Since the 1^st Quarter Membership Meeting and the presentation by Peter Ho regarding the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in November, several opportunities have taken place on Kauai that provide businesses an opportunity to participate and showcase their business, before a global marketplace equivalent to about 2 billion+ customers that comprise this geo-political-economic sphere of 21 nations. The Business Innovation Showcase will provide 3 businesses to have an exhibit-information booth at the Hawaii Convention Center as well as at Ala Moana Shopping Center. The first of three workshops coordinated by Kauai Economic Development Board, “Aloha Connects Hawaii to APEC Member Economies” drew 28 attendees provided each participant information about APEC and opportunities to in how to expand their businesses into the 21 economies that makes up the APEC members. Another opportunity coordinated by the Kauai Stakeholders Meeting is an upcoming visit of one of four informational tours/briefings slated for this summer or early fall, just prior to the Leaders Summit. The long term ‘take away’ is to establish relationships/contacts that will go far beyond the November meeting that provides Kauai businesses future opportunities in the area of bi- and multi-lateral trade. Stay tuned for more.

Thanks to Kuleana Sponsor Waimea Plantation Cottages and the 16 Sponsor-Partners, the Business After Hours and Military Appreciation Event in May provided about 350 attendees an opportunity to express our appreciation for the military, especially, active duty at Pacific Missile Range Facility, retired veterans as well as members throughout the Armed Services. In Honolulu, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii held 2 events including the Annual Military Appreciation Luncheon attended by 700 members of O’ahus business, government and military communities. The month-long event was concluded with a presentation by the RAND National Defense Research Institute Technical Report: “How Much Does Military Spending Add to Hawaii’s Economy?” The first report of its kind: $12.2 billion of which $100 million is a direct impact to the tourism sector. On Kauai, at PMRF the impact annually is $110 - $120 million. Each $1million creates 16.52 jobs and represents 1/6 of our state economy. Recently, the defense sector was about equal to the tourism sector. During this economic downturn, this sector obviously and significantly contributed to helping to keep our economy moving forward.

To learn more, visit: www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2011/RANDTR996,.pdf

IMUA: Moving Forward: New initiatives

While the past few years we focused on our 3 Strategic Priorities (Business Advocacy, Networking and Support), in moving forward, there are new programs that will be initiated during the summer and fall. These include:

YES Program: Young Entrepreneurs Series is specifically targeted at the demographic age group until 39 years old (young!). This program’s focus is to serve as an avenue for current and new entrepreneurs to ‘meet and network’ with their peer group. There will be no formal meetings, except for a social-networking event at least once a quarter. The rest of the time, the group will meet using social and other media on their own. Another opportunity will be to have the ‘senior’ members of the Chamber meet with the group and have a mentorship program as an added-value benefit.

The initial ‘membership’ will comprise of 39 members. An initial event, the ‘S Event (Social, Sushi, Sake and Sashimi Nite) is slated for September with recruitment taking place throughout the summer.

A series of ‘kuka’ (conversation) is also slated for this summer and fall that is targeted to the Hawaiian community which according to the 2010 Census data indicated that it is the fastest business demographic of new start-ups in Hawaii. To that end, the Chamber will have 4 ‘Kuka” throughout the island to initiate and meet with Hawaiian business owners, non-owners and youth to discuss business as an area whereby the Hawaiian community will have an opportunity to learn about business opportunities and resources. Sometime in the fall, the Kuka will conclude with a Hawaiian Business Summit to bring together the different communities from throughout the island to discuss at a more macro level about business start-up, formation, financial and other resources. As a Chamber, we can help to better serve our islands’ Hawaiian community by initiating this important dialogue as well as helping them to begin to form a network and identify resources and opportunities.

On the Education front, while we as a Chamber have not been vocal, thanks to the Small Business Committee, we will begin to have discussions on policy matters that provide us an avenue to have a dialogue with the ‘lower education (Hawaii Department of Education)’ and ‘higher education (University of Hawaii System)’ levels.

As we go to press for this Report, visit the State Legislature website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011  

to learn about what new laws including the increase in fine of the CELL PHONE VIOLATION from $97 to $147, effective, TONIGHT MIDNIGHT. Later this summer, we’ll have Vice President, Sherry Menor-McNamara, Business/Legislative Advocacy, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii to present an update of the legislative session and laws enacted by Governor Abercrombie as well as to begin a discussion about the upcoming 2012 session.