Hawaii Yacht Club
Commodore Report, April, 2012

MAHALO!

It is April already …no fooling. Probably the most important message I can convey is: To all of us as members…. Please use your club as you pay good money to be a member.

Updating the Aloha dock ….. Monty Opermann, Hal Rainwater and the Rainwater boys along with Kawika Warren did repairs last this past weekend to stiffen the dock and ramps so the Aloha Dock can continue to be used for Junior Sailing and general use.

Tony Miller brought up the powerful Ikaika to use its main halyard to lift the ramp so it could be repaired. I think this was just a pre-training session for the gal in preparation for TEAM IKAIKA 's defending of the Lipton Cup in May 2012. A strong yacht, a strong team and a strong Captain/owner. Thank you Tony for your support of Hawaii Yacht Club and her Honor!

There are still limitations on the size and number of yachts that can be secured on the Aloha Dock. Port Captain Robbie Santanello continues to get requests for mooring stays for yachts up to 65ft. He tries to accommodate all requests while considering the ability of the dock to handle the load stress. We apologize for any inconvenience to visitors or members who have been turned away.

I previously reported that the new docks would be delivered in April. After re-evaluating the plans for the docks we found some questionable issues on what was offered and how they would provide what HYC needs for the long term as well the cost package. We are proceeding with caution in the best interest of the club to get HYC the best possible package.

Thanks goes out to all you guys who are keeping us afloat on the Aloha Dock.

Today through Saturday March 25th the winds are blowing at 15-25 with gusts of 35 with heavy rain forecasted and small craft warnings. Last night there was a 3.5 earthquake off of Kona with no Tsunami Warning. RC Sail Marty Loo had to reschedule the Pokai Bay Race from last week to this week because of poor weather, heavy seas and excess debris flowing out of the Ala Wai & at sea - so much that you could walk on the water in some areas. Safe sailing for those that are racing to Pokai this Saturday and back to Honolulu Sunday.

RC (Power) Gary Brookins and Staff Commodore Al Bento with the fantastic support of HYC member Craig Mitchell put on the famous Mitch's Sushi SHOOT OUT fishing tournament this past weekend. This was the 7th Annual and what a nice turnout of yachts and fishermen/ fisherwomen. I will say that the Party after was the BEST! I challenge sailors to throw a party like the fish folks.

Vice Commodore Diana Cummings has had some great entertainment every Friday and Saturday. Last Friday I watched so many happy folks enjoying the music and dancing until the last song of the night played by Simplicity. Then on the band breaks the NEW Juke Box was Rockin / pumping out songs I had not heard in many years! What a novel idea that Diana had to bring a Juke Box in at no cost to HYC. HYC makes money on every song played. It is addicting while having a liquid libation to want to listen to your favorite type of music while the club is open. You too can Party Like a Rockstar at HYC.
Folks you know, computers, internet, cell phones, iPads, texting, instant communication were all touted to make life easier/ less stressful in business and every day. The fact is as we all know it has made life more stressful.

Sailing, fishing, being around boats and being around and on the ocean do in fact relieve us of the stress. What a way to relax and get away. I know for myself that as I drive to the harbor I become anxious knowing that I will soon be in nirvana land. I hope you too experience the same.

Come on down and bring guests to your club and relax.

I get some negative comments from some folks about pono in attempts to spin it into a negative for whatever reason. It is not just a word and any person who has it will tell you this. Pono is from the heart, mind and soul. You either have it or you don't. But, you can get it if you only lighten up.
REMEMBER: We at HYC are positive and we treat everyone as WE like being treated. PONO !

Respectfully, Your Commodore Ron Pestel
TOGETHER…WE'LL GITER DONE
Cell 782-4744

March, 2012

MAHALO!

Thanks to Vice Commodore Diana Cummings and her team!

Last year at this time as VC, I was writing about Super Bowl, Valentine's Day, Junior Fishing, Hot Salsa Sundays, and more. Diana has taken the command and is getiner done.

The business climate for clubs in general is still on the downside. I have met with Yacht Club Officers and members from Canada, Southern & Northern California, Detroit and the East Coast down to Texas this past month. They all tell me how friendly HYC folks are and what a beautiful location.

They all say that they are being forced to work outside the box to drive income. San Diego says they have over 50 weddings booked on their grounds and in the East yacht clubs are renting out parts of their facility for Wall Street business meetings on a regular basis.

GREAT NEWS: HYC will be in the foray with events and activities as well. Janet Scheffer our Chairperson for the HYC Marketing Committee as just launched a Press Release advertising Hawaii Yacht Club. This Press Release went to over 350 publications / potential outlets that will give HYC FREE advertising. Folks, this would have cost HYC a considerable amount if HYC had to pay. As of this printing the Star Advertiser & Pacific Business News have taken the opportunity to showcase HYC in their publications.

Janet and her committee, developed a brand new HYC information trifold handout that showcases HYC's history with photos. It is almost finalized. It also incorporates a membership application. Every member can now have these on hand in their car or available to give out to friends and associates asking them to become a member. This will be on the web and placed in the next HYC Bulletin for all to see.

Marketing is not just advertising. The HYC members out convincing folks to become members rounds out marketing of HYC. You are encouraged to market your club!

Folks, for many a year the Hawaii Yacht Club has been under a cloud of legal issues with the company that constructed the new external electrical system outside on the club grounds and building.

On the Bright Side:
I am so pleased to let everyone know that we have resolved the issue through proper negotiations with the contractor. I was able to bring them to the table and the board agreed to talk with them, all without attorneys present. You would have been proud of your team resolving this issue. The bottom line is talking does work.

Breaking News:
As noted above, many Yacht Clubs and Clubs across the country, are having very challenging years. Revenues are not growing in proportion to the growth in expenses.

Chris Laletin our General Manager cut costs in all aspects of operating the club and still they have not been enough.

Chris brings before the board each month very accurate operating numbers. He always ends with "Members spending money at the club & drives for new members is what will grow revenues."

He is so true. The Marketing Committee that Janet Sheffer and I formed is on the right path. But, the committee cannot do it alone. We need all members to get involved.

The Board of Governors, being faced with tough decisions, has decided that by eliminating the General Manager position they can better meet the financial obligations.

Chris Laletin, this past year, has been a valued asset and I like many, will miss his positive attitude and smile. He smiled even when he was put under pressure by an issue.

By the way Chris is the first manager of Hawaii Yacht Club that is actually a sailor.

Smooth Sailing Chris in all your adventures.

Respectfully, Your Commodore

Ron Pestel
Cell 808-782-4744

February, 2012

MAHALO!

Kong Hee Fat Choi. It is the Year of the Dragon as of today January 23rd, 2012, and it just happens to be my birthday. My family and friends are BBQing at the club for a nice get together as it is Monday. If the galley were open we would support it by having dinner as we did last year. Please use your club, as you pay good money to be a member. All business is appreciated.

Updating the Aloha Dock. The units are still on target to arrive mid-April. Staff Commodore Pete Richards has been gracious in offering his support to head up a team of HYC folks that are experts in their fields of welding, electrical, construction, fabrication, trucking, plumbing and logistics. He is doing this in an effort to keep costs down and to get the job done properly. Our own Jim Schmit, an architect, has agreed to work the plans and permit process with Pete. We are asking anyone who has a trade that can help to please contact us. A volunteer list will be posted in the club so everyone can sign up. Monty Opermann and Hal Rainwater have offered support as they did on the emergency repairs last year.

Thanks goes out to all you guys.

Membership Chair has always been a challenge. JB Bransford has taken the challenge and Marty Loo is passing on the torch. Thank you….. J.B. !!!! I know you will Gitter Done !

J.B is a long time member and past Vice Commodore so she has the talent to make membership a winner in 2012.

Staff Commodore Bud Thompson June 8,1923-October 15,2011.

I was honored this past Sunday to be a participant in the ceremony for Staff Commodore Curtis "Bud" Thompson at Hawaii Yacht Club. Bud was Commodore in 1970. He wrote many fine sailing articles over the years for the HYC Bulletin.

Bud purchased the 40' cutter "SINDRI" after WWII ended and started one of the first yacht charters in Hawaii, taking tourists off Oahu's shores. He became a member in May 14, 1963 and paid yearly dues of $57.60. Dues went up in 1966 to $90.00 per year. WOW! Those were the days.

He raced Transpac and served as Chairman of the Honolulu Committee. He raced many local races as well and as a prolific writer of sailing contributed to sailing magazines.

I first met Bud in the lower galley and we had coffee together talking story about sailing. He was writing then on his laptop.

The seas were rough and the wind strong….but as his ashes were laid to rest close to his beloved Nancy off of Diamond Head / Waikiki Bite….. The seas became calm. Funny how god speaks to us …isn't it?

Ed and Sue Zher left us and went on to new shores on their sailing yacht Casa Chica….the island of Kwajalein in January. Both raced on Ikaika and both helped out at the club. They became members and will be receiving the HYC bulletin in the mail as well they use the HYC Web Site. We will miss them.

REMEMBER : We at HYC are positive and we treat everyone as WE like being treated. PONO !

Respectfully, Your Commodore Ron Pestel
TOGETHER…WE'LL GITER DONE
Cell 782-4744

January, 2012

MAHALO!

The busy holiday time is behind us and now we can get back to work for the club. I personally took time to relax and hope you all did the same.

HYC's 2012 election process is complete with the members making their selections from a full slate of worthy candidates. A well-deserved Mahalo goes to Patti Naiyoke your Nomination Committee Chair and her team of trusted members who volunteered this year to organize and manage the election process. They had their hands full with a tie runoff for one of the board of governor positions. The tied candidates, Linda West and Janet Scheffer ran a PONO campaign….. Mahalo ladies.

I want to thank Staff Commodore Charles Barclay, and the 2011 Board for their dedication and long hours supporting HYC in a very difficult business environment. The 2012 Board and I have our work cut out and are working towards the development of programs, new ideas and strategies to build HYC back to the caliber that the Hawaii Yacht Club members want and deserve. We already have volunteers offering their services. There will be more to come on this as strategies come to fruition.

The docks that were damaged by the tsunami last March have been on everyone's mind. When will they be replaced? I am happy to say that the order has been placed but at this writing an ETA has not been provided. This is a major undertaking and needs to be properly managed. I will be reviewing options with folks that have the knowledge and experience on properly setting them in place …naturally at the best cost/value to the club.

HYC is challenged with a closed business environment (i.e. behind Golden Gates). Our members are our customer base along with any guests that they may bring with them. The customer base has declined for a variety and combination of reasons, much of it out of the control of your club management. This impacts business revenue all while operating costs increase.

At December's General Membership Meeting December 20th Chris Laletin our General Manager shared with us his State of the Club Message. The fine tuning that Chris and his staff have done has saved the members / club approximately $40,000 in controllable expenses. They are still working on savings.

Savings do help, but to be honest they are not the remedy.We need sales increases and plans for other revenue sources that drive income. Folks, as much as you hear it all of the time and most likely get tired of the song…..The membership is a driver.

New members will drive sales. We are looking for a team of folks that can take the challenge of membership and a leader for that team. Please give me a call (782-4744) if you want a challenge.
Marty Loo is on top of the search for Membership Chair. Marty did a great job in 2011 but unfortunately cannot hold two positions as she is RC Sail 2012.

Ideas are what I ask for. So, to make it easier for members to get in touch with me, I am having a "Talk Story with the Commodore Corner". I will set at a table plainly marked every Wednesday evening at 6pm to 7pm…. In January. I will be open for positive discussion on ideas. Please come sit down and let's talk? Remember PONO is the word. I expect this not be a complaint session on personal issues. I will be at the club Jan. 4th….11th….18th….25th. If this is successful I will extend into other months.

REMEMBER : be positive and treat everyone as YOU like being treated. PONO!

Cell 782-4744
Respectfully, Your Commodore Ron Pestel
TOGETHER…WE'LL GITER DONE