SBH News + Views August 31
NOT A MICKEY MOUSE OPERATION – OK WELL YES IT IS: The much-anticipated Aulani at Ko Olina Disney Resort opened on Monday. The $850 million project looks like a winner. People were already waiting in line from 2 a.m. for the 6 a.m. opening. Even native Hawaiian activists seem pleased at the extra steps Disney took to embrace the local host culture and in hiring of many Hawaiians in key positions.
KHON TV 2 News’ Andrew Pereira did a fun live news report from the new Disney resort while being hugged, kissed and high-fived by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. It seemed like Minnie had a thing for him.
HOTEL WARS: Contrast the Aulani opening with the news out of Waikiki of the early Sunday morning (2 a.m.) surprise takeover of the Waikiki Edition Hotel by the hotel’s owner and affiliated partners. Mariott, which managed the property, was unceremoniously ousted in favor of Aqua Hotels. The hotel was renamed the Waikiki Modern Hotel.
Mariott International, Inc. took its grievance to a New York Court, arguing breach of contract. And in a new twist this morning, the court ordered the hotel back under Mariott’s management as of 2:30 p.m. today, August 31.
SHACK ATTACK: The troubled restaurant, The Shack in Waikiki, has more troubles as the Federal Government charged three key employees—including the security director—with extortion, assault, racketeering and other crimes. There have been numerous incidents at the eatery over the years.
The University of Hawaii starting football players (now suspended) who were arrested in Waikiki early Sunday morning on misdemeanor assault charges reportedly began their evening at The Shack.
TOUCHDOWN: UH Warriors open their ’11 season against the Buffaloes of Colorado at Aloha Stadium, 4:15 pm this Saturday, minus the two defensive starters.
CANDID CAMERA OF A DIFFERENT SORT: The Honolulu City Council has found $1.5 million for the installation of 34 additional video cameras for APEC security. Be sure to wear clean underwear.
LOST ART: The Council also supports spending $75 million or more for “art” for the Honolulu rail train to nowhere. Art? Attention Honolulu graffiti “artists.”
BUSINESSES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF APEC: Speaking of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), coming in November, The Hawaii host committee for the APEC meeting in Honolulu chose 5 local companies to promote at the event.
The host committee selected Skai Ventures, Big Island Carbon, LLC, Sopogy, TREX Enterprises Corp. and HNU-Energy from 35 companies that applied for the special promotion. The companies will be showcased with displays at the Convention Center, and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The firms will also be featured on the APEC Hawaii TV in-room hotel channel and the Hawaii virtual online exhibit.
APPLE OF OUR EYE: Last week’s emotional farewell by Apple’s Steve Jobs ends an era. Jobs has been likened to Edison, Ford and the great entrepreneurial innovators of all time. He will be missed.
BP STILL UNDER FIRE: BP’s troubles not over yet. The petroleum giant faces lawsuits, more costs and a current hard-hitting PBS documentary listing past failures and unheeded warnings.
MORE POLITICAL SPEAK: President Obama announced he would unveil a plan next week to spur private sector hiring. The announcement came after he cut short by just 12 hours his Martha’s Vineyard vacation because of Hurricane Irene. Hey, wait a minute. Didn’t Mr. Obama make exactly the same announcement one year ago before starting his vacation then? What happened to the 2010 plan to “spur private sector hiring?”
How to spur our economy, nationally and locally? The President, the Fed and local politicos don’t seem to have a clue. They are all still reading the discredited Keynesian playbook, which got us into this position. Alan Krueger, recycled Treasury bureaucrat, is the President’s new head of the Council of Economic Advisors. No new thoughts here. Free market advocates need to be more vocal and more politically active in the year ahead.
FAREWELL TO A HERO: This will be the first Labor Day Weekend for the MDA telethon without Jerry Lewis. Make a muscle to help Muscular Dystrophy research.
EYE OF THE STORM: Hurricane Irene was yet another reminder of the problems with forecasting these storms accurately and the fact that it is water damage, more than wind, that has caused our greatest natural disasters.
POLITICAL MUSICAL CHAIRS: Former Democrat Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced (via Twitter) yesterday that he will run in the 2nd Congressional District House race against Councilmember Tulsi Gabbard next year.
Other candidates may also enter the race for the seat vacated by Mazie Hirono. Hirono is running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate seat previously occupied by Daniel Akaka. Former Republican Governor Linda Lingle has yet to announce her plans for the U.S. Senate.
NEW JUDGE TO BE CONFIRMED: The State Senate in Special Session will easily confirm Governor Abercrombie’s choice of new Circuit Court judge, Deputy Public Defender Karen Tooko Nakasone tomorrow.
TAX FORUM: Chaminade University and the Chaminade University Educational Foundation will sponsor their 8th annual non-profit organization tax forum on Friday, September 30 at the Pagoda Hotel. For information, contact Lori Lee at 946-2966 X130.
GOOD NEWS FOR THE U.S.: The latest Commerce Department data show consumer spending up, personal income up (ever so slightly) but savings are down. Other data expected out tomorrow. The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) will give its Hawaii forecast Friday morning.
NEW SBH MEDICAL BENEFIT PLAN STARTS TOMORROW: The SBH/HMAA new medical plan becomes effective tomorrow. Especially tailored for sole proprietors and independent contractors. Want details to see of this plan is good for you? Contact Darlyn at SBH, 396-1724 or link to: http://smartbusinesshawaii.com/images/uploads/SBH_Plan_Sch_of_Benefits.pdf
HONORING HAWAII’S BUSINESS ALL STARS: The remodeled Waialae Country Club has reopened. It is beautiful!
Want to see the Waialae CC? Reserve now for the 4th annual Small Business Hawaii Entrepreneurial Education Foundation Awards Banquet, Friday, September 16, 5:30-8:30 pm.
SBH will honor Joe Nicolai, founder of JN Automotive Group, with its highest award, the SBH Lex Brodie Business Person of the Year award. Other prominent members of the community also will be presented with awards during the September 16 SBH awards dinner, including: Win Schoneman, owner of Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts, Tyler Roukema, owner of the Outback Steakhouse in Hawaii Kai, Hawaii Reporter's chief investigative reporter Jim Dooley, who will receive the SBH George Mason Outstanding Reporting award and Glenn Muranaka of Meadow Gold Dairies.
Other SBH members will be recognized for their accomplishments by being named "SBH Success All Stars:”
They include Marissa Capelouto of Oahu Express, Inc., Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser of Mikilua Poultry Farm and Joe Teipel of Auction Action.
To attend the SBH Foundation dinner, contact Darlyn Evangelista at 396-1724 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Tickets are $100; $50 is tax deductible; The event includes a buffet dinner at the Waialae Country Club, entertainment,
and a silent auction.
NEXT SBH SUNRISE: MacMouse Club computer sales owner Michael Palcic, a member of the State Reapportionment Commission Advisory Council, will be the speaker at the next SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast, Thursday, September 29, from 7 – 8:30 am in the Pineapple Room, Macy’s Ala Moana Center. Mike will discuss, “Reapportionment’s Impact on Your Business.”
The public is welcome to the SBH Sunrise. Advance reservations are required.
Call Darlyn at SBH 396-1724 for reservations or download the attached reservations form. You may also register on line go to: http://smartbusinesshawaii.com/index.php/events/rsvp
SBH members and their guests pay $25 (in advance) for the networking, the program, a complete buffet breakfast and free parking.
The cost is $35 at the door if space is available. Members can bring promotional materials for our table display.
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.
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, 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.
Have a happy Labor Day this weekend and remember all of us who work, and create jobs, not just compulsory union leaders, are workers too. We can all celebrate together. And help those in our community and nation who do not have a job.
Aloha,
Sam