BY SEN. SAM SLOM – Government (Selective) Shut Down. The Federal Government slim down has continued since October 1 and the Obama Administration has been selective in trying to hurt certain groups: parks, military, religious events. Not affected: Congressional pay and benefits, the President’s golf courses, Camp David and travel plans. The House passed a bill for retroactive pay for all federal employees. What about private sector employees who have lost jobs, benefits and salary? And small businesses?
HART Keeps A Spending. According to Cliff Slater ofHonoluluTraffic.com, Honolulu Area Rapid Transit, HART spent $256 million in the last 12 months with no construction. Total expenditures just for the 12 months between August 2012 and August 2013 were $256 million. Of that amount $166 million was for professional services. Below is HART’s data from their website links:
August 2012: https://www.honolulutransit.org/media/133328/20120801-rail-update-hart-facts.pdf
August 2013: https://www.honolulutransit.org/media/202389/201308-rail-update-hart-facts.pdf
Stevie Wonder Performs Here After All. Hand it to Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison to score Stevie Wonder (Maroon Five too) in a private Waikiki concert last Saturday for his employees, stockholders, clients and friends. Ellison did what the University of Hawaii could not do in 2012 when it promoted a concert fundraiser with Wonder but then was scammed out of $200,000. The debacle became known as the Stevie “Wonder Blunder.”
Help Winners’ Camp Mow! Winners’ camp has an urgent request for a riding lawn mower to replace the one they have, which is 13 years old. Winners Camp has 4 acres up Kamehame Ridge and has and continues to help thousands of kids become better leaders. Delorese Gregoire, founder, is waiting for your phone call at 808-306-8008
Today’s Same Sex Marriage Forum Cancelled. The Same Sex Marriage Forum scheduled for today at 5 pm in the Capitol Auditorium has been cancelled. State Senator Les Ihara released the following statement: “I wanted to let you know that the Oct. 9th symposium on same-sex marriage religious exemptions has been cancelled. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding among panel members on the scope and purpose of the symposium. Panel members have agreed to provide their views on the applicability of religious exemptions provisions in the draft bill, and the public accommodations law, to a range of identified hypothetical situations.
Iwasa in the Race. SBH member, CPA and “Bike Mom,”Natalie Iwasa, will officially throw her bicycle pump in the ring for the 4th Council District, at a campaign launch this Sunday, 4-6 pm at the Kuapa Isle Clubhouse (156 Kuapa Way) in Hawaii Kai.
Children & Youth Day. Last Sunday, more than 40,000 people attended the 19th annual Children & Youth Day at the State Capitol, where there were games, cultural activities, shows and more. For once, lawmakers really did do something for the keiki. This has been Senator Susie Chun Oakland’slabor of love all these years and she was able to recruit 3,000 volunteers. Congratulations!
Obamacare Forum October 29. Want more info on the Connector, health costs and options and your choices now? HMAA and SBH are sponsoring an ACA (Obamacare) healthcare reform luncheon update, our second, on Tuesday, October 29, from 11 am – 1 pm at the Outback Steakhouse in Hawaii Kai. Reg Baker, SBH Director and COO of HMAA, will answer your questions and provide an alternative perspective. Call Janayhe Self at 396-1724 for reservations or email her atjanayhe.sbh@gmail.com
IT’s Role in HAL Expansion. Ron Anderson-Lehman, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Hawaiian Airlines, will be the October speaker for the Hawaii Information Communications and Technology Association, and will discuss how Hawaiian Air’s expansion affects the role of IT. In his role, Anderson-Lehman is responsible for all of Hawaiian’s information technology activities including the design and implementation of the company’s computing solutions and the running of the business information technology infrastructure. The event will be held Tuesday, October 15, Plaza Club, 11:30 am – 1 pm (20th floor). More information: click here
Catamaran Hearings. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) will hold public hearings statewide beginning October 16 to seek public comment on a set of rule amendments designed to bring parity to all Catamaran Registration Certificate holders and update and streamline commercial “use permit” fees, conditions and requirements for commercial operations in all state waters. Contact Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, 333 Queen St., Suite 300, Honolulu, HI 96813, Ph: 587-3254 for a copy of the rules.
Payments to Teacher Subs. On September 18, 2013, in the class action lawsuit Garner, et al v. Department of Education, et al, the circuit court preliminarily approved a Settlement Agreement between the state and substitute teachers, which will be finalized at a circuit court hearing on November 15, 2013. Teachers cannot expect to receive their cash settlement before March 5, 2014.
Clay Park Dedication. The new Fort Ruger Pathway and Bryan Clay Exercise Park will be dedicated next Monday, October 14, at 9:00 am, adjacent to the Diamond Head State Monument park entry road.
100 Years of Film in Hawaii. Today, from 5-6 pm, in The Study at the Modern Hotel, there will be the opening of a special exhibit, “A Century of Film in Hawaii,” featuring movie posters, still photos and movie memorabilia from movies and tv shows filmed in Hawaii. The exhibit will continue through October 20.
Biz Women. Twenty top local women executives will be showcased in Biz Women, sponsored by PBN and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, on Tuesday, October 22, at the Hawaii Prince Hotel, from 7-10 am. Contact PBN’s Director of Events Rosanna Costales at rcostales@bizjournals.com or call 955-8074.
Debt Ceiling Increase. The next Congressional battle will be over raising the Nation’s debt ceiling, already at $17 trillion. It is all about spending and wiping out your financial future. No matter what happens, the Fed till has the printing press and every intention of using it.
Small Business Innovation.
Each speaker will present how-to’s on achieving success through resources and lessons learned. This conference will help new, aspiring and experienced small businesses learn how to commercialize their SBIR projects, and also how to apply for and win government SBIR and STTR grants. Visitwww.htdc.org/sbir-2013-conference or call 539-3621.
Friends of NRA Dinner. The 2013 Hawaii Friends of NRA Oahu Dinner will be held Sunday Nov 10, and the public is invited to the typically sold out event that offers a great buffet, silent auction, games and prizes. The new Air Rifle State Champions will also be honored and raise funds to support their school, scout, and youth shooting programs. Call Dawn Horn at 225-7873 to order dinner tickets by phone or e-mail her at dawnhorn@lava.net.
Collectors Unite! The Hawaiian Collectors Association (HCA) is a resource on consumer debt collection in Hawaii. The industry is largely comprised of small businesses – 88 percent of agencies have 49 or fewer employees while 59 percent have nine or less. Ken Shinoki said their businesses help others remain operational, and reduce the cost of goods and services consumers pay. Last year, the industry returned close to $55 billion to the U.S. economy and $36.2 million to Hawaii. For more information, contact ACA International’s Director of State Government Affairs Andy Madden at (202) 547-2670 / madden@acainternational.org.
9-Year Old Eludes TSA, Flies to Vegas. We all saw the story of the 9-year old boy who eluded the TSA (after screening), without a boarding pass or ticket, and boarded a Delta flight from Minneapolis to Las Vegas. We need him to work in our security industry.
Fly Me to the Moon. For the past two days there has been an aerospace forum at the State Capitol led by Senator Will Espero. Famed Astronaut Buzz Aldrin spoke via internet yesterday. Hawaii is poised to play an integral part in the new space frontier.
Happy Birthday Republic of China. The Republic of China (Taiwan) celebrates its 102nd anniversary tomorrow, Double Ten Day. A gala reception was held at the Pacific Club Monday night to mark the occasion.
Mike Wood at Sunrise! The next monthly SBH SUNRISE Networking Breakfast will be Thursday, October 24 at the Pineapple Room, Macy’s Ala Moana Center, 7 – 8:30 am. Want a positive, uplifting message? Then come here our speaker, Mike Wood of MW Group, Ltd. Mike’s topic is, “Never Give Up On Your Dreams.” Networking, full breakfast buffet, and business updates. All participants will be introduced. For information and reservations, contact Jaynahe Self TODAY at SBH at 396-1724.
SBH Young Entrepreneurs. The SBH YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS is now up and running. The very capable and energetic Noelani Bonifacio is heading up the group and she wants you to join other young professionals. Annual dues are only $75 for those under 35. The SBH YE group’s Kimberly Canepa made an excellent presentation at last Friday’s SBH Awards Banquet. Save Thursday, November 7; that’s the YE “Table Topics” 5:30-7 pm at the LS Success Center. Details soon. Contact SBH), go online (smartbusinesshawaii.com) or call 396-1724.
Hawaii Reporter.com, Hawaii’s first electronic daily newspaper launched in 2002, has all the breaking news and unlike other publications in town, is still free. Award winning Hawaii Reporter and Malia Zimmerman report daily (M-F) on the Rick Hamada Show heard on KHVH radio on 830 AM at 7:05 am. Malia will share the news behind the news.
Tune in to Panos Prevedouros. SBH Director and UH Engineering Professor Dr. Panos Prevedouros is a weekly guest on Rick Hamada’s morning radio show every Tuesday from 7:05 a.m. to 8 am. Tune in!
Read SB NEWS. Don’t forget to read your current (September) monthly SB NEWS by PDF attachment or link. More expanded news and views for the Hawaii business community. A limited number of printed copies are available for mailing if you call SBH (396-1724).
Want More Business? JOIN SBH! Is YOUR business a member of SBH? No? Lots of benefits. Strong networking organization. Call 396-1724 or go online to www.smartbusinesshawaii.com.
Advertise Here. Some readers have inquired about placing an ad on the right margin of these weekly blasts, which reach more than 15,000 people. Interested? If you want your business ad posted, the cost is $50 for one placement or $150 per month (4-5 placements). Contact 396-1724.
Want more local business information? Please visit the several SBH websites at www.smartbusinesshawaii.com,www.educate808.com and www.sbhfoundation.org
Celebrating a business milestone? Your business press releases are welcome in the weekly SBH News & Views e-News, which reaches more than 15,000 business owners and government leaders in Hawaii.
What? Not receiving your copy? Send PR, additional requests and email address to SBH@lava.net or call 396-1724
SBH can help you with YOUR business. Just starting a business? Call me personally for help at 396-1724 or email:SBH@lava.net. Smart Business Hawaii Means Business and we’re here to help you.
As always, SBH appreciates your support, so please consider joining or sending a donation to help SBH continue to assist the private, independent businesses in our community.
Mahalo!
