Think About It Hawaii

He came, he saw, he conquered, he scored four here, and now he’s left. Pelé was the greatest soccer (a/k/a futebol) player ever. You might quibble about Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona, Cruyff, or others, but no one did more for the sport and bringing the world together than did Brazil’s Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who passed away on December 29. Many 1960s kids wanted to like Pelé long before anyone wanted to be like Mike (Jordan)… or LeBron.

He played at a level that no one had ever seen before… literally. His contests with home squad Santos were available only via radio, thus his larger-than-life legend grew, as did his goal-tallying sheet. The only man to ever play on three World Cup winning teams (for native Brazil), Pelé was revered as he simply displayed his not-so-simple gifts with grace and purpose. Allegedly, a Nigerian civil war cease-fire was declared for 48-hours when Pelé came to play there in 1969. Back in 1961, Brazil’s military government brazenly declared him a “national treasure” so he wouldn’t ever leave Santos to play overseas in his prime.

And… he played here twice. In April, 1976, 21,705 fans witnessed the Aloha Soccer Festival, and Pelé didn’t disappoint- scoring four times as his New York Cosmos (of the nascent North American Soccer League) rolled over Japan’s Team Honda, 5-0. He returned to Aloha Stadium in mid-1977, during the lone, local season of Hawai`i’s NASL squad. 12,877 watched as his Cosmos squeaked by Team Hawai`i, 2-1. 

Pelé’s global humanitarian efforts against racism, for UNICEF and other noteworthy causes were acknowledged by everyone from Hawai`i Governor George Ariyoshi (who presented him with an award preceding that 1976 tournament here) to Nelson Mandela and the Queen of England. He won the International Peace Prize in 1978, and while not as outspoken as his contemporary sports icon, Muhammed Ali, Pelé was never shy when asked about the rampant racism he encountered as a youth and into his playing days as a global ambassador. Like Ali, he provided a new hope and brought pride to tens of millions worldwide, including disadvantaged, dark-skinned youth… all with a smile.

We’re lucky that Pelé showcased his joyous demeanor, aloha, and unmatched soccer skills here twice. Soccer (in his book, it’s called the “beautiful game”) is the earth’s most popular sport (not pickleball) and Pelé evolved it in so many ways. Obrigado!

Think about it…

What’s the true cost of doing nothing? What’s the real bottom line on delaying decisions, holding yet more meetings, adding discussions, committee analyses, legal hearings, red herrings, and community input?

Often, even when a decision is rendered, action is not taken as someone forgot to inform someone, egos conflict, or something came up that wasn’t considered, or…

Such is the case locally ad nauseum. But maybe 2023 with some re-direction at various government levels might alter that. Delays or redundant decisions followed by after-the-fact contradictions followed by more talk and little action is legendary locally. Maybe 2023 will be different.

What was the price of delaying habitable temperatures in far too many classrooms statewide for 40+ years? Conditions so inhumane that the SPCA would have been called in if you left a dog in a 95-degree leeward or windward classroom. Finally, we witnessed upgrades, retrofits, and who knows- maybe better teaching and learning will result from negating stultifying air.

What’s been the price of doing virtually nothing on the TMT project for years now? Legitimate questions, long-standing cultural issues unresolved, and real discussion is just now occurring. Maybe 2023 will be different.

What’s the cost of the can-kicking down the political road with the Waikiki Natatorium, a rotting relic built to honor men and women who fought for this territory and the United States during World War I. Is 40 years not enough time to remove rebar and re-make this dilapidated entity something invoking pride?

What’s the real price tag for delaying and then finally doing something about the windward Stairway To Heaven? Again, 40+ years might be a blip along the space-time continuum, yet seems a an absurdly long window in which to avoid responsible decision-making.

A new landfill, prison, and stadium district; beach erosion options, North Shore parking, an alternative driving route for leeward commuters, truly affordable housing- all discussed, planned, dissected, needed, and invariably stalled or ignored.

It’s now 2023; with a new year comes renewed optimism. People rarely “simply” lose 50-pounds… yet they can strive to lose five pounds at a time, showing progress, gaining confidence, making the difficult (if not impossible) more plausible via small wins. Kaizen. Let us cheer as ever-present, dangling particulars reach resolution and see action this year. Yes, sometimes doing nothing really is doing something- just not what we’d hoped for. Maybe 2023 will be different. Please…

Think About it…

I took a day trip recently. A semi-leisurely trio of flights to Neighbor Islands (at great rates) to ensure I’d keep my “special” airline status in 2023. Seemed simple enough- HNL to OGG (Kahului) to KOA (Kona) and back home. Leave enough room in between trips to be safe- perhaps a meal here or there within the airport confines (not willing to tempt TSA lines); home in time for 3:15pm Sunday Night Football.

You’ve heard of having a bad hair day? Well, I had a bad air day. Unfortunately, I picked that turbulent Sunday (November 18) when torrential rain, wind, and lightning ruled. The flight to Maui had just a wee bit of turbulence. And then the fun began. Airport closures, incessant delays, and wind-aided downpours flustered frenzied fliers, some trying to get to Honolulu to catch the only available flight home that afternoon.

Maui to Kona’s flight was uneventful, but we landed 100-minutes late, at 1:40pm, and my flight from Kona back to HNL left at 1:30pm. I’m in Kona, relatively unprepared, and suddenly that quaint indoor/outdoor holding area became my prison. Can’t venture outside, you might miss the airline announcement about your make-up flight. Can’t saunter into the sole, on-site restaurant- no loudspeaker inside. So calmly, I simply waited… and waited… for five hours.

Finally, after unsuccessfully circumnavigating plentiful puddles, sideways rain, and 350+ travelers anxiously boxed in and awaiting news about missed connections or lightning delays (can’t board/deboard aircraft at an outdoor airport when lightning’s spotted; can’t re-fuel either), I gleefully got onto a much-delayed flight, landing back at HNL Airport at 8m- a 13-hour day spent in the not-so-friendly skies simply to get back to where I started. 

As a lifetime impatient (not inpatient), I rationalized the realities of Mother Nature’s whims that Sunday; no point being upset. I remembered a favorite saying- “don’t worry about things over which you have no control”. OK, I missed (arguably) the greatest World Cup soccer final ever… Yup, I missed three NFL games decided on the final play. But I did witness quality airport/airline employees making the best of a bad situation well out of their control, and (most importantly) earned those necessary miles to ensure that 2023 should be an enjoyable year of travel through tradeoffs; for life surely is about tradeoffs. Inconvenience today- more convenience tomorrow; my final 2022 trade off. Happy New Year.

Think about it…

Growing up can be overrated. As kids become cognizant, they often wish they could do more grown-up things- especially the seemingly fun things- like driving and perhaps even drinking or smoking. Ironically, as people grow older, they often look back with great fondness on their hanabata days, when a sense of naivete and innocence ruled  amid the confusion of youth; the world began to unfold before their very eyes.

Two weeks back while leaving a function at Ala Moana Beach Park, I spotted an elderly gentleman rinsing off in an outdoor shower, smiling, with his cherished boogie board and fins in one hand as he washed his face and body with his unencumbered hand. I imagined that he’d probably repeated this scenario hundreds, if not thousands, of times in his 70+ years. 

While some might consider him “old”, I smiled as I pondered his probable feelings as he caught just one more wave before calling it a day, like he undoubtedly did as a kid, 60 years ago… perhaps in the same location, maybe even de-sanding in the very same shower. Age might become a troubling number, but we can control our inner child’s spirit, no matter how many years or miles we’ve logged.

Christmas is nigh upon us, affording us a chance to reminisce, reflect, give thanks, feel nostalgic, or simply appreciate more. Maybe you reflect back to when you were little and relished- with great anticipation- the “big day”. Maybe it was that annual family feast which took hours for tutu to prepare but mere minutes to scarf down (see Thanksgiving). Maybe it was that backyard BBQ or touch football game that nowadays brings you a sense of warmth, calmness, or a holiday smile.

I remember getting a James Bond (Sean Connery, of course) spy briefcase, where (safe) darts shot out and a “Battling Betsy” model tank; time stood still on Christmas Eve… “go to bed!” they said. Yeah, right. The excitement was palpable. 

We all need to decompress, relax, and relive that joie de vivre we felt when we were young, but perhaps too naïve to really appreciate the moments. At Christmas time, those warm feelings grow stronger as we age… and remember when. 

Christmas is a special time for many; here’s hoping you celebrate with those you love, celebrate those you miss, and breathe in pleasant thoughts of Christmases past, present, and future.

Think about it…

‘Tis the season. So in the spirit of wishes, here are a few for Hawai`i in 2023…

After far too much obfuscation, deflection, denial, and everything else besides straight answers, how about we get some straight talk about Red Hill, its future, and a realistic timetable? Toxic chemicals? Par for the course after months (years) of toxic behavior.

And speaking of resolution, how about real resolution followed by real action on the Haiku Stairway to Heaven, the Waikiki World War I Natatorium, and whatever other items of interest you might have pondered for years… or decades. As that grand philosopher, Yoda, once said, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Or as philosophy giant, Larry the Cable Guy, once said, “Git-r-done!” C’mon… decades of intransigence, kicking cans/issues down the road, and no solutions, just rotting railroad ties and neighbor fatigue in Kaneohe and a crumbling beachfront façade with rebar sticking up like a middle finger- welcome to paradise. 

And while we’re at it (remember, this is a holiday wish list), how about some movement on that TMT movement. Absolutely, tough discussions and a sense of trust must come into play, but if not in 2023, then when? At some point, the patient possible partners (Canada, Japan) will simply take their ball (i.e. funds) and go home. The optics on this optics monolith need not be light years away; it just seems like it. The system is meant to measure (among other things) atmospheric turbulence… I think we already have that. I’m not suggesting a specific resolution- just asking for one. 

And here’s a nuanced wish- great followership. We often rightfully seek great leadership from those in charge, but superb leadership quite often requires great subordinates, advisors, helpers, and followers. When athletes are interviewed after a big win, they most often talk about “the team”, believing in one another, etc. No coach (nor QB) wins a game alone. And leaders rarely get action taken without others joining the party, putting aside petty disagreements, egocentrism, NIMBY-ism, jealousy, minor personality squabbles which are superfluous to the common good, and all of those other things that prevent far too many items from getting resolved here. Kudos to the back-up players, the nuts and bolts people, the doers; no more passive-aggressiveness, let’s support worthy leaders- for the people.

Not a very long wish list here, but surely a hefty holiday one.

Think about it…

Back by popular demand (all right, one guy asked me for it), here is an all-new version of vaunted Christmas song titles deftly (or tone-deaf-ly) applied to the surreal reality we call our everyday existence in December, 2022:

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”- yes, but this year, it’s my choice, not COVID-related!

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town”- He sure is, along with millions of visitors.

“Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy”- Hey, if Bing Crosby and David Bowie could get together for this gem (1977), can we please find a little empathy in this world to help resolve rifts?!

“You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”- to all those Grinch-like among us who apparently can’t/won’t find their inner souls the other 364 days a year.

“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”- usually that starts about October 20 in the retail world.

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”- “little” is just fine, because it’s really OK to celebrate Christmas small, sans fanfare, but sincerely, on this special day of days.

“It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”- that would be some direction from officialdom on the future of Red Hill, which would be a miracle indeed.

“We Wish You A Merry Christmas”- great concept, but do we really need that figgy pudding?!

“Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer”- thankfully, thoughtfully placed speed bumps are popping up around O`ahu to preclude this possibility.

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?”- a pop hit, all-star “end famine” classic from 1984, its pleas still resonate today as over 820-million people worldwide go to bed hungry every night.

“O Holy Night”- Gone, but surely not forgotten, Willie K. provided us with this chicken skin classic rendition to behold forever more. Thanks, Uncle Willie.

“Little Saint Nick”- He used to be Big Saint Nick, but in this digital/computer chip/AI world we now wholeheartedly embrace, anything can be shrunk. Ho Ho Ho.

“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”- And those front line gentle ladies, too, for the incredible work you’ve done over the past 1,000 days, providing constant aid and comfort during the pandemic. 

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”- Yes, you can actually hear that said among people here when it hits (heaven forbid) 67-degrees!

“The Mongoose Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)”- Well…“The Chipmunk Song” local style…

Good tidings to you and yours, and let’s stretch this season of joy into an annual sentiment.

Think about it…

I played in a soccer tournament with Pelé at Aloha Stadium… well, let me restate that. On April 7, 1976, I was fortunate enough to play in a tripleheader soccer event- the Aloha Soccer Festival. Our Hawai’i All Star team (amateurs) was vanquished by the North American Soccer League’s San Diego Jaws, 6-0, followed by the Philippines 1-0 win over Taiwan. The final match of the day saw the incredible Pelé score four goals as his NASL New York Cosmos beat Team Honda of Japan, 5-0.

The point of this story is not about soccer or the glory days of the new Aloha Stadium. It’s about word usage; how we must carefully select our words. Living in a sometimes post-truth world nowadays, far too many people say far too many things, then deny their words or suggest they were misquoted by a malevolent mainstream media, or tricked by a manipulative editor in some backroom editing bay. Hogwash.

Business advisor Mary Lynn Ziemer once said this this about words: “They have the ability to carry us to far off, amazing places. Unfortunately, our words can also lead us to places we wish we had never visited”.

Sound bites, cell phone pick-ups, press conferences, campaign speeches. We’ve all heard ‘em and seen ‘em. And yet, we have verbiage deniers who insist we simply did not hear what they said… but we did. Or that they did not mean what they said… but they did. Or that someone in the must have edited their words… but they didn’t.

Sure, people err. But invariably, we must be held accountable for not only what we do, but for what we say; especially as it might affect others. We (sadly) tend to excuse those we adulate, like, or vote for when they say something reprehensible, false, or off-putting. We put on our moral, truth-canceling ear plugs and ignore reality because we just really don’t trust the other side, or because we don’t wanna hear when our guy blathers. Selective ethics; short-term memory recall dysfunction.

Call it what you like, but words matter. Yes, I played with Pelé in a soccer tournament. We both played, just not at the same time. The concept, as a whole, might hold up, even if the details suggest otherwise. We can all watch our words and not allow kinda sorta or outright lies define us or those we follow.

Think about it…

American democracy survived this year’s tumultuous elections, though pre-election prognostications and election result-deniers had lots of people nervous. England’s Winston Churchill stated in 1947 that “(I)t has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time;” Churchill added on by saying “but there is the broad feeling in our country that the people should rule, and that public opinion expressed by all constitutional means, should shape, guide, and control the actions of Ministers who are their servants and not their masters.” 

The people “rule” through their votes, but elections in Hawai`i tend to bring mostly intra-party squabbles, without major interparty battles of divergent philosophies. A democracy is surely strengthened when there’s healthy, multi-party, non-social media debate over issues and action plans “…if elected”. As I suggested last week, leaders gotta lead. But do they?

Some local elections are pretty much concluded with a primary election win over a same-party opponent. Some seats are walkovers- no opponent in either the primary and/or general election. In Hawai`i, the need for winners to truly act on published promises and pontificated platitudes is often unnecessary as said politicos don’t have much (or any) competition to worry about. Sure, some candidates really are that good, or the opposition that bad, and too many eligible voters don’t vote or even register, a resounding victory for “ainokea”.

In the November 8, 2022, local contests featuring two or more candidates for Governor, U.S. House and Senate, and our local State House and Senate, 51 out of those 67 contests (76%) saw the winning candidate receive at least 60% of the votes. Winning by 20% or more might be considered a relative trouncing, or anti-climactic.

How much pressure is there on those elected to lead, be bold, take risks and affect change? It’s easier, safer, and maybe smarter (job security) to simply meet, administer, and manage. Not making tough decisions on long-gestating issues apparently isn’t an issue with voters numbed by perceived minimal alternatives, at best.

I’m not pushing any particular party or stance, but rather suggesting that perceived or real pressure on candidates might encourage bolder efforts while they’re in office. And I get it; over 90% of incumbents get re-elected- name recognition, funding, et al. We simply need more quality competition to give more people more reasons to vote here.

Think about it…

The placards are gone, the ads have stopped and so have pre-election promises. It’s now time for action and integrity. While empathy is in short supply these days (don’t blame the pandemic and inflation), our now-elected officials must take responsibility and live up to their self-created platitudes by making vital decisions, changes, and course corrections where necessary.

Our world really isn’t red or blue, it’s shades of purple. Most people are not inherently evil or fully sanctimonious. We are certainly a flawed species, but we’re the best we’ve got, or something like that… so let’s be the best we can be.

It’s now time for the chosen leaders to lead. They’ve been elected to make decisions, ponder the difficult and direct us on a course toward betterment (a subjective concept). Let’s be inclusive, not exclusive. Perhaps we can turn the letter “m” upset down into a “w” more often. Huh? Many people need to think and feel more about “we” than “me”. You flip the “m” upside down and it’s a “w”, which opens to a bigger picture. See? 

We need to replace ego with “we go”. We need to stop thinking about “my” and start thinking about “why” (again, flipping that “m”)? We can care about our 401(k), but we let’s make sure that others are also OK. The cost of ignoring or pushing problems down the road is usually more expensive than intelligently acting via firm decisions. While many politicians pontificate pre-election, they too often then hunker down as their tenure unfolds to ensure re-election (i.e.- job security); but right now is a time for bold action here, though obviously will disagree with decisions. Of course, no official ever gets 100% of the public’s vote, and since majority rules, accept the fact that there’ll be dissenters when you make big decisions. 

Many local dilemmas have become annuals; it’s governmental “Groundhog Day” as far too many issues linger- sometimes in the background- but invariably come back to haunt us and taunt us. So, enough talk about annuals- universal pre-K education, homelessness, traffic, tourism, HART, TMT, affordable housing, North Shore O`ahu parking and erosion mitigation, new economic opportunities, outmigration, overcrowded prisons, land usage, tourism’s role, the Natatorium and Haiku Stairway to Heaven… feel free to insert your favorites (or least favorites).

So respectfully, leaders- please lead. Don’t just manage, administer, reiterate, ignore, or restate the obvious. Lead.

Think about it…

I first met J about 18 years ago. I’ll simply call him “J” because he’s too humble to want recognition. J was our waiter extraordinaire in a Waikiki hotel suite 12-hours a day as we presented TV advertising campaign opportunities to potential local business clients. Through 20-25 meetings, he was the best- calm, quiet, observant, thorough, polite, unobtrusive, and friendly- everything we needed to help make the meetings memorable. 

As we finished annually, we’d exchange bro hugs and goodbyes, and say “see you next year, same time, same place”. But in 2007, J told me he was soon heading to Afghanistan. I knew he’d served in the Navy and was now in the reserves, and I realized the severity of what might lie ahead for J. He was a father, a husband, and he had become my friend; his duty was to answer his country’s call.

I worried that I might not see him again- a stark reality. So when he returned from that deployment, we hugged, again. I never bothered to ask him details about what I knew he couldn’t tell me. He is the best in so many ways, and I was happy to work with him again in our now comparatively mundane marketing endeavor.

A month ago, I dined recently at that same hotel- 15-years later- and there was J! He’s grayer (who’s not?), and his son is now approaching age 30. He’s also now the service boss at the hotel; but hey, he’s been a leader in many ways for many years.

So here’s to J on Veteran’s Day, 2022. Here’s to the people who put themselves in harm’s way for you and I and a system that is sadly under fire these days… from within. Here’s to all the men and women serving in our armed forces.

And here’s to you, Dad, gone now for 15-years, for the job you did on the front lines in Italy during World War II. You sacrificed 85% of your hearing to a mortar shell that killed a half dozen soldiers in your infantry unit who were charging up that muddy hill, just yards away from you. You lived with those memories and wounds for 62 more years- you never complained, never looked back. Like others in our “greatest generation”, you did what was necessary- humbly, valiantly, without personal expectations- and for that we are eternally grateful.

Think about it…