Small Business News
July 2004 | Online Edition
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
When you want a big job done, get a (SBH member) woman to do it!) With only a few days notice, Malia Zimmerman (Hawaii Reporter), Dale and Darci Evans (Charley’s Taxi) organized a major public tribute to President Ronald Reagan with additional help from Laura Brown, Jay McWilliams and Arla Harvey. This is part of SBH’s leadership involvement in the community. Dick Rowland (Grassroot Institute), Mel Ah Ching and Jerry Stanfield pitched in as well. The Lt. Governor represented the Governor who was on the Big Island. Held at the St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Friday, June 11, with the assistance of Bishop Chang, the event attracted more than 500 people—residents and tourists. Captain Jerry Coffee (USN, Retired) Mufi Hannemann and Linda Smith—all former Reagan staffers—gave eloquent speeches. Kumu John Lake composed a Hawaiian chant for the former president, and hundreds of citizens presented lei. Several special gifts — a carved koa canoe paddle, paniolo (cowboy) hat, poi pounder and lei — will be sent to Nancy Reagan. No taxpayer funds were used in this grassroot effort.
The firing of UH president Evan Dobelle by the UH Board of Regents on June 16 was a surprise to some but it shouldn’t have been. While former Gov. Ben Cayetano tried to politicize the action and blame it on Gov. Linda Lingle—the action taken was unanimous by all Regents, some of whom had been previously appointed by Democrat Cayetano—it was clearly a bipartisan decision. Republican and Democrat lawmakers have had trouble with Dobelle’s veracity and financial records for more than two years. The Legislative Auditor had been highly critical of his undocumented fiscal procedures; he boasted of his ability to raise $150 million in PRIVATE funds for the medical school, to pay back $1 million for improvements for his residence, his cronies were imported at excessive salaries , and the athletic program has been in the red for three consecutive years. But there was more. Yes, Dobelle did promise a great deal and had many visions—not unlike Mayor Jeremy Harris—and all visions were costly and over budget. Patricia Lee, Democrat chair of the Regents, hinted at more financial inappropriate actions. The University of Hawaii will survive and prosper. Acting president David McClain, is capable, honest and experienced..
Congrats to Angie Runyan, partner and staff, for the blessing of Cha Cha Cha Salsaria restaurant which moved from Hawaii Kai Towne Center to a larger location in the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center on the waterfront. Blessing was held June 17.
Congrats to Hardware Hawaii Ace, celebrating its 50th anniversary. “Customers first” is not just a slogan with the family-owned business with 3 locations, now operated by Dana and Mary Lundquist.
Bill Tobin and staff of Tiki’s Grill and Bar showed more than 100 SBH members and friends a great time at our SBH Pau Hana, June 10. Mahalo to Bill, head of the Hawaii Restaurant Association. By the way, wasn’t that Tom Jones of Gyotaku flipping pancakes at the Hawaii Kai Lions fundraiser on Father’s Day at Kaiser High?
Senator Colleen Hanabusa and I will sub for Rick Hamada on KHVH radio (830 am, 6 –10 am) July 9, 14, 15, 16 and 19, as well as every Thursday.
The first of four new shot-in-Hawaii TV series, “North Shore,” debuted June 14. The scenery is spectacular; acting and dialog debatable, but it is a positive effort producing jobs, taxes and opportunities and they should love it on the Mainland. It’s not just another cop show.
Hawaii 5-0’s Jack Lord honored with a memorial and bust in Kahala Mall on June 19.
Uwajima Japan is Honolulu’s latest and 23rd “Sister City.” Why no “brother cities?”
Member-entertainers Willie K & Amy Gilliom back from a DBED trip to Shanghai.
There is an effort here to register the homeless to vote in this year’s election. Interesting concept. Where is their residency?
Mahalo to Governor Lingle for signing a number of good business bills into law during June. She still has plans to veto some of the remaining bad business bills by July 13.
July 20 deadline for candidates to sign up for 2004 elections. Some interesting candidates pulling papers (listing next issue). Most have not signed the “No Taxes” pledge.
The financially troubled state Employees Retirement System (ERS)—troubled because of multiple raids on its corpus by Democratrs — pulled $43 million of $86 million in deposits from Bank of Hawaii, citing poor perfromancve. Taxpayers may have to make up losses and increased costs of ERS.
Space is finally a private frontier.
Celebrate American Independence this July 4 and thank God you are an American.
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