Plurality of Notions – MidWeek June 10, 2026

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From time to time, it’s fun here to dip into a veritable potpourri of items to help get your gray matter to natter. So have at it!

Were you aware that when it’s 2:40pm here in Hawai`i, it is 12:25 in morning (tomorrow) in Nepal?! Yes, that’s right, Nepal prides itself on being 5:45 ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. It’s part of the country’s effort to define itself uniquely, to showcase its independence; after all, a recent story posted that Nepal has 123 languages spoken within its borders. Certainly we know Hawai‘i is unique in many (good) ways, but how about adjusting your brain clock every time you are out and about…

The State Department of Accounting and General Services recently announced it had awarded a contract to redesign/rebuild/renovate its old financial system. I understand “local time”, but seriously- a 55-year old data system? If the third time’s a charm (as ancient wisdom has it) then we should be in great shape, as this is the third effort to get it right. 55 years ago people were punching numbers with adding machines and using voluminous ledgers. All the work was done manually. The old system, known as FAMIS, is surely anything but famous, and will rightfully be retired in the coming years…

I don’t wanna crush your kids’ artistic futures, but did you know that the sun is actually white? When seen from the purity of space (no atmosphere), the life-giving orb is white. Hey, don’t feel bad. The sky is actually purple. It all has to do with wavelengths scattering the light and redirecting a portion of it and… you know what, just check out the lyrics to “Flowers Are Red” by “Taxi” crooner Harry Chapin for an enlightening view…

According to lots of data and research compiled by the Space Daily publication, men get quieter when they retire, and women get busier. Men lose (possibly) their major social outlet when work is gone, and thus their network can shrink drastically… and immediately. Women who retire tend to look at the needs of others in their world and ramp up the caretaking aspect as the void of not working takes place. Over-simplification? Perhaps. A tendency and not an absolute? Of course. But a fascinating study as we look at those in their kūpuna years. There are no built-in instructions with retirement. We all kinda wing it.

Think about it…

Elect To Vote – MidWeek June 3, 2026

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Hawai`i’s 2026 primary election (August 8) is two months away. Mailed ballots (yes, we still have those here) will go out in late July; candidate filing ends this week. You have time to (hopefully) educate yourself as to who to vote for, or against, because elected officials need to be held accountable.

For example, if politicians stand in the rain, smiling and waving as we drive by, does that mean they are incredibly dedicated, filled with steely resolve to get the job done and showing concern care for their constituent base? Or are they simply too loopy to know they should get out of the darn rain? 

Do a bunch of distracting people with candidate signs standing ever-too-close to the roadway, vying for our attention, deserve a second look? Or are they unaware how hard it is to keep a vehicle from veering as we text and eat while driving? Do a bunch of people holding signs provide value in helping to make a decision, or should we delve one inch deeper to find out what candidates really stand/vote for?

Do repetitive ads paid for by self-interested, third parties actually provide a compelling story in 30-seconds about why a candidate deserves our vote, and does he/she who spends the most money on marketing deserve my fickle, fallow feelings?

And are the people/candidates who canvass my neighborhood with brochures promising that the keiki are our future and look-what-I’ve-done-for-you-lately bullet points sincere? Or are they simply pandering to ensure re-election, not offending anyone, and enhancing job security with its guaranteed hefty medical and retirement packages?

I’m not cynical, but surely skeptical after witnessing this repetitive cycle for over 50 years. Skeptics welcome information, while cynics won’t engage or simply toss ballots. It is not just incumbent upon incumbents to do their jobs. It’s up to the 45% or so of eligible voters here who can choose substance over style by perusing voting records and/or attending civic meetings. According to Ballotpedia, a non-partisan, fact-gathering entity, 95% of Hawai`i’s local legislative incumbents were re-elected in 2024. Yes, primaries matter. 

Election results reveal reality about candidates, voters, and the competition (a rarity here). The maxim that we get the government we deserve is at the very base of a democratic system. Read up, attend meetings, vet sources; do simple homework online to help you make informed decisions in June. For all our sakes.

Think about it…

Moth Wroth – MidWeek May 27, 2026

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Summer is approaching; it will be officially here on June 21. Along with jubilation from students (and teachers), summer also brings a chance for many to refresh, recharge, rearrange, reminisce, and recover.

Of course, summer also brings the humid “dog days”- a reference from ancient times that acknowledges Sirius, the “Dog Star” whose brightness was seen by Romans as adding to seasonal heat. The dog lobby should be all over this one as the term sounds like an effort to denigrate man’s best friend down, but whatever…

Summer also brings an annual, natural phenomenon we deal with- the 7:30pm moth invasion. Moths, stereotyped as ugly duckling relatives of butterflies, show up around 7:30p during summer’s hot, muggy nights. These frail flappers look for food around dusk, and (of course) lights attract ‘em. But even when even if you turn off the lights and check that windows/screens are shut, these buggahs still find a way to wing it into kitchens and other indoor areas. By 8pm, they’re gone. Fascinating.

Let’s organize a pseudo-Lollapalooza event for moths so moth mobs can gather in one place, thus alleviating our nightly swatting escapades. Summertime’s hotter weather encourages more rapid moth reproduction, and as our mortal coil’s temperature increases, more multiplying moths will be prevalent for decades in summers to come.

Here’s a truncated moth gem from comedian Norm MacDonald (also attributed to Colin Quinn): A depressed moth tells a podiatrist his life is meaningless, his family is gone, and he has no purpose. When asked why he came to a foot doctor instead of seeing a psychiatrist with such problems, the moth replies, “Because the light was on”. Badda boom.

Moths love the light; if they loved the dark, they’d be called goths. What’s the biggest moth called? A mammoth. Major moth motto: “glow big or glow home”. A moth at a buffet looks for light snacks only. Why did the moth take a nap? It was feeling light-headed.

So keep your windows, doors, screens, and vents closed at 7:30pm to lessen the odds of marauding moth mania this summer. Enjoy family BBQs and share a playlist of your favorite “summer” songs, a list which is also fine to play in November or February.  “In the summertime when the weather is hot / You can stretch right up and touch the sky” — (Mungo Jerry, “In The Summertime”). Touch the sky this summer.

Think about it…

NIL-ism – MidWeek May 20, 2026

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As more and more college athletics’ coaches throw in the proverbial towel nowadays (including locally), perhaps it’s time to take a look at what’s going on in the crazy world of college athletics. College athletes (in all sports) can now get paid for usage of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). It began in 2021 as the Supreme Court ruled that college athletes are entrepreneurs (not employees) and can cash in on their athletic prowess beyond a free scholarship. So much for “student-athletes”. They’re here today, gone tomorrow…

Quarterbacks at big-name schools can rake in $5 million in NIL money annually and outside hitters in women’s volleyball can get upwards of $200,000; pitcher NiJaree Canady receiving $1.1 million to leave Stanford and pitch for/attend Texas Tech. She pitched so well that Tech played in the 2025 college softball national championship game for the first time ever.

UH has seen numerous student-athletes come and go in different sports. UH is now preparing to compete with most sports in the Mountain West Conference this fall. NIL uncertainty is truly the wild, wild West. Athletes can enter the NCAA transfer portal annually as not only does the grass appear greener, but so does the money.

Imagine you’re a college coach, teaching student athletes life lessons through being disciplined, accountable, responsible, dealing with ups and downs, time management, teamwork, and hopefully realizing some landmark accomplishments (wins?) along the way. Your reward for this effort used to be job security, along with the lasting memories created and the gratification of teaching young men and women.

Nowadays? Many student-athletes are mercenaries, going wherever the highest bid takes them- sometimes moving four times in four years! Capitalism at its finest. Coaches who’ve acted as surrogate parents are now mere intermediaries as athletes move on down the road. Maybe a coach gets to spend four months with a player, and then he/she is off to see the wizard of ahhhs at another (higher paying) institution of learning.

How’d you like to run a company whose workforce is decimated annually? Teamwork, continuity, growth- all concepts stunted by the NIL world as many athletes are one and done. It’s tough for fans, too- no reciprocal loyalties.

So the next time an asocial media troll comments about a coach’s apparent failings, keep in mind this new world along with university fiscal responsibilities that make the college coaching profession tougher than ever.

Think about it…

Diss-Repair – MidWeek May 13, 2026

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An April 26 newspaper article reminded us (again) about the disrepair of the dilapidated, sadly ignored Queen Theater in Kaimuki. Like the movie “Groundhog Day”, we watch/read many local stories over and over again. Neglect seems to be an accepted state of affairs. Discussions, planning, proposals, amendments, lawsuits, and then– déjà vu… two years (or 10, or 40) go by and nothing.

A new state prison, bypass roads, the leaky Convention Center and State Capitol, a rebar-exposed World War I memorial, the Ko’olau Stairs, a new leeward high school to remedy overcrowding, Aloha Stadium, HART, Kauai’s Coco Palms, the antiquated Jones Act, a new O`ahu landfill, aging infrastructure, the biennial call for fresh faces/ideas in the legislature, responsible tourism, the plea for “affordable” housing, the obvious need for higher paying jobs to keep folks here with some sense that they’ll be able to retire sans panic.

Lights go out in a Pali Tunnel and it takes six months to replace an electrical transformer. It took four years to repave and upgrade a few miles on the town-side Pali Highway. Yes, everyone’s got their own neighborhood gripes.

A business compatriot who’d visit annually would tell me how he couldn’t understand why every time he’d watch local news or read the paper, the same stories he’d seen a year (or two, or three) ago were still unresolved headlines. Our slower pace is just fine, but some unresolved, age old projects/ideas apparently have no pulse at all. But we’ll study it.

The Queen Theater sits on a high-trafficked street corner in a seemingly ideal spot; it’s been closed for 41 years. The Ko`olau Stairway to Heaven has been closed for 37 years. The Waikiki Natatorium has been closed for 47 years. Leaks plagued the now-gone reflecting pools (and basement repository) at the State Capitol for over 50 years, while the Convention Center has had leaks and other repair issues regularly since 1999. A recommendation to replace the state prison came out in 1998. Ala Wai Canal flood feasibility studies began over 25 years ago.

An East Kapolei High School “plan” has been around since 2014. Regular work has been going on at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) for 20 years. You wanna see a project conceived of and acted upon quickly? You want to be impressed by rapid repairs. Move. It’s simply not happening here. Disrepair? Nah, we routinely diss repair.

Think about it.

Out Of Bounds – MidWeek May 6, 2026

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You don’t need to be a golf lover or even a true fan to understand just how bad it is that Hawai`i will be without PGA golf tournaments for the foreseeable future. While the legislature annually questions the value and return on visitor marketing expenditures, it’s hard to question the benefits received by the multiple hours of TV telecasts during the drab, dreary winter days experienced by much of the mainland.

And even for those tourism unfriendly readers, you must understand the impact that tourism has in this market, the numbers of people it employs, the tax dollars it provides, etc. If you think life would be simpler and therefore better without such a fuss about tourism, that ship has sailed.

The financial loss will be huge, and “out of sight, out of mind” concerns portend bigger losses in the years ahead. We don’t have that annual story to tell without multiple televised golf tourneys which showcase Hawai`i via great footage, ambient nature shots, shiny, happy people, sports drama, and human interest stories. And live golf is not just another cop show where many roll their eyes as police cars head toward Kailua and a lead actor says they’re off to the airport.

I love New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and metros, but rarely do I watch a televised event from those locales where I get the urge to visit soon or even register that thought in my brain- the events themselves don’t provide blatant or even subliminal messages that suggest “Hmmm… I’ve got to go there!”

Perhaps we’ll get another PGA Senior event; here’s hoping we don’t also lose the LPGA and the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai. TV production containers shipped in to showcase winter golf’s numerous events here allow producers to amortize those massive costs over multiple weekends and events. That’s now gone.

We need more quality media events that draw attention to our state. Marketing 101 says that when people prepare to make a choice (where to eat, live, vacation or what to drive, or even brush their teeth with) you’d better be positioned on their mental ladder of choices as decisions are made, or your marketing job just got a whole lot tougher. 

Perhaps with the now-truncated PGA schedule, golf’s powers that be can work with the world’s best players (who love Hawai`i) and get us back in the swing.

Think about it…

Exportable Opportunity – MidWeek April 29, 2026

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More affordable housing is not the answer to local economic woes; but it is one answer. For more people to stay here, confident they can live locally without becoming slaves to their homes (via rent or mortgage), we will have to provide more well-paying jobs to ensure that residents can plan to retire here with a nest egg that provides some financial peace of mind throughout their golden years.

Crazy dream… Hawai`i could provide expertise to a certain sector of tourists interested in absorbing local wisdom and taking it back home with them. Hawai`i annually ranks as the happiest state in America, in spite of costs and other issues. Something here works.

We often emphasize how the “aloha spirit” makes us unique. It’s not a trite or kitschy concept. While often difficult to verbalize, many here simply exude aloha through their daily demeanor and actions. Pro-actively educating others about what works here could go a long way toward making the world a better place; and the world needs it. 

We have wonderful, passionate teachers here who lead business and culture seminars on managing and acting with aloha. Why not universal-ize the concept? Pay it forward. Share it further. Imagine if interested people came here specifically to learn in depth during visits. Yes, it takes a loooong time for someone to truly “get it”, for it to permeate his/her being; and alas, some never get it. Imagine sharing with even more people about local style kindness, hā, active listening, mālama, sharing, ha`a ha`a, gratitude, lōkahi, compassion, kupa`a, empathy, kuleana, living pono, et al. 

While our melting pot of humanity and intricate, prideful ethnic practices are nuanced, local wisdom can be shared and carried offshore; call it social omiyage. We already promote hula, local music, our fusion food stylings, and other locally-shaped items; can we go further?  While this may seem new age-y, we must creatively find new employment options beyond government, tourism, and the military. Let’s draw more empathetic people here. So-called “affordable” housing sans income growth is a non-starter for many planning to leave Hawai`i. 

“Aloha spirit” is not a commodity, but exporting “local style” might provide others an opportunity to fully embrace- not just experience- our unique local lifestyle. It could be a positive way to make a difference in a world grasping for answers. We currently provide these concepts with visitors and our keiki; so let’s dream. 

Think about it…

That Which Was – MidWeek April 22, 2026

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Nostalgia is a happy reminder of that which was. Sometimes, we are reminded not so happily of skills we no longer possess. A friend of mine asked me to hand write a one-page, retirement tribute to her husband. He’s a long-time friend, and I’m honored to write this piece that will she’ll put into a keepsake book for him to reminisce on in retirement.

My concern is the handwriting part. Moving from writing regularly in script to using typewriters, key pads, and iPhones, some (many?) of us have lost that free form skill and/or the will to frequent longhand writing. My semi-legible, script letters now all blend together; I inadvertently skip letters in words. Heck, even greeting cards where I attempt to be thoughtful and/or clever are mistake-ridden!

And when one invariably messes up a word, there’s no ink eraser, back space, delete, White Out, or Correct Tape you can use without the result like an indelicate klutz screwed up the overpriced, store-bought card. Handwriting papers, cards, notes, memos, and such shows a genuine, caring, personal touch no doubt; yet it just feels so retro and inefficient as we’ve modernized. 

My mind wandered, remembering the old days working with my retiring cohort. I began drifting beyond mere thoughts of simple days when handwriting skills were de rigueur- when we had no keyboards, emails, phone texting, delete buttons, et al.; when typewriters and longhand were king. I then mentally leapt and found myself recalling cool places we used to go that are now mere memories, like some of my capabilities. These institutions may be gone, but hopefully I can patiently revive my dormant, dexterous deficiencies for a simple one-page tribute.

Remember Yum Yum Tree, King’s Bakery, Bubbies, Kuhio Grill (where the more one dollar bills you plunked down on your table, the more quality pupu you were served)? Ever chanced a Spencecliff restaurant, Columbia Inn, Byron’s, Pearl City Tavern, Flamingo Chuckwagon, the Willows, Hee Hing, Maple Garden, Chico’s Pizza, King Tsin, Kenny’s, or The Third Floor (stately wicker chairs in Waikiki and naan bread)? Merely the tip of Oahu’s long-gone culinary iceberg. Liberty House, Shirokiya, Jelly’s, Star Market, Arakawas, Hopaco, Tower Records, S.H. Kress, Woolworths? Like dear friends we cherish, these places had a room in our hearts, wallets, and/or minds. It’s nice to reminisce on people and places, and fondly write about them… on a computer, of course.

Think about it…

A Laughing Matter – MidWeek April 15, 2026

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Years ago, I Iearned a new term from wise, local business leadership guru, Glenn Furuya. “Neoteny” means to maintain a childlike exuberance, adaptability, stay young at heart. Growing up can be overrated in many ways, so always retain that youthful joy. The adult drudgery of routines, chores, responsibility, trauma, emotional baggage, aging aches, and expectations will come. Stay engaged; find excitement.

Have you ever embraced how a baby’s smile lights up the room, or focused on six-year olds simply running in sheer joy on a playground? We can all hug humor; slot it into your daily routine. Give yourself (and others) a break. Laugh; guffaw; smile.  

How? Well…  it’s easier than ever, as finding comedy bits on-line is simple, yet mood-enhancing, endorphin-inducing, adrenaline-lowering, brain-cleansing, and oxygen-creating. George Carlin is worth reading/watching for five minutes daily. “The reason I talk to myself”, he said, “is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept.” “How is it possible to have a civil war?” “In America, anyone can become president. That’s the problem.”

If not Carlin, try Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Abbott & Costello (enjoy their 90-year old “Who’s On First?” routine), Rap Reiplinger, Andy Bumatai, Augie T., Gallagher (pre-watermelon smashing), Chris Rock, Jo Koy, Margaret Cho, Buddy Hackett, Don Rickles, Dave Chapelle, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Rodney Dangerfield, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, Steven Wright, Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, Eddie Murphy- the comics list is endless, and you needn’t devote excessive time nor brainpower to laugh or sniggle, perhaps even creating a communal bond with friends or family. 

A 2004 article in Current Directions in Psychological Science stated that laughter is 30 times more frequent in social situations than solitary ones. By the way, April 14 is International Moment of Laughter Day.  

‘Aka’aka in Hawaiian means to laugh, giggle, or chuckle. It can be a tool for healing, stress relief, and bonding. It can alleviate tension and help to dissipate taut situations. People say “don’t be so serious”, but rarely is someone chastised for being too funny or too happy.  While you might say, “there’s nothing funny about…” in our “now what?” 2026 world, laughter represents a safe form of expression and disbelief relief. 

Laugh with others, not at them. I bought that George Carlin book while waiting at a car wash in California. Carlin wrote, “Everyone smiles in the same language”. Amen to that! Spontaneous joy; let’s lighten up.

Think about it…

Rainmakers – MidWeek April 8, 2026

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The recent multiple, prolonged deluges that our state endured last month proved to be catastrophic for many people. Over a billion dollars in damages. “Low-lying areas” are problematic during times of interminable rain or high surf, but this time we saw major problems as relentless downpours affected hills, high roads, dams, effluence areas, parking lots, erosion zones, parks, and other areas usually unaffected by “normal”
heavy rain.

Water always finds its way, and man-made barriers and infrastructure represent mere stumbling blocks that it powers through or around. The term “100-year storm” doesn’t mean a storm of huge magnitude happens only once a century. According to the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, there is a 39% chance that you’ll of experience a 100-year storm by the time you are 50 years old. GFDRR has a predictive model that charts the odds for such a storm over the course of your lifetime. And it’s not just once every hundred years…

Major pre-emptive, intervention measures are extremely costly and thus difficult for governments to justify as they’re held accountable by tax-paying voters/consumers. There are no simple answers. Local infrastructure needs to be regularly monitored and revisited to see if mitigation efforts make sense, and cents. 

Living in Hawai`i, we understand the inherent risk of a historic earthquake, tsunami, or hurricane affecting our lives. Luckily, what didn’t happen during the madness of March rains was actually a relief in terms of serious injuries or lives lost, but we’d be naive to assume (for example) that additional erosion hasn’t occurred in areas where (so far) nothing fell, rolled down, or burst last month.  

The powers that be (elected ones) and the brain trust they’ve installed (selected ones) must now ensure that as many safety protocols as possible are in place to prevent a natural disaster from being any worse than will be. Make mitigation magic. Snarky comment- those in charge are some of the same people who allowed our State Capitol building to leak repeatedly for 35+ years and did little to remedy that obvious flow flaw. Just saying…

Historical charts, risk assessments, and cause and effect analyses must be updated to reflect today’s weather realities. This might lead to real action addressing high stress areas- hillsides, rivers, dams, roads, rock formations, forests, wetlands, low-lying housing areas, et al.

Nature’s next nudge will occur- and it won’t wait 100 years. Forewarned is forearmed.

Think about it…