the rix mix

The Rix Mix is giving billionare Genshiro Kawamoto the title, "Most Beneficent Master, Beloved of the Gods, Honored by Ancestors, Wise & Generous Patron of Mortals." Translate that into Japanese so we can engrave it on a plaque & present it with suitable ceremony.

Billionaire Gives Mansions to Homeless

Kawamoto, one of Japan's richest men, said he plans to open eight of his 22 Kahala homes to needy Hawaiian families. They will be able to stay in the homes for up to 10 years, he said. He also gave each family 10 $100 bills to help them move in.

Just what 8 lucky, poor Hawaiian families (chosen from 3000) need; a mansion. With each of those houses worth five-million plus, You'd think Kawamoto would just sell a couple or reach for some spare change & subsidize 100 families in decent, modest housing. But you don't become a billionaire real estate mogul by playing nice:

He has been criticized for evicting tenants of his rental homes on short notice so he could sell the properties, as in 2002 when he gave hundreds of California tenants 30 days to leave.

Two years later, he served eviction notices to tenants in 27 Oahu rental homes, mostly in pricey Hawaii Kai, saying they had to leave within a month. He said he wanted to sell the houses to take advantage of rising prices.

Kawamoto is immensely pleased with himself over this. He should be. He could have arranged the mansion thing like a Japanese TV game show, where the contestants are debased, tortured & humiliated in a combination of The Price Is Right & Abu Ghraib. Don't be surprised if each of the 8 families concludes those mansions are large enough for 20 or 30 relatives & friends. I sure hope so.