The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii chose Stanley Hong as its new President in March, skipping over hard-working, interim president Jim Proctor. Hong's background is with the tourist industry, big business and Asian investors. He served as head of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau during both its boom and bust times, working closely with State Government, that subsidized about 95% of the HVB's operations. Hong vows to correct the image of the Chamber as a big business organization, but it is Proctor who is well known and respected in the small business community, as a small business owner, elected White House Delegate, organizer of the Hawaii Small Business Congress, and active member of the Small Business Coalition (including NFIB, Hawaii Business League and SBH). The business community needs to come closer together, but it will be hard for anyone to satisfy the divergent demands of the bankers on Bishop Street, and the body and fender shop owners in Kaka'ako, unless they consistently support a private, less government,competitive market. Good luck, Stanley!

So, Hawaii taxpayers paid "67 million" (actually, the REAL total is more than $90 million) for 4 years of "renovation" to the State Capitol (which cost less than $30 million to build) and now the roof leaks? "Look for the union label." Fred Hemmings suggests the Administration hand out complimentary umbrellas. Maybe this is what the Legislature had in mind for its "rainy day fund."

Nationally, the AFL-CIO family of compulsory unions, has pledged a minimum of $35 million for US House races in '96, targeting Republicans. Additional assessments for union members are for Senate and Presidential elections. Locally, Carpenters Union boss, Walter Kupau, extracted $30 million in two union trust funds from First Hawaiian Bank because of his anger that CEO Walter Dods employs Arnold Morgado, who will challenge Kupau's guy, Mayor Jeremy Harris, this year. Questions the media never seem to be interested in: (1) how much total member money do the Carpenters and other compulsory unions control here? (2) how much will be used to influence Hawaii elections to retain status quo big spenders? and (3) After Kupau took out the millions, WHERE did he park the $$$????

Coincidentally, and subsequently, KHVH Radio reported the outbreak of two (2) separate fires, then later, two (2) bomb threats in the new First Hawaiian Bank Center now under construction in downtown Honolulu. Hmmm.

Love that competition: full-on matinee movie rates finally came to Hawaii. The $3.50 Pau Hana rate begun by upstart Wallace Theatres, more than matched by a $3.00 Pau Hana rate, seven days a week at all theatres by Consolidated Amusement. Pass the 'corn.

Hats off to Maui Mayor Linda Crockett Lingle (a rumored GOP candidate for Governor in '98), who will start privatized trash collection July 1 despite constant UPW union threats from Gary Rodrigues.

Entrepreneur Magazine (March,1996) reported that Maryland passed legislation (H.B. 800) sponsored by Democrat John Donoghue, effective July 1, requiring each bill to have an economic impact analysis rating, showing specifically the impact on businesses with 50 or fewer employees. This is an idea SBH championed for several years and is part of the Hawaii Small Business Congress and Small Business Caucus priority packages.

Only in America: Denver Nuggets guard, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (aka, Chris Jackson) caused quite a stir by refusing on "religious grounds" to stand for the Star-Spangled Banner, adding, that the anthem and flag are symbols of, "tyranny and oppression." Abdul-Rauf earns $2.1 million a year for dribbling a basketball ($31,707 per game). Many would willingly accept this kind of "oppression."

A survey by the Florida-based National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) for the projected period 1994-99, lists Hawaii last (50 of 50 states) in expected economic strength and growth.

Did you see that clever "Going Out FOR Business" advertisement? How many times did you have to read it to make sure it didn't say going out OF business? Want more business? Let's start turning things around at the '96 Legislature, in our business community, and during the '96 election; but YOU must get ACTIVELY involved and that's no April Fool.

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Small Business Hawaii
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