|
The question is NOT is there life on Mars, but is there rational life in our state and Legislature. Evidence refutes it. Maui Mayor Linda Lingle met informally with 35 SBH members, mostly young women entrepreneurs, on July 11, hosted by Kenny Lum at Spaghetti! Spaghetti! in Waikiki. They were impressed with Lingle's background, experience and business knowledge. Her major focus is on a positive approach to improving Hawaii's hostile business climate while encouraging opportunities for all Hawaii's residents by capital formation and investment. As I was the only State Legislator (or business owner) who attended the shameful and abhorrent swearing-in ceremony of UPW union boss Gary Rodrigues on July 16 to the State Judicial Selection Commission, my thoughts were not deemed important by the assembled media (tv and print). The Chief Justice's words about ending politics on the Commission were hollow and a good argument for why we need a Constuituional Convention. House Minority Leader Gene Ward, tried valiantly, but unsuccessfully, for weeks to block the action. His pleas to the State Ethics Commission and Attorney General, went unheeded. Ward is right: Rodrigues is not qualified and in conflict, but hey, when did that stop this State's actions. How can we continue to say (our State motto), that "the Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness?" Summit, summit, where is the next summit? Everyone wants to call an economic summit here--the Governor, the Democratic Legislators, The Honolulu Advertiser. Wonder who the Governor will turn to for his economic wisdom? Perhaps, the same people who got us into, and maintain, our current political-economic problems?? The Honolulu Advertiser editor Jim Gatti, wrote a good editorial piece recently based on a Rotary speech, but look at what his paper stands for and advocates daily. Beware the nice sounding poetry. A real "revolution" requires that you be there and take action. Good employment news: Despite Crazy Shirts' announcement to move its manufacturing operations to California, the turndown of the HVCB by the latest employee candidate, the closure of all Woolworth's outlets (not just in Hawaii) and rumors of Liberty House's sale, Governor Cayetano hired former Governor Waihee's Washington-based law firm (Bob Dole is employed there too) for $150,000 in State contracts and was pleased with the appointment of political crony Jerry Matsuda as administrator of the Airports Division--heck he did come in as the 4th best qualified for the job. And so it goes in Hawaii Nei--it's not what you know, but who you know, that will determine your success and employability. Let's change that now. A friendly reminder to ALWAYS check your bills carefully; charges, utility and all other payment demands to your business. There is growing credit card fraud, misuse of your social security number and data, mistakes and errors. Don't overpay! Check your invoices and statements every month. Kaiser medical billing errors for July created problems for a lot of SBH members who were charged more than the new July rate. A credit is forthcoming. Local printers continue to hurt; between business cutbacks, more Mainland and big box competition and do-it-yourself computer printing, business is down. Take your SBH-member printer to lunch and give her/him an order (you know, bankruptcy form, angry letter to your lawmaker, etc.) ILWU union dockworkers at Young Brothers shutdown Neighbor Island barge deliveries for several days in mid-July and now have voted to strike. Young Brothers sued for economic losses; the law prevents the storewoners and customers from suing for their losses. Hawaii can never be economically independent until monopoly transportation and compulsory union strangleholds end. The ConCon ruling by U.S. District Judge David Ezra was a peoples' victory. The State appealed and doesn't want to hold an election citing inflated costs, imagined problems, etc. What happens to a business owner when a court or state agency orders you to act immediately? Of course we could have a low cost election with mail-in ballots. An ear for an ear; former Honolulu resident Sam Koffler of Victor, Montana, advises that the plot for a duel with ear biting instead of swords is the theme of a popular opera. Bernard Horowitz, owner of the successful Bernard's Deli, forced to give up his "deli dollars" by the State. Hope he continues to stay in business and support 40 employees. The summer is here, temperatures are rising and people ar still leaving. But '98 is around the corner. Don't give up and don't give in; we will turn this system around. Stay the course. Hawaii is worth it.
 Small Business News comments can be addressed to:
Small Business Hawaii SBH also accepts articles relating to small business issues about its members and Hawaii. Submit your articles to SBH by the 10th of the month for publication into the next month's issue.
E-Mail:macpro3000@yahoo.com Small Business News is part of The Hawai`i NewsList family of internet features. Select this link for more information on how to subscribe.
Editor: Sam Slom
|