Wonder what Hawaii will be like with no reduction in the number of state government employees, continuing union stranglehold on government, the right to strike --and be paid for it by our public "servants"--and ever increasing salary and benefit demands? Look no further than the evening news. Watch how the militant French striking government employees, and those on government "entitlements," absolutely control government policies--and the resources of French taxpayers--with the ability to shut down the country.
SBH raised the issue years ago and KGMB-TV's Bob Loy did an investigative report (11/26/95) on the State's favorite flyguy, helicopter traffic reporter Captain Irwin and his lucrative monopoly contract received without bid. That led to a change. The state maintained Irwin was worth the $190,000 a year, because the quid-pro-quo for his reports was "more than a million dollars in PSAs from local radio stations" using the taxpayer-paid service. Bulloney. Other private, competitive helicopter pilots, and taxpayers, disagreed. The State, ignoring the non-bid reality, tried to blame "problems" on the radio stations for "holding" the timely traffic reports. Then they rescinded the contract. Now Captain Irwin will go private in '96 and we wish him well.
Good for Governor Ben Cayetano! No, there was no conflict when Gov (Ben's former boss) Waihee contracted with a Washington D.C. law firm for nearly $1million of taxpayer funds shortly before leaving office and shortly before joining the same firm here. Right! Ben said, if it looks like a squid, and swims like a squid and tastes good in sauce like a squid (or something similar) and had the State void the contract. Right, on.
Cockle-Doodle-Doo: Councilman Duke Bainum, with too much time on his hands, attacked one of Hawaii's most pressing problems: urban rooster crowing. Taxes, regulations, cost of living and government mismanagement issues pale in comparison to the dangers and threat of roosters in modern Honolulu. Government is chicken.
Bancorp Hawaii CEO Larry Johnson gives new meaning to "community service" describing that as the motivating reason for hosting a Ben Cayetano $1,000 per-plate fundraiser at his home recently. (Did you ever wonder what you get to grind for a thousand$? Can it really be better than a plate lunch from Masa's or Tsukenjo?) Reportedly, more than 600 people attended and shelled out big bucks for this "community service," even though there is no election for Governor in 1996 and no one said how the "community" (other than the Democratic Party community) will benefit. Republicans, Libertarians and Greens should ask for some of that same "community service" from the Bank. Digits Up!
Verrry interesting: First Hawaiian Bank, who developed the "Thumbs Up!" campaign, quietly ditched the logo in November; while Bankoh has become more aggressive with the digit. The other banks in town never signed on to the PR campaign that was negatively received by the public. Meanwhile, First Hawaiian, Inc. announced it is helping the local economy by buying 30 Mainland branches of U.S. Bancorp and West One Bancorp for a reported $38 million. That should be a real community service and shot in the arm here! C'mon big banks, get real: really help local entrepreneurs. Lend your weight and talents to legislative reforms for all residents.
More interest in the firing of UH football coach Bob Wagner than firing deadwood professors and administrators at the State Government University (as pointed out editorially by George Mason in PBN). Don't forget to join George, Lowell Kalapa, Orson Swindle and others at our 20th annual SBH Conference, Wednesday, January 10, Ala Moana Hotel, 8 am -1:30 pm.
Paul Yee, former area membership director of NFIB-Hawaii has switched roles and is now heading membership for the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. The Chamber is still looking for a new leader; don't know if Wagner is on the short list. The Chamber wants someone who can "get along" with the Legislature and big, dependent businesses.
While perusing the want ads -- hey, nothing is certain these days -- I kept seeing the word "reliable" mentioned as a requisite for employment. Sound familiar?
Whew, what a relief: A national wire story, in the face of more Democrat defections to the Republican Party in Congress, confirmed that neither Hawaii U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie nor Patsy Mink would become Republicans. Wonder if they surveyed Senators Akaka and Inouye. Hmmmm.
It's a new year and the monopoly newspapers announced their (surprise) increase in advertising and subscription rates.
Good news: The Hawaii Trial Lawyers Association has changed its name to Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii. As Shakespeare once said, "A tort by any other name..."
Small business owners are optimists and are positive; especially at the beginning of a New Year. We will work harder to make Hawaii's economy better for all our citizens. There are many things that YOU can do personally. Call me and I'll share some ideas. Start by coming to SBH's Annual Conference, January 10. This is a major election year and yet another opportunity to bring needed change to Hawaii. Get ACTIVE--Hawaii needs YOU!
Small Business Hawaii
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