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January 2007 | More News

UH President David McClain is
First Sunrise Speaker of 2007

David McClain, President of the University of Hawaii, speaks at the first Small Business Hawaii Networking Sunrise Breakfast for 2007 starting at 7 am on Thursday, January 25, in the Pineapple Room at Macy’s Ala Moana.

McClain will share news about UH’s upcoming 100th year celebration and the exciting new campus and program developments statewide.

Parking is free and so are member display tables.

Last month’s speaker was State Tax Director Kurt Kawafuchi. He spoke and answered questions about the General Excise Tax surcharge that takes effect on January 1.

The public is welcome. Cost: remains only $20 for members and their guests who pay in advance; $30 for non-members and at the door if space available. If you pay $220 in advance for 11 monthly events and receive the 12th month free. These are transferrable.

SBH CONFERENCE COMING JANUARY 10, 2007

Find out who will win this year's annual Jean Fukuda Civice Leadership award. Last year Robert Thomas of the Pacific Legal Foundation was presented the award by SBH Board member Wayne Fukuda.

Details on the 2007 annual conference can be found at this link.

SBH Pau Hana is First Social for New Year

The SBH Pau Hana social mixers are both successful and a major member benefit.

SBH’s membership events committee headed by Matt Muccio and Jesse James is providing a win-win event for member sponsors as well as members and their guests. The Pau Hana will be scheduled monthly, the second Thursday of every month, 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

The next Pau Hana will be held Thursday January 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at member Valenti Print Group, 999 Waimanu Street. There will be pupu, beverages and networking, free to SBH members and only $5 for non-members.

Please join us and meet some old friends and new friends too.

If your SBH member business would like to host a future Pau Hana, please contact Matt at 947-8428 or Darlyn at SBH, 396-1724.

New Year, Higher Minimum Wage

Beginning January 1, 2007 Hawaii’s minimum wage increases from $6.75 to $7.25 an hour.

The current federal minimum wage is $5.15 an hour but Democrats have promised an increase, the first in a decade.

With the lowest reported unemployment rate in the Nation, (2.1% in November), Hawaii employers have been racheting wages up continuously during the past several months. For most employers, the minimum wage is a floor not a ceiling.

Hardest hit in Hawaii will be the restaurant industry which sees no increase in the tip credit.

The minimum wage will be responsible for higher costs and reduced opportunities for people seeking to enter the work force.

SBH BOARD OF DIRECTORS met for the annual, year-end board meeting at Romanošs Macaroni Grill at Ala Moana Center. Afterward a group picture was taken. Members present were Geal Talbert, Wayne Fukuda, Walt Harvey, Bob Sigall, John Yanagihara, Peter Matsumoto, Jack Schneider (VP), Matt Muccio, Andy Mertz and Sam Slom, President & Executive Director. Missing were Michael Marsh and Joyce Edwards. The board met to finalize plans for the January conference and follow-up on new proposals for 2007.

January 2007 SB News Front Page

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