Special to Hawai`i's H4 | Volume 21, No. 3 | March 1996

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LEGISLATIVE SESSION STILL WIDE OPEN:
PROGRESS ON WORKERS' COMP, PRIVATIZATION?

March 1 is the 25th day of the scheduled 60-day State Legislature, and the business community remains cautiously optimistic that tax and mandate increases (such as minimum wages) may be held while workers' comp reform and privatization may advance. But a lot must be done by business between now and the April 29 adjournment date.

Even bills that have been called "dead" to date are in fact still alive until the lawmakers actually exit the Capitol. Included in this group are tax increases, gambling bills, same-sex marriage and high minimum wage increases.

There is no meaningful tax reduction, public employee downsizing, lower effective budget or welfare reform, poised for passage, despite the flowery political speeches of the dire fiscal crisis here. Change is resisted.

Hawaii's Congress on Small Business is effectively lobbying its top 20 reform recommendations and several seem to have a good chance of passage by Session end. SBH fully supports the work of the Congress.

The bi-partisan House Small Business Caucus, headed by Democrat David Stegmaier and Republican Gene Ward, likewise has won hearings on a number of positive bills. Business testimony is crucial now.

The Haku Alliancne continues its positive job in pushing major work comp reforms, that if passed, would yield a 30% premium rate reduction. (SBH said the '95 "reforms" were weak. )SBH supports most HAKU efforts. HAKU held a Capitol work comp rally on Valentine's Day. However, emphasis has been on "managed care" and limited physician referrals, angering many in the medical profession and splitting some business support, while putting aside "fraud" and the elimination of the "presumption clause" both of which are high on SBH's agenda, as not "doable" in '96 by HAKU.

More privatization hearings have been held than ever before, with Rep. Quentin Kawananakoa leading House efforts.

Hawaii's liberal and costly anti-business civil rights laws would be reformed by several measures. One, HB 2416, was introduced by Rep. Cynthia Thielen, Minority Floor Leader. Thielen sponsored the bill to protect small business people who operate out of their homes from unwarranted searches by the Civil Rights Commission. The bill would prohibit the Commission from searching a private home - used by the homeowner for business purposes - without a search warrant. As technology allows for more people to work out of their homes, it's important to protect homeowners from unwarranted searches. Public support is essential for this bill to pass. Those affected should request a hearing of the bill from Judiciary Committee Chair Terrance Tom (at 586-6490).

The biggest‹and best‹news to date is that many business bills have had a public hearing in both houses, and that a record number of business owners have gotten personally involved. (Are YOU one of them?).

Meet with SBH's Legislative Action Committee (LAC) and sign on to the Business FAX Net. Bob Sigall of Creative-1 is Chair of the LAC and Cindy Rasmussen of Worldwide Store Fixtures, is assistant. The LAC met at the Capitol with half a dozen lawmakers in February and is coordinating a "Business Day at the Capitol." The next two LAC meetings are set for Thursdays, March 7 and 21 (11-12:30 at the SBH office). Call for details at 396-1724.

The Committee retains copies of each bill in the SBH office and publishes a list of key measures it is monitoring. Copies are available upon request by members. SBH also supports the Tax Foundation of Hawaii which does an excellent job of analyzing all tax measures.

CHECK OUT THE SMALL BUSINESS HAWAII 1996 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM.

SHARE N TELL BUSINESS FORUM RETURNS
TO KAHALA MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL

From 1982 - 1995, Small Business Hawaii held bi-monthly business forums at the Kahala Hilton Hotel. On January 31, 1995, SBH held a special farewell forum, the last business event held at the Hotel, which then closed for an ownership change and major renovation. On March 1, the $75 million facelift of the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel is nearly complete, and SBH members are invited back to celebrate.

Members, and their guests, will be among the first to preview the beautiful new hotel, which retains the elegance and traditions of the old, at the next SBH Share N' Tell Business Forum, Wednesday, March 27,10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Topics and Facilitators for the March 27 Forum include: "Business Communication‹Do You See What I Hear?" Delorese Gregoire, Hawaii StudyTours/Winners' Camp; "Tips for a Successful One-Person Business," Claude Doughtie, Kaeser and Blair, Inc.; "Sales: Why You Get Some and Lose Some" Bob Baer, Robert J. Baer Marketing; "The Challenge of Selling to the Military" John Gleeson, John Gleeson, Ltd.; "Customer Satisfaction: How to Train Your Employees" Cindy Rasmussen, Worldwide Store Fixtures; "Marketing Your Business on the Internet" Robert "Rabbett" Abbett, H-4 Hawaii's Data Super Highway" "Bookkeeper or CPA: Where To Draw the Line" Annette Silva, Bookkeeper ASAP!; "Smart PR: How to Score With the Media" Joyce Torrey, Joyce Torrey Public Relations; "Employee Interviewing Techniques‹What You Can and Can't Ask" Pamela Gottlieb, Shared Resources and "Just Say No: Don't Drive Your Mercedes to an IRS Audit (and Other Practical Ideas)" Jim Sharp, James Sharp & Co., CPAs.

The Forum is a good opportunity to host employees or associates as your guest. If you have planned to attend a Share N'Tell Forum in the past, but never quite made it, March 27 is the one you will want to attend.

A full luncheon program, with an SBH and '96 Legislative Session update, and introductions of all participants, begins at 11:45 and completes the 3-hour Business Forum.

The cost of the Share n' Tell Business Forum is $25 for SBH members and includes the entire program, networking, luncheon and parking.

Advance, paid reservations are required and will be accepted as received on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Your guests are welcome) Call SBH at 396-1724 for more information and an reservation form.

SBH 'YES' PLANNING SOCIALS, FIELD TRIPS

The Small Business Hawaii "YES" Young Entrepreneurs group is active and on the go. "YES" has held several informative meetings, been profiled on KGMB-TV, and is planning forums, social events and business field trips. (The first such trip will be an early morning visit to view the operations of successful manufacturer/retailer Maui Divers of Hawaii, Ltd.)

The SBH young owner-members (age 18-35) enjoy all the benefits of regular membership while developing additional special programs and activities for themselves.

YES Steering Committee leaders include: Jeanine Fukuda (Consultant), Raydeen Kimura (The Costume Loft) and Ethan Tweedie (Dean Witter Renolds).

All small business owners are welcome to attend and get involved. You are encouraged to bring your associates and business colleagues. For information, the next meeting date and time, and other schedule of events, please phone Cindy at SBH, 396-1724, or Ethan Tweedie at 525-6084. The next regular meeting is tenatively set for Thursday, March 29 at 11am -12:30.

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