BY SEN. SAM SLOM – 2 billion: Chump Change? The $2 billion “bad decision” trading loss by JP Morgan Chase was the talk of the media-and our President who used the event to call for further government investigations and control.
Too bad we don’t give half the level of scrutiny to government losses and corruption. Lost in the “news,” are the facts that the banking firm is still very profitable, no customer lost any money and the bank did not get an Obama bailout.
Freedom and risk taking mean you win, can lose, but can win again. We need to get back to a true, risk taking, responsible, citizenry and end the nanny state as soon as possible, but no later than November 6.
Become an SBH Member. Is YOUR business a member of SBH? No? Lots of benefits. Strong networking organization. Call Darlyn today (808-396-1724) or go online to www.smartbusinesshawaii.com.
FBI’s Simon Next At SBH Sunrise. FBI Special Agent and Honolulu business scam buster, Tom Simon, will be SBH’s special guest speaker at the next monthly SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast, next Thursday, May 24, in the Pineapple Room, Macy’s Ala Moana (3rd Floor), from 7 – 8:30 am.Call Darlyn at SBH (396-1724) to reserve now. Unless you are wanted by the FBI.
Hall of Famer Rush. Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh was inducted into the State of Missouri Hall of Fame Monday, much to the chagrin of many Liberals. Rush now shares the honor with such Show Me Staters as President Harry Truman and Mark Twain.
Hawaii GOP Rallies. The Hawaii Republican Party held an enthusiastic annual convention Saturday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. More than 300 delegates and alternates attended and heard superstars, Linda Lingle and Charles Djou. Former Governor Lingle stressed “compromise, collaboration and bipartisanship,” which is hard to sell at a partisan political convention. The Democrats always want Republicans to compromise-with them. Delegates didn’t hear from Lingle’s GOP US Senate opponent John Caroll who was not allowed to speak, but there were 60 other candidates vying for various state and federal offices this fall, including the current Narcissus Queen (Tiffany Au), Miss Hawaii (Lauren Cheape), SBH’s feisty immigrant to American entrepreneur, Marissa Capeluto of Oahu Express and Navy veteran and business consultant Matt DiGeronimo, who is running for the second Congressional seat, Governor Lingle opens her campaign HQ Friday, June 1. The Democrats hold their convention next weekend.
Jobs? Both Pacific Business News and Clear Channel radio (KHVH) are looking for advertising sales people now.
Judicial Nominees. Two state appellate judges, two Circuit Court judges and a law school professor have been nominated to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Hawaii Supreme Court.
The Hawaii Judicial Selection Commission announced it nominated the five candidates to fill a vacancy on the high court when Associate Justice James Duffy reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 years of age. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has 30 days to choose Duffy’s successor.
The nominees are: Craig Nakamura, Chief Judge of the state Intermediate Court of Appeals; Daniel R. Foley, Associate Justice of the ICA; Circuit Judges Derrick Chan and Richard Pollack; and David M. Forman, faculty member at the University of Hawaii’s William Richardson School of Law.
The commission also released a list of nominees sent to Abercrombie for appointment to the Circuit Court on Maui.
Those nominees are: Peter T. Cahill, Michelle L. Drewyer, Kelsey T. Kawano, Lloyd A. Poelman and Douglas J. Sameshima.
The State Senate will have to fold confirmation hearings in a special session later this summer.
War on Women? President Obama and his campaign in Chicago recognize just how important the women’s vote will be this election cycle. The Obama campaign recently released “The Life of Julia.” This propaganda piece brags about the increased role of the federal government in every aspect of Julia’s life. Instead of trying to jump start the economy and let Julia make her own decisions, President Obama’s solutions always involve more government intervention.
That’s why Americans for Tax Reform has created “The Real Life of Julia.” ATR explains exactly how President Obama’s policies will affect the lives of women from birth to death. Check out “The Real Life of Julia.” (www.ATR.org)
Sen. Yee Dies. Former State Senator Wadsworth Yee died last week. He was 90. Wads was a founder of Grand Pacific Life Insurance Company and an active Republican lawmaker.
New Luxury Travel Debuts. Albatross Transport announced yesterday the launch of its Oahu business. The company is Hawaii’s first and only chauffeur company to offer ultra-luxury vehicles such as the 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost EWB, 2011 Jaguar XJL Supercharged, and 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i.
Albatross Transport offers Oahu kama’aina and visitors seeking a special island experience pre-packaged tours that include a lei greeting, fine dining and scenic views. The company is founded by three hospitality and service veterans who share more than 60 years of combined industry experience. Jean-Paul Marley, owner and chief executive officer, Carl Mayhorn, director of operations, and Rosemary Pulliam, chief financial officer. For reservations or more information, call (808) 921-8000 or visit www.albatrosstransport.com.
Prepare for the Unexpected. Today is a perfect day to prepare-for the unexpected. That’s the underlying theme of a public education campaign to encourage Hawai’i residents and businesses to prepare for emergencies and disasters, before they happen. The pilot project launched May 2nd on O’ahu. Retail Merchants of Hawaii (RMH) and its members are partnering with county and state emergency management organizations during the month of May to increase disaster preparedness. Retailers such as City Mill, Kmart, WalMart and Times Supermarkets will display information on how to develop a disaster plan, how to pack a disaster kit, and how to stay informed.
The City and County of Honolulu is leading this statewide project using funds from the FEMA Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program. Oahu is the testing ground for improving public messaging to improve disaster preparedness.
For more information about the campaign or to download a complete media kit, visit www.GetReadyHawaii.org.
Help Kaimuki Library. The Kaimuki Library needs volunteers for their June 3 – July 12 Summer Reading Program. Volunteers will help toddlers, youth, and adults, sign-up for the program at the library, log the number of books the readers have listed, and then distribute prizes to those who have read at least one book a week. If you are interested, call 733-8422 or drop by the library and ask for Misti or Baron.
Healthy Forum. Three highly respected national healthcare innovators will share their experiences and ideas for transforming healthcare in Hawai’i as part of the “Listen. Engage.Transform.” series sponsored by the Office of the Governor, Milbank Memorial Fund, and state Legislature. Open to the public, the series’ second listening session will be held tomorrow, Thursday, May 17, 8:30 a.m. to noon, in the Hawai’i State Capitol Auditorium.
Featured speakers for this week’s event:
Bruce Goldberg, M.D., is a family medicine physician who has devoted his professional career to improving the organization, delivery and financing of public health services.
David Lansky, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of the Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH), directs its efforts to improve the affordability and availability of high-quality healthcare.
Susan Sherry is deputy director for Community Catalyst, a national non-profit advocacy organization working to build consumer participation in the healthcare system. Members of the public interested or involved in healthcare are invited to attend the discussion. Parking in the Capitol is limited, so individuals are advised to plan ahead. For additional information, visit: https://hawaii.gov/healthcare-transformation
Top Honors for Magazine. Oahu Publications’ HILuxury magazine earned top honors in the Lifestyle & Alternative Lifestyles category at the Western Publishing Association’s (WPA) 61st Annual MAGGIE Awards. The prestigious black-tie awards gala recognizes the best magazines in the Western United States each year.
Aulani, Oahu Publications’ magazine for the new Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Kapolei, was recognized for excellence as a finalist in the Best New Publication/Consumer category.
Ko Olina, the magazine that takes readers through the enchantment and living history of West Oahu, was recognized for excellence as a finalist in the Annuals & One-Time Custom Publications/Trade & Consumer category.
Kailua Music. The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation is honored to bring to the community a free musical series called “Kanikapila in Kailua.” This monthly program perpetuates Hawaiian culture by creating a venue to celebrate the music of Windward Oahu. Some of Hawaii’s favorite musicians will be featured in the series, which will be held one Saturday a month from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of the parking garage behind Longs and near Whole Foods Market in Kailua Town.
The first “Kanikapila in Kailua” performance will take place this Saturday, May 19 and feature Waipuna, a Na Hoku Hanohano award nominee. Waipuna is an exciting collaboration of three talented musicians, Kale Hannahs, Matt Sproat and David Kamakahi. The group will perform songs from its award-nominated album “E Ho’i Mai” and its first album “Mana’o Pili.” Other performers scheduled later this year include Kaukahi, Lehua Kalima and Kapena.
$4,000 for Pupu. Honolulu Mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell, who has wrapped up most of the union endorsements, held a fundraiser Monday at Restaurant Row (Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar). The suggested donation: $4,000. Short of the $40,000 Obama fundraiser at George Clooney’s house but still pretty impressive for blue collar folks.
No Charge Chili. If you didn’t have $4,000 for Caldwell, you might think of traditional free chili & rice, tomorrow, Thursday, with Mayoral candidate Ben Cayetano who holds a Town Hall Meeting and get together in Kaiser High, 6-8 pm. See you there.
Celebrate With Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii Reporter.com, Hawaii’s first electronic daily newspaper, celebrates its 10th anniversary on Friday, June 1, at the Waialae Country Club (5:30 – 8 pm ) Go to www.HawaiiReporter.com, for details of the dinner and the real news. HR, founded by Malia Zimmerman, continues to break major investigative stories. Tune in to KHVH every week day now at 7:05 am to hear Malia’s report.
Point-Counterpoint on KHVH. Tune in Tuesdays 7-8 am to the Rick Hamada show on KHVH radio (8:30 am) to hear Senate Democrat Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria and me tackle the legislative issues at the State Capitol. Call in at 521-8383.
Real News. Go to www.HawaiiReporter.com, for the real news. HR, founded by Malia Zimmerman, 10 years ago continues to break major investigative stories. Tune in to KHVH every week day at 7:05 am to hear Malia’s report.
Want more local business information? Please visit the several SBH websites at: www.smartbusinesshawaii.com, www.educate808.com and www.sbhfoundation.org.
Aloha,
Smart Business Hawaii Means Business and we’re here to help you.
Join Us! Become an SBH Member. Lots of benefits. Strong neworking organization. Call Darlyn today (808-396-1724) or go online to www.smartbusinesshawaii.com.