The sale of Liberty House to Federated Department Stores (Macy's, Blooming-dales) announced June 19 was further loss of business unique and special to Hawaii. The venerable 152-year old pioneering retailer, with 19 outlets and 3,000 employees, was Hawaii for many people-including me, who received his first LH Aloha Shirt in Allentown, Pennsylvania on a snowy February day in 1950. The store, which recently emerged from 3 years of bankruptcy, is another victim of Hawaii's continuing economic downturn, and will not be the same as a Macy's West. Everyone has a special memory of Liberty House. We wish the new owners and employees well.

July, usually a slow month because of summer vacations and travel, is jumping at SBH with three major business networking functions: (1) Our "Privatization Workshop-Opportunities for Small Business," Thursday, July 19 at the Pineapple Room (7-8:30 am) featuring Reason Foundation expert Dr. Adrian Moore from LA; (2) the Sunrise Networking also at the Pineapple Room Thursday, July 26 (7-8:30 am) features Dick Rowland, discussing the "Impact and Potential of Research Think Tanks Nationally and in Hawaii," and (3) The Tuesday, May 31 Share N' Tell Networking at the Waialae Country Club highlighting business table topics and a luncheon speech by Honolulu magazine's A. Kam Napier. Plan to attend and bring guests. (details inside).

Want more? Future SBH business events include Commissioner of the FTC, from Washington, D.C., Orson Swindle (August 24) and Linda Lingle (August 30).

Production Hawaii's Mike Rossell bringing back the fun and excitement of the Hawaii Industrial Shows of the '70s, combined with SBH's Business Expo for a revitalized Industrial Trade Fair in November. Details soon.

Mufi Hannemann, out of the hospital after preventive bypass surgery, is back at work and again seeking recruits (about 25) for the prestigious Pacific Century Fellows 2002, Hawaii's future leaders, modeled after the White House Fellows. Hannemann was a White House Fellow in 1983. Nominees should be in their mid 20s to early 40s. Deadline is July 23. For details call Trudi Saito at 478-2478.

Larry Price, KSSK DJ and union anti-privatization spokesperson, is the new head of the troubled Stadium Authority, replacing lawyer Michael Green. Price participated actively in the ouster of Ed Medeiros 2 years ago as operator of the then successful stadium Swap Meet. It hasn't been the same since. Green currently represents the owners of bankrupt Waimea Falls Park, coveted by both the City and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The City decided to condemn the private park for $5.2 million; OHA wants it and will pay $6 million. Green is correctly fighting both attempts and says the property is valued at $15 million.

Mayor Jeremy Harris also wants to condemn private property-small businesses adjacent to the state Convention Center for his latest gateway park. Who speaks for them?

Sports entrepreneurs, Lenny and Marsha Klompus, who rescued the Hula Bowl and took it to Maui several years ago, scored again by working with the NFL to reposition the Hula Bowl the day prior to February's Pro Bowl with a strong media tie-in. The taxpayer funded Team Unlimited contract through the government's Hawaii Tourism Authority, paid to do things like this, was not involved.

On July 2, former Trinity College (CT) president, Evan Dobelle, takes the helm as the 12th University of Hawaii president at a reported salary of $442,000 (succeeding Kenneth Mortimer who received $168,000). Dobelle is the man for the job but will face tremendous political pressures. As in the past, the outgoing state administration seeks to place high profile appointees in high paying jobs at UH. Already, there is a move to plant current state AG Earl Anzai head of the Research Corporation of UH.

Is it true that former AG Margery Bronster is mulling a race for Congress next year?

On June 14, employees of the Outrigger Wailea Hotel on Maui took the most unusual step (for Hawaii) by decertifying its union (ILWU Local 142) by a lopsided vote 208 to 70. Attorney Jared Jossem, named as one of Hawaii's "Top 100 Attorneys" a list that includes Senator Colleen Hanabusa (labor) and Rick Clifton (management), played a pivotal role in labor negotiations. Clifton, a Bush nominee for appointment to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, was dissed by Sen. Dan Inouye and Governor Ben Cayetano in the same day in different ways: Cayetano said Clifton, who represented the GOP in past successful lawsuits, was too partisan, political, and well-known, while Inouye, smarting because Republicans failed to seek his blessing, said he wouldn't support "unknown attorneys."

Reminder: Postage rates increase July 1. So do government-set taxi rates, bus fares and school lunches in Honolulu.

Government continues to "protect" us, this time warning about "runny" eggs. How are you supposed to enjoy loco moco or hash? Stop runny government! See you in the July 4th parade in Kailua; celebrate our freedoms and opportunities, then commit to help change Hawaii for the better to achieve both.

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

Jonathan Gullible, 3rd Edition Now Available for Purchase!

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