May 2006 | Small Business News
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
Kauai's floods and dam break were followed by terrible flooding on Oahu on Friday March 31, the 43rd straight day of rain, hail, floods and tornadoes in Hawaii. Among the hardest hit: Kahala Mall with dozens of small business shops knocked out and the 8-plex Consolidated Theatres under water. Miraculously, all stores but two re-opened for business on the following Tuesday; carpets had been replaced, water damage removed but the theatres will be closed for months. There hasn't been anything like this in Hawaii for 100 years. Many small businesses suffered on Windward Oahu as well.
The floods and a sewer main break in the heart of Waikiki, caused the City to make the decision to dump raw sewage into the Ala Wai Canal. The only other alternative was to allow it to back up into homes, hotels, condominiums and the streets. This was a legacy of former Mayor Jeremy Harris who raided the City sewer Fund of more than $100 million and made no repairs to emergency conditions. The City Council approved his financial manipulation and must share the blame. During the following days, nearly 50,000,000 gallons of nasty stuff went into the Canal, then into the open ocean, eventually causing the closure of Waikiki Beach, Waimanalo, Bellows and Kailua. It was a PR nightmare for Hawaii's visitor industry and was played up prominently on Mainland newscasts. Then, a young man who fell or was pushed into the Ala Wai boat harbor, died an excruciating death by flesh-eating bacteria and the investigation and lawsuit continue.
The bottom line? It will cost at least $3 billion-plus for a rail transit train to nowhere or to fix Honolulu's aging and deadly broken sewer system. Which would you pick? Let Mayor Mufi Hannemann know now.
The 2006 State Legislature adjourns Thursday, May 4. None too soon as conflicts of interest and overspending without tax relief run rampant in the Big Square Building.
Campaigning has already begun for this fall's election. Next month SB News reviews the full session and rates each of the 76 legislators. Hint: It won't be a good review.
SBH member Mike Gabbard is running for Brian Kanno's seat in Makakilo and Senator Bob Hogue announced April 15 he is running for the 2nd Congressional District. He is joined by Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, former Senator Matt Matsunaga, and dozens more. Rep. Bud Stonebraker reportedly is not running for re-election in Hawaii Kai. Prosecutor Peter Carlisle has yet to officially announce his intentions.
Senator Ron Menor, gas cap godfather and other socialist anti-market legislation — and also a candidate for Congress — heard the House bill to suspend the gas cap. Then amended it with a fake suspension attempting to fool the public. With Hawaii gas prices up more than 30¢ per gallon during April, and back over $3, he insists the gas cap is working. Interestingly, Menor supported a bill allowing unlimited interest rates, saying that if we didn't pass it, the banks and other financial and credit institutions would be burdened and might leave Hawaii. Try figgah.
The Legislature is raising the cigarette tax again in Hawaii. This is not about health or concern for smokers, it is about money. Count how many times you see those anti-smoking TV ads or print ads. My favorite is from “clear the smoke.org,” which has the green smoke turning into a skull. The final line of the ad is, “Nicotine, its the deadliest addiction out there.” Just 2 years ago, the state declared a war on “Ice,” the deadliest drug out there. Not to neglect heroin, cocaine or other illegal drugs. Cigarettes are still legal, but smokers have been made the scapegoat for most of the state's medical ills.
During testimony at a House Finance hearing, which was called on 2 hours notice in violation of the Legislature's 48-hour rule, race track proponent Mike Oakland, seeking tax breaks, refused to answer questions about his financial partners, backers or investors, lecturing lawmakers that he didn't want them to press the investors for campaign contributions. Oakland apologized to House lawmakers a few days later. During that same hearing, Hilo Rep. Jerry Chang suddenly remembered he had land involved in the potential swap for Oakland and declared a conflict after previously voting for the bill. It died.
Lynn Finnegan, House Minority leader speaks at SBH Sunrise, Thursday, May 25
Eva Laird Smith has left JA Hawaii.
Francis Camera closed last month in Ala Moana after 45 years of serving the public.
Thursday, June 22 will be SBH's 2nd annual SBH MidYear Business Conference Program to be announced next month.
SBH is looking for a few good men and women as membership sales associates. Interested/ Call me personally (396-1724).
Don't forget to check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com.
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