November 2007 | Small Business News
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
After years of planning, the launch of the 501(c)(3) Small Business Hawaii Entrepreneurial Education Foundation is a reality. It will help extend the community business education outreach of SBH and expand our public educational programs.
The saga and attacks on the Hawaii Superferry continue. That generated a Special Session of the State Legislature on October 24. Only a temporary, band-aid solution at best is expected as an outcome. More than 80%, or 249 employees, were furloughed by Superferry last month. The Superferry hosted active duty military and their families on five Oahu cruises, October 20 - 21. Sold out.
Meanwhile, without fanfare - or any EIS - Young Brothers started Hawaiian operation of a new 340 foot long (almost the same as Superferry) Interisland barge, the Ho'omaka Hou. The company also increased barge fees again, by 7.5% last month.
On November 11, Horizon Lines will increase its fuel charge by 1% to 25% on its Hawaii and Guam routes. Matson follows with a 2% hike to 26%, a continuing trend.
An EIS has been filed for the 200-one-acre residential lots Molokai La'au Point project by Molokai Ranch Company.
As I suggested on the radio last month, and in print, Hawaii's professional protesters, (most of whom are recent transplants) are ready for their next project. They have already begun to attack the proposed Disney Resort at Ko'olina.
Court watchers suggest things are not going well for Mesa Airlines' Hawaii Go! Interisland service in the lawsuit brought by Hawaiian Airlines. Go! could be suspended from local air service if they lose.
The new HAL operations VP is Charles Nardello, succeeding Norm Davies.
Surprise! The Kauai Ethanol plant ground breaking is put off yet again while Hawaii motorists continue to use ethanol imported from South America at great cost and at reduced mileage.
Know an outstanding Hawaii business person? Nominate them with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Contact www.hwbc.org for more info.
CEO Lloyd Jones and founder Jon Martin of fine wood product manufacturer Martin & MacArthur, were honored as "Retailer of the Year," (the Ho'okela Award) by the Retail Merchants of Hawaii last month.
Walgreens opens their first drugstore outlet in Hawaii this month on Keeaumoku Street (former Tower Records location).
Zippy's celebrated 41 years of operation October 17 and announced plans for Neighbor Island restaurants.
You can buy Lost Actor Terry O'Quinn's North Shore residence for $3 million; he bought it for $2 million.
The Honolulu-based Kai Sensors, a communication technology company that detects and monitors heart and respiration activity, recently was awarded an $850,000 U.S. Army contract.
Bankoh has promoted Ron Cannoles and Brian Isikawa as senior VPs at the bank.
Over at First Hawaiian, Melvin Mow is a new senior VP and chief credit officer.
The median sales price for single family homes on Oahu increased 2.3% to $649,000 during the 2Q 2007 while condos increased to a median $330,000, up 4.8%.
Foreclosures in Hawaii are still among the lowest in the nation but they are double the rate of last year through the 3Q 2007, totalling 135 filings, or one per 3,638 households — 10th lowest in the U.S.
In a major PR gaff, the Ford Ironman World Championship was forced to apologize to local event supporters and residents after it announced the "official" coffee of the event was not world famous Kona Coffee, but Guatemalan beans. Auwe!
SBH's most popular “Share n' Tell Business Forum” returned after many years hiatus, to the Waialae Country Club October 18, and was well attended with enthusiastic participants. Theme was “Quick Tips for Promoting Your Business.” Directors planning quarterly luncheon events in the future.
Be sure to join us Thursday, November 29 (7 - 8:30 am) at Alan Wong's Pineapple Room in Macy's Ala Moana for our monthly SBH Sunrise featuring John Garibaldi, CEO of Hawaii Superferry, Inc. Reserve early!
And save Wednesday, January 9, 2008, to attend SBH's 32nd Annual business and Investment Conference when musician, showman, TV star and entrepreneur extraordinaiore, Gene Simmons comes to Honolulu with a full crew of A&E TV for two Hawaii television segments at Ihilani.
Take a moment at Thanksgiving to pray.
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