October 2006 | Small Business News
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
The 30th anniversary dinner for SBH, September 9 — the same date the Governor Linda Lingle Campaign Committee chose for their $250 per person ball (after the publication of the SBH event date) — was a hit with many people renewing old friendships, and young people learning a lot about SBH’s history and firsts in Hawaii’s business community. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Congressman Ed Case and State Representative Colleen Meyer stopped by to present SBH with congratulatory proclamations. (Note: also see best wishes on the website, www.smallbusinesshawaii.com). It was memorable to see SBH founder Lex Brodie, small business icon, George Mason, Cliff Slater and others. See you at the 35th in 2011.
Mayor Mufi organized a wonderful 9/11 Remembrance Walk on September 10; it will be an annual event. The Governor spoke at the event and both were inspiring.
The September 23 Primary Election had major implications for Hawaii’s future. The marque race for U.S. Senate between Democrat incumbent, 82-year old senator Daniel Akaka and 53-year old challenger, former state Representative and Congressman, Ed Case, ended with Akaka victorious in probably his hardest race since his initial contest 30 years ago. Case garnered more than 107,000 (to Akaka’s 129,000) and fell short of one of the biggest political upsets in Hawaii’s history. Many Republicans crossed over to support Case in a contest which had national implications. While Akaka won — on the strength of 82-year old Democrat Daniel Inouye’s support — the days of the old time machine are limited and this will affect business opportunities in the future.
The voter turnout improved slightly from 2004 (40%) to 42%; still abysmal.
Jerry Coffee who had to drop out of the U.S. Senate race after a heart attack, won anyway. The Republican Party then appointed State Rep. Cynthia Thielen to run.
GOP House Leader, Rep. Lynn Finnegan is holding a birthday fundraiser at the DAV, Weinberg Hall, 2685 N. Nimitz Highway, Thursday, October 5, 6 – 8:30 pm.
Maui Divers Jewelry will be adding five more retail outlets during the next few months, bringing the total number of stores to 65.
GO! Airlines, still hasn’t broken even since entering the InterIsland market but its marketing sure rankles Aloha and Hawaiian.
Duane “Dog” Chapman, small business owner, high profile bounty hunter and A&E television star, was arrested at his Portlock home in mid-September from an incident stemming from his capture of a notorious rapist in Mexico three years ago. Federal marshals made the arrest in a surprise dawn raid. Our government is suspect in this incident which smacks of a political deal with Mexico. They want a trade? Give ‘em the estimated 11 million plus illegal Mexican aliens and keep Dog out of Mexico. We need Dog to capture Osama Bin Laden, but then the government would probably re-arrest him.
Finally some good news for Hawaii’s businesses, particularly small ones: workers’ comp premiums — among the highest in the Nation — are expected to decline in January according the state Insurance commissioner J.P. Schmidt because of improved safety procedures and a reduction in worker claims.
More bad news, however, on the hurricane insurance front: expect significantly higher residential and commercial premium rates — if you can find a carrier in Hawaii.
Gasoline prices continue to recede, but not at the same rate as on the Mainland leading several to call for a return of the gas caps. Nothing could be worse. None of the other 49 states have ever had gas caps and the fact that rates have fallen shows clearly the free market works, competition works and greater supply is the answer. Hawaii remains an isolated, tiny, over taxed and regulated (leading to the highest costs of doing business) non-competitive market.
Hawaii shines on the latest edition of “Monopoly,” where Waikiki Beach property is available for $2.2 million — a steal. Far cry from “Indiana Avenue” which it replaced and cost us oldsters back in the day, $220.
All 25 company-owned Jack in the Box Hawaii restaurants were sold last month for $19 million to Hawaii’s Chris Scanlan.
American Savings, a subsidiary of HEI, Inc., was caught in an embarrassing series of alleged withdrawal cover-ups. Money has been repaid but the feds are still investigating.
SBH Sunrise October 26 features McDonald’s franchise owner, Victor Lim. He will discuss the importance of Hawaii’s restaurant industry.
Get your copy of the historic SBH “Broken Trust” DVD from July’s Forum. Check our website at smallbusinesshawaii.com for updated information and alerts.
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