SBH News + Views October 6
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6 — SBH Office Furnishings Liquidation: SBH is downsizing its office and making way for new uses of existing space. Looking for BARGAIN prices (really bargain prices!!) on used office equipment? Desks, file cabinets, book cases, computers, water cooler, etc.? Come see what we've got. (Hawaii Kai Corporate Plaza, 6600 Kalanianaole# 212 - above Roy's Restaurant) Cash and carry only. Phone Darlyn at 808-396-1724 for appointment.
Hawaii employers alert: The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a race discrimination lawsuit against DHL Express, Inc. on behalf of a class of African-American employees who were given different job assignments because of their race. The EEOC received more than 20 charges of discrimination against DHL alleging that the shipping and delivery giant discriminated against black workers.The EEOC's administrative investigation was conducted under the supervision of Chicago District Director John Rowe, who said that the EEOC's investigation found that DHL assigned black drivers to predominately black neighborhoods and white drivers to predominately white neighborhoods. "While this may not have been obvious to employees at first, over time, a pattern of segregation emerged," said Rowe.The EEOC's administrative investigation also found that DHL assigned more difficult and dangerous work to black employees than white employees. Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. John Hendrickson, the EEOC's regional attorney in Chicago, added, "Any employer who gives different work assignments to employees simply because of the color of their skin, sends a message to all of its employees that it is by no means colorblind. The concept of 'separate but equal' has long since been rejected. It has absolutely no place on the job. Everyone should understand that federal law -- Title VII -- expressly forbids the segregation of employees. In this case, as with all of our other cases, the EEOC is looking to ensure that all employees can work in an environment free of discrimination." The case, captioned EEOC v. DHL Express (USA), Inc., was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, on September 24, 2010 and has been designated Civil Action No. 10 C 6139.
YIKES! The DAGS Information Communication & Services Division (ICSD) issued an alert yesterday to all State agencies about hackers using State voicemail boxes to make unauthorized long distance calls.
"GET A JOB!," the hilarious, high-spirited motion picture comedy starring Willie K and Eric Gilliom and filmed and produced entirely on Maui, will have its World Premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 on Saturday, October 16, 7:15pm and again will be shown on Saturday, October 23 at 3:15pm. Tickets are on sale now for both screenings. (Check www.hiff.org for information on ticket sales.) I'll go anywhere Willie K performs.
"GET A JOB!," the first of several planned collaborations between Malama Pono Productions and Cicala Filmworks, is written and directed by Maui native Brian Kohne and produced by Stefan Schaefer. The feature film also stars Oahu's Carolyn Omine (who now writes for "The Simpons"), and comedian and radio personality Augie T.
A who's who of the top musical talent and personalities in Hawaii today rounds out the cast including Jake Shimabukuro, Henry Kapono Ka'aihue, Amy Hanaiali'i, Kealoha, Charles Ka'upu, Ernie Cruz Jr., Kathy Collins, and Alaka'i Paleka. It also boasts special appearances by Mick Fleetwood, Willie Nelson, Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers, Marty Dread, and many many more. The "GET A JOB" soundtrack includes music by the Barefoot Natives, Don Tiki, Amy Hanaiali'i, the Throwdowns, Willie K, Avi Ronen, Kealoha, and Kristen Grove.
"GET A JOB!" is a contemporary comedy set on Maui. William (Willie K) is a successful employment agent whose own career is jeopardized when, over the course of one week, he repeatedly fails to find work for a 40 something year-old, Merton (Eric Gilliom), a simpleton who surfs everyday in a spot where there are no waves. He needs to "GET A JOB!" William's problems are compounded tenfold by his longtime bridal shop employee girlfriend, Laura (Carolyn Omine), who wants desperately to be married and chooses this particular week to achieve her goal at all costs. At week's end, William finds himself jobless, homeless, car-less, girlfriend-less... but more resolved than ever to make the tough choices needed to find lasting joy, love and fulfillment. "GET A JOB"; It's the pursuit of the American dream.
By the way, we attended the Daughtry concert last Friday nite at the Kaka'ako Amphitheatre. Very creative use of a grassy area. Outdoors is always better. Concert was great, weather was perfect, and the approximately 3,500 concert goers enjoyed the newest entertainment venue. Another concert is scheduled there November 19.
This is your chance to show your appreciation and help Hawaii small businesses get much-needed exposure. Finalists and winners appear in the February 2011 issue of Hawaii Business magazine. Nominate in one or more of these categories:
* Most Innovative
* Family Owned
* Non-Profit 501(c)(3)
* New Business (less than 5 years old)
* Long-term achievement (+25 years)
* Community-serving (for-profit companies)
Nominating is easy: Go online to www.hawaiibusiness.com/smallbiz to get the forms:
The 2010 Children and Youth Summit will take place on Thursday, October 14, 2010 from 8:30am to 1:30pm in Washington Place. For details and an agenda, contact Alisha Leisek, Office of Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, State Capitol, Room 226, Phone: (808) 586-6130; Fax (808) 586-6131; email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) Hawaii Office MarketView details these developments in the third quarter of 2010:
- Average asking rents declined by $.08 to $2.85 a square foot
- West Honolulu (Downtown to the Airport) shows greatest absorption
- Landlords focus on maintaining occupancy levels
- Office vacancy remains unchanged on Oahu
CBRE is the largest commercial real estate services firm in Hawaii. MarketView data is compiled from a set of 100 office buildings concentrated within the Central Business District (CBD) Downtown and Suburban Business Districts used historically by CB Richard Ellis in Hawaii to reflect general market conditions.
Zippy's Restaurants made a "win-win" decision that will help to support the local ranchers and provide a quality local or Hawaii grown product to its customers. Since last month, all 25 Zippy's locations introduced local beef patties. Local beef is being used in their Hamburger Steak, Prime patties and Hamburger patties. Local or "Hawaii Grown" beef is beef from cattle born and raised entirely in Hawaii, and sold in Hawaii. Over a year ago, Zippy's R&D Chef, Wayne Komamura, was in search of improving the quality and taste of the hamburger steak patty and making it similar to a prior patty that was made daily from fresh ground beef. "I was looking for that Old Fashioned handmade, home taste," said Komamura. In the process of his research he was introduced to Michelle Galimba, President of the Hawaii's Cattlemen's Association. Michelle educated Wayne on the benefits of local beef and had him sample the local beef taste. Local beef has a much more beefy flavor than imported beef.
Wayne worked closely with Wong's Meat Market to develop hamburger patties using Zippy's recipe and worked with the producers to ensure a steady supply of beef. Although the previously served beef patties from the mainland was an excellent product, Zippy's Restaurants decided to make a major change since this was an opportunity to utilize excellent locally produced beef, develop a delicious patty with "good old days" appeal and serve a fresher, locally made product to their customers. In addition to this, local beef is also grass fed, grown and raised in Hawaii. There are no antibiotics or growth-stimulating hormones and has high levels in beta carotene, vitamin E, Cla AND Omega 3 fatty acids.
In addition to beef, Zippy's also features other local products on the menu, such as Nalo greens, Island fresh eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, papayas, saimin noodles, wun tun, uzumaki, ice cream, tofu, soda crackers and shoyu, to name a few.
The LA Times, which broke the investigative story on the highly paid leaders of Bell, California, this past Monday did an expose on California welfare credit cards turning up in Las Vegas Casinos, cruise ships from Miami to Honolulu and even expenditures in Hawaii.
Still time to see where your candidate---or opponent---stands on a variety of issues important to local business. Go to Hawaii Reporter.com's Election Guide and see all the online surveys completed by the candidates.
Its not all for the Keiki. To learn more about where your tax dollars go for public education visit our new transparency website shining the light on Hawaii's education issues - www.educate808.com
Want more business friendly news in Hawaii? Then join me, community leaders, and special guest speaker, Jason W. Stverak, President of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, to celebrate the 9th anniversary of Hawaii Reporter, Hawaii's first daily, online, independent newspaper, Friday, October 15. Details at this link.