Before I begin, I'd like to express my sincere condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of the Virginia Tech students. May their spirits live on in the hearts of those who loved them.
Funny bumper sticker of the day:
So many freaks,
So few circuses
So there I was, sitting at the salon getting a trim and some highlights, when three official looking men walked in. They identified themselves as inspectors from the State. After looking around then jotting lots of notes on pads attached to clipboards, they asked my stylist for her license. She has one, but did not have it posted or with her. It was at home. She had never bothered to bring it in because she was told by the salon owner that there was no hurry. Nobody had ever been in to ask for hers. The inspectors asked for my stylist's driver's license too. They also wanted to see her business license. She does not own the business. She just rents chair space from the owner. She did not know she needed a business license to do that. It had not been required in California, where she lived before moving here. Her co-worker was also asked to produce a business license. She has been cutting hair at this location for 13 years and has never seen an inspector before today. She too has a cosmetology license but no business license. Both assumed that they would be covered under the salon owner's business license. The two were informed that, before they can obtain their business licenses, they must obtain certification from the State Board of Health that their location has been inspected. Of course, it's not really their location. They just work there. But are directly paid by clients, not by the business owner. So I guess that's the catch.
Still, the stylists were not warned. Nor were they given a grace period during which to produce and/or obtain all the required certifications and licenses. Each received a ticket/fine of $500! They were also told that if an inspector comes by tomorrow or any subsequent day and finds them working behind their chairs, that fine will be doubled. They were told they can appeal the fine, but cannot continue cutting hair in the meantime. So, they are out of business and unemployed! Sheesh! A warning with a short grace period to produce all licenses seems like a little more business-friendly approach. Shoots, I think $50 would have been enough to get their attention and prompt them to get their documents in order. But $500 plus what amounts to an immediate cease and desist order? That's Hawaii for ya. Unless, of course, you have an uncle in the state inspector's office. I'm just glad she was able to finish my highlights. I hope she's back snipping and shading in two or three months when I'll need another trim. I did get everyone in the salon to laugh a little after the inspectors left. When I rose from the chair, I asked the stylist how much I owed here. She hesitated for just a moment, distracted a little by what had just happened. I interjected, "Let me guess. $500?"
It's been raining for four days straight. Fortunately, we got through most of the Merrie Monarch Festival with reasonably good weather. No more. We're in a strong trade-wind pattern, which means moisture-laden ocean clouds are being blown up against the mountains from the windward side, dumpling rain on us east slope residents.
We bought a tall ladder yesterday and today I picked up my kitchen paint. Next week, the project begins.
A hui hou. Aloha!
Funny bumper sticker of the day:
So many freaks,
So few circuses
So there I was, sitting at the salon getting a trim and some highlights, when three official looking men walked in. They identified themselves as inspectors from the State. After looking around then jotting lots of notes on pads attached to clipboards, they asked my stylist for her license. She has one, but did not have it posted or with her. It was at home. She had never bothered to bring it in because she was told by the salon owner that there was no hurry. Nobody had ever been in to ask for hers. The inspectors asked for my stylist's driver's license too. They also wanted to see her business license. She does not own the business. She just rents chair space from the owner. She did not know she needed a business license to do that. It had not been required in California, where she lived before moving here. Her co-worker was also asked to produce a business license. She has been cutting hair at this location for 13 years and has never seen an inspector before today. She too has a cosmetology license but no business license. Both assumed that they would be covered under the salon owner's business license. The two were informed that, before they can obtain their business licenses, they must obtain certification from the State Board of Health that their location has been inspected. Of course, it's not really their location. They just work there. But are directly paid by clients, not by the business owner. So I guess that's the catch.
Still, the stylists were not warned. Nor were they given a grace period during which to produce and/or obtain all the required certifications and licenses. Each received a ticket/fine of $500! They were also told that if an inspector comes by tomorrow or any subsequent day and finds them working behind their chairs, that fine will be doubled. They were told they can appeal the fine, but cannot continue cutting hair in the meantime. So, they are out of business and unemployed! Sheesh! A warning with a short grace period to produce all licenses seems like a little more business-friendly approach. Shoots, I think $50 would have been enough to get their attention and prompt them to get their documents in order. But $500 plus what amounts to an immediate cease and desist order? That's Hawaii for ya. Unless, of course, you have an uncle in the state inspector's office. I'm just glad she was able to finish my highlights. I hope she's back snipping and shading in two or three months when I'll need another trim. I did get everyone in the salon to laugh a little after the inspectors left. When I rose from the chair, I asked the stylist how much I owed here. She hesitated for just a moment, distracted a little by what had just happened. I interjected, "Let me guess. $500?"
It's been raining for four days straight. Fortunately, we got through most of the Merrie Monarch Festival with reasonably good weather. No more. We're in a strong trade-wind pattern, which means moisture-laden ocean clouds are being blown up against the mountains from the windward side, dumpling rain on us east slope residents.
We bought a tall ladder yesterday and today I picked up my kitchen paint. Next week, the project begins.
A hui hou. Aloha!
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