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Small Business News April 2004 | Online Edition
I'm sad to report the death of longtime SBH member, leader and mentor Gary Arizala owner of Alphabetland Preschool on March 20. Gary contributed greatly to Hawaii.
Hooray for SBH Director and Edward Jones (Kaneohe) owner, Geal Talbert, who sits on top of the other investors for best performance in The Honolulu Advertiser's weekly investment challenge.
Now that even the Advertiser has come out strongly (surprisingly) against the Democrats' ill-conceived gas caps price fixing legislation, it appears more likely this Sen. Ron Menor kingpin of antibusiness legislation in Hawaii will be killed or delayed indefinitely.
While there is plenty of blame to go around, the bane of business appears to be centered around Reps. Kirk Caldwell, Marcus Oshiro, Brian Schatz, Roy Takumi, Dwight Takamine and Sens. Gary Hooser, Brian Kanno, and Ron Menor. Biggest disappointment to some in business: Sen. Norman Sakamoto who used to be solid.
Fresh face at the Capitol: Meredith who, with all her worldly belongings, occupies a koa bench in the Senate Chamber level every day. She also monitors key hearings. She has put in more time this Session than many paid elected lawmakers.
Van cams back? No, more police instead.
OlÈ! Happy 20th anniversary soon to Kailua's Cisco's Cantina, owned and operated by Martha Harding and Greg Blotsky.
Mayor Jeremy Harris continues to try and destroy private transportation options with his pet government transit projects, such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). While his minions keep fooling the media and Neighborhood Board meetings with, the project is :"on hold," cones and traffic obstructions for the BRT popped up on Kuhio Avenue.
Note to developers: Harris has appointed radical, anti-business, anti-development Sierra Club head, Jeff Mikulina, to a post on the City's Planning Commission.
There is a small window of opportunity during this Session for some action on workers' comp fraud and premiums. DLIR Director Nelson Befitel has gone to bat for business; business must go to bat for itself and let legislators know , Work Comp reform now!
The character attack on Ted Hong, the Governor's designee for the 3rd Circuit Court (Hilo), was nothing short of appalling. Hong, a lifelong Democrat, son of former Ariyoshi AG Tany Hong, was done in by his own party members in a purely partisan attack. He referred to their action as a "culture of fear." silencing independent thinking.
State Board of Education (BOE) member Laura Thielen challenged BOE Chairman Breene Harimoto to a public debate in response to charges Harimoto made against Thielen that she has lied, is unethical, and in conflict with the BOE "code." at a March BOE meeting. Thielen, a Democrat, is a thorn in the side of the BOE and Department of Education (DOE) bureaucracyãall Democrats.
Teamsters & Allied Workers Local 996 union, (who brought Oahu the bus strike in 2003) settled after 48 days on strike against Hawaiian Cement but were still striking Ameron concrete. Mel Kahele, union boss, continues his actions to single handedly cripple Hawaii's economic recovery.
Small Business Hawaii is negotiating a public forum debate by announced mayoral candidates Duke Bainum, Frank Fasi and Mufi Hannemann. Filing deadline is July.
The visit and speech by former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani March 20 at Ihilani Ko Olina was impressive. Rudy, a much sought after speaker, was adroit, personable and knowledgeable in this, his first Hawaii visit. He spoke of Gov. Lingle's progress making Hawaii a positive business and investment center and supported the President.
As 4,000 of Hawaii's reserve troops shipped off to Iraq, the U.S. House passed a resolution supporting all men and women in uniform and hailing their sacrifices. Congressman Ed Case (D-2nd) voted aye; Neil Abercrombie (D-1st) voted against. Called by KSSK's Perry & Price to discuss his vote, Abercrombie attacked and slandered Michael W. Perry and President George Bush.
Hooray for the 2004 JA Biz Laureates!
Don't forget to pay your taxes in April; others won't , and you must support them!
Business can make a difference at the Legislatureãand in November. Visit the SBH website for alerts or call the office.
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Congratulations to SBH's Joyce Edwards and Brian Zinn, both confirmed by the State Senate for a term on the Governor's Small Business Regulatory Review board.