Businesses offered aid for boom in building
By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer
For two days next week, local building contractors and small businesses will get bombarded with information — from civil rights laws to the state's prepaid healthcare act — as city and state agencies and private organizations try to get Hawai'i businesses prepared for an O'ahu building boom.
When: Nov. 18 and 19, noon to 7 p.m. each day Where: Neal Blaisdell Center Register: Consulting appointments can be made at www.hawaiiatwork.com. Walk-ins More info: E-mail KeepHiBiz@terabiz.com
The event at the Neal Blaisdell Center, called "Keeping Hawai'i In Business," will be on Tuesday and Wednesday. It's intended as the first in a series of public-private partnerships that will begin with helping Hawai'i businesses get sub-contracting work for military and private construction jobs.
Keeping Hawai‘i In Business
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"We want to make sure that every business is prepared for the construction boom, whether it is a small business or a large company," Mayor Jeremy Harris said in a statement. "Projected construction projects for O'ahu will provide an incredible boost for our economy and we want local employers to share in this opportunity. Government regulations can be very complicated and exacting. We want to take away some of the mystery and help level the field for local companies."
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will provide staff to help businesses untangle a web of regulations, including unemployment insurance, temporary disability insurance, occupational safety and health and wage standards.
Representatives also will come from the state Department of Taxation, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Internal Revenue Service, O'ahu Workforce Investment Board and O'ahu WorkLinks.
"This is not an expo or trade show," said Tim Ho, chairman of the O'ahu Workforce Investment Board. "Contractors interested in improving their business practices will meet one-on-one with counselors to review their business."
The event follows efforts by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i and Building Industry Association of Hawai'i to inventory the needs of local businesses trying to get a piece of $2.2 billion worth of military housing construction work on O'ahu.
Actus Lend Lease won two of the three primary military contracts and Lucien Wong, the company's regional vice president, recommends that subcontractors attend the Blaisdell sessions.
"This is a great opportunity for contractors to review their needs and receive specialized training," Wong said.
Organizers of next week's event are planning future sessions, including one that will focus on helping local tourism-based companies.
"The ultimate goal of Keeping Hawai'i In Business is to contribute to Honolulu's economic development and help industries stimulate the kind of careers that will keep our residents from leaving, as well as to bring our children home," Harris said.
Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8085.
