On Sunday, I indicated that my life had three 27-year periods after the age of 5, and provided details of the first trio, but only got through high school.  Today, I will complete this initial educational cycle with Stanford University, an important learning experience in the Hawaiian sugar industry, then graduate school. So in 1958 I left Hawaii for the first time. My brother by then was working at the Naval Civil Engineering Center in Port Hueneme, California.  I stayed with his family that summer, for he secured for me a summer job at this center. Stanford was a challenge, for I was below average, again, in all facets of life, sociologically, economically and intellectually. There were no Black students, Hispanics were not yet even identified and I was the only student of Japanese ethnicity. Actually, there was one Black in 1891, the year the school opened, Ernest Houston Johnson.  He graduated in 1895 in economics, but sadly died of tuberculosis in 1898 at the age of ...

The past ten days or so have mostly focused on our Pride of America cruise throughout the Hawaiian Islands.  So let me continue with one more travel item:   Kilauea Volcano began erupting last night , which was already September 11 for much of the USA, so come to the Big Island of Hawaii.  You can land in Hilo or Kona and drive to this natural attraction, although it's closer from Hilo.  But you ask, how long will this lava activity continue?  Well,it was sort of doing something only 22 days ago.  But it's hard to believe that there has been some continuing activity for the past 40 years or so. I had recently returned from working in the U.S. Senate for three years.  As we normally did in those days, we spent the New Year period with her family in Hilo.  So on January 3, 1983, I was golfing at the Volcano Golf Course.  The ground shook and there was a strange rumbling sound.  Soon thereafter, only a few thousand yards away, we saw a...

  I'll start today with the latest news of the day. About that Fox-Dominion trial that was supposed to start today.  Now we know why there was a one day delay.   THE DEFAMATION SUIT WAS SETTLED WITH FOX PAYING $787.5 MILLION TO DOMINION .  They had asked for $1.6 billion. The award amount is insignificant.  The end result is monumental. Democracy has been preserved. The Big Lie has been exposed. The Judiciary efforts to nail Trump for the January attack on the Capitol has been reinforced. The demise of the Republican Party has gained momentum. Hardcore Trumpers will not be much affected.  More Republicans will become Independent, and more Independents will now vote for Democrats. Democrats will regain control of both Houses of Congress on 8 November 2024 and the White House will remain with a Democrat on 5 November 2026. Fox News will continue, but who can trust them anymore? Today, April 18, is the last day to file your annual Federal Tax Form.  Why w...