May 2007 | Small Business News
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
The 24th Legislature finally adjourned May 3. Business is back in full focus. You need only hold onto your wallet or purse with one hand until next January. This session was nasty, abusive to voters and taxpayers and ignored the business community for the most part.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) last month launched an online training web site designed to provide the basics of starting a business. A free course, "Small Business Primer Strategies for Success," is a free course for those thinking about starting a business or who have recently started a business. The course is available at www.sba.gov/training.
Current estimates predict an $11 billion retiree health benefit cost crisis for state and county employees over the next 30 years.
Pineapple canning ends in Hawaii June 30 with the closure of Maui Pine's facility in Kahului. Fresh pine is still a sizeable Hawaii agricultural export but the days of King Pineapple are officially pau.
May is a very active month. In addition to public Memorial Day ceremonies at Punchbowl and Kaneohe Veterans' Cemetery, the SBH Pau Hana May 10 at the brand new Honolulu Design Center, promises to be spectacular. Later in the month, Grassroot Institute and the SPN team up for a two-day conference on important public issues. This is followed by the "Freedom Rally" for the troops and their kids on Friday, May 25 at the Hawaii Convention Center. It will bring together Sean Hannity, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Oliver North and Newt Gringrich.
Don't miss the 5th anniversary of Hawaii Reporter (HR) at the Waialae Country Club, Friday May 25. "They" said HR would never get off the ground, nor last. Five years later, HR is the only local media reporting all the "real news." Because of that, HR and the First Amendment are also under attack. Hawaii Reporter deserves your support.
To the long list of business benchmarks closing (or recently closed) add 61 year old Kilgo's on Sand Island and Kakaako's H. Hamada Store. Closed restaurants recently included: Kyo-Ya, Columbia Inn (Kaimuki), Palomino's, Stuart Anderson's (Ward) and Dave's Ice Cream in Hawaii Kai.
Former SBH Board Member, Brian Zinn has sold his Hawaii Kai Copy Shop to fellow SBH member EMI who will continue to operate the copying business.
Last month, the battle ended at Pearl Harbor for Marine Patrick Brent, 18 vendors and 150 employees at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center at the hands of the U.S. Parks Service. Brent had provided a needed and welcomed service to visitors and residents alike for several years. Mahalo Patrick!
The Hawaii Superferry was christened and completed sea trials in Mobile, Alabama and is heading to Hawaii for its first service in July. People can't wait. Attempts by certain special interests and lawmakers this Session to stop the Ferry failed. Ahoy!
Hawaii's honey bees under attack from bee mites; a threat to our multi-million dollar export industry.
Sorry to report the death of member Dieter Thate of Dieter's Tours/Kimapa Hawaii last month. Dieter was active in small business issues, the tour business, and he volunteered to help the Hawaii Tourist Authority. Sincere sympathy to his family.
Beware jaywalkers; undercover cops handing out tickets to the unsuspecting. Poor use of stretched law enforcement.
It must be Spring: The Akaka Bill (newest version) is back again in D.C. for the 7th time. Still bad for Hawaii and bad for small business. Member William Burgess testified before Congress about the dangers of division.
The long awaited (and overdue) parking facility at the Honolulu Airport will get started with design and construction by contractor Dick Pacific. The $39.2 million, 1,800 parking stall garage, is to be completed by December, 2008. Currently, there are only 4,500 total stalls; nearly all full on any weekend.
The Mayor & City Council of Honolulu were frantically trying to name or rename a site for the late Don Ho who died April 14 and whose public memorial was May 5 at Waikiki Beach. Among the more bizarre ideas? A Don Ho Mass transit station. Are you kidding?
Meow! Advance sales for the play, "Lion King," which debuts in Honolulu in September, was nearly $2 million in late April.
Join us Thursday, May 31 at the Pineapple Room Ala Moana for the monthly SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast featuring China trade expert, Manny Menendez, 7 am.
Please renew or join - SBH Leadership Circle. Added benefits for $500/$1,000.
Celebrate Memorial Day by remembering our military, past and present. Mahalo!
Check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com.
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