LIHU‘E — Sensei Kenn Firestone of Premier Martial Arts rolled into a parking space in the nearly-empty parking lot of the Kukui Grove Center, Monday afternoon.
“I have to go teach,” Firestone said looking at all the parking stalls made empty by the COVID-19 crisis. “This is a whole new world.”
Instead of a room full of ki-ya and bouncing keiki, Firestone took up his position in front of a video camera to lead the session for martial arts enthusiasts safe within their own homes.
“We have about 140 students of all different age and skill levels,” Firestone said. “We do this for everyone. Now, with this crisis, everyone on the island can enjoy this. They just need to call us at ;(808) 639-7392, or visit our website at premiermartialarts.com.”
Premier Martial Arts is just one of the many businesses open for business during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Kaua‘i Partea has been closed for a few days,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, the specialty leasing and marketing manager for Kukui Grove. “They’re opening from Tuesday, noon to 5 p.m., and L&L Barbeque has also taken a few days off, but will return starting next Monday. Aloha Ramen closed their recently-opened dining room, and is now open with take out orders only.”
Genki Sushi has made adjustments to the way they do business.
“They used to be a dine-in restaurant,” McFerrin-Warrack said. “But now, everything is to-go. For the first time, they’re extending their senior and military discount to every day they’re open. Sushi people can order from their menu, and with the proper ID when they pick up, receive a 10 percent discount for citizens 55 years and older, or the military.”
Vyann Layaoen, a 10-year associate with Sone’s Deli & Catering, also started posting the eatery’s menu on social media.
“This is the first time we’re doing this,” said Cynthia Sone, making sure her associates were appropriately face masked per Mayor Derek Kawakami’s request. “I’ve been here since 1982 — two hurricanes and more. I can tell you when the shopping center is slow. People like the social media menu, and if we are slow to get it (the menu) up, or we miss, they call and want to know what the specials are.”
Mike Pemberton, owner of Kaua‘i Fantasy Shirts, said he was smiling — people just couldn’t see because of his fabric face mask created from upcycled t-shirts from his screen printing business in Kapa‘a.
“I’ve never sewn before,” Pemberton said. “But when this hit, I dug out by wife’s sewing machine and started to create masks from all these t-shirts that I haven’t thrown away from all the jobs. I have guys washing and drying, cutting, and sewing. We have plenty of t-shirts, but if this keeps up longer, we’re going to need some help.”
Jim Gueber and Larry Feinstein of the Kaua‘i Beer Company were thrilled to learn they were one of the outlets where the fabric face masks will be available.
“They’re all free,” Feinstein said. “They’re making as many as they can out of old shirts at the Kapa‘a shop and will be delivering to local businesses that are open to distribute to customers as needed. Totally free, while supplies last.”
McFerrin-Warrack said Kukui Grove also created a ‘Grab and Go’ section on their website, listing the food vendors offering pick up and go service, complete with phone numbers for ordering and the menu selections available.
“Life doesn’t stop just because we have COVID-19,” Firestone said.
two women in the pics are rubbing shoulders to take the picture. Wearing masks does not stop the social distancing guidelines.
You did well, until that picture. Again, and again, this is what you are doing. You do great, and improve on your writing and content, and then throw in a picture where you throw it all into the wind. Dennis, what is up with you? You know as a photographer in this time, you need to insist that your subjects remain at least six feet apart. yet, you cuddled the two women rubbing shoulders together. What again, and again, is wrong with you?
You may be the longest photographer at the over 100 year old and over TGI, and you are personally a great human being, but your consistent lack of brain-cells when taking and publishing pictures is Hella wrong. If I was your boss you would be fired for this picture.
Of course, if you told them to stand six feet apart for the picture and they didn’t that’s on them. I will go with this scenario, since I really do not want to think you did this on purpose. However, your editor, for printing it, is completely liable for this.
Let me explain, yet again to the TGI. Social distancing must be maintained whether you are wearing a surgical mask or not. The sides are open, and viruses can come through. Those two young women may be young but they can still be super-carriers, and bring it home to their families. The surgical masks are not N95 masks. They are so close, their breaths can intermingle, and as you know the virus can spread from talking or even breathing. The surgical mask does not prevent infection from others, and is a far below grade mask to the N95.
So, since you can;’t retract the picture in print, retract it online at least, or issue an apology for consistently publishing pictures that do not follow the guidelines of the CDC.
Further, if this keeps up, the parent company of this newspaper should be contacted, and the editors boss should get a heart to heart discussion from corporate on the public perception of a newspaper at this time that continues to publish photography that does not adhere to the guidelines. period. If your photography no mater who he is or how nice of a guy he is or how great he is refuses to tell people to social distance during his picture taking sessions, or he wont take the picture then its time to consider retiring that person.
We have plenty of young, new photographers on the Island ready to go, that will insist on social distancing and take appropriate pics. A lot of them are local, born and raised, and they are really pretty good. you should give them a shot at the job.
Think about it, TGI. We can see you clearly. We aren’t stupid. It is time for a new newspaper to emerge. Any takers? I don’t hold much hope for this comment making it, but I know at least the editor will see it. I hope the editor takes it to heart, and sees I am only trying to get the TGI to see some common sense. But I don’t hold out much hope in this case. The most inconsistent roller-coaster ride I have ever seen in a print publication. Confusing the general public with coverage that is all over the map. There is no cohesive or consistent messaging whatsoever. Get it together, TGI, and address this issue!
I believe this is a personal attack against Dennis Fujimoto. Pretzel king please move back to where ever you came from and keep your comments to yourself.
GEEZ!!! whats up with that light shield ? is that mold ? rust? grease? is that falling on the food?
and yes those girls are to close
. and yes sorry dennis but that is a bad photo.