…ended up staying there a couple of days on our way to Salt Lake City.  This was in the ‘70s; I had just graduated from Sacramento State, so some buddies and I decided to drive to Salt Lake City to visit family (and, of course, gamble and have some fun in Reno, Nevada).”

“And, since gambling and fun were top on our travel list, we ended up in Wendover because it seemed like the last stop for gambling beforeour getting to Salt Lake City…  I even remember that we stayed (AND played) at the PEPPERMILL CASINO!!  We definitely had a GREAT time there.”

• Alan Adams (64, real-estate developer)

“Oh, I do know Wendover…  I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and travel I-80 a lot visiting properties that my Investor Group (HI-PAC) is developing – in Nevada; Utah; Colorado.  And, consequently, I do one of my ‘rest-stops’ in Wendover (I’ve yet to hit a big Jackpot there).”

“But my Wendover story for you guyz has to do with my Cataract eye surgery a couple of months ago.  As it happens, when I went to the Pacific Eye Clinic for my laser surgery, I had asked the nurse-tech prepping me as to where she attended nursing school.  And she replied, ‘In Salt Lake City, Utah’.  I then followed up with, ‘Oh, I often rest-stop in Wendover on my trips to Salt Lake City.’  To my surprise, she replied, ‘Really??  Where is Wendover??’…”

“Needless to say, I was Dumbfounded!!  Anyway, I do know Wendover; however, I never knew about the Atomic Bomb and the ENOLA GAY…  Fantastic Factoid!!!”

(Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Stayin’ Alive

POTPOURRI

That #1-Hit Song of 1977 by the Bee Gees… kinda reflects how life can be viewed today…  ‘Post-COVID -19 Pandemic’ –

Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother
You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’
And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive (hey)…

And When You Consider… the erupting Russia/Ukraine conflict; violent mass shootings; random hate attacks; and soaring cost of living, you gotta believe we do live in a world of high political/societal unrest and high economic anxiety!!  And as to our day-to-day living crises??  Politicians, economists, and the Media preferred ‘cause and effect’ storyline to us to explain this period high-inflation as simply the result of – “Supply and Demand (or Economics 101)”—

• Glenn “Rambo” Segawa (70, retired accountant)

“INFLATION is the problem, we’re all told… the rising costs for housing, food, clothing, healthcare, and gasoline.  And, heavy tax burdens.  I agree; all true.  But bottom line is that our individual life-styles have been abruptly impacted by COVID and quarantine mandates as well as burgeoning basic-subsistence price increases.  For how long now??  Two, three years??”  

“I retired in 2020 and decided to assist my daughter and granddaughters.  I had to laugh when I learned a ‘new word’ printed in the New York Times— ‘GREEDFLATION’…  Look, here!!  Get this, ‘…increasingly, dominant corporations are taking the opportunity to raise prices more than they otherwise could, which is squeezing consumers and supercharging inflation…’, the news article contended.  Pretty neatly packaged explanation for my family’s reduced quality of life at this time.  Don’t you think??”

“To tell the truth, heck, I laughed when I read that article – I LAUGHED OUT LOUD.  And, ‘Thanx Y’all’ – for that economics lesson on the life of one man’s Cherished Golden Years!!!”

• Diane ‘DEE-DEE’ Kekuewa (63, Waikiki entertainer)

“Hey, I like your thinking—no wonder everyone calls you RAMBO; you’re a rough street-fighter!!  GREEDLATION, I never heard that reference before.  But you know what??  Here’s one new word to explain other changes to our daily lives that I just learned… SHRINKFLATION!!!” 

“Yep, you heard right.  And according to Media sources, ‘Shrinkflation is the process of reducing the size or quantity of product while the price of product remains the same or slightly increases.’…  Also, Shrinkflation apparently isn’t anything new.  Supposedly, big corporations use this strategy to grapple with rising costs for ingredients, packaging, labor and transportation.  Perfect business plan for us Hawaiians living out here in the Pacific Ocean isolated from the rest of the U.S. Mainland (oh, and please don’t let me get started on that obsolete 1920 Federal Merchant Marine Act, ‘The Jones Act’) …”.

“Simply, next time you do some shopping for goods you need; anywhere – Longs Drugs, Walmart, Times Super Market, COSTCO, anywhere – check out the packaging.  For instance, Cottonelle Ultra Clean Care toilet paper has shrunk to 312 sheets per roll from 340.  And another, Folgers Coffee, which downsized its 51-ounce container to 43.5 ounces…  You’ll notice Shrinkflation, too, when you purchase Hershey’s mini chocolates, or that matter just about everything packaged or bottled.”

“You got it??  Yes, simply put… LESS FOR MORE = SHRINKFLATION!!!”

“Stayin’ Alive” Final Note …  The subject matter in that hit 1970s Disco-dance tune is actually quite serious, and about survival in the streets of New York at the time; i.e., people crying out for help…  And now perhaps this is a — Song of Our Times — as most people globally are actually living today’s reality… and just trying to survive.

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Of Drones and Men

POTPOURRI  

Use of Drones …seems to be a common fact in today’s everyday living.  Actually, Drones have been around for more than two decades; however, their roots date back to World War 1 when both the U.S. and France worked on developing automatic, unmanned airplanes.  But the last few years have been thus far the most significant in terms of Drone adoption, usage expansion across industries, and global awareness.

Drone Technology … has developed and prospered in the last few years.  Individuals, commercial entities, and governments have come to realize that drones have multiple useful features –

• Rodney Kimo Uyehara (engineer, Hawaiian Electric Company)

“Yes, drone technology is fast becoming a major asset for companies, like utilities.  These unmanned ariel vehicles would be excellent for geographic mapping of inaccessible terrain and locations as well as for safety inspections of building structures.”

“You know, just the other month, it was reported that plans for a multi-agency effort to eradicate a Coqui frog infestation in a remote mountain area of Waimanalo on Oahu Island.  The agencies will use aerial application of a citric acid solution, a formula that has been successful in controlling and eradicating Coqui in Hawaii.  The aerial application via helicopter was being scheduled as soon weather permits.”

Coqui Frogs are a major noise nuisance, and also pose a threat to native eco-systems. Their diet includes insects and spiders, and they compete with native birds and other endemic fauna. Since its detection in Hawaii, significant efforts have been ongoing to prevent the spread of Coqui to our un-infested islands…  Great Use of Drones!!”

• Carl Pacheco (retired, Honolulu air traffic controller)

“I agree; Drone technology is awesome.  I monitored and guided various types of aircraft in and out of Honolulu International Airport for some 30-plus years.  I can just imagine the concentrated effort and discipline required of a Drone pilot, from launch to mission fulfillment!!”

“But, hey, let’s face it… use of Drones by the U.S. Government and the Military continues to be primary in its wartime arsenal.  In fact, according to Reuters news sources… ‘Newly disclosed “Ghost” drones that are part of America’s latest arms package for Ukraine were developed by the U.S. Air Force for attacking targets, and are destroyed after a single use…’.  (Further) …the United States and its allies have ramped up arms shipments to Kyiv ahead of Russia’s announced offensive in eastern Ukraine, as Moscow tries to salvage its (on-going) military campaign…”.

“Face it.  Drones were planned as Wartime Machines!!”

Global Hawk. First flight. Flight number 017-0001. From Palmdale, Ca to Edwards AFB. Photo by Bobbi Zapka.

• Lloyd Sumida (58, University of Hawaii athletics department)

“Coqui Frogs and Wartime Arsenal!!…  ‘Pau’, already; enough said on those applications.  How about use of Drones where it benefits ‘Crazy Sports Guyz’ like me??  Like at major sporting events??”

“It’s happening now…  In fact, the other month, I watched the debut USFL football game between the New Jersey Generals and the Birmingham Stallions.  The two networks (FOX and NBC) televising the games had embraced a new way of capturing images during play.  (As explained by Joe Reedy of the Associated Press)… the two networks used drones.  Also, two players from each team had cameras in their helmets, like they used some 30 years ago in the World Football League.”

“And, it was exciting seeing that drone flying overhead into huddles and even hearing the quarterbacks calling the plays.  Heck, I even heard one of the quarterbacks occasionally barking — ‘OMAHA; OMAHA!!’ … To tell the truth, made me laugh every time I heard that.  Oh, and I have to say, the game was ‘Junk’; no comparison to the NFL GAMES…  But I do admit…  The Drones were Fantastic!!!”       

Global Hawk. First flight. Flight number 017-0001. From Palmdale, Ca to Edwards AFB. Photo by Bobbi Zapka.

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Why Go to Work??

POTPOURRI

It’s Now Referred To … as to the GREAT RESIGNATION (according to the latest news media reports.).  And further, they point out that It’s no secret employers are struggling to retain labor amid this persistent Great Resignation.  The U.S. ‘quit rate’, or the number of people that left their jobs as a percentage of total employment, reached a record 2.9% in December 2021, according to a recent report by CBRE Group Inc.  The firm found… “an average of 4 million workers quit per month in 2021, which is 18% above the monthly average from 2018 to 2019.”

Staggering Statistics … and no doubt puzzling to many residents here in Hawaii Nei and throughout the U.S. Mainland –

• Pamela Uyeda (age 58; non-profit organization administrator)

“In a way I get it – this whole COVID thing this past two years; then Russia/Ukraine; and gas prices and inflation – have been tough on me and my family.  But, hey, that’s life!  You know, my husband and I have always believed we need to do our darndest to care for our family.  We have (3) young adult children – two who recently graduated from college (UH and Seattle U.).  And, my youngest, who is now in his second year at UH.”

“Me quit my job because of ‘tough times today’??  Not a chance … that’s not the way I was brought up!!  This discussion makes me recall how excited I was when I got my FIRST REAL JOB after graduating from UH.  I ‘wen grad’, so I thought, ‘Hey, no problem!!’  Ha!!  Thank God for MY MOM’S connections in Hawaii State Government – she served on the Hawaii Parole Authority Board.  With her assistance, I was able to get a job as a Staffer for one of the Hawaii State Legislators… I worked in the State House of Representatives for (one) two-year Legislative session.  That J-O-B experience provided a lot of future employment opportunities for me!!…  Quit my job now??  NO WAY!!!

• Howard Simeona (retired, Waikiki hotel human resources manager)

“I don’t know… I’ve followed the news reports regarding hotel employee layoffs because of the rapid decline in Hawaii’s tourism business due to COVID 19.  Then, too, there was that ripple-effect on retail and food industries which support tourism…  My guess would be that workers in the hospitality business ‘got spooked’ – and decided to collect unemployment and U.S. Government supplemental payment checks – even retire – in some effort to ‘self-quarantine’ during the early stages of the PANDEMIC!!”

“And now with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions for travel and local business operations, job openings in many industries prevail; but applicants still seem reluctant to return to the workforce…”.

“… Like my grandson (Eric, single, 35) … he was laid off last year from his Security Officer job at one of the large Waikiki hotels.  He then returned to his parents’ house (after leasing out his Condo studio-unit in Makiki – which Mom & Dad helped purchase!!); drew unemployment, and applied for all other cash benefits available to him; and, now works as a part-time Uber Eats delivery person…  Whenever questioned about returning to full-time employment (as well moving back to his own Condo), he simply shrugs off the query with … ‘NOTHING REALLY LOOKS RIGHT FOR ME AT THIS TIME!!’”

Some Interesting Considerations/Observations …

One recent study suggests five factors, exacerbated by thepandemic, have combined to yield the changes that we’re living through in today’s labor market.  The Study call these factors – the “Five Rs” –

• Retirement – In 2021, older workers left their jobs at an accelerated rate, and they did so at younger ages.  They made these decisions out of a desire to spend more time with loved ones and to focus on priorities beyond work; they made their moves with confidence thanks to surging stock markets and buoyant residential property values.  Additionally, a significant older workers cohort also left because of their greater susceptibility to serious Covid health risks.

• Relocation – The overall movement rate in 2021 was the lowest on record for more than 70 years.  Rates of relocation have been declining steadily since the 1980s, and Covid has not reversed that trend.  Moreover, those people who did move disproportionately stayed local.  Moving within one’s county of residence has remained the most frequent form of relocation; whereas, moving to a different state has remained the least frequent.

• Reconsideration – Observers have suggested that the many deaths and instances of serious illness brought about by the pandemic have caused people to reconsider the role of work in their lives.  That shift in perspective is likely to have motivated some workers to quit, especially those who were burning out in demanding jobs that intruded on their ability to care for their families.  Women have been affected more than men, and younger age groups more than older ones…  Also, burnout has occurred notably among frontline workers, parents and caregivers, and organizational leaders.

• Re-shuffling – Labor data analysis indicate increased moving among different jobs in the same sector, or even between sectors.  According to an analysis of BLS data conducted by the Economic Policy Institute in November of 2021, hiring rates are exceeding quit rates across many sectors, which suggests that high wage growth is attracting new applicants to open positions — and that many workers are both able and willing to accept jobs that are sufficiently attractive.

• Reluctance – Fear of contracting Covid in the workplace has made many workers reluctant to return to the office.  In a recent Pew Research Center survey of 5,858 working adults, 64% of workers reported feeling uncomfortable returning to the office, and 57% reported choosing to work from home due to concern over exposure to Covid. 

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

On The Road Again

POTPOURRI

Hawaii TV News Media Earlier This Year Reported …

• With Russia invasion of Ukraine and global economic sanctions in effect, the average gasoline price in Hawaii topped $4.70 per gallon (FEBRUARY 2022).  This recent hike was noted to be greater than the previous record-high $.4.60 10 years ago in 2012 following the Fukushima, Japan nuclear plant explosion disaster.  Further, it was pointed out that Hawaii’s February high was more than the National U.S. average $3.70 price.

• Hawaii’s average coronavirus cases continue to decline, prompting State government officials to begin lifting of most Pandemic-related restrictions; and suggesting that… “It is time now to live with COVID”.

• Governor David Ige will let the State’s Safe Travel Program expire, ending quarantine requirements for travelers to Hawaii (MARCH 25, 2022).  All county-level pandemic restrictions also would be lifted.

Some Early Reactions to Crises and Change …

• Carl “Poke” Rivera (65, mortgage broker)

“I don’t know— ‘good news/bad news’, I guess.  I love to travel, so the Governor’s lifting of the quarantine restrictions means I can plan more trips to the U.S Mainland, and hopefully soon to Japan and Taiwan…  But, this Russia crisis and oil-sanctions situation kind of ‘puts the brakes’ (no pun intended!!) on going on some of my retirement dream-travel plans…”.

“You do know that I have family in the LA area, and visit them often.  Well, one dream I’ve always had was to take my wife and spend about 2-weeks driving the Southern California coast going to as many Indian Casinos and playing nearby golf courses as we can during that period!!  My wife (Sonia) is a ‘golf-acholic’ and usually spends most of our time in LA on the golf links… and me in the Indian Casinos.”

“Sonia and I both are in the retirement SSI-age bracket, and really expect to slow down and enjoy life for a change; no need to work hard anymore…  Yes sir; I have it all planned out, and we’re ready to move on!!!”

• Michael “Doc” Sullivan (68, pharmacist)

“Actually, I’m planning to retire later this year and am hoping to fulfill one of my long-time desires—a three-month, sight-seeing, travel vacation across the U.S. Mainland via the ‘old Route 66’…  I attended Loyola of Chicago for my Degrees, and always heard stories of Route 66; however, I never had the opportunity to drive across the U.S…. always flew to and from cities like D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, and (of course) to San Francisco and Hawaii…”.

“But here’s the real twist to my plan… I want to take that long-look of the U.S. Mainland touring in an RV!!  Yes, going on the road, visiting national parks, and resting in RV campgrounds across the nation…  I tell you, ‘Back in the day’ when my family (3-children) was young, my wife (Mary) wanted an RV camping trip on the Big Island of Hawaii.  We took a week off from work during the kids’ summer vacation; rented a ‘VW Westfalia campervan’; and toured the Hawaii Island coast, staying overnights in different private and government campgrounds—GREAT TRIP!!”

“I want to repeat that memorable experience.  This time going BIG TIME on Historic Route 66!! – A DREAM FULFILLED!!”

And Remember This … As You Travel Throughout the U.S., You Always Sing —

“… Just can’t wait to get on the road again;
The life I love is makin’ music with my friends;
And I can’t wait to get on the road again;
And I can’t wait to get on the road again…”

(“On The Road Again”— Song by Willie Nelson)

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Bet The Odds

POTPOURRI                                     

You Goin’ Vegas This Summer??…  Then best you check out your odds of winning playing your favorite Casino Games—

• Three best casino games to play with decent odds of winning money
• Blackjack — Odds of Winning: 49%
• Craps — Odds of Winning: Nearly 50 Percent.
• Roulette – Odds of Winning: Nearly 50%
• Other considerations
• Big Six Wheel/Wheel of Fortune — Odds of Winning: 26% – 39%
• Slots – Odds of Winning Around 1 in 49,836,032.
• The general belief among gamblers – Odds are 6 PM – 10 PM on Fridays is the ideal time to gamble.

Summer is Almost Here…  and, it will be HOT; will YOU??? –

• Dennis “D.C.” Correa (retired, Pearl Harbor fire department)

“As you guyz know, last year I got hooked playing KENO, both live and machine.  I’m still developing my winning strategies; and so far, I’ve ‘won some and lost some’…  However, I still strongly believe the best long-term-playing ‘risk vs. reward’ games are the KENO MACHINES (all slot denominations, single and four-card)!!”

“Here.  Check out these winning ‘risk vs. reward’ examples.  You be the judge!!”—

“Obviously, you can’t win all the time; however, there are some strategies that can be applied so as to improve your odds of winning on your next gambling trip.  Here are some straight-on tips I’ve received recently from Seasoned Keno Players.”—

** Choose between four to eight numbers.

            ** Playing consecutive numbers can help.

            ** Five numbers most often drawn in Video Keno are 1, 4, 23, 34 and 72.

            ** Good numbers to consider are 61, 66 ,67, 74, 3, 16, 58, and 78.

• Alvin “Masa” Toguchi (Waikiki retail merchant)

“Craps has long been my game of choice all these years.  I’ve made money, and let’s just say that ‘in the excitement of the moment’, also ‘crapped-out’ on a lot of Black and Purple chips bets…  But that was really back in my younger, and mostly, wild years”.

“I’ve mellowed some; and now I’m back to my old favorite table game— Black Jack.  I believe the odds are excellent if you improve your understanding of how the game is played; and “stick to basic strategies’.  And I offer one simple Black Jack tip… ‘Watch for streaks; and walk away from a hot dealer!”

• Donna Choi (proprietor, Honolulu beauty salon)

“I love Baccarat and Roulette.  Both of these games offer me ‘inner excitement’; and I’m happy to say, I’ve had some very good days on my last few trips to The Orleans (or should I correct that and say, NIGHTS – the gambling crowds add special vibes during those late hour plays).”

“But let me add this comment… I just returned from Vegas (and The Orleans); and coincidently, I just happened to be there on Super Bowl LVI Weekend.  And, guess what??  I learned how to bet professional football Odds!!!  And, I really had fun; even Won$$—I took the Bengals (Point Spread) to win; as well as Bengals, (Under)) on the over/under total points.”

“So exciting; and I even sat there in the Sports Bet bar area and watched the entire game!!  And you’re right – after picking up my winnings; I then go back to the Tables…”.

Baccarat at The Orleans hotel and casino, Las Vegas, NV. Wednesday May 12, 2021

Alton Ano (CPA)

“I guess I’ve always loved the Video Poker Machines.  I’m a numbers guy, and a somewhat conservative gambler.  Also, I enjoy the solitude; I’m not one who favors ‘The Roar of the Crowd’…   I usually play the Quarter$$ and Dollar$$ machines (alternating, depending on my winning returns).  And, usually Double Bonus Poker and Bonus Poker Deluxe…  I tend to prefer Bonus Poker Deluxe because of the Risk/Reward factor…”.

“To me, Bonus Poker Deluxe is different than Bonus Poker (as well as Double Bonus and Double-Double Bonus) simply because all ‘4-of-a-Kind’ hands pay the same – 80 for all one-coin bets (or 400 coins for max-bets).  With a Quarter max-bet, that’s $100; with Dollars, $400!! (I usually walk away from the machine after that win; and look for another one.) …  One more advantage— ‘There are many more large pays because 4-of-a-Kind hands show up roughly 100 times as often as a royal flush (once every 424 hands versus once every 42,000 hands).”

“As I said, ‘I’m a Number$$ Guy by profession, and — I like this risk/reward return’…”.

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

My Bucket List

POTPOURRI  

What Is a Bucket List?

According to Internet Search…

• kick the bucket” which is believed to originate sometime in the Middle Ages when execution by hanging was common and the executioner would “kick the bucket” (you get the idea!!).

So, What’s on Your “Life’s Aspiration” List?

• Walter Mitsunaga (68, recently retired)

“I never really thought about a ‘Life’s Bucket List’ of experiences to accomplish.  I only thought of one day retiring from my construction job; collecting my pension; and drawing SSI…  You do know I am single, and never really was planning to marry and have a family.  I own my Condo residence in Makiki, and am really happy being a Bachelor—free to do as I please.  And, except for my home mortgage— I have no other loans nor debts.”

“Interesting that you bring up ‘Bucket List’ at this time….  Some friends of mine had been talking about going on a Salmon fishing vacation in Alaska.  Actually, got me somewhat excited about a possible fishing-escape getaway.  In fact, this would be a first- time open sea fishing adventure for me.”

“Yeah, I’ll be celebrating my 70^th Birthday next year…  Maybe this would be a good time to notch a ‘Bucket List’ life experience a ‘DONE’.  My pals were talking about a 5-nites/4-days fishing package at SHELTER LODGE, JUNEAU ALASKA for about $4,000 per person.  The Time-To-Do my just be—‘NOW’!!”

“Yes, Sir; Fresh Sashimi, Alaskan Spot Shrimp, Dungeness Crab!!!”

• Rodney T. Guerrero (65, physician assistant)

“The 2020 Tokyo Olympics Summer Games!!  That was my #! on my ‘Bucket List’ –that got away!!  I had already booked mine and my wife’s attendance for the Games, a 14-day and special Japan excursion package.  And, ‘BAM!!!’—COVID-19 PANDEMIC.  What can I say but, ‘BUMMERZ’!!!…  Obviously, I had to cancel and tried to get my up-fronted, $35,000 refunded.  No Luck—only got partial return; but not the whole pre-payment that was required.”

“The whole situation was a real disappointment for me.  You see, I was a college All-State Freestyle Swimmer while at UCLA.  I had visions of making it to the Olympic trials; but put my dreams aside and completed my studies in Medicine.  So, the Tokyo Games was to be a ‘dream-come-true’.”

“But, Hold the Presses!!  The 2024 Summer Olympics will be in Paris France, July 26 to August 11.  And,”—

        “Qui, Qui… I PLAN TO BE THERE!!!”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

What’s Up, Doc

POTPOURRI

Pesky Cartoon Character Bugs Bunny… would utter that now-famous catchphrase whenever comics series hunter Elmer Fudd tries to shoot that “WASCLE RABBIT” –

Funny Take Then.  But Now I Wonder…???

• Ronald F.M. Moon (71 years old)

“Yeah, I remember Bugs Bunny, years ago in the movie cartoons and comic books.  I really don’t know if I could laugh when I hear ‘What’s Up, Doc’ nowadays because of the many changes in the healthcare delivery network….”.

“Remember, I retired from Kuakini Hospital in Liliha in 1999; I was an accountant In the Business Office, and was involved in overseeing health insurance coverage during the previous 30-some years (1969-1999).  You know—the Medicare/Medicaid programs signed into law, providing for Part A for hospital care, skilled nursing and home health care; and Part B to help pay for physician Care. What a benefit for us retired 65-years+ retirees now!!  Hospitals and MDs at that time then really started to make money for a change.”

“Never thought I’d say, ‘Thanks for my Medicare coverage’, my hospital and long-term care is now ‘in-check’.  But I feel kind of sorry for the younger kids today—especially with this whole COVID-19 situation— working full-time or part-time with no medical insurance for hospital care nor for primary care MDs.  I guess they can go to now-popular Urgent Care Centers and Clinics, the likes of Doctors of Waikiki Urgent Care and CVS/Longs Drugs Minute Clinic…  I don’t know what the co-pay is for their services, but I’m sure much less than going to a Hospital ER!!”

• Sunny Lee Chang (58 years old)

“But, ‘Pardon, me!!” … that’s just one of the problems today!!  Life is pretty OK if you have Medicare/Medicaid or some other private healthcare insurance plan (like, HMSA/BLUE CROSS-BLUE SHIELD, or HUMANA) …”.    

“In the main, this whole PANDEMIC CRISIS has somewhat created a ‘Wounded Healthcare Network’.  Not only has the industry been rapidly taken over by the ‘Mega-insurance industry’ (like, UnitedHealth Group) and pharmaceutical companies (like. Johnson & Johnson), but just as it was back in the 1960s and such, health care coverage has morphed into a greater mess for all of us—retired or young!!”

“Get this, among the great numbers of healthcare professionals retiring or leaving the healthcare field it is estimated that “a decade from now, the physician workforce will be 65 or older”.  And, further, the Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), ‘projected an unmet need of up to 55,200 primary care physicians and 86,700 specialists by 2033, amid the rapid growth of the senior population’. —Hey, this is more than a ‘What’s Up, Doc?’ query…  I think it is more like…”

“Where Are You, Doc?”

• Eric H.Y. Lim (68 years old)

“Listen, I just went to see my Primary Care Doc (solo practitioner) last week to get cleared for my cataract surgery next week.  My PCP’s specialty is hematology, and he’s been my lifeline since I was 40 years old (Hypertension, you know).  Also, five years ago, I suffered a ministroke (TIA), but all OK now.”

“Anyway, during this past visit, Doc. Mickey tells me he probably will be retiring in a couple of years – he’s 78 now.  He and his wife (and Office Manager) just sold their long-time residence in Manoa and bought a new, convenient 2-bedroom condo in Waikiki near the beach…’Time to relax, and play a lot of golf at Waialae Country Club,’ he told me.”

“Now I’m in a Panic Mode – where do I find a dependable PCP and personal friend like Doc. Mickey??  My cry out loud is…”

                                       “Is There a Doctor in the House?”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Sorta-Speak

POTPOURRI      

According to www Sources …

• English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English.

• Because idioms don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.

Then There is “Bureaucratese” …

• An informal term for obscure speech or writing that is typically characterized by verbosity, euphemisms, jargon, and buzzwords. Or, the use of formal, stilted language that is unfamiliar to people who lack special training.  Also known as officialese, corporate-speak, and government-speak.  (Contrast with plain English).

And, Some Examples …

• Rodney K. Perazas (retired educator)

“Examples??  You kidding me??  We have become so engulfed with this kind of “NEWSPEAK’, yeah like right out of the pages of that precious literary piece – ‘1984’ by George Orwell, for gosh sake…  Between our Nation’s continuous involvement in wars around the world, and this world-wide COVID-19 Pandemic, we’ve become finely tuned to these ridiculous phrases and references.”

“Almost every day we hear and read— New Normal; Herd Immunity; Contact Tracing; Tele-Commuting…  And, please don’t get me started on the Military and the ‘Cop Shows’ on television.  How ‘bout these – ‘Got your 6’; ‘Copy that’; ‘Accidental deliverance of ordinance’; ‘Terminate with extreme prejudice’!!”

“I don’t get it…  Why don’t we just speak ‘plain English’???”

• Jennifer Kim O’Reily (realtor associate)

“This discussion is really interesting to me.  I used to teach English to 8^th Graders at Cathedral School in downtown Honolulu when I first came to Hawaii.  At that time, my husband was stationed at U.S. Army Headquarters-Fort Shafter (Transportation Officer) … Anyway, because my husband kept speaking this ‘Government-speak’, I did research, and then I decided to teach a class on ‘IDIOMS’.”

“Essentially, I tried to get my students to speak plainly; just say what you want to say, no disguises…  You know like—

1.  ‘Work better or leave’, instead of ‘Get your act together’.
2. ‘Trust what someone says’, instead of ‘Give someone the benefit of the doubt.’
3. ‘Start over’, instead of ‘Go back to the drawing board’.
4. ‘Don’t give up’, instead of ‘Hang in there’.

“And, as my 8^th Grade students responded in perfect ‘Hawaii-kine Pidgin English’ –

      ‘Eh, Teach-ah; this was good fun class!!’.”

Right!!  Maybe that’s the better solution…

 LET’S JUST ALL SPEAK PLAIN PIDGIN ENGLISH

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

What’s New in ‘22

POTPOURRI 

The USA TODAY Article Read…  “You can only play so much golf… This Great Resignation, as it has become known, has led to massive disruptions and record numbers of job openings…”.  But, for those who decided to resign and receive unemployment, then eventually have to contend with the reality of, LIVING.  And the need for a J-O-B…

• Roger M. Millard (single, 35-years of age)

“Yeah, I quit my Sales Associate position with Roger Dunn Golf in Ala Moana.  This was back in 2020, just when the COVID-19 Pandemic cases surged in Hawaii.  Like the rest of the retail outlets in the Waikiki/Ala Moana areas, business slowed drastically, and people were being temporarily laid-off…  Because of my family connections with the Manager of the store, I was able to continue through the initial furloughs…”.

“But with the generous unemployment cash benefits (UE) and the added PPP cash stimulus, I just decided to take advantage of the system.  Afterall, this COVID thing would be short-term, and all would return to normalcy soon.”

“But, as it turned out, not so… and I just got lazy and enjoyed doing nothing and playing action video games on the computer.  Hey, I’m single with no family responsibilities; why not enjoy life??  So, in 2022 I’ll be looking for another job, probably again in retail sales.  I enjoy the people-contact work environment!!”

“Hey, there is one other interesting job I’m considering doing – ‘Fast Foods Delivery’!!  A friend of mine (Dayle Kurisu) does Foods Delivery work in the Waikiki/Ala Moana areas for Postmates.  He says $$ is good, steady income; and he works as many hours a day/week as he desires.  You know, these days there are lots of foods delivery alternatives being developed – Self-Driving Automobiles, and even flying drones (like in Iceland) …. Actually, I could be doing that kind of wok NOW even while drawing my UE benefits!!!”

• Robert “Bobby” Navarro (married, 52-years of age)

“I’ve had a rough time with 2020 and 2021; and am still struggling with family problems associated with my in-laws’ long-term care needs…  But I’m convinced 2022 will be a complete transition year for me.  For one thing, I plan to retire from my Hawaii Army National Guard job – just the active Army Reserve component.  I’ll still continue as a full-time Hawaii State National Guard employee,” Bobby clarified.

“You see, I have 30-years of military reserve time accrued – USAF and Army.  But, here’s the great opportunity I have right now…”.  Many of the Army Reservists in the Hawaii Army National Guard were placed on active-duty status for periods of 180-days or more these past two years to assist different States with COVID-19 Pandemic protocols enforcement, especially in hospitals and major key airport terminal hubs.  And now, with the new Federal law, if a Reserve or Guard soldier who was deployed for overseas or special duty 180-or more days (outside of required regular active-duty training), the government has provided ‘special COVID-19 active-duty retirement benefits.  The Army will pay for college education tuition, and subsistence financial support.”

I already have a Masters in Information Technology (IT); but I thought why not take advantage of this new opportunity and pursue a Culinary Arts: Associates in Science Degree from the University of Hawaii – a new path in life.  Maybe one day you will be able to call me— ‘Chef Roberto’…!!!”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Delicious; Delectable… ‘Ono’

HAWAII STORIES

Kung Hei Fat Choi… and to many Hawaii Locals, that simply translates into – “Let’s go out and celebrate with some delicious Chinese New Year food!!!”  …  For the record, this Chinese New Year will fall on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, and the start of Year of the Tiger.  The celebrations traditionally last for 16 days, from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival(January 31 to February 15).

And Tigers’ Horoscope in 2022…

• Tigers will encounter their ‘birth sign year’ (benmingnian本命年) in 2022. Tigers are expected to face many challenges when their birth year recurs every twelfth year. Wearing red will bring good luck in a birth sign year.
• Love:  2022 is a good year for Tigers to get married.  Single Tigers will have a big chance to find a boyfriend/girlfriend.  Tigers at the age of 24 or 36 need to pay more attention to managing relationships as their luck in love will fluctuate in 2022.
• Career:  Tigers will have opportunities to get promoted in 2022.  After working hard for many years, Tigers will finally get approval from their leaders.  Tigers, don’t be too high-profile, otherwise you may incur trouble and jealousy from petty colleagues.
• Wealth:  Tigers should be careful of entering into monetary relationships with others in 2022.  Don’t expect a big windfall or massive achievement.  Reasonably spending their money will help Tigers to go through 2022 smoothly.  In their birth sign year, Tigers are not suggested to invest much in stocks or funds.

And for some of us???…

• Clancy “On-the Road’ Chang (radio personality)

“For me, Chinese New Year means I have more special reasons for eating my favorite Chinese foods!!  My Zodiac sign (1968) is MONKEY…  and Monkeys like hanging out with friends, and partying—which of course, means ‘eating’ my favorite dishes.  You all know me as ‘THE TRAFFIC GO-TO REPORTER’, so where will I go to eat next week?? –   Simple, Fook Yuen Seafood Restaurant.  I just love their – Lobster butter-ginger sauce; Oyster Black Bean dish; Seafood Fried Rice; and Tofu Spinach plate – so-oo-oo, YUMMY!!!”

• Daniel K.Y. Lau (architectural engineer)

“Sss-sss.  I’m a SNAKE (1965), and as Snake, I am all for perfection, always thinking…  Chinese New Year food??  Got to go to Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant located in the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu.   For me, I find the ambiance of the dining area and the delicious Dim Sum specialties a joyful, happy, exciting experience.  In fact, I always take my out-of-town visitors there for a pleasant evening dinner.”

And, Of Course, There are These Traditional “Good Luck” Delicacies—

“WISHING YOU GREAT HAPPINESS AND PROPERITY IN THIS YEAR OF THE TIGER”

A woman and her daughter look at lanterns and decorations at a market ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year in central Phnom Penh, Cambodia, January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Samrang Pring

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Adieu 2021; Aloha 2022

POTPOURRI

This Past Year 2021… will probably be recalled as ‘Sobering’; you know, a kind or sudden awareness that life, especially your own ‘Personal Life-Stage’, is ever-changing.  And that now, through this new-realization process, one can anticipate the fact that today’s careful, thoughtful planning should certainly evolve into… ‘TOMORROW’S REALITY’.

• Alice ‘Keiko’ Rush (retired investment consultant)

“Hey, that’s my business pitch (as well as my own personal belief)!!…  And, I really believe this past Year 2021 was a continuation of Year 2020 and that our personal experiences during this period will give us that ‘sobering life-reality” you mention.   In my case, I retired in 2020 (at 72 years of age) because it was time to slow down and ‘to smell the Plumeria flowers’ in my home backyard garden.”

“But, then this Year 2021, my son who just turned 50-years had to have a double hip replacement.  Apparently, he’ll be laid up (and rehab) for about six months, and be absent from his FAA job at Honolulu International Airport.  He and my daughter-in-law (Janet) have three teenagers with the oldest boy now in college in Seattle… And, not only that, but because of this PANDEMIC, Janet (a school teacher), had her work-hours cut.  How about these – Life-Changing Experiences??”

• Terry Noble Kauhane (project estimator-AIA)

“I’m with you ‘Keiko’, Year 2021 was a kind of bummerz year for me too!!  The mask; six-feet distancing; and the Hawaii Safe Travel Quarantine Mandates really affected my personal and business travel plans for 2021.  And, as to my economic-financial strains, the Safe Travel rules severely impacted my real-estate property B&B rental business.  I rely on Hawaii’s tourism traffic.”

“Unlike you, though, I haven’t quite fully-retired, so I still spend some time managing my rentals – as well as my stock investment portfolio…  And, here is where 2021 has been great for me!!”

“In the 1^st Quarter of 2021, I sold one of my condo rentals since the Hawaii residential sales market was fantastically high…  Then soon after, I re-invested my gains into my Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund retirement account.  Why??  Well, the stock market had been very Bullish, so I just decided to take the risk!! Bottom line – Through 11 months this year 2021, the S&P 500 Index is up another 21.3%.  For comparison, the average returns this Century is 10.6% per year.”

“During December 2021, the Market had been extremely volatile; I would say, ‘mainly ragged’.  However, I’m still ‘very Bullish’, and sincerely believe—

• Year 2022 will be another ‘good Stock Market year.’
• The S&P 500 will post another 10-11 percent annual gain.

   Oh, and “CELEBRATE” …             

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

My Christmas Carol

POTPOURRI

“Bah, Humbug!!” … to having to social distance; wear masks; and ‘no touchy’… and, no more than 10 persons in the party room.  How is one to capture the Spirit of Yuletide and Joy this 202l Holiday Season under these Hawaii COVID-19 protocol mandates??

“Bah, Humbug!!… Bah, Humbug!!…  Bah, Humbug!!”

A Christmas Past

• Stanley V. Botelho (Lexus auto sales)

“For me there always will be the memory of Christmas in the early 1950s when I was just 9-years old…  I remember still, so vividly, when I found my filled-stockings hung near our most beautiful, green Christmas tree in the living room—my gift from SANTA (a Red Ryder BB gun)!!  I was overcome with emotion and surprise…”.

“And, there, under the tree with all the other Christmas presents – wrapped with a big, red bow, was another surprise gift – specially for me, from My MOM (a Mountie uniform)!!  You see, those years, My Mom worked as an ‘usherette’ at the old Hawaii Theatre in downtown Honolulu.  And, often she would take me to work with her, and I would just sit there high up in the balcony-seats rows and watch whatever movie was showing…  Well, I tell you, there was nothing like dreaming of being a Cowboy or an Officer in the Royal Canadien Mounted Police!!!”

“Yes, Sir!! – ‘Move along, you doggies’… (and), ‘On, King; on you Huskies’…!!!”

A Christmas Future

• Aaron K. Pratt (civil service administrator)

“Hooray, for me!!  I will retire from State Government in January next year.  Finally, I can just relax, go fishing, and just do whatever I wish.  In full-retirement!!… But, you know, it’s just the wife and me; the kids have their own lives and their own children to care for.  Only one son lives here in Hawaii; the other two kids live on the ‘Mainland’ – Oregon, and Washington State.”

“I’m sure in the future celebrating the Holidays, especially Christmas, will become emotionally stressful with no family here to party with, like we did in the past.  And, I’m aging-in-place now, so what will my life-style be when I get much older??   Heck, I remember when I was a youngster (in the 1950s), and visiting my ‘Tutu-Kane’ (Hawaiian for grandfather) at Lunalilo Home for Aged Hawaiians.  We celebrated Christmas Day there with him.  I always felt he was extremely happy to be with Mom, Dad, my brother, sister, and me.”

“Now, I reminisce and wonder— ‘Where will I be Christmas Day in the Future’??”

A Christmas Album… is what we all have now and share during this‘Special Season of Joy’—with or without masks; six-feet apart or huddled in laughter; fist-bumping or hugging—but always celebrating with loved-ones, friends, and colleagues.  Christmas is the reason to be cheerful, merry, thankful, and caring…

And so, as Tiny Tim said—

“A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, every one!”

                                 (Author: Charles Dickens)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

“MELE KALIKIMAKA”

    (Family: Nani & Gene Tiwanak)

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Just Kiss…No Tell

POTPOURRI         

In William Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’… our Protagonist, when contemplating his struggles with life’s encounters, utters that now unforgettable and oft repeated quote—

“To be, or not to be?  That is the question” … 

And Now for All of Us…  after nearly two (2) years of suffering – “The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” –because of this COVID-10 PANDEMIC – couldn’t we now just hug, kiss, and shake hands like we did before to make up for our past two-years of standoffishness and social rudeness??  Apparently not as soon as we desire since the U.S. CDC officials have recently issued these guidelines—

• Currently, it’s not recommended that you greet people with a handshake, hug, or kiss, even if you’re fully vaccinated.
• Experts also say we may need to reach herd immunity before these can be considered safe again.

But, hopefully, the number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in the U.S. will continue to increase, bringing with it a hope that we may soon return to pre-pandemic activities and normalcy. –

• Linda Kalima Alexander (professional government lobbyist)

“I really have trouble with this ‘no-touchy greeting’…  I have a very active lobbying business with clients from all over the Far East countries as well as from the U.S. Mainland.” Linda shrugged throwing her arms up high.  “What do I do when being introduced to a potential new client from Korea??  Lock-ankles; foot-bump; or elbow-tap??  Definitely no class; no way.  Just not my style!!” …

Couple of business persons touching elbows in the office

“Furthermore, the CDC says even if one is fully-vaccinated, there are other precautions that must be taken – ‘like wearing a mask, staying six feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.’  And, get this, — ‘Health officials also do not recommend shaking hands, hugging, or kissing someone from outside your household, even if you’ve been fully vaccinated.’  Hey, I’m a native Hawaiian, born and raised here in the Islands.  Culturally, we always reach out and warmly greet (in various manners) family, friends, all guests, and certainly, our new business associates…  This is just who I am.”

Yes, and Here are Some Other Examples… of traditional and formal greetings, as well as gestures acceptable among close friends and family that go beyond the standard handshake, kiss on the cheek or wave –

• Polynesia: Honi

The Honi greeting involves two people pressing their noses while inhaling at the same time. It symbolizes the exchange of ha (the breath of life) and mana (spiritual power). Honi is used at traditional meetings among Māori people and in major ceremonies.

• Thailand: Wai

Wai is a prayer-like gesture. People put their hands together, raising them to a level just above the chest – the higher the level the more respect it shows — and bowing. Younger people are expected to initiate Wai first. Wai is also used to express gratitude, especially when people get gifts from the elderly.

• Cambodia: Praying Hands

In Cambodia, especially during formal occasions, people press their hands together as if they were praying, holding them at chest level, and bowing slightly. The higher the hands, the more respect is shown. This is the traditional way to say hello and goodbye.

• United States: Fist Bumping

In the U.S, this is a gesture that people use in greeting or celebration.  It’s mostly associated with sport events, but its frequent use by former President Barack Obama has made it the new ‘high five’, some might argue.  Historians can’t decide where it originated (it could be from boxing), but no one can argue its popularity.

     Which Are Your New-Normal Preferred Greetings??

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet

Las Vegas Lure

HAWAII STORIES

I Really Hesitate… to once more mention Las Vegas and its lure for Hawaii residents, but let’s admit this reality – you do hear the stories almost every day…

• Sally Farias (and hubby)—

“We just returned from an all-comp Royal Caribbean Cruise courtesy of Treasure Island Casino.  What a fun time!!  Sure, we spent a lot of money shopping and dining (as well as in the on-board gambling casino) but let’s face it, the trip itself was comp and worth more than what we actually spent on ourselves.  ‘We be jammin’, Mon!’”

“I can’t wait to receive the next promotion offering.”

And Sally definitely worked for that comp cruise …  She hit a couple of big jackpots playing Kenomachines at Treasure Island last time out—

• 

• 

But Cruises Aren’t for Everybody

There are many who just love Las Vegas golf courses (as well as the ready access to casino gambling!!) …

• David Oshiro (recently retired CPA) –

“I’m a Legacy Member of Honolulu Country Club, and now that I’m retired – I mean, fully retired!!— I play golf there three (3) times a week.  Great fun at HCC with my other retired golf buddies; however, I just love the different course layouts in Las Vegas, and honestly, I’m a nut for those hosted Vegas Golf Tournaments put on by Boyd Hotel &Casino properties – California Hotel Casino; Freemont; and The Orleans!!”

“I probably play 5/6 Casino tournaments each year.  Hey, that’s like every other month!!  Heck, I should be like my pal, Eddie Ornellas, and just relocate to Vegas like he did.  Eddie called last week and told me he is just now closing on a fantastic property for he and his wife — 4-bedroom, 3.5 bath home; 2,600 sq. ft. under roof on 9,100 sq. ft. lot; and for $317,000, fee simple.”

“And with 30-yr. VA home mortgage rates being as low as it presently is, his monthly home mortgage payment probably will be in the $1,300-$1,400 range…  You know, I just realized that my Hawaiian Airlines roundtrip air fare to Vegas to play those golf tournaments is like $1,500 per trip (yes, my wife escorts me).  That’s like Eddie’s monthly mortgage payment!!”

• 

• 

A Dream Retirement

Las Vegas Golf Junkets during the Summer early mornings and Spring/Fall afternoons are fantastic.  Forget Winter – too cold; instead, just go Vegas on comp casino stays, and play, play, play (face it, you would have wagered an equal amount of cash for casino gambling when participating in those Special Golf Tournament Packages the Casino offers).

Actually, I get caught up in this ‘Las Vegas Lure’ when I do “senior retirement years” planning, and recall what best pal Randall Lee had once shared with me …

• Randy’s Ultimate Plan –

“My wife and I own two pieces of real-estate – the house we presently live in (close to Honolulu Country Club where we regularly golf); and a two-bedroom condominium (rental income property in Makiki.).  Mortgage-free for both.”

“Here’s our plan!!  When the time comes for both of us to realize, we should actually begin our long-term retirement lives and sell our home here in Moanalua Gardens, and get a ‘Senior Rentals’ condo-apartment in Las Vegas near the Strip.  Also, we continue renting out our Makiki Condo for that extra income we will need to pay for our In-Home assisted care in our then Las Vegas permanent home location — and, to cover the expenses for our return vacations to Hawaii when we visit the Family!!”

Well Thought-Out

The part of Randy’s plan I like most…  “With this strategy (Randy advised), my wife and I will have all the necessary in-home assisted care we would need right there in our own residence; PLUS, a home-care assistant readily available to drive and escort us to a casino in the area, anytime – we desire.”

• 

• 

         All I Can Add is – “Great Plan, Randy!!” …  VIVA LAS VEGAS

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

           Shellz/Seattle Steve/Internet

Best Beer Memory

HAWAII STORIES

 “Best Beer Memory”

Here are Answers to Your… ‘Always Wanted to Ask’ important Beer Queries –

• Americans consumed an estimated 6.3 billion gallons of beer in 2018, or about 26.2 gallons per drinking-age adult. For reference, 1 gallon is equal to about 8 pints.  Beer consumption patterns are not uniform across the U.S., however, and in some states, residents are more likely to reach for a beer than in others.

• As recently as last year, the typical American adult drank 27 gallons of beer — equivalent to about 288 bottles.

• In 2020, overall U.S. beer consumption per adult age 21 and over was around 28.2 gallons per person, per year. Breaking these numbers down further, the average adult over the age of 21 is consuming about 10 ounces of beer per day, or roughly one six pack per week.

• Hawaii ranked 19^th at 30.4 gallons beer consumed in 2020.

And What About You… and your favorite ‘Beer Memory’ …

• Ray “Manong” Manginsay (PAA aircraft mechanic, retired)

“Me??  Quite frankly, I think I was ‘raised on Primo Beer’, you know the real local brew…  Back in my day growing up in Honolulu’s Kakaako district, the Primo Beer was brewed right there in that old red brick building on Queen Street near the Punchbowl intersection across from Kawaiaha’o Church Cemetery,” Ray professorially lectured.

• 

• 

“For me, Primo was Hawaii’s Beer.  Royal Beer also was popular with the ‘Locals’ (I drank that, too!!)  Then, later on in the 1960s, Schlitz Brewing Company bought the Hawaii Brewing Company.  I think its most popular point in Hawaii was in 1969 when it held 70% of all local beer sales.  But Schlitz only partially brewed the beer here, which may have caused anger among its regular customers.”

• 

• 

• Stanford “Sandy” Lee (Honolulu restauranteur)

“My best beer drinking memory was back in the 1960s when I was still attending Loyola Marymount University in L.A.,” Sandy reflectively explained.  “Well, one Summer during my vacation break, Dad thought it would be great if he and I vacationed on the island of Kauai so we could visit the old sugar plantation town where he was born…”

“Well, unbeknownst to Dad (and me), there was no longer was a Makaweli, Kauai town!!  We found that out when we went to the small-town tavern outside of the former sugar plantation fields.  We discover that in 1956, the old plantation town was officially re-named –  ‘Kaumakani’ (Place in the wind)” …

• 

• 

“And, my ‘Best Beer Memory’ happened right there in that quant Kaumakani, Kauai bar… Dad and I ordered our usual – Schlitz Beer.  And, almost instantly, the local Hawaiian bartender waiting on us, smiled and asked: ‘You guyz from Honolulu, yeah?’  Dad and I nodded approvingly: ‘Yes, how did you know?’  The barkeep just grinned and replied –

                       ‘Us Kauai Island Localz only drink – PRIMO…!!!’

• 

• 

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

              Puanani/Internet

Life Philosophy

POTPOURRI      

I’m Sure You’ve Heard Them All…

• Have Faith; Just Believe.
• It is what it is.
• Love conquers all.
• JOMO, the joy of missing out.  There is much to be said about living a simple life with clear focus based on meaningful values.  Slow down, be present, and be good to yourself.  Don’t take yourself so seriously.  Life is meant to be lived and fully experienced. 
• Live, laugh, love.

And, of course, – there are many other ‘Important Life Lessons’ beliefs…

• Randy Kim-Seu (insurance agent— ‘Par Excellence’)

“Yeah, I have my own ‘life’s lessons and beliefs’, Randy chuckled somewhat hesitantly.  “You know, like… ‘Live and let live’ or ‘Live an honorable life’…  Hey, you know what??  I’m second-generation Korean/American, and I watch a lot of Korean dramas and music shows on TV, usually Stations KBS and HKBFD.  And recently, I got hooked on this K-Drama, ‘Amor Fati’.”

“Somewhat interesting drama.  However, I didn’t really know what that phrase, AMOR FATI, meant.  So, I checked the Internet…

‘Amor Fati – is a Latin phrase that may be translated as “love of fate” or “love of one’s fate“. It is used to describe an attitude in which one sees everything that happens in one’s life, including suffering and loss, as good or, at the very least, necessary’ (Wikipedia).

• 

• 

“I can kinda relate to that thinking, especially since I have been in this Whole Life and Property Insurance business for some 40 years.  Afterall, I do have those ‘ups and downs’ periods almost regularly…  So, for me??  Life Philosophy?? Just— “Be Patient; Patience is a virtue…”.

• Paul “Billy” Carpenter (retired, ‘World Traveler’)

“As you-all know, I have literally been around the world a few times, and I’ve learned to ‘Love Casinos’ everywhere—Hong Kong, Europe, Canada; Tribal Indian Reservations, Reno, and the Las Vegas Strip (my personal favorite!!).  I played a lot of Three-Card Table Poker and Baccarat over the years; however, now I’m just in love with that Roulette Wheel.  I have ‘hit’ some nice numbers lately and just feel I’m ready for that Big Payout!!”

“Here.  Check these Winning Babies out!!”

• 

• 

“I’ll tell you this…  Even though I have won a lot of $$$ betting the tables, Video Poker machines, and now playing Roulette, my Life Philosophy when gambling has always been simple— ‘Know When to Get Up and Leave’!!  I follow Country Singer Kenny Rodgers’ famous story-telling ballad— ‘THE GAMBLER’—

You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done.

Final Life Philosophy Thoughts—

                        “Just Win, Baby!!”

                        “All In”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

              Puanani/Internet