Following the lead of our Governor, Cabinet, Legislators and barrister David Schutter, we too saluted "thumbs up" by going out of state, attending to business in Texas for two weeks. Would you believe, I was the Governor's secret negotiator with the Texas Prison System administrators to get Hawaii lawbreakers sent there to "save money here?" Negotiations broke down when the Texas authorities refused to substitute poi for tacos in the menu and refused to take our politicians along with murderers, rapists, arsonists; they said they have higher standards than that. SBH supports keeping the prisoners and the revenue here (why send $5 million to Texas or anywhere else?) but PRIVATIZING here (as they do in Texas).

By the way, the best kept secret here is a family membership in our own first class Waikiki Aquarium. For the $45 spent locally, not only do you get to enjoy and support our facility, you are also entitled to reciprocal FREE family admission to zoos and natural attractions all across the country. (We took advantage of that in Waco, San Antonio and Dallas and it is wonderful). Sign up today!

The sudden resignation and departure of Paul Lister from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii in mid-October indicates continuing financial and organizational problems within the Chamber. The organization is attempting to change its image to that of a "small business" organization, while continuing to be financed and directed by big, dependent, government-connected businesses. SBH wants to work more closely with a staunchly free-market Chamber when it focuses its identity.

Save the Budget-Close or Sell the UH School of Law and Political Cronyism!

Boy, has there been arm-twisting for support of the faltering "Thumbs UP" PR campaign. Even Dan Inouye has been brought in to bolster the effort. Hooray for George Mason (once again) for his rational editorial regarding the folly of a top-down, image-only effort, in stark contrast to the propaganda supported prominently (and suprisingly) in Pacific Business News. The issue is not whether you are positive or negative or pro and con this media hype; the issue is whether those in government will be held accountable for what they have done to this business climate and the average family's standard of living, and whether we will actively change people and policies that have caused our economic distress. "Thumbs Up" provides a smokescreen by special interests to obscure the issue and reflects their hypocrisy in telling the rest of us to "buy locally' and stay home.

Honolulu's "anger management" class that resulted in a punching death by a former felon teaching the class, made major news across the airwaves: Limbaugh, Harvey and even Dr. Laura Schlesinger had a field day.

Hats off to Honolulu Airport manager Barry Fukunaga, who challenges the Federal Government's absurd, costly and ineffective "anti-terrorist" procedures at airports.

In 1991 the State, (at taxpayer expense) did a study on public employee morale. The Honolulu Advertiser, Common Cause, SBH and others requested the report and the Waihee folks said it was "confidential." SBH filed a request with the State Office of Information which ruled the report was "public" ‹ 4 years later‹ but did not release the report.

Hawaii's Democratic Grass Roots Caucus met last month and while the meeting was more participatory than ever before, under new Party Chair Richard Port, the 350-plus delegates listing their Œ96 Legislative wish list voted business reforms the 18th top priority. Puts everything in clearer perspective.

Have you noticed some grocery stores are giving smaller paper bags? The standard grocery bag is going the way of the toilet paper roll, paper towels, etc. Or maybe, its to make you think you're getting more groceries.

For November: observe Veterans' Day, "Rediscover Hawaii Kai" and remember, "Thanksgiving is...the bounty of the harvest, the beauty of the countryside, the remembrance of friends, the feeling of gratitude."

Small Business Hawaii
Hawaii Kai Corporate Plaza
6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., Suite 212
Honolulu, Hawaii 96825
Telephone: 396-1724 / Fax: 396-1726

SBH also accepts articles relating to small business issues about its members and Hawaii. Submit your articles to SBH by the 10th of the month for publication into the next month's issue.

E-Mail: macpro@lava.net / E-mail forwarded to SBH via local fax.

Small Business News is part of The Hawai`i NewsList family of internet features. It can be delivered directly to your e-mail address. Send a subscription request to listproc@hawaii.edu, with the text "SUBSCRIBE HI-NEWS-L Firstname Lastname" in the body of the message. You will receive a number of Hawaii based publications along with your Small Business News e-mail subscription.

Editor & Publisher: Sam Slom
Web page produced by Melvin Ah Ching Productions. Copyright 1995.
Web server: H4, Hawai`i's Data SuperHighway

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