BY SEN. SAM SLOM – Aurora, Aloha. Hawaii joined the mourning for the victims of the Aurora Theater murders last Friday. God bless the victims, their families and the brave individuals who gave their lives to save others. There was a military connection to Hawaii with one of the women victims. It is just sad that some people used this event to advance their anti-Constitution, anti-2nd Amendment agendas. The mainstream media continue to embarrass themselves with their own anti-Tea Party, anti-conservative agendas. Case in point: ABC-TV “Chief Investigative Reporter,” Brian Ross, rushed to early judgment, even though he acknowledged he had no knowledge, by trying to tie the theater murderer to the Tea Party. ABC has done this before. He was aided and abetted by political activist turned journalist/entertainer, George Stephanopoulos. It was the wrong person. ABC-TV was forced to issue an apology but the damage was done. Again, excuses and explanations are being sought by some rather than holding the individual responsible for what he did. The death penalty is appropriate for the pre-meditated murderer.
Thursday With Case. Better plan to come, hear, and question Democrat US Senate candidate Ed Case tomorrow. Mazie won’t go. Case, a former member of the SBH Board of Directors will keynote the next monthly SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast in the Pineapple Room, Macy’s Ala Moana, Thursday, 7-8:30 am. That’s the morning before the night TV debate (only statewide one) with Mazie Hirono. Call Darlyn at SBH for details and reservations (396-1724).
Slaters Win Top SBH Biz Award. 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 HonoluluTraffic.com. Other awards, including SBH Civic Leader, 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? Call Darlyn: 396-1724.
Malasadas, Yum Yum. Leonard’s Bakery, a Hawaii treasure, is celebrating its 60th Anniversary and the family invites you to join them as they celebrate SIXTY (60) wonderful years. The bakery is one of our cherished local favorites…Leonard’s Bakery! Great entertainment and prizes! This Saturday, July 28, 9 am – 5 pm, at 933 Kapahulu Avenue.
Price of Paradise II. Randy Roth, UH Law Professor and ant-rail plaintiff, is a man of many talents. Years ago, before his “Broken Trust,” he edited and published two volumes of “The Price of Paradise.” He also produced, with help from wifeSusie, radio programs based on the popular books. Roth is considering updating and revising the Paradise books with the same authors as before. It would be beneficial and a good read especially since the price of Paradise continues to escalate.
Caldwell Has The Plan. Did you watch the last Mayoral debate on KHON-TV last week? Of all the cockamamie things that were said, Kirk Caldwell took the cake. Asked about his previous statements to “modify” the rail plan because of growing criticism, Caldwell calmly responded that he would “hide the columns behind buildings…and plant trees and landscape…” Say what? Better to put the columns inside the buildings. Wait a minute. There are no buildings in those vacant Kapolei fields where the columns are sprouting. The Primary Election is August 11. Be sure to vote. Your choices? Status Quo vs. transformation and Power to the People, as well as pro $9.03 billion rail train to nowhere vs. money for infrastructure and real traffic congestion mitigation. Don’t waste your vote!
Radio 4 Sale. The Cox Media Group is selling its six Hawaii radio stations as part of a “realignment” of the Atlanta-based media. Up for sale are: KRTR-AM, KRTR-FM, KPHW-FM, KCCN-FM, KINE-FM and KKNE-AM.
Governor Hails “A New Day.” Last Thursday. Governor Neil Abercrombie released state figures for the fiscal year 2012, which ended June 30. The state showed a $306 million surplus. That’s good; better than a deficit. The Government said this was because of good management. It probably was more because of the $600 million in new taxes enacted during 2011 (and effective during FY 2012). Budget Director Kalbert Young cautioned, however, that unfunded liabilities in excess of $21 BILLION (for the state ERS and EUTF) are a red flag. The Governor could not wait to announce new spending for most of the surplus on several welfare programs
New Strip Mall in Hawaii Kai? The confirmation of recent rumors that Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate is contemplating developing a strip mall on the site of the “great lawn” across from Maunalua Bay on Kalanianaole Highway, sent residents running to get their pitch forks and torches. The site is zoned “preservation” though originally it was designated for commercial use. Even the possible return of a Foodland to Hawaii Kai would not be enough to overcome the residents’ opposition to this dumb idea. Why doesn’t KSBE develop their commercial Kalama Valley Shopping Center, underused for decades, instead? Leave the lawn and view alone!
Green Police at Capitol Again. NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) in conjunction with the Hawaii State Energy Office is conducting a building evaluation of the Hawaii State Capitol building. Jim Salasovich and Ian Metzger are here from NREL to conduct the evaluation. Over the next two days, they will be accessing areas in the State Capitol building to inspect office and public areas, setting up meters and other devices to measure and track some usage of lights, air conditioning, and water, etc. to provide recommendations to become more efficient at the State Capitol.
Tax Credits Costly. A legislative audit just released summarizes that the high tech Hawaii tax credits have cost the state $1 billion in lost revenues since 1999. The actual benefits are not available because the data was not generated properly by the state, the Audit says.
Audit the Fed! Hurrah for Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) who has called for a full federal audit of the Federal Reserve System. This is long overdue. Because of the name, “federal,” most people assume the Fed is part of the Federal Government. This private association of bankers continues to manipulate America’s banking and financial system, not for the benefit of the American taxpayer. Let’s see if Congress has the guts to do what is right. There is a lot of pressure not to audit.
HHP Ordered to Pay. Hawaii Healthcare Professionals, Inc. – also known as Hawaii Professional HomeCare Services, Inc. – and its owner have been ordered to pay $193,236 to a woman allegedly fired due to her age, in a default judgment awarded byU.S. District Judge Alan C. Kay in Hawaii, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today. The judgment resolves an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC against the Honolulu-based home health care services company in 2010.
OSHA/HIOSH Take Over. Federal Occupation & Safety Administration (OSHA) is going to take over some of the enforcement activities from HIOSH (State OSHA) for a 3-year period. HIOSH will focus on construction, warehousing and transportation industries. All other general industries will go to federal OSHA starting next federal fiscal year (Oct 1, 2012 to Sept 30, 2013). Once OSHA takes over, it will be difficult for HIOSH to get the general industries back.
All in the (GOP) Family. Hawaii Republican Party ChairmanDavid Chang married former Party Chairwoman Beth Fukumoto last Saturday in the St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Chang, the CEO of Chang Holding Company, and Fukumoto, a candidate running for State House District 36, tied the knot in the presence of numerous current and former elected officials, family and friends. Mazel tov!
Five-0 in Hawaii Kai. The cast and crew of CBS’ hit “Hawaii Five-0” were filming in the Maunalua Bay and Hawaii Kai vicinity last week. Monday, the show (repeat) showed McGarrettrunning up the KokoHead trail.
Jones Honored. Mayor Peter Carlisle congratulated Suzanne Jones, the City’s recycling coordinator, who was recognized as one of the top women professionals in the country in the recycling industry and selected as one of 12 professionals for the 2012 Rosie Award by Waste & Recycling News (WRN), a national industry publication.
More than 60 women in the recycling, waste and sustainability industries were nominated for the first-ever WRN Rosie Award, recognizing women who inspire greatness with leadership, work ethic, vision, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Parrot Heads for USO. The Pau Hana Parrot Heads welcome everyone to join them on Saturday, August 25 at Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber. The ” Late Summer Bash” is the sixth annual fundraising event held by the local Parrot Head organization and will also be official “Parrot Head” day in Hawaii this year. All proceeds from the event will benefit USO Hawaii. Entertainment for this year’s event will be provided by “Buffett” cover entertainer John Friday from Bonita Springs, Florida.
The USO’s mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel. Millions of times each year at thousands of locations around the world, the USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families. A nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities. In 2011, USO Hawaii supported over 30,000 Hawaii based service members deploying to and returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. All proceeds from the Parrot Head event will be donated to assist USO Hawaii with their various needs.
Please contact Pau Hana Parrot Heads for more info atpauhanaparrothd@aol.com, pauhanaparrothd@aol.com or call 754-2390.
Twogood Hoses Protesters. Last week, Bob Twogood of Twogood Kayaks Hawaii, Inc. in Hawaii and several other small businesses in Kailua held a press conference to criticize the recently passed City bill 11 which would ban all ocean commercial activity at Kailua’s two most popular beaches. At one point, a dozen protesters were hosed down by Twogood, who later explained, tongue in cheek, “the protesters looked hot and I just wanted to cool them down.” He was arrested and later released. The small businesses just wanted to express their concern and create more awareness of the damage Bill 11 (2012) CD1 will do to the small business community in Kailua. Mayor Carlisle is coy as to whether he will sign or veto the controversial bill.
Last Call For Friedman Dinner. I hope to see you at theMilton Friedman Birthday Dinner next week at Camp Smith, Tuesday evening, July 31. SBH joins the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH) and Hawaii Reporter to co-sponsor. It recognizes the centennial birth of one of the greatest free market economists. Special guest speaker will be Lisa Snell, a recognized education expert who has been on Fox News as well as multiple other venues. Make your reservations before it’s too late. Contact Aaron at GRIH at 591-9193.
Farmers’ Hires. Farmers Insurance Hawaii announced the hiring of management members to its team. Ramon Diaz has been hired as sales supervisor for Hawaii Insurance Consultants, an affiliate of the Farmers Insurance Hawaii Family of Companies, and is responsible for managing the personal lines insurance sales team. He most recently served as a personal lines underwriter at Jerry Hay, Inc., and was the sales and service supervisor at DTRIC Insurance. Acachia Schriml has been hired as customer service supervisor for Farmers Insurance Hawaii. She is responsible for directing and developing the auto insurance customer advocate team. She was previously a service representative at Geico and a human resources coordinator at AddressAide Hawaii Outreach.
Kahala Da Best. Travel + Leisure Magazine has announced its 2012 World’s Best Awards based on Reader Surveys. The Kahala Hotel & Resort on Oahu was named in Hawaii’s Top Ten of World’s Best Resorts.
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,
