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No More Crabs. Sam Choy’s popular restaurant on Nimitz Highway in Honolulu, Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch and Crab, will close at the end of March after more than 15 years at that location. The owners decided against renewing their lease.
The restaurant has been a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors alike and has hosted several major community group meetings, including Smart Business Hawaii and Grassroot institute of Hawaii, over the years.
Sam Choy’s is spending its last few weeks in operation by holding fundraisers for local non profit groups. Chef Choy still operates a Kailua-Kona eatery on the Island of Hawaii.
Blue Water, White Death. Add to business closings, the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center Restaurant, Blue Water Café which closed Sunday.
Reg Baker Elected. The SBH Board of Directors Monday elected Reg Baker to its voluntary Board of Directors. Baker, currently Executive VP of HMAA, is also a CPA and has a long and distinguished Hawaii business background.
Hao Street Pau (For Now). The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) yesterday temporarily suspended the building permits at a construction site on Hao Street in Aina Haina where two single-family homes are being built by developer Jeff Stone.
The permit suspension came a day after DPP received a letter from William Aila Jr., Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairman and State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) Officer, suggesting that the City stop the construction because SHPD believes a historic site may exist or existed. The suspension is temporary while DPP considers SHPD’s recommendation that an Archaeological Inventory Survey (AIS) be completed at the site.
SHPD does not have the authority to order a developer to suspend construction, but can make a recommendation to DPP, which is the permitting authority, to halt construction activity. The property had not been flagged by SHPD and no records of historic sites were found in DPP files as being of cultural or historical significance. However, some community members have stepped forward and reported what they said were historic sites and asked that work be halted until an AIS is completed.
George Atta, DPP Director Designate, said DPP will use this time to meet with the developer, Residences at Aina Haina LLC, and SHPD to clarify SHPD’s request.
Last Thursday, more than 150 Aina Haina residents jammed the Aina Haina Library for the monthly Kuliou’ou Neighborhood Board Meeting to protest the Hao street project which has disturbed Native Hawaiian artifacts, blocked trail access, and creates a potential flooding hazard.
Big Square Building Doings. The Legislature’s first bill crossover took place March 7 when a total of 690 House and Senate bills crossed over to the other legislative body. Today is the 30th day, or halfway mark during this year’s Session. Taxes, minimum wage and lots of fees still alive. The Session goes until May 2.
Lex Brodie Street Resolution (SCR 47) in the State Senate would rename a part of Coral Street adjacent to Lex Brodie’s Tire Company, “Lex Brodie Street.” In honor of the late, great entrepreneur and founder of SBH. My reso will be held in hearing, Tuesday, March 19, 1:15 PM in room 414 before the Technology Committee. Testimony welcome. Phone 586-6360.
The O’Reilly Factor. Tentatively, I’m scheduled to appear on the FOX Channel’s “O’Reilly Factor” tomorrow afternoon (Thursday via tape from KHON-TV)) to discuss why the Hawaii majority lawmakers refused to hear or vote on “Jessica’s Law” this Session. With New Jersey this year, 45 states have adopted such a law which prescribes a 25 year to life minimum for child predators. The bill which would be a real deterrent to those who would sexually assault or murder our children, was apparently found to be too tough for local lawmakers though they have no trouble passing tough bills relating to animal cruelty. Bill O’Reilly has made it his personal crusade to go after child molesters and has backed Jessica’s Law and its sponsors for more than 8 years.
Hawaii Students in Oregon Help Others. Rather than spending Spring Break on a beach or just relaxing, several Hawaii college students attending Pacific University in Forrest Grove, Oregon will spend their time helping others. Dubbed the “Alternative Spring Break,” the 12 college youth will drive a University van to San Francisco and stay from March 23-30.
They will be engaged in daily community service projects at different homelessness and hunger fighting organizations. Organizations include Project Open Hands, Alemeny Farms, Glide Memorial, Star Community Home and Faithful Fools. One of the organizers is Sid Slom (Pacific’13). Yup. Are you a parent of a Pacific student? Want to help the students help others? Call me (349-5438).
State Deep Pockets. A bill progressing through the Capitol is the annual bill to pay settlements on lawsuits against the state. The current total for this year (the amount likely will increase by May) is $26.6 million and includes $14 million back pay for substitute teachers, $5 million for sexual assaults at the State School for the Deaf & Blind, and $3 million for an autistic child against the DOE.
Collective Bargaining. More than two dozen bills are also alive that would grant salary increases to the state’s unionized public workers. Few in the private sector have gotten salary increases yet they are called upon to take care of this special class of government worker even though there is no money for these expenses.
Fatboy’s Eats. In March, Fatboy’s restaurants island wide are erasing all prices from their menus and letting customers set their own prices. The unique “No Prices for Hawaii’s Keiki” promotion is a fundraiser for the Kapi’olani Health Foundation in support of its Campaign for Hawai’i’s Children, a capital campaign to rebuild Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children.
On Tuesdays and Sundays through March 31, Fatboy’s menus will have no printed prices. Instead customers can set their own price, knowing that all proceeds over cost will be matched by Fatboy’s and donated directly to Kapi’olani.
The promotion is the brainchild of Fatboy’s owner Carroll Ung and his wife Rariyo, whose daughter Leah was born at Kapi’olani. Shortly after her birth, a blood test showed that Leah’s platelet count was critically low at only 10,000 (normal is 150,000). Leah is now a thriving two year old and the frightening days of her first few weeks are a distant memory, but the care the family received at Kapi’olani inspired Ung to create the “No Prices” fundraiser. “I can’t express how capable, professional and comforting the doctors and staff were during such a stressful time for our family,” Ung said. “We will always be grateful to Kapi’olani and we wanted to give back.”
Carroll and his father founded the first Fatboy’s in Kalihi in 1999 with a goal to serve a higher-end plate lunch with fresh local ingredients and gourmet sauces. They have since expanded to five restaurants on O’ahu. The restaurant’s name comes from Carroll’s nickname as a child: his brother used to call him Fatboy. Stores are located in Kailua, Keeaumoku, Waipahu, Hawai’i Kai & Pali Golf Course.
About Kapi’olani’s Campaign for Hawai’i’s Children
Co-chaired by Dee Jay Mailer and Bert Kobayashi and honorary co-chairs Wendy Crabb, Tadd Fujikawa, Thomas Kosasa, MD and Nainoa Thompson, the Campaign will raise $30M to fund the first phase of a 15-year master plan to rebuild Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children.
Slippah, Slippah. John Carpenter, CEO of Island Slipper Co., will be the next special guest speaker at the monthly SBH SUNRISE Networking Breakfast, Thursday, March 28, 7-8:30 AM in the Pineapple Room of Macy’s Ala Moana. Reservations on line, or by calling Darlyn at 808-396-1724.
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.com for 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.
See Your Ad Here. 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 to www.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.
[…] Restaurants Closing | Hao Street Pau (For Now) | O'Reilley Factor | State Deep … Chef Choy still operates a Kailua-Kona eatery on the Island of Hawaii. Blue Water, White Death. Add to … They will be engaged in daily community service projects at different homelessness and hunger fighting organizations. Organizations include … Read more on Hawaii Reporter […]
Senator Slom, I heard and really appreciated your interview with O'Reilly. In contrast with Hanabusa, I'd say your comportment was excellent, and pithy, as Mr. O would say. I hope you take his offer for another interview.
[…] Waipahu, Hawai'i Kai & Pali Golf Course. About Kapi'olani's … Read more on Hawaii Reporter This entry was posted in Homeless Waipahu and tagged …, Closing, Deep, Factor, […]
[…] homelessness and hunger fighting organizations. Organizations include … Read more on Hawaii Reporter This entry was posted in Homeless Kailua and tagged …, Closing, Deep, Factor, O'Reilley, […]
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