So-So Revenues | More Clout for Anti-Rail Lawsuit | Teachers Union Too Little, Too Late? | Get Your Goat on Kauai

BY SEN. SAM SLOM – June Is Bustin’ Out All Over. I know, I know; Friday is June and where has the year gone so far? Strap on your seat belts because the June – November time frame will be momentous; world events, our economy and politics for sure.

 

Celebrate With Hawaii Reporter. Join me and KHVH radio’sRichard David Hamada, Jr. III to honor and celebrate Hawaii Reporter.com, on its 10th anniversary. Hawaii’s first electronic daily newspaper parties this Friday, June 1, at the Waialae Country Club (5:30 – 8 pm ). Everyone is welcome. There will be good food, entertainment and surprise announcements about HR’s bright future. . Go to www.HawaiiReporter.com, for details of the dinner and the real news. HR, founded by Malia Zimmerman, continues to break major investigative stories. Tune in to KHVH every weekday now at 7:05 am to hear Malia’s report.

 

So-So Revenues. I attended yesterday’s quarterly State Council of Revenues meeting. With only a little over a month in fiscal year 2012 remaining, and the latest data in only for April, the Council decided to stay with its previous 12% growth estimate for the year. Personal income tax revenues are down but General Excise Tax take is up. There were several possible reasons for this.

 

Looking forward to FY 2013 (starting July 1) the Council projects a 5.3% tax revenue increase. Signs indicate tourism will be strong this summer but construction is still flat. Lot of discussion regarding impact of surging energy tax credits, but no real data since 2009; DBED AWOL on this. Also, Act 105 (2011), which stripped GET exemptions last year, was supposed to generate $216 million for two years; so far actual is only $50 million. Damage to business (and ultimately consumers) is severe.

 

“One of the Best Speakers Ever…”. That’s what they said after last Thursday’s monthly SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast featuring FBI Special Agent and Honolulu business scam buster, Tom Simon in the Pineapple Room, Macy’s Ala Moana. Next month, Thursday, June 28, “Broken Trust”
co-author, rail lawsuit plaintiff and UH law professor, Randy Roth will speak. Call Darlyn at SBH for details and reservations (396-1724).

 

Farmers Given Reprieve Again. Attorney General David M. Louie announced that the State will allow the Haleiwa Farmers’ Market (“HFM”) to remain at its present location for two more weeks, through June 10, 2012.

The State had previously provided HFM with an extension to operate until May 27, 2012.  This additional extension to June 10th is being provided because HFM has been making progress in finding and moving to a new location.  The State wants to facilitate that move by providing this further extension.

 

More Clout for Anti-Rail Lawsuit. Late last Wednesday, the congressionally chartered National Trust for Historic Preservation filed an amicus brief in support of our lawsuit,Honolulutraffic.com et al vs. FTA and the City of Honolulu.

 

Hooray for Dawson! Kaiser High School graduate Dawson Vorderbruegge (’08), and current Cal State Stanislaus track athlete, earned the NCAA’s Elite 89 Award for all of Division II Track and Field. It is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA of all student-athletes on the roster of any team that qualified for the national tournament. Vorderbruegge is studying English with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language. He has always excelled in the classroom, being a three-time All-CCAA Academic award winner and Dean’s List student.

 

While at Kaiser, Vorderbruegge set the Hawaii high school state record in winning the 3,000-meter with a time of 8:58.14 in his senior season. Vorderbruegge, a team captain, dominated in 2008 only losing one race. He also produced in the classroom and was named Kaiser High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2008 and was co-valedictorian.

 

Teachers Union Too Little, Too Late? HSTA President Wil Okabe informed Governor Neil Abercrombie last week that teachers voted on the rejected January agreement in what HSTA called a “ratification vote.”  The results showed that the majority of teachers are now in favor of the contract they previously rejected.

 

Governor Abercrombie released the following statement: “Now is a good time for HSTA to submit a new proposal for discussion. When HSTA decides to return to collective bargaining, the vote results will be seriously considered.  Our team remains prepared to negotiate. The end of the school year is fast approaching. We appreciate the work that our teachers have done for student achievement and we look forward to resolving this labor dispute with their union.”

 

Matson to Hike Rates July 1. Hawaii’s Department of Transportation, Harbors Division, is implementing the fourth of several planned wharfage increases on July 1, 2012. As is Matson’s current practice, Matson passes on fees that are charged by Hawaii’s DOT, Harbors Division.

 

The increase will be applied by island and equipment size, as well as by commodity in some instances. As one example, the Hawaii wharfage fee for a 40-foot container moving from the U.S. Mainland to Honolulu will increase from the current $136.62 to $150.28 on July 1. The Hawaii wharfage fee for a 40-foot container moving from the U.S. Mainland to any neighbor island beyond Honolulu will increase from the current $236.86 to $273.80.

 

The increased fees will be published in Matson’s tariffs and become effective on July 1, 2012.

 

Zipline HIOSH Report Issued. Regarding the report issued by Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division on the death at a Hawaii Island zipline last year, and a fine, Tony DeLellis ofKapohoKine Adventures issued the following:

“It doesn’t change the tragic loss of a human life,” said DeLellis, “and it troubles us that more rigid standards weren’t applied to these lines by the builder” (Experiential Resources, Inc. and GoZip LLC).
“Lava Hotline’s decision to independently evaluate the course was well founded,” DeLellis said.

Following the accident last fall, which caused the death of an employee of the zipline builder who was testing the line, the operator for the lines, Lava Hotline, hired independent engineers to evaluate the course. “That choice was clearly a sound one,” DeLellis said. The entire course was redesigned and is being rebuilt by an accredited zipline builder. Platforms are being rebuilt, supports are being reinforced and every anchor has been replaced and is undergoing intensive testing.”

KapohoKine, a Hilo-based adventure tours company, booked zipline excursions through Lava Hotline. KapohoKine suspended zipline tours after the incident, awaiting full evaluation of integrity of the lines.

 

T-Mobile in Hawaii Kai. Hawaii Kai Towne Center’s newest tenant, wireless provider T-Mobile, opened its doors to the public on Friday, May 25. The 1,219 square-foot store, is located near Koa Pancake House, Ramen-Ya and GameStop in the Hawaii Kai Towne Center.

“T-Mobile is excited to finally be coming to the Hawaii Kai Towne Center,” said T-Mobile spokesman Sean Uezu. “We are happy to provide a convenient location for our East Oahu customers. We look forward to being a good neighbor in the community to provide the best service and value for people looking for a cell phone or mobile broadband service. We are also hiring and looking for vibrant people to join our award-winning team.”

 

The Best of Sports. Next Wednesday, June 6, Hawaii Business Magazine presents an all-star panel on “The Business of Sports” in Hawaii, at the Plaza Club, 4:30-6:30 pm. To Register, visit  hb-businessofsports.eventbrite.com or contactEphraim Botulan at 534-7537 or via emailephraimb@hawaiibusiness.com

 

“Sales Keeps the Lights On! SMEI Honolulu, in partnership with Hawaii Business magazine, announces nominations may be submitted for the 52nd annual Distinguished Sales & Marketing Awards. There are 11 categories and nominations are due June 15. Go to www.SMEIhonolulu.com/DSMA.

 

Candidate Deadline. Next Tuesday, June 5 at 4:30 pm is the deadline for candidates to file for office in 2012. Reapportionment is now set, the maps are drawn and you will learn some surprising candidates after Tuesday. Are you registered to vote?

 

“Tide’s In, Dirt’s…” Remember years ago when hundreds of people drank new “lemon-scented” dish washing products because they didn’t read and only saw the lemon? Now, those new laundry products, by Tide and other companies, that are the soft, colorful, all-in-one packets, are being swallowed by keiki. Is this an indictment of companies and new products, or the problems with reading and parental control? Schools don’t teach reading. Non profits like Read Aloud America does. Look for product changes soon.

 

Tony Guerrero on Board. First Hawaiian Bank retired vice chairman, Anthony Guerrero, Jr. has been appointed to the 35-member Move Oahu Forward pro rail board. He currently serves on the Oahu Transit Services (OTS) board.

 

TheBus Reductions. During June, a number of major changes with TheBus route scheduling and directions will be “tried out.” Patrons at Neighborhood Board meetings so far not impressed. This is part of the overall plan to downgrade TheBus while forcing passengers-and revenues-into TheRail. (OTS personnel publicly deny this). TheBus is frequently recognized as the best bus service in America. What’s that about, “if its not broken, don’t…?”

 

Get Your Goat on Kauai. The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the opening of archery, muzzle loading rifle, and high-powered rifle hunting seasons for feral goats on the island of Kaua’I, beginning June 25.  For more information you may contact: Deborah Ward, DLNR Public Information Specialist Phone: (808) 587-0320

 

Become an SBH Member. Is YOUR business a member of SBH? No? Lots of benefits. Strong networking organization.   Call Darlyn today (808-396-1724) or go online tosmartbusinesshawaii.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 mailto:SBH@lava.net or call Darlyn at 396-1724.

 

SBH can help you with YOUR business. Just starting a business?   Call me personally for help at 396-1724 or email: mailto:SBH@lava.net. Smart Business Hawaii Means Business and we’re here to help you.

 

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