BY SEN. SAM SLOM – Voting Begins. Walk-in voting began in Hawaii Monday for the all important August 11 Primary Election. The US Senate ( Case-Hirono and her Mother ), Honolulu Mayoral (Caldwell-Carlisle-Cayetano) CD-1 (Gabbard-Hannemann) and several other contested elections make your vote very important. Do it! If Ben Cayetano can garner 50% + 1 vote, he will win the Mayoral candidacy outright and stop the rail. Remember to only vote once; this isn’t Chicago.
No to Strip Mall. Last night the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board took up the new, controversial proposal by Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate to commercialize land across from Maunalua Bay. Nearly all who testified opposed such a plan. I am unalterably opposed to changing the current KSBE preservation zoning of the open parcel known as “the great lawn,” directly across from Maunalua Bay.
To destroy this open space, view plane, view of the mountains and to interfere with the recreational use of the Bay, is short-sighted and both wrong and a poor use of planning.
Besides the visual blight and loss of open space, the traffic congestion and safety issues are of great concern. This alone would be reason enough to oppose any change in use classification.
Like many other area residents, I would hail the return of Foodland to Hawaii Kai. However, the logical place for a grocery and other needed goods and services businesses is clearly KSBE’s vastly underutilized Kalama Valley Shopping Center. The zoning is there, the parking is there and commercial additions should be there as well.
Milton at 100. Last night, the Grassroot Institute, SBH and other local liberty organizations celebrated the annual birthday (100th) of the late Nobel winning free market economist, Milton Friedman. Symbolically, 100 people noted the impact Milton made on the understanding of economics. Reason Foundation’sLisa Snell was guest speaker.
Longhi Passes. Bob Longhi, Founder in 1976 in Maui of the first of three Longhi’s Restaurants (two on Maui, one in Ala Moana Center), died Monday. Many famous people and all locals enjoyed his eateries.
Medeiros Remembered. Former Kailua Hawaii State Republican Representative, John J. Medeiros died last month. Flags were lowered in his memory yesterday. His funeral is today.
Macy’s Food & Wine Fest. Join Macy’s for the Hawai`i Food & Wine Festival Chef Series featuring chef Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurants being held at Macy’s Ala Moana on Saturday, August 4 at noon.
Guests can catch all the culinary action at the demonstration kitchen on level four. Admission to the event is a $5 donation to benefit the Hawai`i Agricultural Foundation. Reservations are not required and seating begins at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis. Chef Roy will be cooking up a culinary treat: Big Island Kulana beef, sousvide egg, sakura Rice and Japanese caviar.
Don’t Kiss the Bride. Honolulu-based Hawaii Film Partners will premiere their first feature film, “You May Not Kiss the Bride,” directed by Rob Hedden from his original screenplay, at Consolidated Theatres statewide on Friday, August 31, 2012. The movie opens nationally on September 21st, in select markets, and has also been purchased by several international markets.
Set in Chicago and Tahiti, the romantic adventure comedy was filmed almost entirely on location in Hawaii, and is produced by Hawaii Film Partners’ Rann and Gina Watumull and David and Shauna Jackson. The film also features music by several Hawaii artists, including Willie K, Ben Vegas & Malia Gibson, Tiffany Thurston, Afatia Thompson, Kapono Beamer, andImua Garza – who wrote and sings the opening credits track. It also includes an original song co-written and performed by leading lady, Katharine McPhee.
Music With Kapena. Join Hawaii Kai Towne Center in the conclusion of their three-part concert series of beautiful music and breathtaking sunsets. The 8th Annual “Sunset Serenade” Summer Concert Series at the Waterfront Stage is sponsored by SushiMan Hawaii Kai and are FREE to the public.
The final concert in the series features multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award winners Kapena, who will be performing at the Waterfront Stage on Saturday, August 18th at 5:30 p.m.
Where’s the “Brotherly Love? The Philadelphia Phillies yesterday traded two-time All-Star center fielder, and Maui son,Shane Victorino to the LA Dodgers. Shane loves Philly and the Phillies fans love Shane. But major league baseball is a business, not a sport. In exchange for Shane, the Phillies received relief pitcher Josh Lindblom and minor league pitcherEthan Martin. Poor trade, I think.
State Job Good for Lifestyle. Noreen Kam, former PR account executive, will replace Rick Daysog as the flack for the state Energy Office in DBED&T. Kam said one of the reasons she took the job is because, “…working for the state is conducive to my lifestyle.” Huh? With all those over-generous state worker benefits taxpayers pay for, you bet!
Energy Use. According to website Energy Trends.org, the think tank reports residents of Hawaii consume the 3rd-lowest amount of energy in the United States. The group does not mention that while we may have such a low usage, we pay the highest amount for our monopoly electric provider.
Carlisle Honored. Last week, Mayor Peter Carlisle was honored by Esri (Environmental Systems Research Institute) with a “Making a Difference” award for his administration’s use of geographic analysis to make the world a better place.
Systemcenter Dealer for Hayworth.SBH member, The Systemcenter, Inc. is now an official authorized dealer for Haworth (www.haworth.com) for the Hawaii and Pacific Rim regions. Haworth is considered one of the country’s major furniture manufacturers and is known for their commitment to environmental responsibility.
Haworth, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of office furniture and organic workspaces, including raised access floors, moveable walls, systems furniture, seating, storage and wood casegoods. Haworth serves markets in more than 120 countries through a global network of 600 dealers. The company had net sales of US $1.4 billion in 2011.
Top SBH Biz Awards. Last week Smart Business Hawaii (SBH) and the Small Business Hawaii Entrepreneurial Education Foundation, announced the first of the 2012 Hawaii Business Awards, the Lex Brodie SBH Business Persons of the Year, Bobbie & Cliff Slater of Honolulu Traffic.com.
This week, SBH announces the 2012 award winner for the
SBH Jean Fukuda Civic Leadership award, Mike Palcic of MacMouse Club. Congratulations!
Other awards, including Educator of the Year, Business Booster, Business Writer, SBH Business All Stars and Young Entrepreneur will be announced in the following weeks. The annual SBH Foundation awards banquet will be held Friday, September 21 at the Waialae Country Club. Details? Sponsorships? Call Darlyn at SBH for details and reservations (396-1724).
for details and reservations (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.
Aloha,
Hawaii Reporter On The Air. Go to www.HawaiiReporter.comfor the real investigative news. HR, founded by Malia Zimmerman, continues to break major investigative stories that most of the media won’t touch. Tune in to KHVH (830 am) every week day now at 7:05 am to hear Malia’s report.
Wanna Ad? Some readers have inquired about placing an ad on the right margin of these weekly blasts which reach more than 10,000 people. Interested? If you want your business ad posted, the cost is $50 for one placement or $150 per month (4-5 placements). Contact Darlyn at SBH (396-1724) for specifics.
Do More Business: JOIN SBH!. Is YOUR business a member of SBH? No? Lots of benefits. Strong networking organization. Call Darlyn today (396-1724) or go online towww.smartbusinesshawaii.com.
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 10,000 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 Darlyn at 396-1724.