Hawaii Liberty Chronicles

Open Letter to the Republican Party of Hawaii

By Keith Rollman, Campaign Manager for John Carroll

Rules established by the Republican Party are meant to ensure a level playing field for all candidates in the party’s primary election.

The Republican Party is based, in part, on a long-held sense of fairness and trust in the democratic process. The Republican primary is a time to compare our candidates for higher office, debate the issues and make choices based on our own values and principles. At least, that is what is supposed to happen.

Rule 11 of the Republican Party was established to provide fairness for all qualified candidates and avoid insider political deals that circumvent and corrupt the primary election process.

Rule 11 of the Republican Party states, in part:

The Republican National Committee shall not, without the prior written and filed approval of all members of the Republican National Committee from the state involved, contribute money or in-kind aid to any candidate for any public or party office except the nominee of the Republican Party or a candidate who is unopposed in the Republican primary after the filing deadline for that office.

The problem is that Rule 11 contains a glaring loophole. It states that “with the approval of all members of the Republican National Committee from the state,” that these individuals can short circuit the process of fairly electing the party’s nominee, and simply anoint their choice. By allowing RNC and PAC money to pour into their chosen candidate’s campaign and starving off contributions to any opposing candidates they can unilaterally suppress any competition.

This is a rather underhanded and cowardly strategy considering the alternative is to openly and fairly discuss the issues concerning the voters
and let them make an informed decision on whom they feel best represents them. It is, however, a convenient strategy for those who can’t stand real scrutiny of their ideas, principles and values.

In order to pull off this subversive power play, you must first remove any individuals within the state party leadership who might not go along. Once your ‘apparatchiks” are installed you have clear sailing to suppress any opposing candidates and change the rules without the formality of earning popular support.

Let’s all hope that Hawaii’s Republican Party never experiences such a moral calamity and grotesque forfeiture of its ideals.

NEWS + VIEWS

By Sam Slom

President, Smart Business Hawaii

and SBH Entrepreneurial Education Foundation

Rail Supporters Take a Hit. Visiting Federal judge A. Wallace Tashima of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, has ruled in favor of the anti-rail project plaintiffs, including the SBH Foundation, and against the City & County of Honolulu and Federal Government who sought to stall the legal proceedings on the issues further (we’ve been waiting since May for a copy of the Administrative Record) by challenging the legal standing of four of the 7 plaintiffs. The City is using YOUR money ($600,000 initially) for frivolous legal challenges like this.

On to SCOTUS. Local attorney Bill Burgess has spearheaded a civil rights effort for non-Native Hawaiian taxpayers to be treated equally with the special tax exemptions given Hawaiians on the basis of race on Hawaiian Homelands. The case is one step closer to a full hearing by the U.S. Supreme Court after several justices yesterday asked the U.S. Solicitor General for the government’s position on the issue. State lawyers argued against going to the Supreme Court. Read the rest at Smart Business Hawaii.

From Carroll4Senate.com

“The Pledge has become something of a rallying cry in conservative circles.” — National Journal

John Carroll has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, known as the “no new taxes” pledge. Apparently he will be the only candidate running for the U.S. Senate who is signing the pledge this year. Lingle, Case and Hirono have all declined.

Politicians often run for office saying they won’t raise taxes, but then quickly turn their backs on the taxpayer. The idea of the Pledge is simple enough: Make them put their no-new-taxes rhetoric in writing.

In the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, candidates and incumbents solemnly bind themselves to oppose any and all tax increases. While ATR has the role of promoting and monitoring the Pledge, the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is actually made to a candidate’s constituents, who are entitled to know where candidates stand before sending them to the capitol. Since the Pledge is a prerequisite for many voters, it is considered binding as long as an individual holds the office for which he or she signed the Pledge.

A December 11, 2011 Honolulu Star Advertiser article clearly defines the candidates’ position on taxes:

Conservatives have been successful at pressuring Republicans in Congress — and a few Democrats — not to agree to any tax increases. Americans for Tax Reform, a Washington-based interest group founded by conservative activist Grover Norquist, has persuaded 238 members of the House — a majority — and 41 members of the Senate to sign a pledge promising not to raise taxes. The group offers the pledge to all new candidates.

Hirono and Case will not sign the pledge.

Lingle will not sign, either. As governor, Lingle opposed most new tax increases. She did support higher state taxes on tobacco products to curb smoking and allowed a bill that gave Oahu the right to impose a rail surcharge to become law without her signature.

According to a spokesman, Carroll would sign the Americans for Tax Reform pledge against new taxes.

Lingle had previously signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge during her campaign for governor, but once elected reneged. As noted by the Star Advertiser, she supported higher taxes on a number of occasions.

By Sam Slom

President, Smart Business Hawaii

and SBH Entrepreneurial Education Foundation

Rail Roaded. Today, at 10 am, in Honolulu Federal District Court, there will be a hearing on the standing of the seven plaintiffs-including the SBH Foundation-in the suit against the City of Honolulu regarding the $6 billion-plus train to nowhere elevated heavy rail project. The hearing on the merits of the project is scheduled for February.

Ciao, Ansaldo. The Honolulu Area Rapid Transit (HART) committee met Monday and approved a $1.4 billion contract for construction of the City Rail Transit project with the Ansaldo corporation, despite the firm’s checkered past and questionable finances. The HART members should be compelled to give their personal financial guarantee on this boondoggle. Not to worry, however, since the Italian government will back Ansaldo 100%. YIKES!

Rail Debate. Councilman Tom Berg sought to put together a public debate on the rail issue for the benefit of the public. It will be next Tuesday, 6 pm at City Hall (Mission Auditorium). The government supporters of government rail refuse to appear. Come join us anyway. Read the rest at Smart Business Hawaii.

NEWS + VIEWS

By Sam Slom

President, Smart Business Hawaii

and SBH Entrepreneurial Education Foundation

Small Biz Saturday! Don’t forget to support your small business, or any small business, this Small Business Saturday. And, if you like, you can support the programs of SBH, Hawaii’s most effective small business advocacy organization. Mahalo!

Not so Super Super Committee. The 12-member bi-partisan Super Congressional Debt Reduction Committee failed Monday. It was tasked with cutting a paltry $1.2 billion in government spending over 10 years. Surprise? No. From the beginning it was clear this political group could not relieve our debt crisis. (The spending driven debt of the U.S. increased to $15 trillion during the committee’s short life). Half of the committee (Democrats) wanted massive tax increases, half (Republicans) tried to cut spending and not increase taxes. The pro-taxers offered no alternative to more government and spending as usual. There was no cap on spending.

The Wall Street Journal’s John Fund, who will be the SBH Annual Conference Keynoter on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, said, “the Founding Fathers would be appalled at Congress shirking its core responsibilities with such a committee dictatorship.”

Red Rover, Send Grover. Did you catch Americans for Tax Reform’s (ATR.org) Grover Norquist on “60 Minutes” last Sunday? He was fantastic. Should be a must see for every candidate—and CEO—as a primer on how to answer questions from a hostile media on the role of business and the role of government. John Fund, SBH’s January keynoter, was also interviewed on that segment.Page link at SBH, click here>

Direct Video Link @ YouTube click here>

Out of Work. Hawaii’s unemployment rate has INCREASED to 6.5% with many more people under employed and still more frustrated and who have stopped looking for work. Sure, we’re below the national average (9%) but to the person out of work it is 100%.

Higher UI Tax For Employers. Hawaii employers can expect higher unemployment compensation tax rates next year at record levels. The state borrowed money to pay UI benefits last year, paid it back, and is borrowing even more. Only employers pay UI taxes.

Flush It!. Hawaii Kai residents will face a whopping 14% increase in their monthly sewer rates because of a PUC rate ruling yesterday. Hawaii American Water Company successfully gained a rate increase sought months ago despite public testimony to the contrary. Hawaii Kai is the only part of O’ahu that has a private sewer company.

Aloha Shirt Flap. Local boy? President Obama dumped on the giving of lei and the wearing of local Hawaiian Aloha Shirts while here hosting the recent APEC summit, opting instead for business suits. However, as extensive news coverage showed over the weekend, Mr. Obama had no trouble wearing local, colorful, Indonesian garb during his most recent out of country Asia trip.

New York, New York. Hawaiian Airlines will be launching nonstop service between New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Honolulu starting June 4, 2012. A daily flight will depart JFK daily at 10:00 a.m. and arrive at Honolulu International Airport at 3:00 p.m. An introductory $212 one way fare during June, 2012, was snapped up in hours.

A Tree is NOT Just A Tree. The city plans to cut down somewhere between 70 and 200 trees in Hawaii Kai as part of a master plan. The City tree cutting project includes 7 targeted trees (four already cut down, two on watch and mine still standing!) The City did NOT come before the neighborhood board and no residents were informed beforehand. The City says it doesn’t have to notify residents if it is a “safety” issue. The residents were also not notified about their sidewalks being torn up weeks ago. They are still torn up with no one letting residents know when that will be completed. These issues come before the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board next Tuesday, 7 pm at Hahaione School.

Got Regulations? Only 13 percent of those surveyed think Americans need more government regulations, according to a recent IBOPE Zogby International survey. More than half of adults (55%) say that, in general, they feel the federal government already has too many regulations, while a quarter (25%) say there is just the right amount. In the survey, an overwhelming majority (88%) agree that the U.S. Government should keep its word and honor Native American treaties it has made with the nation’s Indian tribes. The survey of 1,000 adults in America, conducted Nov. 4-9, 2011, also finds that 51% agree that government regulation creates undue financial burdens on businesses run by Native American’s on sovereign tribal lands.

When asked about credit use and responsibility, respondents largely believe it should be the individual’s responsibility when it comes to the type of credit a person can and can use (80%), compared to just 12% that say it should be the government’s responsibility.In the same survey, respondents made clear their agreement that individuals–and not federal or state regulators–should control their economic and financial choices.

To that end, those surveyed were asked to state their level of agreement on a number of statements. Nearly two-thirds of adults (64%) say they agree that since most banks do not offer short-term loans of less than $1,000 and overdraft fees can be extremely costly, alternative loans like installment or payday can provide a convenient option for those who need to access to a small amount of cash for emergencies, compared to just 28% who disagree.

Christmas Parade Saturday. The annual East Honolulu Christmas Parade (the political correctness crowd now calls it the “holiday parade”) will be held this Saturday, from 10 – 11:30 am, along Lunalilo Home Road. It is organized by the Hawaii Kai Lions and co-sponsored by Koko Marina Shopping Center. “Holiday” Santa will be in the parade as usual.

Blonde Uprising. Award winning Hawaii Reporter.com, Hawaii’s first electronic daily newspaper begun 9 years ago, still is free. Hawaii Reporter’s Malia Zimmerman reports daily (M-F) on the Rick Hamada Show, KHVH radio on 830 AM at, 7:40 am. Malia also reports on Kauai’s KKCR with Sandy Brodie on Tuesday mornings, on the station’s “Morning Paper.” She will report the news behind the news for you.

Want more local business information? Please visit the several SBH websites at:: www.smartbusinesshawaii.com,www.educate808.com and www.sbhfoundation.org.

Smart Business Hawaii Means Business and we’re here to help you.

Let SBH help you with YOUR business. Just starting a business?   Call me personally for help at 396-1724 or email: SBH@lava.net.

Carroll defends rights of small business

Release from Carroll4Senate.

At a press conference yesterday, John Carroll and his new client Ernie Inaba presented their case for Hawaii’s small businesses negatively impacted by APEC. Inaba’s Honolulu Club House bar and restaurant, directly across from the convention center was closed down by APEC security and barriers for over a week. His employees were laid off.

To professional politicians like Governor Abercrombie and Mayor Carlisle this is no big deal, and part of what is expected of our business community to support their headline grabing government confabs. Abercrombie, who has never operated a business, expressed his bemusement, that businesses can’t handle a 5-day interuption. Carlisle, said that, due to his penchant for “pinching pennies,” that local businesses that got burned by APEC would like not get any help from City Hall.

Senate Candidate, John Carroll, on the other hand will represent a growing group of local businesses that feel they deserve some compensation. Citing constitutional rights to “pursuit of happiness” and “illegal seizure by the government,” Carroll thinks that the little guys here have enforcable, contitutionally protected, rights.

Carroll will be meeting with all businesses that feel they were unfairly hurt by the APEC event in the next week or so.

NEWS + VIEWS

By Sam Slom

President, Smart Business Hawaii

and SBH Entrepreneurial Education Foundation

He’ll Be Baaack! APEC is finally over, the spin about how wonderful it was (it wasn’t from a small business perspective) is on and just when you thought your traffic woes were pau, Mr. Obama announced he and family will be back again in Kailua for the holidays.

Let ‘Em Eat Steak. According to the First Lady, Michelle Obama, talking about obese kids in Hawaii at the Ma’o Organic Farm, she said the keiki should “get their palettes adjusted,” and told kids her favorite foods were, and the kids should eat, steak and arugula. Arugula?

Great NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Tomorrow. Thursday, join me and other SBH members and guest speakers Phyllis Shimabukuro and sister Lois, family small business owners (Mikilua Poultry Farm, Inc., Island Fresh Eggs) who, will speak on “Buying Local and the Challenges to Hawaii Agricultural Products.” This is the SBH Sunrise Networking Breakfast forum, 7 – 8:30 am at the Pineapple Room in Ala Moana Macy’s.

This is the final Sunrise for 2011.  Phyllis, was one of three honorees cited September 16 by the Small Business Hawaii Entrepreneurial Education Foundation as a “Successful Business All Star.” She will discuss the family business and new product technology while sister Lois will detail the marketing of local agricultural products.  The public is welcome to the SBH Sunrise. Advance reservations are required. Call Darlyn at SBH 396-1724 for reservations or register online here.

Nui Nui Niu! Last week I wrote about the resident efforts to raise money for playground equipment in Niu Valley and asked for your support in helping them win a grant. Well, you did it! Led by Jeanine Johnson and Peter Kay, the group was the winner of a $15,000 grant. Help them celebrate this Saturday at the Niu Valley Middle School Cafeteria, with a pizza party starting at 5 pm. (Uh oh, the UH football game starts at 6 pm). Go to NiuValleyPlayground.com to get involved.

Go Chang Go! David S. Chang is the new Chair of the Hawaii Republican Party. Chang is a community leader, entrepreneur, president & CEO of Green Tech Pacific and Chang Holding Company and a West Point grad. He’ll need all those skills and more to help the financially troubled and philosophically split party. Go get ‘em David!

Shake Roofing. Effective November 1, the new owners of SBH member Wilkinson Shake Roofing are president Chris Yonkers and Craig Britton. Yonkers has been with the firm for more than 35 years; Craig for 28 years. Call them at 456-5006

Award for Lex Brodie’s. The 2011 Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award was presented to Lex Brodie’s Tire Company on October 31at the annual Tire Industry Association’s (TIA) convention in Las Vegas.  Lex Brodie’s was the single recipient selected out of approximately 30,000 independent tire dealers, retreaders and wholesalers in North America.

Auction Action. This Saturday, November 19, our SBH member Joe Teipel, will auction off equipment, cars, boats, furniture etc. from a plant research farm in Waimanalo, 10 am – 5 pm. For more info call Joe at 392-6158..

Happy 60th to Jim Case. The Carlsmith Ball law firm this month celebrates the 60th anniversary of attorney Jim Case’s affiliation with the firm. He joined the Hilo office in November 1951 and, at age 91, still works in the Honolulu office to actively serve clients every day. Case helped develop Carlsmith Ball to its modern-day status as one of the state’s pre-eminent law firms. He joined the Hilo office in 1951 – one of four partners at the time – and later moved to help open the Honolulu office.  During his tenure as chairman of the executive committee, he expanded the firm from 15 lawyers in 1965 to 75 lawyers in 1982, opening offices in multiple locations across the Pacific. In 1979, he was named as one of Hawaii most influential lawyers in the 20 years since statehood.

He made a significant contribution to the development of the tourism industry on the neighbor islands by helping his clients develop hotels, raise capital through the securities markets, and form joint ventures. He helped transform the electric utilities on the islands of Hawaii and Kauai, changing the model from many small companies providing inadequate service to large, full-service companies serving the entire islands. For 40 years he and Carlsmith have fought for landowner rights in Hawaii, representing more than 30 community associations with some 10,000 homeowners as they sought to acquire ownership of the land under their homes.

Judge Tells Neil to Tell Us. Judge Karl Sakamoto’s ruling Monday against the Governor and in favor of the Star Advertiser in the newspaper’s lawsuit to compel the Governor to disclose the Judicial Selection Commission’s lists of nominees may be challenged by State Attorney General David Louie. Previous Governors released the names of all nominees voluntarily.. It is a good ruling.

Buy Small Business. Small Business Saturday, Saturday, November 26, urges people to buy from a small business. The event is co-sponsored by AMEX. Support small business EVERY day.

No More Financial Assistance. The Department of Human Services (DHS) announced it will discontinue its work incentive programs for families who have received financial assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Temporary Assistance for Other Needy Families (TAONF) programs. These programs began in 2001, and were designed to assist low-income working families as they transition back into the workforce. The Employment Subsidy, Exit Bonus, Retention Bonus and Earned Income Disregard Reimbursement programs will be discontinued effective December 31, 2011 affecting 580 individuals across the State.

Keeping Up With the Jones Act. In his new political White Paper, Senatorial candidate John Carroll again takes aim at the Jones Act which adds costs to Hawaii businesses and consumers. Carroll points out Jones never came up during APEC. In his just-released white paper report entitled HAWAII’S POTENTIAL FOR OPEN PORTS AND FREE TRADE IN HAWAII, Adopting Singapore’s Economic Model Carroll, lays out a bold plan for removing shipping restrictions that stifle free trade for Hawaii.

Partington Suspended. The Hawaii Supreme Court suspended Honolulu attorney Earle Partington from practicing law in Hawaii for 30 days. The high court ruled that Partington engaged in “professional misconduct” by submitting an appeals brief in the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals in Washington, D.C., that appeared to omit facts necessary to accurately portray the case’s court-martial proceedings. The Navy’s Office of the Judge Advocate General imposed on Partington an indefinite suspension from the practice of law in Navy jurisdictions, and the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals imposed a one-year suspension, the Supreme Court said. Associate Justice Paula Nakayamadissented from the ruling by three of the five justices, saying she would have imposed a suspension of at least one year. Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna joined in the dissent.

Rail Roaded. On November 30, the first court hearing involving the challenge to the Honolulu rail will take place in Honolulu federal court. The issue: standing of the 7 plaintiffs, including the SBH Foundation, who filed suit against the City. The actual court date for the issue of the rail itself will probably commence in February.

Ads in School? Proposals are being discussed to place ads on public school buildings. Only “approved and appropriate” ads would be considered. Trojan Products should be one of the first since so much of Hawaii public schooling deals with early sex education. A win-win.

Blonde Uprising. Award winning Hawaii Reporter.com, Hawaii’s first electronic daily newspaper begun 9 years ago, still is free. Hawaii Reporter’s Malia Zimmerman reports daily (M-F) on the Rick Hamada Show, KHVH radio on 830 AM at, 7:40 am. Malia also reports on Kauai’s KKCR with Sandy Brodie on Tuesday mornings, on the station’s “Morning Paper.” She will report the news behind the news for you.

Want more local business information? Please visit the several SBH websites at:: www.smartbusinesshawaii.com,www.educate808.com and www.sbhfoundation.org.

Smart Business Hawaii Means Business and we’re here to help you.

Let SBH help you with YOUR business. Just starting a business?   Call me personally for help at 396-1724 or email: SBH@lava.net.

Honolulu, November 12, 2011 – In his just-released white paper report entitled HAWAII’S POTENTIAL FOR OPEN PORTS AND FREE TRADE IN HAWAII, Adopting Singapore’s Economic Model, John Carroll, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, lays out a bold plan for removing shipping restrictions that stifle free trade for Hawaii.

Hawaii has long suffered from restrictive and antiquated maritime laws that limit shipping and prevent foreign flagged vessels from competing. This lack of competitive shipping has curtailed the development of our agricultural industries as well as having driven up the cost of living for every Hawaii resident.

Carroll says the removal of specific laws, like the Jones Act and ensuring compliance with the Commerce Clause are critical if Hawaii is going to enjoy economic prosperity.

“If what is offered here becomes reality, I will rest in peace knowing that a wonderful future will be available for all Hawaii’s children to come including my eight great grandchildren. I have worked for over forty years to get these onerous restrictions eliminated, “ said Carroll.

Carroll would also like to thanks those that helped him prepare this white paper report:

Keith Rollman, Cormick Barnes, Ingrid Johnson, Sierra Payne and Moe Sy and their mentor Ken Schoolland for their contributions and support.

HAWAII’S POTENTIAL FOR OPEN PORTS AND FREE TRADE IN HAWAII, Adopting Singapore’s Economic Mode

Aloha!

Today, we pause and honor the brave men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. The freedoms we enjoy today have only been made possible through the sacrifice and service of our veterans from the generations before us to those serving today.  As President Ronald Reagan stated, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction,” and we are thankful that each generation has brought with it men and women willing to put themselves in harm’s way to defend our great nation.

The Republican National Committee put together a special video as a tribute to our veterans this Veterans Day. At the 6 minute and 30 second mark, our own Chairman David S. Chang talks about his military service and expresses his personal gratitude for those that have served and are currently serving in the armed forces. To view the video, please click here.

We pray for the safe return of every man and woman currently serving in harm’s way, and we thank all of our veterans both home and abroad for your service to our nation. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

Mahalo,

Hawaii Republican Party

John Carroll is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.

There is a recent article by Josh Lederman in “The Hill” entitled “Former Gov. Lingle not running from RINO tag.”  In it, Mr. Lederman states, “For most Republican politicians, there is no smear more loathed, more insulting or more politically perilous than to be called a RINO — a Republican in Name Only. Not for Linda Lingle.”  He goes on to quote Lingle, “I’ve been called a RINO before, which I don’t mind.”

I disagree with Lingle’s cavalier dismissal of the label.  “RINO” implies fraud.

Does Linda Lingle see the Republican Party in Hawaii as something to be used as a base of operations from which to get elected rather than as a movement with cherished ideals to nurture and lead? The fact that she tolerates the term RINO is insulting to those of us who still think that the Republican Party, the party of Ronald Reagan, still stands for something, something considerably more important than personal political ambition.

While compromise and moderation has its place, so does standing up for what you truly believe in.  Lingle offers a grey, lukewarm set of principles that are designed to placate and absorb a vast, indifferent mass of voters.  She offers little for those who passionately believe in traditional conservative values and the core principles of our party platform.

I don’t need a focus group or a survey to tell me what I should say.  I don’t measure every word for its possible negative impact on marginal voters or contributor backlash.  I say what I believe.

1. My contributions from Alexander & Baldwin and Matson (of which I have none) don’t dissuade me from taking action against the archaic, protectionist Jones Act that drives up the cost of living for every family in Hawaii in order to profit a select few.

2. I’m not concerned about being called a Christian because I believe in the right to life.  The Bill of Rights guarantees all of us “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” and it does not put an age limit on it one way or the other.

3. I believe that the failure to follow settled environmental law left the Superferry vulnerable to its opponents.  The Lingle administration was just plain inept.  I would have followed the letter of the law and we would still have the Superferry.

4. I believe we are overtaxed in Hawaii, and if I had been governor, would not have allowed the largest tax increase in memory to slip through while I looked the other way,

5. I think that the Akaka Bill is based on the restoration of the concept of division by race that our constitution and decades of the civil rights movement have fought to abolish.  Individual Hawaiian’s would be better served by receiving their birthright homestead lands in fee and not doled out by a self-serving bureaucracy.

Those are five big differences between me and Linda Lingle.  They’re also five big differences between Linda Lingle and most real Republicans.

Next year’s Republican  primary will not be a preemptory coronation of Linda Lingle in her quest for the U.S. Senate.  It should be a determination by Republicans as to what they really stand for, what they’re willing to fight for and what principles they wish to have represented in Washington, D.C. during the ongoing debate on our nation’s future.

A Republican In Name Only isn’t going to cut it.