Give ‘Em Da Gas | Hawaiian Rent-All Sign of the Times | Obama Picks Schatz | Alternative Budget

BY SAM SLOM – “Austere” Budget. The State Senate passed its version of the two-year fiscal budget Monday. Senate Ways & Means Chair David Ige described the budget as “prudent” and “austere” and “something the Senate can be proud of.” The budget totals $23.7 billion, is not balanced after 2016 and does not include more millions in separate bills. We can’t afford this level of government here.

Alternative Budget. The Senate Minority will continue its tradition of releasing an alternative, fiscally conservative state operating budget. The budget will be released at a Friday press conference in Capitol Room 214 at 10:30 am. If enacted, the budget could set a new direction for government spending in Hawaii.

What Kind of Fool Are You? Yesterday, April 1, 2014, was April Fools’ Day. There were few jokes other than Hawaii’s political representation. Wise up, Hawaii residents, and take back your power before it’s too late. Don’t let the fiscal joke be on you.

Hawaiian Rent-All Sign of the Times. Hawaiian Rent-All, a small company with a big reach has done it again. The McCully company that rents equipment-and uses provocative, comic signs to get a message across quite well-weighed in on the Legislative controversy involving the Honolulu Police Department (HPD). The hot issue involved the HPD undercover officers being given immunity using sexual penetration to bust prostitutes. The law caused a stir. Then Hawaiian Rent-All put up on its very prominent sign board, “Don’t Worry HPD, It’s Still OK to Rent Hoes From Us.” A firestorm ensued with anti-human trafficking groups demanding the sign be removed, an apology issued. The owner did not comply. Good for him. And that folks, is how to do major marketing on a shoestring. And yes, they do have industrial hoes for rent.

Give ‘Em Da Gas. Lex Brodie’s at 701 Queen Street, which pioneered “Fast Gas” 50 years ago, announced the end of pumped gas on Monday, and the end of all gas service on April 13. Everyone will miss the courteous, smiling staff that greeted you and pumped your discount gas. It was a tough decision for manager Scott Williams but a good business decision since it was costing the company 11¢ per gallon for the service. It is amazing how many of the loyal customers didn’t know how to pump their own gas. The good news is the tire and repair work is booming at Brodie’s. Thank you, very much.

Hawaii Health Connector on Grill. KITV reports on Thursday, April 3, 2014, the Joint Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Job Creation, and Regulatory Affairs chaired by Jim Jordan (R-OH) and the Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements chaired by James Lankford (R-OK) will hold a hearing on “Examining ObamaCare’s Problem-Filled State Exchanges. Hawaii Health Connector interim Executive Director Tom Matsuda will testify about Hawaii’s troubled Obamacare system. The hearing will be livestreamed VIA THE WEB AT  oversight.house.gov
beginning at 4 a.m. Hawaii time.

The Connector is a financial black hole for Hawaii taxpayers and has done little to alleviate the uninsured in Hawaii while punishing the rest of us with poor service and by wasting our tax dollars.

HAL Appoints Landers. Hawaiian Airlines has appointed Jim Landers as Director – Strategic Initiatives. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing a broad portfolio of high-impact strategic projects reaching across multiple business lines focusing on operational efficiency and risk mitigation.

Increased Security Card. Hawaii State Federal Credit Union offers its members the first locally issued EMV-enabled credit card in the state as of yesterday. EMV cards are the global standard for security and are in widespread use in Europe and Asia. The technology is gaining popularity in the U.S.

The EMV initials stand for Europay, MasterCard and Visa, the first firms that agreed to the standards more than a decade ago.  Hawaii State FCU’s Visa Signature® Cash Rewards Credit Card has an embedded microchip in the metallic square on the card’s face. The chip is encrypted for stronger security and protection against fraud when used at EMV-enabled point-of-sale (POS) machines or automated teller machines (ATMs.)

Elite at Trump Event. Elite at Trump event features an organic clothing fashion show Saturday. Ed Fernandez is a man of many design inspirations, combining his love for all things eco-friendly along with his passion for nautical clothing culture in his two clothing lines, Organik Clothing and Aloha Sailor, respectively. His clothing will set the stage at the upcoming Elite at Trump International Hotel Waikiki, scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2014 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information, click here.

East Oahu Breakfast Meeting. The East Oahu Breakfast Club -will feature Justin Mew, the new Principal of Kaiser High School, at its Tuesday, April 8th meeting beginning at 7 a.m. Free parking and good food. Contact Kevin Nitta at kevnitta@hawaii.rr.com to RSVP.

Scots Coming to Ala Moana. The Annual Hawaii Scottish Festival is this weekend at McCoy Pavilion in Ala Moana Park. Food, drink and big burly Scots throwing things. Enjoy!  “Freedom!”

Need a job, career change? The Hawaii Career Expo is being held today at the Blaisdell sponsored by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

SBH Business & Investment Conference, May 13. The SBH 38th Annual Business Conference is set for Tuesday, May 13 at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom. Principal sponsors are HMAA and McDonald’s of Hawaii.

Featured speakers will represent: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Associated Builders & Contractors, Verizon Hawaii, Charley’s Taxi, “The Companies We Keep,” Hilo Hattie, Pacific Edge Magazine, and others. You will be informed and entertained.

Best-selling author and motivational business success speaker, Patrick Snow, will be the SBH’s Keynote Luncheon Speaker. Current issue topics, networking, business exhibits and more will be included. Make reservations now by calling SBH at 808-396-1724.

SUNRISE Networking Breakfast. The next monthly SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast is Thursday, April 25 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 am in the Pineapple Room of Macy’s Ala Moana Center. Networking strategies will be discussed-and practiced. Special keynote speaker. Public invited. Reservations required. Full breakfast and free parking. Call SBH for reservations at 396-1724.

You’ve Got the Power. A new half hour television show, You’ve Got the Power, produced by Malia Zimmerman, Irma Baptiste and Shaunna Touchi of Luminescent Productions, will air on Saturday, April 12 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 19 at 6 p.m. on Hawaii News Now stations. See a 30-second clip of the show here

The half hour show, which focuses on people who have overcome great odds to be successful and then help many other people, features Skylar Soares, Delorese Gregoire and Mo Maurer in the first episode.

Soares, 12, is the SBH Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013. She founded with the help of Make a Wish Foundation and HPU, the HiSky retail business. Gregoire is the founder of Winners Camp and has helped 15,000 teenagers discover their leadership skills and talents. And Maurer, a Maui resident, founded Assistance Dogs of Hawaii and has helped thousands of people in need find they joy and independence they deserve.

Sponsors include HMAA, King Windward Nissan, InControl Diabetes Center, Pharmacare, Revolusun and Hawaii Homestay. If your company would like to be a sponsor, contact Irma May Baptiste at irmamaybaptiste@gmail.com

YR Pau Hana Tonight. I hope to see you at the Hawaii Young Republicans Pau Hana tonight. It will be held at the Hasr Bistro, 31 North Pauahi Street.

Obama Picks Schatz, Snubs Hanabusa. President Barrack Obama this week endorsed Brian Schatz for U.S. Senate. Obama previously endorsed Colleen Hanabusa for Congress. Schatz was Obama’s campaign leader in 2012. Hanabusa had supported Hillary Clinton. Republican Cam Cavasso is also running in this election and provides alternative fiscally and socially conservative views.

New Facebook Link. The Hawaii Senate Minority has a new Facebook and a new look. Check it out here>
Please like us and invite your friends to like the group as well. If not, you are still able to view the page without creating an account.

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  smartbusinesshawaii.com.
 
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 (November) 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).

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.

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!

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