April 2006 | Small Business News
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
The tragedy of Kauai’s floods and the 100 year old earthen dam breaks affects us all. Small businesses too were hurt on Kauai and Windward Oahu during the terrible March floods.
Do you watch ABC-TV’s Sunday “Extreme Makeover Home Edition?” Are you as impressed and moved as I am? Just wondering why we don’t can FEMA, government agencies, politicians, and support Sears and ABC’s successful achievements in rebuilding homes and communities in 7 days. ABC could drop their slanted news division and just concentrate on this worthwhile activity.
Who would have thought that propane would be so important in Hawaii? Usually we look at it for BBQ grills only. Until now. Cooking, heating, small businesses, were all impacted by a shutdown in production by Chevron. Liliha Bakery closed for lack of the gas (to bake its famous cream puffs!) but all 23 Zippy’s remained open with their individual tanks of propane from a different source.
April includes Small Business Week (month) and the U.S. Small Business Administration here announced winners of the annual business awards. Congratulations to Randy & Russ Boyer of Aloha Lumber on beleaguered Kauai, Hawaii’s “Small Business Persons of the Year,” and all the other awardees. The luncheon is April 21.
No money back? Sen. Brian Taniguchi’s proposal (SB 3040) to take the surplus refund away permanently is a proposed constitutional amendment. Meanwhile, none of the $600 million-plus cash surplus has been earmarked for return to the taxpayers by the legislature which is set to conclude May 4. There is still hope.
Governor Lingle’s bill to reduce the Unemployment Comp tax wage base from $34,000 to $7,000 (matching the federal FUTA rate) was stripped by Democrats. Also, no Worker’s Comp or health care cost reforms .
A Democrat-led repeal the gas cap movement (HB 3115) passed the House 49-1 with only Rep. Bev Harbin (D-Downtown Honolulu/Kaka’ako) voting against it. But Senator Ron Menor, godfather of the gas cap and other socialist anti-market legislation and now also a candidate for Congress, said he won’t even hear the bill. His Democrat colleagues will force him to hear it.
Aneheuser Bush is now importing a Chinese beer to Hawaii. Interestingly, it is called Harbin Lager. Rep. Harbin getting royalties?
A bill to exempt the General Excise tax on gasoline (Hawaii has the highest gas prices and highest gas taxes in the U.S.) for two years passed the House with only Rep. Hermina Morita (D-Kauai) and Lyla Berg (D-Hawaii Kai) voting against it.
Meanwhile, legislative raids on the Beverage Container (Bottle) Tax Special Fund; “Rainy Day” fund, and Hurricane Relief Fund continue in the Big Square Building.
Cigarette taxes would increase again under an advancing senate bill, to pay for the UH Cancer Center at Kaka’ako. The building is in a tidal wave flood zone by the way. A promise of funding for the Center was made previously by former UH president Evan Dobelle — and broken like so many others.
Former judge Walter Kirimitsu left his $253,000 post as corporate attorney at UH to head St. Louis School. Rumor has it Lt. Governor Duke Aiona eyes the UH position, but he is running for re-election in November with Governor Linda Lingle.
A lot of jockeying for the 2nd Oahu US Congressional seat to be vacated by Ed Case who is running against fellow Democrat Sen. Dan Akaka for the US Senate. By the filing deadline, July 25, look for more than 50 names. State Sen. Bob Hogue (R-Kaneohe) emerging as top Republican; Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Waianae) favored among Democrats. Where is City prosecutor Peter Carlisle? He can’t seem to make up his mind if he wants to be a Republican or Democrat, let alone what US House District to run in.
David McClain was offered a contract as UH president for three years. Good move.
Eminent Domain is a hot topic during the Legislature and it seems the counties in particular may want your property in the future for the biggest white elephant of all time; the proposed Oahu Rail transit. By the way, estimates have ballooned from an intolerable $3 billion to as much as $6 billion. Get real!
Anne Deschene of the Better Business Bureau has quietly exited after 14 years.
JA Hawaii named Mitch D’Olierto its Hawaii Business Hall of Fame last month.
Oahu’s 3rd Pier1 Import coming to Kailua.
On TV ads for the new pedestrian crossing law, we learn a ticket and fine are now a “$97 monetary assessment.”
Come hear Randy Roth of Broken Trust, Thursday, April 27 at SBH Sunrise.
Don’t forget to regularly check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com for the most updated employer alerts.
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