July 2006 | Small Business News
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
"Broken Trust: Lessons Learned" a special SBH public forum on Wednesday, July 5 at the Hale Koa Hotel featuring Randy Roth, Judge Sam King, Congressman Ed Case, newsman David Shapiro, former Campaign Spending Commission chair, Bob Watada and Hawaiian activist attorney Beadie Dawson. This is an awesome opportunity to hear from, and talk to, the people who were there when the corruption unraveled. Reserve today on page 9.
The Akaka Bill is dead, but issues related to Native Hawaiian rights, and their ultimate impact on Hawaii’s small business and taxpayers, live on. My trip to Washington, D.C. in early June, relating to the Akaka Bill, was interesting and informative.
President George W. Bush on June 15 designated the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as a National Monument, making it the world‘s largest marine protected area While the Governor and environmentalists welcomed the action, not everyone was cheering, including those that express concern that the federal government’s holdings and control continue to expand, and small business fishermen who will be banned from all commercial activity. The increased activity will be from politicians and environmentalists who will visit the pristine area more frequently.
Rep. Lynn Finnegan, our May SBH Sunrise speaker was unable to speak — literally. She came down with laryngitis and couldn’t utter a word. We’ll try to reschedule.
A special legislative session this month? Could be on July 11. Governor Lingle has until that date to add to her previous 5 vetoes prior to the end of the 2006 Session.
Fire destroyed UH Lab School in mid-June and it was an excellent charter school. Many small business owners are standing by to help rebuild and refurbish the outstanding public school.
GO! Airlines got off to a good start while Aloha Airlines marked the debut by giving away free tickets on Aloha. Without competition that never happened before.
Some people still trying to hoodwink you into believing if the gasoline price controls were still in effect you would be saving money on gas prices. Don’t believe it.
The Hawaii asphalt shortage was increased by an explosion at Tesoro’s asphalt storage tanks last month. The firm is hurriedly trying to build more storage containers for the much sought after petroleum product.
Hawaii’s State Ethics Commission, first delayed, then dismissed, its hearing against State Senator Brian Kanno. The Commission said because Kanno, Senate Labor Chair, decided not to run this year, and the cost to taxpayers, made their decision. That is a mistake and sends another message of how ineffective and selective the Ethics Commission is. Kanno used his powerful position to threaten NCL cruise line. Ethics said Kanno’s action probably did not rise to criminal activity. That should be the call of the Prosecutor.
Al Gore’s new docu-movie, “An Inconvenient Truth,” is a sad propaganda piece on “global warming.” The heavier Gore is making the late night TV circuit to boost the film.
Alert: the Government Fat Police, soda patrol and salt shakers coming fast. Keep your hands off my Pepsi and fries!
Shortage of teenage and young workers forced Baskins & Robbins to close in Hawaii Kai’s Towne Center after more than a decade. A sign or the times.
The Washington Post reported an Extraterrestrial Alien Diplomacy 3-day seminar in Honolulu in June. Major topic: “ Whether extraterrestrial civilizations are visiting the earth and how diplomacy might be conducted with them and the impact on world peace.” The keynote speaker was former Canadian defense minister Paul Hellyer.
Former State Rep. and Minority Leader, Gene Ward officially has returned to Hawaii from his Peace Corps assignment in troubled East Timor and will run for his old state House (just like E. Timor!) seat (17) in Hawaii Kai.
The SBH June 22 Mid Year Conference featured Mark Recktenwald, Melissa Pavlicek, Kurt Kawafuchi, Nelson Befitel, candidates and others. Luncheon keynoter was State Attorney General Mark Bennett. Sponsors included: AIG Hawaii, ALTRES, Inc., Charley’s Taxi, Edward Enterprises, Henkels & McCoy, Inc., JS Services and Lex Brodie’s Tire Co. Mahalo!
Then on June 29, the monthly SBH Sunrise focused on “Networking — How to Work a Room” with top business coach Pam Chambers. July 27 Sunrise features Wally “Famous” Amos. Reservation form on page 8.
Chaminade’s “Business Formation” Seminar on Th, August 24. Details next SBN.
Celebrate Independence Day July 4 by thanking God and our men and women in uniform for keeping our freedom and liberty.
Don’t forget to regularly check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com .
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