LIHU‘E — When the boats come in, business is alright, said Derek Sone of Sone’s in the Kukui Grove Center, Thursday. The line for lunches formed on cue, Thursday being the day the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Pride of America does
LIHU‘E — When the boats come in, business is alright, said Derek Sone of Sone’s in the Kukui Grove Center, Thursday.
The line for lunches formed on cue, Thursday being the day the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Pride of America does its overnight visit to Kaua‘i and shuttles bring ship guests and crew to the mall.
James “Duke” Aiona was visiting with the Sones, chatting about the impact of the economy on their small business.
That visit is part of his strong support for improving the small business climate in Hawai‘i by visiting with at least 100 small business owners and their employees across the state over 100 days.
Travis Taylor of the Aiona for Governor campaign said the 100 days will expire on June 6, and right now, Aiona is on schedule with his visits.
Earlier in the day, Aiona was accompanied by Kukui Grove Center Marketing Director Jonell Kaohelauli‘i who provided him with a tour of the mall as well as stopping at individual businesses.
“It was really nice that the Lieutenant Governor took the time to visit with the businesses,” Kaohelauli‘i said. “We went to Kaua‘i Bakery, Payday Hawai‘i, GNC and several others where the businesses were happy to talk to him about their concerns. It’s good that he gets to hear things from their perspective. He also got a tour of the property.”
Aiona said prior to the Thursday stop, he had visited several other businesses prior to the groundbreaking of the Kaumuali‘i Highway widening project earlier in the year.
“Small businesses form the backbone of our economy,” Aiona said in his 100 small businesses section on his Web site. “These meetings are a lot more about listening than talking. I’m on the ground in communities across the state, listening to the concerns of small businesses and how they’re adapting to a rapidly changing marketplace.”
On the Web site, small businesses comprise approximately 98 percent of all business in Hawai‘i and account for roughly 69 percent of private jobs in the state.
Taylor said Aiona has visited other businesses on the other islands and the response has been “overwhelmingly positive.”
“It’s different when you’re on the ground instead of talking,” Taylor said. “The Lieutenant Governor has always felt the need to visit the Outer Islands more frequently and has tried to visit at least once a month.”
During his visit at Sone’s, Aiona was hesitant about having a large meal because he was due for another presentation, but who could resist the furikake ono, or the specially prepared chicken which Derek described as local favorites.
As Aiona settled in to enjoy the offerings, noting the large portions, he said, “Long term economic prosperity is dependent in part on our ability to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation that will create jobs.”
Visit www.DukeAiona.com for more information, or if you are a small business owner and want him to visit your establishment.
