Small Business Hawaii Awards Banquet to be held on May 9

Small Business Hawaii's annual business awards will be presented at a special awards banquet, Friday, May 9 at the Waialae Country Club.

Awards for SBH Business Person of the Year, (John Garibaldi, Hawaii Superferry, Inc.), Civic Leader (Victor Lim, McDonalds' of Hawaii), Young Entrepreneur (Bernadette Baraquio, Just a Girl Productions) and others will be presented at the special banquet in conjunction with the official kickoff of the new SBH Educational Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non profit corporation. There is a silent auction, prizes, entertainment by Winnie Chan Piano Studio students and others and a special speaker.

Three Hawaii small business success awardees, David Arita, American Carpet One, Mylene Hinkle , Mylene's Floral Wholesale and Bill Tobin of Tiki's Grill & Bar, will share their success tips.

Reservations are tax deductible, $100 per person (made out to "SBH Foundation") Details on at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com or call Darlyn at (808) 396-1724.

Junior Achievement of Hawaii's 2008 Business Hall of Fame inductees were honored at the legislature on March 7. The honorees are (left to right) M. Steven Grant, for the 51st Anniversary of Junior Achievement in Hawaii; Peter Kim of Yummy Restaurants; Richard Ha of Hamakua Springs Country Farms; Joseph Ferraro, of Ferraro Choi and Associates and Jon deMello of Mountain Apple Records. SBH President & State Senator Sam Slom made the floor presentation. The State Legislature is almost 2/3 over with adjournment scheduled to happen on May 1.

Legislature Heading for Home - No Business Relief

The 24th State Legislative Session which began January 16 and runs until May 1 passed the halfway point last month. For business, there is nothing to cheer about.

The Session thus far has been sparked by planned tax increases, more employer mandates and burdensome business regulations.

Medical tort reform was held hostage and died an agonizing death in mid-March in the House.

Additionally, the session has revolved around more government intervention and specifically the banning of products (styrofoam, incandescent light bulbs and plastic bags) and buying or condemnation of private property. The takeover of the Turtle Bay Resort and adjunct lands, first proposed surprisingly in the state of the State message in late January by the Republican Governor, Lingle, was embraced by the Democrats. But they went further adding state purchase of Haiku Valley, the Coco Palms resort property on Kauai, Galbraith Estate lands in Wahiawa, and Ka Iwi mauka preservation property in Hawaii Kai.

Then there was the private agreement reached by the Governor and the Office of Hawaiian Affair (OHA) to “end” the ceded lands controversy by the state giving $187 million in lands at Kalaeloa and Kakaako (Oahu) and Banyan Drive in Hilo plus $13 million in cash ($200 million total) and $15.1 million in annual payments. Not everyone favors this settlement — individual Native Hawaiian lawsuits against the state and private landowners would be possible — and if the federal Akaka Bill passes, private property could be in chaos as Native claims could increase. The bill “died” March 17.

On February 20, the Hawaii State Senate passed Senate Bill 2841, which will require retailers with more than 75,000 square feet of retail space to operate on-site redemption centers for deposit beverage containers. The new provisions are aimed at “big box” retailers such as Wal-Mart, Costco, and Sam’s Club.

Sen. Ron Menor, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and the Environment and one of the bill’s sponsors, said that the bill will bring further improvements to the state’s deposit beverage container program, popularly known as the “bottle bill… This measure is pro-consumer and pro-environment,” Menor said. “We are encouraging these retailers, who introduce a tremendous number of beverage containers into our community, to demonstrate good corporate citizenship by making redemption easier and more convenient for consumers. Given the potential impact on our community, I do not think this is too much to ask. Rather, I think it is the least they could do.”

The Senate’s four Republicans, including Sens. Fred Hemmings, Gordon Trimble, Sam Slom and Paul Whalen, voted against this bill, while all Democrats, except two who were absent, voted in support. Sen. Lorraine Inouye, D-Hilo, voted yes but with reservations. (Senator Whalen announced last month he would not seek re-election this November on the Big Island).

Other bills involve Hawaii’s “Sunshine Law,” corporate campaign contributions, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) exemptions, taking more powers from the Executive and placing them with the Legislature, “sustainability” and procurement issues. A Senate Investigating Committee has been inquiring into a Hydrogen Fund bid process by DBEDT Director Ted Liu.

Many bills passing the House and Senate crossovers will be headed for April Conference Committees.

Count on SBH to keep you informed about the status of business and tax bills during this session.

Jed Gaines is April 24's Sunrise Speaker

The next monthly Small Business Hawaii Sunrise Breakfast will be held 7 am, Thursday, April 24, in the Pineapple Room, Macy's, Ala Moana.

Our featured speaker is, Jed Gaines of Read Aloud America speaking on on "Welcome to Your New Employees."

This is a good opportunity for you to learn about the importance of an educated work force in Hawaii.

Gaines, who originally revolutionized the Hawaii cleaning business with his upscale Apartmnent Appearance, was always interested in education and literacy. A former SBH Director, Gaines formed Read Aloiud America more than 15 years ago and has been successful in teaching parents and students the importance of daily reading.

Members heard from McDonalds' of Hawaii's Veronica Kaneko on March 27.

The public is welcome. Parking is free. Cost is $25 for members and their guests who register and pay in advance; $35 for non-members and at the door.

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