BY SAM SLOM – Hope You Enjoyed Your Independence Day. Hope you had a wonderful Independence Day with family, friends, food and fireworks. The Washington Post editorialized that it was too bad America won the Revolutionary War- would be better if we were still British, the editorial said. And the national Democratic Party proclaimed, the one thing that binds all of us together is being part of government. Happy Dependence Day?
The Wrong Ranger. All my life, from radio days, The Lone Ranger was a hero. Honored as “The Lone Ranger of the State Senate,” for more than a year, I anxiously awaited the new Lone Ranger movie’s release. I usually take my Capitol staff to a movie after the Session and thought this would be the one. Then details about this film started seeping out. Saw it Saturday. ALL the negative reviews are correct, but don’t go far enough. This $250 million, 2 hour 40 minute flop, sullies the name and legend of the Lone Ranger we all knew. Johnny Depp (“Tonto”) was not as bad as I thought he would be (Pirate with bad makeup goes West?) but where did they find Armie Hammer (The Ranger). He is weak, dumb, clueless, anti-gun, and possibly corrupt. Cheap “jokes,” anti-Capitalism and more “white guilt” are prevalent throughout the movie. Too bad. It is a Disney feature that would cause Walt Disney himself great strife. Sorry staff, this is not our film this year.
Got Work? Two IMMEDIATE job openings:
- Office Manager/Administrative Assistant, part time (M-F), at Smart Business Hawaii (SBH) office in Hawaii Kai. Hourly salary, flexible schedule, medical and other benefits, community event participation, and free parking.
- State Senate Minority Attorney/Research Director, full time, M-F, permanent year around, at State Capitol. Good salary and full benefits.
For more details on either position, call me personally (349-5438) or email resume to: SBH@lava.net
Governor Ige? State Sen. David Ige (D-Aiea-Pearl City), announced Tuesday he will run for Governor in the 2014 Democrat Primary against incumbent Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Ige, who has served in the Legislature for 28 years, is the powerful chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
Abercrombie Vetoes. Gov. Abercrombie announced on Tuesday that he will veto three bills passed by the legislature during the 2013 Session. He had previously announced he could veto as many as 9 bills. The Democrat-controlled legislature shortly thereafter announced it would not call a special session to override any of the Democrat Governor’s vetoes. A total of 288 bills became law during 2013.
Vetoed were:
HB654 (Related to Nursing)
Requires the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Professional and Vocational Licensing Division to collaborate with the Hawaii Center for Nursing, which the division is already doing.
HB763 (Relating to the State Building Code)
HB988 (Relating to Native Wildlife)
Only allows the Environmental Response Revolving Fund to support the operations for a recovery and rehabilitation facility of native wildlife affected by oil related spills. HB988 would have expanded the number of programs that draw from the fund generated by the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax pursuant to section 243-3.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, commonly referred to as the “barrel tax,” without increasing the barrel tax allocation to support the expansion.
The following bills will become law without the Governor’s signature:
- HB424 (Relating to Timeshare Conveyances)
- HB1059 (Relating to Court Advisement Concerning Alien Status)
- HB1130 (Relating to the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation)
- SB3 (Relating to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs)
- SB68 (Relating to Sentencing)
- SB614 (Relating to Public Works of Art)
- SB867 (Relating to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund)
- SB911 (Making Appropriations for Collective Bargaining Cost Items)
- SB966 (Relating to the Uniform Mediation Act)
- SB1214 (Relating to Transportation)
- SB1265 (Relating to Contracts)
- SB1388 (Relating to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii).
Session for Sex? Ok now that I have your attention … several special interest groups, a number of lawmakers, and the usual media suspects are pushing for a special legislative session to legalize same sex marriage in Hawaii by summer’s end. They argue the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s decision affecting the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) mandates such a session. But of course it does not. Can anyone argue with a straight face that same sex marriage is the most critical issue facing Hawaii at this time? The weak economy, pooreducation, worst-in-the-nation business climate, $25 billion in state unfunded liabilities, sky-high electric, water, sewer and tax rates, are not more important? Really?
Auction Coming. Hawaii’s Newest Auction Boutique will have their second auction this Sunday, July 14th starting at 11 a.m. Unique one of a kind items: A Mary Louise Kekuewa Feather Lei, 6 piece koa living room set, 5pc Chinese sitting set, tiffany lamps, die cast cars, Murano glass, Dorothy Buscemi paintings, Clint Sloan artwork, diamond rings, Rolex watch, and much more. Preview on Saturday 7/13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 8 a.m. on Sunday call 258-5431 for more info or go toelhawaii.com
Oahu House Prices Up, Up! The price for single family median homes increased again in June settling at $677,000 on O’ahu. Neighbor Islands- especially Maui- also saw price hikes. Condos up too. Inventory remains low.
Water, Water, Everywhere. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply still has a lot of ‘splaining to do for overcharging many residents by hundreds of dollars because of their usage “estimates.” That is why I ALWAYS remind you to check EVERY monthly bill and charge statement, to verify actual expenditures. By the way, have you noticed how the price of bottled water, every brand, increased during the hot summer, at every retail outlet?
Pock Marked Parking Lot. Several readers begged the City & County of Honolulu to fix all the bumps, cracks and rough patches in the Kaimuki City Parking Lot (next to Jose’s and Verbano). It is dangerous walking and bad for high heels (or so I am told). So far no help from our new mayor, Kirk Caldwell.
SBH Business All Stars. The Small Business Hawaii Entrepreneurial Education Foundation will host its annual SBH Business All Stars Awards Banquet on Friday, September 20, at the Waialae Country Club from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Several business people will receive awards, there will be a sumptuous buffet, fun, entertainment, a silent auction and good networking. Sponsorships available (contact Malia Zimmerman at 306-3161) or to make reservations, contact Darlyn at 396-1724. Auction donations appreciated and welcome.
2013 awardees:
“The SBH Lex Brodie Business Person of the Year”
John will be honored for his many years of business success, management style and keeping alive an iconic family business that he successfully expanded.
“The SBH Jean Fukuda Civic Leadership Award,” goes toVicky Cayetano of United Laundry Services for her role as successful businesswoman, civic leader and cultural advocate.
“SBH George Mason Outstanding Business Reporting awardee is Steve Petranik, editor of Hawaii Business Magazine. Petranik has written about, mentored and sponsored many small business events and individuals in Hawaii.
“SBH Business Boosters” are Ryan Ozawa and Bert Lum of Byte Marks Café. Both Ryan and Bert are techie experts who give their time and knowledge to the community and are regularly speak up for business and entrepreneurs, in public, radio and television.
“SBH Young Entrepreneur of the Year,” 11-year old (that’s right, 11!) Skylar Soares, who, despite serious medical challenges, chose through Make A Wish Foundation, and the help of students at Hawaii Pacific University, and Maryknoll School, to start her own successful sun-protection Hawaii hat business, “HI Sky.”
“SBH 2013 Business All-Stars” Also singled out for outstanding business contributions during the year are: Signe Godfrey, Olsten Personnel Services; Clark Hatch, Clark Hatch Fitness Center and Mark Storfer, Hilo Hattie.
“SBH Educator of the Year” John Sofos, Principal, Kaiser High School.
“SBH Lifetime Business Achievement Award“ John Henry Felix, HMAA.
Come, join and be inspired by Skylar and the other business awardees this year.
Come, PAU HANA, at Hilo Hattie. YOU are invited, Wednesday, July 17, to a networking social at Hilo Hattie, sponsored by SBH, open to all, 4:30 – 7:30 pm. There will be pupu, networking, discount shopping, fun and new friends. RSVP with Darlyn 396-1724
Lunch With Rusty Humphries! Did you get your ticket yet for the HIRA’s exclusive presentation of national talk radio superstar Rusty Humphries at the Waialae Country Club on Friday, July 19th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.? SBH is a co-sponsor. Contact alerts@hawaiirepublicanassembly.com
Shawn Dohmen July 25. Hawaii iDCard creator and marketing specialist Shawn Dohmen will speak at the next monthly SBH SUNRISE Networking Breakfast on Thursday, July 25, from 7-8:30 a.m. at the Pineapple Room, Macy’s, Ala Moana Center. Info and reservations, call SBH at 396-1724.
SBH Looking for Young Professionals. Smart Business Hawaii (SBH) is reaching out to Young Entrepreneurs. The SBH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS is now up and running. Annual dues are only $75 for those under 30 years. Contact me directly (SBH@lava.net), go online (www.smartbusinesshawaii.com) 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!
Aloha,
Read SB NEWS. Don’t forget to read your current monthly SB NEWS by PDF attachment or link. More expanded news and views for the Hawaii business community.
Thank you Sam for all you do. We need more people like you in politics.
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