Aloha Members,
We announced at our April 30, 2009 meeting that the permit to finish the Telephone Exchange Building (TEB) project is ready to be issued. We are excited that we can now move this much-anticipated project forward to create a home for the Chamber as well as a visitor center for the North Shore. The board of directors wants to move this project along as quickly as possible and we expect that it will take significant efforts from us over the next several months.
In order to focus on the completion of the TEB we decided to cancel the Installation dinner, tentatively scheduled for the beginning of June. Once we are at or near completion, we are planning to have a blessing of the Chamber’s new home and welcome all of you to celebrate your efforts to save a Haleiwa landmark. We are excited about putting the building to many more years of service to the community and historic Haleiwa.
Many members have been very generous with their support in purchasing corporate sponsorships and bricks honoring their friends and family. Thank you very much. However, we need to raise more money and would really appreciate your support to help complete the TEB project by purchasing a brick or corporate sponsorship if you have not done so already. Please fill out the attached form and mail it in with your donation.
In regards to the bricks that have already been ordered, the landscaping and walkway will be the last items to be constructed. We will work as fast as we can to get the project completed so that you may come and admire your brick(s)!
Mahalo,
Antya
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Testimony Needed to Address Assault on Business!
Aloha Members,
Please see the email from Sherry below and click on the link to send testimony. We need to redouble our efforts in stopping this "assault on business." See Star Bulletin's editorial calling this legislation that:
http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/Legislators_should_stop_their_assault_on_Hawaii_business.html
I know you're busy, but providing testimony to stop this assault is very much more important in the long-run than are the fires you're putting out today.
Mahalo,
Antya
The following bills have been scheduled for hearing and decision-making for Thursday, April 2:
SB 62 - Workers' Compensation: Independent Medical Examination
(Hearing Notice)
HB 952 - Card Check (Decision-making)
(Hearing Notice)
For SB 62, please submit testimony. For HB 952, we are asking our members to contact their senators rather than submitting comments.
Please feel free to use http://www.cocaction.com/mx/hm.asp?id=LAC to submit testimony and letters.
Thank you for your support.
Sherry R. Menor-McNamara
Vice President, Business Advocacy & Gov't. Affairs
Please see the email from Sherry below and click on the link to send testimony. We need to redouble our efforts in stopping this "assault on business." See Star Bulletin's editorial calling this legislation that:
http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/Legislators_should_stop_their_assault_on_Hawaii_business.html
I know you're busy, but providing testimony to stop this assault is very much more important in the long-run than are the fires you're putting out today.
Mahalo,
Antya
The following bills have been scheduled for hearing and decision-making for Thursday, April 2:
SB 62 - Workers' Compensation: Independent Medical Examination
(Hearing Notice)
HB 952 - Card Check (Decision-making)
(Hearing Notice)
For SB 62, please submit testimony. For HB 952, we are asking our members to contact their senators rather than submitting comments.
Please feel free to use http://www.cocaction.com/mx/hm.asp?id=LAC to submit testimony and letters.
Thank you for your support.
Sherry R. Menor-McNamara
Vice President, Business Advocacy & Gov't. Affairs
Friday, March 27, 2009
Department of the Interior Business Opportunities Conference
The most important conference helping businesses take advantage of exciting opportunities
in the U.S. territories and in nations in "free association" with the United States, is back in Honolulu!
REGISTER TODAY!
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s
Fifth Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands
April 6-8 2009
Sheraton Waikiki
Among the Featured Speakers
Lee Webber, President and Publisher, Honolulu Advertiser, and Chamber Board Member
Dr. Richard Kelley, Chairman of the Board, Outrigger Enterprises
The agenda is set,
Lt. General Wallace "Chip" Gregson, USMC (Ret)., Former Commander, Marine Forces Pacific,
Dr. Stephen Schneider of Stanford University, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Al Gore and a team of climatologists in 2007.
Also Confirmed
President Manny Mori of the Federated States of Micronesia ,
President Litokwa Tomeing of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Governor Felix Camacho of Guam
Governor Benigno Fitial of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Governor Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa
Our agenda will also feature David Bice, Director of the Joint Guam Program Office; Tony Neil, Director of the Pacific Power Association; and Theodore Peck, Energy Administrator, Strategic Industries Division, Hawai’i DBEDT. We also expect U.S. Congressional representatives, senior U.S. military officials, and hundreds of business people from the insular areas, the freely associated states, the United States mainland, and around the Pacific Rim.
This year's agenda will feature discussions of opportunities across three major areas:
* Renewable Energy: Increasing energy efficiency and decreasing dependence on expensive imported oil represent major business opportunities. For the first time, a full track of four breakout sessions will be devoted to these projects. Over $45 billion was appropriated nationwide as part of the recent stimulus legislation for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
* Large-scale public infrastructure work, especially construction projects associated with the military construction on Guam: As part of the historic realignment of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, 8,000 Marines will be relocated from Okinawa to Guam. This will require over US$14 billion in new construction and procurement for infrastructure, as well as services to support the enlarged base. Construction is slated to begin in 2010.
* Tourism of all kinds: These areas are among the most pristine and beautiful islands in the Pacific, if not the world. They offer a wealth of opportunities for small and large-scale hotel/resort development aimed at a wide range of clientele. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is helping plan the tourism track at the conference with the goal of increasing tourism opportunities on the islands and attracting more visitors.
On-line registration is open at www.IslandBusinessOpportunities.com
The conference will also include evening receptions, networking events and, most importantly, prearranged one-on-one meetings, offering participants an opportunity to meet directly to discuss joint ventures. For more information or to register, go to www.IslandBusinessOpportunities.com. For any questions, please contact Angie Williams at Angela_Williams@ios.doi.gov or at (202) 208-3003.
in the U.S. territories and in nations in "free association" with the United States, is back in Honolulu!
REGISTER TODAY!
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s
Fifth Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands
April 6-8 2009
Sheraton Waikiki
Among the Featured Speakers
Lee Webber, President and Publisher, Honolulu Advertiser, and Chamber Board Member
Dr. Richard Kelley, Chairman of the Board, Outrigger Enterprises
The agenda is set,
Lt. General Wallace "Chip" Gregson, USMC (Ret)., Former Commander, Marine Forces Pacific,
Dr. Stephen Schneider of Stanford University, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Al Gore and a team of climatologists in 2007.
Also Confirmed
President Manny Mori of the Federated States of Micronesia ,
President Litokwa Tomeing of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Governor Felix Camacho of Guam
Governor Benigno Fitial of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Governor Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa
Our agenda will also feature David Bice, Director of the Joint Guam Program Office; Tony Neil, Director of the Pacific Power Association; and Theodore Peck, Energy Administrator, Strategic Industries Division, Hawai’i DBEDT. We also expect U.S. Congressional representatives, senior U.S. military officials, and hundreds of business people from the insular areas, the freely associated states, the United States mainland, and around the Pacific Rim.
This year's agenda will feature discussions of opportunities across three major areas:
* Renewable Energy: Increasing energy efficiency and decreasing dependence on expensive imported oil represent major business opportunities. For the first time, a full track of four breakout sessions will be devoted to these projects. Over $45 billion was appropriated nationwide as part of the recent stimulus legislation for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
* Large-scale public infrastructure work, especially construction projects associated with the military construction on Guam: As part of the historic realignment of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, 8,000 Marines will be relocated from Okinawa to Guam. This will require over US$14 billion in new construction and procurement for infrastructure, as well as services to support the enlarged base. Construction is slated to begin in 2010.
* Tourism of all kinds: These areas are among the most pristine and beautiful islands in the Pacific, if not the world. They offer a wealth of opportunities for small and large-scale hotel/resort development aimed at a wide range of clientele. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is helping plan the tourism track at the conference with the goal of increasing tourism opportunities on the islands and attracting more visitors.
On-line registration is open at www.IslandBusinessOpportunities.com
The conference will also include evening receptions, networking events and, most importantly, prearranged one-on-one meetings, offering participants an opportunity to meet directly to discuss joint ventures. For more information or to register, go to www.IslandBusinessOpportunities.com. For any questions, please contact Angie Williams at Angela_Williams@ios.doi.gov or at (202) 208-3003.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Membership Meeting
Aloha Members,
Our next membership meeting will be this coming Thursday, March 26, 2009 at Waimea Valley.
Our guest speaker will be Sherry Menor-McNamara, Vice President for Business Advocacy & Government Affairs at the main Chamber. She will be reviewing the legislative process and current bills in the legislature that will affect business. This is really important. As you know the Card Check bill is back again this year and could really hurt small business. Come and get informed!
A continental breakfast will be served by Waimea Valley Grill: $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers.
Thank you to our sponsor Chet Naylor of Shark’s Cove Grill for this meeting.
Mahalo,
Antya
Our next membership meeting will be this coming Thursday, March 26, 2009 at Waimea Valley.
Our guest speaker will be Sherry Menor-McNamara, Vice President for Business Advocacy & Government Affairs at the main Chamber. She will be reviewing the legislative process and current bills in the legislature that will affect business. This is really important. As you know the Card Check bill is back again this year and could really hurt small business. Come and get informed!
A continental breakfast will be served by Waimea Valley Grill: $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers.Thank you to our sponsor Chet Naylor of Shark’s Cove Grill for this meeting.
Mahalo,
Antya
Friday, February 27, 2009
Work Comp Bills Hearing on Tuesday
Aloha!
The House Labor Committee has already scheduled two workers' compensation bills that crossed over from the Senate. These bills are moving fast! If they pass the Labor Committee and the Finance Committee schedules them right away, the bills could be sent up to the Governor's office during session, meaning if the Governor vetoes the bills, the Legislature could still override the bills during session. The bills are:
SB 62 Workers' Comp (IME)
SB 695 Workers' Comp (Uninterrupted Medical Treatment)
These bills will be heard on Tuesday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 309. Please encourage your members to submit testimony. Please feel free to use the Legislative Action Center website (http://www.cocaction.com/mx/hm.asp?id=LAC), which will enable your members to submit testimony instantly.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your support.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
State Legislature is Increasing Taxes!
Dear Businesses and Members: I am forwarding main Chamber's email alert for your action.
"Hello all, Just wanted to give you a heads up on two tax-related bills scheduled for hearing on Thursday at 3 p.m. in the House Finance Committee. HB 1742 is a bill that will repeal certain general excise and use tax excise exemptions and exclusions. It also reduces the tax rate on sales to the final consumer from 4% to 3.5%. The bill would impose GET on wages, which are currently exempt. This would be imposed on gross wages, without any offset for deductions. It would therefore amount to the equivalent of a huge income tax increase.
My guess is that the tax burden of the imposition of GET on wages would be greater than the benefit of a reduced rate on retail purchases. Moreover, this increased tax burden would fall entirely on Hawaii residents, while visitors would just enjoy the benefit of the lower GET on retail purchases. Many of our organizations as well will be affected because this bill will remove the GET exemption from non-profit organizations.
Additionally, the bill eliminates the exemptions for non-profit hospitals, cemeteries, sale of prescription drugs and many other exemptions. Real property sales and sales of stocks and other securities which are now exempt, would become taxable for any business entity or individual engaged in a trade or business.
Finally this bill will impose the GET on export sales. HB 1548 is an omnibus tax bill to provide tax equity and stimulate the economy by increasing general excise tax rates, reducing the income tax rate and establishing a hotel and renovation tax credit. This bill increases the GE Tax by ½ %. We will not support the bill, however we will note that if it passes, then we will provide input as to what would be workable and fair.
I do not have a sample testimony to provide you as I am currently working on it, but if you can, please submit testimony regardless if it's a short letter. Here is a link to the hearing notice for HB 1742: http://capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/hearingnotices/HEARING_FIN_02-26-09_6_.HTM and HB 1548: http://capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/hearingnotices/HEARING_FIN_02-26-09_4_.HTM.
Thanks.
Sherry R. Menor-McNamara
Vice President, Business Advocacy & Gov't. Affairs
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 402
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Ph. 808-545-4300 x 394
www.cochawaii.org
Fax 808-545-4369
smenor@cochawaii.org
The Voice of Business in Hawaii
"Hello all, Just wanted to give you a heads up on two tax-related bills scheduled for hearing on Thursday at 3 p.m. in the House Finance Committee. HB 1742 is a bill that will repeal certain general excise and use tax excise exemptions and exclusions. It also reduces the tax rate on sales to the final consumer from 4% to 3.5%. The bill would impose GET on wages, which are currently exempt. This would be imposed on gross wages, without any offset for deductions. It would therefore amount to the equivalent of a huge income tax increase.
My guess is that the tax burden of the imposition of GET on wages would be greater than the benefit of a reduced rate on retail purchases. Moreover, this increased tax burden would fall entirely on Hawaii residents, while visitors would just enjoy the benefit of the lower GET on retail purchases. Many of our organizations as well will be affected because this bill will remove the GET exemption from non-profit organizations.
Additionally, the bill eliminates the exemptions for non-profit hospitals, cemeteries, sale of prescription drugs and many other exemptions. Real property sales and sales of stocks and other securities which are now exempt, would become taxable for any business entity or individual engaged in a trade or business.
Finally this bill will impose the GET on export sales. HB 1548 is an omnibus tax bill to provide tax equity and stimulate the economy by increasing general excise tax rates, reducing the income tax rate and establishing a hotel and renovation tax credit. This bill increases the GE Tax by ½ %. We will not support the bill, however we will note that if it passes, then we will provide input as to what would be workable and fair.
I do not have a sample testimony to provide you as I am currently working on it, but if you can, please submit testimony regardless if it's a short letter. Here is a link to the hearing notice for HB 1742: http://capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/hearingnotices/HEARING_FIN_02-26-09_6_.HTM and HB 1548: http://capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/hearingnotices/HEARING_FIN_02-26-09_4_.HTM.
Thanks.
Sherry R. Menor-McNamara
Vice President, Business Advocacy & Gov't. Affairs
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 402
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Ph. 808-545-4300 x 394
www.cochawaii.org
Fax 808-545-4369
smenor@cochawaii.org
The Voice of Business in Hawaii
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Siren test
Aloha Members,
We need “spotters” (actually “listeners”) to help determine where the new localized sirens can be heard. The Dept of Emergency Mgmt is setting up a warning system that can be given to localized regions, as opposed to the whole island. This will help if Waialua and Haleiwa need to be warned about flooding or Wilson Dam breaking.
Please complete and send the form back to Alenka for Thursday morning’s test. If the dam were to break, it is predicted that both Haleiwa and Waialua would be severely compromised/ damaged.
Mahalo,
Antya
We need “spotters” (actually “listeners”) to help determine where the new localized sirens can be heard. The Dept of Emergency Mgmt is setting up a warning system that can be given to localized regions, as opposed to the whole island. This will help if Waialua and Haleiwa need to be warned about flooding or Wilson Dam breaking.
Please complete and send the form back to Alenka for Thursday morning’s test. If the dam were to break, it is predicted that both Haleiwa and Waialua would be severely compromised/ damaged.
Mahalo,
Antya
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
