Category Archives: Creative Writing

Shouldn’t Life Be Fun?


We were once children.

If it’s not a game, why play?

Shouldn’t life be fun?

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #150, 8/30/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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Consistency is Key to Our Goals!


Consistency is key to writing, exercise, and any goal that we have. On some days we rock it, while other times, we struggle. We progress by just doing it. My friend who I met at Starbucks is walking behind me. She looks like a ghost because of her movement.

#consistency #daily #habits #practice #productivity #goals #starbucks #waikele #hawaii

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No Hurricane, Back in the Groove!


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I Just Want Your Dot


Two dots and their line.

Circles connecting circles.

I just want your dot.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #149, 8/20/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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Leaving Gifts For You


Death is always here.

Keep working on the future.

Leaving gifts for you.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #148, 8/18/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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The Rest Is Bonus


I picked a flower.

It’s all I have at this time.

The rest is bonus.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #147, 8/11/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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Friends


I took the bus into Waikiki and got off a couple of blocks away from my destination, the Moana Surfrider Hotel. The only thing I had with me was a little black tote bag. Upon arriving at the hotel, I went through the main entrance and out onto the lanai in the back where I paused to absorb the red and orange sun setting into the ocean. I don’t know what was causing me to sweat more, the humidity or my anticipation. I proceeded to the outdoor restaurant covered by a huge tree. I sat at a table to side of the stage that had a large umbrella top covering. A blonde waitress with wavy hear tied in the back came to take my order.

“Hi, is Kanae performing tonight?” I inquired.

Her smile subsided. “Oh I’m sorry. Not tonight. Kainani is dancing.”

“Hmm, I guess I made a mistake. I’ll take a guava juice.”

In a few minutes the waitress returned with my beverage. I drank it down quickly and closed my bill. A part of me was relieved. I strolled out of the dining area and to the beach. I sat on the warm sand. The rhythmic waves of the ocean was soothing to listen to. The clouds hovering had turned pink, one of my favorite things to see.

“Ken,” said a female voice. I turned behind and saw Kanae standing just a few feet away with a grin. She was wearing a white dress with a black sash tied around her waist and white and beige sandals. She was definitely not performing hula tonight.

“Hey,” was the only sound that I could blurt back in response.

“Is it okay if I join you?”

“Sure.”

Kanae sat by me. We both faced the ocean. “It’s been awhile,” she said.

“Yes, about a year. How did you know I was here on the beach?” I asked.

“I had a meeting in the hotel lobby. I saw you walk by. Did you have something here?”

“No. I mean yes. Uh. Actually, I came here to see you dance.”

“Really?” She was now gleaming. “I’m off tonight.”

“I know. The waitress told me.” I reached into my tote bag and pulled out a cardboard item that had numbers on it and the colors red, green, yellow, and white. “Here’s the game piece that you forgot at my party a year ago.”

She laughed. “You came all the way out here to give me a game piece.”

I chuckled. “Well partly. Also, I want you to know that I think about you, and you still have a friend.”

Her eyes swelled up with tears. She moved in and hugged me tightly with her head on my shoulders.

“I’m so happy,” she whispered.

I felt a tear trickle down my cheek.

Two pink clouds descended and floated in front of us and above the blue ripples of the ocean.

#fiction #creativewriting #writing #friends #friendship

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That’s When She Appeared


Reality died.

I re-wrote the way it ends.

That’s when she appeared.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #146, 8/10/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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It Hurts to See Them


Pinkish white petals.

Please blow the last ones away.

It hurts to see them.
– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #145, 8/8/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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Voices Call Me in the Dark


Evil in the light.

Voices call me in the dark.

“Tell our story.”

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #144, 8/6/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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My Last Moments


I stood on the top of the ridge and admired the beautiful green trees swaying far below with the wind. The last of the blue skies were painted over with shades of gray. Ahead, dark clouds were sweeping in like an angry predator. They swallowed peak after peak and kept coming for me.

I calmly inserted my headphones in my ears and played my favorite song. The happy tune brought me a smile. My time here would be over soon, but I was content. All that came to my mind was my mom, dad, sisters, nieces, family, and my closest friends. It’s funny how we spend much of our lives building so much, pushing through all the problems and terrible people that seemed so important to do back then. Yet, in the last moments of our lives, all we think about are the ones who really mattered. Memories of joy with them came blasting in like a movie in fast forward. You see their faces and then you’re gone.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, 7/25/2018 –

#creativewriting #writing #peace

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Filed under Books, Creative Writing, Family, Friends, Gratitude, Life, Love, Mindfulness, Peace, Writing

Empathy Spits Fire Back


Their rage won’t burn me.

Empathy spits fire back.

Change or die in pain.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #143, 7/25/2018 –

#haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #poem #poetry #art #creativewriting #writing

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Can I Get A Connection?


Drafted laws. Too dry.

Can I get a connection?

Made them alive with fiction.

Did you cry when the boy died?

Now do we have a connection?

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Poem, 7/18/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #writing #creativewriting #books #novels #fiction #laws #words #stories #storytelling

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Keep Going


It was extremely dark when I left. I knew where I was heading, but I was afraid. Then the beautiful moon appeared behind me, lighting up the sky, as if it was telling me to keep going.

#creativewriting #writing #art #stories #fiction #nonfiction

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The Sun Will Return


Flip the switch for light.

Sometimes it doesn’t turn on.

The sun will return.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #142, 7/6/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting

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Stranger, I Want You.


Your smile, your look.

The way you dance to the beats.

Stranger, I want you.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #140, 7/4/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting

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It Will Protect You.


I must let you go.

I hope you still have the stone.

It will protect you.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #139, 7/4/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting

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Start-Ups


I have so much gratitude for my business partners, especially my FBO partners who have been working with me for almost three years, and all of us are pushing forward and taking on challenges without pay for all these years in addition to other projects we have for ourselves or with other groups. Trying to make personal ends meet while developing start-ups are tough and takes patience, but the process of learning, building new skills, and expanding relationships gives us a high. We’re seeing the destination of each goal getting closer and closer with our daily grind. My heart is with all of you as you strive for your goals. Fall down seven times and get back up eight (Japanese proverb). I’m cheering for you!!!

#startups #business #entrepreneurship #law #businesslaw #development #construction #aviation #fbo #books #novels #nonfiction #events #music #musicevents #energy #housing #dreams #goals #gratitude

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Trapped


Trapped.

Wanting everything, yet desiring simplicity.
The more you get, the more they want.
With nothing, there’s just authenticity.
But with nothing, you feel like nothing.

When you work hard you get known.
Attacks and Accolades.
Maybe do less and hide.
Lonely and peaceful days.

Wanting the new, yet missing the old.
Change is constant, an unbreakable code.

Love my love. Love.
Love the pain from love. Still love.

Between everything and nothing is something.
Maybe all we need is something.

#poem #poems #poetry #creativewriting #writing #art

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The Light Will Push Through


Something’s happening.

A feeling, a buzz-like high.

The light will push through.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #138, 6/27/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting

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Freedom, Not Terror


Orphaned by their war.

I rebel for my people.

Freedom, not terror.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #137, 6/19/2018 (This poem was inspired by the protagonist in my second novel who struggles with his sadness and anger over the death of his parents caused by the Iraq war. I’m editing the first draft.) –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #books #art #novel #novels #book #books #fiction #story #Iraq #war #peace

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Love is an energy that transcends time and place.


When it’s quiet, I can hear myself.

My thoughts and feelings speak,

connecting my mind and soul.

One being physical and temporary,

the other, a ghost, moving between realms.

A whispering message:

“Love is an energy that transcends time and place.”

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Poem, 6/8/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #writing #creativewriting #books #art #love

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Connecting My World With Yours


The dots are ready.

Connecting my world with yours.

Fill it with color.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #136, 6/5/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #books #art #love

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Time Fades Memories.


Time fades memories.

I grasp my pictures of you.

Don’t take them away.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #135, 5/28/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #books #art #love

 

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Happy Offices!


Sometimes it’s hard to work at an office so that’s why we have our happy offices. I get pumped up with good energy at coffee shops. Gotta do anything that helps us to keep moving forward. Have a great Saturday!

#happyplaces #happyoffices #office #business #work #writing #dailypractices #stepbystep #goals #starbucks #waikele #hawaii

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My Pretty Stranger


My pretty stranger.

You dance to a song I play.

Fast forward to us.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #134, 5/24/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #books #art #love #romance #mindfulness #gratitude #peace #dance #dancer #music

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Filed under Creative Writing, Dance, Haiku, Novels, Poems, Writing

You Paint My Blues Pink


You paint my blues pink.

And shelter me from my pain.

Art from your kind heart.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #133, 5/23/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #sky #pink #blue #waikele #oahu #hawaii #love #mindfulness #gratitude #peace #innerpeace #kindness

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Filed under Compassion, Creative Writing, Haiku, Happiness, Life, Love, Mindfulness, Poems, Positive Living, Writing

Attacking Our Long-Term Goals


When attacking my long-term goals, it usually takes 6 to 7 years for them to manifest. I have one goal that is on its 12th year. To quell the worry monster inside us from wondering if we will get there, or if all these years of work are worth it, we can keep working on each project step by step, day by day to knock off many small wins until we reach our vision. Each small win gives us a dopamine rush or feelings of accomplishment! Also, we can be like water, and adjust to receive different variations of our dreams.

#goals #dreams #stepbystep #daybyday #education #sports #exercise #health #career #politics #law #business #entrepreneurship #writing #fiction #nonfiction #books #aviation #nonprofit #charity #process #progress #mindset #patience #determination #relentless #tenacity #mindfulness #gratitude

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Last night you came to me.


Last night you came to me

You gave me three songs

One for our pain

Two for our love

And three for our tomorrow

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Poem, 4/26/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #music #songs #love #romance

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I work on what I can today


To distract me from worrying about tomorrow, I work on what I can today.

At times we decline opportunities to pursue our dreams, which causes us stress. I’ve been through it with my political and legal career, and now I’m going through it with my recent goals in the private sector. Focusing on what I can work on now has helped me move forward on my journey, even through the roughest parts. I wish you the best in your journey. I’m feeling you and cheering for you!

With Warmest Aloha, Jon

#today #present #now #mindfulness #stepbystep #daybyday #anxietyremedies #strategy #thoughts #philosophy #quote #quotes #starbucks #work #writing #goals #dreams #business #aviation #books #novels #fiction #nonfiction #entertainment #motivation #mindset #macbookpro #macbook #waikele #oahu #hawaii

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Confined In My Mind


Confined in my mind.

Let me out, I want to scream.

Cutting my own chains.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #131, 4/18/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #peace #innerpeace #mind #mindset #positivemindset #positivethinking #positivity #happiness

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Pretend For One Day


I still think of you.

Even if you never cared.

Pretend for one day.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #130, 4/17/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #love

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I Feel You In It


This stone protects me.

A lucky stone you told me.

I feel you in it.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #129, 4/14/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #love #stone #preciousstone #luckystone #protect

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You Dance In My Dreams


It has been some time.

I protect you from afar.

You dance in my dreams.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #128, 4/14/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #love #dance #dreams #protect

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Then She Moves My Pen


I want to love her.

So I write until she breathes.

Then she moves my pen.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #127, 4/12/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #love

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Like a Ghost Crying


How can the truth live,

if it has to be believed?

Like a ghost crying.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #126, 4/12/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #truth

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I am not a dream


If you are dreaming,

Lie to me, tell me you’re dead.

I am not a dream.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #125, 4/12/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #love

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Failure is a Gift


Failure is a gift.

Use it to light your rocket.

Pain fuels our dreams.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #124, 4/12/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #failure #pain #dreams

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Death falls on us now.


Time – Fluffy snowflakes,

falling onto my footsteps.

Death falls on us now.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #123, 4/10/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #mindfulness #time #life #death

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Music Dances Into Me


Just a dash of green.

Music dances into me.

So does your spirit.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #122, 4/6/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #mindfulness #music #spirit

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You Lead, I Follow


You lead, I follow.

We jump into a deep hole,

screaming “I love you.”

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #121, 4/5/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #mindfulness #stories #love

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The Worlds In My Head


The worlds in my head.

Stories, scenes, people, and things.

So I let them out.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #120, 4/4/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #mindfulness #books #novels #fiction #stories #scenes #people #things #motivated #inspired #gratitude

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You Were Made From Words


You were made from words.

Weave us through our mad world.

Teach us how to live.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #119, 4/2/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #expression #mindfulness

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Pull Me Into You


Pull me into you.

Blending feelings with flavor.

Pulsating pleasure.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Haiku Poem #118, 3/25/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #haiku #haikupoem #haikupoems #haikupoetry #writing #creativewriting #art #author #expression #mindfulness

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Happiness is fueled by a combination of positive practices.


Happiness is fueled by a combination of positive practices. I have 70. I’m going to write about this for one of my fun projects.

#happiness #happy #joy #howto #howtobehappy #practices #positivepractices #writing #starbucks #waikele #hawaii

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Keep Going


Sometimes it’s hard to produce work. Forcing myself to keep going, and it becomes fun again as the momentum builds. Reading and writing this afternoon and evening of Saturday March 24, 2018.

#habits #tenacity #persistence #determination #goals #writing #reading #business #entrepreneurship #fiction #novels #creativewriting #starbucks #waikele #hawaii

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Wrote 71,343 Words for My 2nd Novel


For one of my projects, my second novel, a historical, suspense and romance story, I have to do a lot of research and reading on Iraq from 2003 to 2011. I also got input from my female friend who was born and raised in Iraq and endured the war. I wrote 71,343 words so far. My goal is to have 80,000 to 100,000 words. It took me 8 years to finish my first story, a historical, suspense, paranormal and romance novel based in Honolulu, Hawaii and the spirit world, that received some interest but it hasn’t been picked up yet. This one is taking me 4+ years so far, much faster. Maybe I can finish my third fictional writing in 2 years? Here, I’m writing at McDonald’s in Waikele on the evening of March 20, 2018.

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#writing #research #reading #read #iraq #iraqwar #book #books #novel #novels #fiction #historical #suspense #romance #creativewriting #mcdonalds #waikeleoutlet #waikele #hawaii

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Filed under Books, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Fiction, Love Story, Motivation, Novels, Study, Writing

Research and Writing


Trying to pull off a 6-hour session reading and researching for one of my favorite projects that I’ve been working on for over 4 years. Wrote 70,881 words for content I hope to pitch to agencies in April 2018. Scared but feeling motivated.

#writing #researching #grinding #hustling #tenacity #work #starbucks #waikele #hawaii #motivated #creativewriting #book #books #novel #novels

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My Fading Starlight


My fading starlight.

Brighter stars are in her eyes.

A spaceship is in sight.

In it, a cute girl with big eyes.

“Why are you taking this flight?”

She laughed, “To get you out of your disguise.”

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Poem, 3/19/2018 –

#poem #poems #poetry #writing #creativewriting #art #author #expression #mindfulness

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Stay on the Offense


We can stay on the offense by working on things we can control. Reacting and panicking to things we can’t control will put us on the defense, destroying our mood, which in turn, kills our productivity.

#positivemindset #mindset #positivethinking #productivity #offense #innerpeace #clarity #focus #work #business #businesslaw #entrepreneurship #quote #quotes #starbucks #waikele #hawaii

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