The three chambers of commerce on Kauai including the 100-year-old Kauai Chamber, the Kauai Filipino Chamber and the newest, the Kauai Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, will participate in a panel presentation at the monthly Lihue Business Association breakfast meeting
The three chambers of commerce on Kauai including the 100-year-old Kauai Chamber, the Kauai Filipino Chamber and the newest, the Kauai Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, will participate in a panel presentation at the monthly Lihue Business Association breakfast meeting from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday.
This free event will be hosted and presented by Duke’s Canoe Club at Kalapaki Bay.
Last fall, the KNHCC celebrated its one-year anniversary and held a strategic planning session in January followed by a business networking event in February at the Kauai Museum. In between, the KFCC held its annual membership meeting with the keynote provided by Sherry Menor-McNamara, President/CEO, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.
A native of Hilo and descendant of the Menor family who included Hawaii’s first Hawaii Supreme Court Justice, Ben Menor and her first cousin, Ron Menor (son of Justice Menor), Sherry shared the chamber’s goals and commitment to partnering with the island chambers, which collectively represent about 3,000-plus members.
During this first phase of this legislative session, the chambers of commerce were reviewing bills and submitting testimony in support/opposition on legislation such as bills related to minimum wage, tort liability as it relates to lifeguards and counties, video testimony for visitors and others who were unfortunate victims of crime and were unable to return to the state due to various reasons and domestic violence.
The legislative timeline from Feb. 20 to March 12 includes mandatory recess, first decking, first crossover, budget decking and budget crossover. In its efforts to have the legislative process be more accessible and interactive, electronic testimony has provided neighbor islanders greater access to submit testimony. New this year is the ability for everyone to also provide testimony live via video testimony. While still in its infancy, this additional technology will enable everyone equal access and equal opportunity to provide their input, from wherever they are in the islands.
As the Legislature enters it next and crucial phase of hearings, everyone is invited to take an active part in the statewide impacts of bills. Whether from education to land as well as health and doing business in Hawaii, Kauai residents have an opportunity to gain greater access and offer more input in the legislative process.
As the 2014 election season approaches, the chambers and our partners and sponsors will hold a series of debates and forums from July to October in order to provide all candidates and the public a platform to learn about issues important to everyone and where the candidates’ positions are. In the meantime, visit: www.capitol.hawaii.gov for more information.
Lastly, Mahalo Ia Oe to Stella Burgess, as a keeper of Hawaiian culture. Aunty Stella, as she was fondly known to many of her ohana and new friends/visitors to Kauai, was indeed a keeper and a person who truly lived and breathed Aloha and the ha (breath) that she shared from everyone with whom she came in contact. Like so many, we are all better as human beings for having the honor of knowing her through her commitment, kuleana (responsibility) and kulia ika nuu (excellence) as not only director of Hawaii Culture at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa but also for leading, sharing and touching the lives of so many, from keiki to kupuna, from kamaaina to malihini. Mahalo Ia Oe Aunty Stella Burgess. Aloha Oe —until we meet again.
• Randy Francisco is president of the Kauai Chamber of Commerce.
