AuthorsDen: Reviews at a Glance

Recent Reviews for Kalikiano Kalei

Zipping Flies with Papa Hemingway (Short Story) - 8/23/2009 12:05:17 PM
KALI - A poignant recount of childhood memories. To have been in the shadow of such a renowned personage, at such a ripe young age, was most fortunate. Although, as you said, not fully understood and appreciated at the time, the memory as recounted years later can be more fully relished. 'Zipping Flies' is a most appropriate title for this true tale, and quite believable, to a fan of Papa's. As I am a tad older than you, born 1940, was first exposed to Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" in high school, and got hooked. In '62 in college, had to read "The Old Man And The Sea" - later, having to work full-time and attending night school, by the time of graduation in June, 1970 - I had finished reading all of his more famous works, and had seen every film made from them. I well remember Gary Cooper - 'Coop' starring in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" - but your recounting of the comraderie of these two 'giants' in personal life, now attaches more significance to understanding their relationship. And, as far as that title is concerned, I learned many years later that this title was not Papa's original - it was, in fact, 'borrowed' from John Donne's classic poem, written many years earlier. Last year, I recited excerpts from it, as an eulogy at a young nephew's funeral - there was not a dry eye in the large audience when I finished. Suffice it to say that you have had a much more memorable and different childhood than I. But I have learned that each and every human being has some good stories to tell, but most never do so. Thanks for sharing - Tom.

Maile and the Little Green Menehune (Short Story) - 4/5/2008 6:09:39 AM
I adore your stories, K. This one is wonderful. You teach the language in bits and pieces and the words are as lovely as the prose. My mother would love some of these, too, so I will send a few her way. I know she misses the islands and probably dreams of them often. -Li

Farewell to Sherlockville (Short Story) - 4/5/2008 6:02:07 AM
Ha! Wingnut IS one of my FAVORITE words - as a matter of fact, I taught the myriad uses of the term to friends just yesterday. And I do like lemon chicken because...I adore lemons...but I love szechuan even more...so there...neener... As usual, an excellent right, er, write. Most lovely photo as well. And you so pegged the beach at night. Awesome, K. Then again, I wouldn't expect anything less. :) -Li

Farewell to Sherlockville (Short Story) - 3/20/2008 9:37:20 AM
Interesting and it's well written. Your writing is solid. Enjoyed the read.

The Point of It All (Short Story) - 3/6/2008 11:29:40 AM
excellent narrative - as I was taught, a good writer describes a picture; an excellent writer paints one with words. -Li

The First (Near) Ascent of Heartbreak Hill (Short Story) - 1/30/2008 5:59:56 AM
K2, your descriptives are delicious! Julie

Rabbit Moon, Tiger Moon (Short Story) - 1/26/2008 6:22:30 AM
Thank you for reviewing "Angry Old Men" I curently reside in a nursing home and witness their anger daily. I enjoyed this piece very much and learned from it as I was unaware of the history. Thanks

Of Uniform Concern: A Casual History of the USAF Service Dress Uniform (Article) - 11/18/2009 2:56:18 AM
Very informative. I was in the army in 63-66. I remember in basic they told me (at that time) The Red Chinese Army Officers and enlisted men’s uniforms were identical with no indication of rank. The only way you could tell an officer from and enlisted man was that officers carried a pencil and a pad in their shirt pocket. How true? I never found out for myself. But I always viewed military uniforms as business cards. A quick glance could tell a comrade in arms, who you are, where you’ve been, what you are capable of doing, and what you have done well. In any event, those who put on the uniforms for our country’s military, regardless of rank should always be saluted by all of us. Good article Kaliki.

Ass Why Hod, Bruddah: Racism in Hawaii (Article) - 11/13/2009 11:36:00 PM
Thank you for the article. I found your insight to be very right on and fair. I actually have a question as I found my way here because of researching life on Oahu. I've a job offer there but also school age children that I can not afford a private education for. The month I've spent working there was great, I fell in love with the culture and never had a problem. We all have a Native American look, however our hair lightens as much with the sun as our bodies tan. We are all very sensitive to other cultures and have always gotten along well, however I don't want my children to be 'picked on' because they are mostly white; partly because they are so sensitive. The only comment on my race while there was I heard a 'local' teenage girl I'd met at the pool telling her friends 'can you believe she's white?' Could you provide any insight on how you would precede in my shoes?

Hawaii: Through the Looking Glass (Article) - 11/6/2009 5:39:17 PM
Aloha mai e Kalikiano, this is a wonderful and very informative literary work I have very much enjoyed reading. I am wondering, do you know who it is in the photograph you have published here? Aloha e Malama pono, Sharon

Hawaiian Sexuality and the 'Mahu' Tradition (Article) - 11/3/2009 7:28:28 PM
Interesting interpretation, Parker. Would you care to expand a bit on why you think I've misrepresented things here? I'm afraid your critique is a bit too brief and vague to discern exactly where you say the error in my remarks lies. If you wish, you may reach me at hokulawa.hotmail.com to continue the discussion more in depth. Mahalo. Kaliki.

Hawaiian Sexuality and the 'Mahu' Tradition (Article) - 11/3/2009 1:06:05 PM
"...he was a transgendered Asian-American. 'Kailani' (as we shall identify him spuriously) was in his early 20s, of Japanese-American ancestry, and resident on the island of Maui. Rather than find myself perplexed to unexpectedly discover his sexual orientation..." Transgender 101: Gender identity and sexual orientation are two different things. You spent a good amount of time discussing something in this article which it is apparent you don't know the basics of. Please do more research into the communities you are writing about so you are not misrepresenting them. Sexual orientation refers to one’s sexual attraction. Whereas gender identity refers to one’s sense of oneself as male, female, genderqueer, intersexed, etc

Elvis Seen in Flying Saucer with Aliens....Again! (Article) - 9/21/2009 1:31:08 AM
Well thought out…Extremely interesting…Well researched…Beautifully written!!! Like myself, everybody writes these days…But you , sir are a Writer!

Localism in Hawaii: A Search for Respect (Article) - 8/2/2009 10:43:32 AM
I read this article while gazing out the window of a rented condo room near Punaluu on Oahu. We chose the locals side of the Island because we didn't want to buy into the narrowly defined tourist mill. The task at hand was educating my kids on localism; the real Hawaii. The writer takes a positive, almost supportive stance toward localism, arguing that, in the surfing subculture anyway, it is often a search for respect by underprivileged Hawaiian youth. The author also touches on the larger issues of commercialism; the the losses the native Hawaiian culture has suffered as a result of contact with economies of exploitation. These are helpful points of view when trying to understand issues as complex as cultural attitudes. I made use of them when explaining to my kids some possible reasons Hawaiian people are not initially being friendly outside of Waikiki. I was thinking to myself, "This is a white guy with an Hawaiian name. He has to be positive." His observations applied to the Oahu surfing subculture do not necessarily explain the localism experienced at, say, Topanga Canyon, California, where the actors are very privileged. It does not account for the territorial behavior of the mix of blue collar and privileged surfers at Seaside, Oregon. The author clearly did not intend the article to be either a neutral or comprehensive treatment of localism. It presents a reasonable explanation of some larger issues that supports a more tolerant stance toward Hawaiian attitudes regarding outsiders, particularly those with Caucasian characteristics. Anything that helps us be more tolerant of each other is probably a good thing.

Hysterical Recreation or Historical Reenactment? (Article) - 6/12/2009 8:51:12 PM
Loved this...excellent and dead on, as usual.

Rescue Me! (The 'rescue dog' learning curve) (Article) - 6/12/2009 8:48:51 PM
Oh, K THANK YOU for this lovely writing - all of our animals are rescues...ok, one cat came from a tree, so that was literal - but we have been down the "chew, terrorize, bad dog, good dog, love them to pieces" road....5 times...my heart goes out to you guys. One of our friends owns huskies and has experienced the same drama you guys have....I am thankful there are people like you out there and I agree with everything you offer.

Pi ka ihu, ha’u i ka makani (Article) - 4/18/2009 2:51:59 PM
You have not only entertained with this story, but expressed sentiments that all of us should heed. Aloha to you, Jasmin Horst

Mad as a Hatter (Article) - 4/12/2009 3:00:39 PM
Because of this informative article, Kalikiano Kalei ... my hat is off! Regards ... Reginald V. Johnson

Mad as a Hatter (Article) - 4/12/2009 5:15:20 AM
Try to stay above water my friend, you sure, you didn't make some of your own hats a while back? It might be a good time to wear that Kaiser Wilhelm trophy, so that if you think in them waves of Chianty, one can still see the tip of the, no not ice berg, aha! someone would say. This is a most enjoyable Easter Sunday read, and I just wish to say thank you so much! Be well! Jasmin Horst

Battle of the Bulge: Jesus Hates Speedos! (Article) - 3/30/2009 1:03:02 AM
You may have considered moveing to Australia, where speedos are the way to go for Real Men!

Ass Why Hod, Bruddah: Racism in Hawaii (Article) - 3/29/2009 3:26:18 PM
Author's note: Clifford Kapono's comment below about failing to establish an objective appraisal of the facts prompted me to go back and review the testimony and reports on this event, since it is alway possible to overlook certain details or to otherwise filter information through the writer's (perhaps unconscious) bias. For any one wishing to review a vast file of information on this case, please dial up the following URL: http://angelfire.com/planet/bigfiles40/RoadRageVsRacialHateCrime.html Regardless of one's interpretation of where any possible fault for this incident lies, the ascendent message remains "Hate less, love more." Malama pono! Aloha kakou!

Ass Why Hod, Bruddah: Racism in Hawaii (Article) - 3/28/2009 4:02:46 AM
I agree with what is written. It is well done.I personally experienced much of this kind of abuse toward me in Hawaii, even though I have a Hawaiian last name.I am white in skin color. I was also disabled, in a wheelchair and found that it goes against the beliefs of some Oriental cultures .There fore I was abused, spit on, kicked, yelled at and other nasty things.Most of that behavior was not from older Hawaiians,but the younger generation of mixed Oriental culture. I would not go back to live there again.I can only hope that people like this author might educate people in Hawaii to overcome this tragic downward spiral of disrespect of all people.It does much harm to the "Aloha Spirit" who would weep tears over the injustices done daily in Paradise. I still write poetry of the good things in Hawaii as it is home. My children still live there. My husband who was 3/4 Hawaiian blood has passed away. My children are "dark" enough to live there.Mother is not. This is a very sad subject to my heart.Thank you for writig about this. Cheryl Stewart Koomoa

Rescue Me! (The 'rescue dog' learning curve) (Article) - 3/17/2009 12:48:22 PM
Excellent article and the love shines throughout. The shelters are packed with terrific pets all looking for a family. My two pets are both adoptees from animal rescue. Thanks for sharing. Cynthia

Hawaiian Sexuality and the 'Mahu' Tradition (Article) - 3/7/2009 1:56:38 PM
What fresh air what honesty in the world of pseudo Gods, reminds me so much of my sweet little pooch, who didn't care who she was, but was honest in her being as she was, A most informative enriching experience reading something without too much religious claptrap. Thank you! Jasmin Horst Did you say there was still one island left where Hawaiens lived such pure unadultred lives, thank God, well I don't mean the Christian one, actually it's not Him that causes all the problems, it's all the religious fanatics of one sort of another.

Battle of the Bulge: Jesus Hates Speedos! (Article) - 3/1/2009 1:47:06 PM
Well, you go ahead and wear your speedos. Whether Jesus loves or hates speedos, He said not to judge others, so He doesn't mind. I've always thought that men AND women looked like they were all in their underwear on the beach lately with the skimpy wear-------SO what the heck? *lol* Wear them.... If it feels good, do it. AN EXCELLANT write UP!!!! I love your article! Love it. Yep. I agree with Wendy, and I did say OMG when I saw the photo...but.... ;P) GREAT write.

We're All Bozos on this Bus... (Article) - 2/16/2009 3:24:17 PM
A well-written and extremely interesting article, Kalikiano. I’ve heard of a few OopARTs’ myself, one being a ball bearning ring (harden steel) found in a carbon dated 30,000 year old settlement excavation in Mexico (there wasn’t even suppose to be any one in Mexico prior to 12,000 years ago. ) My explanation is a simple one… God has a sense of humor and enjoys a good laugh at the experts’ expense every once in awhile.. Once again…good article.

Quantum Physics and Hawaiian Huna... (Article) - 1/28/2009 10:31:14 AM
Insightful. Thanks for sharing. Becca~

Ass Why Hod, Bruddah: Racism in Hawaii (Article) - 1/3/2009 3:44:48 PM
Ironically this writer’s thesis alludes to some sort of antidote for racism but fails the acid test in singling out an isolated instance without giving the reader an objective appraisal of the facts. Conveniently left out is the fact that this parking lot fiasco escalated into a hate crime charge for the man who according to affidavit and sworn testimony was defending his family from the aggressive and violent behavior of the military wife and her Rambo alter ego husband who solicited from this ordinary man, without any prior convictions, a natural response of a father defending his family. The outcome was the teenage antagonist was sent to a youth correctional facility until sentenced more than a ear later and his father equally detained either accepted a deal pleading guilty to the aggravated assault or face a possible 30-year sentence under the federal hate crime statute which the prosecutor later recanted his charge to a lesser crime. Typically those in power always write history. Unfortunate for Hawaiian it is not our history that they write about.

The Worm Ouroboros (Article) - 8/4/2008 1:31:38 AM
I am not surprised by anything anymore, at least when it comes to what I observe in my daily routine. I'm not saying that I'm smarter than everyone else, but I surely have not met another person yet (in real life that is) who really has any high or noble ideals. The only thing I observe in my daily life is adults who still act like children or teenagers and vast foolishness in general. They're all mesmerised by the television set and MTV. What can one expect from a society like this?? It's a sad reality. Our country really is a nation of idiots. And I'm not apologising to anyone who disagrees with me on here about it.

Knocking Heads with Honda Sensei (Article) - 7/16/2008 11:03:17 PM
Geez, this is one hell of a nightmare if you ask me! How are you able to maintain your sanity? I would have been screaming so loud they would have heard me coast to coast, not to mention writing articles in the local newspaper. How about sending this in to the Los Angels Times or any other California paper. I don't remember them anymore as I left California just after the North Ridge Earthquake. The only thing good that came out of California was Robert and he is a Brooklyn born man. Go figure. Imagine that! I traveled over three thousand miles to meet Robert who lived thirty miles away from me all my life. Anyway, back to your auto, or what is left of it. Is there any hope of it getting fixed? Is it a hopless lost cause? Oh I assure you I would be fit to be tied. It seems that incompetence has reach all levels and I do believe that is the bigger part of the problem. Nice writing though... Be always safe, Karen

Measured in Oil, Money, and Blood (Article) - 4/20/2008 12:11:17 AM
Sheesh!!! Well written, Kalikiano. I still hold hope that when the American people wake up and find out just how they've been duped, they'll set things right. You see, living in a media dominated world, where the media is pretty well dominated by those who propagate the culture you so rightly disparage, is little different to living under the jackboot of tyranny - people just don't know it - so they do exactly as required. The systemic cultivation of mediocrity that such a system requires may well bring down the USA long before its tenure as a superpower is due to expire in any rational world. America may find that the baby boomers are the last generation of engineers, mathematicians, physicists, writers, thinkers and poets of any note in the current cycle of US history and that India, China and Russia will leave the USA behind in their wake. Time to wake up and save the USA! But it may be too late. The end of the US lifestyle might well be the end of the US once the hordes are denied their cheap gas and Hershey bars and the riots and mass protests begin. Maybe the US will loose a few nukes in protest - with Bush and Cheney (and Billary, I judge), anything is possible. maybe Obama can restore the US we all used to love to love - I hope so. - Africans for Obama!!! Great, passionate write. Keith

The Worm Ouroboros (Article) - 4/6/2008 9:26:59 PM
Excellent. Your style and learning are reminiscent of the BBC's 'Letter from America (long since terminated I think). I'm puzzled why you think that all post inudtrial revolution wars have been about oil. WW2? Surely not. Hitler's war for 'Liebensraum' might obliquely be tied to oil, but it's stretching things a bit, isn't it? Love your work. Keith

Love With Bilge-Pump (Poetry) - 9/30/2009 12:06:37 AM
Love your choice of words...original, as always...it's nice to read you again.

Love With Bilge-Pump (Poetry) - 9/23/2009 4:50:07 PM
Kalikiano, Excellent word choice, interesting and different approach, original in thought. John

Love With Bilge-Pump (Poetry) - 9/22/2009 8:40:48 PM
Have missed seeing you, Kalikiano. Clever wordage: love how you end each line. Well done! (((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Le Petite Ballet de Dauguey Dieu (Poetry) - 7/16/2009 5:11:49 PM
I say Oh Phew! but the poem was a canine gem;-)ET

Ode to High-G Flight (Poetry) - 7/16/2009 6:17:43 AM
Awesome, I could feel the G forces all the way downunder :)

The Perfect Wave (Poetry) - 5/26/2009 3:52:43 AM
Wow! Awesome write....You took me there..exhilarating,exciting, like I imagine surfing must feel. Anna

The Perfect Wave (Poetry) - 4/11/2009 8:01:57 AM
Beauty!!

A Warm Puppy Pome (sic) (Poetry) - 3/7/2009 2:23:16 PM
My good man how the hell have I missed you, I will have to take up reading from now on, a treasure of a poem, even a sweet pooch would agree with, as I do wholeheartedly, just wonderful warm piddely truth. Thank you for sharing Kalikiano Kalei.

The Perfect Wave (Poetry) - 1/17/2009 6:42:15 AM
I like the sustained central metaphor and vivid images. Good poem.

The Perfect Wave (Poetry) - 1/3/2009 3:55:21 PM
Sounds like an ode to body surfing shore break to me. Next time get outside where the surf is designed to bring you in contact with the universe feel its power in the belly of a monstrous wave at Pipe or back side Halawa Valley, a big right at Honoloa Bay or backdoors at Honolii in Hilo. Got wax?

Requiem for a Departed Friend (Poetry) - 11/24/2008 10:41:02 AM
I love to fly, but have never flown in a high powered jet blasting through the stratosphere: this comes close. Wheeee, what a ride! Thank God for restraining straps: this kicks into hyperspeed from the opening sentance and doesn't relent until we are left quivering with gratitude on landing, thankful to have experienced real flight. Well done, Kalikiano. (((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

A Chinaman's Chance (Poetry) - 11/12/2008 7:20:59 PM
Well done mate, one also only has to look at what the English did to (& still are) to the Irish. Dave.

The Man in the Gray Suit (Poetry) - 11/12/2008 7:17:26 PM
You are so right, when my mates & I were out there this topic was never discussed, but sometimes at night over a couple of beers it was. I really enjoy your writing mate. Dave.

The Celtic Knot (Poetry) - 11/12/2008 7:12:33 PM
Love this piece of poetry, being of Irish decent it caught my eye straight away, adore the visuals & era it represents, wonderful writing. Dave.

A Warm Puppy Pome (sic) (Poetry) - 9/2/2008 1:23:34 PM
You nailed it! Unconditional Love like no other! Bravo! JMD

Mythos Mysteriosa Feminina (Poetry) - 8/24/2008 11:31:42 PM
mmmmmmmm... Vesna

A Chinaman's Chance (Poetry) - 8/15/2008 2:38:43 PM
It would seem to me that the shooting was intentional. I taught for thirty years in schools surrounded by barrios and filled with Latino gangsters and these violent gang members are prejudiced to their eyeballs. Hezekiah and the girl were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I recall a girl in LA (not a gang member) dating a gang member. When a rival gang came hunting for him and he pulled a vanishing act, this girl was found on a street corner. The rival gang made her kneel and beg for her life before they shoved the shotgun into her mouth and blew off the back of her head as a message to her boyfriend. She made a bad choice and was also at the wrong place at the wrong time. We live in a cruel, capricious world where nothing is guaranteed and life doesn't give a shit. It seems that more people care for the criminal on death row than the victims he murdered.

The Man in the Gray Suit (Poetry) - 8/15/2008 2:31:32 PM
The description was so vivid, I was there--something I doubt I'll ever experience in reality. I wonder what it was like for those crewmembers from the cruiser Indianapolis (I think it was called) that was sunk after delivering the two bombs that ended WWII--imagine the fear, the adrenaline rush for the hundreds of crew members in the water as the sharks attacked again and again taking hundreds.

Falling Off the Mountain (Poetry) - 8/15/2008 2:26:37 PM
I've hiked/climbed to the top of many mountains--breathless; heart beating at over ten thousand feet above sea level. Yes, I see from your poem that we can't fall off a mountain. We can fall or drop or roll to another part ofthe mountain. What happens if we fell toward the moon from a mountain--impossible but metaphorically maybe not?

An Encounter with Cycle Grrrrryl! (Poetry) - 6/7/2008 11:02:06 AM
...a true spokes man...you take us on a spin...racing with desire...and then overdrive takes full effect...in passing...always something left behind. great write...the word "Wish" at the end...still holds hope.... John

An Encounter with Cycle Grrrrryl! (Poetry) - 5/29/2008 3:17:15 AM
Wonderful writing ,enjoyed...Hugsss

An Encounter with Cycle Grrrrryl! (Poetry) - 5/28/2008 4:07:19 PM
Wow, you certainly have done justice to yourself in this one! Whether a dream or a reality, all is fleeting.... Be always safe, Karen

An Encounter with Cycle Grrrrryl! (Poetry) - 5/28/2008 12:25:37 PM
Kalikiano, Oh, my - but what a memory she left you with! Well done - perfectly imaged, you set the scene before me. (((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Centurion (Poetry) - 4/21/2008 5:09:37 PM
The final stanza is particularly poignant

The Celtic Knot (Poetry) - 4/21/2008 5:07:19 PM
I like the intensity here. Well fashioned!