Aloha Chamber Members,

LEGISLATIVE ALERT

First, we want to make all aware of a signage issue that has the potential to impact nearly every business on Maui.  The Chamber is actively working on this issue and needs your involvement next week.

A very restrictive signage ordinance from 2002 is suddenly being enforced and businesses are being asked to take down signage that in many cases has been in place for years, is a cost-effective marketing tool, and is needed to keep customers coming through their doors.  Many businesses were not even aware of the ordinance, until a County inspector stopped by, and cannot believe the County would hit businesses up on this issue these economic times. 

Further, the signage businesses are being asked to take down does NOT create a public health, safety or wellness issue.  And, thus far, the enforcement seems to be selective.  While it may have begun with a complaint in one area, the enforcement has spread over a region and numerous businesses have been met by inspectors.

The business sector is willing to work with the Council to modify the ordinance and many Council members are supportive, however, that will take time.  In the meantime, we have asked the Mayor to step in and prevent businesses from being fined on this issue while the community comes together on a solution.  The Chamber’s Board of Directors are also interested in meeting with her on this issue, but we have not received a response to our email and phone requests for a meeting or assurances that enforcement would be held while the ordinance is modified.  However, we did learn that the Mayor was scheduling a meeting and received an email that “The Mayor has been working on this for some time now. The meeting has been called to discuss, with the businesses, their concerns and address this very important issue.”

Business in Kahului may be the early targets thus far, however, this is a County ordinance and can impact ALL businesses in Maui County.  Therefore, we are asking Chamber members to get involved and participate in the Mayor’s public meeting on

One of the world’s sweetest varieties, these famous Maui Onions are specially grown   and are in a class all their own. Baked, stuffed, the premium growing conditions on the Hawaiian Islands ensures that these onions have a sweet, delicate, unmistakeable flavor. Sure to be one of the best onions you will ever taste,  Maui Onions are great barbecued on skewers with chicken, beef, or lamb, or when used in soups, stews, and casseroles.This sweet onion is wonderful on sandwiches as a relish and a mustard..The new Sweet Maui Onion chips are out of this world, great..

There are many products out there that are so very good, but the Maui Sweet Onion products are great..Did you get to try the Maui Sweet Onion potato chips that costco was selling..They were so good, that they ran out of them..People keep asking if I can get them for them. I can when I am in Maui!!I will find them..But does anyone else know where they can be found. Please write to www.sweetyonion.com and let me know..

Also the Maui Sweet Onion Mustard is a must on any sandwich..Once you try this you will want to continue..Your sandwich will never be the same without this mustard..Maui Jellie factory sells it..So tell me have you tried it. Tell me what you thought..go to twitter and let me an other know..Mahalo(thanks) SWEETY onion..

Public Hearing on Administrative Rules for Plastic Bag Ordinance Set for August 17

The Department of Environmental Management announced that a public hearing on the proposed adoption of Administrative Rules regarding the Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance is scheduled for Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at noon at the Kalana Pakui Conference Room (Planning Department), First Floor, 250 South High Street, Wailuku.

The plastic bag reduction ordinance, which prohibits businesses from
providing plastic bags at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting
groceries or other goods, will take effect January 11, 2011.

The public is encouraged to review the proposed administrative rules, which
provide detailed information on permissible bags and the terms of violations
to the order.  A copy of the proposed rules may be viewed and downloaded free of charge
from the County website at www.mauicounty.gov/solidwaste (click on “Plastic
Bag Ban”).

The public may provide feedback on the proposed rules by submitting
testimony in person at the hearing, or through written testimony prior to
the hearing. Deadline to submit written testimony is Tuesday, August 17,
2010 via email to recycle@mauicounty.gov or via postal mail: DEM, Solid
Waste Division, 2200 Main St. , One Main Plaza Ste. 225, Wailuku , HI , 96793 .

Told to Take Your Signage Down?  Call Us!

Have you been told to take your business or promotional signage down?  We have been receiving a number of calls on this issue as County inspectors are enforcing an older signage ordinance and having businesses take their signage down.  Please see this past Saturday’s The Chamber View article in The Maui News. http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/533717.html?nav=8.  We have asked the Mayor and County Office of Economic Development for help as businesses are hurting, having to cut back on expenses, and struggling to get customers through their doors. Signage at their business location is a cost-effective way to help and the signage we are talking about is not endangering anyone. Therefore, we asking that businesses be allowed to use what they have and have been using for some time until the ordinance can be re-visited. We are also compiling a confidential list as, understandably, businesses hurt by this don’t want to be singled out for further sanctions or retaliation.

Sweetyonion has a new birthday card..This new item is shown on Zazzle.com  All other adventure products are also shown on Zazzle.com and cafepress.com and the Sweetyonion doll and magnets/key chains are on Sweety’s web page. www.sweetyonion.com

After buying your Sweetyonion product let Sweety know what adventures you go on with Sweety..Does Sweety go on vacation with you or hang out in the kitchen with you or sit in a chair in your room with you…??

How did Sweety make you smile or remember a good time in your life.What adventure have you been on lately??

Peeling away the layers of life’s adventures is what SWEETY is all about..

We all have so many layers to us and our lives are so filled with adventure, let SWEETY remind you of how wonder you life really is…Through good and not so good times..Mahalo Sweetyonion

I am so excited to see the turtles favorite place..Looking around,it seemed like every where was SWEETY’s favorite place..Look straight ahead SWEETY,that is my favorite place..WOW!!!!!! With the sun shinning down on the coral reef it look like a magical place..Colors were exploding with brilliance, fish were swimming back and forth with such grace and rhythm.You could feel that the ocean was alive with energy and yet so calm and inviting. Caught up in the beauty of this magical place, it seemed like time stopped and everything was moving slowly..SWEETY wanted to take in all the sites and wonders that were there…Oh, I can see why this is your special place turtle…I have never seen anything like this..I will show you around the coral reef now..

The turtle began to go in between and under the coral ,showing SWEETY all kinds of different sea creatures..Some you couldn’t even see because they camouflaged themselves so well..But because the turtle knew them , they were allowed to get close and say hello..Oh, look yelled SWEETY!! There are other turtles..Yes, those are my friends. We all come here because it is such a special place for us..We can swim in peace and not worry about anything. Sometimes the ocean get so rough above, that it makes it hard to see what is going on in other parts of the ocean..I can see why you would never leave here, but then you would never have any other adventures. But I am sure there are many adventures in the coral reef  that you have not explored yet..Oh, SWEETY, there are so many adventures left to explore…

Sweety can now go into the ocean and continue to swim with all new friends. The turtle and sweety have made it out of the current waters safety and now moved passed the solid rock cave..Wow, that was scary, SWEETY, thought..How are you dong turtle ? SWEETTY asked..I am doing just fine, I come across this kind of situation all the time..Sometimes the waves push you much faster, but this time we were lucky..We were inside the cave already and somewhat protected from the large waves…

Now we can go back through the cave to the other side..Ok, said SWEETY (holding on to the turtle)..Everywhere SWEETY looked the colors were so brilliant..I have never seen colors like this before, SWEETY thought.

It was so much cooler in the cave again..but this was ok . SWEETY,the turtle and the carbs were all swimming to the other side of the cave now, where it was warm. Here on the other side of the cave, the water was warmer from the direct sun..Let me show you my favorite place SWEETY, said the turtle. Oh, how fun to be able to see the turtles favorite place..

Wednesday, Aug. 25

7:30-10:00 PM Paradise Cinema

MPF Opening Reception in Paradise

      How can we make the SFWC Newsletter better and more relevant for you? If you have ideas for topics, improved distribution, or any other suggestions that will make the SFWC Newsletter a treasure in your inbox when it arrives, please take our short survey (just 10 questions).  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PW65SZV

     The two survey takers that give us the most thoughtful suggestions will earn a copy of the book, Get Published by Diane Gedymin and Susan Driscoll.  Thank you in advance for your ideas and suggestions.

Writing For Change conference electrifies San Francisco

            On November 13-14, the third Writing for Change conference will bring activists and writers from all parts of the world to San Francisco to celebrate the power of books as agents of change. Don’t miss this opportunity to see proof that one person CAN change the world. Maybe that person is YOU!

            Join keynoters John Robbins and Dan Millman; editors from Random House, Wiley, HarperCollins, Berrett-Koehler and Writers Digest; a host of literary agents actively seeking books that can change the world; best-selling authors; and many other publishing professionals. We’re adding to the speaker list all the time so go to www.SFWritingforChange.org for the latest information. Hope to see you there.

2010 San Francisco Writing for Change and

2011 San Francisco Writers Conference Flyers

now on the website 

            Remember the deadline for early bird rates for BOTH of these events is August 31… and they do sell out. Save your place as soon as possible and share these flyers (and this newsletter) with your friends.

? 2010 San Francisco Writing for Change–November 13 & 14, 2010 at the Hilton (Financial District/Chinatown) www.SFWritingforChange.org

? 2011 San Francisco Writers Conference–February 18^th-20^th at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins. www.SFWriters.org 

UPCOMING WRITING EVENTS, CONTESTS & DEADLINES

 Wednesday, July 28th     ”The Future of Books”

Super AgentLaurie McLean is speaking in Lafayette , CA at the Commonwealth Club. She will focus on eBooks. Also on the panel: Ying Compestine, Author, Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party and former Food Editor, Body & Souland Dave Simpson, Owner, Lafayette Bookstore.

Location: Lafayette Library and Learning Center ‘s Community Hall (BART accessible)
Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program
Cost: $12 members, $22 non-members, $7 students (with valid ID) Check out the URL: https://tickets.commonwealthclub.org/auto_choose_ga.asp?area=186&shcode=1931    

NOW thru October 1, 2010.  The annual Write On! Story Contest, formerly The WestSide Story Contest, is open to all genres of literary fiction. The contest is hosted by the Berkeley Branch of the California Writers Club. First Prize: $250, 2^nd Prize: $100, 3^rd Prize: $50. Entry fee is $13 per entry. Mention you saw the contest