The Saturn Motor Car company asserts that you are not just buying a car but you are becoming a member of a family or in Hawaiian terms a Ohana. The Craven's nuclear family presumed that this was hype and when selecting a new car resolved to buy an Escort or a Neonn Escort or a Neon depending solely on configuration and price and completely independent of humnaitarian considerations. So John Craven, as nuclear family leader, went to a Credit Union sponsored auto show and was repelled by the crass commercialism of the display. One company, who shall remain nameless, dominated the show, displaying Ford's, Chevrolet's, Dodge and a host of Japanese makes. Saturn was tucked in a far corner. It had the right car in terms of configuration for the right price. I informed a Mr. Gomes that my wife and I would be at his showroom at 1400 for a perfunctory visit to complete the deal. He was distraught, almost in tears. "Didn't I want to hear about the special car and the special service and the special family that I was about to acquire. Of course not.

At the appointed time we arrived but Mr. Gomes was tied up in traffic. He called by phone and another salesperson "Momi" came to our aid. "Momi" turned out to be the delightful little girl that lived across the street when we first came to Hawaii in 1970. She went to school with our children. Suddenly Dorothy decided that she was going to acquire the automobile of her dreams independently of any consideration of the price. How wonderful! When psychological satisfaction impends forget the price.

The new car existed but was at the pier. Our old Toyota heartbroken at rejection shed hot bitter tears from its radiator and gave up the ghost. A white marshmallow rental car was obtained on four day lease. Returning the rental to the airport on Friday morning, sauntering to the Saturn dealer on foot, Craven arrives to discover that the car will not be picture perfect until 1600. No problem, Saturn chauffers Craven ten miles to his office at Mililani in time for work. At 1530 "Momi" who lives at MIlilani arrives with her delightful young son to bring me back to Saturn show room. Here is a picture of Momi and her son at 1530.
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Does she look like a car salesman and does her son look like a car salesman's son or do they look like family?








Arriving at Saturn I am greeted by a new car and the entire staff.

They are excited at the prospect of being on the web but they are also trained to render send off cheers. Reminded me of the old old IBM under Tom Watson (an IBM that exists no more).

I return on Saturday to Mililani there to photograph the car in front of my office. This picture is a salesman dream

- a sleek vehicle in front of a sleek modern office in a sleek modern industrial park. But there are no humans in the picture. It could just as easily be a picture of a Lexus, an Infiniti or a Jaguar. Must be time to take it into Saturn for a reality check and a cup of coffee with Jean, Momi or Michelle.