Small Business News
June 2004 | Online Edition
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
The best thing that happened to Hawaii's majority party during this past legislative session when they performed so badly? American Idol, which conveniently attracted more attention than big spending, fake reforms and attacks on the executive branch. Initially, Hawaii was enjoying favorable national publicity from having two personable, talented and attractive female participants on "Idol," but as the show wound down, Hawaii and our remaining entry, 17-year old Jasmine Trias from Maryknoll High, were the subject of boos, derision and national negative editorials. All fame flees; even in politics too. But Jasmine is for real.
Richard Borecca of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin wrote two Sunday editorials about why people didn't come down to the Big Square Building to watch the shenanigans or participate during the Legislative Session. Senator Gordon Trimble (R-Waikiki) said the primary reasons were that "we legislators were boring and spent too much time going into session then calling recesses (the Democrats did that nearly daily) and trying to pass secrecy bills." Borecca's second column illustrated more: the whole session had been scripted from the start; there were a lot of "short form" bills introduced that were filled out only during the session, there is no competition when Dems control the house (and every vote) is 36-15 and the Senate 20-5, and when hearing notices are changed and rules waived. It WILL be different next year--after the November elections. The GOP hopes to pick up 6 - 8 House seats and 3 - 4 senate.
See individual lawmaker ratings at this link.
Hawaii lost its long held first placer ranking for the nation's highest price for gasoline. Parts of California, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. hit $2 a gallon first, then continued upward. Local Dems still push price control caps but only as an election ploy. Real answer: CUT our 56¢ highest gasoline taxes! Excessive gas prices will slow our economic recovery and will negatively affect air travel
The Hawaii Publishers Association awarded Honolulu Weekly editorial cartoonist John Pritchett first place honors in the editorial cartoon category in a May 6 event.
The Governor led a delegation (no taxpayer funds) to Israel in mid-May to stimulate Hawaii-Israel economic exchange.
'Bout time: limp liberal judges like Sandra Simms are not reappointed while strong newcomers like Patrick Border join the bench.
Former state tax director, now a tax attorney with Chun, Kerr, Dodd, Beeman & Wong, Ray Kamikawa, shares some good legislative news: HB851 repeals the requirement that a taxpayer must prepay the tax, penalties, and interest before appealing an assessment to the tax appeal court. This will help level the playing field for taxpayers, who were discouraged from testing legitimate issues in the courts, and forced to settle or concede disputes. Hawaii is now free of the prepayment requirement for first appeals to either the independent boards of review or the tax appeal court. This was an industry-sponsored bill. At first, the tax department opposed then came around after Governor Lingle was informed of the merits.
The Hawaii Signature Theatres in Dole Cannery have been sold to Regal Entertainment Group--the nation's largest movie theatre chain--last month. Consolidated Amusement still on the block?
Verizon Hawaii also for sale.
One of Hawaii's earliest and most successful dot coms, "Hot U" has gone under. It was founded years ago by Punahou grad, Walter Roth, son of Randy Roth. Walter reportedly left the firm before the bankruptcy.
The 40-year old landmark restaurant, House of Hong, also closed last month. It was the first eatery to serve Peking Duck here.
Apparently the Shidler Group will purchase Waterfront Plaza at an estimated purchase price around $75 million.
Nissan Motors will close its local distributorship office and move it to California. It will not affect sales or most employees here.
National Career College, Inc. has completed the purchase of Hawaii Business College. No price was disclosed.
SBH member Ed Cruickshank, most recently the sales and marketing executive for the Arcadia retirement home, was named Director of the Office of veterans Services for Hawaii by Governor Lingle. Ed is a 30-year military vet; congratulations!
Member KITV-4 offering a special media package only to SBH members.
Say it isn't so Ann: Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, budget chair and council vice chair, is supporting another fee increase for motorists--ticket and meter costs. Meanwhile, Councilmember Charles Djou leading the charge again to stop tax, spending and salary increases for the wayward council.
See you June 10 at Tiki's in Waikiki for our summer SBH Pau Hana. Aloha!
|
