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Aloha kakou.

                         The Hawaiian Kingdom website contains a blog listing of Kingdom legations overseas, interested parties may find online the "Hawaiian Gazette" of Tuesday December 31, 1889 of additional assistance. At that time 94 were catalogued as follows:

                      -U.S. 7.

                       -Mexico 2.

                      -Central and South America 5.

                      -Great Britain & Ireland 15.

                      -Canada 11.

                      -Australasia 8.

                      -Hong Kong 1.

                      -Shanghai 1.

                      -Gibraltar 1.

                      -France and her Colonies 4.

                      -Society Group (Papeete & Tahiti) 1.

                      -Germany and her Colonies 6.

                      -Belgium 4.

                      -Spain and her Colonies 6.

                      -Canary Islands 2.

                      -Portugal and her Colonies 5.

                      -Italy 4.

                      -Netherlands 2.

                      -Sweden & Norway 4.

                      -Japan 2.

                      -South African Republic 1.

                      -Austria 1.

                      -Denmark 1.

………….. Aloha.

Nobody likes getting rejected, which is one reason we often think twice before asking for a favor. If we believe we’re likely to get turned down, why bother? But recent research led by Daniel Newark, a doctoral candidate in organization studies, shows that we overestimate the chance that our requests for help will be denied — especially after we’ve been turned down before. And that suggests we should be asking for help more readily and from a wider set of people than we currently are.

Newark collaborated on the studies with Francis Flynn and Vanessa Bohns, Moncler Femmes Veste Alpin Rouge,researchers who in earlier experiments had shown that people tend to grossly underestimate how likely others are to grant a favor. (For example, participants in one of their studies thought that to get 3 people to agree to lend their cellphones for brief calls they would have to ask about 10 people, whereas they needed to ask only 6.) Flynn had a theory to explain such prediction errors, which his experiments bore out. “When people are asking for help, they’re really focusing on how big is this ‘ask,’” he said at a 2010 conference on the science of eliciting good behavior. But for the potential help giver, the attention is on a different question. “They’re thinking not so much about the costs of saying yes as the costs of saying no: How awkward would it be for me to say no? Moncler Hommes Veste Zin Bleu. How uncomfortable would I feel?”

But would the gap between help seekers’ expectations and the reality be smaller or greater when a second request was made of the same person?

To find out, the trio of researchers had participants stop strangers on the Stanford campus and, following a simple script, request two favors: fill out a short survey and then, regardless of how the stranger responded to that request, drop off a letter at a nearby post office. Before sending the participants out, the researchers asked them to guess what would happen, so that the predictions could be compared with the strangers’ actual behavior. The help seekers expected that people who refused the first request would be much less likely to say yes to a second request.

They couldn’t have been more wrong. “What we found,” Newark says, “was that the percentage of people saying yes to the second request was higher than the percentage saying yes to the first request.” In other words, saying no the first time actually made people more likely to say yes the second time,Moncler Hommes Veste Maya Vert, even though the two favors were equally small.

“It can be very difficult for help seekers to appreciate the discomfort of refusing someone’s request for help not only once, but twice. Having already said no once, it can be more guilt-inducing and uncomfortable to say no a second time,” Newark explains. Indeed, a follow-up study by the trio showed that such feelings of discomfort are precisely what’s behind potential helpers’ tendency to agree to the second favor at rates higher than those for the first. Help seekers, meanwhile, don’t merely fail to anticipate this discomfort: They also read too much into the first no, seeing it as a sign that they’re probably dealing with a person who’s unhelpful in general.

Out in the real world, these divergent thought processes create a kind of paradox: “Help seekers may be the least likely to ask for help from those people who in fact are the most likely to help them.” And over time, that means we tend to go back to the same small pool of people who’ve helped us in the past. This can happen in organizations, Newark points out, where those who say yes early on during their tenure get lots of requests in the future. That leads group members to an unfortunate tendency to overburden the same set of helpers while underutilizing other group members, who, this research suggests, might say yes if you try them again.

“If anyone who tells us no once gets taken out of the potential pool of people we can trust or turn to for help, that’s a pretty high bar,” Newark says. “Even helpful people refuse to help sometimes. When someone tells us no, it could be because of circumstances that have nothing to do with a person’s willingness to help, and in the long run, we’ll be better off if we’re not quick to write people off after a single rejection.”

Every entrepreneur, almost by definition, sets out to change something--an inefficient market, a previously unsolvable customer problem, an ossified internal culture. Compared to what Nelson Mandela changed in his country’s political arena all that seems rather minor. But what allowed him to succeed against utterly improbable odds were the same characteristics that you need to employ in effecting lasting change in your business arena. Moncler Uomini Giacca Republique Grigio. Leading through change takes earned authority, authenticity, commitment, mastery of communication and consistency of message.

As researchers of strategy and organizational change,we’ve found unbelievably rich examples of transformational leadership in Mandela’s life. Today, on the news of this great leader’s passing, I wanted to relate two favorite anecdotes that illustrate why he was so successful at giving people a reason to follow him--and to feel better about themselves for having done so.

 He appreciated the power of symbols and the moral persuasiveness of genuine acts of magnanimity

 One of Mandela’s greatest legacies is starting the national healing process from the moment he was released. An exceptional symbolic act in this regard was his visit to Betsie Verwoerd, the wife of the “architect of Apartheid” who was assassinated later in his life. Not only did Mandela visit his widow, but he was willing to do so at her home in Orania. This was an Afrikaner homeland and a striking anachronistic symbol of racial separation. Mrs. Verwoerd chose to live there as a widow after apartheid had been abolished. Moncler Uomini Giacca Hubert Grigio.Mandela’s recurring emphasis on mutual forgiveness was truly remarkable. In 1993, after his recent released from 27 years in prison, he said: “I am working now with the same people who threw me into jail, persecuted my wife, hounded my children from one school to the other… and I am one of those who are saying: Let us forget the past, and think of the present.” Later, in a 2000 interview with the Christian Science Monitor, Mandela reiterated the same message: “For all people who have found themselves in the position of being in jail and trying to transform society, forgiveness is natural because you have no time to be retaliative.”  

 He set an example of reconciliation and vision for his countrymen and then let them know he expected them to live up to it.

 By the time Mandela became President in 1994 he already knew many high profile business leaders and companies personally. It was not uncommon for him to summon some of them to support a project such as a health clinic for a rural area. One such leader received a call from Mandela’s office requesting that he accompany the President to the Eastern Cape. Moncler  donne gilet. This leader was less than enthusiastic and pleaded that he had an appointment around mid-day clashing with Mandela’s request. But there was no denying Mandela, so the leader agreed to go--but first consulted with his financial director to set a reasonable limit on the size of the anticipated donation request. They settled on 500,000 Rand, or about $50,000 in those days.

 When the Air Force plane landed, the President and he were whisked off in a military helicopter. The final destination was a large football stadium in an area that had been devastated by flooding. Mandela was visiting there to support and review the re-construction efforts. Upon landing, about 80,000 black school children--all adorned in crisp white shirts--simultaneously bowed to acknowledge the great man’s arrival. As they were climbing down from the helicopter, Mandela planted his hand firmly in his guest’s back and said, “Now, I hope you are not going to disappoint me?” The business leader decided in that instance to double the donation to one million Rand. After all, how could he tell a man who sacrificed as much as Mandela that he couldn’t afford to be more generous?

I am happy with the decision to allow gay marriages.  If there is love, no matter if its between a man and a woman, a woman and a woman, or a man and a man....that is all that matters.  I was very surprised at the controversy before the decision had been made.  There were so many people that strongly opposed the idea of legalizing gay marriages.  What I don't understand is, how does gay marriages affect those of us who are not attracted to the same sex?  What is the reason for putting up such a fight?

The "authorities" were put in their position to protect and serve the people.  The solutions they have to keep the community safe, are to imprison offenders of various crimes.  This comes with a high cost.  It's not just the price of money that is being put on the line.  How are we benefiting society by simply putting offenders to the side?  Where is the reformation for these people when the time comes for them to return to society?  Prison is not the answer, but it does feed into the corporate America.  Prisons are making money off of our misunderstandings and misguidance.  Education is the answer.  We need to educate our children and provide them with the support and guidance needed to live a life that is pono.  We need to look into the troubled adults and youth of today, and figure out how we can get them back on the right track.  All of the hurt brought upon our people has created a disruption in our lives.  Coping with the hurt leads to wrong choices being made.  But all of this can be corrected.  Let us work together to find the way.

There have been many organizations created with the intention of reclaiming sovereignty for the Hawaiian people.  Allowing the Hawaiians to decide how to make use of our land.  Allowing the Hawaiians to decide on the education of our keiki.  Allowing the Hawaiians to pave the future for the people.  There has been so much hurt and wrong-doings towards our people.  Kana'iolowalu is yet another attempt at recognizing the Hawaiians as an independent nation.  I didn't realize that by signing under Kana'iolowalu would be surrendering to the thoughts of the oppressor. We would be admitting to have once been a part of the United States of America, by making the statement of breaking free from their ruling.  When in fact, we are already, and have always been part of the independent Kingdom of Hawai'i.  This we know in our hearts, and do no have to prove to anyone.  The fight we have is to re-claim our land and resources for the benefit of our people.

The Kamehameha Schools recently started off their Winter Break with their annual celebration, Founderʻs Day.  Founderʻs Day is dedicated to Princess Pauahi Bishop, whose will and land holdings had established a school for the Native Hawaiian children.  I feel fortunate to have attended the schools Kapālama campus.  During my time there, I learned how much money the 5 trustees were accumulating in their positions.  For an English assignment to write a letter to the editor, I mentioned the ridiculous amount of money that the trustees were making.  I suggested using that money to create more schools for the Native Hawaiian children to attend.  Someone of higher authority, did not like my letter, and asked to remove me from class to speak with them.  My English teacher did not give in to their request.  I did not realize that I would ruffle any feathers.  I honestly felt that the Princess had good intentions of offering good education to her people.  It seems that the power at hand was able to manipulate the readings of the will, and continue as they please.  There are words used in the Princess' will that I did not take notice of during my days as a student at the Kamehameha Schools.  I do know that there could be more offered to the children of Hawai'i, via her will. 

Just like the ʻāina, the Hawaiian people did not claim ownership of the water.  The Hawaiian people understood that they were stewards of the ʻāina.  The Hawaiian people understood that the precious resource of water was a gift to help them survive.  They were thoughtful with their use of the water.  The ʻahupuaʻa was set up to where the water flowed from the mountain to the sea to enable all the people of the land to make proper use of it.  When the mahiʻai veered water from the stream to nourish the loʻi kalo, they channeled the water to return to the flowing streams, and carry on with itʻs course.  Today, the water does not flow from the mountain to the sea.  We are taking advantage of this precious resource.  Someone got the idea that they own the water.  That they can sell out and STEAL the water from the streams to benefit the corporate businesses.  We need to remember the value of our water.  We need to remember that when we STEAL the water from our streams, we are interrupting mother nature.  We are interrupting the flow of things.  Let us learn from our kupuna.  This ʻāina once flourished with enough food to feed a population greater than what we have today.  Respect the resources, and we will be provided with everything needed to be sustʻāinable.

“Kana'iolowalu is a racial registration process supported by the Hawaii state legislature and OHA’s money. Once the list is created, the legislature intends to grant powers to that racial group and then hand over state government money and land to it.” - BY KENNETH R. CONKLIN, PH.D.  In other words, America was trying to make Hawaiian people in the same class of the Indians. Citizens of Hawaii are part of a political kingdom compared to the Native American Indians. Our political power is recognized in the nation of states. Mayor Abercrombie is at fault to blame for his greed and power. Just like most Haoles, he is ignorant to Hawaiians history and is looking to benefit his greed from us kanaka.  I am glad that OHA stopped funding kana’iolowalu! The struggle is real!

     Food Sovereignty! Monsanto is paying people to run test and destroy the land by chemically poisoning massive areas of land. Monsanto is creating genocide for future keiki because the amount on chemical products that they using can ruin our food crops and aquifer.  These people create crops that are tolerant to all chemicals and then try to make us eat it? How do you feel about eating pants that is resistant to nature’s chemicals?  Whatever happened to Aloha Aina? Everyone get the rights to the mountains and to the ocean but it is our Kuleana (responsibility) to Malama those rights! USA is slowly squeezing the resources out of Hawaii until there is nothing left. ZERO! No fish, No fresh water, NO resources, No Kalo! Ho’omana’onui and lokai will be the key to the success of exiling GMO from Hawaii. If anyone is interested in what foods are GMO and which are not, people can visit the web site SHAKA Movement. The Hawaiian community must reunite in order to create a petition which will exile Monsanto’s corporate from Hawaiian lands!

             In the 1970s everything that is Hawaiian is reawakened. From Hawaiian arts to politically being smart, is once again brought back to reality. Hokule’a makes their first voyage to Tahiti. Also Kaho’olawe is given back to the Hawaiian community by the U.S of A after destroying the island to almost nothing.  Then the first person to address the international council of congress is a Hawaiian by the name of Kowai Puna. Land is more a value of culture and spiritual than money. In 1978 OHA is created to help Hawaiians get money from the revenue at airports and businesses, but still OHA doesn’t get the maximum collection of money because America knows how much money Hawaiian will receive.  

           In this period of time, the native Hawaiian language dwindle to 1,000 kanaka how are able to speak the Hawaiian language. Hawaiian language is this banned at this time in schools and government. Within the next ten years by 1984, the Hawaiians opened the first Punana Leo. The Hawaiian movement also got the DOE to opened Hawaiian immersion schools throughout Hawaii. By the year 2011, the native Hawaiian speaker is up to 16,000 throughout Hawaii.  Every child that is in Hawaii should have the right to join the Hawaiian immersion program and let the Hawaiian culture and language grow. With the culture Hawaiian’s can gain knowledge in which can lead to power over America. The resistance is our existence but at the same time we must Ho’oulu I Ka La Hui.

           What is the modern day Hawaiian? Are you Hawaiian or Kanaka? What are you doing to reawaken Hawaiian culture in the 20^th century? Create Hawaii a better place for Hawaiian!

Notes in class:

• No hea mai 'oe?
• Na wai no 'oe?
  • Mo'oku'auhau
  • kumulipo
  • mana
  • ali'i
• what nationality you?
• Hawaiian
  • Native = 1778
  • native = 50%
  • aboriginal
  • indigenous
  • hapa (part)
  • national
    • citizen
    • subject
  • diaspora = born & raised outside of HI
  • haole
  • at-heart = live, born here, but not hawaiian & practices everything hawaiian
• kama'aina = the child of the land
• local = opposition of a foreigner/ working class
• ehtnicity
  • all mix & complex.  Hawaii is such a mixed ethnicity state/multi-racial
    • poly
    • african american
    • japanese
    • chinese
    • portuguese
    • korean
    • fillipino
    • micronesian
• stereotypes
• the process of socialization
• japanese
  • tough
• chinese
  • pake
• portuguese
  • segregated out from the haole grou and became apart of the local group
• korean
  • just over 100 years in HI.
• Fillipino
  • from the plantation era
• prejudice? power? privilege?
• Mokapu = marine base in Kane'ohe, O'ahu
  • 3000 kupuna dug out of Mokapu
• National science foundation (Craig Folk)
  • building telescope on Haleakala 
    • pure selfish research
    • no humanity
• Mamalahoa/ Mamalahoe
  • freedom of movement
  • kamehameha proclaimed this law when he came ali'i nui of HI
• Haole
  • local
  • military
  • mainlands
  • snowbirds
  • tourist

Kanalu Young, PhD.

• Aboriginal: The first people to be there.
  • Descend, geneology, prior to 1778 (Cook)
• Plants
  • Edemic: Developed & of here
  • native plants: grown here, these plants got here without the help of humans.  Got here from the W's.
    • Three W's
      • Waves
      • Wind
      • Wings
• Hawaiian Native:  Someone born in Hawaii
  • A native boy/girl of these islands.
• Native was as haole's thought of savages, heathens, non-catholic, non-religious
• 1842-1843
  • Already had sovereignty, trying to regain it.
  • first non-European to become a sovereign state/nation.
• native: You native are nature
• Social Darwinism
  • The darker you are, the lower you go in the "food chain" / "hiarchy" 
  • african genes are dominant
• 1978: OHA created (Office of Hawaiian Affairs)
• Kehau Kauanui: Blood Quantum paper
  • They first gave OHA a blood quantum  of 1/32 and federal goverment pushed it to 50% Hawaiian
• People don't like the word "Hawaiian" so they use words like "Kanaka", "Kanaka Maoli" and "'Oiwi"

GMO (Genetically Motified Organisms)

Here in Hawaii, where many things are flown in now days, we are seeing the rise and domination of GMO here.  What can we do as kanaka to help prevent this destruction to our 'aina?  

I can honestly say that i wasn't very concerned about Monsanto until i researched it and tried looking up GMO's in other countries, but i realized many other countries has banned GMO testing in there countries and i agree.  Why do they keep polluting the only land we have?  Hawaii is home to many, not only us people but many endangered species and plants here in Hawaii aren't found anywhere else in the world.  What happens if a native bird eats something that monsanto is growing?  Will it die?  Will it survive?  Or will it deform our native animals?  We have so many questions and in return get no answers at all.  I say we stop this GMO bull here in Hawaii and we learn far all organic!!!  

     Issues Hawai’i is dealing with is GMO’s, Hawaiian men and women who are incarcerated in prison being shipped away from their island home, Hawaiian immersion schools being pushed out of the public school system because it is growing too fast for current education system, military occupation granted by a government that is occupying Hawaiian Kingdom land, the education system having the audacity to to say that we should be using a national education system (Common Core State Standards) because it is working for the rural areas of Wyoming, Separation of Church and State, water rights being taken away because corporations what to sell the natural water aquifer to the farmers and residents of these islands by diverting streams to a private reservoir, Same-Sex marriage laws by legislators who are willing to sell their votes to keep their place at the round table, and these are life issues that have affected the way of life in Hawai’i.

     These are not modern issues, because as the world changes so does language, and life.  It is modern because some bureaucrat decides to put “modern” in front to change our thinking on what is going around us now!  When in fact it is the all the SAME issues Hawai’i has been dealing with since the occupation of the provisional government who imprisoned out sovereign Queen Lili’uokalani.

     I listened to a panel discussion on promoting a Hawai’i state run prison and not by a private corporation and one of the panelist who was incarcerated, a woman, and attending the University of Hawai’i Maui College stated, “that it was difficult for a criminal thinking mind to be retrained from a negative to a positive without re-integration”.  That made me think immediately of the injustice of the world history that led to the our “modern” issues here in Hawai’i.  When you want to find out what is really going on--your instinct is to follow the money, but I believe you should really be following HISTORY!

Ashley Judd has released a statement regarding the police report she filed in Tennessee last month accusing her half-sister, country music star Wynonna Judd, UGG Donne Stivali Classic Short Sangria, of trying to spy on her after a tracking device was found in her car.

She tweeted a link to the statement on her website and also composed the statement through nine separate tweets.
"The issue at hand is the illegal violation of my privacy in that a tracking device was secretly and unlawfully placed on my vehicle,"she wrote. "For my safety and that of everyone around me, UGG Donne Stivali Classic Tall Viola Velluto, I naturally filed a police report, as any citizen would and should."

She continued, "The media is unfortunately aggressively pursuing and publishing details, some of which should be private and confidential, such as my cell phone number, in their attempt to create salacious and divisive 'news.' Our police station and town hall are being barraged with phone calls and emails, diverting them from their priorities in law enforcement and civic management, and taxpayer dollars are being wasted as well."
The "Olympus Has Fallen" actress, 45, continued to slam those covering the story and added that one officer was punished for working with the media.

"A very fine career detective has been suspended for a moment of poor judgment for succumbing to media invasiveness [sic]," she said. "It is my, and everyone's, UGG Donne Stivali Classic Josette Sangria,responsibility to take routine action when any law is broken."

Lastly, she wrote, "I hope the law enforcement officials can continue to do their jobs in spite of media speculation, pressure and poor conduct. Thank you."

This statement comes after reports broke earlier in the week that a mechanic found a wireless GPS in a car owned by Judd and that a police report stated she told one detective she "believed Wynonna Judd placed the device on the vehicle," and told another officer that she "believed Wynonna had placed or had someone else place the device on her vehicle."

By 1893 Almost 100% of Hawaiians were literate and were involved in political issues of the day (Hawaiian and English issues). Hawaiians were not confused of who they are! The effect of the culture bomb is annihilating the Hawaiians beliefs, language; place Names and destruction of the environment were all part of Americas plans. With this idea this makes native people believe the myth instead of the truth. “Theft is holy,” Seems as if taking and colonizing land that is not yours was God’s plan. We feel the pain of the aboriginal people but the Hawaiian political power was different because we as kanaka were recognized with treaties around the world. Nation of state gave Hawaiians recognition in most countries like, England, France, British and even the U.S of A but somewhere in the “Annexation” this legal documents of Hawaii being part of the Nations of State was hidden from the Hawaiian people by the U.S.A. Once recognized by Nation of State the lands can only be given away but the sovereignty must stay! By November 28, 1842-43 the Hawaiians were legitimatized of a Kingdom and sovereignty. So why does America give Hawaiian people the worst lands to live on instead of, lands that are flushing with plants animals and water! Stand up for Aloha ‘Aina! Hawaii is the key to America’s domination over the Pacific . “look deeper than what’s in front you, the taro patches are still there, it’s just over grown, just like the Hawaii Kingdom.” “No be lazy” –Aunty Pualani Kanahele

In class we watched a video about racism, not here in Hawaii, but an all white community in Iowa.  A teacher named Jane Elliott separated her third grade class into blue-eyed students and brown-eyed students.  It was amazing to watch all the kids change completely, from getting good grades on a test, personality and most importantly attitude.

She told false information to each group to see how they would react and how they would respond.  The first thing she did was tell all the brown-eyed kids that the blu-eyed children were smarter so that got more privileged.  The next day in class she did it again but to the blue-eye children, telling them that they couldn't play outside with the brow-eyed children.  When she told them that it was an assignment they were happy that they could finally be friends with there old friends again.

Several years back, I was presented with the opportunity to purchase a lot up in beautiful Waiohuli.  At this time, the homes at Waiohuli were at the beginning stages of being built.  There were other families there who had purchased their lot from others who did not want the lot because either they lived on a different island, they were not ready to build, or they already had a home somewhere else.  I was so excited for the opportunity that was right before my eyes.  I didnʻt have any children at that time, but I always had the dream of building my own house so that when I leave this Earth, I could know that my keiki would always have a home.  I had my family behind me to make sure I would have the proper funding to do this.  Everything was beaming "green light - GO!", except for my naʻau.  I didnʻt feel right purchasing something from someone, when it was given to them.  I didnʻt feel right about "cutting" in line ahead of the many Native Hawaiians who had been waiting their turn for many years. I didnʻt follow thru.  Today, I do not live in Waiohuli.  When we go there to visit family or friends, I begin to ponder if I did the right thing.  It is BEAUTIFUL up there.  It is filled with many people we know and whom I would have loved to have as neighbors.  I still havenʻt built a home to leave to the four keiki that I have been blessed with, since then.  But as I ponder, I always end with the feeling of comfort....because I did listen to my naʻau.  Hopefully, the lot that I walked away from went to one of our kupuna who had been patiently waiting for their name to be called from the waitlist for Hawaiian Home Lands.  I will patiently wait for my turn as well.

Of all the innovations to come about over the past decade, the "Dollar Menu" at McDonald's(NYSE: MCD  ) was far and away one of the most beloved by consumers. Assuming you didn't fall for the add-on trap -- "do you want fries with that?" -- it was your one true shot at getting the best of corporate America. Parajumpers Hombres Leather Gobi Pardo.And now, presumably for that reason, it's dead.

At the beginning of November, McDonald's officially ended the decade-long experiment. As you may know by now, the "Dollar Menu" didn't totally go away. It was rather replaced by something called the "Dollar Menu & More," what McDonald's describes as the "menu you love, plus so much more."

And to a certain extent, the company is right. While the $1 McDouble is a thing of the past -- it's now $1.25 at the location closest to me -- a greater selection of items was added to the menu.

The new BBQ Ranch Burger and Buffalo Ranch McChicken will be available for $1.Parajumpers Hombres Masterpiece Gobi Pardo. That's in addition to recent staples such as the Grilled Onion Cheddar Burger and Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait. For $2 each, customers can choose from the Bacon McDouble, Bacon Buffalo Ranch McChicken, or Bacon Cheddar McChicken. And the company is featuring its 20-piece McNuggets for $5.

Sure, these are still good deals. But for the truly value-conscious consumer, it's impossible to deny that there was something special about a menu that offered everything for just $1.

During a recent presentation to industry analysts, parajumpers mujeres,an executive in McDonald's domestic operations addressed the change:

If you think about the Dollar Menu as a platform, we instituted this back in 2003. It's been foundational to our business for over 10 years. In fact, we have evolved it. The change that we recently made was not the first change. We've evolved it a few times over the years. And every evolution was designed to make sure that we stay relevant with our customer base. So where we are right now is just a continuation of that evolution.

To be fair, the evolution was inevitable. Inflation causes food prices to increase every year. For the category that matters most to McDonald's -- that is, "food away from home" -- it's currently projected to be in the 2% to 3% range in the United States. This has steadily eaten into McDonald's margins over the years and begun to cause angst among franchisees.

But is McDonald's now regretting its decision to kill the original "Dollar Menu"? In November, the first full month without it, same-store sales fell by 0.8% in McDonald's U.S. division. As the company noted in a press release announcing the results, "Ongoing competitive activity and relatively flat industry traffic trends negatively affected performance."

Is this evidence of backlash, or are consumers still simply struggling under the weight of the ongoing economic malaise? That remains to be seen. But it isn't hard to imagine that many customers are hoping it will usher in a return of the true "Dollar Menu" they love.