Biz action center day Feb. 14
KAILUA-KONA — Are you considering starting a business or have questions regarding your existing business?
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is hosting the Kona Business Action Center Day, 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Feb. 14 at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Department of Research and Development, 2nd floor, Building C, just above the DMV.
DCCA will be available to assist with Hawaii State business registrations, general excise tax applications, Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and other business filing questions. Walk-ins welcome.
Poll results show biz owners don’t support wage hike
HONOLULU — Results from a poll of Hawaii small-business owners released show them decided on three issues, slightly against another, and undecided on one.
As it does every year, National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s and Hawaii’s leading small-business association, polls its members on state and federal issues affecting their right to own, operate, and grow their businesses. Results from the annual poll center NFIB’s lobbying positions in Honolulu and in Washington, D.C. The 2019 Hawaii state member ballot asked five questions.
In light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, should Hawaii enact legislation promoting public sector union membership?
Yes — 2 percent
No — 81 percent
Und. — 17 percent
Do you support legislation requiring employers who do not offer an employer-sponsored retirement plan to offer a Hawaii state-sponsored retirement account for their employees?
Yes — 9 percent
No — 77 percent
Und. — 14 percent
Should Hawaii pass legislation that expands crowdsourced funding to public/private infrastructure projects?
Yes — 14 percent
No — 52 percent
Und. — 33 percent
Should Hawaii increase the state’s minimum wage from $10.10 an hour to a proposed $15 per hour?
Yes — 7 percent
No — 88 percent
Und. — 5 percent
Should employees have the right to examine their personnel file upon request?
Yes — 39 percent
No — 43 percent
Und. — 18 percent
“Hawaii raised its minimum wage to $10.10 an hour just last year,” said Melissa Pavlicek, NFIB Hawaii’s state director, in a press release. “To do so again, especially by such a huge amount, will almost certainly stall hiring plans, overtime calculations, business expansion and have a ripple effect on other business operations. Hawaii employers have the added expense of complying with the state’s Prepaid Healthcare Act, which should be considered when examining the minimum wage. Raising minimum wage rates shuts the door on younger workers who are looking for their first job opportunity.”
For more than 75 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven.
Lion’s Club hosting job fair
KAILUA-KONA — Are you hiring? Are you willing to provide on the job training? Are you looking to expand the interest in your specialty and trade? If so, we would like to invite you to the Lions Club of Kona Small Business – Blue Collar Job Fair.
The fair will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 2 at the Makaeo Pavilion at Kona Old Airport Park.
Not all high school graduates can or want to go to college; not everyone wants to be in hospitality; not all seniors can or want to retire; and more women want a field job. The Lions Club of Kona Small Business – Blue Collar Job Fair is an opportunity for you to recruit new enthusiastic employees.
The Lions Club of Kona’s Mission is to develop an environment of fellowship, mutual trust, and understanding through which the Lions of District 50 Hawaii can advance the humanitarian purposes of Lions Clubs International and to develop leaders who will lead us toward the attainment of our goals.
Over 200 job seekers are expected. The cost for a table is $25.
Info: Rebecca Logan, 345-2234 or Rebecca@localinsurancehawaii.