Gov. Ben Cayetano, in Japan trying to lure Japanese investors to Hawaii (gee, they can return and pay 25¢ on the dollar for the properties they invested in and lost their kimono on 5 years ago!) told them, Hawaii government will, "Facilitate and not Regulate." That may sound good to the Japanese, or Filipinos or Koreans, but what about the 29,000 Hawaii small businesses who the State Government regulates and annihilates? Let reform policy begin at home.
The Gov really is enamored of having a Disney-like attraction inside Diamond Head Crater. Wonder how many tourists "Ben's World" would attract? Features could include guessing the number of state employees, the daily deficit and H-3's completion decade.
Hawaii likes to be #1 (bankruptcies, cost of living, taxes, arson,) and Cato Institute reported in the Wall Street Journal recently that Hawaii leads the nation--by a wide margin--in welfare payments; equivalent to being paid $17.50 per hour, or $36,400 a year (based on a mother and two children). And you thought "welfare doesn't pay."
It was no "news" Hawaii's public school teachers send their kids to private schools in record numbers (#1 nationally). The teachers may be union pawns but not dumb. WHEN we privatize the schools in Hawaii, everyone will have more choices and better education.
And City employees don't ride The Bus or want to; not when the City gives them subsidized parking private employees can't afford.
Another long time local business, 59-year old Office Appliance Co. of Kalihi, closed its doors. Larry and Sumiko Nishi were the second-generation small business owners.
Congrats to Jim Proctor (Chamber), Bette Tatum (NFIB), and the other hard-working organizers of the the successful Hawaii Small Business Congress November 10-11. New Zealand's Sir Roger Douglas stole the show with his outstanding talk on privatizing down under. The "thumbs up" banker gang, who apparently have suspended their Mainland advertising speciality buying spree, bought their way into the Small Biz Congress with hefty financial donations. Their "digit" was prominent among sponsors.
The stock market soared when the Federal Government shut down. If we could only keep it closed (and the State too) we'd all be prosperous. Were you surprised at how many non-essential employees we take care of?
The State Health Department regulations against preparing food in your home for outside consumption--even to help the homeless and hungry--was brought home last month when the State threatened to levy a $1,000 per day fine against the woman who prepared and gave away bagels and coffee to the homeless. This further State absurdity made the Paul Harvey national news.
Read Blondie in the comics re: gov't regs.
State Reps David Stegmaier (D) and Gene Ward (R) showed bi-partisan support for Rediscover Hawaii Kai over Veterans Day by volunteering for the Kaiser High AFROTC dunk tank. (Stegmaier, ever the good sport, did it twice). Senator Donna Ikeda declined and Councilman John Henry Felix was out of town. State Transport chief Kazu Hayashida and yours truly, were also dunked for charity. By far the most popular dunkee, however, was Bishop Estate Realtor Peter Savio; people lined up for a long time but some (especially those from Kuapa Isle who are battling Savio over the fee price of their leasehold land-- wanted to donate their electric appliances to the tank--with Savio in it.
Hooters Guys? Yes, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, no according to the rest of us. Shows again how little work non-essential Washington bureaucrats actually have to do.
Stress on the job? Not according to the latest medical and scientific studies. They report just the opposite: hard work, job social contact and other day-to-day responsibilities actually prolong life and good health.
Have you noticed that some local grocery stores are giving us smaller paper bags? The standard grocery bag is going the way of the toilet paper roll, paper towels, etc. Or maybe, it's to make you think you're getting more groceries for your buck in the bag.
Happy Holidays to all and... let the Revolution begin in Hawaii in '96.
Small Business Hawaii
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