Every Time I See You, You're in a Bar

For a real bar experience in Lahaina, forget the fancy tourist places and go to the Sly Mongoose bar. Look at the pictures of Maui Blackie on the wall and ask for Donna - she's the best bartender in town. She doesn't short you on drinks, and she's entertaining too. Humble Blackie

Blackie and Sara's Anniversary Today

Sara and I were married June 18, 1960. After 51 years of marriage, we're still laughing.

Live for Today

Many reports I hear on TV are meant to cause me concern.

Social Security will be broke in 2025. Medicare will be broke in 2021. Polar ice will melt by 2030 and the world will be under water.

There is nothing I can do about it since I'm almost 90 years old.

I won't be here.

I'm living for today. How about you?

(Letter published in The Maui News June 4, 2011, and Lahaina News June 9, 2011

No Shortage of Lawyers

Everyone living on Maui must put up with shortages. We realize we live on an island. We are supplied with almost everything from elsewhere. We have to depend on Honolulu and the Mainland for many services and necessities.

It's refreshing to know that it only takes a local call to get a lawyer. We are blessed with having 58 pages of them listed in the phone book.

We don't have to import lawyers as we do everything else. So if you need one, take your pick.

(Letter published in The Maui News April 25, 2011, and Lahaina News April 28, 2011)

Whale Egg (Megaptera Ovum) This rare specimen of a whale egg shell was removed from the bottom of the Kealaikahiki Channel by the U.S. Cetacean Research Society. The embryo died before birth due to lack of attention from its mother. The embryo has been removed from the shell for scientific analysis. Whale eggs can be found in the deep caves in channels between the Hawaiian Islands. Whale eggs have been hunted by sme humans who consider the embryo liver a delicacy. According to International Agreement, whale eggs can be observed by research submarines, but are not to be disturbed unless it is verified that the egg has been abandoned by its mother. The mother of this egg was killed February, 1989, by a trans-Pacific tugboat. The tugboat captain was charged with negligence, piloting under the influence of alcohol, but was later released due to lack of corroborating evidence.

What's inside is what matters

Through the years, men have changed their hair to have various styles. The fashion has gone from crew cuts to long hair to no hair.

Mustaches have been around a long time, even though some say a mustache hides a weak upper lip.

Currently, various types of beards are in fashion. Most are adornments. Many take a lot of care.

Some say beards are worn to make you appear knowledgeable and learned. Other tailored beards are to make you look upscale. Sloppy beards are just sloppy.

My view is that it doesn't matter how you groom your head - it's what's inside your head that counts.


(Letter published in The Maui News March 21, 2011 and Lahaina News March 24, 2011)

What can you say?

How often do married men hear their wives make statements such as, "You're not going to do that, are you?"

Or "You aren't going to wear that again, are you?"

Or "You're not going to make a fool of yourself again, are you?"

Any answer to those questions would provoke an argument.

There must be something we can say . . . but what?

(Letter in The Maui News Aug.16, 2007, and Lahaina News Aug.23, 2007)

On Aug.19,2007, David Olsten of Wailuku wrote the following:

This is a response to Blackie Gadarian's August 16 letter:
Blackie, the answer is "Yes, dear".