Post #272464 by kaha kii on Thu, Dec 14, 2006 10:08 AM

Whew!
Well everyone...Im back! As most of you know Ive had a trying time this past 6 months and going to hell and back a few times wasnt da kine ride I wanted to take. Ive recently just aqquired a new carving studio and Ive dusted off the cobwebs and this bruddah's jumping in head first...

I spent months "soul searching" I guess you could say, and ended leaving many things behind and letting several people down (including myself). Ive realized a new beginning would never happen if the old life wasnt left behind. Im not a new man, but Im a bit improved!

Ive missed all of you and as some of you noticed, there was a "Barbara" who left many posts accusing me ripping her off...What a story that is. Under a deadline for the makau (which was for her husbands birthday) I completed the makau and shipped it off wikiwiki using USPS priority mail. Assuming everything was fine, I started closing down the gallery , moving etc. and became overwhelmed with problems and put the cell phone, e-mail and my career away for awhile.

Then... The calls started. At first it was just inquiring about delivery, then it got worse. Much worse! the calls started getting a bit ugly and then they got just plain ridiculous and pupule! I was given a deposit of just over $100.00 and shipped out the makau without the balance even being paid! So then theres a message about the FBI, local police and what not...bruddah's and sistah's thats when it got funny. I recieved 3 separte calls stating that the "cops" were after me and I needed to watch my back and the FBI was gonna pick me up, and so on and so on!!!

The final kicker was a call from some moke who was obviously a friend of Barbara's named "big tony" or something like that, telling me he knew where I was, who I was and he was gonna get me! Full gangsta style threatening phone call! Laughing but a bit freaked out, I then decided to call da kine cops! Well, Since I paid for insurance and delivery confirmation on the package (which was never signed for!) The police suggested I collect the insurance, refund the deposit and then press harrassment charges. I had all the phone messages and paperwork from the order still and they believed I should definitely follow through with pressing charges but... You know, I didnt have the time or energy to deal with an interstate harrassment case so I refunded the money and wished them good luck...

What should I have done? Some people are just Pupule and you have let them be (Although if some moke named Big Tony ever comes up to me, he's gonna get a big surprise from this bruddah!)... My reputation as a carver seemed to be in jeopardy seeing as how three times this year my carvings never made their destination, and people were upset. There are many Hawaiian carver's who have given the craft a bad name but Ive ALWAYS made myself accesible to my wearer's unlike many (805-295-0178 call anytime, see?!). I Also guarantee my work and repair or replace the carving for only the cost of shipping, which NO other Hawaiian bone carver will do!!!So now Im back to repair what damage may have been done but I would like to give truly heartfelt aloha's and mahalo'z to all the Tiki Central ohana for the support and kind words Ive recieved. By you believeing in me, it helps me to believe in myself, again.

Please look forward to more work from me and Ill try to respond to any posts or messages (although Im busy with choke orders and new creations!). I cant wait to get back to each and every one of you who supported me with your aloha and prayers during my stint in hell!!!

Again, Mahalo nui loa to all of you and Mele Kalikimaka!

(a close bruddah of mine pulled me aside one day and said: "You know why divorce so hard brah?" I responded with puzzled " shootz,no?"."Well" he said..."Because its worth it!!!!")