Governor Ben Cayetano signed a dozen bills into law on July 14 including the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act - landmark legislation that requires state agencies to be more responsive to small business needs. (S.B.2803 S.D.2, H.D.2, C.D. 1, Act 168). Every small business organization worked hard for passage of this legislation, first introduced by Rep. Bob Herkes.

"This is a big step towards changing Hawaii's business climate for the better. From now on, state agencies must be flexible in helping small business comply with new rules," the Governor said.

"This is one of the most important bills ever passed in Hawaii to help small business," said Tim Moore, owner of Old Lahaina Cafe and Luau, and chairperson of the Small Business Task Force. "I credit Governor Cayetano for his leadership in appointing people to the Small Business Task Force who represent and understand the best interests and needs of small business."

The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act was submitted by the Small Business Task Force appointed by the Governor. This Act requires the Governor to appoint an 11-member small business regulatory review board to consider requests from small business owners to review any rule or seek a rule change. Every state department must establish advisory committees on small business. Also establishes a small business defender within the Legislature to advocate for small business and to conduct investigations, as needed.

The Governor also signed an important new law that allows state agencies to set deadlines to review and act on business permits based on the existing workforce, knowledge of the processing time, and experience with contested-case proceedings. (S.B. 2204, S.D.2, H.D.2, C.D.1, Act 164).

MAUI MAYOR LINDA LINGLE
TO SPEAK AT BLUE CHIP AWARDS

The Blue Chip Enterprise Awards will be presented to two Hawaii businesses at a special Small Business Hawaii / MassMutual sponsored breakfast. Maui Mayor Linda Lingle will be the keynote speaker on Thursday, August 27 at the Ala Moana Hotel breakfast at 7:30 a.m.

The award sponsored by MassMutual, the Blue Chip Company, is given to outstanding examples of businesses that have overcome special challenges to become successful. Selection is done nationally by a panel of independent judges.

"It's great having two winners from Hawaii this year," said Michael J. Scherr, General Agent for MassMutual. This year's winners are: Rosemary Chong and Dick Ching of Advanced Micro Image Systems Hawaii and Payne Onishi of Quality Graphic Services. "These people are a force for good in Hawaii. They provide jobs, as well as, quality services to their customers. Overcoming special challenges is something every successful business in Hawaii must do," Scherr said.

Advance reservations are required. Reservations for the breakfast for SBH members and their guests are $10 and include validated parking. The reservation form appears on Page 9 of this month's SB News print edition.

Contact MassMutual or Small Business Hawaii (396-1724) for information on how your business may apply for the award.

CANDIDATES RUN FOR SEATS

The filing deadline for candidates for the fall elections was July 21. More than 300 candidates filed for 100 federal, state and county seats. For the first time in recent memory, no state legislative Incumbent escaped without a challenger (although 4 of 9 Honolulu Councilmembers will be elected outright). There will be more candidates and more contested Republican primaries than at any time in the past.

Major attention this year will be on the three-way race for Governor, between Governor Ben Cayetano, former Honolulu Mayor Frank F. Fasi and Maui County Mayor, Linda Lingle - there are other candidates running for this office - and on the 1st House Congressional District as well as several key state House and Senate seats.

All 51 House members, and 13 of 25 Senators are up for election. Hawaii's Primary Election is Saturday, September 19. The General Election is Tuesday, November 3.

Veteran Democrat State Senator Mike McCartney (Kahaluu) retired to work on the Governor's reelection campaign. State Rep. Terrence Tom is seeking his seat but has strong Democrat and Republican challengers. Maui hotel executive, State Rep. Michael White, also a Democrat, did not seek reelection.

Half a dozen candidates are vying for the seat currently held by Gene Ward.

A record number of business-experienced candidates are running this year, many for the first time. SBH-members who have filed are listed in the SB News print edition and on this page.

The SBH Legislative Action Committee (LAC) will survey all prospective candidates on business issues and circulate a Tax Pledge form for all candidates.

PBN MEDIA PARTNER FOR
NOVEMBER "THE TRADE SHOW"

Small Business Hawaii's - The Trade Show - scheduled for Nov.17 - 18 in the Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall, is off to a terrific start with nearly 50 booths booked to date. As announced in the July SB News, SBH members had first crack at location and preferential rates.

Mike Rossell of Production- Hawaii, Inc., organizer of the show, announced that the event's Media Partner is Pacific Business News (PBN). Rossell will announce the presenting and major show sponsors next month.

This is your show and your chance to exhibit to an enthusiastic business audience. The expo will feature special events, guest speakers and hands-on interactive exhibits. For additional information, and booth reservations, contact Production Hawaii at 532-7300 or call SBH at 396-1724. Don't miss out!

SBH, PRITCHETT TO PUBLISH
NEW CARTOON BOOK

"Hawaii...We Have A Problem!" is the title of a new book of political cartoons by Hawaii's premiere political cartoonist, John Pritchett, to be published by Small Business Hawaii this month. Pacific Business News founder, George Mason, and SBH president, Sam Slom, edited the 32-page book, chock full of Pritchett's best‹and most biting‹political satire.

Pritchett is the cartoonist for The Honolulu Weekly, Small Business News, formerly associated with Pacific Business News, and numerous other publications. In 1992 he produced a book with Ian Lind entitled, "Drawn & Quartered: Hawaii Politics Rendered." In 1993, SBH published, "Pritchett: A Collection of Hawaii Political Cartoons."

The new book will be available for $2.95 plus postage and in quantity discounts. Phone SBH (396-1724) for more information. Details and ordering information will be posted at the SBH website next month. Pritchett has a website set-up for the book too: http://www.pritchettcartoons.com/book.htm

SMALL BUSINESS CONGRESS
TO RECONVENE NEXT MONTH

The Hawaii Small Business Congress will reconvene next month, Friday, September 25, at the Ilikai Hotel. The all-day event will be open to all small business owners and the general public. Issues of importance to Hawaii business will be discussed and a legislative platform for 1999 will be adopted.

The last Hawaii Small Business Congress was held in 1995, an outgrowth of the Hawaii delegation to the White House Conference on Small Business held earlier that year. The event resulted in major legislative changes and more business people being elected-in the 1996 state elections.

CONVENTION CENTER TOUR
IS THE NEXT "YES" ACTIVITY

The second annual "Young Entrepreneurs ("YES") sponsored SBH Summer picnic was enjoyed by two dozen "YES" members and their guests on Sunday, July 19 at Eve Anderson's beautiful beachfront Waimanalo property, site of the Magnum P.I. filming.

Food, fun, games and excitement were provided. Hula Hoops made a return engagement. (Francine Slom had the moves!) The events were organized by Helen Rapoza and Michele Harris. An added attraction was interviews by KHON Fox 2 television reporter Norman Lee. Lee did a special story on Hawaii's small businesses and the report aired on that night's 6 pm news.

Next month the "SBH Young Entrepreneurs" will be visiting the new Hawaii Convention Center on Tuesday, September 8. It will be a privately arranged tour. To RSVP, contact Helen at 739-0400.

35th ANNUAL HAWAII TAX INSTITUTE
COMING TO WAIKIKI OCTOBER 25 - 30

The 35th annual Hawaii Tax Institute, sponsored by Chaminade UniversityTax Foundation and Chaminade University of Honolulu, will be held October 25 - 30, in the Hawaiian Regent Hotel. James W.Y. Wong, CPA is Director of the Institute.

While the Institute is designed primarily to serve as a forum where tax-oriented people may freely exchange ideas on practical problems, professional status is not a prerequisite for registration. A high level of tax learning has been the hallmark of prior institutes. This year's program will utilize and combine the far reaching experience of its distinguished panel of recognized tax authorities with a positive approach to the current review on a wide variety of subjects, including, Estate and Gift, Real Estate, Individual, Corporate and Partnership Tax Planning.

For information and registration, contact Gail Suguta, program coordinator, at (808) 946-2966.