Musings: Full Disclosure

If Hawaii is the melting pot, well, Kauai could fairly be described as the crackpot of the archipelago. We all know it's hard to find decent, affordable rentals on this island, and for some folks, it's obviously harder than others, as this Craigslist ad makes clear:

Aloha,

Once again I'm looking for that place to call home.

First, I am open to sharing a home as long as there is respect and a good match in lifestyles. It is much better for the environment to share resources rather than having every single person having a refrigerator, etc. and I love having eco conscious people around. I would like to keep rent under $1,000 a month, but can go a little higher.

Major requirements:

A wireless radiation free home - including no smart meter. I am totally willing to pay for cable/telephone service using ethernet cabled internet, phone and TV as well as for opting out of a smart meter. See - http://www.bioinitiative.org/ to educate yourself on this if you do not know how harmful this non ionizing radiation is. I do not own a cell phone, but if a potential housemate does they can have their calls forwarded to a house phone when they are home and then keep their phone either off or in airplane mode to limit exposure to the Class 2B carcinogen they emit.

Eco cleaning and living products used in the home - including pest control. There are safer alternatives readily available today. See - http://www.plusnaturalenzymes.com/ and http://www.seventhgeneration.com.

A full kitchen and indoor shower. Outdoor showers are great, but not as the only option.

A fun and friendly community. I'm open to living on property with landlords present as long as:

* There are no expectations that an intimate relationship is part of the deal.

* Privacy is respected, i.e. no entering the rental without notice and permission and no peeking in windows.

* Totally legal property - I am not willing to live on property that has illegal units, etc. as I have found this leads to landlords who insist on no visitors.

* Preference to have separate utilities - I find it is best if tenants can choose how much they use and pay their way rather than having utilities included and then have landlords who try to limit appliance usage. I am very energy efficiency minded, but do expect to be able to store and cook food.

* Either distance or tolerance for listening to music and having occasional small gatherings. I'm not into wall shaking music. I just like having music or the radio on at times and a few friends over.

Space to garden. Organically of course. A nice sized veggie patch and maybe some beds that could have more permaculture type plants added would be Heaven on Earth.

Smoking - I do not smoke tobacco, but sometimes friends do and I am open to housemates who smoke as long as it is limited to outside, natural organic products and is sensitive to wind direction/open windows.

Other mind altering drugs - I am open to others using mind altering drugs as long as they are not some of the more dangerously addictive ones. I think many of us self medicate with mind altering drugs and that some of these are safer alternatives than anti depressant pharmaceuticals. I also think that many mind altering drugs can be helpful in creative and spiritual pursuits. Drug dependency is a serious problem and is not something I have or wish on anyone. I am very much aligned with the philosophies of Passages - http://www.passagesmalibu.com where they seek to address the underlying cause of why someone would allow themselves to become dependent on a drug. Passages has found that there is good research that shows that many psychological problems are due to a chemical imbalance and that diet and nutritional therapy can cure the underlying cause. As most of us cannot afford or have sufficient health insurance to go there, I suggest reading their book The Alcohol and Addiction Cure if you or someone you loved has a drug and/or destructive behavior dependency.

Good air flow and sunshine would help to keep me smiling.

Safe roads and bike paths for bike riding. (I know this is a long term goal.)

I love living with non human animals too. I do not have any living with me now, but would love to have a few around eventually.

About me:

Okay, obviously I'm an idealist. Everyone tells me put out what you want and you will get it. So here it is. I am 50, female and deeply spiritual. I love to have fun. For me that is listening to music. Dancing to music. Swimming, hiking, and biking. Playing in my garden. I eat a mostly organic, local vegan diet, but I admit I like to eat animals on occasion. I don't pretend it is meat or seafood though. And definitely will not eat factory farmed anything.

I'm not set for life financially, but can cover rent for the foreseeable future. I have some ideas I am investigating as far as long term finances go. I would love to live where I can run a business from my home. Value added food or other plant products is the area I am focused on. My goal is to produce for kama 'aina and not a high priced tourist product.

I want to stay on the North Shore, but am open to other areas of Kaua'i. But not near a cell tower or downwind of GMO fields. Cell towers do not belong in our neighborhoods and should be sited far from where we live and work. People who do live near GMO fields and/or cell towers should be evacuated and compensated for the loss of their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that a home should provide.

Final note: I am into total disclosure and expect that of others.

So please do not contact me if you plan on misrepresenting your rental situation.

On my part, I have to disclose that I have a stalker. I don't know who it is, but do have some suspects. It could be a total stranger, a man I know who wanted sex or it could be harassment due to my environmental activism. This has been going on for months. This person gets past my security camera. Their MO is to move things so I know they have been here and to turn on the interior lights of my car in an effort to kill the battery.

My philosophy is that we are here for the experience. All is not good, but maybe all is necessary. While I am determined to catch this stalker I also feel compassion for anyone who is compelled, whether voluntary or paid, to live with such an obsession.

While I would like to report that I have excellent references I have not had a great experience with my last two landlords here. Otherwise I do have excellent references.

Mahalo Nui Loa for your kokua.