Steve Forbes was here for less than 30 hours-just for the SBH Annual Conference - and went home after inspiring everyone who heard him. This was a far cry from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin article screaming, "Forbes Slams Hawaii Again." In a cheap attempt to turn the speech into a political controversy, Bulletin reporter Tim Ruell focused on a few comments out of a positive 45-minute appraisal of Hawaii's strengths and economic opportunities, and even called Governor Ben Cayetano's newest and inexperienced PR flack, Kim Murakawa, for her comments on a speech she did not attend, and on remarks she never heard. Murakawa was quick to oblige ascribing Forbes' remarks and visit as part of the "political extremist views" of yours truly. Sounds like last year's attack on the Wall Street Journal's John Fund doesn't it? But then, no one reads the WSJ or Forbes; we get our news from the Guv's Imi Loa mag.

Forbes visited the Capitol but neither the Guv nor Lt. Governor were around; he did meet several lawmakers and talked to Senate Sgt. of Arms Ben Villaflor and custodians who knew who he was. The unassuming Forbes talks with everyone and is most generous with his time. In case you wondered, he flew business class on Continental direct from Newark.

Our own SB News Managing Editor Malia Zimmerman, spoke at the World Media Conference in Tokyo, Japan, January 16, on the importance of world trade to Hawaii. The theme of the conference that attracted political leaders and media from around the world was, "Media in the New Millennium: Its Contribution to Quality of Life and to World Peace." Malia was a last minute substitution for Fund of The Wall Street Journal! Way to go Malia! She followed that up with a visit to the Washington Times conference in D.C. where she met Bush AG nominee John Ashcroft. The jet-setting Zimmerman was last seen in American Samoa doing another investigative story. She and former Pacific Business News writer/researcher, Jay McWilliams, launch their new Hawaiireporter.com next month. The enterprising Zimmerman follows that by teaming with Dick Rowland and UH's Kate Zhou to create a Hawaii think tank,the Grassroot Institute. No grass growing under their feet!

Meanwhile, at PBN, nearly all reporters on staff in the year 2000 have departed - either by firing, disagreement with new editorial directives, or for greener pastures with the two dailies. PBN is not the same business publication it once was. Curiously, source of the problems, editor Gina Mangieri, has been lobbying hard for a position with the "new" Star-Bulletin set to launch next month. SB Staffers reportedly not happy at that prospect.

The California "electric crisis" is no crisis at all - it was planned years ago by actions of the Golden State's anti-development environmentalists and willing liberal politicians who attacked the energy industry as the "enemy." California has the strictest environmental laws and no new power generation since 1992, yet power demands - even from environmentalists for their computers - has grown geometrically. The California Democrat Gray Davis answer: why, to get the government into the power ownership business. See how that works out. Hawaii could offer another plus to Silicon Valley escapees: adequate power (so far), but environmentalists and politicians here too are working on mandating business decisions for power companies.

On a flight to Kauai January 13, House Minority Leader Rep. Galen Fox and myself were engaged in a conversation with an HGEA union organizer for the entire flight which not only turned out friendly, but showed once more how close many of us really are on so many subjects. While the media here usually don't report business and conservative opinions accurately, nonetheless, face-to-face contacts with our supposed "adversaries" are often positive. We all need to do more of this in 2001 to build lasting coalitions for beneficial change in Hawaii. This will impact the critical 2002 elections and help small business.

Advertiser editorial editor Jerry Burris interestingly "warned" (in a January 21 column, "State GOP Must Wield Its Power Carefully") Republicans not to abuse their new found political clout. Where was (is) Burris warning the Democrat monopoly over the past 40 years? Get real: Republicans have more power but control still resides with donkeys.

The Governor first agreed (hooray!) to give back the $175 million from the state Hurricane Relief Fund to the premium payers than reversed himself and wants it in a "rainy day fund" to provide UH scholarships to all "B" students. Give it back to those who paid, Guv!

Advertiser writer Lee Cataluna will not be getting any invites to Washington Place or the Guv's office for the column she wrote January 28 nailing Cayetano for his recent stealth trip to the Bahamas with close friend, ally, and lobbyist for gambling's Sun Industries, Charlie Toguchi and another lobbyist, Jim Boersema. Again, the Guv's PR flacks misled the public about the true intent of the visit and who went along. The Guv said he visited the Islands' Aquarium but, "had to walk through the gambling casino to get to his hotel room." He returned proposing casino gambling at the Ko Olina resort with proceeds to go for education.

Get yourself down to the State Legislature and make sure your elected officials keep their promises. It's critical for business in 2001.

Sam Slom is also a State Senator representing the 8th district in the East Oahu area.
His website can be accessed here: http://hotspotshawaii.com/sam/slom.html

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