Small Business News
February 2005 | Online Edition
Hawaii's Congressmen Rated Rock Bottom for Business by NFIB
The National Federation of Independent Business recently released its ratings on how Congress members ranked during the 107th and 108th Congress in terms of votes on 12 key small business issues. Those issues relate to healthcare, repeal of the death tax, jobs growth incentives, overtime pay, business interest checking, corporate tax overhaul, Occupation Safety and Health Administration requirements, the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act, and the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2004.
The worst scores in Hawaii of the state’s four congressmen for voting in support of business went to U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who both ranked in the 108th Congress with a “0.” A good score is considered 70 percent and above, according to the NFIB report, with excellent ratings handed out for those at or near 100 percent.
The Hawaii Senators’ scores dropped dramatically from the 107th Congress, where they still received poor rankings, but they were above 0 percent with Akaka at 17 percent and Inouye at 25 percent.
Hawaii U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie in the 107th Congress, voted just 43 percent of the time with small business on key issues. In the just-completed 108th Congress, he dropped to an even-worse score of 25 percent, or voting just 25 percent of the time for small business.
Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, Second District, got the highest score of all four congressmen with 33 percent. However, Case still was awarded a poor rating when compared with many other congressmen across the country whose scores reached 100 percent.
For more information, see http://www.nfib.com/attach/5971.
Two Named to Business Hall of Fame
The Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Hawaii and the Selection Committee for the Hawaii Business Hall of Fame recently announced the 2005 Laureates, naming Robin K. Campaniano and Masaru “Pundy” Yokouchi. The Selection Committee’s choice recognizes the life-long accomplishments of Campaniano and Yokouchi, as well as their outstanding contribution to our state’s business development and community enrichment.
Every year for more than a decade now, Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame honors the outstanding men and women in Hawaii for their leadership contributions that also serve to inspire Hawaii’s youth. The 2005 Laureates bring the total number of honorees to fifty-eight.
Campaniano is a highly regarded member of the business community, serving in a leadership role with a number of professional and civic organizations. While concurrently serving as president and CEO of AIG Hawaii Insurance Company, Campaniano also sits on the Board of First Hawaiian Bank, Oceanic Cablevision, the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation. He is trustee for HMSA, Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, Hawaii Labor Heritage Foundation, Public Schools of Hawaii, Great Aloha Run, State Stadium Authority, past Chair of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, UH Foundation, Hawaii Business Roundtable, and was Regent of both UH Manoa and Chaminade University.
Yokouchi has made his mark both in the business and cultural scene in Oahu and Maui. Pundy, as he is popularly known, chairs the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, while president Of Valley Isle Realty, The Yokouchi Foundation, and the Kaanapili Kai, Inc. He is past chair of the Honolulu Academy of the Arts, the Hawaii Alliance for Arts education, and the Maui Rehabilitation Center. Pundy also served as director of the Maui Economic Development Board, the Hawaii Theatre, and the Japan Hawaii Economic Council. He owns the Lahaina Square Shopping Center, Dickenson Square Shopping Center, also in Lahaina, the Old Koloa Town Shopping Mall in Kaui, as well as the American Savings Bank Building in Oahu.
The 2005 Hall of Fame Awards and Dinner is slated for Tuesday, March 15, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Legislative Presentation Awards for both Senate and Lower House will take place on March 14. For additional information of the Hall of Fame Awards, call 545-1777, Eva Laird Smith, JA president.
Hawaii Association of Realtors Legislative Agenda
By Walt Harvey (R), East Oahu Realty,
ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, ePRO
The 2005 Hawaii Legislature is back in session and one of the state’s trade organizations, the Hawaii Association of Realtors© (HAR), will be lobbying the legislators on issues concerning private property rights. HAR’s membership of over 8,000 Realtors© is very politically active and many consumers are unaware of how HAR’s Legislative Committee works to protect property owners and those who would like to become home owners.
Their pro-active agenda this session involves four main issues: Economic Development, County Zoning of Agricultural Land, Statutory Agency, and Residential Landlord-Tenant Code. Here are key points of HARs positions:
Economic Development: Support legislative initiatives that provide significant potential for job creation, real estate investment, and the development of residential and commercial real estate, including affordable residential rentals. Promote products and resources that expand housing availability and ensure an adequate supply of housing opportunities in both the rental and homeownership sectors of the market.
Oppose legislation that increases fees and taxes, in particular the general excise tax which adversely impacts residential landlords and tenants, as well as the viability of small businesses and consumers. Promote government efficiency and reduce the burden of government regulation.
County Zoning of Agricultural Land: Support county home rule as it relates to the zoning of agricultural land. Reduce duplication of zoning designations by the state and counties. Preserve important agricultural lands, while reclassifying small, subdivided agricultural lots to the state’s rural district. Support the abolition of the Land Use Commission and reclassification of marginal or non-productive agricultural land to residential use.
Statutory Agency and Non-Agency Brokerage Relationships: Introduce and support legislation to establish statutory agency and non-agency brokerage relationships for the real estate industry in Hawaii. Clarify the duties and obligations of the parties.
Residential Landlord-Tenant Code: Introduce and support legislation to amend Residential Landlord-Tenant Code to strengthen the landlord’s and/or property owner’s ability to evict tenants who engage in illegal drug activity.
Please contact your Realtor© for additional information.
Walt Harvey is a real estate broker with East Oahu Realty and works with his wife Arla. They can be reached on their website: http://www.coastalhawaii.com or by email walt@coastalhawaii.com. or phone: (808) 375-8959.
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