Smart Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Smart Business Hawaii | February 2010
The first quarter of 2010 is coming to an end and Hawaii small business continues in the doldrums with no help from the state Legislature who continues to make business matters worse here.
The counties also threaten to raise real property taxes even more as the state plots to take or withhold county tax revenues for its $1.3 billion deficit. The counties are now facing a deficit in excess of $150 million of their own. And Mufi’s $6 – 8 billion fixed elevated rail is facing more hurdles from the federal government and Governor Linda Lingle who are asking tough fiscal questions.
The Legislature wants to ban, among other things, plastic bags (again), electronic devices in your car, gas leaf blowers and froie gras. Now, that’s worth fighting (and Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurant is).
Simon Property Group, the nation’s largest mall owner, has made a hostile bid for troubled General Growth Properties, owner of Ala Moana and Ward Centers, in the amount of $10 billion. GGP is resisting, saying it is considering other offers. Meanwhile, several of its projects are stalled for lack of cash.
Landmark Cantonese restaurant, Patti’s Chinese Kitchen, closing the last (Pearlridge) of its storefronts after decades of service.
Iconic Shakey’s Pizza returning to Hawaii after several decades of absence. It is using stimulus funds to reappear.
Coldstone Creamery ice cream also quietly closing several outlets.
Hawaiian Airlines, dubbed the nation’s best on time air carrier for the 6th year in a row, has announced plans for a Honolulu-Tokyo twice daily flight beginning in October. It will also start taking delivery for its new Airbus 330 aircraft.
Congratulations to Hawaii’s newest judges: Ed Kubo and Robert Browning to the Circuit Court and Larry Riefurth (former DCCA director) and Lisa Ginoza to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Governor Linda Lingle’s legacy will be the change she has made in the dysfunctional Hawaii judiciary and she still gets to appoint a new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Congratulations to Jane Sawyer, new Honolulu Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
John Henry Felix’s HMAA has acquired the Honolulu operations of Summerlin Health & Life Insurance.
Moody’s has lowered Hawaii’s bond rating citing weakness in the budget and ability to pay. Proposed legislative raids on the Hurricane Relief and Rainy Day funds doesn’t help. The state did, however, have a successful G.O. bond sale recently.
The Ranch House is reborn in Kapahulu; not the original Aina Haina SpenceCliff family eatery but close to it menu wise.
Watch your electric bills continue to climb as HECO seeks more rate increases and reimbursement for its new biofuel generator. Alternative fuels cost more and produce less than the ardent supporters told us.
Pat Hamamoto, former DOE super, is now the president (first woman) of the all boys private Saint Louis School. There are still some nagging questions about her abrupt “retirement” in December and a failed audit report and fed procurement investigation.
The U.S. Census project is spending big bucks on TV and print ads to get more Hawaii residents to fill out the form this year; not to reapportion the U.S. House as the Constitution states, but to get more money for social projects from the feds.
And speaking of that “stimulus.” where are all those thousands of jobs—other than in the government sector—that have been touted of late? Try to find them here.
The annual Small Business Awards will be presented at the annual SBH Foundation Awards Banquet, Friday, May 21 at the Waialae Country Club (5:30-8:30 pm). Save that date! Member Linda O’Grady helping with the event and silent auction items.
Meanwhile, the tax exempt Small Business Hawaii Entrepreneurial Education Foundation (501 c 3) is ramping up with new and expanded business education events.
See you at JA Hawaii’s annual Business Hall of Fame Banquet, Friday, March 12.
Dr. Panos Prevedouros speaks to our SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast on Thursday, March 25, 7 am at the Pineapple Room in Macy’s Ala Moana. Panos, a likely Mayoral candidate, will discuss the many infrastructure fixes needed on Oahu. Call Darlyn to reserve at 396-1724 or download the form here.
Come join SBH at the Hawaii Robotics VIP Leadership Luncheon at the Stan Sheriff Center in Manoa on Saturday, March 27. Call me personally to RSVP (349-5438).
Please check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com for the most updated alerts and news.
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