Small Business News
March 2005 | Online Edition
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
It was a gala 3rd birthday/anniversary for HawaiiReporter found-ers Malia Zimmerman and Jay McWilliams, investors , writers, and supporters, Friday, February 11 at the Honolulu Country Club. The Mayor, several legislators, Lingle cabinet officers and the head of the campaign spending commission were there. The MSM—main stream media—were not. They were absent as they have been in so many news stories in Hawaii during the past several years. Those that said HR would never start, never last, or never have an impact on business and politics in Hawaii were not there either. Here’s to Hawaii Reporter.com and all the news it reports.
Americans for Tax Reform’s Grover Norquist, visiting from Washington in February, was at the HR party and later expressed astonishment that President Bush would even think about raising taxes for social security, and “put it on the table.” No New Taxes!
The Lingle Administration is fighting for a Cayetano Administration bill before the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill regulated the rate of rent oil companies could charge their station tenants in Hawaii. The law was originally overturned by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (can you believe that?) but the Lingle Administration and AG Mark Bennett will fight to keep the law in place. We had hoped they would have fought half as hard against the gas cap regulation bill which becomes fully operative this September.
Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s preliminary audit of City finances shows it’s worse than first imagined. To say former Mayor Jeremy Harris looted the treasury and robbed the taxpayers, is an understatement. Not one copy of his puff piece book, or an invoice, has yet to be found either.
Rick Daysog, The Honolulu Star-Bulletin investigative reporter is no longer investigating. The paper apparently believes there is nothing more to investigate here.
The firing of Rusti the orangutan’s Honolulu zoo handler because she is not a UPW union worker—and not paid from taxpayer funds either—is outrageous. (She is paid by a national animal rights group). The first blackeye of the Hannemann administration, kowtowing to the United Public Workers. The Mayor also says he supports hefty pay raises for the UPW public employees. Auwe!
Business scarce at the State Capitol.
Charley’s Taxi is the sponsor of the Thursday, March 31 SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast at the Pineapple Room (7-8:30 am) Macy’s, Ala Moana. Wally—he’s still famous with SBH—Amos will be the guest speaker and he’ll talk about success. This cookie maker, author, lecturer and motivator will inspire you, Bring your kazoo!
City Bank is no more; the complete makeover by Central Pacific Bank after the hostile takeover last year was completed February 21. Fiercely loyal banking.
Taking front stage at this legislative session thus far: death with the help of a doctor, banning monkeys from private ownership, a ban on eating dogs or cats, creating a special class of felony for assaults on sports referees and allowing union picketers to picket your personal residence. Taking a back seat (as usual): work comp reform, tax reduction and regulatory relief. The Session ends May 5.
Legislator Alex Sonson, who recently had his law license suspended for ethics violations, saw the dog eating bill as “racist.”
The so-called “clean elections” campaign to get taxpayers to front the costs for politicians to run for office, is a dirty little secret that incumbents, unions and many environmentalists love. (Read Hawaii Reporter and Bob Watada on this scam).
Former Senator Melodie Aduja, who also had her law license suspended, had the suspension delayed so she could represent a family whose children were taken by the state in protective custody after abuse allegations.
Carina Tagupa, longtime communications specialist, and most recently director of research with the state senate minority, takes her talents to Chevron USA. Carina will be missed at the Capitol. Best wishes!
The University of Hawaii, via some professors and radical groups, invited U of Colorado professor (anti-American, phoney Indian, who called the 911 victims, “little Eichmanns” who deserved what they got) Ward Churchill to speak here February 22 . HR’s Zimmerman tried to ask him questions but was silenced at a press conference. Free speech yes; tax subsidized hatred, no.
Catherine Toth of The Honolulu Advertiser doing a good job in seeking out small business profiles.
National Small Business Week will be celebrated next month, April 26 – 28.
Don’t forget to check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com.
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