Kimo’s Rules

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I bought quite a few t-shirts while we were in Hawai`i. My favorite is one on the back of which is written ‘Kimo’s Kaua`i Rules’. As printed on the back of the shirt the rules look like this:

    Kimo’s Kauai Rules
    Never judge a day by the weather
    The best things in life aren’t things
    Tell the truth – there’s less to remember
    Speak softly and wear a loud shirt
    Goals are deceptive – the unaimed arrow never misses
    He who dies with the most toys – still dies
    Age is relative – when you’re over the hill you pick up speed
    There are 2 ways to be rich – make more or desire less
    Beauty is internal – looks mean nothing
    No rain – no rainbows

As is my norm, I began investigating the origins and background of ‘Kimo’s Kauai Rules’. Kimo’s Rules can be found all over the island. And always with a copyright attached to it. And the copyright is never to the same person. It is always to the company that made the shirt.

Then I ran across this. Mr. Knief, if you should happen to read this, I would love to read your unpublished book, Kimo’s Rules. I’ll sign an NDA of course.

Aloha

3 thoughts on “Kimo’s Rules”

  1. Only have the one copy of the mss, somewhere in the files. I wrote the book in the late 80s, while at Pearl Harbor, before I wrote DIAMOND HEAD. Kimo became a big part of the four Caine novels that followed, even some of the KIMO’S RULES story showed up. It’s not good enough to publish, but it was a lot of fun putting it all together.
    Am working right now on FIRST TO FIGHT, a history of the battle of Wake Island. That book’s due to the publisher in April, so I’m trying to finish it at the expense of all else (except when I’m paying attention to Mrs. Knief).
    Glad you liked the Rules. It’s been fun adding to the “culture.”
    Chuck Knief

  3. I have the same t-shirt. I was on Kauai back in ’97, saw the t-shirt in a shop and knew I had to have it. I’ve gained weight since then and it’s too tight to fit. I don’t wear it, but I can’t bear to part with it. It brings back a lot of fond memories. Thanks for putting the list here for casual readers to find. It’s a great list of guidelines.
    Aloha,
    Happy

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