SBH News + Views August 3
As I promised last week, there was no credit default yesterday. A phony agreement was reached Sunday and approved by the House Monday and the Senate yesterday. Everyone seems to be claiming victory, no one willing to admit defeat in really reducing government spending and reducing debt. Our debt will increase by $2-3 TRILLION now while some illusory spending cuts may be phased in over the next 10 years. There was no tax increase—this time. There was nothing done to lower our tax burden. Nor was there any action to create new private jobs and to improve our business and investment climate. Yet another “committee” will decide what to do. And Moody’s will likely still downgrade our credit rating as deserved. The public is angered by politicians’ lack of work ethic. We must have a change in leadership next year.
Latest fed data show consumer spending negative.
Both the DJA and gold prices setting records—in opposite directions.
HMAA, the Hawaii Medical Assurance Association, one of Hawaii’s leading health care providers, and Smart Business Hawaii, announced a new expanded benefit comprehensive medical plan—medical, drug, dental and vision – tailored especially for small business.
The plan is available only to current members of SBH. It is exclusive to SBH.
The new plan, the HMAA/SBH Comprehensive Plus, announced at the SBH Sunrise on July 28, becomes effective September 1, 2011. In particular, it provides advantages to sole proprietors and independent contractors who have had major difficulty in the past in gaining a group plan with expanded benefits at an affordable price. This plan will do that.
HMAA and SBH have been working on the details of the new plan for several months. Much of the credit goes to Larry Santiago of HMAA. He will be the exclusive agent for this new program. Call Larry at 791-7563 or Darlyn at SBH, 396-1724.
This is yet another benefit of membership in SBH, Hawaii’s most effective business advocacy organization. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, SBH was the state leader and pioneer in providing several medical plans and multiple choices for small businesses.
Despite the price of oil dipping for the past several weeks, Honolulu gasoline prices rose again last week passing the $4 mark once again.
The 4th annual Small Business Hawaii Entrepreneurial Education Foundation Awards Banquet is Friday, September 16, 5:30 - 8 pm, Waialae Country Club. Awardees this year include:.
• SBH Lex Brodie Business Person of the Year —
Joe Nicolai, JN Automotive Group
• SBH Jean Fukuda Civic Leadership Award —
Win Schoneman, Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts
• SBH Young Entrepreneur of the Year —
Tyler Roukema, Outback Steak House, Hawaii Kai
• SBH George Mason Outstanding Business Reporting —
Jim Dooley, Hawaii Reporter
• SBH Business Booster —
Glenn Muranaka, Meadow Gold Dairies
• SBH Success All Stars
Phyllis Shimabukuro Geiser, Mikilua Poultry Farm
Joe Teipel, Auction Action
Marissa Capelouto, Oahu Express
Call Malia (306-3161) for sponsorships or Darlyn (396-1724) for info and reservations.
Former Governor Linda Lingle keynoted the Annual Milton Friedman Birthday Luncheon, last Friday, at the Japanese Cultural Center. Sponsored by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and cosponsored by SBH, Aloha4All and Hawaii Reporter, the event marked the 99th birthday of the late Nobel Economics winner, Milton Friedman. The event focused on educational school choice. No, Lingle did not announce for a U.S. Senate run. Announced Senate candidate Ed Case was in attendance.
The Council for State Governments—West Conference wound up yesterday at the Sheraton Waikiki. Lawmakers from 13 western states including Hawaii, the host legislature, put on a good, issues-oriented agenda. Fiscal concerns are common among nearly all of the participants. Visiting lawmakers added to the record visitor total this year and were adroit at dodging all the sidewalk construction in Waikiki, being made pretty for the November APEC meeting here.
The State Reapportionment Commission is working hard (its next meeting is 2 pm at the Capitol tomorrow) to have new district maps ready for public meetings later this month. A lot is riding on the final re-drawn maps for Congress, Senate and House.
Is Olive Garden Restaurant seriously looking at a Honolulu location, the popular chain’s first venture in Hawaii?
Hawaii Reporter.com, Hawaii’s first electronic daily newspaper begun 9 years ago, still is free. Award winning Hawaii Reporter and Malia Zimmerman also report daily (M-F) on the Rick Hamada Show, KHVH radio on 830 AM at a new time, 7:45 am. Malia also reports on Kauai’s KKCR with Sandy Brodie on Tuesday mornings, on the station’s “Morning Paper.” She will report the news behind the news for you. FOX News online did a positive review of HR.
Want more local business information? Please visit the several SBH websites at:: http://www.smartbusinesshawaii.com, http://www.educate808.com and http://www.sbhfoundation.org.
Aloha,
Sam
ON THE CALENDAR
SBH SUNRISE Networking Breakfast
Thursday, August 25/7 – 8:30 am
Speaker: Ryan Ozawa & Burt Lum
“Social Media and Technology for Your Business”
The Pineapple Room, Macy’s Ala Moana
Call Darlyn @ SBH, 396-1724
Small Business Hawaii Entrepreneurial Education Foundation
4th Annual SBH Small Business Awards Banquet
Friday, September 16/5:30 - 8 pm
Waialae Country Club.