Thru Jim's Eyes

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When we first discovered Waimea we reveled at the cows calling to each other on Buster Brown Hill. Neither my wife nor I grew up around farms. We are both “city folk.” For example, we are awed by the beauty and majesty of the horses at Parker Ranch. We know they will come around to the fence line at sunset where we can watch them, pet them, and relax in the presence… Read More

We are back at Don the Beachcomber’s Mai Tai Bar on Kona Bay, Hawaii. I am relaxing with a Lavaman Red Ale. Leise is enjoying her iced tea. The ale is smooth like a local microbrew on tap should be. Tasty robust flavor of a darker beer which I prefer. We start happy hour with the sweet potato fries with a hint of rosemary. Leise can’t keep her hands off of them…. Read More

Belly full. Brain slow. Eyes heavy. Thinking no. That was my version of poetry. Actually we just finished a film shoot and we really enjoy a good buffet, so off to the Marriott’s buffet we go. Sometimes we eat too much and the words start to come. If there is a flicker of humor or brilliance wrapped around those words they might become poetry or a song if truly inspired. Today just… Read More

The Depth of a Man can be measured by the depth of his thoughts and the depth of his dreams. I know a little about this subject. I have spent years working with people helping them find and live their dreams. I would ask them what is on their “Bucket List.” I would ask the questions, “If money was not an issue, where would you go?  What would you do? Who would… Read More

Peaceful and relaxed, we settle in for breakfast at Honu Restaurant Buffett at Marriott’s King Kamehameha hotel. As we look out over the ancient heiau (religious building) and out to Kona Bay we hear the soothing Hawaiian guitar music. The location is wonderful and has none of the noisy overtones we have experienced in lesser buffets. Time for food… All the dishes were disappointing. There was not 1 which we were impressed… Read More

Today is St. Patrick’s Day and we find ourselves at Quinn’s Almost By The Sea restaurant in Kona almost on Kona Bay. In honor of the named saint who I have done zero research about. I admit it. I know nothing about this person who is the reason I have a drink of Guinness beer or Jamison Irish Whiskey each year while eating corned beef and cabbage. I do this regardless of… Read More

Today we are relaxing at the beach. The time is late afternoon. The weather is warm and cloudy, but not muggy. You can feel the light trade winds as you listen to the waves crashing on the beach. You smell the salt air. It’s a clean smell. The type of clean smell you only find when you are somewhere exotic and remote. You can see sailboats up the coast in the distance… Read More

I recently heard many people speaking about the national and world economy. The optimists and positive thinkers say, “The economy is just fine. There is opportunity in every challenge. That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” My personal favorite saying is, “There were more millionaires made during the great depression than anytime in history.”  The conservatives and pessimists tend to focus on the fact that this was the worst economy the… Read More

We are sitting in an outdoor, covered, open air patio with Hawaiian accents. Don the Beachcomber’s Mai Tai Bar is on the rocks in beautiful Kailua-Kona with one of the most amazing views I have seen of Kona Bay. I am finding very tranquil listening to the melodious sound of the continuous waves on the rocks.  The pristine blue water turns white as it washes up on the rocks below. It’s very… Read More

If you have been to my website and watched my video blogs then you know my tag line, “I believe a life worth living is a life worth journaling. That’s why I am here.” When someone first proposed the idea of journaling to me I said, “That’s what little girls do.”  They write in their diary all the little events of their day. They talk about how Little Billy looked at her… Read More

Today we dined at one of our favorite places in Kailua Kona, the Kona Inn Restaurant. The setting is truly special.  When you first walk in, you instantly feel the soothing relaxation with defines this place.  As you enter the rotunda shaped lobby, you feel the cooler air trade winds caressing your skin as you feel the loving aloha which is Hawaii.  As you look around you see the myriad of world… Read More

                    This week is an unusually wet week in Hawaii. Here on the Big Island, especially in Kailua-Kona the rains have barely taken a break for days. Moving here from the arid desert of Las Vegas, we are loving the rain for a change. Our skin is no longer dry and cracking, requiring gallons of moisturizer applied liberally and often. We have been… Read More

After a busy morning of filming, Leise and I decided to go to Merriman’s Market Cafe at The Kings’ Shops, in Waikoloa Beach, Island of Hawaii.  Since the day was so beautiful we opted for the relaxing outdoor seating.  Sitting under the shade of the trees we ordered the Hamakua Mushroom Pizza and the Vegetarian Antipasto Plate. I chose the Hamakua mushroom Pizza, because a few weeks ago I ordered the Angus… Read More

I was walking and speaking with a hawaiian woman and commented that I thought she should walk in front because the people coming here on vacation come here to see the wahine, the beautiful Hawaiian women. She was so offended. She told me I shouldn’t say that because it’s not pono, that which is right, righteous, and pure. She said people come here for the spirit which is Hawaii. I didn’t want… Read More

I recently met Sam Suiter, a man who impressed me. He is the Director of Operations for a family owned business named Honolulu Coffee Co.  When I first met Sam it was in passing. He said he was on island to open a 2nd coffee shop at the south end of the Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort. The first shop is at the north end of the Hilton’s rather expansive property.  Sam offered… Read More