Special to Hawai`i's H4 € Volume 20, No. 11 € November 1995

The World Wide Web Edition

Circuit Court Judge Wendell Huddy last month ruled that the City Administration has no right to deny public access to documents related to an arbitration decision involving the City and the Oahu Transit Group (OTG) related to the failed rail transit scheme in 1992. Huddy strongly admonished the City for its attempt to keep the information from the taxpayers.

As previously reported, Small Business Hawaii had joined former City Council Chair Arnold Morgado and columnist Robert Rees in a lawsuit against the City & County of Honolulu on August 1, for the release of the "secret" settlement details between the City, and OTG. Taxpayers wound up paying $9 million in the settlement.

The Circuit Court had previously awarded release of the information to the Plaintiffs but the City dragged its feet in making all the data available. "It is not the purpose for a governmental agency to delay a response without getting some sort of court intervention and this is what the court found objectionable," Huddy ruled. He also said, "A governmental agency has the burden of showing a legitimate basis for confidentiality.... (in this case) there was no basis for confidentiality."

SBH Members, and their guests, are encouraged to attend the year's final Share N' Tell Business Forum,ª Wednesday, November 29, at the MidPacificCountry Club in Lanikai (Kailua) from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. This is an excellent opportunity for SBH's Windward Oahu members to have an event in their backyard, and for other members to discover this beautiful location.

Andy Bumatai, of member Pixienet, will be one of the table topic Facilitators. Yes, that Andy Bumatai: comedian, actor, host of TV's "Hawaiian Moving Company," and businessman. There are 8 table topics to choose from, each designed to improve your business while lowering costs. Facilitators will offer valuable business strategy alternatives.

Advance paid reservations are required and accepted on a first come, first served basis. Complete and return the form in the printed version of the Small Business News.

The table-topics and facilitators are:

"Designing Your Business Web Page for the Internet," Andy Bumatai, Pixienet; "How to Collect Bills and Remain Friends," Joyce Edwards, The Systemcenter, Inc.; "Keep Your Customers Coming Back," Bob Peterson, Peterson Sign Co.; "Clarifying Your Firm's Mission and Goals," Desmond Byrne, Honolulu Information Service; "Marketing For Success During a Recession," Rich Budnick, Aloha Press; "What it Takes to Lower Your Auto Insurance," Chuck Eakes, Chuck Eakes Insurance Agency; "Back to Business Basics in Difficult Times," Dennis Kondo, Kondo Helgeson & Davis and "How to Get a Loan From Your Bank" Todd Hoch, Bank America Hawaii.

The cost of the Share n' Tell Business Forum is only $20 (in advance; $25 at the door if space is available) and includes the entire program, buffet lunch and parking.

Small Business Hawaii has just published a revised and expanded edition of its 1989 award-winning "The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible," a free market odyssey for young adults Ñof all ages.

The original book won several top economics awards, including, the prestigious George Washington Medals from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, for Economic Education and Public Communication, in 1990.

The book, written by Hawaii Pacific University business professor, and SBH member, Ken Schoolland, tells the tale of "Jonathan Gullible" and his discovery of government intervention in the private market place--with devastating consequences. The original book has been translated into several languages, including Dutch, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Romanian, Russian and Serbian, with more international translations on the way.

The revised edition includes added chapters and new illustrations by Hawaii illustrator, David Friedman.

The book has been a bigger hit in recently-freed eastern European countries, and on the U.S. Mainland, than here in Hawaii. The book was originally designed for Hawaii public school students to give them more than just a "thumbs up" in economic literacy. Obviously, there still is a great distance to go.

The new 96-page book sells for $14.99. Small Business Hawaii members can get this book for only $5.00 per copy. Mailing costs are additional. Bulk discounts are available.To order, contact SBH at 396-1724 (FAX 396-1726).

This Veteran's Day weekend, November 11-12, Koko Marina Shopping Center, Hawaii Kai Town Center, Hawaii Kai Shopping Center and Small Business Hawaii will jointly host a grand community-wide celebration to commemorate the long-awaited completion of Kalanianaole Highway...and Rediscovery of Hawaii Kai.

The two-day extravaganza, themed "Rediscover Hawaii Kai," will offer lots of fun and exciting activities, food and Hawaiian entertainment for the whole family.

The idea for the celebration originated with Hawaii Kai resident Murray Luther. Luther is no stranger to planning major public events. Before his retirement, he coordinated two World's Fairs, in Seattle and Spokane, WA.

After 19 years in Kaka'ako, Small Business Hawaii moved its corporate offices to the Hawaii Kai Corporate Plaza in the Hawaii Kai Towne Center in September, 1994.

Hawaii's 16 Delegates to the 1995 White House Conference on Small Business organized a first-ever, Hawaii Small Business Congress, in order to continue what they and the 2,000 small business delegates from all over the nation began in June. The delegates prioritized 60 major small business issues nationally.

County small business congresses were held during October. More than 100 delegates attended the Oahu meeting at the Ilikai on October 18. They demanded less government, a reduction in taxes and regulations affecting Hawaii's hostile business climate, and privatization of government services.

The statewide Small Business Congress will be held on Friday and Saturday, November 10 Ð 11 also at the Ilikai. The theme is: "Energizing Our Economy."The object is to get small business owners more directly involved in order to lobby the State Legislature and Hawaii's Congressional Delegation to enact the 60 small business improvements and improve Hawaii's business climate.

Sir Roger Douglas, who as Minister of Finance in New Zealand from 1984-88 led free market reform in the country's economy will be featured luncheon speaker on November 10. Vice president Al Gore may also address the group. Contact SBH for more details.

U.S. Representative John Kasich (R-Ohio) will be in Honolulu for an evening reception on Friday, November 17, hosted by the Republican Party of Hawaii.

Kasich, Chairman of the powerful House Budget Committee, is the master number-cruncher of the Gingrich Administration, as they work to make the Contract with America a financial fiscal reality.

A much sought after speaker, but seldom available, Hawaii is unusually fortunate to welcome Representative Kasich. The people of Hawaii will have the opportunity to hear him personally relate the extraordinary story of the about-face taking place in Washington politics today as the Republicans seek sound financing for our country's future.

For further information and tickets, please contact Jane Tatibouet at 923-4533.

Small Business Hawaii Member Ballots Due December 1st Three Directorships, of the current 9, are subject to election in 1995.

The term of office for a newly-elected Director is one (1) year. A Director then may seek re-election to a regular three (3) year term.

Directors whose term expires December 31, 1995 are: Bob Sigall, and Sam Slom. Both will stand for re-election. One additional seat is vacant.

The Deadline for nominations was August 31. The SBH Nomination Committee certified the nominations of qualified member candidates Pamela Gottlieb of Shared Resources, and Jim Sharp, James Sharp, CPA.

Voting will take place by mail, FAX, or in person (to the SBH office) on the official form published in the printed edition of the Small Business News. SBH members may vote for no more than three (3) candidates. Voting deadline is December 1.

A directorship is a commitment for active involvement and service to the organization, the membership, and the community. No Director, other than the Executive Director, receives any compensation for this voluntary service.

More than a dozen of Hawaii's most successful book and magazine writers and editors will share their knowledge on how writers can improve their writing and get published, at the Honolulu Writers Conference: How to Write, Publish and Sell Your Books and Magazine Stories, on Saturday, November 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the University of Hawai'i campus, East-West Center, Jefferson Hall.

The all-day conference features a keynote presentation by UH Law Professor Randy Roth, "How to write a best-seller." Roth is the author-editor of The Price of Paradise, a two-volume work which has sold nearly 50,000 copies.

Local authors and editors who will share their insights on writing and getting published, include: Iris Wiley, former executive editor with University of Hawaii Press, Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, editor of Aloha Magazine, authors Steven Goldsberry and Marion Coste among others.

"This impressive conference will give writers an opportunity to learn the "secrets of success" from many of Hawaii's best and most successful authors and editors," said Rich Budnick, author-publisher and conference organizer.

Registration for the all-day conference is $85. Make your check payable to Aloha Press, and mail to: Honolulu Writers Conference, Box 4183, Honolulu HI 96812. For information, call 395-1161.

Go To Page 2