The struggling economy has been weighing heavily on the minds of both business owners and residents. Drops in tourism against the national backdrop of a struggling economy will surely raise some hefty challenges ahead.

Joining us to talk about how Hawaii’s small business might weather the economic storm, and about what the state Legislature accomplished this past session, is state Sen. Sam Slom, who is also executive director of Small Business Hawaii.

Just a quick reminder of our Hot Seat ground rules: Keep your questions concise and on point so that we can get through as many questions as possible. And let’s keep it civil, no personal attacks please.

Got questions? Let’s chat.

The economic indicators look troublesome: Drops in tourism, declines in spending and a struggling national economy.

How will Hawaii’s small businesses weather the economic storm ahead? Joining us to talk about that and about what business measures emerged this session from the state Legislature will be state Sen. Sam Slom. Sen. Slom is also the executive director of Small Business Hawaii, which represents more than 2,000 businesses statewide.

Sen. Slom will answer your questions live Thursday (May29) from noon to 1 p.m.

To join the conversation, watch for the new posting that will go up at noon Thursday and post your questions there — not here. Or if you can’t make the session live you can e-mail your questions in advance to me at jmbelding@honoluluadvertiser.com and I’ll try to post as many as I can between the live session.

See you Thursday, with Sen. Sam Slom.

Welcome to the Hot Seat. Joining us live today from noon to 1 p.m. to answer your question on whether Hawaii should convene a Constitutional Convention are Peter Kay and state Rep. Della Au Belatti, co-founders of HawaiiConCon.org, a new online community of citizens trying to jump start the conversation on this important issue.

Political insiders know the stakes. And partisan lines in the sand have been drawn. Issues on the table issues range from whether we need a bicameral Legislature, to the role of our Board of Education and to Hawaii’s more revenue control for Hawaii’s counties.

Just a reminder of our Hot Seat ground rules: Keep your questions concise and on point so that we can get through as many questions as possible. And let’s keep it civil, no personal attacks please.

Got questions? Let’s chat.

Should Hawaii have another Constitutional Convention to re-examine and propose amendments to the state’s constitution? Already, the partisan lines in the sand have been drawn. It’s no wonder, with issues on the table issues such as whether we need a bicameral Legislature, the role of our Board of Education and whether Hawaii’s counties should have more control over revenue sources.

Joining us to jump start the debate will be Peter Kay and state Rep. Della Au Belatti, co-founders of HawaiiConCon.org, a new online community of citizens, politicians and technology leaders focused on discussing the merits of whether a ConCon should be held.

They’ll be joining us online live Wednesday (May21) from noon to 1 p.m. to answer your questions on ConCon and what’s at stake.

To join the conversation, just watch for the new posting that will go up right at noon on Wednesday, click the comment button and post your questions online live.
Or if you can’t make the one-hour session, you can e-mail your questions to me in advance at jmbelding@honoluluadvertiser.com

See you Wednesday, with the folks from HawaiiConCon.org.

Welcome to The Hot Seat! Just a scan of the headlines nationally and there’s no question that the weak economy weighs heavily on peoples’ minds. A story on the front page of today’s Advertiser says retailers expecting to get a taste of isle resident’s tax rebate checks should think again. In reality, people are using their rebates to pay bills.

In Hawaii, key indicators — from drops in tourism to an increasing number of foreclosures and more — clearly point to a rough economic road ahead. for us here in Hawaii.

So what should the state be doing, if anything, to mitigate that impact? Joining us live to answer your questions on the economy is Pearl Imada Iboshi, the state’s chief economist. She’ll answer your questions live online her on the Hot Seat from noon to 1 pm..

Just a reminder of our Hot Seat ground rules: Please keep your questions concise and on point to allow us to get to as many folks as possible. And, as always, let’s keep it civil — no personal attacks please.

Got questions? Hit the “comment” button below and join the conversation.