Small Business News
August 2004 | Online Edition
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
You always read news and opinions in SB News that you won't find anywhere else. This month is no exception. SBH members are always welcome to submit commentary. Viva Free Speech!
We're too used to reporting bad Hawaii economic news and low rankings. Our 3% unemployment rate, announced in June, was the lowest in the nation which averaged 5.6%. It is great to finally report a stat where Hawaii is number one... and it's a good thing!
Hawaii's Association of Realtors announced there are currently (July) 2,700 properties available for sale in Hawaii and 4,700 brokers to assist you find them. The excitement of Hawaii's hot realty market continues.
The City is raising real property taxes, with direct higher rates or much higher assessments. Payments are due August 23. Honolulu's property valued at $110.4 Billion.
"Snafu" a term from WWII suddenly is in vogue again and as is typical, most national and local media started talking of "snafus."
Congrats to the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii on its 154th annual membership meeting in July; 1,000 people attended the luncheon and heard two keynoters: Gov. Linda Lingle and Admiral Tom Fargo.
Governor Lingle told her business audience at the Chamber about the economic importance of the homeless and unveiled her plan to cope with the problem-now 6,000-plus homeless. The next day, Democrat party head, Brickwood Galuteria attacked Lingle saying, "It's about time the Governor did something about the homeless." Lingle has been in office 20 months; Democrats previously for 40 years.
Rusti the orangutan, still a prisoner of the Harris Administration in terrible housing at Honolulu Zoo. Another broken Harris promise. Meanwhile, Harris continues to deconstruct Kuhio Ave., Ala Wai with Ala Moana next for his BRT billion $ waste project. Can Honolulu survive until he leaves in Nov.?
Fired UH prexy Evan Dobelle's increased "dream" team of high priced lawyers is matched by the UH Board of Regents with their own team. The lawyers will make out well and the taxpayers will pay.
State Rep. Brian Blundell (R-Wailuku) arrested on 4th degree sexual assault in mid-July for allegedly groping a male undercover police officer in Waikiki. Blundell, thought to be a shoe-in for re-election, now faces a Democrat opponent. Arraignment is Aug. 6.
After July 20, we know who's in and out for this year's election (Hawaii's primary is Saturday, Sep. 18. The general is Tuesday, Nov. 2. Most races offer a choice to voters. A few lawmakers will automatically be elected in the Primary: Senators Robert Bunda (Wahiawa); David Ige (Pearl City) and Lorraine Inouye (Big Island), and Representatives Lynn Finnegan, K. Mark Takai and Dwight Takamine. All but Finnegan are Democrats. Among the dozens of new, first time and younger candidates is former UH football standout, Republican Craig Stutzmann who is challenging House Majority Leader Scott Saiki. Among other Republican candidates of note: former Kauai Mayor Maryann Kusaka running against first time senator Gary Hooser; and Vietnam war hero and journalist Captain Gerald Coffee (USN, Ret.) trying to unseat Rep. Blake Oshiro. None of the major candidates for Mayor have signed the No Tax Pledge. Next month, Small Business News will print a listing of suggested pro-business candidates from PAYCHECKS HAWAII in time for the Primary.
Board of Education member Carol Gabbard not running again; she's helping husband City Councilman Mike Gabbard in his challenge to Congressman Ed Case (D).
The merger of Maunaloa Macadamia Nuts and Mac Farms Hawaii may not be a done deal and may not be that beneficial: a monopoly would be created and control about 80% of the mac nut market.
Sean Hao had a concise article in The Honolulu Advertiser why Hawaii's milk price controls haven't worked and made problems worse. Controls were to save dairy farms (they haven't), increase production (decreased) and keep prices constant. Hawaii has the highest per gallon milk price in the nation,much higher than gas.
Disappointed Gov. Lingle allowed the Democrat socialized gas cap bill to become law without her signature. Its worst points aren't effective til Sep. '05, but I'm old fashioned: if a law is bad and you know it, veto.
November 1 you will be paying a new tax under the guise of bottle recycling; you pay 6¢ per container and maybe can claim 5¢ back starting next January. Maybe.
Now that the federal government has dubbed obesity a "disease," we can all swallow more and let the skinny taxpayers pay for our stomach staples. Whatever happened to taking individual responsibility for your actions and life choices? Aloha!
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