SBH Conference Awardees | SBH Conference Photos
Deroy Murdock Photos | 2002 Tradeshow Photos
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Hot Issues Loom as Legislature Opens
The 21st State Legislature, 2nd session, began its 60-day regular session amid tempered pomp and circumstance, budget deficits and anger over traffic spy cameras, January 16. It continues until May 2.
Speaker Calvin Say suspended the traditional annual entertainment in the House because of a somber mood still felt after 9-11; President Robert Bunda decided to have a reduced ceremony in the Senate and then more public ceremony in the outside rotunda. The size of the annual crowd was noticeably smaller.
Speeches by majority (Democrats control 32 of 51 House seats and 22 of 25 Senate seats) and minority legislative leaders followed traditional party lines; Democrats stressed more government, higher spending and debt increases, with hints of tax hikes, while Republicans offered tax, spending, and monopoly relief.
The Governor's January 22 "State of the State" speech (his 8th and last) was an emotional walk down memory lane but offered no new ideas to help lead Hawaii to prosperity. He spoke of the alleged $330 million two year budget "deficit." Interestingly, he cited the only tax reduction in Hawaii's history as a reason for Hawaii's strength against the events of 9-11 and in his belief that a recovery has begun, but he talked of more taxes, more spending and more debt. His proposals include hiking the tax (already highest in the U.S.) on beer, wine and alcohol; increasing the marriage license fee from $50 to $90; adding a new marriage officiant "fee" of $100, a new burial permit fee of $20, a $10 montly long term care unsurance and raising the cost of state driver's ed courses for teenagers from $10 to $100.
House leadership attempted to muzzle Rep. Charles Djou who was named new GOP Minority Floor Leader, replacing Rep. David Pendleton, first refusing to recognize his new position or to continue to allow him to sit on the Finance Committee. In this "year of bipartisanship," it seems there is still plenty of partisan politics to go around.
Meanwhile, Republican State Rep. Bob McDermott, who says he is running for Congress against Patsy Mink, attacked his own party, calling for the ouster of new party chair, Micah Kane.
Senate Republicans meanwhile, were the first to vote against the "traffic scam stealth cameras" 4 years ago, and the first to go on record to repeal the legislation which has introduced road rage to Hawaii big time. Democrat supporters like Sen. Cal Kawamoto and the Governor, are sticking with the stealth cams in the van which penalize good drivers going as little as one-mile over the posted speed limit. Big bucks for the private company (ACS), and the state; nothing for the police or City.
Likewise, it was the Senate GOP who came out for a return of the Hurricane Fund monies ($215 million) to those that forcibly "contributed" to it, and against the phony reasoning behind allowing Aloha and Hawaiian Airlines to merge to form a monopoly carrier, to the detriment of air passengers, consumers, employees, and cargo users. The Republicans wrote a protest letter to the U.S. Justice Department and State Attorney General. Democrat U.S. Senator Dan Inouye threw his weight around for the monopoly and at first was joined by Governor Cayetano. After hearing some of the testimony and questions from the GOP, Cayetano says he has changed his position.
Issues expected to be discussed during the Session:
Last year's 2001 regular session passed a two-year operating budget, with overgenerous public employee wage increases which now cannot be funded. There also were a record number 3 special sessions with the Governor wanting a 4th (which was not held).
Unions are still unhappy with salary and bonus payments won after a historic K-College strike that shurdown all of Hawaii's public educational facilities after nearly three weeks last year. Additionally, unions will attempt an overturn of last year's historic privatization and union health coverage laws.
Politics will be on center stage during this session because all 76 lawmakers - 51 in the House and 25 in the Senate - must run for office in November and reapportioned districts that will force some lawmakers to seek county, state or federal offices other than legislative.
The State Capitol website is: www.capitol.hawaii.gov. Small Business Hawaii is your primary source of information regarding small business legislation in Hawaii. Call SBH at 396-1724, e-mail sbh@lava.net, or go to the website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com.
26th Annual Conference Commands Attention
Small Business Hawaii (SBH) hosted its 26th Annual Business Conference, January 9, at the Ala Moana Hotel and more than 200 people attended. It was the first major business and investment conference of the new year.
What got major attention, was a broad array of candidates seeking legislative, Mayoral and Gubernatorial office in Hawaii this year; the most important election in Hawaii since Statehood. It was the first chance for the public-and the media-to see so many candidates on the same stage answering questions.
The theme of the conference was "Small Business 2002: Leading Hawaii's Business Climate Out of Crisis." Emphasis was on solutions to business and economic problems in Hawaii-both pre and post 9-11.
Separate Mayoral and Gubernatorial candidate panels were held during the day. All major announced candidates (as of last November) were invited to attend and answer questions from the small business community and the media. Honolulu Mayoral candidates - Frank Fasi, Mufi Hannemann and Keith Kaneshiro accepted and appeared , but absent were candidates Duke Bainum and Mazie Hirono. But they sent campaign representatives to record their opponents. Honolulu Mayor and governor candidate Jeremy Harris, also declined to show as he continues to have campaign spending problems. Allegations of his misdeeds have been turned over to the FBI, IRS and the City Prosecutor.
The gubernatorial panel at lunch featured an empty Harris chair, and Democrats Andy Anderson and Ed Case and Republicans John Carroll and Linda Lingle.
The Conference was an opportunity for small business owners and the public to meet and to discuss issues, such as those involving taxes, gambling, unions, workers' compensation, the Aloha/Hawaiian merger and return of the Hurricane Relief Fund monies.
The SBH Conference featured presentations by Marion Higa State Auditor, Randy Havre investment advisor and venture capitalist, and a strategies and tips by three local "Small Business Success Stories," (Bob Cahn, Freida Takaki and Sharon Mutjabaa).
A Legislative Panel made up of House majority leader Marcus Oshiro (D), minority leader Galen Fox (R), as well as Rep. Colleen Meyer (R) and Senate majority leader Jonathan Chun (D), offered a good preview into the 2002 State Legislature.
The annual SBH business and community awards also were announced during the luncheon program. (See list on the next page.)
A listing of this years awardees and photos of the conference can be found by clicking on the links below: 2002 SBH Awardees | 2002 Conference Photos
SBH's monthly Sunrise networking breakfasts is Thursday, February 28, at the Pineapple Room in Ala Moana from 7 - 8:30 am. The forum includes a full buffet breakfast, networking and program. The forums helps members meet other members and do more business. The public is welcome - advance paid reservations are required. Free parking.
The speaker is John Von Kannon, VP/treasurer of The Heritage Foundation. John is former publisher of The American Spectator, an earlier VP of the Pacific Legal Foundation and President of Chicago- based Russell and Von Kannon, a marketing/consulting firm. He will discuss,"What is Happening in K-12 Education in the USA?" He'll describe innovative breakthroughs in various states.
Following his remarks, a panel will interact to discuss our local schools and what needs to be done: Kam Napier Honolulu Magazine, Donna Estomago, Lanikai Charter School, and a DOE official. This is a must for those intent on improving our education system.
Emphasis at Sunrise is on business networking. Cost is only $20 for SBH members and their guests who pay in advance; $30 for non-members and at the door, provided space is available. Call 396-1724 for more information and an application form.
About 65 SBH members were fortunate enough to hear the quick analytical wit of Mainland syndicated columnist Deroy Murdock, on January 4, at the Pineapple Room.
Murdock, a nationally syndicated columnist with the Scripps Howard News Service and Senior Fellow with the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, spoke on, "How the Free Market Increases Freedom, Prosperity, Health and Peace." Murdock's views enticed, educated and entertained his audience.
He spoke about national, international and Hawaii economic and political issues. He used facts and figures to show the relationship between peace, prosperity and economic vitality when maximum freedom exists. Murdock is knowledgeable and well-traveled. Of Hawaii he said, our greatest economic clout could come from true diversification including our export of vowels - "Aiea" is 100% vowel and Hawaii could share with places like those in Slovenia, a 100% consonant location!"
Murdock's regular column, "This Opinion Just In...," appears in the Washington Times, New York Post, and many other newspapers and magazines in America and abroad. He was a founding staff commentator on MSNBC and has appeared on ABC's "Nightline" and "Politically Incorrect," "NBC Nightly News," CNN, Fox News Channel and C-SPAN, among other TV and radio programs.
Murdock brings to his work an interesting perspective on politics, because of his internship on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee under Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah) from 1982 and 1985; his appointment under President Ronald Reagan to the National Advisory Board on International Educational Programs from 1987 -1989; and his experience with Steve Forbes as a communication consultant.
After the talk, there was an interactive exchange with a panel of local observers including UH Professor of Law Randy Roth; Tax Foundation of Hawaii President Lowell Kalapa; and Honolulu Advertiser's Reader Representative John Simonds.
Malia Zimmerman and Dick Rowland of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii arranged Murdock's visit.
Photos from Mr. Murdock's visit are available for viewing at this link.
Junior Achievement of Hawaii announced six new Laureates who will be inducted into the Hawaii Business Hall of Fame for 2002: Jeffrey Bloom, Executive Director of Computer Training Academy/Network Resource Center; Lloyd Jones and Jon Martin, CEO and President, respectively of Martin & MacArthur; and Kitty Lagareta, Chairman and CEO of Communications-Pacific, Inc. The Legacy Laureates are the late Richard S. Miyashiro, Founder of Café 100, Inc., and the late Roswell M. Towill, Founder and Chairman of the Board Emeritus, R.M. Towill Corporation.
The new Laureates will be honored at an awards dinner on Thursday, March 14, at the Sheraton Waikiki. The life-long accomplishments of each Laureate are celebrated at the event and serve as an inspiration to the business community and to Hawaii's youth. Forty-three distinguished individuals have been selected for the Hawaii Business Hall of Fame since its inception. The 2001 Laureates group included Edward T. Fukuda, Edward J. Hogan, Francis S. Oda, and Legacy Laureate, Chinn Ho.
Established in 1990 by Junior Achievement of Hawaii, the Hawaii Business Hall of Fame recognizes business leaders who, through their entrepreneurial and civic activities, have made enduring contributions to the products, processes, and people of Hawaii. Nominations are reviewed by the Selection Committee, composed of the Chairs of the Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaii Business Roundtable, the Hawaii Council on Economic Education, Junior Achievement of Hawaii, and the President of Small Business Hawaii.
Founded in 1957, Junior Achievement of Hawaii educates and inspires young people to value free enterprise and understand business and economics to improve the quality of their lives. This year, more than 16,000 students in grades K-12 across the state will participate in the program.
Tickets for the dinner are $75 per person and sponsor tables of ten are offered at $1,500, $1,000, and $750. Please call Junior Achievement of Hawaii at (808) 545-1777 ext. 15 for reservation forms and more information.
The 4th annual Small Business Hawaii Industrial Fair was unique and a special occasion. The idea of Mike Rossell and his staff at Production Hawaii, the Fair held January 11 - 12 at the Kalihi Kai Fairgrounds (aka, Kapalama Military Reservation in Kalihi), brought together a mix of industrial vendors, ranging from medical services, technology and heavy equipment to professional services, and everything in between.
Nearly 100 booths were featured at the two-day event, inside and outside. There was an open, family, carnival atmosphere to the event.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin was the presenting sponsor of the SBH event.
SBH Members had an opportunity to meet, network and do business with each other and the community. Members received discounted booth space. Non-member firms got an opportunity to showcase their business.
An industrial fashion show, Mark Glen auction, food and beverages and other events added to the excitement.
The SBH booth was newly designed by member James E. Fox Designs and featured a distinctive patriotic theme. Special thanks to Wayne Fukuda, Alan Lam, Jay McWilliams, Roger Potter, Susie Sadur, Malia Zimmerman and Brian Zinn for their hosting efforts. More photos from the event are available at this link.
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