The Playoffs Begin
Watching this year’s political antics has been a side show perhaps like no other. Tonight’s debate will go down in history as one of the most watched TV events of all time.

Ali vs. Liston
This event conjurs up images of Muhamad Ali and Sonny Liston. I’m not saying who’s who here.

Celebrities and Politics
It has all of the ingredients we saw in the OJ Simpson murder trial and the Richard Nixon Watergate expose. I’m not saying who’s who here.
People root for their favorite football, baseball and basketball teams. We have the World Series, The Super Bowl and the NBA Playoffs.

Tyson vs. Spinks
We saw ”Iron Mike” Tyson and Michael Spinks. There are “TV Debate Parties” being held all across the country this evening, and the sports bars will be packed with “fans” just waiting to see their favorite candidate throw the knock out punch.

I have stated in previous posts that I am not a fan of the two party system. My problem with it, is that it insures division. Regardless of the outcome, roughly half of the people in the United States will be unhappy with the result and begin finding faults with our new leader. Having half of the country disagree with anything you do must make for the toughest job in the world, and unfortunately it may just keep the best, most qualified people out of the race entirely.

Total 1st Class Remembered
When selecting the airline to fly to Atlanta I chose Delta. This was the longest non-stop flight I have had since moving to Hawaii 28 years ago; 9 1/2 hours. I am admittedly spoiled, and only fly 1st Class. Hawaiian Air has always been my airline of choice, but they do not fly any further east than Phoenix. United by way of Chicago was an option, but the last time I flew them I was turned off by both the lack of leg room and the surly flight attendants.
I had not flown Delta before, so I gave them a shot, and I’m glad that I did. The 1st Class cabin was very roomy, even more so than Hawaiian. When the woman in front of me chose to put her seat all of the way back I still had room for my laptop.
The crew was personable, and the individual TV sets were cool. I watched one of the most bizarre movies of all time; Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It was absolutely ridiculous yet entertaining in some weird way.
I forgot my Bose noise canceling earphones, but found the ones Delta provided to be comfortable on my ears. And, as a real surprise, they even allow special meals. As a vegetarian I have missed that perk since Hawaiian Air eliminated it sometime back, about the same time that Aloha Airlines eliminated 1st Class altogether. We saw where that one went.
My mainland client was thoughtful enough to order me a vegetarian meal, and when the flight attendant described the options, I asked if I could have the pasta rather than the veggie special. She said that she would try. The pasta was so desirous that it was “sold out” leaving me with the veggie dish. I told her that was fine, when she said that she would swap her pasta meal for my veggie one. Wow, I was impressed, and the pasta was great.

Return to Honolulu - No Empty Seats
As I got onto the plane to return to Honolulu I read today’s Honolulu Advertiser where beach boys and other Waikiki retailers were citing how bad business is with so few people coming to Hawaii because of the latest Wall Street news. Here they go again. My flight was full, and that included 24 seats in 1st Class at about $3,000 round trip from Atlanta to Honolulu. Maybe they just didn’t see the paper.

Tight Fit!
My seat mate on the way back to Honolulu reminded me of one of the (biggest) reasons I insist on 1st Class. When flying alone it’s always a game of “Seating Roulette” as to whom you might be seated next to. I lost the gamble this time, as my seat mate coughed, choked, snored, drank and ate throughout the entire 9 and 1/2 hour flight. I was stuck; the flight was fully booked. To add insult to injury, she was traveling with two look alike friends in the seats in front of us, and she carried on loud conversations with them for a good part of the flight. She was very unhappy about the lack of leg room, complaining that she wasn’t getting her 1st class money’s worth. She was expecting a cross continental plane with sleeper beds.

Watch Out!
She moved around a lot and I was constantly protecting my computer from the close calls with beverages between us. And; imagine the inconvenience as she made several trips to the restroom.

Home Sweet Home
It’s always heavenly to land in Honolulu, but the completion of this trip was especially welcome.
Whew!

Cute?
I have refused to publicly offer a political opinion in this race for president, but must admit that recent stories of Sarah Palin rising up from nowhere to national stardom has been exciting enough to get me thinking that she might be better suited for president than her running mate or opponent. Sadly that’s all we have to pick from.
I made that statement to a colleague today, who then sent me this link (CLICK HERE) showing just who she is. I’m quiet no more. Take a good look through here, all the way through, if you can stomach it, be sure to watch the video, and then tell me how cool you think she is. This needs to be shown in all of the papers and on national television. It’s a story not likely to be told or shown during the campaign.

Feeling Sandwiched In?

Reuters has compiled a long list of “winners and losers” as a result of the goverment bailout of Fannie and Freddie. I guess that there are always winners and losers at most anything. The old “win-win” concept is a tough one to bring about. As noted, the list on both sides is a long one; in case you missed it you can see the entire list by clicking here. Topping the two lists were:

LIKELY WINNERS
- Major Banks, which would benefit from any increased stability in the credit markets.

PROBABLE LOSERS
- Taxpayers; who have to foot the bill for bailing out the companies.

Any Opinions?

19th Annual Memory Walk/5k Run
I was pleased to join a fun loving group of people who gathered this morning to supprt the Hawaii Alzheimers Association.

Peter Skaaning
The Honolulu Design Center and Peter Skaaning sponsored a team of about 30 people to walk the 3.1 mile course around the scenic Ala Moana Beach Park. We were blessed with good vibes and warm weather.

Ready, Set…
Hundreds of people lined up and took off at the sound of the cannon at 7 AM sharp, and then crossed the finish line in 40 minutes to one and a half hour later to enjoy music and food.

Yes It Is!
Doug Smoyer of Retail Strategies and I have parked many new cars side by side, but have always kept our licence plates (Retail and Easy) as reminders that retail success can be easy, even when things get tough.
I am proud to call Doug a friend. We started our companies at the same time 18 years ago, and against great odds at times have enjoyed great success by helping others succeed. We have seen the success of our clients in the face of many changes and challenges, including two hurricanes, a couple of wars and other setbacks.
In the begining of our companies, Doug did the “back room” while I did the “front room.” He advised retailers on how much to buy, and I did all I could to help them sell it all and more.
Today Doug helps them find the right locations, and I help them find and keep the right people. We have always been a team working completely independent of each other, with the same goals: the success of our clients.
Mahalo Doug for all that you do and have done. You have indeed earned the title that the belated and beloved Jan Berman and her Retail Merchants of Hawaii bestowed upon you many years ago. You are Mr. Retail!

UPDATE:
This post originally appeared in April of this year. I received this e-mail from Karyn this morning;
Hi Ron - Just wanted to pass this along in case you haven’t gotten any info about it….  I am in Kenya right now, and I am posting updates of progress we are making bringing clean water to the largest slum in the world.

-Karyn    

You can see the latest by clicking right here. I continue to salute her for efforts and dedication toward this amazing project. Go Karyn Go!

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Water Does Wonders
April 9, 2008: Jerry and Teri Kohl were very proud of the inspiring heart warming message that daughter Karyn delivered to the 135 Brighton managers on their final day of the Maui retreat.

People Dying
Karyn showed a slide and film presentation that made us all aware of some facts easy to ignore. Facts like children dying every 15 seconds in Africa as a result of drinking dirty water. The fact that the average American uses 150 gallons of clean water a day, while people in Kenya struggle to get 5 dirty gallons of dirty water to stay alive. We use half that much just to flush a toilet. Karyn showed us pictures of these people and what they go through to get water none of us would drink on a bet. You have to see it to believe it.

Imagine Giving This to YOUR Baby! 

Karyn gave me a disc with the photos like this one, and as soon as I can figure out how to shrink them down to a size suitable for this Blog I will post them.
In the meantime you can click HERE to see Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly give you a glimpse of what it would be like in our country if we had to live this way.

Brighton to the Rescue
The answer is drilling deep enough to tap into a supply of fresh, clean drinking water. The technology exists; all that’s needed is money; about $50,000 per well. Brighton is known for giving away bottles of water in their stores, but from June 27 to July 27 it will be Brighton Charity Water and the price will be $20 with 100% of it going to well digging in Kenya.
Jerry has set a goal to dig water wells at 10 hospitals in Kenya, currently drinking dirty water. He has come out with Water. Brighton T-Shirts that you can buy.

Kazuri Beads from Kenya
While in Kenya recently the Kohl family came across a small factory making Kazuri Beads by hand.

Brighton Kazuri Bead Jewelry
Being the creative, generous guy he is, Jerry is introducing a line of Brighton Kazuri Bead jewelry to sell in the stores.
And to make it even more exiting, Jerry announced that the store managers who raise the most money through the sale of these things and donations will be sent to Kenya to watch the drilling of a well at one if the hospitals. What a great way to end a great week.

Food For Thought
Another interesting fact that Karyn gave is that it takes 2,900 gallons of water to grow enough cattle feed to make ONE HAMBURGER!!! Think about that the next time you drive by Mc Donald’s.