Hue - pronounced WAY
Hui - pronounced Hughy
Hua - pronounced Huwa
Dati - IndoDutch term for Papa
Baki - IndoDutch term for Brother
Onkla - IndoDutch term for Uncle
After a Family Meeting, at which it was decided to open an office in Hawaii, Hue began looking for a location in which to open a new office. After wandering around Honolulu, he decided it would be just as proper to locate the new office in Hilo. Hilo had excellent flight connections all over the Pacific Basin and the pace of life was less frantic than Honolulu.
Hue had been named Vice President, Pacific Basin and had decided to buy a house in the small town of Puna, just outside Hilo. Paul and Concho were delighted, 'Chito had come to love Hawaii and Paul thought Hue "walked on water"! Bic and Phillip would be happy ANYWHERE, as long as it was close to their Dati. After Phillip's family had disowned him, he became as much a son to Hue as was his partner, Bic.
Bic was managing The Bore Hole project on that island and was being assisted by Phillip, who was an Electrical Engineer. An experimental heat pipe boiler was being installed on top of the bore to convert the rising heat from the adjacent volcano into steam for generating electricity. The idea was so intriguing, The Government of New Zealand had contracted with Best & Sons Engineering to investigate such an installation at Rotorua on the North Island of that country. Hue had already made one trip to New Zealand to land the contract and was waiting for the final contract documents before going back with a work crew.
'Tal and Jason were to split their time between their new office in Fairfield, California and the office in Hilo. Danny, as President of the Company, would remain in Fairfield. They had hired on additional crew and promoted David Parks to be Job Superintendent in Fairfield and Gil Dorman for the same position in Hilo.
Hue was in his newly opened office, arranging the furniture and killing time as he waited on the documents from Wellington, New Zealand. There was a light knock on his office door, he opened it to a middle-aged Chinese man, nearly as short as himself. The man introduced himself as Li Soon and asked if he could speak with him. Hue agreed and invited the man in.
Mr. Soon began, "Mr. Best, many years ago, I was your Father's Houseboy in Lihue. He once wanted me to accompany him to Indonesia when he went there on a job, but I declined because I was afraid. I am widowed now, my wife, Jin, passed away and our two boys are grown and on their own. I saw the article about you and Mr. Caleb's company in the Honolulu Advertiser and wondered if I could serve you as I once served your Father?" He continued, "I was young and foolish back then, your Father was like a father to me and I turned him down out of fear of the unknown. I am older and wiser now, and I ask to serve you as I should have, your Father."
Hue thought for a few moments and then asked, "Would you travel with me?"
Mr. Soon replied, "Yes, I would, as I said, I am wiser now and older, there is nothing to hold me here, my boys are on the mainland and I am just a useless old man now."
Hue looked shocked, "Mr. Soon! There is no way, you are neither useless nor old. Yes, I need a HOUSEMAN and I think you will do just fine."
Mr. Soon had tears forming at the corner of his eyes, "Yes I will be happy to be your houseman, and, please, call me Li."
Hue replied, "Then you must call me Hue!"
Li said, "Oh no sir, I could not, perhaps Mr. Hue?"
Hue laughed, "OK, if that is the best you can do....." Li went out to retrieve his suitcase that the cab driver had placed at the door and brought it in the office. Hue laughed, "You were so sure I would hire you?"
Li replied, "Oh, Mr. Hue, I would have begged if necessary!" Over his objections, Hue treated Li to lunch before taking him out to the house. Li walked around the new house, clicking his tongue and saying, "Oh, this will never do......." Hue gave Li an American Express card for household purchases and leased him a small car to get around in. Each evening when Hue came home, his home had changed, Li was making the house a home for Mr. Hue!
Hue hired a young man, fresh out of high school, to be his secretary and "gopher". Son James was an intelligent young man, his Father had been a Navy Chief Petty Officer and his Mother was from Korea. They were a very proper couple and had raised their son to be polite and well spoken. His Father had recently died and his Mother's Widow's Pension was barely enough to keep a roof over their heads. Hue had Li take the boy and outfit him in proper clothing for an office, he came back a very handsome young man.
Son was eager to please, Hue had to tell him to "slow down" on several occasions before he understood that he did not have to run on every errand. Son was a very accomplished typist, could speak Chinese and Korean, as well as English and had the intelligence to handle a business telephone that involved those who spoke limited English and were a very long distance away. When Danny came for a visit, he asked Hue if Son had any brothers!
Hue had to make a quick trip to New Zealand, he took Li and Gil Dorman with him. He left Son to manage the office while they were away. Hue had just checked into Rotorua Sails Resort and Hotel when his room telephone rang. Son was on the phone, "Sir, I have terrible news to tell you, your Father, Mr. Caleb Best has passed away in Fairfield. Your Brother, Mr. Daniel, asks that you come immediately. I am very sorry sir to be the one who must tell you this."
Li heard Hue scream and came running. He gently took the phone from Hue and spoke with Son, "I will get Mr. Hue to California, please tell Mr. Daniel that we are on the way." Li had Hue lay down on the bed and he spent several hours on the telephone arranging flights for all three of them to San Francisco. Hue was like a zombie, he was functioning on the lowest level possible, Gil was not much better, he had known and worked for Caleb for over 30 years!
Chapter 2 - THE FUNERAL
No matter how he willed it, the plane was too slow for Hue. They were routed through Hong Kong, Honolulu and finally, San Francisco. In Honolulu, they were joined by Son, Concho, and Phillip nearly carrying Bic. Phillip had authorized Son to come with them, he knew he needed help in caring for a nearly comatose Bic and he suspected Hue was even worse off. Concho said little, but they could see the suffering in his eyes.
Between Li and Son, they had arranged First Class seats for all of them, there was no way either Hue or Bic could withstand any controversy. Neil met them in San Francisco, his eyes reddened and shoulders drooping, he was barely functional himself. The Family at home were moving like automatons, no life, no spirit. Hue fell into Danny's arms, his cries and wailing sounding as he hugged his Baki. Concho sat in a chair, staring at the wall until suddenly, he collapsed, sobbing on the floor.
They had delayed the funeral so that those coming from New Zealand and Hawaii could get there, it was scheduled for the next morning. Hue insisted on going to the Funeral Parlor, where Caleb was laying in his casket. He hung on that awful box, not willing to leave his beloved Dati alone. Li stayed with Hue, holding the younger man and comforting him in his agony. Son stationed himself at the door, letting none but Family enter.
Long after midnight, Li picked up the still sobbing Hue and Son helped him carry their employer out to the car and take him home. They undressed Hue and put him to bed, Son told Li that he would take the first shift and sit by Hue while Li got a little rest. Just before dawn, Li came in and relieved Son, it was evident that Li had gotten little or no sleep, but, then, neither would Son.
The next day was like a horrible dream for them all, as they said goodbye to the man who had meant so very much to them all for so long. The funeral was well attended, Caleb had many friends and associates who thought highly of him, Li and Son guarded the Family, preventing all, but close friends and associates from disturbing their sorrow.
Dr. Clayton Long, Caleb's lifelong friend, gave the eulogy chronicling Caleb's life and accomplishments, he ended by saying, "... Caleb Best was a friend to many, but it is in his Family that he truly was a great man. His oldest son served our Nation as an Admiral in the Navy, his sons, Hue, Singh 'Tal and Jason follow in his footsteps to greatness. His Grandsons, Bic, Phillip, Hui and Hua will carry on his legacy into the third generation! His latest Grandson, Concho is already on Caleb Best's path, he and his partner have developed the basis for a new power source while still students in the University!"
The Funeral of Caleb Best ended with his burial, but the terrible sorrow of his Family would long linger. Hue recovered sufficiently to brief Danny on the latest events out of the Hawaii Branch, before they had to return. With a heavy heart, Li and Son guided those returning to Hawaii through the procedures of boarding the aircraft and flying back to Hilo. Slowly, they picked up the pieces of their shattered lives and continued. Thoughts of Caleb Best were never far from their minds.
Chapter 3 - LIFE GOES ON
Hue and Li returned to New Zealand, taking Concho and Paul with them. They met with officials from the New Zealand Department of Energy and Rotorua Public Power Corporation. They left New Zealand with a contract for two hot gas steam boilers, a 300-megawatt turbine generator and all associated development. The contract was signed for $176,000,000 USD plus 22% T & M, also in US Dollars. Hue had already priced out the two boilers from American Piping and Boiler in Honolulu and had a commitment from Mitsubishi Electric for the turbine generator. He felt it was a very good contract and was anxious to get started!
Bic and Phillip were clamoring to be part of the Rotorua Project and Danny had agreed with Hue to let them "try their wings" with Hue there with a safety net in his hand! Li had, again, travelled with Hue to New Zealand, the man was like a calm anchor for Hue, who was still mourning the loss of Caleb.
Son was growing into his job and Hue planned on naming him "Office Manager" as soon as he returned to Hilo. Son's Mother, Kee James had been hired to keep Hue's home clean, she also did some cooking for Hue, who was learning the delights of Korean Cuisine. Hue had never found a partner for himself, sometimes he found himself wishing but he was not one to go "cruising" and he was not a "social butterfly" out meeting people.
As soon as he and Li returned from Rotorua, Hue met with officials from Mitsubishi Electric to finalize the contract for the turbine generator and associated controls. That completed, he called Concho and Paul, asking if they wanted to take a trip up to The Bore. They asked Professor MacDonald if they could be away for a couple of days. He was not going to disappoint his two "prize pupils", he told them to write up a report on the project and call it a "Field Trip"!
Hue took the two young men for lunch at Volcano House up in the National Park before they went out to the project site. Paul had gathered a lot of field data from Phillip and the Instrumentation Center at Kilauea, Hue was beginning to believe Concho when he told them there was a lot more energy available than they had originally believed. The hot gas temperature had gradually risen to 5,100 degrees and the volume had nearly doubled since the bore was first installed! He told the boys to get together with Norm Anderson at American Piping & Boiler in Honolulu and give him the updated information, it was going to change both the boiler AND any turbine-generator configuration in the future. Hue was damned sure he was going to get Concho and Paul's names on that boiler as designers!
Hue stopped off at the printers to get a surprise for Son. He stepped into the office, Son was busy feeding pages into the fax machine. The young man looked up and asked, "Yes sir?" Hue told him to come into his office as soon as he had finished stuffing the fax machine. Son wondered if he had done something wrong, but could not think of a thing, besides, Mr. Hue was not that kind of person. When he went into Hue's office, Hue had a grin on his face and handed Son a small, paper-wrapped package. Hue told him to open it and when he did, he had to sit down on the visitor chair!
"Wha waaa, what is this for?", he stammered. Hue had handed him new business cards, "Mr. Son James, Office Manager - Best & Sons Engineering, Hawaii Office.
He handed Son a gift certificate for dinner at the Hilo Yacht Club for two persons. Hue said, "Son, take your Mom out to supper tonight, you both deserve it!" The young man was opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water, not a sound came out of it. Hue then said, "Oh, by the way, that comes with a pay raise, you know!" Son looked at his employer as if he had just grown a second head and still, he could not make a sound. Hue stepped over to the befuddled young man and used his finger to close Son's mouth, "No flies to catch in here today." He told Son to take the rest of the day and to start fresh in the morning in his new job.
Two days later, Son buzzed Hue in his office, "Sir, Professor MacDonald is here to see you." Hue couldn't imagine what Ian MacDonald wanted, but he told Son to bring him right in. He stepped around his desk to meet the man, Ian shook his hand and looked Hue in the eyes, still holding his hand. Son looked at the two men and decided they did not need an audience for what he was sure was about to happen.
Ian let go of Hue's hand and grabbed his shoulders, "Hue Best, I have given you signals and everything I could think of, surely you are not so blind that you cannot see how I feel about you!"
Hue looked blank and sat suddenly in his chair, "uuuhhhh aa, you mean....."
Ian chuckled, "Yes, blockhead, I do!"
Hue looked like he had been pole-axed, he sat in his chair and tried to think of something to say. He stammered, "eeooedoooo I ahhhhh."
Ian said, "Does that mean you will have dinner with me tonight?" All Hue could manage was to nod his head. Ian stuck his head in Son's office and told him that he and Mr. Hue were going out for supper and to not expect him back that day. Son got on the telephone and called Li and gave him a "heads up" on what was happening.
Ian drove them over to Kona and they had supper at the Pioneer Hotel. He then led Hue upstairs, where he had reserved a room. The next day, a grinning Hue showed up at the office.
Concho and Paul spent several days collecting and tabulating the new data, they were amazed at what the numbers were telling them. They calculated that there was sufficient heat energy to supply a 250-megawatt generator. They hurried down the mountain, anxious to show their calculations to Hue.
They walked in his office, he still had a silly grin on his face, and they laughed, "Hmmmmm, looks like Son had it right!
It was a very red-faced Hue who looked over their data before he picked up the telephone, "Ian, best you come over right away. No, not THAT! Chito and Paul have some amazing new data we should discuss."
Two days later, Ian MacDonald was in Hue's office looking over his student's calculations. He looked at Hue, "Love, this is wonderful. Let's form a corporation and build us a new power station!"
Hue called his brother, Danny, and explained what they had discovered. Danny said, "I will put 'Tal and Jay on it right way, I feel sure we can line up financing for such a project. Have Ian start the paperwork to obtain the rights to the hot gases from the National Park Service!"
Two weeks later, Hilo Natural Steam Power Company came into being, Mr. Hue Daniel Best, President and Mr. Ian David MacDonald, Vice President. Mr. Concho Daniel Best was named Chief Engineer and Mr. Phillip L. Basque, Chief Electrical Engineer. Mr. Paul T. Duncan, Geology Consultant! They signed a long-term contract with the National Park Service and 'Tal put together a finance package that allowed them to contract for a boiler, turbine generator set and electrical equipment to connect to the utility system. Hue was far too busy helping Bic engineer the Rotorua Project, so management fell upon the shoulders of Chito Best and Paul Duncan. It was the summer before their Senior Year at the University of Hawaii and their names were in the local newspapers regularly as progress on the construction of the most innovative new power project in the world neared completion.
Ian MacDonald's fame as their instructor and mentor drew students to the University from all over the world, an entire new wing had to be constructed to accommodate the additional students. Both Concho and Paul were frequently engaged as guest lecturers and held regular jobs as student guides for field trips to the project.
The day finally came when Hilo Natural Steam Power Plant was to go "online". The Governor of Hawaii was the principal speaker and Hue insisted that Concho and Paul be given the honor of "throwing the breaker". As they engaged the final switch, the lights flickered once and then the generator took up the load, supplying the entire Island of Hawaii with electric power!
The Governor shook everyone's hands and then began his speech, "Two young men had a dream, they envisioned a day when our Island would power itself. They discovered and proved to us all that their new power source would benefit all who live here. These two remarkable young men were encouraged by their Uncle, Mr. Hue D. Best and their academic advisor, Professor Ian David MacDonald, Head of the University Earth Sciences Department. Messrs Concho H. Best and Paul T. Duncan, the State of Hawaii hereby awards you our highest Civilian Award, The Golden Pineapple in recognition of your contributions to the citizens of the State of Hawaii!"
Concho approached the microphone and replied, "Governor, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of myself and Paul Duncan, I thank you for your kind words, but I must tell you all that the driving force behind this project is my Uncle, Mr. Hue Best. Without his guidance, without his knowledge, and without his courage to try something new, this project would have never taken place. He is a remarkable man who brings out the best in all of us, gives us the courage to innovate and the space to be all we can be. As the Chief Engineer of Hilo Natural Steam, I hereby name this power plant, THE HUE D. BEST POWER STATION!"
As Hue and his Family were getting ready to return to Hilo, two men approached them. The older said, "I am Milo Kerns and this is Albert Layson, we are representing the Adelaide Power Project of Australia. We would like to engage your team to evaluate the possibilities of using natural ground heat to generate electric power in our state. If we could meet with you tomorrow, we are authorized to contract for your services immediately.
Hue replied, "The only personnel I have available to assist you is our Chief Engineer and our Geology Consultant." He pointed to Concho and Paul.
Mr. Kerns said, "That would be perfect, we have read all their reports on this project and we are very impressed with their abilities, sir."
Hue said, "Then, I would be delighted to meet with you tomorrow and my TEAM will be present to answer any questions you may have."
The two men walked off and Concho and Paul stood before Hue, Paul was shaking so badly that Concho was holding him in fear that he would collapse. Tears were streaming down Paul's face, "Papa, yyYyYou are going to send us to represent Best & Sons?"
Hue grinned, "Sure, who better to send than the inventors of the process!"
The next morning, Hue negotiated a study contract for Concho and Paul to spend four weeks investigating geologic heat source power in Adelaide, Australia for $50,000 USD, plus expenses!
As soon as the men left, Paul asked to use the phone. He called his Mother to tell her about his good fortune. Hue sat with tears running down his face as he overheard Paul refer to him as "PAPA" to his Mother. As he sat there, he heard Paul complete his phone call and then step into Concho's office and call him, "Bati"!
He related the events of the day to Ian that night as they went out to supper, Ian said, "Paul has been calling me Dati for the last several days." Hue told him that meant "Papa" and Ian lost his composure and cried on Hue's shoulder.
Concho and Paul left for Sidney the following week and Hue began pacing the floor. Finally, Son called Ian and told him about Hue's nervousness. Ian flew into Hilo and packed Hue up for a short vacation on Kauai.
Paul and Concho found themselves instant celebrities in Australia, they were invited to speak at the University in Canberra and to several civic organizations. They found conditions to be favorable for a power installation, a small test bore produced temperatures over 4,000 degrees and the area was suitable to build a power plant.
They called Hue and he sent them a contract they could offer to the Australian company. When they read the provisions, they saw their names, making them administrators of the project. Paul was dumbfounded, he hugged his friend and said, "Bati, God was watching over me when you decided to room with me. Your Onkla is truly my Dati!"
The Australians accepted the contract and were delighted the two young men would administer the project. It was decided that construction would begin the following June, which would be the dry, winter season in Australia. They both would be graduated by then and could devote their whole time to Adelaide Power.
Chapter 4 - THE GRADUATES
Concho and Paul were grinning ear to ear when they told Hue that they would be graduating Valedictorian and Salutatorian! As soon as the boys ran out, Hue got on the telephone to Paul's Mother. She cried and told Hue that she could not afford to come for the graduation. Hue immediately said, "Mom Duncan, there is a plane ticket already in the mail to you. You are to stay at my home in Hilo and we WILL see our boys graduate."
She tried to argue, but Hue was adamant and she finally agreed to come. When she got the tickets, she again called Hue to argue that she did not need First Class tickets! Hue had Ree James fix up the spare bedroom for Paul's Mother and sent Li to pick her up at the airport.
All the Best Family was already in town and making plans to go over to Honolulu for the graduation. They charted a private plane to take them over and back. They took up an entire section of the auditorium for the ceremonies.
The University President, Dr. Theodore Johnson, rose to begin the graduation ceremonies, "Ladies and Gentlemen, parents and friends of our graduates, because of the celebrity status of two of our graduates, the Honorable Genable N'gaski, Governor of the State of Hawaii will present our graduates, Mr. N'gaski."
The Governor rose and went to the podium, "It gives me great pleasure to present two young gentlemen who have become notables at an early age. They are responsible for the Hue D. Best Power system in Hilo and are currently building similar installations worldwide! I present to you, Valedictorian Concho D. Best and Salutatorian Paul T. Duncan."
Concho stepped up to the podium, "Ladies and Gentlemen, President Johnson and Governor N'gaski, I would like first to ask my Uncle, Mr. Hue Best to stand.......... and my Father, Mr. Daniel Best to also stand while I tell you of these two marvelous men. I was a twelve-year-old orphan Indian boy, I had no family as they had been killed in a volcanic eruption in Peru. Uncle Hue allowed me to stay with them, pretending that I was their houseboy. The truth was, had they turned me out, I would have died. Daniel Best loved me and gave me his name, making me not only his son, but also he made me an American. He brought me to America, gave me an education and a new life. Uncle Hue gave me the chance to be me, to learn to succeed and also to excel. I am not the only boy who has been given such a chance by these two great men. Two of my Uncles and three Cousins have also been so gifted by them. None of us would have survived had they not been there for us. We are all graduating now and are on the cusp of the rest of our lives, we can choose of two paths, we may choose to be mediocre and make no contribution to society, or we may follow the examples of My Uncle and My Father, a path of excellence and contribution to our way of life. CHOOSE WELL, for what we choose is what our people will be in our generation of responsibility. One path leads to mediocrity and the other to excellence and progress, what shall it be? CHOOSE NOW!"
Concho sat down to silence as Paul rose to speak as Salutatorian. "Folks, I am just a Texas Farm Boy, but I, also, was taken under the wing of the Brothers Best - Hue and Daniel. I had entered this University with just enough funds to complete one year. My Father had died and my Mom, who is sitting with the Best Family, scraped up enough money to send me just one year, she could do no more. Concho Best introduced me to his Uncle Hue and his Father, Daniel Best and suddenly, I had two Fathers who cared for me, nurtured me and gave me opportunities I could have never dreamed of! I asked Mr. Hue Best if I could call him my Papa and, later, he became the Father I had lost. Dati Hue, you gave me hope, Dati Hue, you gave me love, Dati Hue, you gave me opportunity and, lastly, Dati Hue, you gave me yourself. Folks, with a Family such as I have been given, there is no way I could or would be allowed to fail! With me as an example to follow, there is no way I will allow YOU, my fellow graduates, to fail! With the help of this Family of Mine, I am setting up the Caleb Best Study Fellowship. Each year, deserving students will be selected for an internship with Best & Sons Engineering for a year of study and advancement. They will be awarded academic credits for their year of internship, along with a salary and benefits. I challenge each and every one of you undergraduates to take advantage of this opportunity to make our world a better place for those who come after us."
Paul Duncan sat down to the cheers and applause of his fellows, the stack of applications for study fellowship that had been placed on a table was gone and students were seen filling out the forms. When they showed their diplomas to their family, the words, "MAGNA CUM LAUDE" were prominent on both!
Before the week was out, both men were on an airplane headed for Sydney.
TBC
Look for more adventures of this talented family, surely they will add more family members along the way.