December 2007 | Small Business News
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
The Hawaii Superferry was scheduled to begin sailing again in late November thanks to a law passed October 31 during the 6-day Special Session of the state Legislature. However, the Governor imposed 40 additional conditions on the Superferry and the anti-business activists on Maui and Kauai filed additional legal challenges.
The Special Session also amended the extended sentencing law and just in time; about 100 violent criminals could have had their sentences reduced if the Legislature had not acted.
After 32 years with the same banking institution, Small Business Hawaii transferred its main checking and charge accounts to member First Hawaiian Bank. from Bankoh. Local service and customer attention were the motivating factors.
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii honored several deserving individuals at its 5th annual awards banquet at the Hale Koa Hotel, November 3. Top awardee and recipient of GRIH’s coveted George Washington Award, is “Jonathan Gullible” author and Hawaii Pacific University professor Ken Schoolland. Other “Unsung Hero” awardees include: the Pacific Legal Foundation, State Rep. Colleen Meyer and former Board of Education member Paul Vierling.
The future of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and Lowell Kalapa are once again in doubt. Hawaii needs the Tax Foundation.
Walgreen’s opened the first of 30 planned drug stores November 1 on Oahu. Prices are similar in most cases to Island landmark Long’s Drugs. Longs announced it will vigorously compete, adding walk in clinics to its outlets.
The annual Sony electronics expo at the Ala Moana Hotel last month continued to “wow “ with new devices to be available soon.
Sad turn of affairs for Duane “Dog” Chapman the Bounty Hunter, the star of the A&E television series and his indefensible racial remarks, in a private telephone conversation to his son who later, with his girlfriend, sold out the Dog for big bucks in the National Enquirer. The action spurred local and national debate. Was the Dog set up? Probably, but we all make choices, including bad ones, and must accept responsibility for them as Dog has done. His interview with Sean Hannity on Fox was not a sterling moment.
$655,000; average home price on Oahu.
Circuit Court Judge Randy Lee was defeated for confirmation to the State Intermediate Court of Appeals on October 30 by a Senate vote of 9 – 16. The Governor then selected Kathryn Leonard from the remaining list of 5 judicial selectees. That means, you guessed it, another (the third this year) Special Legislative Session (Senate only) was set for November 19 – 20 to confirm or reject Leonard.
The writers strike threatens ABC-TV’s “Lost” and other programs. Amazing that the late night show can’t even write their own monologues since most previously were stand up comics.
The federal bankruptcy court here ruled that Mesa Airlines (GO!) has to pay Hawaiian Air $80 million for stolen and misused corporate information. The court did not order a one-year suspension of service as Hawaiian requested. The verdict is on appeal.
The best-selling The Companies We Keep book authored by Bob Sigall and published by SBH, is back just in time for the holidays with a brand new second edition.
The University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team continues their quest for an undefeated season, high national ranking and a major bowl berth. ESPN national TV has been a good boost to our economy.
The NFL is again rattling sabers suggesting it might move the Pro Bowl from Honolulu after the current contract expires. The Bowl nets about $100 million to Hawaii.
Ed Kubo ’07 VASH Service Awardee.
Runners are being turned away for this December’s Honolulu Marathon, another big revenue maker for Hawaii. There is no taxpayer subsidy for this race, one of the tops in the Nation with more than 30,000 runners.
Join us Thursday, December 27 (7-8:30 am) at Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room in Macy’s Ala Moana for our monthly SBH Sunrise featuring Peter Matsumoto and “Really Year End Tax Tips.”
You must attend Wednesday, January 9, 2008, SBH’s 32nd AnnualBusiness and Investment Conference. Musician, showman, TV star and entrepreneur, Gene Simmons comes to Honolulu with a full crew of A&E TV for two Hawaii television segments at Ihilani.
Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a wonderful New Year 2008.
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