January 2008 | Small Business News
Small Business Views
By Sam Slom, President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii
You better Reserve today for Wednesday, January 9, to attend SBH's 32nd Annual Business and Investment Conference when musician, showman, TV star and entrepreneur, Gene Simmons comes to Honolulu with a full crew of A&E for two Hawaii television segments at Ihilani Ko'Olina. Also, meet John Garibaldi of Hawaii Superferry, Ed Case, Senator Colleen Hanabusa, Ken Schoolland , SBH Success Story Awardees and others.
The FBI raided Bernard von Nauthaus' Liberty Dollar storage facility and mint on the Mainland; von Nauthaus, an SBH member and former longtime Honolulu resident (Royal Hawaiian Mint) introduced his Hawaii Dala here in August with support of SBH. The FBI action underscores how vulnerable U.S. Citizens are to government and private manipulation of the money supply and currency. Efforts to protect against the dollar's devaluation — now at its lowest in decades–is usually met by government force. Stay tuned.
What's with all the recent Honolulu high profile DUI arrests (OHA, politicians, entertainers)? We have MADD, and the laws, but....
The Hawaii Superferry finally sailed again (to Maui only) after months of protests, court delays and weather problems on Thursday, December 13, 2007. SBH's Mel Ah Ching was on board — read his commentary. Still no Kauai scheduled sailings.
The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and Lowell Kalapa dodged another financial bullet; but they still deserve your support.
The best-selling, "The Companies We Keep 2" book authored by Bob Sigall and published by SBH, is back on top of the best seller lists locally. Many more intriguing local business histories. Buy this book!
The University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team made believers out of thousands of people and united a divided state at year end, going 12-0. Now, to finish the job in the BCS Sugar Bowl, January 1 in New Orleans against the Georgia Bulldogs. Go Warriors! The Governor will be there.
Meanwhile, the NFL is again rattling sabers suggesting it might move the Pro Bowl from Honolulu after the current contract expires. The Bowl brings in about $100 million.
The USA Today newspaper halted printing in Hawaii December 28. Reportedly there are only about 12,000 Hawaii subscribers. The paper will be printed in California and sent here in the afternoon.
If I were in the U.S. Senate, I would vote against the so-called sub-prime mortgage government bail out. It's just not right.
On January 1, Russell Okata retires from Hawaii's largest union, the 43,000 member HGEA, after 25 years, and is succeeded by Randy Perreira. On January 7, after 5 years of appeals, former UPW leader, Gary Rodrigues goes to prison for 60 months, after conviction on more than 100 counts of criminal conduct including fraud, embezzlement, conspiracy, money laundering and acceptance of kickbacks.
Real property tax assessment notices arrived in mid-December and total property values on Oahu actually declined by 2.7%, or $800 million during 2007. There are about 280,000 Oahu property owners and total value of property is about $191 billion.
Shocking news last month that Comp USA was selling/closing all of its stores nationwide including its Honolulu outlets; the most profitable in the entire chain. Likewise, KayBee Toys closed 3 of 7 Hawaii outlets.
Pau: the previously announced proposed $13 million acquisition of Mac Farms of Hawaii LLC by ML Macadamia Orchards
Small Business Hawaii again helped select the Junior Achievement of Hawaii Business Hall of Fame Awardees. The 2008 inductees are: Jon DeMello (Mountain Apple Co.); Joseph Ferraro (Ferraro Choi & Assoc., Ltd.); Peter Kim (Yummy Restaurant Group) and Richard Ha (Hamakua Springs Country Farms). The induction dinner will be held Friday, March 7 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Call Steven Grant at 545-1777 for info.
Chaminade University announced its Hogan Entrepreneurial Program nonprofit business plan competition winners (sponsored by American Savings Bank): Reuse Hawaii was awarded $15,000; $10,000 went to Papakolea Development Corp, and $5,000 to Hina Mauka.
Happy 150th birthday to First Hawaiian Bank, founded by Charles Reed Bishop.
Cool sounds and smooth melody from the Baraquio Family CD, "Lost and Found."
Join us Thursday, January 31 (7 – 8:30 am) at the Pineapple Room in Macy's Ala Moana for our first monthly SBH Sunrise of 2008 featuring Delorese Gregoire.
Please check our website at www.smallbusinesshawaii.com for the latest employer updates and alerts. Wishing you the Happiest, healthiest and most prosperous New Year 2008.
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