We are on our way into 2010‹The Year of the Tiger (Not Woods)‹ and are finding it already as challenging as we anticipated. We need to keep our eyes on the Hawaii State Legislature which convened January 20 and will be with us until April 29. There will be attempts to raise our GET and other taxes and to add, rather than eliminate, more burdens on small business.

Our SBH 34th Annual Business and Investment Conference, the first major business event of the new year, January 13, was terrific. The theme was: "Small Business 2010: Strategies for Hawaii's Business Recovery." Keynote luncheon speaker John Zogby, internationally known pollster, Governor Linda Lingle and other outstanding speakers made the Conference unique.

SBH still has limited copies of the best-selling book, The Way We'll Be, by John Zogby, at the special conference price of $15 (published price is $26). Call 396-1724.

Hawaii's unemployment rate in December was 6.9%. UI drawdowns continue.

School furloughs also continue.

Remember when we called the Bay State, "Taxachusetts?" With the stunning upset election of common sense candidate Scott Brown to the US Senate it shows there is hope for small business‹even in Hawaii. Republican Congressional candidate Charles Djou getting the biggest bump from that upset here.

If US Senator Dan Inouye's attack on Ed Case, a fellow Democrat, and SBH board member, is any indication, this will be a wild Congressional race. If Rep. Neil Abercrombie follows though and resigns from Congress February 28, setting up a special election in May, watch for fireworks.

Health care, government style, may not be dead but it is in intensive care thanks to Brown. Likewise, the cap n' tax bill has been slowed. What one person can accomplish.

Lot of business changes recently in Hawaii: Robin Campaniano left AIG Hawaii which became Farmers' Insurance Hawaii last month. Campaniano will continue here.

Price-Busters filed for bankruptcy protection last month. So did Japan Airlines. Shirokiya and Sam's Club has reduced employment and downsized as well.

The US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against the McCain-Feingold campaign law which limited corporate (but not union) political contributions. Free Speech = Free Money.

Forbes magazine named Bank of Hawaii the top performing bank in the U.S.

In LA, an enterprising company is charging tourists $65 for a tour of gang neighborhoods in the city. Why can't we do that here? Instead of gangs, we could charge visitors $75 (always more in Hawaii) to visit rats at Chinatown, ending up in Waikiki and the State Capitol. Are you listening Marsha Weinert?

We are getting further away from TV advertised Mainland prices. Recently, Maaco offered a paint job at "half price" for $299. It is $349 in Hawaii. Pizza Hut had any kind large pizza for "just $10." They are $15.99 in Hawaii. Likewise, Taco Bell's $.88 burrito is $1.49 here. The list goes on. And on. Lucky you live Hawaii. Do taxes, rents, shipping costs and employer mandates have anything to do with our higher prices?

Hooray: McDonald's of Hawaii restaurants now offering free Wi-Fi.

AT&T, in a real battle with Verizon over 3G coverage ("we have a map for you"), just added new cell locations on Kauai and Oahu.

Funny: the throwback Pepsi commercials "with real sugar for a limited time only."

Despite Costco's discount gas ($3.09 at mid January) Hawaii still averaged about 70¢ higher per gallon than the Mainland. Paul Brencick, Marketing Communications Manager of member Aloha Petroleum, Ltd., has left Aloha. Larry Adams succeeds him.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii put on a great public panel on the Akaka Bill featuring John Zogby‹who released a new poll on local attitudes‹ Jere Kischel, Leon Siu and, as announced, a member of OHA or pro-Akaka bill supporter. OHA didn't show up as is too often the case. But they will use your tax money for TV propaganda on the failing Akaka reorganization bill.

The Governor's AIA public briefing on the $6 billion Honolulu/Hannemann Fixed Rail transit train to nowhere, drew standing room only at the Capitol on Martin Luther King Day. Unions, contractors and paid lobbyists were out in force and didn't want to hear of any AIA or other alternatives. Full speed ahead for tax train. It will be derailed.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann's proposal to rename Magic Island, "Barrack Obama Park" got a public thumbs down last month. As did ideas to rename Wm. McKinley High School and other public locations.

Please check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com for the most updated alerts and news.

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Copyright 2010 Smart Business Hawaii. Last update: February 15, 2010.