Small Business News
October 2005 | Online Edition
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
The Democrat legislators' Gas Cap Law, the first ever in the nation, took effect October 1 and had the SBH-predicted consequences: (1) higher prices; (2) spot shortages and (3) another blow to Hawaii's business and investment climate. (See stories of ridicule in The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Investor's Business Daily, Forbes, etc.) Main architect, Sen. Ron Menor and henchmen, Majority Leader Marcus Oshiro, Rep. Hermina Morita and former Governor Ben Cayetano, would have residents and others believe, the wholesale price control “worked" even though gasoline increased to over $3.70/gallon on Oahu and more than $4 on Lanai. This law, three years in the making, is as anti-consumer as they come and is a naked swipe (again) at Chevron USA, one of two Hawaii refiners. The sad part is that Hawaii consumers will pay and pay the price for this lunacy in terms of higher prices for electricity, food, materials and almost everything they consume.
A major lesson from Hurricane Katrina: rely on yourself and the private market, not failed government bureaucracy.
The Governor on October 16 appointed Beverly Harbin to fill the vacancy in the State House created by the resignation earlier this year of Democrat Ken Hiraki in District 28, Downtown-Kaka'ako (Oahu). By law the Governor must appoint someone of the same political party. Harbin, a Democrat, has a business background and formerly was involved with the Kaka'ako Improvement Association, Chamber of Commerce, and most recently started the Employers Chamber of Commerce. We wish her well and if she remains true to her business roots, the house Democrats may have their hands full.
The West Oahu Ewa Beach Little League baseball team, coached by Layton Alviado, returned to Hawaii as world champions, the first ever title for a Hawaii little league team. The dozen 11 and 12 year olds began their three-week odyssey winning in Hilo at the state tournament, July 21. They then travelled to San Bernadino, for regionals and finally, to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where they won the United States crown on August 27. On Sunday, August 28, they came from behind twice to win a thriller, only the first time since 1971 the game went past the scheduled six innings, 7-6 against defending champion Curacao (a Caribbean Island country off the coast of Venezuela) on the strength of a walk away home run by Michael Memea. Ewa Beach finished post season play 18-0.
It doesn't matter where we live on Oahu or statewide, the Ewa Beach kids' achievement make us all proud. Their attitude, demeanor and go for broke ethic reflected well on all of us. Their chant of “USA, USA, USA," is in stark contrast to some of the darker aspects of the current debate on the Akaka Bill and feelings of anger towards the United States for alleged past wrongs against Hawaii. Ewa Beach is a worthy world champion.
Hunton & Williams LLP announced that Orson Swindle, former Hawaii resident and commissioner of the US Federal Trade Commission, has joined the firm as Chair of Information Security Projects for the firm's Center for Information Policy Leadership. Swindle also served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce during the Reagan Administration.
State Rep. Barbara Marumoto (R-19th, Kalani Valley-Diamond Head) received a Crime Fighter award from a national victims advocacy group last month for her sponsorship of legislation that enforces stronger measures to monitor convicted felons. Marumoto received the award from RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Seattle. A member of the House Judiciary Committee, Marumoto has introduced bills calling for increased use of DNA technology to match felons with violent crimes and for a state crime laboratory.
The dynamic business duo of Mike May president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and his wife and SBH member, Carol Ai May (VP of City Mill) were named, “Distinguished Citizens of 2005" by the Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Jude Wanniski, 69, who died August 29, coined the phrase “supply-side' economics." Among his books were, “The Way the World Works." Free Enterprise Fund Chairman Mallory Factor said, “His writings were central to demonstrating how, in the free enterprise system, low marginal tax rates lead to growth because society is dynamic. The tax cuts he helped Ronald Reagan design are still paying dividends."
Join us at the October 27 SBH Sunrise at the Pineapple Room (Ala Moana Macy's) to hear Robert Thomas of the Pacific Legal Foundation who will discuss the government's attack on small business through eminent domain and Kauai taxpayers' Prop 13.
Don't forget to regularly check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com
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