Small Business Hawaii | Volume 24 Number 4 | April 1999
Sam Slom is also a State Senator from the 8th District (Waialae Iki to Hawaii Kai)
and has a website at this URL: http://hotspotshawaii.com/sam/slom.html
Sam Slom is also a State Senator from the 8th District (Waialae Iki to Hawaii Kai)
and has a website at this URL: http://hotspotshawaii.com/sam/slom.html
Hawaii is in mourning (again!) this time because of the apparent loss of the world renown intellectual television series, "Baywatch." The financially successful series is moving from home base in Santa Monica and was dickering for a new home in Hawaii‹or Australia. Day after day, for two weeks, this was the top story in Hawaii; how we would win the TV series and save our keiki. Everything is for our keiki! Legislators were willing to throw taxpayer money at the producers to lure the series (as was done for the Miss Universe contest in 1998); the Governor was an active cheerleader. Media editorials extolled the virtues of having the red Speedo-clad and bikini lifeguards prowling Hawaii's beaches. Alas, storm clouds gathered and at last report in this never-ending soap opera, Australia is apparently the winner by default. It seems the kingmaker was not even from Hawaii; the deal was squashed by the Teamsters union in Los Angeles who would not consent to wage concessions. So, it is not the Japanese or Asians who are thwarting our economy after all, it is the unions. On a recent KHVH radio Thursday morning with Rick Hamada, Mayor Jeremy Harris was bemoaning the fact that "the City's hands were tied and feet shackled" in trying to privatize and cut the costs of government. Hamada asked who is to blame for this situation and Harris blamed YOU for the lack of privatization and change at the Capitol. That's right, YOU did it. Of course, Harris took no responsibility for his role in supporting and actively campaigning for Governor Cayetano, the incumbent Democratic legislators who have turned down meaningful privatization and reduced government, or sharing incumbent support with the Gov's union friends like UPW's Gary Rodrigues. Time for a reality check. A fish is a fish is a fish, unless it is on the Capitol door. At least that's what Mitch Kahle of the atheist' splinter group, Hawaii Committee for the Separation of Church and State thinks. Kahle threatened lawsuits against Democrats David Matsuura and Norman Sakamoto because of their personal religious beliefs. It is interesting that both Houses of the Legislature begin each day with a prayer. Kahle, rebuffed in his attempt to ban religious symbols on doors, now is seeking a ban on any posters, materials or quotes on doors in the Capitol. Even the ACLU disagrees with Kahle who needs to find something to do with his time. We always talk about improving Hawaii's business climate but the prestigious Pacific Basin Economic Council said, WHAT business climate? Hawaii has NO business image, according to the oldest Pacific think tank, made up of 1,100 major corporate members. Hooray! Hula has been voted Hawaii's official state dance in major legislative action. The IRS did not pass its first ever financial and management audit. What a surprise. Unique 60-year-old Ming's Jewelry stores closed here last month. Cosmic Candy also shut down its stores in the continuing decline. Look for Walter Dods to relocate to SFO as a result of the recent merger of First Hawaiian Bank with BancWest. The spectre of Y2K continues and while the state, banks, and large medical concerns say they are at, or near, computer compliant, nevertheless, they all seek special legislation giving them absolute immunity from any legal action involving their computers for up to 4 more years. Small biz is not as lucky. Experts can't agree on the real impact of Y2K, but it is certain more people will be harmed by actions of their government than by any computer malfunction on 1/1/00. A total of nearly 1,000 new state jobs will be added if the current House budget is enacted by this Legislature. The Governor gave his latest vision in a March 10 Star-Bulletin interview and in it explained the economy would be better and we would have more money if we didn't have so many unexpected costs. Profound. After the rump election recount‹administered by the same people responsible for the initial errors, the same no-bid company, and the same malfunctioning equipment‹the Governor and supporters of Dwayne Yoshina, demanded an apology for the political election czar. Questions remain unanswered about the '98 election (absentee ballots, missing ballots, non-citizen votes, etc.) and the public is not fooled, but Yoshina is expected to be reappointed, because that is Hawaii style. Troubles mount for UPW union boss Gary-"the 26th State Senator"- Rodrigues, facing two sexual harassment suits, FBI and IRS investigations, and possible recall by disgruntled members who learned he fired several "dissidents," with one under surveillance. "This isn't what unions do," said one awed union supporter. Hawaii's beleaguered visitor industry (arrivals and occupancy down) not being helped by the state's $350 million white elephant (donkey?) Convention Center. Bookings are 10% of their original projections. John Pritchett suggested a swap meet. Hawaii Tourism Authority Chair John Reed even suggested bulldozing it down and selling the land. What's a "real" Republican? Delegates to the '99 State Convention on Kauai next month will find out as Linda Lingle seeks the Party's chairmanship with ambitious ideas for growth. Don't be an April Fool; keep an eye on your elected officials, and your wallet!
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Editor: Sam Slom
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