The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) has announced the new officers for the Small Business Regulatory Review Board (SBRRB) for the fiscal year 2024 to 2025. Jonathan Shick from O‘ahu has been elected as chair. Shick is associated with Pono Consulting Group LLC and has served on the board for five years, previously holding the position of second vice chair.
Mary Albitz from Maui will serve as vice chair. She owns Island Art Party in Kīhei and has been a member since 2018, having most recently served as chair. Sanford Morioka from O‘ahu is named second vice-chair. Morioka is president of Edward Enterprises, Inc., joining the board in 2022.
Additional members include Robert Cundiff, Mark Ritchie (DBEDT Ex Officio), Garth Yamanaka, James (Kimo) Lee, Tessa Gomes, and recent appointees by Governor Josh Green, M.D., Nikki Ige from Kauaʻi and Jennifer Salisbury from Maui.
James Kunane Tokioka, DBEDT Director expressed gratitude: “Mahalo to the SBRRB members for their dedication and commitment to improving Hawai‘i’s small business landscape.” Dori Palcovich, SBRRB Administrator added: “The SBRRB oversees rules and regulations for Hawai‘i small businesses promulgated by both state and county agencies...I fully believe that the SBRRB is very committed to improving the regulatory climate in the state for the benefit of small businesses.”
The SBRRB meets monthly through both in-person gatherings and electronic means. Small businesses with specific regulatory concerns are encouraged to learn more about these meetings at sbrrb.hawaii.gov.
Established on July 1, 1998 with the passage of the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act, the SBRRB's responsibilities include providing commentary on business impact statements, identifying impacts of existing rules, making recommendations on new or amended rules or legislation changes to various government offices including county councils.
Comprising ten volunteer members who are current or former business owners across Hawaii along with an ex officio member from DBEDT's directorate or their representative; appointments are made by different state leaders ensuring representation from various business types without exceeding two members per type while also covering each county.
DBEDT serves as Hawaii’s economic resource center promoting development opportunities alongside energy conservation information while aiming towards a globally competitive economy fostering innovation sector job growth among other goals.