Saturday Briefing

By Dr. Chuck Kelley

(Dr. Richard Kelley is traveling. His column will return next week.)

It was around 10 o’clock Friday night, February 26, when I received an unexpected call from Jerry Dolak, Director of Security. He was informing everyone on the emergency call list that there had just been a severe earthquake in Chile, and that Hawaii was in the path of what might be a devastating tsunami. This meant we had roughly 13 hours to prepare. Thank goodness for the previous years of effort and planning! We were ready with a written and practiced plan in place. Everyone already knew their assigned roles and responsibilities, which would consume every waking hour from that moment forward. Read the rest of this entry

By Dr. Richard Kelley

Marie Casciato

Last week, we lost Marie Casciato, my longtime Personal Assistant and the Editor of this publication, Saturday Briefing. A celebration of her life was held on Sunday, February 28, at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. Many friends and colleagues spoke of their fond memories of Marie. Some of those tributes are included below, along with those of others who knew her, loved her, and now miss her. My own tribute follows at the end. Read the rest of this entry

By David Carey
(Dr. Richard Kelley is traveling. His column will return on March 6. David Carey wrote the following article for The Honolulu Advertiser, where it appeared last Sunday, February 21.)

The grim results of 2009 hotel revenue performance have hit the front pages. The industry is clearly hurting. What has led to this situation, and what does it mean for Hawaii’s visitor industry and economy as a whole?

Read the rest of this entry

By Dr. Richard Kelley

“Hello.  My name is Richard, and I am a dyslexic.”

Does that shock you?  It might, but it really shouldn’t, since about 15 to 20 percent of the population – up to one out of every five of us – has some form of dyslexia, a learning disability that for many years was not widely recognized or treated.

According to the Hawaii branch of the International Dyslexia Association, dyslexia is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.  It is neurological in origin.  People with dyslexia process information in different areas of the brain than do non-dyslexics.  The brain sometimes transposes or inverts letters and numbers.

This can make reading, writing, spelling, memorizing, and organizing your thoughts a really frustrating experience … even if you are bright, which most dyslexics are.

While there is no “cure” for dyslexia, people with the condition can learn strategies and techniques and achieve great success — both in school and in life.

I made it all the way through college and medical school before I made a self-diagnosis of my condition.  I had known for a long time that learning and reading were a challenge for me.  I compensated by working twice as hard as anyone else.  I laughingly tell people that I think I made it through college and medical school by reading the textbooks twice – first by reading the sentences normally from left to right and the second time reading them from right to left.

One day in the 1960s, when I was practicing medicine at the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, I attended a conference on the latest research in how the brain functions and was amazed when the lecturer showed a photograph of a bicycle drawn by a dyslexic.  Everything was well-drawn and in good proportion except the handle bars.  They were placed backwards in the graphic, just the way the artist’s brain processed the information.

I immediately started learning more about dyslexia and applied some of the knowledge gained to my own life.  I read that dyslexia runs in families and thought that might be the reason why my son Chuck was struggling with some things in school.  When I read that exercises and activities that coordinate hand and eye movement help, I bought a baseball, a mitt, a bat, and a BB gun.  Chuck and I spent countless hours in the yard batting and catching the ball or on the seawall shooting BBs at the tiny sand crabs on the beach.  Chuck’s grades improved and he, too, graduated from medical school.

Through my research into dyslexia, I also discovered that there are many, many famous people who had the condition.  This includes renowned inventors and scientists, such as Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Michael Faraday, Leonardo da Vinci, and Albert Einstein.  It also includes many well-known modern business leaders such as Charles Schwab (Founder of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.), Bill Hewlett (Founder of Hewlett Packard Company), Richard Branson (Founder of the Virgin Group), Craig McCaw (Founder of McCaw Communications) and Paul Orfalea (Founder of KInko’s). A number of popular entertainers are dyslexic, including Harry Belafonte, Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Jay Leno, Keanu Reeves, Robin Williams, Billy Bob Thornton, and Tom Smothers.

Pris Texeira and Dr. Richard Kelley

Many well-known Hawaii residents are quite open about their struggles with dyslexia, including meetings expert Pris Texeira, who gave me permission to share with you that she was the first Kauai student to be officially diagnosed with dyslexia.

Many theorize that dyslexics learn to process information in different and, perhaps, superior ways.  To find out more about this concept, check out a book by Ronald D. Davis and Eldon M. Braun titled The Gift of Dyslexia: Why Some of the Smartest People Can’t Read … and How They Can Learn.

For more information on dyslexia, the Hawaii branch of the International Dyslexia Association has an informative website (www.dyslexia-hawaii.org) and sponsors seminars such as one scheduled next week, on February 25, titled 33 Tips and Tools for Parents and Teachers.

Finally, if your child is having trouble learning to read, you might want to discuss the possibility of dyslexia with his or her teacher.  Perhaps you have the next Alexander Graham Bell or Jay Leno living in your household and all he/she needs is a little bit of specialized help.

____________________________

Facts About Dyslexia

• According to a Yale University Medical School study, 1 out of 5 people suffer from dyslexia.
• Only 30% of dyslexics have difficulty with reversing letters and numbers.
• Dyslexics do not “see” words backwards. Difficulty with word reversals are related to issues with sequential working memory.
• Dyslexia is a specific neurological condition that can be seen on a functional MRI that shows brain usage patterns. Dyslexics have been shown to use the left and right front portions of their brains to read, while non-dyslexics use the left front and right back parts of their brains to read.
• Dyslexia affects a person’s ability to read and spell accurately because of memory and/or phonological awareness deficits and, therefore, requires cognitive and phonological therapy to treat.
• Dyslexia is evenly distributed among all ethnic, social, gender demographics.
• Dyslexia is equally prevalent in non-English languages.
• Dyslexia, like hypertension, can vary in severity.
• No cure for dyslexia is known, and it is not outgrown.
• ALL dyslexics are of average or above average intelligence.
• Dyslexia and AD/HD are closely related and often mistakenly confused (see AD/HD).
• Dyslexia can be concurrent with deficits in visual-motor integration, visual perception, eye-tracking, and working memory.

Reprinted from http://www.diaread.com/dyslexiafacts.htm

By Dr. Richard Kelley

Ronald Reagan said, “There you go again” in 1980 when, in a presidential campaign debate, President Jimmy Carter misrepresented Reagan’s position on a Medicare issue. Reagan used that phrase again (reluctantly) in 1984, when presidential candidate Walter Mondale tried to create the impression that Reagan, if re-elected, would have to raise taxes.

Those memorable words might also be used to describe President Barack Obama’s recent, repeated and unnecessary attacks on the visitor industry. At more than one town hall meeting, he said:

“When times are tough, you tighten your belt. You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don’t blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you’re trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices.”

President Obama first attacked the visitor industry only a few weeks after his inauguration last year when he said during a nationally-televised town hall meeting that companies receiving taxpayer “bailout” money shouldn’t use corporate jets or “take trips to Las Vegas or the Super Bowl.”

The result was devastating to resort hotels across the nation as dozens, if not hundreds, of convention bookings were hastily cancelled.

Hawaii’s Hilton Hawaiian Village lost a 12,000-room-night booking from Wells Fargo & Co. that would have brought over $6 million in revenue to our state, plus countless hours of job opportunity, wages, and tips for hotel Housekeepers, Banquet staff, and Bell staff, plus work for taxi drivers, hula dancers, and lei-makers throughout Hawaii Nei.

Visitor industry leaders had hoped the furor would die down quickly, but it was not long before some of the biggest agencies of the federal government, including the Department of Agriculture and Department of Justice, issued guidelines that discouraged decision-makers from booking meetings at “locations and accommodations that give the appearance of being lavish or are resort destinations.”

Those actions cost popular resort meeting destinations and visitor industry workers dearly.

Now, President Obama is back on the warpath, attacking the visitor industry, and Las Vegas, in particular, once again.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was furious and could not believe the President had once again attacked his city. Goodman issued what the Las Vegas Sun called a “double-barreled verbal blast” at Obama for telling people not to spend their money in Las Vegas, saying, “Obama is not a friend to Las Vegas. I think he has a psychological hang-up about us.”

President Obama’s statements seem totally out of place, particularly when the federal government is on what historian Victor Davis Hanson describes as a “binge of massive spending, borrowing, expansion of government, and new proposed taxes….”

I have some proverbial advice for “Doctor” Obama: “Physician, heal thyself.” In other words, attend to your own defects, rather than criticizing defects in others.

You are really hurting the visitor industry and the millions of good people who work in it. This industry comprises many businesses, including hundreds of thousands of small businesses. Every convention or company meeting supports hundreds – often thousands – of quality jobs that cannot be exported, jobs that must take place where the customer is sitting, jobs such as tour guides, drivers, entertainers, food and beverage staff, housekeepers, and countless others. Why hurt these people?

Your careless words are causing a lot of damage.

By David Carey
(Dr. Richard Kelley is traveling. His column will return on February 13.)

David Carey

Three former governors of Hawaii – George Ariyoshi, John Waihee, and Ben Cayetano – have jointly issued a manifesto calling for major changes in the way public education is run in our state. Governor Linda Lingle, in her annual State of the State address to the Legislature, has also called for major change. Read the rest of this entry

By Dr. Richard Kelley

Las Vegas, Nevada, is always exciting, even in the toughest of economic times. It’s a place with many descriptive nicknames, such as “Sin City,” “Lost Wages,” and “Glitter Gulch.” Some ads say, “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas,” but I am going to break that taboo and relate a few memories from my visit to “The Entertainment Capital of the World” last weekend. Read the rest of this entry

By Richard Kelley

This has been a difficult week for the entire Outrigger ‘ohana, as we mourn the loss of Ray Kanemori, a much loved and well-respected long-time friend and colleague who was taken from us much too soon. Ray had just finished working his evening shift on January 19 and was walking to his car, when he was struck by a driver going the wrong way on a one-way street in Waikiki. News reports indicate the driver may have been under the influence of an intoxicant, which makes the senseless loss of Ray even more heart-wrenching.

I know each and every member of the Outrigger ‘ohana joins me in extending our deepest aloha and condolences to Ray’s wife, Camille, also a long-time Outrigger employee and a Guest Services Representative with Outrigger, and to Ray’s two sons Tyler and Brian.

Ray was a 36-year veteran of Outrigger. In 1973, while still attending college, he was hired as a Senior Front Desk Clerk at the then Cinerama Reef Hotel. Throughout his years with Outrigger, he worked in management at the OHANA Waikiki Village, OHANA Edgewater Lanai, OHANA Coral Seas, OHANA Reef Lanais, OHANA Waikiki Hobron, OHANA Waikiki West, OHANA Waikiki Surf, and the Airport Hotels. He had recently returned to the OHANA Waikiki East as a Guest Services Manager.

Although this is a trying time for all of us, it is also a time to remember and to celebrate Ray, his life, and the legacy of genuine goodness that he’s left behind. On a personal note, the things I’ll remember most about Ray are his infectious laugh, the twinkle in his eye, his positive outlook on life, his love for golf, and his complete dedication to his family and friends.

Ray touched the lives of countless people during his nearly four decades with Outrigger; and over the past few days, groups of Ray’s friends and coworkers have gathered for brief remembrances of him. We have also received an outpouring of written tributes in Ray’s honor, and I can’t think of a better way to acknowledge Ray and the impact that he has had on so many within our company and community than to share the many comments from his friends, coworkers, colleagues, and business associates. The tributes that follow are echoed by the entire Outrigger ‘ohana.

Funeral services for Ray are currently pending, but we will make sure to circulate the information among the Outrigger ‘ohana once plans are finalized.

Tributes and Memories

Robert McConnell - “All of our memories of Ray are so very positive and upbeat. When times were tough, he always stepped in with a positive ‘can do’ attitude. Every morning, Ray and I would meet very early to talk about each day, Ray drinking his usual Starbucks. Every day he would go to Starbucks numerous times to get his usual venti regular coffee with ten packets of sugar and cream. Ray would always recycle his Starbucks cups, so he could get a discount on the refills. Ray loved to tell stories and boy, could he talk! There were times the story went on so long, he would forget what he was trying to say. In speaking with Tom Burke, former Vice President, this morning, we agreed that Ray is one of those people you only hear positive things about. He touched so many lives. Thank you, Ray, from everyone for everything.”

George Poon - “I cannot begin to express the sorrow I feel on the passing of my good friend, Ray. He was a remarkable man. He cared so deeply about his family, friends, and Outrigger. I had known Ray for over 30 years and became very close to him in the past 10 years. We worked together during the transition of MIH [Maui Islander Hotel (now Outrigger Aina Nalu)] and KBR [Keauhou Beach Resort]. Ray never slept during those days, he’d let others sleep while he covered the desk. He did sleep while at KBR, but that was because I was experiencing excruciating pain, and Ray took me to the hospital. While I was getting examined, he was able to sleep in the waiting room. We would travel to Vegas where we had great times together. We would place bets on sport games, and I taught him Three Card Poker. The first hand dealt to him was a winner. He put down $20 and won $600; he was hooked! Another Vegas memory I’ll always remember was when I was driving after having dinner, and Ray was supposed to be my ‘GPS.’ I kept driving not knowing where to go, when I realized that Ray had fallen asleep! I yelled at him, and he woke up laughing and said, ‘Too much sake, brah.’ For those who knew Ray, they’ll never forget his smile, laugh, patience, and his ability to make everyone feel good about themselves. God bless Ray and his family. I will miss him, and he will never be forgotten.”

Landon Hamada - “I, too, will remember Ray. I’ll remember him wearing his long-sleeved Dry Fit undershirt with his Kapiolani Medical polo and his blue Jet Star athletic shirt. On Saturday, when we went to West Loch, I tried to fix his grip. I always felt bad seeing him lose his ball. He deserves a lot of credit as an individual. There was never a round where he would throw his club, slam it on the ground, or drag his feet. He was always positive, with a big heart. Even when he got a ‘skin’ from a competitive golfer, he would say thank you. Sometimes he couldn’t find his tee, but he always found his cigarette! Some nights, Ray came to my store to pick up his script. We would always talk and laugh. He also gave good advice to me when I got irritated at school. He was more than a friend, he was family. I’ll miss hearing him yell at his golf ball ‘GO! GO! GO!’ or ‘SIT! SIT!,’ or ‘even get legs!’ Ray, I miss you and I love you.” -  (Landon Hamada is Luke Hamada’s son)

Chuck Shishido - “I met Ray very early in my career with Outrigger, almost 36 years ago, when I first started to work at the Outrigger Reef (known as Cinerama Reef back then) Front Desk as a Clerk. He started a few months before me, but he took me under his wing and taught me the ropes. Back in those days, everything was done manually, and Ray had mastered the art of multi-tasking. While he was checking someone in, he was also answering telephone calls, typing up guest folios, giving directions, cashing traveler’s checks, and retrieving keys for guests who left them at the Front Desk, all at the same time. I thought he was superman! We worked the night ‘B’ shift, and there were only three of us manning the desk at a time when the Reef had 884 rooms. There was no staffing guide back then; you made due whether it was 50 percent or 100 percent full. Without Ray’s guidance, patience, and expertise, I seriously don’t think I’d be here today. I probably would have quit, if it wasn’t for him. I still remember, even back then, he was the same guy that we all know today, always smiling, fun loving, willing to lend a hand, and he had this way of putting people at ease, no matter how stressful the situation. He had the gift of gab as well, and always had a humorous story or joke to share, but he also knew when to just listen. Ray was always there to assist if his expertise was needed, and he mentored many managers throughout his career, including myself. I have many fond memories of Ray, but I’ll remember him as Mr. Aloha - kind, considerate, and a true gentleman. Most of all, I’ll remember him as a friend. We’ll all miss him. Aloha, Ray.”

Bev Fidel - “Ray was a good mentor and a good friend. When I first entered the world of management, he would always challenge me, which made me frustrated at times, but it was all to better myself. He was also our ‘pau hana venting get-together’ planner. It’s guaranteed you will feel better after talking to Ray. We are both Kaimuki Bulldogs alumni, and we used to laugh that he graduated the same year I was born; but yet, we got along so well. Ray is truly an amazing person that is loved by so many; I am blessed to have had a friend like him and will miss him a whole lot.”

Dean Nakasone - “Ray was simply the nicest gentleman I’ve come to know in Outrigger. Whether it was at work, play, golf, or lunch, Ray was always a pleasure to be with and added a genuine, gentle quality to any gathering. I will personally treasure the rounds of golf, the 19th holes, and the neighbor island getaways with Ray and the Wela gang. Aloha, Ray!”

Sam Hoffman - “I’ll remember Ray for always making sure the newest members of Wela Ka Hao golf club felt welcome and for taking soooo long to carefully set-up and hit every golf shot!”

Charlie Oshiro - “Ray will always be remembered for his positive outlook on life and never saying anything negative of others. He was always generous of himself to others, and I benefited from his golf lessons and encouragement. I was blessed to have worked with Ray and will truly miss him.”

June Takekawa - “I am so sorry for the loss of Ray Kanemori. I loved Ray’s jolliness…his laugh was so contagious, and he was ALWAYS, ALWAYS smiling, even when he wasn’t playing too well…. such a great loss of a great person. My deepest sympathies.” (June Takekawa is the General Manager of Island Movers.)

Alan Naito - “I have known Ray for 20 years. However, I really got to know him when I came to work for him here at the OHANA Waikiki East. I owe a large part of my position today as General Manager to him. He was always mentoring, nurturing, and most importantly, wanting the best for you. I am glad that I got Ray back into golfing. I know Camille wasn’t too happy about Ray golfing every Saturday and Sunday, but I know Ray had a passion for golf. Ray, Clem [Lagundimao], Herman [Lam], and I were pretty much the diehard golfers of a group of nine, who consisted of Luke Hamada and his son Landon, Dean Nakasone, Jim Heather, and John Neeley. Come rain, shine, or early-morning tee times, we were there. I will miss the chats with Ray on the 19th hole. He was funny, insightful, and always had these quirky ideas on how to do things differently. I am a better person today because I knew Ray Kanemori and that is why I am proud to say I am his friend.”

Laurie Hirata - “Ray’s passing is such a tragic loss. Whether on the golf course or on the phone discussing work, Ray always spoke to everyone with respect and a ‘smile and giggle’ in his voice. He touched everyone he met because of his zest for life, and we will miss him very much.”

Tom Stewart - “I have been reading the various e-mails being circulated regarding Ray Kanemori’s passing, and all of the comments are right-on. When I first joined Wela Ka Hao and went to my first golf outing, Ray was there to greet me with that big smile and infectious laugh. His welcome was sincere, and the warmth of his aloha was truly felt. After meeting Ray, I can honestly say, ‘This is a club that I will enjoy and be a proud member of.’ I’m sure Ray would have wanted a better golf game - don’t we all - but his efforts to make all who played with him comfortable, welcome, and to enjoy the day goes without comparison. I imagine God has a golf club, and he needed Ray to be part of it. Ray, ‘May all your drives be in the short grass, may the bunkers be few, and all those six-footers drop into the center of the cup!’ God bless you, Ray. My prayers and my heartfelt sympathy is with the Kanemori family.” (Tom Stewart is the Assistant General Manager of ALSCO - American Linen Division in Honolulu.)

John Neeley - “I’m still digesting this tragedy. I probably won’t truly understand it until the next time we play golf. I did work on a number of projects with Ray throughout the years and always appreciated his professionalism, advice, and experience. But truly, I appreciated Ray—I got to really know him and his personality most, while on the golf course. Ray was one of our regular weekend guys for golf. He truly loved the game and was always so encouraging while playing with him. You could never have a bad shot, hole, or round, while playing with Ray. He would make sure you remembered how lucky you were to be out with friends in the sunshine playing golf. When I first started playing with Ray, I can remember teeing off on a number of holes. I would get set-up, look at the ball, the hole, and go through my whole pre-shot routine. Right before I was getting ready to hit, I remember hearing… ‘Tempo, John, nice and easy, good swing, positive thoughts.’ The words were so quiet at first, I didn’t know what it was or who was saying it. I backed off, looked up, and saw Ray smiling and nodding. It took me awhile to get used to it, but I quickly realized it was Ray’s way of encouraging and reminding me of what I should be doing when I swung the club. Good advice, good times, and good friends…Ray, I will miss you.”

Nahua Maunakea - “‘Ziggy’ could always be counted on when you needed help, and he did it in such a positive and genuine fashion. It didn’t matter if it was a Risk Management thing, or Toastmasters, or a Wela Ka Hao golf club thing, he was always there ready to step-up - and he usually had a joke to share or words of encouragement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends - he will be missed!” (Nahua Maunakea is a former member of the Outrigger ‘ohana.)

Bob Yeoman - “Ray can only be labeled as a genuine nice guy, but what stands out about Ray is his happiness. Whether he was at work, at home, or on the golf course, Ray was happy, and it showed. Ray lived life to the fullest and found something good with anything that life threw at him. In the months and years to come, remember Ray for his happiness. May we use him as an inspiration.”

Mark Kuwaye - “What a shock and oh, so sad. I have not known Ray as long as most of his Outrigger family, nor was I a part of his day-to-day business dealings, but that smile and laugh will always be his trademark. As a fellow golfer, I had the privilege of golfing in his group on several occasions. He would literally ‘talk’ himself into making each shot…sometimes it did not work, but most times it did for him. This was almost as contagious as his laugh, as I found myself also talking…mostly cursing… at each shot. A good golfer, a solid partner, but more importantly, a great person. He will be missed!” (Mark Kuwaye is the owner of Create An Impression)

Jane and Ken Choo - “We will remember Ray as always being a wonderful, cheerful, friendly, and kindhearted person. Even though Jane was not an employee of Outrigger, Ray welcomed her in the Wela Ka Hao golf club and treated her as part of the OHANA family. We will surely miss him. Our hearts and prayers go out to Ray and his family, who will surely be in Jane’s and my thoughts and prayers. Please accept this contribution from my heart:
Roses are red, violets are blue
God is in heaven, Ray is there too!
God bless. Aloha, Ray.”

Shawn Usami - “The last thing I remember Ray saying to me was, ‘Keep your chin up, smile every chance you have, and thank God you have a loving wife and a puppy to give you endless TLC and hugs daily.’ That’s the kind of guy Ray was. He always helped people see the little things in life that were really important, even in the gloomiest of days. Although it’s hard to find happiness on this day, Ray wouldn’t want us to mourn. Instead, he’d probably ask that we talk about the good times golfing and working with him. From all the emails going around, it’s obvious that Ray touched everyone with his smile and his sunny disposition. Ray, you are irreplaceable and will surely be missed. Thank you for all the good times!”

Laurie Doerschlen - “I was shocked and saddened to get the email this morning. Life can be very cruel and unfair at times, this being one of them. I only knew Ray for a short time, being a relative newcomer to the Wela Ka Hao golf club, but he was one of the first members I met, and he instantly made me feel welcomed and a part of the golf club ‘family.’ Always smiling, telling a joke, giving golf tips, and having a ‘smoke,’ Ray had the rare gift of making you feel like you belong. As a golf partner, he was great; instantly making you feel comfortable, no matter how bad you hit a shot! I feel very honored to have known Ray the short time that I did. My heart and prayers go out to his family. Aloha,” (Laurie Doerschlen is Hawaii’s representative for Media Links.)

Dawn Takamoto - “I will remember Ray as being one of those people you consider a genuinely ‘good guy.’ The kind of person that made you smile just being around him. We all have lost a great friend, and I will truly miss him. Those Wela Ka Hao golf outings will not be the same without Ray and I’m glad I got to golf with him on the last outing that I came out to play.” (Dawn Takamoto is a former member of the Outrigger ‘ohana.)

Gowil Viloria - “My condolences to the Kanemori family. Ray will be truly missed by all who knew him. A very joyful person all the time - you can’t help but just be in a joyful, happy mood when you see him. From seeing him at work, to seeing him out there on the golf course with the Wela Ka Hao golf club, he just brings and spreads that happy mood around. He was my motivator out there on the golf course. He was that little voice behind me, reminding me to look down, concentrate, take your time, be balanced, swing through the ball - those little things that could make or break your overall golf game. I will truly miss that from him. But I know I will hear him whenever I am out there on the golf course. That’s just Ray, that’s what kind of person he is. We all will truly miss you, Ray. Whenever we look up, there you will be with that joyous smile looking right back down at us. Love and Aloha always and God Bless, Ray!”

Clem Lagundimao - “Despite moving to another company, Ray and I have remained good friends since we met in 1989. We have been golfing together almost every weekend for the past 8+ years. Our regular weekend golf group consists of Ray, Alan Naito, Herman Lam, and when his wife gives him a furlough day, Luke Hamada. During every round of golf, Ray would verbally coach his ball, as it flew through the air. Unfortunately, much of the time, Ray’s ball was a bit learning impaired and flew to a variety of locations ‘where no man has gone before’ (Did I mention Ray was a William Shatner fan?). After meticulously taking his patented deep squat stance and completing his carefully-orchestrated pre-shot routine of two to three practice swings (digging up two or three huge craters that would make any greenskeeper faint), Ray would immediately start yelling out instructions to his golf ball, as soon as it was in flight. We all knew that once a golf ball has been hit, there is very little we can ‘say’ to influence the ball’s path, but Ray was not of that school of thought. Ray would talk to his golf ball non-stop from when it left his club till it eventually came to rest. Come to think of it, Ray would yell out instructions to Alan’s golf ball, while it arched high into the sky; Ray would yell out instructions to Herman’s golf ball, while it flew above the tree tops to the green, and Ray would quietly say a prayer for my ball, as it dribbled along the ground, going ‘where no man has gone before.’ Then one day, Ray said something to Alan’s golf ball, as it arched high in the sky towards the pin, that made us all look at Ray in wonderment. Ray loudly yelled out ‘SIZE!’ We looked at each other confused and baffled. We have all heard golf phrases that players yell out such as ‘get in the hole’ or ‘you are the man.’ We had no clue what the heck Ray meant by ‘SIZE’? All we could do is laugh uncontrollably, every time Ray said ‘SIZE’! The only thing that we concluded by the day’s end, was that ‘SIZE’ was a reference to the shot being the ‘right size’ or the right distance the ball needed to travel to get to the hole. For the next few weeks, we were all yelling ‘SIZE’ at Ray’s golf ball and laughing out loud till our sides busted and tears ran down our cheeks. Even the Wela Ka Hao golf club members got in the spirit and started to yell ‘SIZE’ when they played in Ray’s group. Ray coined a new golf phrase that will live forever in our hearts and minds. Anytime I hear the word ‘SIZE,’ I will always fondly remember Ray. Ray, you touched many of us with your limitless generosity, sincere caring, and encouraging words. We will miss your infectious laughter and warm welcoming smile. Despite the sadness that we feel, I am comforted knowing that God is telling Ray, ‘SIZE,’ as Ray travels the perfect distance, landing gently on the 18th green in Heaven. Have many great rounds of golf in Heaven, my friend, and know we will play golf again one day…” (Clem Lagundimao is a former member of the Outrigger ‘ohana.)

Robert Uchida - “Ray ‘Ziggy’ Kanemori was part of a group of us golfers whom I went golfing with during the weekends.  He was Mister Late or the last one to the golf course and consistently walking in with his Starbucks coffee and Zippy’s fried rice for breakfast. Ray always had a happy-go-lucky attitude and also gave advice on your golf game -  when he needed more help with his! We enjoyed great times on the courses and built great memories that will last me a lifetime. I will miss him dearly, even if he was a slow player! Aloha – Ray and thank you for being a great friend!

Luke Hamada - “I’ve known Ray over the past 21 years, since my start with Outrigger. Being new to (even then considered) a large company, there were so many people to meet, and one that was very special to me was meeting Ray. While based at the Outrigger Surf on Nohonani, I understood it to be that Ray was a veteran manager with the company, and I made it a point to meet him. Upon doing so, I was pleasantly surprised of his calmness, sincerity, and of course, his smile that told you he was a gentle and approachable person. Over the past 10 years, I got to know Ray a lot better through golf. Despite some of the adversities the game offers, Ray was always upbeat, positive, and of course, honest in his scoring. Having a triple bogey, or ‘snowman,’ as embarrassing it is to all other golfers, Ray shouted out his score proudly, as if it were a birdie or eagle. The score was important, but you knew it wasn’t the score, or just the game he was there for, he was there because of the camaraderie of friends. For the Wela Ka Hao golf club, Ray was a pivotal person, having the responsibility of collecting the money for the green fees and games we played. He never once complained that he didn’t have the chance to warm up, hit some practice balls, or have a few putts on the practice green. He was there early, greeting everyone with a strong bolstering ‘Good Morning!’ That, coupled with a smile and handshake, made you feel part of the club family. Regardless of a monthly participant in our outings, or first timer, he welcomed everyone, followed by his signature laugh – hee, hee, hee, hee, and his head bouncing up and down! As my son Landon mentioned in his earlier submittal, Ray was close to him, and being that we reside in Kaneohe, and with Landon employed at the Longs Drugs in Kaneohe, he would run into Ray on numerous occasions. Upon coming home from work, Landon would tell me that he ran into Ray at the store. Landon always had a positive encounter with Ray, and as he mentioned earlier, Ray would offer Landon his perspective and some advice. These are the moments when you realize the difference between a friend, and a good friend that is interested in one’s well-being. Ray’s absence will create a void in many lives. He will be missed dearly!”

Alison Nagamine - “If you’re lucky, you meet someone like Ray. If you’re extremely lucky, you’re able to say that Ray is a close friend of yours, for he was truly one a million. I was fortunate to have known Ray for the past 22 years. I had the privilege to be a part of his circle of friends that he’d call for ‘staff meetings,’ which was code for pau hana drinks. During those nights, Ray would come up with business ventures that we could do. He’d think of how much money we’d all invest and what our jobs would be. We’d laugh, and Ray would excitedly say, ‘Think about it – it’d make MONEY!’ Ray was a class act, and I will deeply miss him. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife and children.”

Shawn Balmoja – “I am shocked and saddened to hear the news of Ray. There was a time when I played a good amount of golf with Ray and the guys from the Outrigger usually at Makalena. I enjoyed playing golf with Ray because it was pure fun, pure joy to just play the game. Ray truly enjoyed the game not like Herman, Alan, and Clem. Those guy were too serious. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew and loved Ray and to his family.” (Shawn Balmoja is the Manager of Chuck’s Steak House.)

Jean Rolles - “Ray Kanemori was the very essence of the Outrigger ‘ohana spirit. He had a ‘can do’ attitude and was always willing to help where needed. He worked well with fellow employees and guests alike, and his aloha spirit was broadcast with a wonderful smile. Over the years, I have had the pleasure to work with Ray on different projects in different properties and always found his willingness to help made the task at hand easier to do. Ray was a wonderful person and truly gave from his heart. Aloha Ray – you shall always remain in our hearts.”

By Ruthann Yamanaka

(Dr. Richard Kelley is travelling. His column will return on January 23)

On Tuesday, January 12, Outrigger hosted a special blessing and a festive luncheon celebration to officially welcome 62 new members from The Kapalua Villas to the Outrigger ‘ohana! Outrigger assumed the management of this prestigious property in mid-December 2009.

Kaipo Ho, Manager, Cultural Experiences, conducted a morning blessing at the Reception Office for managers and representatives from each department. Then, at 11 a.m., General Manager TJ Oesterling welcomed employees to the celebration luncheon. Present to extend their warmest aloha to our newest employees were the senior management team from Outrigger’s Condominium Collection—Steve Winter and Jim Hill; representatives from Outrigger’s executive team—Barry Wallace, Donna Leong, Chuck Kelley, Bruce Schneider and myself; and the Human Resources department —Janice Yee and Trina Tory.

In the lovely setting of Hale Hokulani, the executives served a sumptuous buffet of mahi mahi, Korean fried chicken, roast pork, pinakbet and other local favorites. Outrigger’s own Kaipo Ho and Marsha Kapu provided beautiful Hawaiian melodies while Char Luning and Trina Tory offered graceful hulas.

We are delighted and honored to be associated with one of Maui’s most renowned resorts and look forward to continuing and enhancing that great tradition by being the best possible stewards of The Kapalua Villas brand.  We are grateful for the patience and enthusiasm shown by the employees of The Kapalua Villas during the transition, and we extend them all a hearty and heartfelt welcome to the Outrigger ‘ohana!

By Dr. Richard Kelley

As I write this article in Denver, Colorado, record low temperatures and blizzards are wreaking havoc across the continental U.S.A. this week. Out my window, I am looking at six inches of fresh snow in the yard. Traffic was snarled this morning throughout the city. It’s a great time to pack your bags and head for someplace a little warmer. That’s exactly what I am doing, and I’ll be in Hawaii next week.

Others with the same thoughts might also be considering Mexico, the Caribbean, even Australia, Fiji, or New Zealand. Naturally, part of the decision on where to go is cost, particularly when traveling as a family, where a couple of extra dollars in costs or taxes will be multiplied by three or four when everyone participates.

A couple of days ago, Thomas Steinmetz, publisher and president of eTurboNews, ran a front-page article with a headline that suggested Hawaii might be a competitive bargain. It was titled, “Report ranks Honolulu tax burden for travelers lowest.”

The article was based on a report commissioned by the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), which examined the taxes on lodging, car rentals, and meals in 50 cities across the nation. It noted that in these difficult economic times, there seems to be an epidemic of new or increased taxes on travelers, as legislators everywhere try to make up budget shortfalls.

Cities, counties, and states do not want to overburden taxpayers who might vote in the 2010 elections, but they often believe they can “export” taxes to those who do not vote – visitors.

As former Louisiana Senator Russell B. Long is reported to have said, “Don’t tax you. Don’t tax me. Tax that fellow behind the tree!”

Visitors are, thus, too often ignored when taxes are proposed. They are not you or me, but they are “that fellow behind the tree.”

However, visitors do vote. Not at the ballot box, but with their pocketbooks. Information about rip-off taxes on visitors is flashed around the globe on the Internet.

Unfortunately, the NBTA study quoted is basically flawed. It compares tax rates rather than tax dollars.

In its 2009 session, the Hawaii State Legislature – apparently believing it was taxing “that fellow behind the tree” – raised the transient accommodations tax (TAT, or hotel room tax) by 13.8 percent, from 7.25 percent to 8.25 percent, effective last July 1. The Legislature also scheduled another percentage point jump for July 1, 2010 – to 9.25 percent – for a whopping 27.6 percent increase in two years!

These rates are applied to some of the highest hotel rates in the United States!

Hospitality Advisors just reported that the average hotel rate in Hawaii in November 2009 was $161.08. This is nearly double the average hotel rate across the United States, $85.78 per night in December 2009, as reported by Smith Travel Research.

Do the math, and you will find that even if Hawaii’s average room rates were as low as in the rest of the country (which they cannot be, thanks in large part to our much higher cost of living and doing business), visitors to our state would be paying an average of over $7 a night in room taxes. As it is, with Hawaii’s higher room rates, they are actually paying more than $13 a night, and in July, that will jump to nearly $15!

Add to that all the other taxes and fees our visitors pay, for instance:

• Airport fees (hidden in the cost of air tickets).
• All sorts of taxes on their choice of transportation from the airport to their hotel or friend’s home.
• Special charges on cars rented at the airport.
• Higher property taxes on real estate used for hotel purposes (included in room rates).
• Hawaii general excise tax (GET) – on everything.

The GET is very, very insidious because of the way it compounds, as goods and services move through the economy. It also is, in reality, a tax on a tax. I sometimes think of it as a “sneak attax”! Let’s see why.

As reported by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin earlier this week, “The official tax rate in Honolulu is 4.5 percent, but businesses are allowed to charge customers up to 4.712 percent. The reason is that the excise tax is a seller’s tax, not a buyer’s tax, as it would be in most states. So when a merchant adds up his gross receipts at the end of the business day, he multiplies his total — including the tax he charged — by 4.5 percent to determine how much he owes. For example, on a $100 product, a business would charge $104.712, and 4.5 percent of that is the $4.71 the business owes to the state.

“But the true cost of Hawaii’s GET is little known here because it and other taxes must be paid on goods and services every time they change hands, from the cargo ship to a Waikiki retail store. By the time a product reaches a consumer, those taxes have accumulated at each step and passed on in the price tag.” That is why I call it the “sneak attax.”

Every other U.S. state and city that has a sales tax levies it only once, at the final point of sale. The Star-Bulletin article continued, “It would take a sales tax rate of at least 11 percent and as high as 17 percent, if food and medicine were exempted, to generate an equivalent amount of revenue, according to the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

“That sales tax would easily be the highest in the nation, said Lowell Kalapa, the foundation’s president.”

Some legislators are currently talking about raising the GET once again, or encouraging the counties to levy their own GET!

I hope they think about this long and hard and then “Just Say NO.” We don’t need any more “sneak attax”!

And, when the headline says “Report ranks Honolulu tax burden for travelers lowest,” don’t believe it. Hawaii’s taxes on visitors are really some of the highest in the nation, maybe not in rate, but in dollars. And that is what really matters.