That brought another smile to Gordon Ho's face. "Not precisely," he told me. "The correct phrase is e ku'u lani —'O my royal one'—but I'm only a stickler for the old forms when the kahunas are around." His smile faded, and his expression became that of a professional poker player or, I suddenly thought, a corporate exec. "I've invested considerable time and effort in arranging to speak to you, Mr. Montgomery," he went on, his voice even and calm. (Yeah, right, I thought, the time and effort of lackeys, maybe . ) "I'd like you to tell me a reason why I should invest any more in you."