SBH News + Views October 27
SBH was chastised in 2006 for having the audacity to sponsor a Statehood Day celebration at Iolani Palace (the original site where Statehood was proclaimed in 1959). We were told that was an affront to certain Native Hawaiians who considered the Palace theirs alone. Apparently, it is ok to host a Democrat rally at Iolani Palace because that is what is happening there today at 4 pm. Auwe!
Congratulations to Colonel Frank Tate, the new Commander of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade-"Wings of Lightning"-who took over for Colonel Mike Lundy, October 21 at an Army Change of Command ceremony at Schofield Barracks.
Good news, bad news: Bank of Hawaii reported a net income increase of nearly 21% for the 3rd quarter ended September 30. However, Bankoh also reported that its loan portfolio fell 10.4% and revenues and stock value also declined during the period, according to new CEO Peter Ho.
Richard Wacker is the new president and CEO of American Savings Bank, succeeding Timothy Schools. Wacker was the former head of the Korea Exchange Bank. American Savings Bank is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric industries, inc.
A national survey of troubled state retirement systems lists Hawaii's underfunded ERS as 5th worst in the nation; a sobering thought for Hawaii's already over-burdened taxpayers who ultimately may be on the hook for Hawaii public workers.
Ted Peck, the state's "energy czar," will discuss "Hawaii's Energy: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," at the monthly SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast, tomorrow, Thursday, October 28, 7 - 8:30 am, Pineapple Room, Macy's Ala Moana. Call Darlyn for reservations, 396-1724.
One more week to go until the national and state elections. (Thank goodness!). Most people are burned out from the over abundance of "debates," daily avalanche of political mail, and the nasty personal attacks. There will be cheers, jeers and gnashing of teeth next Tuesday night. Be sure you vote because every vote counts. Reportedly more than a third of you may have already used absentee ballots to vote early. The saddest people next Wednesday will be losing candidates, printers, the USPS and radio/tv ad departments.
Suggested Positions on State Con Con and Honolulu County Charter Amendments: Many people have written or called seeking guidance on the confusing 2 State Constitutional Amendments and 6 City & County of Honolulu proposed Charter amendments (there are also Neighbor Island proposed changes).
You can view my suggestions to the proposals at the following link:
Suggested Positions on State Constitution and City & County of Honolulu Charter Amendments
Voting tip: To find out what district you are voting in, and to get a copy of the ballot you will be using to vote, go to the Polling Place locator on the Hawaii Office of Elections Web site. Then go to the bottom of the left-hand column and enter your first and last name and date of birth and hit search. More questions on these ballot issues? Call me at 396-1724.
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has the highest-rated Medicare and Medicaid plan in the state, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) 2010-11 Health Insurance Plan Rankings - Medicare/Medicaid. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii's commercial plan received top Hawaii ranking, earlier this year. All three plans are also accredited with NCQA's highest quality rating.
You are invited to to celebrate the 7th Annual Anniversary of U.S. VETS - Hawaii. Please come and enjoy a great night of live music, dinner, and dancing on October 29, 2010 from 1600-2200 hrs at their Kalaeloa site. For more information, contact: Daylyn Rapisora, Program Assistant, US VETS Hawaii, United States Veteran Initiative .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or phone: 808.682.9000.
The best way that government can help foster a healthy business climate is to ease regulations and reduce the cost of fees and taxes. While more can be done, especially with regard to taxes, there has been much progress over the course of the Lingle-Aiona Administration.
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) has made it more convenient, affordable, and easier to do business in Hawaii by initiating or improving operations in a number of key areas. The Business Registration Division has greatly expanded online services, including implementation in 2004 of Hawaii Business Express (HBE), a one-stop, web-based business information service. This resource saves new businesses, especially those on the neighbor islands, time, effort and money by enabling them to register with the appropriate government agencies (DCCA, Department of Taxation, Department of Labor and the IRS) in one online transaction, without having to stand in line or mail in paperwork.
Since HBE started up, more than 70,000 people have made use of its services, forming more than 19,000 new companies in Hawaii. In 2009, DCCA initiated "Go Green" business registration filing protocols, eliminating the distribution of paper annual filings, saving $24,000 in postage and 560 pounds of paper per year. Online license renewals continue to grow every year. This year, for example, of the 9,512 contractors who renewed by the September 30th deadline, 75% renewed online. This compares to a 59% online renewal rate at the last biennial renewal in 2008 and a 25% online renewal rate in 2006.
In April, over 97% of all architects, land surveyors, and professional engineers renewed online while 94% of electrologists, mortgage brokers and solicitors, occupational therapists, physical therapists and real estate brokers and salespersons renewed online in 2008. DCCA has reduced fees and assessments affecting businesses by approximately $50 million since January 1, 2003.
Need help with your business? Just starting a business? Call me personally for help at 808-396-1724 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) . Smart Business Hawaii Means Business and we're here to help you.