BY SEN. SAM SLOM – Bryan Clay Park. On Monday, I attended the dedication of the new Bryan Clay Exercise Park, part of the new Diamond Head Fort Ruger Pathway and Park at the entrance to Diamond Head. It is a user friendly park complete with exercise equipment. Governor Neil Abercrombie delivered remarks and checked out the equipment. Clay’s parents were there and recent SBH business awardee, Clark Hatch, a prime mover in the project, delivered remarks. Check it out!
General Rogers Recognition. Thanks to Calvin Griffin, John H. Rogers (MSGT Ret.) Jr., “The General” will get recognition. You may recall, Rogers, an African-American, stood on the corner of Kapiolani and Kalakaua from January 7, 1998 to December 22, 2000, six days a week, waving an American Flag and shouting encouragement to our men and women in the armed forces. He always smiled. Private funds are being raised (more details next week) to put an appropriate placque on that corner.
Oh, No: Cookies Addictive! According to a story in Hawaii Reporter, can a cookie be as addictive as cocaine? Researchers say that for lab rats at least, the answer is yes. Rodents in a study at Connecticut College became hooked on Oreos, the most popular cookie in the United States, during a study aimed at shedding light on the potential addictiveness of high-fat and high-sugar foods. According to the scientists, lab rats formed an equally strong association between the pleasurable effects of eating Oreos and a specific environment as they did between cocaine or morphine and a specific environment. They also found that eating cookies activated more neurons in the brain’s “pleasure center” than exposure to drugs of abuse. Researchers also noted that like humans, rats like to eat the creamy center of Oreos first. Me too. Is nothing sacred anymore?
Dysfuntional Health Connector. Last week (Wednesday) I wasted 4 ½ hours at the Capitol listening to propaganda from the new Hawaii Health Connector team making excuses for missed dates, a dysfunctional website and a big bill to taxpayers with nothing to show for it. The Connector contracted with a Mainland firm for $53 million to do the website and it’s not working. Privacy is also a major concern. The Connector spokespeople could not, or would not, answer Legislators’ questions. What an expensive boondoggle that won’t improve your health care.
Mike Wood at Sunrise! The next monthly SBH SUNRISE Networking Breakfast will be next Thursday, October 24 at the Pineapple Room, Macy’s Ala Moana Center, 7 – 8:30 am. Want a positive, uplifting message? Then come hear our speaker, Mike Wood of MW Group, Ltd. Mike’s topic is, “Never Give Up On Your Dreams.” Wood is the co-founder and Principal of MW Group, Ltd. He has been in the Real Estate Development industry for over 25 years. In addition to his expertise in Commercial Real Estate, Mike has been instrumental in the development and management of the company’s Self Storage Facilities (Hawaii Self Storage) as well as the Assisted Living Facilities (Plaza Assisted Living). Networking, full breakfast buffet, and business updates. All participants will be introduced. For information and reservations, contact Jaynahe Self, TODAY at SBH, 396-1724.
New Hawaii Industry? They are reportedly raising cockroaches for profit in China according to Yahoo news reports. Now, there’s an industry Hawaii could successfully compete in.
Mayor at Town Halls. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced his presence at upcoming Town Hall Meetings with his Department Directors. All will be 6-8 pm and broadcast live on O’lelo. Tomorrow, Thursday, the Mayor will be at the Blaisdell Center; Wednesday, Nov. 13 in Waialua (Waialua High); Tuesday, November 19 at Kahuku High School; Thursday, December 5 at Wai’anae District Park and Thursday, December 10 at Kaiser High School. Go and tell the Mayor how much you like his tax hike proposals, spending and debt and of course, his rail to nowhere.
HECO Stymies Solar. Another squirrely hearing at the Capitol was held this past Monday before a packed house. Hawaiian Electric (HECO) tried to explain why they suddenly changed their rules on September 6, without much advance notice (1-2 days) trapping thousands of customers and dozens of contractors who were proceeding with PV solar installation as per past rules. HECO said it was “safety;” smarter people understood it was the electric monopoly finding a way to slow growth in Hawaii’s fast growing solar off grid alternative. Hawaii leads the Nation with 9-11% PV. Homeowners got caught after signing contracts, borrowing money, paying fees and permits and waiting for savings; solar companies had to order materials, hire extra people and some may go belly up. It is long past due to de-regulate HECO.
SBH Board Friday. The Smart Business Hawaii Board of Directors will meet on a special day, this Friday, October 18, at noon in the Hawaii Kai office. SBH members always welcome at meetings.
Special Session Hi jinks. Oh, the arm twisting and prep for Hawaii’s not-so-special same sex marriage Special Session. The curtain goes up Monday, October 28 but there is still a lot of behind the scenes jockeying for final votes. It’s not a done deal yet.
Matson Subpoenaed. The Feds by a grand jury, have subpoenaed Matson Navigation to answer questions about the devastating molasses spill in Honolulu last month. About 20 businesses affected by the spill have also filed actions against Matson.
Newsmorphosis III Next Thursday. On Thursday, October 24th, ThinkTech and the Hawaii Venture Capital Association will present “NewsMorphosis III Online” at the Plaza Club. They did their original NewsMorphosis panel program in 2010 just after the Honolulu Advertiser announced that it would close. They did the second one a year later to follow up, and now, in NewsMorphosis III, they’ll examine how well online news is doing these days.
- Howard Dicus of Hawaii News Now will be moderator. Registration and lunch is at 11:30 am. The program runs from noon to 1:30 pm.
- Panelists are Patti Epler of Civil Beat and Huffington Post Hawaii;
- Jared Kuroiwa of KHON2-TV;
- Steve Petranik of Hawaii Business Magazine;and
- Malia Zimmerman of Hawaii Reporter.
RSVP at HVCA.ORG.
Stan Saiki Death. We just learned that Stan Saiki, Jr. M.D., son of Congresswoman Pat Saiki, passed away on Oct. 12, as the result of a heart attack. No other details at this time.
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, 11 am – 1 pm at the Outback Steakhouse in Hawaii Kai. Reg Baker, SBH Director and EVP of HMAA, will provide an alternative perspective. Call Jnayhe at 396-1724 for reservations.
SBH Young Entrepreneurs. Smart Business Hawaii (SBH) is seeking 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 (www.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!
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. 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.
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