HAWAII CPA RECEIVES
NATIONAL ADVOCACY AWARD

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has named William L. Wong, C.P.A., as the 1999 Accountant Advocate of the Year for the United States. Wong, president of William L. Wong CPA & Associates, Inc., in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, was selected for the prestigious award because of his outstanding advocacy efforts to improve the economic and financial climate for small business. He had previously won the State of Hawaii advocacy award. He will be honored on May 13 at the annual Hawaii SBA Awards Luncheon at the Ilikai and again during National Small Business Week, May 23-28 in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Hawaii district released the names of its small business awardees for 1999 last month. Awardess are listed again on page 5 of our printed edition and on our website at this URL:

http://hotspotshawaii.com/SBH_on_H4/SBN499-5.html.

Please take a moment and call and congratulate these outstanding small business awardees. Nominations for next year may be made between now and October; contact the SBA (Jane Sawyer) at 541-2990, or SBH, for nomination information.

1999 SBA Awardee List | Luncheon May 13 |SBA Website

SBH CO-SPONSORS VISIT BY
DAVID HOROWITZ

Best-selling writer, commentator, lecturer, and media guest, David Horowitz, author of "Radical Son," and "The Politics of Bad Faith," will make a special Honolulu appearance this month. Cosponsored by Young America's Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, and SBH, Horowitz will speak at Hawaii Pacific University in an HPU Reason Club presentation.

The topic of Horowitz's talk is, "The Battle of Political Correctness," and it will be presented on Monday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the Pacific Tower at Bishop Square, 1001 Bishop, 8th Floor, Room 2. There is no charge and the event is open to the public.

The controversial and spirited Horowitz will appear on Rick Hamada's KHVH radio morning show at 8 am Monday morning. Don't miss this opportunity to meet a dynamic and engaging personality with a powerful point of view. For further information about the event, contact Melanie Silva at 262-1244.

LEGISLATURE SLIDING TO MAY 4 ADJOURNMENT

The 60-day 20th State Legislative Session which began on January 20 is scheduled to end its regular 60 working day session on Tuesday, May 4. At press time, however, the two-year $12-billion operating budget was not balanced, collective bargaining agreements had not been paid and tax increases were still a possibility. Other major issues remained prompting a possible Special Session in June or October. Business relief, a promise in January, was a memory in April.

Of the 3,000 bills introduced during the session only about 250 will become law. The first, Act 1, appropriated $19,424,713 to operate the Legislature and its support agencies.

The budget versions in the House and Senate differ markedly and have been the subject of conference negotiations. The threat of tax increases‹and the reduction in last year's tax cuts‹still loom large over this Session that pledged to cut taxes, improve the economy and reform education. Education reform, civil service and economic reform, have been more talk than action. A proposal by Senate President Norman Mizuguchi, sought to transfer the personal income tax revenues (currently about $1.1 billion), plus a new sales taxing authority‹on top of the present General Excise tax‹and bond power to the Board of Education and Department of Education, even though the DOE has been criticized by the Auditor for its fiscal management. Unions loved the idea‹more money; taxpayers would be buried and there is no correlation to more money and better quality education in this state. This bill cleared the Senate by a vote of 20-5; the more responsible House killed it in Conference.

Three Project Labor Agreement Bills and two resolutions‹compelling non-union contractors to abide by union conditions on all state and federal work‹passed the Senate (16-9) but died in Conference.

A few good bills may survive. The Small Business Defender, part of last year's historic Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act, may actually be funded. A few specific tax credit (technology, lap top computers, exported GET services) may get through along with some streamlining. But even last year's attempt at permit approval reform was being modified this year. As for GET pyramiding, if it comes it will be spread over 5-7 years, not providing the urgent immediate relief small business needs. The Governor reversed himself on this issue.

When all else fails, there is HB 746 making Hula the official state dance of Hawaii, a budget subsidy used to lure the TV series "Baywatch" to Hawaii, SCR 131 which gives more emphasis to "Hawaii Creole English" (or as you know it, Pidgin English); SCR 164 which "encourages consumption of five or more fruits and vegetables daily," and SCR 5, "Requesting the convening of a State Task Force to Study the Regulation of the Regulation of the Health Professions."

Dominating the final days of the '99 Session was the battle over reconfirmation of the Governor's attorney, AG Margery Bronster. Political pressure, harsh words and threats marked the process.

SMALL BUSINESS ON THE MOVE EXPO
MAY 4 - 5 AT BLAISDELL CENTER

The Annual "Small Business on the Move" Expo and Tradeshow, produced by SBH member Production Hawaii, Inc., will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, May 4 & 5 at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. On Tuesday, the Expo opens from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, the show comntinues from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Admission is free.

Several hundred small business exhibitors will be present during the event. There will be special activities, seminars -- Forbes writer Joe Garber will speak on Magnet Economies at noon lunch ($25 fee) -- and giveaways. Come visit the Small Business Hawaii booth, #302.

KHVH, SBH TEAM UP FOR "SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT WITH RICK HAMADA"

SBH members have asked for more networking events and for nightime activities; now they will get both. Small Business Hawaii is teaming up with KHVH Real Radio 830 for an evening of networking, fun and entertainment.

The "Small Business Spotlight With Rick Hamada" will be held on Thursday, May 6 at Rumors Restaurant in the Ala Moana Hotel from 6:00-9:00 p.m. All SBH members and their guests are welcome! The first 100 get a free Rick Hamada Morning Show tee-shirt.

For a small nominal charge of $5, members and guests will enjoy pupus, entertainment, business networking and the irrerpressible Rick Hamada, host of Hawaii's most popular radio talk show. Traffic boy Barry Villamil is also expected along with surprise guests. Unlike many nighttime busines events, this one is for you‹small business owners‹who won't have to pay a lot to have a good time. Hamada has featured small businesses on his radio for several years and has organized several successful rallies and public events in support of small business.

So bring yourself, a friend, plenty of business cards, brochures and any advertising specialties you want to give away. Let's talk small business with our friend Rick!

SBA AWARDS LUNCHEON HONORS 1999 SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS

The winners of the SBA 1999 Small Business Awards will be honored at the statewide Twelfth Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 13, at the Ilikai Hotel Nikko in Waikiki at 11:30 a.m. Special events were also planned for the Neighbor Islands and cosponsored with the local chambers. The Kona-Kohala Chamber sponsored a luncheon and the Kaua'i Chamber a Business After Hours, both on April 22; the Hawaii Island Chamber sponsors an event on May 6 and the Maui Chamber luncheon will be May 21. The statewide Luncheon is presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Hawaii Business League, NFIB, and Small Business Hawaii.

For more information, please contact the U.S. Small Business Administration at 808-541-2990.

AIEA-PEARL CITY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION FORMS ALLIANCE WITH SBH

The Aiea Pearl City Business Association (APCBA) has joined SBH as a full-fledged active member. Fran Egdamin, President of APCBA, says that the organization is "excited about their affiliation and all look forward to helping Small Business Hawaii become a stronger and even more effective advocate for business concerns." "Further," she added, "we believe that APCBA can add some everyday grassroots flavor to SBH. We want to make both organizations stronger and more helpful to the business community."

The APCBA meets on the third Tuesday of every month at Pearl Country Club, 12:00 noon for lunch. All SBH members are welcome to attend.

The buffet lunch is $13.00. The speaker for May 18 will be Jerome Foucha who will discuss the do's and don'ts and why's and wherefor's of business WEBSITES.

The APCBA Board of Directors includes, in addition to Egdamin; Andrew Fox, V.P. and President Elect; Dennis Wong, Secretary; Jann Ebesu, Treasurer and members Wayne Matsuyama, Drake Ihalani, Penny Johnson, George Fujioka, Jud Schandel and Dick Rowland.

The APCBA board meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Pali Momi Medical Center Cafeteria from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Observers are welcome. Call Egdamin at 456-7059 if you want to attend. Cindy Rasmussen of the Kalihi Business Association will be attending the May Board meeting to explore ideas for the two organizations to be more effective in support of local business interests. Regular functions and activities of APCBA will be posted in the SB News along with a monthly column to discuss their activities and accomplishments.

SMALL BUSINESS HAWAII TO EXPAND BOARD, MAKE OTHER CHANGES

As reported last month, and as a result of SBH's Advance Planning Session held March 20, the SBH Board of Directors acted April 20 to begin implementing several key suggestions for changes made by members. Other ideas will take shape in the months to come.

The objective is to make SBH even more effective and to provide increasing networking and member activities. SBH is member driven and solicits and listens to its members.

In a major move, the Board voted unanimously April 20 to expand its membership from the current 11 to 15 this year, with a further increase expected next year. More direct involvement with other business associations will also begin; the Aiea-Pearl City Business Association is the first group to begin a close partnership with SBH. (See separate story on page 2). The SBH dues structure, member benefits (see the new Grand Pacific discount drug and vision care benefit this month and watch for a special Pacific Business News discount next month) Internet access and website expansion as well as expanded activities and events will also be upgraded soon.

SBH reminds members it wants you be be active and involved in your organization. Call SBH (396-1724/FAX 396-1726) for information or to volunteer!