CON CON RULING IS
A VOTE FOR SANITY

U.S. Federal District Judge David Ezra ruled on July 10 that the State (and by extension) the State Supreme Court, had violated the civil rights of Hawaii voters and taxpayers by voiding the 1997 election results supporting a state Constitutional Convention. He ordered a new election be held within 60-days.

The State appealed the decision and at press time was seeking a stay. Hawaii's unions and special interests opposed a new Con-Con. The last one was held in 1978. Hawaii's Constitution allows a Con-Con by vote every 10 years.

The lawsuit had been brought by attorney Mark Bennett on behalf of numerous individuals and groups. Small Business Hawaii has supported a Con-Con and denounced the February State Supreme Court ruling that said blank ballots--counted as just that, blank for 30 years--must be counted as "no" votes in the already concluded '97 election. Support for the Con-Con won by a small majority last November.

SBH continues to support a Con-Con to resolve such issues as collective bargaining, term limits, privatization, governmental and educational downsizing, and tax limitations. Hawaii voters have no statewide initiative, referendum or recall.

LEGISLATIVE SUMMITS PLANNED -
NO SPECIAL SESSION

Apparently, a special legislative session will not take place this summer. Neither the Democratic legislative leadership, nor Governor Ben Cayetano, really want a session to deal with the problems not resolved by the '97 regular session; specifically issues involving, privatization, reciprocal beneficiaries, a Constitutional Convention election or tax and budget matters. The answer from the Governor and House and Senate leaders, is to have economic summits handle the problems in the interim until the '98 Session begins in January.

The previously estimated $90 million tax shortfall for FY 1997 ended June 30, was revised to "only" $20 million. The Governor said that amount was not a problem and he could handle it with budget manipulation and without a special session.

Privatization is no concern of the Democratic leadership either since it is a concern of Gary Rodrigues and the UPW union. Rodrigues wants nothing done and key politicians obey his wishes and continue to say the Neighbor Island counties have "over reacted" to problems caused initially by the Konno v. County of Hawaii State Supreme Court ruling in February of this year.

The '97 Legislature failed to address a Con Con election and when the Federal judiciary ruled (July 10) a new election must be held within 60-days, the State's response was to appeal. The Legislature traditionally sets up the parameters (districts, number of elected representatives, qualifications, etc.) for such an election. Best bet now? A '98 election.

As for Hawaii's first-in-the-Nation "reciprocal beneficiaries" (RBs) law that went into effect July 8, it is a mess and a potential nightmare. But it shouldn't be a surprise: Senate Minority Floor Leader Sam Slom raised warning flags on the Senate floor when he was the only Senator to consistently vote "no" on the benefits bill giveaway that legally bestows marriage-like benefits without restriction, limitation or residency requirements. Even State Health Director Dr. Miike warned of the bill's impact and said his department would not police the law or confirm eligibility. Big business begged the Governor to veto the bill, three weeks after the Session ended. Question: where were they during the legislative deliberations? The Governor said he would not veto and business was "overreacting," (favorite term?) and would sign it. He ultimately waffled, neither signing nor vetoing, allowing it to become law without his signature.

The law provides 45 new benefits for any two adults who may not legally marry. A "couple" merely fills out a form, pays the State $8, and files to collect. The first "couple" was a mother and daughter who wanted medical benefits. A lawsuit against the State has been filed by several big businesses who say the impact will be devastating. Ultimately, small businesses will be impacted the most either directly by employees or by higher premiums to pay for new coverage for AIDS and other expensive diseases. The homosexual and lesbian community--who formented the controversy--are unhappy because they want 350 additional benefits and not the broad coverage for others provided. HMSA says it is not affected since they are a mutual benefit society.

Lawyers are gearing up for new clients and legal challenges to the law. If the State's QUEST track record is any indication, the RB law will be the biggest boondoggle yet.

Back to the '98 State Legislature for repairs and more tinkering.

SHARE N TELL FORUM WILL HELP
YOU DO MORE BUSINESS!

The next quarterly SBH Small Business Hawaii Share N' Tell Business Forum (TM) will provide you with important tips to help you survive AND do more business during the rest of the year, or give you an exit strategy out of your business!

The member Forum will be held Wednesday, August 27 at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

SBH Share N' Tell Business Forums combine networking, education and a social atmosphere to encourage you to meet new poeple and do more business while helping you cut existing business costs.

Members, and their guests, may choose one of nine informativeTable Topics, led by a knowledgeable member-Facilitator, prior to the luncheon program.

Topics and Facilitators for the August 27 Forum include:

"How to Put Together a Winning Loan Package," Reg Baker, Reg Baker & Company; "Customer Service Strategies," Beth Terry, Pacific Rim Seminars; "Basics of Business Recordkeeping," Karen Scott, Techspecs; "Designing a Winning Yellow Page Ad...and Other Marketing Tips," Bob Sigall, Creative-1; "An Interview Clinic for Your Next Employee," Melody Murphy, Staffing Strategies; "Are You Obsolete: Reducing Overhead With Voice Technology," Suzan Forbes, The Byting Edge; "How to Choose a Board of Directors to Help Advise Your Business," Bob Baer, Robert J. Baer Marketing; "Financing Your Business Needs and Expansion," Todd Hoch, Bank of America Hawaii; and "Planning an Exit Strategy: How'll You Leave Your Business," Stan Jacobs, Mass Mutual Insurance.

The $25 cost of the SBH Share N' Tell Business Forum includes the entire program, luncheon and free parking. Advance, paid reservations are required for this special rate and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The cost is $30 at the door if space is available. Call SBH at 396-1724 to get a copy of the reservation form, which is only available in the printed edition of Small Business News.

"YES" ENTREPRENEURSHIP SEMINAR IN OCTOBER

"Education for Entrepreneurship '97," is the focus of an all-day seminar sponsored by SBH's Young Entrepreneurs ("YES") in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Hawaii's leading corporate and educational institutions.

The event will be held Saturday, October 25, 7:30 am to 2:30 pm, at Kapio'lani Community College, DiamondHead campus, O'hia Cafetorium and classrooms.

Participants--of any age--will learn how to start and grow a business profitably. Guest speakers and panelists will discuss business formation, business plans, tax and budget strategies, franchising, business technology and much more.

Specific details and registration information will be included in next month's SB NEWS. You may also contact the business department of your university or community college, or KCC directly.

HAWAIIAN ENTREPRENEURIAL LOANS AVAILABLE

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has contracted with Grant Thornton LLP to assist Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs in obtaining micro loans, loans under $10,000, to operate businesses. The Native Hawaiian Training Program is designed to assist the business owner or potential business owner with knowledge needed to start or expand a business. The program will provide the tools required to develop a business plan to present to the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund.

There will be four, eleven course, sessions held in the following areas: Kaneohe, Waianae, Waipahu, and Kalihi/Palama. These sessions are free to Native Hawaiians. Each session comes with on going management and technical assistance provided by Grant Thornton LLP staff.

Each candidate will receive a preliminary screening and orientation prior to starting the sessions. When classes are completed the participants, with the help of the mentoring group and consultants, will complete their business plan.

A detailed workbook will be available to each participant. For information and registration call Grant Thornton LLP at 536-0066. Grant Thornton, LLP, is an international accounting and management consulting firm.

ATTENTION CONTRACTORS!

The Department of Defense (DoD) has determined the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) acquisition reform initiative will assist the Department in complying with recent legislation. CCR is the "single DoD registration for contractors who conduct business or who are interested in conducting business with the Department." Defense procurement and finance policies, issued February 10, 1997, require contractors to be registered in CCR by September 30, 1997 for consideration of future solicitations, awards, and payment.

* A registration application may be obtained by any ONE of the following methods:

* Via facsimile by calling Fax-on demand system at 1-703-696-0504 OR

* Fax your company name and mailing address to 1-888-227-8457 OR

* Input directly to CCR through the interactive World Wide Web application at http://www.acq.osd.mil/ec.

* Call 1-888-227-2423 to request with customer representative.

Mail or fax completed application to:

Department of Defense
ATTN: Central Contractor
Registration Assistance Center
1700 N. Moore Street, Suite 1425
Arlington, VA 22209

Due to large volume of contractors registering with DoD in CCR, you should anticipate the registration process to take approximately 30 days for processing. If you need additional contractor registration information or if you are interested in doing electronic commerce with DoD, please call 1-800-334-3414, send electronic mail to dodedi@acq.osd.mil or visit our Home Page at http://www.acq.osd.mil/ec.