President Obama went to Silicon Valley this past week to do a town hall meeting at Facebook. I was in high hopes as I tuned in to the live broadcast. Finally, the perfect forum for Mr. Obama to speak about technology, social media, the Internet, reforming STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math), and promoting …
Category: ‘Thoughts’
After the Tsunami: Hawaii Reaches Out to Japan
It is a very surreal feeling leaving your home in the middle of the night, not knowing whether it will be there when you return. When the massive 8.9 earthquake struck Japan last night triggering a devastating tsunami, my wife and I watched in horror as Japanese towns (not so disimilar from ours in Kailua, Hawaii) were …
Can you “Relax” in a Defective $100 Shirt?
I’d like to tell you a story that could have very easily had a different ending (and a different title). This is a story that any brand manager and marketing guru will be cringing at while they read. This is a very simple story of how a premium brand, Tommy Bahama, can lose a loyal …
Ban Consumer Fireworks in Hawaii
The Legislature in Hawaii is currently considering a bill, SB 2365, that proposes to ban consumer fireworks statewide. Below is the testimony that I have submitted for this bill. I am outraged by the abundance of fireworks and the lack of enforcement of existing laws this past New Year’s Eve (and in the past on …
Governor Lingle: Veto SB199!
“Act 221” (commentary) in Hawaii is a program designed to develop the high tech industry in the State through tax incentives for investors both here and on the mainland. Unfortunately, pending legislation SB199 threatens to kill Act 221 and strike a major blow to the growing industry. Below is my letter to Governor Linda Lingle …
It’s Earth Day, Not Gun Day
The Earth Day headline of the Honolulu Star Bulletin is “We’ve Got Guns!” along with the photo to the left taking up the whole top half of the front page. A small Earth Day note is on the bottom of the page. I sent the email below to the Editors of the Honolulu Star Bulletin regarding …
“The Five People You Meet in Heaven”
A few years ago, I read “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom. I thought to write a review of this book now because I recently saw the play, “Tuesdays With Morrie” based on the book by Mitch Albom (which I read several years ago and will write a review for soon). …
The Biocompostable Spoon Challenge
As of 1pm today, I am committing to sucking on a biocompostable spoon to demonstrate the stupidity of society’s over-dependence on plastic and other products that support a disposable society. I challenge you to do the same, or at least hope others will commit to the need to “Rise Above Plastic“. The spoon in my …
Have Fun for Randy Pausch
In writing my reflection on the events that mattered most to me in 2008, the loss of my good friend Randy Pausch stood out as something that I could not simply summarize as part of my list. I’d like to share my thoughts with you on what Randy meant to me as a person long …