I’m in Kona, Hawaii blogging from the free wifi hot spot at the Kona Brewing Company, one of my favorite haunts here (Wailua Wheat, passion fruit infused, is one of my favorite beers).

Here’s something to consider: the Hilton where I’m staying wants to charge me $12.95 for wifi but for the price of a beer I get it free at the Kona Brewing Company. When are hotel chains going to get a clue?

I rented a car at the hotel from Budget. The single staffer behind the counter was very nice but so slow I considered not renting the car. There was one woman in front of me.  She had signed a contract and been given a set of keys when the Budget employee realized she’d given the renter a better car than her low price merited. “Management will call me on this.  I’m so sorry but I’ll need to give you a different car….” She repeated a version of this at least six time and then spent an additional 10 minutes (on top of the 10 minutes already spent) re-entering data and generating a new contract.

If I were in management I’d have called her on making two other customers (there was a couple behind me) wait inordinately to get their vehicles. The price differential was maybe $10…what is goodwill worth? Yet another example of “companies and employees that don’t get it.”

Yesterday when I flew in I upgraded to first class. United duly marked my single bag “priority.” What does that mean? Often it means the bag comes out no sooner than anybody else’s bag. Mine came out near the end. Here’s the point: if you mark the bag “priority” then give it priority treatment or else don’t mark it! Why create an expectation that you (or your complacent baggage handlers) can’t deliver on?

It is Super Bowl Sunday and I’m afraid I’m going to lose status but I probably won’t watch the game. I grew up a Steelers fan but moved away from the area 30 years ago. I like Kurt Warner of the Cardinals (he’s a strong believer and stand up guy) but otherwise don’t have any vested interest in any team.

Everyone I’ve talked to-friends and business associates-seem envious that I’m in Hawaii. Truth is I’d rather either be home with my family or have them here with me. This is a beautiful place but I’m here on business. I appreciate greatly where I’m at right not, but place divorced from those who matter most isn’t all it could be.