Associated Press
Many small-business owners aren’t convinced Hawai‘i’s economy is bouncing back to health. A survey of local entrepreneurs released yesterday shows 53 percent would not start operations in Hawai‘i if they had a chance to do things all over again.
The 4,000-member Hawai‘i chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business conducted the survey and received responses from about 900 of its members. Of those who responded, 61 percent rated the state’s small-business climate as poor, while 33 percent called it fair and 25 percent were unsure how they felt about it.
"This survey should be a wake-up call to our elected leaders who believe the worst is over and have forgotten that small business is the state’s largest job and revenue producer," federation state director Bette Tatum said.
Seiji Naya, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said all business sectors have contributed to the improved economy. He said small businesses in particular will benefit from the state’s reduction in personal income taxes.
The second phase of the three-phase reduction went into effect Monday.
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