Aloha Friends:
As we enter the holiday season it is almost a cliche to point out that its all about spirit and not things. And as the days get darker, literally (with shorter days for us in the northern hemisphere) and figuratively (with the economy), it is time to remember and cherish the light.
Well we don't always have to be original. Perhaps we should practice good portfolio management and pay attention to the "tried and true" along with our "innovative and bold". So I would like to take this moment to focus on spirit and light and share my thanks for the opportunity to be working with all of you and to express my hope that we can share some time over the next weeks, if only in a note.
I am particularly thankful that we were able to bring back the Maui Enterprise Forum on November 18th and that we can share this with you on video at http://coolprojectsmaui.com. You will be able to see each of the three companies' presentations along with the panel and larger group discussion. There are introductory notes and links for more information--and none of the video clips are longer than 20 minutes. Special Mahalos to Keith Ranney and Till Paris for recording the event and hosting the video respectively. And of course big mahalos to the presenters, panelists and other participants (almost 80 people). I strongly encourage you to bookmark this and check out over the next weeks. You can also download to video iphones, etc. to be able to view on long plane rides.
There is indeed, a lot to be thankful for--and it does have to do with spirit and light - literally and figuratively. Regardless of whether or not you are Democrat or Republican, I think all have had their hope kindled by President Elect and Hawaii-born and educated Barak Obama. People are paying attention and becoming more engaged. On the more material level, we can look forward to a revitalized U.S. Small Business Administration. See American Banker article.
Also on the light front, the U.S. Congress passed a very agressive alternative energy tax credits program back in October making converting to solar and/wind economically very doable for all--especially on Maui. Make sure you and/or your landlord reads the article by Maui CPA Doug Levin in this week's Maui Time Weekly
On the spirit side, I am buoyed by lots of signs of hope and creativity in dealing with tougher times--perhaps that is because of the nature of my work. All indications are that Maui is well positioned to lead the economic recovery with many of our forward looking companies, examples starting with those who presented at the Enterprise Forum. But there are also lots of other projects: electric cars, organic farming groups, value added food products, and possibly most important new community organizations such as the South Maui Sustainability group--people are paying new attention to the idea of "community organizing".
Given my own interest in music, I am very excited and thankful for the debut Kumu Keli`i Tau'a and David Kauahikaua's Cloud Warriors CD that was premiered at the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce Business Fest on November 19th. See review and go to http://keliitaua.com for up-to-date information on this and more (including links to download it). I have not felt the same about a recording since hearing Keali'i Reichel's debut Kawaipunahele.
This is a great time to develop your dreams, share your ideas, and encourage others by demonstrating your interest, sharing their stories, serving as a customer, becoming an investor. Yes, we have to be more creative in our marketing, be more productive with our operations, perhaps re-negotiate rent, loans and in generall update those cash flow projections--but that is not new.
Over the next weeks as we connect with family, friends, colleagues and others who we may not know or not know so well, let's cherish the seasonal focus on light and spirit and know that as we pass the winter solstice the darkness will begin its retreat. As we do this we should remember that in most of our creation stories including the Kumulipo, we start with darkness.
Season's Greetings, Mahalo, and Aloha!
David Fisher
Maui Center Direct
Hawaii SBDC Network
PS. I am only taking Xmas week off. Call Pat Diaz at 875-2402 if you would like an appointment.
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