Aloha all, I first met Barack when he was using the name "Barry". He was in 8th grade and I was in 10th, and it was a fluke. My best friend Dale Mosher told me one day I had a "twin" in the 8th grade class that was really good a tennis. Of course I thought he was joking and ignored him till he brought me a last years 7th grade yearbook to show me his picture.
After seeing the picture, I went looking for this "kid". I found Barack at the tennis courts, walked right up to him and stood there. We just stared for about 30 seconds (felt like 5 min.) then Barack spoke up, he said Hi and something like: so it is true. Then he introduced himself as Barack Obama but then he said "but call me Barry" I respected his wishes as my name is Kent Kenji Kakugawa and I liked my middle name better than my first, and I go by Kenji Kakugawa now. (my wife didn't know Kent was my legal first name till we filled out the marriage license) I told Barack that I was Kent Kakugawa. we talked a bit about family histories as we are both from mixed backgrounds.
Then later we talked sports (I was a 3 sport jock) and at a later time Barack asked me for advice on football. I'm VERY VERY HAPPY he didn't take my advice as we would know his name but as a Tennis Player, not as The next President of OUR United States of America.
To Barack Obama: I'm so happy that you did not take my advice about football. I feel great pride that we were able to meet back then and that you turned into the man that you are today!
