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Law threatens businesses

During the 2011 legislative session, a well-intended bill (Senate Bill 229) was introduced to prevent discrimination against victims of domestic violence. It was later expanded to include victims of sexual violence, and everyone would likely agree with both.However, the bill went south when employer mandates (versus suggestions) were added to protect victims of domestic and sexual violence at work, including:* Changing the contact information, such as telephone numbers, fax numbers or electronic-mail addresses, of the employee.* Screening the telephone calls of the employee.* ...

Business / In Brief • Feb. 7, 2014

Charlotte Russe to open Maui storeNational young women's apparel retailer Charlotte Russe will open a store at the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center in the late summer, according to an announcement.Named after a French dessert, Charlotte Russe opened its first fashion store in Carlsbad, Calif., in 1975. The store focuses on clothes for women in their teens and early 20s.The retailer has more than 500 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico.*****Businesses may seek disaster loansSmall, nonfarm businesses in Maui and Kalawao counties are eligible to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans ...

Business / In Brief • Feb. 6, 2014

BAYADA acquires Trumpet in HawaiiBAYADA Home Health Care, a leading provider of home health care services to people of all ages, has acquired Trumpet Behavioral Health in Hawaii, according to an announcement.With locations in eight states, Trumpet provides behavioral health treatment services for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder.As part of a transition, BAYADA offices on the Big Island, Oahu and Maui now provide home and school-based care to approximately 300 Trumpet clients. There was no interruption in client services and the nearly 350 Trumpet employees have been ...

Business / In Brief • Feb. 5, 2014

The annual Mayor's Small Business Awards event is scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Waikapu Ballroom of the King Kamehameha Golf Clubhouse.Tickets are $60 per person.The awards presented by the Mayor's Office of Economic Development and the Maui Chamber of Commerce honor Maui County small businesses who "show business leadership, create a quality work environment, exhibit exemplary customer service, develop partnerships with other sectors of the community and demonstrate other exceptional qualities or traits."To qualify, businesses must have 100 or fewer employees and have had ...

Sumek Dance to hold event on First Friday in Wailuku

Sumek Dance, which opened in Wailuku in December, will be holding a blues-tango fusion Valentine Dance at First Friday in Wailuku on Friday.There will be a two-hour sampler class: blues from 6 to 6:45 p.m., Argentine tango, 7 to 7:45 p.m.; and mix and match, 7:45 to 8:15 p.m. The cost is $15 for the class and social and $10 for the social dance only. The social dance runs from 8 to 10 p.m. with modern music and alt tango.Sumek Dance at 140 N. Market St., No. 202A is a dance facility for children to seniors with classes, social dancing and special events, a news release said.The studio ...

Bills being scrutinized for potential effects on business

The Legislature is in full swing and all the new bills for the session have been submitted. Now we, along with other Chambers of Commerce and business organizations, are reading through hundreds of bills to determine their impact on business.At the state level, hot topics for our chamber this year include:* Addressing proposals that seek to increase the minimum wage in the hopes of finding a winning solution.* Opposing unjustified increases in taxes and fees.* Stopping unnecessary workplace mandates.* Amending existing legislation that is particularly harmful to businesses.* Backing ...