Honolulu City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle will talk about crimes against business and how to prosecute them at Small Business Hawaii’s 27th Annual Conference this Wednesday, Jan. 8, which begins at 8 a.m.
Audience members concerned about the rise in property crime will be able to hear from and ask questions of both Carlisle and Mary Paulson, president of Security One, one of Hawaii’s most successful alarm companies. Paulson, who regularly testifies before the Honolulu City Council and other governmental bodies about the rise in crime, new legislation relating to crime and the alarm industry, will make her speech during the “Small Business Success Stories” portion of the conference, following Carlisle.
Two other small business owners, Bill Green of Kahala Shell and Wayne Samiere of Honolulu Fish Company, also will be a part of the success stories segment and share their challenges and triumphs as small business owners in Hawaii.
But the conference won’t be all business. Bob Watada of the Campaign Spending Commission will address the conferees on “What Campaign Reforms Are Needed in 2003,” which may include a discussion of the do’s and don’ts for businesses when it comes to making campaign donations. Following him in a discussion will be two panels of politicians, one with state legislators and the other with city council members, who will follow in a discussion of Hawaii’s future as they see it.
The conference, themed “Small Business 2003: Changing Hawaii’s Business Climate for a Better Future,” will end with a speech by Gov. Linda Lingle at lunch. Lingle will premiere her plan to help turn around the economy and help the business climate improve.
Small Business Hawaii President and Executive Director Sam Slom says the public is welcome to attend, however advance paid reservations are required because space is limited (reservations can be made by calling 396-1724 or faxing 396-1726). The cost is $40 for SBH members and their guests, $50 for non-members and special rates for groups of 10 and higher.
Slom says because of tough economic times in Hawaii and the drain this has put on the non-profit member organization, for the first time in the annual conference’s history there will be corporate sponsorships of the event. Gold Sponsors include Small Business Hawaii members Ed Medeiros of Aloha Flea Market and Heavy Metal Barbell Company, Gary Arizala and HawaiiReporter.com. The Systemcenter, Inc., owned by Joyce and Bill Edwards, the winners of the Small Business Hawaii Persons of the Year in 2001, will be the Silver Sponsors. Bronze Sponsors are J.S. Services Inc. and New England Financial. Friends of Small Business Hawaii, a fourth level of sponsorship, include Oils of Aloha, Charlie’s Taxi, Peterson Signs-A Division of Sun Industries and The Quorum.
For additional information, check out the SBH Web site at https://www.smallbusinesshawaii.com