By Richard O. Rowland, CLU, CFC, Rowland & Associates,

The Workers' Compensation program which the Hawaii Legislature has been tinkering with was created by the State Legislature.

It is a failed program.

The Legislature that developed it failed in its effort.

The State legislature, any legislature, is a FAILURE.

Everything it touches turns to stinky manure which you and I have to wade through and smell.

This is not my opinion, it is fact. Please think carefully: What legislation was ever passed that worked as it was intended to work? That is, as it was proclaimed to perform before it was passed! Example: Anti-poverty legislation has resulted in more poverty and cost overruns. Worker's Compensation legislation has resulted in bankrupting business and creating pockets of injustice in excess claims and opportunity in milking the "system."

Government tinkering results in more government tinkering. Tinker leads to double tinker which leads to triple tinker.

With regard to the Workers Compensation legislation, what would be wrong with doing away with the failed legislation rather than have the proven failures (legislators) tinker with it? If you bought an automobile and it turned out to be a lemon, would you buy another from the same manufacturer expecting better quality? If you did that and it again turned out bad, would you do it again? No?

Why do we expect better results from failures in the legislature process. Let's simply quit buying.

Let's make a list of legislation that should be done away with.

That's the easy part. Then we have to insist on action.

Otherwise, they will simply keep tinkering and failing instead of restoring personal responsibility and accountability to themselves and to you and me.

Parents buy Tinkertoys to keep kids occupied. There is no reason that you and I should be similar playthings for legislators.

I've recently been listening to some really great people - some of Hawaii's small business owners and operators. Does the general public comprehend how much we owe these citizens?

All had great respect and concern for their employees and want a fair chance to create new jobs, make a decent profit and see Hawaii prosper. But, without exception none were optimistic about the future if dramatic changes don't happen soon.

Most think the root causes to our problems are the oppressiveness of State government and the power and influence of unions.

These businessmen and women are not greedy, not rich, not power seekers nor political activists. They were decent, honest, hard working people. Some were born and raised here, some chose to come to Hawaii. This is their home.

Each expressed dismay at the public's apparent inability to understand what's happening to us as a state and community of people. Each asked the question, " What will become of Hawaii if the voters do not act to correct this mess?"

All expressed sorrow over old friends leaving Hawaii and the exodus of our best and brightest young adults. With their departure, we lose strength of character, experience and values and the youthful intelligence and eagerness that's necessary for tomorrow's world.

What happens to Hawaii when the real producers and givers are outnumbered by the takers, the bloated bureaucracy and power merchants, most of whom need your hard earned dollars to perpetuate their existence. This scenario has failed throughout history and will fail for Hawaii, too.

I recall an anonymous quote that goes something like this: "I am little concerned that I might be struck down by the unknown. I am, however, appalled at the thought of being destroyed by the obvious."

Words to ponder. You know, it really doesn't have to be this way in Hawaii. The voters can choose to make it better!

This is the first of a series of profiles of Small Business HawaiiÍs Young Entrepreneurs. Helen Rapoza is the owner of HelenÍs Haven, a unique facial salon located in Kahala. Helen is a member of the Steering Committee for YES (Young Entrepreneur Subcommittee).

The first thing that you notice about Helen Rapoza when you meet her is her professionalism, positive attitude and boundless energy. Born on July 21, 1962 in Long Island, New York, Helen wanted to be an emergency room doctor. She started college at the University of Washington, where she decided that she did not want to be in school for the rest of her life. No education is ever wasted, and the biology and chemistry courses that she took are helpful in her current business. Helen has worked in the beauty industry since she was 17 years old. She worked to put herself through college in jobs as a make-up artist and doing retail sales for Revlon. She also went to school and became licensed by the Board of Cosmetology. Spending 550 hours in apprenticeship, she expanded on her knowledge about skin care and make-up.

Helen credits the good training she received at a salon where she worked as a solid basis for her success. She did not feel that there was enough quality customer service in that salon. It has an "assembly line" feel, rather than personalized service and attention. When Helen saw that the salon's customers were unhappy, she decided to look for other opportunities. When her employer found out that she was looking elsewhere, Helen's position was terminated. Helen's response was simply "I'll start my own business!"

Believing that her business was really meant to happen, Helen jumped right in. Within a week of leaving her job, she secured a location and got her business loan approval. She got her business insurance on a Friday and on the following Wednesday, the salon burnt down. It was scheduled to open just two days later. Undaunted, Helen had to rebuild, which took another month, but Helen's Haven opened.

"Starting the business was a nightmare," Helen said. The legal issues, paperwork and bureaucracy had her believing that the State of Hawaii did not want her to have a business here. Being classified as a beauty salon by the state required approval from the State Engineer, Department of Health, and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. This process took more than two and one half months. Nevertheless, she learned when to be patient and how to assert herself to get things done.

Helen's Haven has been open for 15 months now and delivers highly personalized service to the clientele. "My clients feel at peace when they walk in. They leave their problems at the door." The decor of Helen's Haven promotes a healthy and relaxed atmosphere. Helen believes that if you look good, you feel good.

"A bad hair day is a bad business day." Helen's Haven offers an escape from the stress of working and life. When clients get pampered and waited on, they can become more productive. Helen likens the time spent receiving a facial to a "mini vacation."

Helen plans to expand her business into a body massage, manicures and pedicures. Her clients are very supportive. She talks about the good advice she has received, as well as the referrals and emotional support that her clients continue to provide. Helen maintains regular contact with her clients and is rightfully proud of the fact that she has maintained their business. She believes that there is no excuse for losing a client.

Her suggestion for anyone thinking about starting a business is to "get every handout you can and make an appointment with a SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Counselor. Use the resources that are available free of charge. They've already done it!" She also recommends active membership with Small Business Hawaii as a way to increase and enhance business. Why is she involved with YES? "It's my turn to give back and help others."

When asked how she keeps going, Helen responds, "You just keep going. You do what needs to be done. The buck stops here. I am the boss." She also adds that she gets a massage once a week!