#johnfink

Life is like a 500-piece cardboard puzzle… or maybe not. If you analyze various aspects of your life, there is sometimes a real sense of order… much like a puzzle. With a puzzle, you can stare at the box cover to see how things will invariably turn out; you can’t do that with life. Like people, puzzles come in diverse shapes, colors, and sizes. Puzzles include all the pieces. Sometimes in life, people don’t accept some pieces.

If only we could know that everything will fit in its right place as we deal with the vagaries of life, which can be messy, befuddling, and inconsistent. Things get out of our control in life, unlike that fixed, exact puzzle with 500 perfectly-fitting pieces. 

But even with a puzzle spread out on a table- like your existence spread out on the unpainted canvas that is your life- the unexpected occurs. A piece falls, unbeknownst to anyone, and gets vacuumed up. Your scavenging dog finds a “treat”. Kids whisk by and a piece falls unseen under adjacent furniture.

Blues and greens in their places, borders created… you feel sure of the outcome. But what if you get to those final few pieces and cannot complete that puzzle, because something’s missing… even one piece. Anger, frustration.

Kinda like how we feel about our lives at times- somethings are missing. Respect, attention, love, connection, sense of purpose, acknowledgment, quality or quiet time, health, happiness, understanding, exploring, improving, tranquility, harmony, self-esteem, growth, joy, adventure, learning, freedom, balance, financial security, personal security, spiritual realization- wow, the wish list seems endless… but as with puzzles, we can put pieces together to create fulfillment for ourselves and others around us. We can even create pieces with effort.

Puzzles bring people together- focusing, working on common goals, knowing there will be a successful resolution (assuming no missing pieces). If only life was so sure, a box filled with all the pieces necessary to fit together. But life’s not like that, and this we must embrace; heck, maybe life’s a 1,000-piece puzzle?!

We see angst and uncertainty among far too many nowadays in far too places. We are redefining “normal” in a post-COVID world. Daily. By working together, staying in touch with people who matter to us- near friends/dear friends, real friends/deal friends (to paraphrase Robert Brooks’ “From Strength to Strength”)- people can piece together a more satisfying life puzzle.

Think about it…

Community-based organizations (CBO) provide amazing social services throughout our state. Without these entities efforts, hundreds of thousands of local residents would have a harder time getting food, finding housing services or relief from domestic violence, helping keiki in need, etc. This never-ending work is performed day in and day out.

But that work is in real jeopardy, which was readily apparent well before the current concerns about federal and state cutbacks on contract work, annual funding, and grants that help local non-profits perform their irreplaceable, indispensable work.

While private fundraising often provides basic CBO funding, those investments alone cannot support all the work being done by nonprofits. And if (when?) some of these long-admired agencies shut their doors or cut back on services due to staffing shortages and other financial hardships, who will pick up the slack? The government? Not gonna happen. The work of these organizations is vital to our community. 

Our local legislature is in conference committee proceedings this week, so now would be an ideal time to remind them that the current payment system to CBOs is out of whack. Many nonprofits are getting paid the same amounts for current government contracts that they’ve been paid for over 15-years! With inflation, rent, cost of living increases, and the general price of everything going up since 2010, how can these agencies continue to do crucial work tomorrow when they’re still being paid yesterday’s rates?! And if CBOs turn this necessary work down, then what?

A local 2022 survey indicated that 91% of CBOs’ government contracts didn’t fully cover basic operating costs; 79% acknowledged they’d cut administrative expenses; 56% reduced staff salaries (making it harder to find quality workers). The parade of financial horribles goes on, as does the desire and strong social ethics of these CBOs to help our community- whenever, wherever, and however. 40% of organizations surveyed said they might have to cease operations if funding challenges persist. And that was 2022, when COVID funding was in play to help.

It’s long past time for legislators (with your supportive voices) to right wrongs, not just pontificate that “the keiki are our future”. Prove it. Our social safety net is unraveling, and those in need will not-so-slowly fall through widening cracks when services and/or personnel are further cut back. The True Cost Coalition of 70+ community-based entities is simply asking for financial fairness. Is anyone listening?

Think about it…

A good friend of mine once made the cheeky suggestion that if all the world’s roads were downhill, we could all save a lot of gas… we were 12-years old at the time, and it seemed funny (in the old gas-guzzling days, mind you). 

But it’s 2025, and I would suggest that most of Hawai`i’s roads are going downhill… in terms of quality (and lack thereof). Too many topics are over-analyzed nowadays to fill the online black hole, but sometimes interesting web stuff is factual. Sometimes. Recently, a report came out from the Journal of Consumer Research, which used metrics provided by the American Society of Civil Engineers and- drumroll, please- Hawai`i has the 3^rd worst roads of the 50 United States.

This won’t shock most drivers locally. The shortest distance between two points in Hawai`i is usually under construction (thanks to Jim Leahey for that bon mot), and the only consumers unflustered by this ranking might be local auto repair shops- with dings, dents, lost rims, busted tires, misalignments, and frayed nerves the general expectation for frustrated drivers.

If you added up all of the potholes/cracks/unevenness around O`ahu’s streets, the sum total would equate to the size of Kaua`i’s Waimea Canyon. OK, I made that one up, but who knew that driving would require such ambient focus and physical acumen to avoid potholes, “flat” (haha) metal protrusions, gravel, and assorted landmine-ish road “repairs”.

Hawai`i is 3^rd nationally in both the percentage of urban roads in poor condition (44.3%) and rural roads in general disrepair (28.5%). Despite regular efforts by local officials, the article proffers that our heavy rainfall, salt air, and volcanic activity (and maybe the apparent use of Play-Doh for some repair jobs…) means boulevard breakdowns are endless and ubiquitous.

Stronger paving material is used in non-commercial/residential areas (like upper Pali Highway), but it’s laborious, time-consuming and costly to have to dig up this better composite when necessary, so it’s used only where there are few drainage concerns and/or old pipes underground. #1 for road ruination is New Mexico, followed by Mississippi, Hawai`i, Louisiana, and Rhode Island. The only commonality among these five states is that they all possess an “i” in their names, assuredly a coincidence, unless some wingnut living in his mom’s basement runs with it online as a conspiracy theory.

Unfortunately, the pitted underbelly below awaits your patience and road skills again tomorrow.

Think about it…

Some recent headlines and stories, to ponder, pontificate on, or ignore…

The Department of Transportation plans to remove unstable rocks above a portion of Kalanianaole Highway. This boulder and debris mitigation was first studied, and is undoubtedly a smart preemptive move, but it makes you wonder about other cliffs above Mānoa, Nu`uanu, Makapuu, Kailua, Waianae, and Pearl City, not to mention abundant, leaning trees we see just off our roadways. While impossible to deal with all the preventative maintenance that might be needed (roads, bridges, piers, beaches, erosion, et al.), this work should remind us that our tax dollars can only go so far…

Huh?? We’ve been commenting on our local population decrease for years as outmigration (plus deaths) has exceeded immigration (plus births). Now the U.S. Census Bureau is contradicting that data by stating that Hawai`i realized small population gains the last two years. Local economists immediately questioned these new 2022-2023 census recalculations, citing the Bureau’s formula that accounts for national immigration standards being applied to every state. Thus, a methodology concern arises. It’s hard to sense that we have more residents here now, yeh? Meanwhile, our morphing population base locally isn’t getting any younger…

Why would many be stunned that rebuilding a new, hopefully-world-class Aloha Stadium might now cost up to $650 million? The original estimate of $350 million (which was merely an estimate almost 10 years ago) assumed the much-needed replacement would be built quickly, in calmer, pre-pandemic times. Never happened. As a 2016-2024 Stadium Authority member, I was involved and flustered throughout eight years of protracted delays, promises, approvals, obfuscation, political gamesmanship, and general disinterest… until finally UH (and others) had/has no Hālawa home. We delude ourselves with champagne tastes and beer budget realities; and time is always an enemy regarding construction and opportunity costs. Here’s to watching our UH Warriors next home Hālawa football game- August, 2028…

Finally, back to the DOT… kudos to State Transportation Director Ed Sniffen for doing a mea culpa when traffic got backed up on the H-1 for hours on a February weekend. Yes, a government official took blame for a botched plan related to overly-coned lanes in West O`ahu which slowed traffic and was rectified once the error was noticed. How refreshing when someone admits that it wasn’t the system, or the sun got in my eyes, or the dog chewed my paper; just a screw-up.

Think about it…  

Bill 40 is a sincere effort by the City & County of Honolulu to provide a modicum of financial aid to struggling businesses along the Dillingham corridor during on-going rail construction. The bill, passed in early 2024, was quickly signed into law by the mayor.

Unfortunately, the wheels of bureaucracy move far too slowly for many businesses. The details of the bill and how to distribute the money took over a year to flesh out; the application deadline was even pushed back last month in hopes of getting more small businesses to sign up. 

Bill 40 basically allows an annual grant of up to $10,000 for companies in the area generating under $750,000/year in revenue with fewer than 15 employees. So say a business is a surviving $700,000 car repair shop or fast food location, the government is basically offering a grant of less than 1.5% of your annual revenue as a sign of being supportive. Perhaps not much more can be done by the government.

This is a nice, albeit small, opportunity for interested local retailers, but for businesses that are/were off 30-75% in revenues over the past three years, it is neither a difference-maker nor savior. As I recently bumped along the undulating pavement known as Dillingham Boulevard, I noticed some old, favorite haunts now shuttered. I worked two blocks makai of Dillingham Blvd. for years, so I’m quite familiar with the (former) terrain.

With progress (HART) comes displacement and misery for many of the estimated 200 businesses in the immediate area. Now-familiar orange cones and “no left turn” signs are frustrating, off-putting, but begrudgingly accepted as necessities in this major construction zone.

Why it took a year to come up with the details of Bill 40 might be simply bureaucracy at play and/or busy people dealing with myriad other responsibilities but for some, this $10,000 offer comes too late, and for most, the offer won’t make up for fewer visitors and continuing sales losses.

Sure, everyone knew it was coming, but not everyone foresaw what the cumulative effect would be, nor the time this roadwork would (and will) take. Bill 40 is for companies that were open in this area prior to January 1, 2022, and unfortunately, that number keeps dwindling, further reducing traffic and thus opportunity for the remaining stalwarts in the Dillingham corridor. A nice plan, but too little, too late, for too many.

Think about it…

It’s not often you find yourself attacked by a bunch of bananas. That never happens! Oh, really? While driving home on a side road on a Sunday, I must’ve driven too close to the curb, while still maintaining my driving lane. The wind gusted, and a mammoth grouping of bananas (otherwise known as a “hand”) smacked into my passenger mirror, knocking it off its holder.

Yet the mirror did not break, the wiring remained intact, and I could still control the mirror remotely. The mirror’s internal screws were stripped or snapped, plastic was cracked, but I found a roll of appropriately colored electrical tape (nope, not duct tape), and now I have pretty good use of said mirror until I get it repaired.

And the sooner I get it repaired, the better, because having to tell anyone who asks: “what happened to your mirror?” is either too embarrassing, too funny, or too unbelievable to have to go into detail about for too long. I’m actually just telling this to you and no one else, as I really don’t want to engage in further conversation about the slip up.

I could lament or whine that if I was only driving in Minnesota, this never would’ve happened. I could opine that if the responsible homeowner of that wayward, Satanic banana tree had properly maintained his/her yard- or at least plucked the over-hanging gang of yellow (not green) bananas- peace would have prevailed.

But no; we have far too many victims and excuse-makers in our midst. Sometimes you’ve just gotta take it upon yourself to say, “oh well, I screwed up”. A life goal is to learn from your mistakes or things you never want to do, see or be part of again. 

I vouch to never again drive close enough to low-hanging fruit in windy conditions, avoiding a possible collision. I love banana cream pie but don’t enjoy getting banana creamed. Trust me, there’s nothing a-peeling about stopping your car to assess damage from a potassium-rich fruit cluster. And yes, (continuing in the banana vein) my ego was bruised by the incident; I did slip up. Sometimes, we need to avoid low-hanging fruit.    

I’ve moved on, overcoming this banana blame game to realize that I still love living in our flourishing flora haven, despite unimaginable dangers of wandering fruit. When life gives you a plethora of bananas… make a smoothie.

Think about it… 

Perspective. A way of looking at things; a point of view. We all have positions on various subjects, backed by facts or gut feel. But how often do we step back and look impassively at issues and embrace the possibility of wider angles or deeper layers?

Take wintertime… we playfully whine to our mainland friends about waking up and it’s a numbing 63-degrees! Freezing. Meanwhile, on the East Coast, they’re experiencing yet another snow/ice storm, whiteout, nor’easter, blizzard, et al., that renders travel and other daily activities nigh impossible. It’s reallyl about where you’re coming from and what your perspective is. When we talk about “sweater weather” for our winters here, New Englanders must think: hmmm, thou doth protest too much.

A local acquaintance of mine just returned to provide care for an aging parent after being gone for 25 years. He says he never felt like he left home, but he’s now fully re-integrated into local life, and loving it… with a caveat. He commented on how “different” people seem today- more harried, fewer smiles, more traffic and rudeness on the roadways. Perhaps he’s right, but I’ve semi-consciously gotten somewhat used to it and just sorta accepted that it is what it is. Ah, I haven’t been gone for 25 years. Perspective.

2+ years of COVID angst and isolation didn’t help our frail psyches in many profound ways. Socializing dissipated; loneliness is a growing ailment among all ages nowadays, though people find themselves more entertained and engaged than ever with electronic devices to “connect” them (not really) as we have streaming opportunities ad nauseum. So many digital options take up so much time, resulting in so little effort being made to connect with one another in person. 

You think you’re happy… but maybe realize that you’re kinda lonely. Derek Thompson in The Atlantic recently wrote a solid piece about “The Anti-Social Century”. Eric Barker’s excellent tome, “Barking Up The Wrong Tree”, provides anecdotes and supported analysis on what it means to be successful and happier, exploring attitude, resilience, and ultimately, being listened to and feeling cared for.

The great divide in this country and on issues locally (TMT, HART, a new O`ahu waste site) grow when firming up one’s perspective without caring/listening where the other side is coming from, and why. Finding commonalities and choosing empathy can help. But those are just my thoughts. What’s your perspective?

Think about it…

Where were we? Oh yeh, we were discussing the importance of keeping an eye on bills that were still moving last week. Not the ones put up annually to basically appease people (like marijuana and gambling legalization) but real bills that our legislature might enact.  

One bill concept gaining momentum (as of this writing) is Senate Bill 63/House Bill 333 which would require that public schools start no earlier than 8:30am. Currently, 85% of our public high schools have classes that begin before 8:30am. It’s not an issue of teenage laziness or lack of initiative; teens’ circadian clocks simply don’t kick in during the early morning. Yes, such a bill would require shifts in schedules and after school issues, but it might provide traffic relief and perhaps better test scores for high schoolers down the road. Early AM study halls might be fruitful (occasionally) for kids who must be dropped off earlier. Maybe address this bill specifically to high schoolers, and then revisit it in three years. 12 states are doing or considering this concept- it’s time for Hawai`i to figure it out.

And then there are ridiculous proposals, like Senate Bill 1618, which suggests that we appoint ethics commissions/boards to review local journalists and possibly penalize them for infractions. Yeh, if there’s one body who should be sitting in judgment, telling local journalists about lasering in on the “truth”, it’s the state Senate. Seriously? We sometimes witness ethics voids (or at least avoidance) in our legislature larger than Waimea Canyon, and don’t even start on the obfuscation surrounding hideously underutilized Sunshine Laws locally, which appear to be rather cloudy.

Rant and rave about ogres, trolls, and fake news whiz-bangs living in their internet cesspools or pontificating on national cable channels. They preoccupy far too many Americans’ scrolling/viewing time with invective half-truths and non-news crap. But keep your pseudo-altruistic fingers off the First Amendment and local reporting. The Pew Institute reports that 85% of Americans believe local news outlets are (at least somewhat) important “to the well-being of their local community”. Traditional, local news outlets have standards and are very aware of their rights and obligations without the need for legislative, grandstanding committees ready to take them to task. Legally, this one is dead-on-arrival.  

Keep an eye on what may be moving forward during this key month of legislation; it really does matter… and you can have an impact.

Think about it…