Small Business

...Senate Bill 3125, Our Big Tax Bill (which is still a lot smaller than the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act) was signed into law on May 21 and became Act 24, what I am calling the One Big Tax Bill Act or OBTBA....

... seagliders are being investigated as a possible mode of interisland transportation ....

... Hawaii becomes the 4th blue state this year to raise their highest income tax rate ....

...Hawaii’s program is set to launch this year....

... what is going to happen to the renewable energy technologies credit ....

... net employment gain of 1,530 jobs in the private sector during the third quarter of 2025 ....

... Green now has until July 11 to determine whether he will sign ....

"SNAP sales rose by more than $23,000—from $314,416 in 2024 to $339,810 in 2025—while transactions increased by 1,689"

... CLUE: Lawsuit next ....

... visitor spending and real estate investment to defense contracting, prefabricated housing, education and captive insurance ....

... “Unlicensed properties are not currently on our agenda for discussion” ....

...$22.2 billion in delinquent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loans that were previously flagged for suspected fraud during the Biden Administration but never sent to Treasury for collection nor referred to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for investigation....

...“unauthorized payments totaling approximately $647,061.09 ... via 22 checks from Makaha Surfside and/or Lalawai Hale and/or lolani Regent and/or Palehua Gardens and/or 1040 Kinau”....

... SB2876: a bill on the verge of final approval that would actually move regulations on local entrepreneurs in the right direction ....

... along with $1,409,964.35 in restitution to the Small Business Administration ....

... WalletHub compared startup opportunities across 100 U.S. cities ....

... DHS has received federal approval for a temporary waiver allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households to purchase hot foods using their benefits at authorized retailers statewide, from April 17 through May 16, 2026 ....

...Charges were filed in Hawaiʻi County by the Department of the Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Division March 25, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit....

... the report authors praised Democratic Hawaii lawmakers for reducing some taxes he said would ease the cost of living.  Too bad the Legislature is about to reverse this ....

... four Oahu locations near the bottom of this national scorecard ....

... The Hawaii Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted 2-2, leaving the recommendation to ban commercial aquarium fishing on Oahu unadopted ....

... a bill Hawaii lawmakers are considering that would free natural hair braiders from burdensome cosmetology licensing requirements ....

... Six months ago, James Comey and Letitia James had likely never heard of PLF client Eliza Wille or her dolphin therapy practice in Kona ....

... Rideshare drivers — also referred to as transportation network company (TNC) drivers — are required to file tax returns and pay GET on their gross income or gross proceeds, including any discretionary tips they receive. ....

... is it really a loophole? ....

...There are several significant healthcare bills still making their way through the Legislature. Perhaps the most important are those that would reform the state’s medical “certificate of need” regulations....

"... DOBOR simply does not know whether it recovered from vessel owners or their insurers the costs it expended ..."

... We demand you crush the TVRs ....

...Grassroot’s priorities this session include defending the state’s income tax cuts passed in 2024, opposing all other tax hikes and fees, supporting occupational licensing reform and advocating housing policies that could boost homebuilding....

... California’s Paid Family Leave Act did not help narrow the pay gap, and was instead associated with reduced employment and earnings for first-time mothers ....  

... a "breeding ground for fraud" ....

... it could be another year for big, positive changes ....

"OER’s priority was to create staffing capacity over economic recovery and revitalization."

"they will repeal certificate-of-need laws"

...They would be charged $710 per day to have government monitors on board.... 

... Hawaii ranks 46th in Avg. Growth in Number of Small Businesses ....

...Mycko received $37,158.00 in PUA funds that he was not entitled to receive....

... plan to be out of the area no later than 6 p.m. ....

... Hawaii has one of the most restrictive CON environments in the country ....

... Bill 9 will cause job losses for Maui residents, impede entrepreneurship, reduce county tax revenues and result in expensive litigation against the county ....

... The original song is quite a bit longer ....

... The ink of Bissen’s signature is barely dry and, precisely as predicted, the litigation is already beginning ....

... This marks the third step in a series of scheduled increases, culminating in a final rate of $18.00 per hour on January 1, 2028 ....

...The final vote to approve Bill 9 was 5-3 with Gabe Johnson, Shane Sinenci, Keani-Rawlins-Fernandez, Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins and Tamara Paltin voting yes. Yuki Lei Sugimura, Tom Cook and Chair Alice Lee voted no....

...The Children’s Entrepreneur Market is open in Aiea once a month....

... new Grassroot Institute of Hawaii white paper highlights the need for state lawmakers to reform or repeal the state’s CON regulations ....

"...Kids rise to the challenge of deciding what to sell, creating a booth, talking to customers, and handling money...."

... Honolulu Bill 42 allows taxicabs to set their own prices -- Hawai'i County Bill 52 allows backyard chickens ....

... outgoing Administrator Sal Petilos is retiring after two and a half years with the City ....

... DCCA Board approves settlement agreement, revocation efective 9-29-25 ....