Consider the Chamber for Year End Giving

As the year comes to a close, I'd like to challenge you to donate for a brick if you have not done so already for the "Bucks for Bricks" program.  We are very close to reaching our goal of having a minimum of 100 bricks to order the second shipment of bricks for the walkway leading to the Chamber building.  Our goal is to accomplish this by the year end.  We only need about another 10 bricks besides those already pledged, so if you have been putting it off, now is your chance!

Your donation will help us finish paying off the building and get the second shipment completed. 
I've attached the order form and you can either mail it in with your donation of $100 or fax the form and pay through PayPal on the website: http://www.gonorthshore.org/donate.htm
We have accomplished much this year due to you, our members.  We still hear, almost daily, what a nice visitor center we have and some exclaim that it's the nicest they've ever been in.  Residents love it also.  It reminds them of days past - of a time that they remember fondly. 

We thank you for your support!   Have a Merry Christmas and safe, joyous holiday.

Aloha and Mahalo,
Antya

Auction Donations for Christmas Party

Aloha Members,

The Christmas Party/Auction is quickly approching.  Just a reminder that we need donations for our one fundraiser of the year.  A donation form should have been dropped off at your business, but if not I've attached one for your convenience.

Please complete it if you wish to donate this year and fax back to 637-4556.  We will  then  arrange to pick up the donation. We are also open 1 to 5 PM Monday thru Friday except Thanksgiving Day if you wish to drop off your donation.

Mahalo for your support!

Antya

Report on the Poll of Senate District 22

By Laura Figueira

Linda Figueira

It is hard to recall a more intense campaign season than the recent 2010 elections. Now that all of the hype is over, the real work begins and our attention should remain focused on results. Plans for the upcoming 2011 session of the State Legislature are already underway and, as promised in the last issue of the North Shore News, I would like to share the results of a recent survey of voter opinions in the 22nd Senatorial District. Conducted in late October, the random sample of 300 residents has a margin of error of 5.6%.

When asked if the government should sponsor a “safe haven” camp site for homeless people in Wahiawa and the North Shore, 64% indicated support for the idea. This issue will continue to demand the attention of our policymakers and innovative solutions appear to have public support.

On the question of the realignment of Kamehameha Highway at Laniakea, 74% of residents
support open space between the highway and the ocean. The Department of Transportation has
already signed a contract with the consultant for this project and a community outreach effort
should begin soon. On a broader transportation issue, the community is evenly split on the rail
transit line from East Kapolei to Ala Moana. The response to the rail question was nearly identical
to the follow-up question that asked if people commute outside of the area for work or school. Of
the 49% who said they commute each day, 92% use their cars.

Another question that appears to be evenly divided in the community is the issue of shark tours. When asked if they felt the tours out of Haleiwa Harbor pose a legitimate safety risk to other ocean activities, 51% of residents said yes while 49% of people questioned do not feel there is a real safety concern. Of this group, 72% think the tours help to stimulate the local economy and should be allowed to continue to operate out of the harbor.

Another issue that has generated controversy in the community is a local developer’s proposal to construct a two-story replica of the historic Haleiwa Hotel. 58% of residents in the District indicated support for the proposal while 42% expressed opposition. Continued public discussion of the proposal seems entirely appropriate.

On the subject of providing protection for the sand dunes at Kaena Point by restricting private vehicles to a single designated roadway with branches for beach access, 79% of residents support the proposal. When asked about how the economy should grow in the Wahiawa-North Shore area, agriculture received 84% of the responses, followed by small business at 75%, aquaculture at 73% and tourism at 52%.

There were two questions that will have an impact beyond the district and will probably surface
during the upcoming Legislative session. On the subject of a possible increase in the general
excise tax to balance the budget, 37% indicated support while 63% were opposed. On the question
of civil unions, 52% of residents support the civil unions bill and 46% were opposed, leaving 2%
who were undecided or refused to answer.

Hopefully, the community response to this survey will help legislators and community leaders
make important decisions affecting the future of our district. It may also inspire you to get
involved to make sure your opinion is counted. You can find a more detailed report on the survey
on the North Shore Chamber of Commerce website at www.gonorthshore.org. Aloha & Mahalo.

Senate District 22
Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Whitmore Village,
Schofield, Kunia, Mokuleia, Waialua, Haleiwa, Pupukea, & Sunset Beach

Christmas Party Reservation Deadline is Next Friday; Parade Applications Available Now

Aloha Members,

The deadline for reservations for the Christmas Party honoring William "Bill" Paty is next Friday the 19th.  I've attached the invitation and RSVP card for your convenience if you don't have the one we mailed.  We are excited that Governor Lingle will be attending to honor Mr. Paty as well!   We hope you'll be able to come to this wonderful event!

We are seeking items for our annual auction held at this event.  A volunteer will be calling on you, if one has not done so already, to speak with you about a donation.

Also, the Christmas Parade is now in the planning stages.  Applications can be found on our website soon.  This will be the 10th anniversary of the Christmas Parade celebrating the Chamber's 25 years of serving the community! 

We hope that you will help celebrate this special time of year with us. 
Please call me if you have any questions.

Mahalo,
Antya

Membership Meeting Wednesday October 27th 8AM Haleiwa Joe's

Aloha Members,

Just a reminder that we will be having a meeting Wednesday the 27th 8AM at Haleiwa Joe's.  A continental breakfast will be served for $5.  Andy Anderson will be the key note speaker presenting his conceptual plan for a replica Haleiwa Hotel adjacent to Jameson's restaurant.  Sign-in and networking are from 8:00 to 8:30a.m.  Meetings usually end around 10:00AM.  A continental breakfast will be served and is $5. 

This meeting will be a members only meeting to ensure there is adequate seating and because we think our members have a right to hear the proposal and ask questions in a calm, civil atmosphere.
Call 637-4558 for more information.  RSVP by October 24th if you plan to attend so that we can give Joe an accurate headcount and ensure there is enough food.   

Mahalo,
Antya

Proposed Haleiwa Hotel Project

Dear North Shore Chamber Members and Friends,

We are inviting you to see a presentation of the proposed replica Haleiwa  Hotel (see attached conceptual rendering) at the North Shore Neighborhood Board meeting next Tuesday.   Andy Anderson and his designer/architect Joesph Lancor will be presenting the project concept.

When: Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010
Where: Alii Beach Park 's Surf Center
Time: 7pm

The boutique hotel will be 80 units in all and comply with the North Shore Sustainable Community Plan, the Haleiwa Town Plan and the Haleiwa Special District.  See link to article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39320535

The North Shore Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors voted "to support the project in concept as presented by Andy Anderson and his architect."

If you have any questions, please call me at 637-4558.

Mahalo,
Antya

Chamber Seeks Volunteers

Alice Rogers, Volunteer

Are you interested in spending a couple of hours each week staffing the Visitor Center at our new building or helping with our special events?  If you're available for a shift lasting at least two hours weekly, we'd appreciate hearing from you. Training will be provided.  Interest in the history of the area is very helpful.  Stop by our new office across from the Haleiwa Post Office or give us a
call at 637-4558. 

Refer to the Volunteer Application.

New North Shore Chamber of Commerce map distributed beginning August 27th

The new North Shore Chamber of Commerce map #7 was released August 27. Anyone who would like maps for distribution should contact Darlani Young at (808) 638-8011 or send an email to hmslnd@yahoo.com.  Eight new hotel distribution sites have been added.  They are: Hotel Renew, Park Shore Hotel, New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, Trump International Hotel, Hawaii Prince Hotel, Waikiki Park Hotel, and Ocean Resort Hotel.

Deadlines to submit advertisement and information for the next map, #8, will be January 11, 2011.

HTA Focus - Brand Management and Enhancement of Visitor Experience

Mike McCartney, Chief Executive Officer of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), was the keynote speaker at the August North Shore Chamber  membership meeting. The HTA Board of Directors has 12 members.  The Governor appoints six, Senate President three and Speaker of House three.  The board sets policy for marketing Hawaii, and HTA is funded through the  7.25%  Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT).

Mr. McCartney reviewed recent statistics which are available on the HTA website at: http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org. Hawaii had 7 million visitors at the height of the visitor industry in 2005.  Now the target is 6.7 million.  There has been a decrease of 22% in visitor spending, and, according to Mr. McCartney, it won't ever be the same as it was before.  However, Hawaii is doing well.  We have the second highest room rates and income per room second only to New York. The average visitor spends $161 per day with Japanese spending $260 and Americans $130.

Mr. McCartney said that we will need to focus on brand management.  People want to experience the culture and people of Hawaii when they come here.  They want to experience the aloha spirit.  Therefore, a large part of the  new HTA strategy is to develop the brand and support communities to make the visitor experience authentic and interesting. 

Business After Hours Set for Thursday September 30th

Susan Matsushima (center) & Ed D'Ascoli (right),
admire new walkway.

The next Business After Hours sponsored by the North Shore Chamber of Commerce will be 6 p.m. Thursday, September 30th at the new chamber office and visitor center  across from the Haleiwa Post Office.  This is an opportunity to network , see old friends, and experience how our community effort has transformed the  historic  Mutual Telephone Company Building into our beautiful new home. 

Festivities include pupus, drinks, and door prizes.  (Bring your business card.)  Cost is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers.  Become a member at the event, and your entrance fee is waived!

Sunset Homes' owner going ahead with North Shore project

Juliana Simone, owner of Sunset Homes, is moving ahead with plans to develop Anahulu Centre, a three-story commercial building along Kamehameha Highway on Oahu’s North Shore.
The Haleiwa landowner bought the 7,299-square-foot lot at 66-030 Kamehameha Highway seven years ago to build the Anahulu Centre. The parcel is behind an existing single-story building that houses her real estate firm.

The tiny structure was built in 1932 and once was the site of a First Hawaiian Bank branch

Read more at Pacific Business News

Bucks for Bricks

If you haven't taken advantage of this opportunity yet, we hope that you, your family and/or friends, will want to be a part of something special that will last a lifetime by purchasing special bricks.  We are continuing to gather donations for these bricks, which will be used to make a walkway from the parking lot to the front door of our new office, formerly the historic  Mutual Telephone  Company Building.  The funds will be used for paying off the building renovation, maintenance of the building, and for programs of the Chamber.

The bricks, which cost $100 each, are 4"x 8"x 2 ¼ and are engraved using state of the art laser technology. In addition, we offer you the opportunity to purchase a miniature replica of the original for $15 which may be used as a paperweight, remembrance, or just as an every day reminder!  Logos are $75.

Corporate Sponsors may buy four, 8" X 8" bricks, which can include a company logo for $2500. There will only be 14 corporate sponsorships sold for the walkway.  The four 8x8's will be placed together to form a larger image.  Click here for donation form: Bucks for Bricks

New North Shore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

NORTH SHORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2010-2011

Susan Matsushima
Chair
Alluvion

Bill Martin
Vice Chair & Membership Chair
Island X Hawaii

Carolyne Lazar
Recording Secretary
Visitor Center Chair
Coffee Gallery

Marianne Abrigo
Corresponding Secretary
Marianne Abrigo Properties

Susan Lau
Treasurer
First Hawaiian Bank

Josh Heimowitz
Past Chair
YMCA Camp Erdman

Bob Boyle
Events
Turtle Bay Resort

Karen Campbell
Events
Waialua Soda Works

Ed D’Ascoli,
Ocean Recreation Chair
Xcel Wetsuits

Jane Duncan
Membership
Patagonia

Kalani Fronda
Haleiwa Main Street Program Chair
Kamehameha Schools

John E. Moore
Infrastructure Chair
Strong Current & Grass Skirt Grill

Chet Naylor
Fundraising Advisor
Waimea Falls Grill & Sharks Cove Grill

Paul Saccoccio
Legal Advisor
Saccoccio & Lopez

Will Schoettle
Public Relations Chair
Haleiwa Town Center

STAFF
Antya Miller, Executive Director
Wendy Wingate, Bookkeeper
Trish Coder, Photographer
August 4, 2010

Laura Figueira Appointed to fill Senator Bunda's Position

Aloha Members,

I am forwarding a press release from Gov. Lingle's office announcing Laura Figueira's appointment to fill Senate District 22's vacant position. Laura has been a member of the North Shore Chamber for many years and we would like to offer our congratulations on her appointment.

Mahalo,
Antya


GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS FIGUEIRA AND KOUCHI TO FILL O'AHU NORTH SHORE AND KAUA'I SENATE SEATS

HONOLULU - Governor Linda Lingle today appointed Laura Figueira to fill the vacant O'ahu North Shore Senate seat and Ronald Kouchi to fill the vacant Kaua'i Senate seat. They will serve on a temporary basis until new Senators are elected in the upcoming General Election and take the oath of office. The two vacancies were created by the resignation of Robert Bunda and Gary Hooser in July.

"I have known Laura and Ron for many years, and I look forward to working with them," Governor Lingle said. "I appreciate their willingness to represent their respective districts and serve our state on an interim basis," she added.

Laura Figueira

Figueira, who will represent Senate District 22 (Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Hale'iwa, Mokule'ia, North Shore), worked for former Senator Bunda for 14 years, including six years as chief of staff while Bunda was Senate President. She continued to serve as community liaison during Bunda's tenure as Senate President Emeritus. In addition to overseeing the administrative and legislative affairs of the office, she represented the former Senator at neighborhood board and community association meetings, as well as served as his delegate on various ad hoc committees. Although Bunda resigned on July 16, Figueira has remained on staff while the office has continued to serve the district.

Figueira previously worked as the district director of the Honolulu office of the late Congressman Cec Heftel, as well as for the state Departments of Health and Labor and Industrial Relations.

She is a member of the Sunset Beach Community Association and the North Shore Chamber of Commerce. She is a past president of the Hale'iwa Arts Festival; past president and current vice president of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i; and past president and current treasurer of the Hawai'i Council on Portuguese Heritage.

Figueira attended University of Hawai'i Hilo when it was a two-year school and transferred to the University of Hawai'i at Manoa where she graduated with a degree in psychology.

Ronald Kouchi

Kouchi, who will represent District 7 (Kaua'i and Ni'ihau), served for 22 years (11 terms) as a Kaua'i County Councilman, including 12 years as Council Chair. Currently, he is a registered representative of LPL Insurance Brokerage Company and is also the director of community relations for Showe Land and Marine LLC.

Kouchi was a member of the Legislative Committee of the Kaua'i Chamber of Commerce and previously served as a lobbyist for the County of Kaua'i at the Hawai'i State Legislature.

He is a former director of the Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative and the Kaua'i Visitors Bureau, served on the boards of the Kaua'i Veterans Memorial Hospital and YMCA, and chaired the Wilcox Health Foundation's capital campaign. He also worked as a legislative analyst for former Rep. Dennis Yamada in 1982. Kouchi attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Governor Lingle selected Figueira and Kouchi from two lists that were provided to her by the Democratic Party of Hawai'i. The Governor was required under a law passed by the Legislature in 2006 to select a replacement for each vacant seat from separate lists of three prospective candidates submitted by the same political party as the prior incumbent. The Democratic Party submitted the two lists of names to the Governor on August 16, 2010 and the Governor sought public comments on the individuals.

####


For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor - Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043

Membership Meeting August 25th, 8AM at Haleiwa Joe's - HTA Mike McCartney is Guest Speaker

Aloha Members,

Mike McCartney, CEO for Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), will be the key note speaker at the North Shore Chamber's Membership meeting on August 25th at Haleiwa Joe's, 8:00 am. He received his bachelor's degree from Pacific University in Oregon and has held many leadership positions in Hawaii. He joined the HTA early last year. He will speak on the "North Shore's Role in Tourism." Sign-in and networking are from 8:00 to 8:30a.m. A continental breakfast will be served: members $5, non-members $10. The public is invited. Call 637-4558 for more information. Please RSVP by August 23rd.

Also, mark your calendars! Candidate Forum for House, Senate, and City Council races will be held at the Haleiwa Gym on Wednesday September 8, 2010 at 7PM.

MAYORAL DEBATES at CHAMBER OF HAWAII:

When: August 10, 2010, 5:30pm - 8:30pm

The Plaza Club

Join the members of the Main Chamber for a lively discussion of the 2010 Mayoral Special Election. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the leading candidates and hear them debate issues impacting the business community in Hawaii.

Moderator: Bruce Coppa, President, Coppa Consulting, Inc.

Candidates: Kirk Caldwell, Peter Carlisle, and Panos Prevedouros

Cost: $30 per person (Heavy Pupus, Free parking, NO host bar) Includes Q&A and a Full Hour of Networking.

To register: http://cochawaii.com/event-registration.asp

For more information: http://cochawaii.com/

Mahalo,
Antya

Kahuku wind farm lands $117M loan guarantee

First Wind Holdings LLC has closed on a $117 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Energy Department to build a wind farm in Kahuku, the federal agency said yesterday.

The 30-megawatt project is being built by Kahuku Wind Power LLC, a unit of Newton, Mass.-based First Wind. The project is expected to create more than 200 jobs, the Department of Energy said in a news release.

The power will be sold to Hawaiian Electric Co., Oahu's only electric utility, under a 20-year contract. First Wind broke ground on the project this month and plans to complete it by early 2011.

More at the Star Advertiser

Last Chance to Sign Up for North Shore Map. Deadline Friday the 30th

Dear Members,

One of the benefits of being a member of the Chamber is that you get first priority in advertising in the Chamber's map. The 7th edition still has a few spots left, so if you've missed the opportunity before, sign up now! We will be printing 70,000 for this next issue. Call Sharon at 220-1382 or Antya at 637-4558 to sign up or if you have questions.

People who are planning a trip to Oahu or North Shore call us daily to get information and a map of the area. The map is what we send them along with rack cards geared toward their request. This is the only publication that we have as a Chamber to send to them. Other visitor publications do not have much information on the North Shore. The map is completely about and for the North Shore businesses.

In addition to the printed map, the North Shore map is on line giving you additional web presence. http://www.oahunorthshoremap.com/ Check it out.

Our new Visitor Center provides a centrally located, visible, and highly attractive place for visitors as well as residents from the whole state to get information about our North Shore businesses, events, history and more. This map is central to supporting you, our member businesses.

Speaking of the Visitor Center, if you have not already done so, please bring some of your rack cards to us so that we may display them for walk-ins. We also mail them out when visitors are planning their trip.

Lastly, please spread the word that we need volunteers to help staff the Visitor & Business Services Center. (We are providing printing, faxing and other services to anyone needing them). Retired neighbors and friends would be ideal. Of course, we would love to have you volunteer, but we know you're busy running your business. Please have potential volunteers contact me at the office.

Mahalo,
Antya

Oahu wind project selects contractor

RMT Inc., an energy and environmental company, has been selected by First Wind to construct its wind-energy facility near Kahuku on Oahu’s North Shore.

Read more: Oahu wind project selects contractor - Pacific Business News (Honolulu)

30-megawatt wind farm breaks ground in Kahuku hills

Oahu is on its way to joining Maui and the Big Island in the effort to harness the state's famous tradewinds.

Today developers will break ground on a wind farm in the hills near Kahuku.

The 30-megawatt project on the North Shore is the first large-scale commercial wind farm on the island and includes several technological advances, such as a battery system that will help smooth out the stability of the electrical load.

The project is being built by Kahuku Wind Power LLC, a unit of Newton, Mass.-based First Wind. The wind farm will feature a dozen state-of-the-art Clipper Liberty wind turbines with a maximum output of 2.5 megawatts each. Based on expected wind speeds at the site, the system will generate an estimated 83 million kilowatt-hours annually, the equivalent of 139,500 barrels of oil.

More at the Star Advertiser

Questions for Elected Officials at Membership Meeting on July 8th Pikake Pavilion

Aloha Members,

Please send us questions (by return email) that you would like asked of our elected officials by noon July 6th for the membership meeting next Thursday. We will compile all questions submitted and ask the most frequently submitted ones.

Senator Bunda, Rep. Magaoay and Councilman Dela Cruz will be present at this next membership meeting Thursday, July 8th 7pm at Waimea Valley Pikake Pavilion. Light refreshments will be served. $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers.

Also, please plan on attending and testifying at the Public Hearing regarding school consolidation (possible closing of one of the elementary schools) next Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Haleiwa Elementary School Cafeteria. More information will be forthcoming. The Chamber Board of Directors voted to support the Waialua Complex's recommendation to keep all schools (Waialua High, Waialua Elem., and Haleiwa Elem.) open.

Mahalo nui,
Antya

Membership Meeting Rescheduled to July 8th in evening @ Pikaki Pavilion

Aloha Members,

The meeting for tomorrow morning has been rescheduled for Thursday the 8th at 7PM in the evening at Waimea Valley Pikaki Pavilion. We needed to reschedule to accommodate the schedules of our elected officials. Please mark your calendars now.

The agenda will be forthcoming.

Mahalo,

Antya

North Shore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2010-2011

Susan Matsushima
Chair, Alluvion

Bill Martin
Vice Chair, Island X Hawaii

Karen Campbell
Recording Secretary, Waialua Soda Works

Marianne Abrigo
Corresponding Secretary, Marianne Abrigo Properties

Susan Lau
Treasurer, First Hawaiian Bank

Josh Heimowitz
Past Chair, YMCA Camp Erdman

Kalani Fronda
Haleiwa Main Street Program Chair, Kamehameha Schools

Ed D’Ascoli
Executive Committee Member, Xcel Wetsuits

Paul Saccoccio
Legal Affairs, Saccoccio & Lopez

Chet Naylor
Fundraising Committee Advisor, Waimea Falls Grill & Sharks Cove Grill

Bob Boyle
Director, Turtle Bay Resort

Jane Duncan
Director, Patagonia

Carolyne Lazar
Visitor Center Chair, Coffee Gallery

John E. Moore
Infrastructure Chair, Strong Current & Grass Skirt Grill

Will Schoettle
Public Relations Chair, Haleiwa Town Center


STAFF
Antya Miller
Executive Director

Wendy Wingate
Bookkeeper

Trish Coder
Photographer

Old Haleiwa building gets new life

Historic Haleiwa town serves as a link to the past and a bridge to the future.

And the North Shore Chamber of Commerce is giving an old building new life.

Today the Chamber of Commerce opened its new office and visitor center in Haleiwa.

And while many of the businesses in Haleiwa have changed over the decades, much of the overall look has remained the same.

More at KHON2

Grand Opening & Installation Dinner

Aloha Members and Business Owners,

The Chamber's Grand Opening celebraion will be next Friday, June 18th. This is a MAJOR accomplishment for our community. It has been a goal of ours to have a visitor center for at least 25 years. Thank you ALL for your wonderful support in getting this project completed.

The June 18th Grand Opening celebration is next Friday. This will be great fun as well as an opportunity to thank all the donors and volunteers who made this happen. You'll also be able to see our new office and Visitor and Business Resource Center, as well as the newly restored Mutual Telephone Company (now Hawaiian Tel) built in 1924. This historical building has many elements of classic plantation architecture. We will also have a special guest performer, Owana Salazar!

The RSVP's are due this Thursday the 10th. Please send it in along with your payment today.

If you are unable to attend on the 18th, please stop by and visit us in our new digs! It's so comfortable, you may never leave!

Mahalo nui,
Antya

Grand Opening - Chamber Office Moving Next Week!

Aloha Members,

The Chamber's new building and Visitor Center is FINALLY nearing completion. There are a lot of small tasks to complete, but the major stuff will be completed by Monday. This is a MAJOR accomplishment for our community. It has been a goal of our town to have a visitor center for at least 25 years. Thank you ALL for your wonderful support in getting this project completed.

The June 18th Grand Opening celebration is in just three weeks. This will be great fun as well as an opportunity to thank all the donors and volunteers who made this happen. Also, every member helped make this happen through their on-going support which allowed us to have an office and paid staff which, in turn, allowed us to accomplish this project.

So.... please get those RSVP's in now so we're not overloaded at the last minute. With the move and everything, I'd really appreciate your help in this matter.

Secondly, we are moving the first week of June. On June 4th the office will be closed and telephone service will be switched over. We need a few guys with muscle to move the heavy items on Thursday. Please call 637-4558 and leave your name and number or email me back if you are able to help. Johnny Moore has volunteered. Who will help Johnny?

Mahalo nui,
Antya

Need People This Saturday 8-12 AM

Aloha Members,

I want to thank the following volunteers for making last Saturday such a successful workday: Lee Bryant, Bob & Trish Coder, Bob Leinau, Jon Marr, Joe Pavsek and Richard of Grafitti Busters, Kaiki Ragragola, Boyd Ready, Iopu & Nicole Sivatia and their two nephews, Nahe Webster, and Linda Yadao. We grassed the front of the building, cleaned up the white birds around the gym, and spread dirt to level the yard after building the new septic system. The grounds look great!!

I also want to thank our landlord, neighbor, and partner, the Waialua Community Association, and especially Nicole, their new Office Manager, for all their help in coordinating and getting volunteers to help make the workday successful.

We are in the home stretch on the building restoration, but we need to have one more morning workday to finish grassing the back of the building, planting more hedge plants, finish painting, scrape and wash windows, and move furniture for the flooring guys on Monday!

Please email or call me if you can help. I will be forever grateful if you can help even a couple of hours.

Mahalo nui,
Antya

Hawaii PUC approves HECO deal with Kahuku wind farm

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission yesterday approved a power purchase agreement between Hawaiian Electric Company and Kahuku Wind Power, HECO said today.

Kahuku Wind Power, a subsidiary of Massachusetts-based First Wind, is scheduled to begin construction of a 12-turbine farm in the hills west of Kahuku later this year.

More at the Honolulu Advertiser

Updated North Shore Map Now Being Distributed!

It's colorful, appealing and informative. Visitors and residents regularly ask us for a map of our area. We have something to give them that not only helps them find their way, but it also tells them what activities are available and how to get to businesses advertising on the map. It helps visitors plan their trip to the North Shore, and brings more business to our area because visitors can plan better instead of just driving through not knowing what's available.

The map is distributed to the airport, major hotels, car rental agencies, local businesses, gas stations, the library and of course the Chamber's visitor center. The airport approved the map for distribution in the brochure racks as well as at the information counters as a map.

Thank you to Green Turtle Publications (Bob and JoJean Schieve) their great staff and you, our members for ongoing support of this important project.

Chamber of Commerce Announces Grand Opening!

North Shore Chamber of Commerce's Grand Opening and Installation Dinner is set for June 18th at the new Chamber building located at 66-434 Kamehameha Highway, across from the Haleiwa Post Office. The program will be from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm beginning with pupus and no-host cocktails. A dinner and program will follow at 6:30 p.m.

Please join us in honoring all tradesmen, volunteers and donors who made our new home, visitor and resource center possible and install the new Board of Directors. The cost will be $25 for chamber members, $30 for non members, $250 for corporate table, and $500 for sponsor table.

Donations for this very worthwhile building project are still being accepted and are completely tax deductible. If you are interested in supporting the preservation of this historic building, please make checks payable to "NSCOC" and mail them to P.O. Box 878, Haleiwa, HI 96712. You may also visit the Chamber's website at www.GoNorthShore.org for more information or call the Chamber's office at 637-4558.

Volunteer to Finish Painting and Landscaping

Aloha Members,

We will be having another painting workday this Saturday (8th) from 8am to 12noon. We are almost half done and the building is beginning to look really sharp. Lots of compliments on how it's shaping up. Please email me back if you can volunteer, even if it is a couple of hours. "Many hands make light work!" A big mahalo goes out to Matt Eagle (Aloha Surf Guide), Joe Lazar (Haleiwa Joe's), Johnny Moore (Grass Skirt Grill) for volunteering this past Saturday. We got a lot done.

The following Saturday, the 15th, we will be having a joint Chamber and Waialua Community Assoc. landscaping workday. We will be trimming the white birds, replanting the ground cover, fixing the borders, planting shrubs, weeding and cleaning up along the hibiscus hedge, etc. Work gloves, sun screen and covered shoes are recommended. Trucks that can make dump runs will be appreciated. A potluck will follow the workday.

We hope you will join us for some work and fellowship in making our community a better place to live and moving us closer to having a presence on main street with a visitor center.

Mahalo,
Antya

Please Help Gather Signatures on Petition for Funding of Walkways!

Aloha Members,

Attached is a petition to support funding for walkways and other improvements in Haleiwa Town. When we did our last survey of merchants in Haleiwa Town, 92% supported building walkways. We are now pursuing funding for the design and planning for them. Your help in gathering signatures on the attached petition would be most helpful. Please have everyone sign it: residents, Oahu visitors, and off island visitors. We need a ton of them. You do not need to have a business in Haleiwa to sign or help gather signatures.

Please feel free to make as many copies of petition as you need/want. If you have any questions, please call me.

Mahalo,
Antya

Annual Membership Meeting

Aloha Members,

The Annual Membership meeting will be Wednesday, April 28th 8AM at Haleiwa Joe's. The agenda will be forthcoming, but please mark your calendars now. Current members will vote for the new Board of Directors.

Revised Chamber Calendar

Secondly, the Grand Opening has been moved to Friday, June 18th, 5:30 pm so that we can hopefully have the brick walkway with all our supporters' bricks installed. Please mark this important date on your calendar. It will be an opportunity for our community to celebrate having a central information and gathering place for residents and the over 2 million visitors who come to the North Shore. More information will be forthcoming on this event.

Hope to see you on Wednesday the 28th!

Antya Miller,
Executive Director

North Shore Businesses Promote Buying Local

When people think of the North Shore, they think big surf, shave ice and plenty of sunshine. But when the surf drops, so does business.

Business owners hope the third annual "Taste of Waialua" on Saturday encourages people to keep coming back all year long. Once the home of an old sugar mill plantation, this small town of Waialua is making a comeback.

More at KHON2

SAVE THE DATE! FRIDAY, MAY 14TH 5:30pm

Aloha Members,

Please mark your calendars now for the Grand Opening and Board Installation on Friday May 14th at 5:30PM. More information will be forthcoming, but it will be a FUN evening. It will be held at our new home and Haleiwa Gym.

Mahalo,
Antya

Wind farm developer gets loan guarantee

A Mainland wind farm developer has received a $117 million federal loan guarantee to pay for construction of its planned Kahuku project on Oahu.

First Wind, based in Boston, announced the award Friday from the U.S. Department of Energy. It will use the financing to install 12 wind turbines that will generate a total of 30 megawatts of electricity — enough to power approximately 7,700 Oahu homes. The power will be sold to Hawaiian Electric Co.

More at Pacific Business News

Oahu’s Turtle Bay Resort has new owners

The Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore is officially under new ownership.

A consortium of international investment management firms took back the property from Oaktree Capital Management in a deed in lieu of foreclosure transaction that closed on Tuesday.

The 858-acre resort includes a 443-room hotel, two golf courses and a spa.

The consortium, which has managed the resort for nearly two years, already has spent $6 million to upgrade its infrastructure and hotel, including expanding Kuilima Drive from two to four lanes and upgrading the well, according to developer Stanford Carr, the resort’s interim property manager...

There are no immediate plans to build any additional hotels or condominiums at the resort.

More at Pacific Business News

North Shore wetland refuge getting seven times bigger

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer

KAHUKU — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is acquiring one of the last remaining wild coastlines on O'ahu, increasing a wetland refuge sevenfold since it was established 34 years ago.

The purchase will also provide another flood control measure to the community, thanks to a $22 million federal appropriation.

More at the Honolulu Advertiser

Membership Meeting February 25th

As previously announced in January, there will be a Membership Meeting Thursday, February 25th, 8am at the Haleiwa Gym. Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz will be giving a short presentation on Transit Oriented Development and the Governor's Office (Linda Smith and Pearl Iboshi) will be there to address issues affecting business and our community. A full agenda will be forthcoming.

Please put this important meeting on your calendar now. Also forthcoming will be the Chamber's calendar of meetings.

Mahalo,
Antya

Chamber Building Work Day This Saturday the 13th

The Chamber's new home is coming along really well! Residents and visitors stop by especially on Saturday workdays to admire the building, the new cedar siding, and ask about what the building will be used for when it's done. One board member who helped out at a recent workday was totally thrilled with what she saw. We're getting excited at the thought of moving in, hopefully by the end of March.

Come be a part of this exciting project. We need carpenters and people to caulk, do dump runs, and various other tasks.


What: Workday Saturday the 13th 8:00am - 1:00pm 

Where: At the Chamber's new home across from the post office

Thank you to all the volunteers, especially Lee Bryant, Mike Stacey, Gary Anderson, John Otholt and Willy Strydonk who have been working on the project almost every week for months. We really apprciate all your hard work and your craftmanship.

Donate for a Brick Today

We still need to raise more money to finish this project, so if you've been putting off donating for that special brick, please send your donation in now. The form is attached. Just mail it in with your check! We appreiate your support.

Below: Gosha and Gary taking off the old siding; Robert, Matt, Gary, and Willy putting up new siding on the back; Willy putting lock on closet door inside; Mike Stacy, luna, happy that they've finished siding the back wall.




















Mahalo,
Antya

Hawaii's unusual big-surf season a wave of money for North Shore

An unusual season of giant waves on the North Shore has resulted in a healthy — if not epic — boost for businesses from Sunset Beach to Hale'iwa.

More at the Honolulu Advertiser

Testimony Needed by Monday to Support Legislation Mitigating Unemployment Insurance Increase

Aloha Members, Businesses, and Friends,

As most of you know, the unemployement insurance rates will be skyrocketing this year and have a huge impact on business if something is not done. The new rates will start in April without action by the legislature. Per Sept. 18, 2009 Star Bulletin article: "Employers, who are paying an average of $90 per employee a year in unemployment insurance taxes, can expect to pay an average of $1,040 to $1,250 per employee - 1,055 to 1,289 percent increases - depending on how low the state coffers drop."

The main Chamber is working hard to put forth legislation to help businesses, but we need to send in testimony to help the effort. Please see below.

Mahalo,
Antya Miller, Executive Director
North Shore Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 808-637-4558 Fax: 808-637-4556
www.GoNorthShore.org



ACTION ALERT!

Dear Chamber Members:

As you are aware, the Chamber has been actively advocating on behalf of its Chamber members and pushing for a bill that mitigates the huge increase in the unemployment insurance tax. We have been meeting regularly with legislators and stakeholders to ensure that information is shared and our position is effectively communicated.

A hearing (Hearing Notice) has been scheduled on two unemployment insurance bills for this Tuesday, January 26 at 9:00 a.m. at the State Capitol in Room 309.

Although the bills provide some tax relief, the Chamber believes they do not provide enough assistance to help reduce the "tax shock" and safeguard the statewide unemployment rate. Therefore, we are asking the committees to amend the bills. The attached handout provides a more detailed explanation.

We urge you to submit testimony and testify at the hearing so that a strong statement can be made to the committee. Our united efforts could result in a UI bill passing the Legislature before March.

For your convenience, attached is a talking points handout. Feel free to cut and paste the template below and some of the talking points.

DIRECTIONS ON SUBMITTING TESTIMONY

Testimony will NOT be accepted via e-mail. Members can submit testimony via:

1. On-line at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony/

OR

2. Faxed to (808) 586-6331 or 1-800-535-3859 (neighbor islands)

Try to submit testimony 24 hours prior to the hearing. This allows the chair and committee members enough time to thoroughly review the testimonies. HOWEVER, if you are unable to submit testimony by this deadline, please proceed to submit. It will still be considered.

DIRECTIONS ON ORAL TESTIMONY

The following provides some information for those attending the hearing:

* A two-minute oral testimony limit will probably take place.
* The UI bills are the first two on the agenda., so contingent on the number of testifiers, the hearing should end by noon.
* You are not required to stay for the entire hearing and may leave after you provide testimony. The order of testifiers is based on the order the committee receives written testimonies.
* Metered parking is available at the Capitol. Discounted parking is available at Alii Place on Alakea or at any downtown municipal parking lots.
* Tell your "story" however, please be courteous and professional.

If possible, please e-mail me a copy of your testimony and let me know if you plan to attend the hearing. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your time and support. Together we can make a difference. Below is a template for testimony:

"Testimony to the House Committee on Labor & Public Employment

Tuesday, January 26, 2010; 9:00 a.m.

Conference Room 309

RE: HOUSE BILL 2169 and 2207 RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY

Chair Rhoads, Vice Chair Yamashita and Members of the Committee:

My name is [FULL NAME] and my company is [NAME AND DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY INCLUDING # OF EMPLOYEES]. I appreciate the efforts made by the chair and the committee in addressing the unemployment insurance tax increase. I support HB 2169 and 2207 with amendments.

[STATE HOW THE INCREASE WILL IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS INCLUDING POTENTIAL JOB LOSSES, BENEFITS, AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS COST PER EMPLOYEE, IF POSSIBLE].

To help reduce the "tax shock" and safeguard the statewide unemployment rate, please amend the bill by holding the tax rate schedule to D in 2010 and F in 2011, permanently set the taxable wage base at 90% and maintain the adequate reserve multiplier at 1.0.

This will reduce the impact of the tax increase on the average and small businesses. Extending the tax assistance beyond 2010 will save jobs, preserve businesses and spur the economy by keeping more dollars flowing into the economy through wages and purchases. This will help businesses plan expenses over a longer period of time.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony. If you have any questions, please contact me at [FULL CONTACT INFORMATION]."

Sincerely,

Sherry Menor-McNamara
Vice President, Business Advocacy & Gov't. Affairs
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 402
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Ph. 808-545-4300 x 394
Fax 808-545-4369
www.cochawaii.org
smenor@cochawaii.org

White to run for Council's North Shore/Central Oahu seat

John White, former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, announced Tuesday he is running for the City Council's 2nd District seat.

The area encompasses Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, the North Shore, Kahalu'u and 'Ahuimanu. It is currently held by Donovan Dela Cruz, who is completing his eighth straight year on the council and therefore cannot seek a third consecutive term.

More at the Honolulu Advertiser