August 2007 | Small Business News
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
$8.50. That's what I just paid for one half-gallon of local 2% milk and one loaf of regular, local, white bread. $8.50! Is it any wonder that local businesses surveyed last month reported the lowest confidence level about the current and future Hawaii business climate since 1999? Taxes, fees, gas prices, tight labor market and costly local government lead the list of reasons for the lack of confidence even though the economy as a whole is better today than it was five years ago. Small business continues to be impacted the most and lawmakers don't have a clue about how difficult it is to prosper here.
Three tax hikes occurred during the recent Legislative regular and special sessions: (1) 1¢ more per gallon for state fuel tax; (2) extension of the $3 per day rental car tax, and (3) a new $1 container "invasive species" tax.
The City Council increased commercial real property (business) taxes while slightly reducing residential property tax rates.
The City Rail transit supporters are telling certain businesses hanging on by a thread on Queen Street in Kaka'ako, that the train will be coming right through their front doors.
Recent business benchmark closings in Hawaii: the Waikiki TGI Fridays, Varsity Theatres and Magoo's Pizza in the University area, Jackie's (Chan's) Chinese Kitchen in Ala Moana and Flamingo Windward eatery.
New (good) appointees to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission Hawaii Advisory Panel include: Wm. Burgess, Jimmy Kuroiwa and Tom Macdonald. There are 17 members.
Coldstone Creamery coming to Hawaii Kai Shopping Center and Kapahulu.
The Kauai ethanol facility has been delayed again by Gay & Robinson Ag-Energy.
Mahalo to Island Insurance and Central Pacific Bank for stepping up so quickly to help assist the "Meals on Wheels" program for impoverished seniors.
The Chinese first tried to poison our dogs and cats and most recently, US! Live without products made in China today? It can be done, but is hard to do and very expensive. At least the Chinese apparently know what to do to those who harm, defraud or cheat consumers; execution without delay.
HawaiiSuperferry begins next month. Some anti-ship diehards remain. Bumper strip seen on Kauai: "F*** Da Superferry"
The U.S. SBA Ombudsman, Nick Owens, presented a regulatory seminar here.
Local business giant, Paul Loo, died last month. Loo, long time head of a major investment firm, was also a philanthropist and was honored earlier in the year by JA Hawaii.
Long time member Helen Chock, Helena's Hawaiian Food, died in July also. Helen, 90, ran her legendary business for more than 60 years. A celebrity who refused celebrity status, Helen was awarded the "James Beard Foundation Regional Classic Restaurant Award" in 2000 and was an inductee into the Cultural Institute of the Pacific, Culinary Hospitality Hall of Fame.
Big Island baker extraordinaire, Jim O' Keefe, (O'Keefe Bakery in Hilo and Ono Kona Coffee) opened a new store, Ono Kona at Imiloa at the Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, July 15.
The recent 1-day Legislative Special Session (July 10) wasn't special. It was a raw show of force to override more of Governor Lingle's vetoes and to pass bad bills, endanger the public safety and further drawdown highway and other special funds.
Attorney and former Office of Information Practices Director (since 2003), Les Kondo, was appointed as interim commissioner to the Public Utilities Commission by Governor Lingle in July. Lingle also appointed Ron Boyer Deputy Director to Larry Reifurth of the DCCA. Boyer was former lead policy analyst in the Governor's office.
Congrats to Malia Zimmerman, Jay McWilliams and HawaiiReporter for recent awards by the Society of Professional Journalists-Hawaii for investigative reporting.
Ed & Audrey Case really believe in competitive government: they gave tips to Republican candidates at MacMouse Club.
Help SBH celebrate the 48th anniversary of Hawaii's Statehood on Friday, August 17. Hawaii officially joined the union August 21, 1959.
Join us Thursday, August 31 at the Pineapple Room Ala Moana for the monthly SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast featuring Hawaii business consultant Ray Riss He will give you valuable tips to increase your sales and lower your costs. SBH members should bring guests, 7 am. See form on page 8.
Don't forget to tune in "SBH TV" on O'lelo channel 54, 4:30 pm, every Sunday.
Please check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com for the most updated employer alerts and event schedule.
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