‘Chamber Week’ launches pro-business endeavors

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii this week is hosting a series of events as part of its first "Chamber Week," coinciding with the start of the state legislative session, in which the group plans to aggressively promote a pro-business package of bills.

At a ceremony Friday at the state Capitol, Gov. Neil Abercrombie designated Jan. 13-17 as Chamber Week.

Chamber President and CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara said the group, which includes about 1,000 member companies, is charting an aggressive plan that includes "supporting job growth, fueling our economy and improving the quality of life for the people of Hawaii."

Menor-McNamara said the chamber will have a more active role in the state legislative session that begins Wednesday.

"Our role at the Legislature is one of our most important functions," she said. "This year, in addition to tracking and supporting or fighting against bills, we are going to take a more proactive stance by introducing our own package of bills to protect employers from increasing business costs, support the progress of new industries and sectors, and create an environment that will attract new business, promote competition and stimulate expansion of the private sector to provide increased employment opportunities."

Chamber officials said the group’s legislative effort also will focus on lowering the cost of doing business, reducing overlapping regulation, furthering the state’s manufacturing industry and supporting early childhood learning.

In addition, the group is marking Chamber Week with a series of events, many of which are geared toward the legislative process. They include:

» Today, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m., "State of Business: The Economy of Small Business" panel discussion at the Plaza Club.

» Tuesday, 8-10 a.m.: "Legislative 101 Class" at the American Savings Bank’s eighth-floor conference room; and at 5:30-7:30 p.m., a manufacturing initiative launch party at the Hono­lulu Design Center.

» Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: a business appreciation event at Tama­rind Park.

» Thursday, 9-11 a.m.: "Walk Around at the Capitol"; and, at 5:30-8 p.m., a "Legislative Meet and Greet" at the Highway Inn.

» Friday, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.: military appreciation event at the Capitol.

For more information on these and other events, visit www.coc­hawaii.org and click on Chamber Week, or contact the chamber’s Kyle Oka­mura to register or RSVP at 545-4300, ext. 317, or at koka­mura@coc­hawaii.org.