Small Business Hawaii | Volume 23 Number 7 | July 1998
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
The Bishop Estate threatened to move to the Mainland because of criticism of its financial affairs. Where could it go? Maybe incorporate in Delaware as our biggest banks and oldest businesses have done recently. Las Vegas would be a likely choice for the high rollers who just got higher with major investment Goldman Sachs going public. Perhaps a move to Paradise (Pennsylvania) or Moscow (Idaho). Better that the Estate remain here and maybe the existing Trustees move to the Mainland. The defection of 8 of the 16 teams from The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) of which Hawaii is a member-even without telling the WAC Commissioner-is a lesson of what happens in sports and the economy when disincentives get so great and the efficient get tired of subsidizing the inefficient. The WAC incident signalled a seemingly endless controversy leaving Hawaii cashless, since of course it was about money. Hawaii literally begged to be included in the new setup and the Governor somehow "found" half a million $ for travel funds for the other schools (I thought we were in a deficit?) Dan Inouye even promised help to get UH in the new group if necessary. No dice. There are similarities between the WAC and flight of capital from Hawaii's hostile business climate. You have to bring something to the table (more than political campaign fundraising tickets) to welcome investment. The media keep coming, fascinated with Hawaii's political inability and lack of leadership to deal with our "economic" problems, now in their 8th year. Dan Lothian of NBC Nightly News filmed several segments here in mid-June and featured SBH's Kenny Lum whose Spaghetti! Spaghetti! restaurant shut down May 31. William Claiborne of the Washington Post did several interviews, as did Miki Tanikawa of the Japanese Herald and there was a big story in The Economist. At least these visits boost tourism. SBH was asked: Will the year 2000 computer problem affect Hawaii's '98 election? A: Only if the Majority Party, Governor, and Congress candidates trail in early vote counts. Big changes at Pacific Business News during the past month: editor Michelle Yamaguchi took early retirement to help grow a bigger family; president and publisher Mike Kallay left for the mainland to head up a sports division of the parent corporation, and Sandi Skousen, SBH's '98 "Outstanding Business Writer," has begun a new career with Bankoh. Best wishes (and luck) to the newly selected Department of Education Super, Paul LeMahieu (from Delaware), and State Librarian Virginia Lowell (from New York) both chosen last month by the Board of Education. The BOE resisted a slam-dunk continuation of the old boy network, in part due to eye-opening candidate profiles by PBN's Malia Zimmerman. Both new educators have an opportunity to make much needed changes. A new State Administration in November will help too. The time has come for real progress. What price education? In Asia and Europe, college students riot on campus for free speech, human rights and more say in government; on U.S. campuses students recently rioted over banning of alcohol on campus and restrictions on sexual fratinazation. More SBH members are emerging as candidates for elective office in November. (A complete listing will appear after the July 21 filing deadline). Included: Rep. Lei Ahu Isa, Eve Anderson, Dr. John Corboy, Terry Lee, Rep. Barbara Marumoto, Kevin Mulkern, Cindy Lin Rasmussen, Warner Kimo Sutton, Mark Terry, and Rep. Gene Ward. Talented actor, writer and comedian, Tremaine Tamayose who died in late May, was a friend of education, literacy and Hawaii. He was only 44. Among his many works and contributions (Frank DeLima, "Booga Booga" AlohaVision) Tamayose also wrote the play Sparks about literacy and staying in school. The work was financially cosponsored by SBH. The University of Hawaii now has more autonomy, or flexibility, thanks to legislation passed by the '98 State Legislature and signed into law (on the Manoa Campus) June 16 by the Governor. As UH becomes more free of state political control, its greatness will grow. Former House Speaker Daniel Kihano (D) was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison in June for misspending $27,000 in campaign funds. Prosecutors sought a 7-year term. SB News reported in May that ERTF sponsor and $50K PR contributor, Duty Free Shoppers, was $22 million in arrears to the state; now it's up to $35 million. "He is mouthing syllables in the vain search of thought" (Rush Limbaugh quote) State Senator Mike McCartney's son Bricen's Manoa Pony Baseball Team and Sid Slom's Hawaii Kai AllStar team battled in the final game of the 24-team weekend Mililani Goodwill Baseball Tournament, June 12-14. Manoa beat Hawaii Kai in a great game that saw both 8-year old boys shine. I lost the bet and have to recommend an increased PAYCHECKS HAWAII Legislative rating for the retiring McCartney, who has always been a good sport! Baseball and kids, not politics, is what should make the world go 'round. While we celebrate 4th of July Independence, remember past contributions and sacrifices made for us, and how precious is our freedom. Tell our children about rights and responsibilities, and freedom to help Hawaii.
 Mayor Unhappy Camper I expected more of you. For you to suggest (June, 1998 SB News) that when Bob Fishman left the City for a higher paying job at Hawaiian Air he did so because of the "federal" investigation of Ewa Villages is grossly unfair. The facts are: It's not the "feds" who are investigating Ewa Villages, it's the Honolulu Police Department and the Prosecuting Attorney. In fact, it's an investigation that I ordered as Mayor. Annual audits by internationally renown auditing firms over a series of years failed to turn up any of the alleged criminal activity at Ewa Villages. In fact, an independent audit of the Ewa Villages project itself, commissioned by the City Council, failed to turn up any of the alleged criminal activity. It was only my investigation that uncovered the criminal fraud and embezzlement and that led to the apprehension and prosecution of the alleged conspirators. And, as for "the millions" I'm raising in fundraisers, a quick check of the facts show that I have raised approximately $500,000 since my last election in 1996. I support a lot of what you are trying to do at the Legislature and I respect you for it. I would hope for the same in return. But, if you are going to attack me, I think it should at least be based upon the facts. Thanks.
(Editor's Note: The day after the Mayor's letter was received, the elected board of The Old Ewa Villages Community Association notified the City Council it would begin a petition drive to recall the Mayor for, "gross mismanagement of his position as mayor," related to the Ewa Estates project).
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Editor: Sam Slom
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