California Container Tax is Back

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii - The Voice of Business in Hawaii, is actively asking for businesses in Hawaii to call upon Governor Lingle to ask Governor Swartzenegger not to pass the California Container Tax bill.

Last year, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii advocated against a bill that was going through the California State Legislature. SB 974, also known as the California Container Tax bill, imposed a $30 fee on each 20 ft. equivalent unit. This came out to approximately $68 million in additional costs on consumers in Hawaii.

At the last minute, the author of the bill, Senator Lowenthal shelved the bill. We were recently informed that the bill has been removed from the inactive list Because the bill has gone through the process with unanimous support, the bill will soon go for a full Assembly vote. If passed, the bill will be sent to the Governor, who has indicated that he intends to sign the bill into law.

The estimated $68 million, however, is in addition to other fees that have already been approved and will take effect beginning in October and onward. So, Hawaii could face over $100 million in additional fees to ship goods to and from our state.

Please see the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii website for more information.

USDA Solar Grant presentation

Dear Members an Friends,
This is an announcement pertaining to a grant program for renewable energy
systems (including solar). If you are interested in converting your
business to solar, this informational session may be helpful to you. The
meeting at the Haleiwa Gym is Wednesday the 20th at 7 pm in Cottage #2.

Mahalo,
Antya

Tim Oconnell of the USDA Rural Development Hilo Office Will be presenting an informational talk on the upcoming USDA Rural Development Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Guaranteed Loan and Grant Program.Topics will include eligibility requirements, project parameters, and tips for submitting a successful application. The session is interactive and questions are encouraged.

USDA Rural Development
Federal Building, Rm. 311
154 Waianuenue Ave.
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 933-8313
tim.oconnell@hi.usda.gov

Dave Matthews joins Jack Johnson at the fifth annual Kokua Festival

Hawaii's own Jack Johnson is proud to share the stage with Dave Matthews at the Fifth Annual Kokua Festival on Earth Day weekend – April 19th and 20th, 2008 – at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, Hawaii. For his first Hawaii appearance ever, Dave Matthews will be performing an acoustic set with guitar master Tim Reynolds. The festival's incredible music line-up will be rounded out with local island favorites Paula Fuga and Go Jimmy Go, and Brushfire Records' latest addition, the Hawaii-born, Minneapolis-based Mason Jennings.

North Shore Membership Meeting - January 2008

Photos from our January 31st membership meeting. Dr. Watson is one of the consultants for the Disaster Preparedness State Grant in Aid; Ray Lovell and Dave Curtis are from the State Civil Defense; Candice is from Muscular Dystrophy Association of Hawaii; and Katie Pere and Kim Johnson from Kokua Hawaii Foundation and Plastic Free Haleiwa.