 BY SAM SLOM – The lowered credit rating by S&P last week has caused turmoil in money markets and government budget circles. While the President and his men attacked S&P for their unilateral action, the rating service was correct: the U.S. has not made a meaningful correction its flawed tax, spending and debt policies. See my op-ed in Hawaii Reporter.com
Hawaii’s economy still soft and getting softer-other than our booming visitor industry. Many more local businesses struggling big time.
The first direct China-Hawaii flight arrived yesterday. If Visa problems can be reformed Hawaii will enjoy a Chinese boom.The Chinese visitors are the biggest spending tourists in the world.
Lex Brodie’s Tire Co., which just celebrated its 50th anniversary, is the first winner of the International Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Excellence in Customer Care. The BBB says Lex Brodie’s earned the prize with a “commitment to exceptional customer care and ability to improve and modernize its service.”
In a Honolulu Press conference, Senator Daniel Inouye waxed poetic on several subjects. He said there is nothing to fear about the fed’s promise of $1.5 billion for the Honolulu rail. Won’t happen. Inouye also stood with Obama for more taxes. Nothing about creating private jobs.
Office vacancies on the rise; businesses having more difficulty meeting rent and CAM charges.
July single family home sales dipped 7% to an average $591,000.
The new HMAA/SBH comprehensive medical plan which kicks off September is creating quite a buzz. It is specially tailored for sole proprietors and independent contractors. Contact Larry Santiago at HMAA or Dartlyn at SBH 396-1724 for details.
SBH member David Tyreman & Theo Garcia World Famous Company, launched a new marketing campaign on radio and on the web to promote his branding business and book
The Hawaii Venture Capital Association will host a luncheon program next Thursday, August 25, at the Pacific Club, focusing on “News media in a free society, what has it become?”
The HVCA-ThinkTech two-panel luncheon program called “NewsMorphosis Redux,” deals with changes in our local media since the Star-Bulletin closed down a year ago. The first panel, moderated by Steve Petranik, will address whether the reporting and commentary by Hawaii’s news media is properly reaching and informing the public, and will feature Chris Conybeare of the Hawaii Media Council, Jim Dooley of Hawaii Reporter, Barbara Tanabe of Hoakea Communications, Kyle Tanouye of Talisman LBS, and Lucy Young-Oda of the Star-Advertiser. The second panel, moderated by David Tumilowicz, will address how changes in consumer preferences, technology and costs will transform the news media over the coming years, and will feature Kevin Bumgarner of Pacific Business News, Rick Blangiardi of Hawaii News Now, Jeff Coelho of Salem Communications, John Temple of Civil Beat and Leslie Wilcox of PBS.
Meanwhile, The Honolulu Weekly is begging for financial support and is on life support. The left leaning weekly recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The Sou brothers, owners of Aloun Farms, dodged a bullet last week when the inept Federal Government prosecutor was forced to withdraw from the litigation and drop its 3-year human trafficking case against the brothers.
There is an Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit Set for September 12 – 15. Nearly 1,200 industry and government participants from 20 countries will attend, creating the opportunity to exchange ideas and establish partnerships.For registration and program information, go to www.asiapacificcleanenergy.com
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, recently awarded a Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) for construction services with 11 Service Disabled, Veteran Owned Small Businesses. The contracts total $49,000,000. The Hawaii companies are:
In a continuing effort to cut costs, like other businesses, SBH ended its long distance telephone carrier, AT&T, after 35 years.SBH will have no land line long distance. We watched as long distance usage declined while monthly fees and surcharges continue to escalate. Our latest bill (check yours) showed an increase of nearly $20 to a shocking $66 for 3 telephone lines. It is all surcharges, fees and taxes for not one long distance call. Next: we’re looking at internet and other fees to cut.
The State Reapportionment Commission adopted new draft district maps for our congressional districts and 51 House and 25 Senate seats last Friday. Now the maps go on the road to a month of town meetings. There is still debate over counting non-permanent military.
The Governor and the teachers union, HSTA, are going to the mat over the new contract. The Hawaii Labor Relations Board meets today to resolve the stalemate.
Patriot country singer Lee Greenwood in town this weekend at the Shell and next Tuesday, August 16, for a Republican fund raiser at Kaneohe’s Ko’olau Ballrooms. See you there!
Plan now for the 4th annual Small Business Hawaii Entrepreneurial Education Foundation Awards Banquet, Friday, September 16, 5:30 – 8 pm, Waialae Country Club. Sponsorships still available. Silent Auction items wanted. Call Darlyn 396-1724.
Want more local business information? Please visit the several SBH websites at:: www.smartbusinesshawaii.com,www.educate808.com and www.sbhfoundation.org. Also Hawaii Reporter.com, Hawaii’s first electronic daily newspaper begun 9 years ago, still is free. Award winning Hawaii Reporter and Malia Zimmerman report daily (M-F) on the Rick Hamada Show, KHVH radio on 830 AM at a new time, 7:45 am. Malia also reports on Kauai’s KKCR with Sandy Brodie on Tuesday mornings, on the station’s “Morning Paper.” She will report the news behind the news for you. FOX News online did a positive review of HR.
What? Not receiving your copy? Send PR, additional requests and email address to SBH@lava.net or call Darlyn at 396-1724. Let SBH 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. |