As we enter the final quarter of our 2013-2014 Chamber year, I continue to be amazed at the ongoing dedication and commitment we receive from our past presidents, committee chairs and member volunteers.  Our March 5th Chamber Golf Classic at Hilo Municipal Golf Course was a perfect example of how our members work together to produce programs and events that not only benefit the Chamber but also provide memorable fun and fellowship for those who participate.

This year's 15th annual golf tournament was co-chaired by Mike Kaleikini, Toby Taniguchi, and Kimo Lee, and they assembled various sub-committees that included many members who have served since the tournament began.  It was another very successful event, with more than 150 golfers, and numerous volunteers, sponsors, and donors of prizes and other items.  A special thanks goes out Big Island Candies for again serving as title sponsor.

In February, we held a New Member orientation to officially welcome our many new members and provide them with information about our Chamber's history, traditions, committees and activities.  Led by Membership Chair Josie Kiyan, many of our long-time members also attended to share their experiences and history.  Our goal is to continue to hold these events semi-annually to help engage new members to become actively involved in the Chamber.  To date this year (since July 1st), we have had 35 new members and now have a total of 281.  Our appreciation goes out to all of their sponsors, and we encourage everyone to reach out to them and make them feel welcome.

Under the guidance of Past President Mike Miyahira, we completed the development of a new strategic plan for our Chamber, which will be finalized upon the completion of action plans by our various committees.  As a "membership" organization, our success is dependent upon a growing and engaged membership, so our top goals and objectives revolve around this initiative.  I want to thank Mike for his leadership, and also our board members and committee chairs for their time and energy over the past several months.  Once our action plans have been finalized, the results will be shared with all of our members.

I also want to again thank the Taste of Hilo Committee led by Co-chairs Russell Arikawa and Craig Shiroma for all of the efforts in producing another very successful Taste of Hilo event in October.  A check for $10,000 was recently presented to Hawaii Community College from proceeds of that event.  The funds will be used for various programs at HCC, including student scholarships.

Our General Membership meeting on March 27th featured Mayor Billy Kenoi who presented his annual County of Hawaii outlook.  Our thanks go to Economic Development Chair Randy Kurohara for arranging this program and for also including County Department Chairs as attendees.  This gave guests the opportunity to meet and talk directly with them and learn more about their departments and activities.   The Mayor presented a positive outlook for the coming year, highlighted by no increases in property taxes and efforts to control government costs but yet retain and improve government services and community programs.  Numerous initiatives are also underway to improve such programs as waste management, building permitting, and roads.

Our annual meeting and installation of new officers and directors has been set for Monday, June 23rd at Hilo Yacht Club, and Dave Honma from First Hawaiian Bank will be installed as our new president.  Mike Kaleikini is chairing the Nominating Committee for new officers and directors, which were approved at the general membership meeting on March 27th.  Congratulations to all of our new directors and officers who will be installed at the annual meeting.

Planning will be underway soon to host our visiting Sister Chamber guests from the Higashi-Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce & Industry from Japan during our installation festivities.  This year marks the 15th anniversary of this important relationship and our annual cultural and business exchanges.  We hope that our members will want to join us in the celebration of this exchange during our annual installation.

As I reflect on our Chamber year to date, I continue to be amazed at how much we are able to accomplish through mostly dedicated volunteers.  Our Executive Assistant,  Lei Momi Fujiyama Pillers, goes above and beyond the call of duty each and every day on behalf of our volunteers, and we are extremely grateful for her dedication. 

Aloha,

From the beginning of this administration, we have crafted budgets that limit spending, but also allow for targeted investment in our communities and our future. Our primary objective has always been to make the County of Hawai'i a better place for our families to live and work.

This year our administration has submitted a proposed operating budget for the County of Hawai'i with revenues and appropriations of $412,608,475. This budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 is 2.3 percent larger than the budget in effect when this administration began in 2008.

During the past five years of budget challenges caused by the national and international recession, we have continued to invest in county infrastructure while restricting spending and coping with increased health care and other costs. Our proposed new budget reflects those efforts to control the cost of government while always maintaining essential police, fire and other core county government services.

After five years of declining revenues, we are finally witnessing a modest, measured recovery in property values.  This will gradually translate into a stronger economy and a brighter budget picture. However, we in the county also face a new challenge in the form of $18.4 million in additional employee expenses in the year ahead. Most of these costs were the result of public worker arbitration decisions and negotiated agreements that significantly increase salaries, wages, social security contributions and retirement obligations.  These new employee and retiree costs reflect the difference between last year's budget and this year's budget.

Despite those additional costs, this proposed balanced budget does not require any increase in property taxes.

We have used the county's borrowing power and excellent credit rating to help stimulate the economy and create jobs during a period of low interest rates and favorable bid prices. In Kona, we answered residents' calls for relief from traffic congestion by advancing projects such as the La'aloa Avenue Extension, the Ka'iminani Drive Reconstruction and the Ane Keohokalole Highway, and we will soon begin work on the Mamalahoa Bypass.  In Hilo, we are repairing downtown streets starting with the Kilauea Avenue Reconstruction, followed by the Kamehameha Avenue Reconstruction project. We will continue in the months ahead with repairs and improvements to Ponahawai and Komohana Streets, and we are advancing the Kapi'olani Street Extension project to alleviate traffic congestion.

We are investing in parks, gyms, and playgrounds across the island where our families can engage in positive activities. We opened covered play courts at Pana'ewa Park in Hilo, and built the Kamakoa Nui Park in Waikoloa. We have added seven playgrounds islandwide, and will soon be opening the new Ka'u District Gym & Shelter. We renovated popular recreational facilities such as the Waiakea Recreation Center, Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium, Laupahoehoe Pool, Keokea Beach Park, and Pahoa Pool. We will soon make the largest investment in recreation in the history of the county by constructing district parks in Pahoa, Waimea and Kona.

Despite the budget challenges of recent years, we continue to invest in alternative energy and agriculture because we understand those sectors are essential for a sustainable economy. We installed solar arrays on county buildings to reduce oil consumption and utility costs, and will use wind power at Lalamilo to provide clean energy to supply water to our communities. We are encouraging growth in agriculture by investing in training and support for farmers, and provided 1,739 acres of county-owned lands for ranching and community-based agriculture at the Kapulena Agricultural Park. We joined in a public-private partnership to upgrade the Pa'auilo Slaughterhouse and provide a new rendering facility to support our grass-fed beef industry.

At the same time, we have preserved funding for public safety and essential core services. We funded additional police officers for the Puna and Ka'u communities, and opened the new Makalei Fire Station. We protected funding for nutrition, transportation and other services for seniors, and preserved and expanded programs for our children and youth. We maintained county funding to non-profit organizations serving the people most in need in our communities.

Our proposed budget represents a collaborative effort by our departments to address the growing needs of our growing population in a way that is both responsive and fiscally responsible. Our years of careful planning and conservative budgeting have positioned us to invest in our communities while maintaining core services and meeting our obligations to our employees.

Mahalo,

Billy Kenoi
MAYOR

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Each year JCCIH makes this important donation, which has a real impact on our students, faculty, staff, and general college community. Because of these donations, we were able in 2013 to distribute $375 Student Academic Achievement Awards to eight deserving students. We also promoted International Education by creating dozens of flags representing all the countries of our students.

New Director

 

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Please check out the current benefits and discounts that you can take advantage of as a JCCIH member!   

Gina Tanouye, Allstate - Speegle Insurance Agency is dedicated to providing outstanding service with Aloha for your auto, home, renters, life insurance and financial service needs. Contact Gina Tanouye at tgina@allstate.com or 969-7767. For every referral the office receives, the member will receive a $10 gift card for allowing them to provide an insurance quote. 

Kagari Fujita, Ph. D, Big Island Wisteria, LLC is offering members translation services of Japanese to English, or English to Japanese at a discounted price. Contact Kagari Fujita at fujitakg@gmail.com   

Amelia Hayashi, Bob's Jewelers is offering members 30% off watches; 30% off gold jewelry (Po Son Hon collection excluded); and 30% off sterling silver jewelry.  Contact Amelia Hayashi at 935-8434. 

Diann Horita - With an office in Hilo, Eyewear Hilo has been serving Keaau, Papaikou, Kurtistown and Waimea for more than 4 years. Prior to beginning in Dec. 2008, the staff was employed by Eyewear Hawaii, Inc. and that same respected service is found at Eyewear Hilo.  When you desire superior cutting edge lens technology, call Eyewear Hilo at 935-1119. Members will receive a 20% discount. 

 
Joy Madriaga, Hawaii Petroleum, Inc., HPI offers dependable bulk fuel and lubricant delivery services to all districts of the island.  HPI's proprietary gas card program - Hawaii Fueling Network - provides a convenient, cost saving way for businesses and consumers to fuel. As a member, when you sign up with HFN, you will receive a discount on your gas purchase.  Contact Joy Madriaga at 969-1405 for further questions.  Applications are available at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii.  

Sandy Wilson, Wilson's Trophies, provides awards for sports and academics; signs and banners; corporate awards, gifts & recognition; custom and personalized products (made to order); wood and acrylic crafting (laser engraving and designs); special occasions (Valentine's, Christmas, etc.); jewelry items (earrings, pendants, hair picks and more). Members will receive awards discounts. Contact Sandy Wilson at 969-7077.   

Words of Wisdom

By Tommy Goya