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The Chamber View: Legislators move ‘anti-business,’ ‘anti-investment’ bill forward

Despite our state's long-standing reputation as one of the most difficult states in the union to do business in, lawmakers are moving HB 634 forward to make things worse.HB634 is a bill "Relating to Employment." It passed from the House to the Senate and just passed third reading there. Now amended, HB634 HD1 SD2 "Establishes job security requirements for certain employees upon the divestiture of a covered establishment if, among other things, the covered establishment employs one hundred or more persons. Effective 07/01/50. (SD2)."While that may sound benign, it is not.Basically, this ...

Business / In Brief • Apr. 12, 2013

Hong Kong visa waiver proposedHONOLULU - U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono is pushing a plan to add Hong Kong to a list of places where tourists can qualify for visa waivers when visiting the United States.Hirono said Thursday that the change would be small but would have a major effect on Hawaii's economy.Hirono says people from Hong Kong can visit more than 140 countries and territories right now without getting visas, but not the United States.Now, 37 countries participate in the visa waiver program, including South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and France.Travelers from visa waiver countries ...

Gabbard, Hirono wary of $3.8 trillion budget

HONOLULU (AP) - Two members of Hawaii's delegation in Washington are expressing reservations about parts of President Barack Obama's budget proposal.U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard says she's concerned about cuts to missile defense as Hawaii and the rest of the country face direct and heightened threats from North Korea.U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono says she doesn't support Obama's plan that would change how some benefits are calculated, including Social Security and benefits for veterans.Obama on Wednesday sent Congress a $3.8 trillion budget plan that aims to slash the deficit by a net $600 billion ...

Business / In Brief • Apr. 11, 2013

Hawaiian plans to fly to ChinaHONOLULU - Hawaiian Airlines plans to start nonstop service from Honolulu to China beginning next year and will eliminate service to Manila over the summer.The airline said Wednesday that the flights from Honolulu to Beijing are expected to start on April 16, 2014, pending U.S. and Chinese regulatory approval.The new service is expected to run three times a week.This would be Hawaiian Airlines 10th new international destination since November 2010.The new service is expected to produce $81 million in annual visitor spending and $8.47 million in tax revenue ...

Business / In Brief • Apr. 10, 2013

Big Island says no to high-stakes bingoHILO, Hawaii - The Big Island's County Council has rejected a proposal to use high-stakes bingo to raise revenue.The Hawaii Tribune-Herald says the proposal was put forward by councilwoman Margaret Wille who said that high-stakes bingo is different from casino gambling because it's not a 24-hour operation and has much lower stakes.But councilwoman Brenda Ford said at a meeting Monday that the costs to society and government are too high. She says for every dollar raised by bingo, another $3 is spent on social issues caused by gambling.Mayor Billy ...

Business / In Brief • Apr. 9, 2013

Oahu home sales, prices increaseHONOLULU - New monthly figures show that Oahu real estate sales and prices increased last month.The Honolulu Board of Realtors said Monday condominium sales surged 73 percent from the same month last year to 585.The figures include sales from a sold-out condominium called Holomua, which accounted for almost one-third of all units that changed hands.The median price for a condo rose 11 percent to under $350,000.Meanwhile, the median price for a single-family home in March was $640,000, up more than 2 percent from last year. More than 230 homes sold, up 4 ...