Sherry Menor-McNamara

Sherry Menor-McNamara achieved several milestones when she became president of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii at the beginning of September — both for herself and the venerable 162-year-old business organization.

Formerly its chief operating officer and senior vice president of government affairs, Menor-McNamara is the organization’s first woman president, its first president of Japanese-Filipino descent (her mother is Japanese and her father was Filipino) and, at age 42, its youngest president. She succeeded Jim Tollefson, who had been the chamber’s chief for almost 12 years.

For Menor-McNamara, the promotion to president was the culmination of a process that began years ago after she realized she liked working in politics, which working at the chamber has allowed her to do somewhat as an advocate for business.

"While I was in law school and business school, I worked at the state Legislature and I really enjoyed it," she recalled last week. "My dad’s side of the family, they’re all in public service, and my dad served in the state Legislature, as well as my uncle, and my cousin. So, this is somewhat in me."

Her father, Barney Menor, who died in 1999, had been a state representative and was a charter member of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. Her uncle was Ben Menor, a former state senator and the first Filipino justice on the Hawaii Supreme Court. And her cousin is Honolulu City Councilman Ron Menor.

Menor-McNamara said she also was influenced by her mother, the former Naomi Kawanishi, who runs her own business, a travel agency in Hilo. When a job at the chamber opened up in 2006, she said, "it was a perfect opportunity."

Before joining the chamber — which has 1,000 members, a 35-member board of directors, a 14-employee staff and an annual budget of about $2 million — Menor-McNamara worked for ESPN Sports on the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl; as a committee clerk and legislative assistant at the state Legislature; as an events and sports project manager for Sony Corp. in Japan; as a press assistant for Estee Lauder Co. in New York; and on various internships, including in the Executive Office of the President and with U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, both in Washington, D.C.

Recently Menor-McNamara was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to be chairwoman of the Hawaii Health Connector board, which is charged with setting up the state’s health insurance exchange under the federal Affordable Health Care Act.

Born and raised on Hawaii island, Menor-McNa-mara is a graduate of Waiakea High School in Hilo. She also has a bachelor’s degree in political science from University of California at Los Angeles and a law degree and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii. She also took courses at the University of Southern California and Harvard University.

Menor-McNamara is married to John McNamara, associate athletic director at the University of Hawaii, with whom she lives in downtown Honolulu with their "two lovable dogs," Bruin and Kuma-chan.

Question: What topics are dominating the chamber’s agenda right now?

Answer: One of the areas that we’re focusing on is military affairs. … The chamber is taking an active role in addressing some of the challenges that face our second-largest industry and business driver in the state. It’s about a $14.7 billion industry.

As you know, federal budget constraints and sequestration will have an economic impact in Hawaii, due to decreased state income tax revenues, which will squeeze disposable income for local goods and services and increase unemployment, so Hawaii businesses will see a ripple effect.

Q: What can the chamber do?

A: We’re seeking to mitigate the impact in Hawaii by working with various stakeholders, to ensure that our economy and the security of Hawaii and our nation are protected.

The other area we’re focusing on is the impact of the Affordable Care Act. We hear from members each year that health costs are increasing and are one of the highest cost drivers of running a business, so when some of the provisions of the ACA are implemented, an increase is inevitable and will have a significant impact on businesses of all sizes.

Q: You think the imposition of the ACA will increase costs for businesses?

A: Yes, as provisions of the act get implemented.

Q: Why would that be, if they were saying it was supposed to lower the cost of medical care?

A: That’s what we’re reviewing. Part of the provisions in the act does impose fees, and fees ultimately will be passed on.

Q: How do you make it go together with the fact that you’re the head of the Hawaii Health Connector?

A: The Health Connector is a board consisting of different stakeholders, so I represent the business hat. There’s a consumer hat, and the issuers (health insurance companies) also sit on that board.

Q: Overall, do you think the Affordable Care Act is going to collapse or be a good thing?

A: As long as the Affordable Care Act does what it’s supposed to do, which is increase the quality of health care and lower the cost of health care, then yes. But we need to stay attentive and ensure that those goals are met.

Q: What else is on the chamber’s agenda?

A: Another area we’re working on is our business package for the upcoming legislative session. … I can’t describe it specifically at this time, as our policy committees are still discussing the issues, and eventually it will need board approval. However, it does cover a broad range of issues, including employment, economic development, education, land use and health.

Q: Without getting the government involved through loan programs or whatever, what is the chamber doing to create more business opportunities?

A: We’re currently working on an economic development plan to enhance Hawaii’s position as a global hub.

Q: What can the chamber do to facilitate that?

A: Part of it is to seek ways to build a better business climate and lower the cost of doing business, so that we can enhance our ability to compete on a national and global scale.

Q: What about some specifics? For example, the general excise tax — what’s your attitude on that?

A: Well, generally we’re not in support of an increase in taxes.

Q: But what about the method of taxation itself? Does the chamber have an official position on the general excise tax?

A: Not necessarily. We have opposed an increase in the GET tax.

What we are looking to do is become more proactive in looking at different economic development areas — for example, to attract more innovation businesses in Hawaii, raise Hawaii’s research and development capabilities and standing, enhance Hawaii’s opportunities and competitiveness in manufacturing, as well as expand export opportunities for the business community. In fact, we’re excited because we were recently approved by the National Association of Manufacturing to serve as the exclusive association in Hawaii. This will allow us to provide more resources and opportunities to help existing and future manufacturing companies in Hawaii.

Q: What do you think could be manufactured here?

A: Well, there’s the growing area in apparel, as well as high tech. We also have food.

Q: The niche food products?

A: Right. So there’s specialized manufacturing.

Q: What about the Jones Act? Are you planning to take a position on calls for an exemption for Hawaii ?

A: Historically we have not taken a position, and it’s something we do not have a position on at this point.

Q: Does the chamber have any policies devoted to homelessness, which seems to be a concern for the tourism industry?

A: These are areas that previously what we’ve done is track legislation at the Legislature, and these are areas that we will look at more closely and be more proactive.

Essentially our vision is to center Hawaii as a wonderful place to do and conduct business, by lowering the cost of doing business and build a sustainable and diverse economy that creates quality jobs.

Q: Everybody talks about improving the business climate, but I don’t hear anybody saying specifically how to lower the cost of doing business here, or improve the business climate, for that matter.

A: Right. So what we’re looking at now is, one, the business package will help address that; and, two, evaluating some of the cost-of-doing business surveys (in which), you know, every year they come out and Hawaii ranks 50th. So what we’re doing is taking a look at the polls, taking them apart, and seeing what areas we need to work on.

Q: That’s progress, I guess.

A: Right, and there’s no place to go but up. (Laughter)

Also we need to create a working and living environment that respects Hawaii’s values, but also that will help our economy. This includes addressing and finding solutions for areas such as affordable housing, homelessness education and health care.

Q: Are there any things you’re recommending as far as tourism goes?

Q: Well, it is our No. 1 industry, so we need to continue to support tourism and ensure that visitors continue to come to Hawaii — not only to Hono-lulu and Waikiki but also the neighbor islands.

Q: When you say "continue to support," what does that mean?

A: Well, ensure, once again, that the business climate is improved, as well as monitor issues and legislation that could potentially impact and lessen the competitiveness of Hawaii, because we are competing with other states and countries as well.

Another area is to bring more students to study in Hawaii. … From my understanding, there’s been a decline of enrollment from international students.

Q: Why do you think that is?

A: I’m not sure. I think one reason may be that other markets are actively recruiting international students. However, if we can continue to market our area, just because there’s so many similarities between Asia and Hawaii, it makes sense to continue to support that and provide more resources so we can enhance our marketing effort.

Q: If I were a small business owner, why should I join the chamber and not Small Business Hawaii or NFIB — or would you recommend I join all three, if I could?

A: The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii is the largest business membership organization in the state, and … we advocate on behalf of all business — different-sized businesses, from small to large, and from diverse industries.

Q: There’s never any conflict in the goals of some of your members based on their size?

A: Because we have such a diverse membership, there are times when we can’t weigh in on an issue, just because it could impact a large percentage of our members one way or another. So the way we prioritize the issues, especially at the Legislature, is based on which ones will have the most impact on most of our members.

We encourage all businesses to join the chamber and add their voice in support of our state and economy. There are strengths in numbers, and the more we have, the more we can do to make a difference and strengthen Hawaii’s economy and business climate.

Q: What kinds of services does the chamber actually offer its members?

A: We provide value by being the voice of business. … We advocate on behalf of business interests at the Legislature, City Council and sometimes in other jurisdictions. …

We also provide tools for members to get involved in the legislative process, such as our action-alert system, which is an effective way for our members to submit letters or testimony to the Legislature. …

We have our policy series events, which feature leaders and decision-makers from government and the community. The chamber (also) supports its members with training, business-building and networking opportunities. There are more than 50 member-

ship benefits and discounts to employees; special pricing on events through partner organizations; and a wide variety of marketing and promotional opportunities.

Q: Regarding the power of numbers, what would you say is the state of unionism in Hawaii right now? Are they as strong as they used to be, or what?

A: Well, the unions definitely play a role in the community. I’d like to say that there’s more collaboration, trying to work together on issues of common concerns.

Q: So it’s not just all clashing all the time?

A: Right. And I think it’ll be more

effective when we can work together on those common issues, because we all have one common goal, right? And that is to create and sustain jobs, as well as improve the quality of life for everyone in our state.