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Gender gap at Honolulu Hale, groups fight public record restrictions, Honolulu council bans plastic bags, Kauai leads state in income growth, Kahuku…
Honolulu Hale (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Men and women work different jobs at Honolulu Hale, and the men’s jobs pay more. Civil Beat. House Finance Chairman Marcus Oshiro and Senate Ways and Means Chair David Ige indicated conferrees have come to agreement on the operating side of the budget — but are still working toward a deal on the capital improvements portion of the budget. Civil Beat. A range of organizations – from the Sierra Club to the Hawaii Independent – are petitioning legislators to protect government transparency. More than a dozen community, media and open-government organizations are waging a desperate fight today to save Hawaii’s Freedom of Information Law from its most serious erosion in its 24-year history. Hawaii Independent. Lawmakers are poised to include $25 million for student transportation in the supplemental budget bill for next fiscal year, $17 million shy of what the Department of Education said it needed to preserve school bus services statewide. Star-Advertiser. The state Legislature will be voting on Hawaiian language mandates in the coming week. KHON2. Duane “Dog” Chapman and Beth Chapman seek to derail the Abercrombie administration’s “Justice Reinvestment” initiative, a data-driven approach to reforming Hawaii’s criminal justice system, which would include freeing up prison space. Civil Beat. As contract negotiations continue between the state and its public school teachers, a newly adopted teacher evaluations policy remains a sticking point. Tribune-Herald. State lawmakers reached agreement today on a bill requiring motorists to “move over” when approaching a traffic or crime scene where emergency responders are working. Star-Advertiser. Peter Hsieh has resigned as chief attorney in the state Securities Enforcement Branch after the state began an investigation of his past professional and financial problems. Hawaii Reporter. Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee have cautioned Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that an agreement between the U.S. and Japan over transferring more than 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam, Hawaii and other locations should not be considered final without congressional approval. Pacific Business News. The Oahu group that’s fighting the new legislative maps has asked a federal judge to halt the upcoming election until new districts can be drawn. West Hawaii Today. Oahu The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday passed a bill that would impose a fee on plastic bags retailers and restaurants provide to customers before banning them altogether effective July 1, 2015. Pacific Business News. Oahu consumers will have until summer 2015 to get used to the idea of not getting a plastic bag when they shop at a grocery store or other retailer. Star-Advertiser. Honolulu could soon become the fourth and final county in Hawaii to implement a ban on single-use plastic checkout bags. Civil Beat. The Honolulu City Council passed a bill today to ban single-use shopping bags on O’ahu in 3 years. Hawaii Public Radio. Honolulu is the only county in the state not to regulate plastic shopping bags, but now the city council has approved the plan to ban plastic shopping bags and some paper bags as well. Hawaii News Now. A much-debated ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags was passed Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council, but if signed into law by Mayor Peter Carlisle, the ban would not take effect until July 1, 2015. KITV4. A correction to a consultant’s “data error” has upended the city’s recently announced list for potential landfill sites, catapulting two upland Kahuku locations to the top spots while knocking the previous No. 1, Ameron Quarry in Kailua, halfway down the ranking. Star-Advertiser. A military site in Kahuku has replaced a Kailua quarry as Honolulu’s top choice for a new landfill. But that doesn’t mean Kailua should start celebrating. Civil Beat. People in Kailua are breathing a collective sigh of relief while people from Kaneohe to Haleiwa shudder at the latest news regarding a new landfill. Hawaii News Now. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a plan to make an extra $450 million available for Honolulu’s rail line in case the project runs out of money because of some unexpected mishap or disaster during construction. Star-Advertiser. North Shore residents were given a big Wednesday announcement they were not expecting, that Kahuku and Pupukea are now top of the list for the City’s next potential landfill sites. KHON2. Honolulu’s City Council split a vote, four to four, in a resolution that would have urged the State Legislature and the Food and Drug Administration to mandate labels of genetically modified food. KITV4. State health officials inspected a two mile area along Kea’ahala stream today, from Kahukipa down to Kaneohe Bay. KITV4. Hawaii Concerns about an Elections Division in disarray have prompted Hilo Councilman Dennis Onishi to ask the state Office of Elections to intercede. Among the problems, Onishi said Wednesday, are clerks not qualified to accept state filings, voter lists for candidate campaigns delayed until June and longtime volunteers bowing out because of controversies over Elections Office firings. West Hawaii Today. The county Department of Parks and Recreation is finally complying with a federal law mandating the replacement of swimming pool drain covers by December 2008. Tribune-Herald. The Hawaii County Council could soon be discussing new legislation aimed at protecting Big Island residents from geothermal power plant leaks and blowouts. Tribune-Herald. Maui The Maui Planning Commission approved a county special use permit Tuesday for Verizon Wireless to install a 35-foot-high pole and cellular antenna – disguised as a palm tree – on agricultural land mauka of the Waiehu Golf Course. Maui News. Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case said he’s not afraid to tell people things he feels they need to hear, even if he and his campaign for U.S. Senate draw fire for it. Maui News. A special native Hawaiian initiative is seeking the help of volunteers around the world to typescript thousands of pages of Hawaiian-language newspapers into a searchable database. Maui Now. Kauai The head of the Department of Land and Natural Resources described the latest monk seal death as a “despicable act” as the reward for information grew to $40,000. Star-Advertiser. A Hawaiian monk seal was found killed on Kauai over the weekend, officials said Wednesday, bringing to four the number of suspicious deaths for the critically endangered species in six months. Associated Press. Foul play is again suspected in the second death of a Hawaiian monk seal found on Kaua‘i this year, with the latest victim discovered Sunday, authorities said Wednesday. Garden Island. The personal income of Kauai residents increased 3.7 percent in 2010 from 2009 on a per capita basis, the fastest growth rate of any county in the state, the federal government reported Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Owners of transient vacation rental properties, also known as TVRs, will now have to pay commercial rates for county trash collection services, the county Public Works Department reported Wednesday. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Case-Hirono debates not so great, groups rally for solar energy tax credits, plastic bag fee, $3.2M award in Maui cliff death despite alcohol,…
20. April 2012
Ed Case, Mazie Hirono U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono will appear with former U.S. Rep. Ed Case at five joint forums and debates before the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in August, but she agreed to only one televised forum and bypassed debates offered by the state’s major news outlets. Star-Advertiser. U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono’s decision not to accept any debates on major television networks has prompted her opponent to call the decision “an insult to Hawaii voters.” Civil Beat. After months of prodding from Congressman Ed Case (D-HI, 2002-2007), Congresswoman Mazie Hirono has finally agreed to debate him. Hawaii Reporter. Mazie Hirono and Ed Case are at odds over the number of debates and joint appearances scheduled before the primary election in their race to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka. Hawaii News Now. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono will participate in five debates with former Congressman Ed Case leading up to Hawaii’s Primary Election, in her bid for the U.S. Senate. KHON2. Seeking elected office means defending your positions against your rivals’ — including within your own party. But when U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono refused any debates on network TV with her Democratic primary opponent Ed Case, she did a disservice to the people of Hawaii. (commentary) Civil Beat. With Earth Day just days away, environmentalists and retail merchants made a last-ditch effort Thursday to convince state lawmakers that a bill that would impose a statewide 10-cent fee on disposable plastic and paper checkout bags deserves to be heard and voted on. Star-Advertiser. With the Legislature set to adjourn in just two weeks, supporters of solar energy tax credits are ramping up their efforts to hang on to incentives they say are needed to ensure the industry’s continued success. Civil Beat. Hawaii’s renewable energy tax credits, which are credited with helping the state’s solar energy industry to reach new heights, are now backed by a report saying that they yield a clear, significant net fiscal benefit to the state. Pacific Business News. Hawaii lawmakers are on the verge of lopping off some $22 million from the Department of Education’s school bus budget, which officials say will force thousands of students to find new ways to get to class. Civil Beat. House Finance Chairman Marcus Oshiro said the state Department of Education’s repeated warnings about possible massive cuts of school bus service are “irresponsible fear-mongering.” Star-Advertiser. House and Senate conference committee members have just over a week to reach agreement on measures they want to see passed this legislative session. Associated Press. Three Board of Education members have been confirmed by the Senate for terms through June 30, 2015. Star-Advertiser. The state Senate has confirmed the appointment of four new members of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, effective July 1, and renewed the appointment of two others, effective immediately. Tribune-Herald. Peter Hsieh, the newly-hired head of enforcement in the state office that regulates financial securities, has been demoted following news stories in Hawaii Reporter about his serious personal financial problems, the state said today. Hawaii Reporter. A federal grand jury yesterday indicted a Correctional Officer at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, on five counts of sexual abuse of a prison ward. Maui Now. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has released $34 million to upgrade state facilities. KHON2. Oahu The first mayoral debate of 2012 is scheduled for less than two weeks from now, when Kirk Caldwell, Peter Carlisle and Ben Cayetano all participate in what organizers are calling “pupus and politics” at the Plaza Club. Civil Beat. The U.S. Senate appropriations committee is supporting a bill allocating $250 million for a rail line in Honolulu.
Continue reading...Aloha Friday Photo: The Kahala Edition
20. April 2012
Today’s Aloha Friday Photo of the grounds at the Kahala was sent by Dave from Oahu. Here’s what Dave had to say, “This place is almost magical. Very romantic. I proposed to my wife relaxing with her on the hammock (made for two) just after sunset. I couldn’t help it…” Well, who can blame Dave for popping the question at such a romantic location? If you’re not familiar with the Kahala Hotel & Resort , it’s located in Honolulu, but not in Waikiki Beach. Many people are surprised to learn that there are only three resort areas to stay on Oahu outside of Waikiki. The Kahala resort is one of those three. We’ve been there to dine and to swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Quest . Mahalo to Dave for sharing his romantic Aloha Friday Photo with us. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Hawaii Legislature down to the wire, plastic bag fee unlikely this session, Obama declares Kauai disaster, Honolulu rail argued in court, Maui wind…
19. April 2012
Hawaii state Capitol (c) 2012 All Hawaii News House and Senate conference committee members have just over a week to reach agreement on measures they want to see passed this legislative session. Associated Press. Hawaii’s first lady is joining environmental groups in calling on state lawmakers to take a vote on a bill that would charge a fee every time a shopper chooses a disposable paper or plastic bag. Associated Press. Once touted as one the biggest environmental measures of the year, a bill that would charge consumers for single-use bags at the check-out counter appears to be on its deathbed. Civil Beat. Senate Democrats Help Each Other Raise Campaign Cash. Civil Beat. An overhaul of Hawaii’s criminal justice and corrections system is moving forward at the state capitol. KHON2. Two bills that had proposed raising fees on state-chartered banks and other financial institutions have failed to pass the Hawaii Legislature — leaving the state’s Division of Financial Institutions with budget deficits in the coming years. Pacific Business News. Lawmakers approved a bill that will require cell phone or communication service providers to assist law enforcement agencies in determining the location of a cell phone in emergency situations. Maui Now. Incumbent Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and her Republican challenger, former Congressman Charles Djou, are building their campaign warchests in anticipation of a November showdown. Civil Beat. Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants will see their wages rise by 15 percent over the next four years under the terms of a new contract. Star-Advertiser. A new educational exchange program is planned for students and teachers in the Asia Pacific region. Hawaii Public Radio. A little more than a year after the Times named Alvin Kuo Wong the Happiest Man in America, he’s now trying to create a nonprofit think tank devoted to happiness while continuing to run his company, which helps physicians cope with reduced medical reimbursements. Star-Advertiser. Oahu The city of Honolulu has agreed to pay $1.2 million for water quality improvements on the Waianae Coast to settle a state Health Department fine for dumping truckloads of concrete slabs into a West Oahu stream used by endangered Hawaiian birds. Associated Press. The state Department of Health and Honolulu have agreed on a $1.2 million settlement in one of Hawaii’s most controversial water pollution cases. Associated Press. The environmentalist who brought to the forefront one of Hawaii’s most controversial water pollution cases ever says the state’s $1.4 million fine against the city is an insult to taxpayers. KHON2. A motion to dismiss portions of a federal lawsuit challenging Honolulu’s $5.3 billion rail project was argued in court this morning, with U.S. Senior Circuit Judge A. Wallace Tashima to issue a ruling later. Hawaii Reporter. A Honolulu City Council committee has approved a measure that would ban commercial beach activities at Kailua and Kalama beach parks, seven days a week. Hawaii News Now. A majority of an estimated 200 people at a meeting at Kailua High School on Wednesday night told City Council members that they want a blanket ban of all commercial activity at the popular Kailua and Kalama beach parks. Star-Advertiser. The city will seize and sell a derelict three-story Waikiki apartment building if its owners do not pay the taxes on the property that has sometimes been used by squatters and drug abusers in recent years. Star-Advertiser. The city will spend nearly $1 million to renovate nine Waikiki public restrooms that residents, business owners and tourists have described as gross and, at times, unusable. Star-Advertiser. It’s Your Money: Council Spends on Travel and TVs. Civil Beat. Grand opening ceremonies were held Wednesday
Continue reading...Hawaii Board Of Education adopts teacher evaluations, state sees record gun registrations, judge strikes rail procurement rule, Thielen defies Dems,…
18. April 2012
Gov. Neil Abercrombie at BOE, courtesy photo Gov. Neil Abercrombie made a rare appearance by a governor before the Board of Education on Tuesday to support the transition to a performance evaluation system for teachers and principals, saying such education reforms can wait no longer. Star-Advertiser. The Hawaii Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously voted in favor of a plan that would tie teachers’ and principals’ pay to their performance, as well as develop evaluation criteria at Hawaii’s roughly 250 public schools. Associated Press. A week after the Legislature abandoned its effort, the Hawaii Board of Education unanimously approved three policies regarding performance evaluations for teachers and principals. Civil Beat. The Board of Education voted in favor of creating new educator evaluations at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Hawaii News Now. The Hawaii State Board of Education unanimously approved a plan today that would base teacher and principal salaries on their performance, but it’s not a done deal yet. KHON2. The Hawaii State Department of Education has expanded its teacher evaluation pilot program for the 2012-13 school year. KHON2. U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa reported raised $224,000 in the first quarter of 2012, compared to GOP challenger former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou’s $84,000. Star-Advertiser. Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case said Tuesday that he raised $138,000 in the past three months for his Democratic primary campaign for U.S. Senate, trailing U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, his primary opponent, who raised more than $1 million in that period, and Former Gov. Linda Lingle, the leading Republican candidate, who raised $1.3 million in the past quarter. Star-Advertiser. Defying the guidance of state Democrats, Laura H. Thielen, a director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources under Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, said Tuesday that she will run as a Democrat for state Senate. Star-Advertiser. The state Senate confirmed two of Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s appointees to the state Commission on Water Resources Management despite some senators’ concerns about their qualifications and the nomination process. Star-Advertiser. The Senate confirmed Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s nominees to the water commission on Tuesday amid rising opposition toward the candidates and concerns about irregularities in the nominating process. Civil Beat. A concerted effort by environmental groups and dozens of individuals to block the appointment of Maui businessman Ted Yamamura to the state Commission on Water Resource Management fell fall short of the mark today in the state Senate. Hawaii Reporter. The state Department of the Attorney General reported Tuesday record levels of firearm registrations and permit applications in 2011. A record 36,804 guns were registered in Hawaii in 2011 — a 17.2 percent increase from the previous high, set the year before. Star-Advertiser. A Circuit Court Judge has approved a settlement for victims of five data breaches that occurred at the University of Hawaii and its campuses over the past two years. Hawaii News Now. Maui Electric Co. and Hawaiian Electric Co. ranked among the top 10 utilities nationwide in the amount of photovoltaic generating capacity installed by their customers, an industry trade group said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii did nothing wrong in GSA scandal. Pacific Business News. State roundup for April 18. Associated Press. Oahu Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto on Tuesday struck down a procurement rule that the city used to award more than $144 million in rail-related contracts, declaring the 1995 rule invalid because it conflicts with state procurement law. It was not immediately clear what effect, if any, the ruling might have on the city’s contracts with rail consultants PB Americas Inc. and InfraConsult LLC. Star-Advertiser. The City Council Transportation Committee chair, Mayor Peter Carlisle, along with other city officials and community members, are planning to walk the streets of Moiliili this afternoon. The city is looking for ways to improve the sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists. KITV4. Hawaii Research Services Group LLC has been awarded a $7 million indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract by the Army for the procurement of information management and software engineering support services. Pacific Business News. Teen runs for Honolulu City Council. Hawaii News Now. Kea‘au update: “The Governor will not be intervening”
Continue reading...Lingle, Hirono, rake in millions, Honolulu City Council trims rail budget, Department of Education seeks to divert $20M school funds to buses, Hawaii…
13. April 2012
U.S. Senate candidates Linda Lingle and Mazie Hirono Former Gov. Linda Lingle raised more than $1.3 million in the past quarter for her Republican campaign for U.S. Senate, outpacing U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, who brought in more than $1 million for her Democratic campaign. Star-Advertiser. Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann led all 2nd Congressional District candidates in fundraising in the first quarter of 2012, but City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard was close behind. Star-Advertiser. Campaign spending numbers for the the first quarter of this year are coming in. KHON2. Like quarrelsome cooks, state Representatives debated all day and into the evening yesterday on a diverse recipe of bills to be thrown into the final round of sausage-making in this year’s legislative session. Hawaii Reporter. “Fear and rhetoric” distorted the intentions of bills that would have moved public school teachers to a performance management system, and led to defeat of the measures, Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Jill Tokuda said Thursday in a passionate speech to her colleagues. Star-Advertiser. The Department of Education is looking at whether funds from other programs could be diverted to student transportation to cover an expected shortfall of about $20 million. Star-Advertiser. A bill that would overhaul Hawaii’s charter school system is headed to conference committee after approval by the House, despite strong resistance to a provision that would exempt such schools from the state Ethics Code. Star-Advertiser. Legislation aimed at regulating the harvest of opihi has been revived after dying in committee last month. Tribune-Herald. Cuts in the number of inspectors who check cargo and passengers entering Hawaii have some worried that more pests will get established in a state that is especially vulnerable because of its tropical weather and few natural predators. Associated Press. The state has filed seven lawsuits against banks and credit card companies that allegedly charge Hawaii customers for payment protection programs they don’t want or can’t qualify for. Associated Press. Dalai Lama Visit Inaugurates Peace Program. Civil Beat. The Dalai Lama will talk to students and participate in a panel discussion with Native Hawaiian leaders during a visit to Honolulu this weekend. Associated Press. Oahu The City Council Budget Committee on Thursday chopped more than $291 million from next year’s construction budget for the rail system before approving preliminarily the budgets for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Star-Advertiser. Despite some posturing, some threats and lots of questions for new rail chief Dan Grabauskas, the Honolulu City Council Budget Committee on Wednesday advanced three budget bills for the controversial project. Civil Beat. Honolulu Rapid Transit At a meeting that was more pep rally than political theater, mayoral rivals Peter Carlisle and Kirk Caldwell joined U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye to meet with construction workers anxious to begin work on the city’s $5.27 billion rail project. Star-Advertiser. The senior senator from Hawaii came to Waipahu on Thursday to assure anxious construction workers that Honolulu’s rail project is on track and has solid federal support. The only thing that can stop it, he said, is World War III. Civil Beat. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle and mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell made a joint pro-rail appearance this afternoon before construction workers on the project. Hawaii Reporter. Mayor Peter Carlisle and Kirk Caldwell made a joint appearance Thursday with Hawaii Sen. Dan Inouye at the Waipahu offices of rail contractor Kiewit Construction Co. to discuss the importance of the city’s $5.3 billion project with dozens of construction workers. KITV4. New Rail Chief Sees Himself as Intermediary Between Council, Feds. Civil Beat. No more coloring books, T-shirts, hats, lanyards, pens, pencils, backpacks and water bottles will be distributed by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation courtesy of city taxpayers to promote the city’s planned $5.3 billion elevated steel on steel rail project. Hawaii Reporter. The Haleiwa Farmers’ Market will be allowed to operate at its current site until the end of the month after getting a reprieve from state orders to leave. Star-Advertiser. The state is granting permission to continue the Haliewa Farmers Market through the end of the month. Hawaii Public Radio. Boulders tumbled down a Kalihi mountainside Thursday, smashing into three houses on Kula Kolea Place and narrowly missing four people in one of the houses. Star-Advertiser. A plan to replace the International Market Place, the Waikiki Town Center and the Miramar at Waikiki Hotel in the center of Hawaii’s main tourism district with a new retail, dining and entertainment complex will add 1,800 jobs, according to a draft environmental impact statement for the project. Pacific Business News. Chinatown business owners, neighbors, meet with police to discuss area’s drug problem. Hawaii Independent. Chinatown merchants demand answers after attack. KITV4. A state sheriffs deputy stationed at the District Court cellblock was indicted Thursday on sexual assault charges. Hawaii News Now. Board of Water Supply crews have completed work to fix a broken water main in Kailua. Hawaii News Now. Hawaii Hawaiian protestor Abel Lui Mayor Billy Kenoi and his staff plan to meet next week with Abel Simeona Lui and others who claim Native Hawaiian title to almost $6 million worth of Kawa Bay property Hawaii County has purchased for an oceanfront park. West Hawaii Today. Voters can expect to receive cards informing them of their voting districts in early summer, the Hawaii County Clerks Office announced Thursday. Tribune-Herald. Rising fuel oil prices pushed residential electricity rates higher in April on all islands except for Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser. A recent Public Utilities Commission decision has resulted in slightly lower electric rates. West Hawaii Today. Maui The University of Hawaii says it will begin construction of a controversial $300 million telescope atop Haleakala as soon as next month even though a critical permit has been challenged and a state board hasn’t ruled on the case yet. Civil Beat. Crews from the Community Work Day Program on Maui plan to assess reports of large tangled piles of netting and debris reported along the shoreline of the Waiehu Golf Course. Maui Now. More than a year after county officials first announced that four monkeypod trees would be removed along South Kihei Road, sparking a back-and-forth battle with tree lovers who wanted to see them saved, officials confirmed that they would accept the recommendation of the Kihei Community Association and leave the trees in place. Maui News . First-quarter real estate statistics released by the Realtors Association of Maui don’t draw a clear picture of what’s happening with the buying and selling of homes and condominiums in Maui County. Maui News. Kauai A 5th Circuit judge is considering a dismissal motion in a horse cruelty case as an attorney general’s appointed prosecutor takes over. Garden Island. Responding to safety concerns of county officials and the Kaua‘i Police Department, the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution establishing a “no-parking” zone on the southerly shoulder of the County Access Road, by Vidinha Stadium soccer fields in Lihu‘e. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Merrie Monarch gears up in Hilo, Hawaii Legislature nixes teacher evaluations, Senate passes $11B budget, undersea cable moves forward,…
11. April 2012
Unukupukupu hula (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Unukupukupu performed at the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort on Tuesday afternoon during a free hula exhibition, part of the Merrie Monarch Festival, which continues all week in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. A three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court will hear a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s reapportionment and redistricting maps. Star-Advertiser. The federal government plans to discuss the potential of partially taking over workplace safety regulation from the state’s Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division in the state Department of Labor later this spring. Hawaii News Now. State senators have passed an $11 billion budget draft they believe will reinforce the state’s safety net, improve information technology services and create new jobs. Associated Press. Organizations offering services to Hawaii’s needy have had their budgets slashed by 19 percent since the financial crisis hit in 2008, and they’ve lost 16 percent of their staff, an advocacy group for the poor said Tuesday. Associated Press. Responding to pressure from public school teachers, state lawmakers backed away Tuesday from legislation that would have required teacher performance evaluations. Star-Advertiser. One step forward, one step back. That’s the way Tuesday went for Board of Education policies and state legislation regarding performance evaluations. Civil Beat. Opponents of the Big Wind project failed on Tuesday to derail legislation that would make it easier to build large-scale wind farms on Lanai and Molokai and transmit the electricity to Oahu. Civil Beat. Several community activists are speaking out against state Senate and House bills that aim to streamline private and public construction projects by providing exemptions to regulatory and environmental review requirements. Star-Advertiser. A diverse group held a press conference at the state Capitol yesterday to oppose four bills that exempt state and county government projects from the standard environmental review process. Hawaii Reporter. About two dozen community organizers and activists gathered outside the Senate chamber at the State Capitol today, united in their opposition to four bills, two in the House and two in the Senate, that will provide exemptions from various environmental requirements for developers in urban areas. Hawaii Independent. Hawaii sure isn’t a standout when it comes to Public Access to Information. And now lawmakers appear keen on making matters worse. Civil Beat. Rep. Mele Carroll has worst House attendance. Civil Beat. Long lines that ensued at DMV locations last month following new driver’s license requirements are now plaguing the state Health Department’s vital records office, as frustrated residents seek copies of their birth and marriage certificates. KITV4. Oahu Newly arrived rail boss Daniel Grabauskas promised Tuesday to make the workings of the city’s $5.27 billion rail project more transparent, starting with an initiative to make more rail-related records available on the website of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Star-Advertiser. More transparency. No coloring books. Those are among the big changes ahead as the new rail boss gets started. KHON2. State transportation officials think a solution to rush-hour bottlenecks on the H-1 freeway in Makiki could be to re-stripe the freeway between Punahou Street and Pali Highway to create a fourth lane in each direction. Star-Advertiser. Large portion of Kakaako will be conveyed to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Wednesday. KHON2. The Thursday Geeks on DaBus event allows smartphone users to test the city’s mobile applications for the bus. Star-Advertiser. In about three days, the Dalai Lama will address a crowd of thousands of high school and college students at the University of Hawaii’s Stan Sheriff Center. Pacific Business News. State DOT admits mistake with unusable drone aircraft. Hawaii News Now. A 13-year Honolulu police officer was arrested in connection with his role in a marijuana growing operation in Honolulu and Mililani, according to federal court documents. KITV4. Hawaii They may not have faced off, but Hawaii County’s likely mayoral candidates made their first appearance together in a precursor to this fall’s election at Tuesday’s Kona Town Meeting. West Hawaii Today. A co-owner of the Hamakua Coast zip line course where a construction worker was killed in September says he is in no rush to reopen for business. Tribune-Herald. A burned-out motor that caused the breakdown of a South Kona well is causing the county Department of Water Supply to issue health advisories and a voluntary water conservation. West Hawaii Today. Maui A freeway-style ramp overpass could be part of the Kahului Airport access road that could break ground as early as the end of the year, state Department of Transportation officials said Monday evening. Maui News. Officials with the state Department of Transportation joined civil engineers and planning consultants in a public presentation on Monday night on the proposed Kahului Airport Access Road. Maui Now. The County Council Policy Committee on Monday recommended approval of two nominees for the Lanai Planning Commission, praising one nominee’s public service, but questioning whether his role with the ILWU would place him too far to one side of a divisive issue on the island. Maui News. The new Kihei roundabout – the first full-sized roundabout on Maui – officially opened to traffic after a short blessing ceremony Monday. Maui News. Kauai The landowner of a historic plantation camp in Koloa, Kauai, sued three tenants Tuesday who failed to vacate the property by Sunday’s eviction deadline. Star-Advertiser. The county Finance Department, which employs 88 workers in 10 divisions, asked for a smaller budget in fiscal year 2013 despite complaints about staffing shortages by one division. Garden Island. The public is invited to help celebrate the 125th birthday of “Paulo,” the oldest surviving operating plantation locomotive in Hawai‘i. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Hawaii teachers fight evaluations, new state securities head has mishandled funds, Kauai councilman fights zoning charge, Cayetano leading polls for…
6. April 2012
Hilo Union School (c) 2012 All Hawaii News As the state and teachers union resumed negotiations Thursday after months away from the bargaining table, the union raised new concerns about a bill that would require a performance management system for teachers, saying the latest version of the measure “would effectively strip teachers” of collective bargaining rights. Star-Advertiser. The Hawaii teachers union and the state returned to the bargaining table Thursday, three months to the day since their last session. Civil Beat. The Hawaii State Teachers Association is up in arms over a bill that would require teachers to be on probation for three years before attaining tenure, and which would afford the state Department of Education the chance to establish a teacher evaluation system. Tribune-Herald. The newly hired head of the state’s securities enforcement office allegedly defrauded a business associate in 2010 and failed to pay $900,000 in tax and child support debts over the past 10 years, according to public records. Hawaii Reporter. Laura Thielen The chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii was warned that a candidate didn’t have to have its approval to run for office under the party’s banner. Civil Beat. Just two days after speaking out on the floor of the Hawaii State Senate about Laura Thielen, Sens. Clayton Hee and Pohai Ryan — both Democrats — were at it again Wednesday. Civil Beat. Republican Fred Hemmings will announce later this month that he is running for the District 25 state Senate seat he held for a decade before retiring in 2010. Civil Beat. John Waihee thought back to his childhood, when the whole notion of Hawaiian sovereignty wasn’t even part of the political conversation. Star-Advertiser. The Hawaii Health Information Exchange, a nonprofit organization that aims to connect Hawaii’s medical providers through electronic health records, launched a secure direct messaging and patient referral system Thursday in a first step to link the health care industry. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii set another record for gas prices on Thursday, with the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded hitting $4.60, according to AAA Hawaii’s Weekend Gas Watch. Pacific Business News. The number of initial unemployment claims filed in Hawaii dropped by 25 percent year over year last week, with all four counties showing double-digit declines, the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said Thursday. Pacific Business News. Oahu In observance of Good Friday, state and city workers will have Friday off. Hawaii News Now. Ben Cayetano Former Governor Ben Cayetano is leading in a number of polls in the race for Honolulu Mayor. Hawaii Public Radio. Three state agencies threw their weight behind the proposed Koa Ridge housing development in Central Oahu at a state Land Use Commission hearing Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Bicycle advocates on Thursday gave city officials a petition with more than 1,000 signatures urging that bicycle lanes be installed along Waialae Avenue as part of a major road improvement project in Kaimuki. Star-Advertiser. Oahu may get Koreatown. Associated Press. Lawmakers to hold April 12 hearing on Koreatown designation. Associated Press. A capital improvement project for Kewalo Basin Harbor valued at $18 million may hinge on a public-private partnership between the Hawaii Community Development Authority and Almar Management Inc. KITV4. Hawaii National Marine Fisheries Service revokes a permit to Kampachi Farms for a floating aquaculture project. West Hawaii Today. Officials of Hawaii Oceanic Technology Inc. said Thursday the company has received a state permit that allows it to move forward with its plan to raise bigeye and yellowfin tuna in open-ocean cages. Star-Advertiser. Community undaunted by vandalism, committed to replacing trees. West Hawaii Today. Maui About 4,700 Maui County public school students could see their bus service ended next school year under a state Department of Education plan to deal with bills currently wending their way through the state Legislature that could lead to significant funding shortfalls. M aui News. State Land Use Commission members heard the end of testimony Wednesday, including impassioned pleas to protect Native Hawaiian burials, during their review of A&B Properties’ plans to develop Wai’ale, a master-planned community on about 545 acres in Central Maui. Maui News. A public informational meeting about maintenance dredging and pier work at Lahaina Small Boat Harbor will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Pioneer Inn Court Yard. Maui News. The Hawaii State Senate honored the county-based Invasive Species Committees and Dr. Mohsen Ramadan of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture biological control program with a Certificate of Recognition Wednesday. KHON2. Senator Baker Comments on ‘Vacation Rental Bills’ Controversy. Maui Now. Kauai The 5th Circuit Court recused the Office of the Kaua‘i County Prosecuting Attorney from its misdemeanor zoning violation case against county councilman Tim Bynum in 5th Circuit Court on Thursday. Garden Island. In the next few weeks, Kaua‘i County Council will face the challenge of approving a budget for Fiscal Year 2013, balanced by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.’s administration, using $10.75 million from the county’s reserve fund and $12.55 million in forecasted surplus from the current fiscal year. Garden Island. The Kaua‘i County Council had little issue with the County Auditor’s FY2012-13 budget request. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Legislature seeks agriculture self-sufficiency, gas hits record high price, Marines eye Molokai, plastic bag ban moving through Honolulu council,…
5. April 2012
Big Island cattle (c) 2012 All Hawaii News A proposal headed to the state Senate could help Hawaii double its locally grown food supply by 2020. Associated Press. The state has spent about $30 million in stimulus funds provided by the White House in the past three years. Civil Beat. Gov. Neil Abercrombie is scheduled to put his signature on a historic $200 million settlement between the state and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Wednesday. Associated Press. Governor Neil Abercrombie will sign Senate Bill 2783 into law next week, effectively sealing a $200 million settlement land deal between the state and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Maui Now. The state Senate approved a resolution Wednesday calling for an audit of state agencies and long-time department practices that can give employees excessive amounts of nonbase compensation, such as overtime and unpaid leave. Star-Advertiser. The Hawaii Legislature is eager to pass legislation to attract more film production in the islands. Civil Beat. Free wireless Internet access will be available in public libraries statewide beginning on Monday, April 2. Associated Press. Gas prices continued their march upward in Hawaii this week, with the statewide average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline hitting a record price on Wednesday. Pacific Business News. Linda Lingle Lingle: Women Voters Care About Finances, Jobs, Families – Not Just Contraception. Hawaii Reporter. The Senate Ways and Means Committee wants to give more money to Hawaii’s public schools to help them tackle ambitious reform initiatives. Associated Press. Its cupboards aren’t bare, but with just a 13-day supply of food on hand, the Hawaii Foodbank is asking for donations from the community. Star-Advertiser. Oahu In one of the oddities of a tumultuous election year, state Rep. Kymberly Pine will run against City Councilman Tom Berg, her former aide and ally in driving the anti-tax, less government message of the tea party movement. Star-Advertiser. Oahu consumers and businesses would be eased into a plastic bag ban under a bill moving through the City Council. Star-Advertiser. Citing doubts about the Hawaii Legislature’s ability to pass a statewide single-use checkout bag fee this year, the Honolulu City Council Wednesday took a major step forward toward a temporary Oahu-only fee on plastic bags. Civil Beat. Bills that would allow people who keep horses on agricultural lands to once again be eligible for significant tax breaks was advanced by the City Council’s Budget Committee on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. There are a dozen bills pending at the State Legislature relating to dogs …and improving their lives.
Continue reading...Elvis 40th anniversary celebration coming to Hawaii, pay hike promised for Legislature, judges, top state execs; Democrats at odds over candidate’s…
4. April 2012
© 1973, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and RCA Records. Elvis Presley Enterprises has announced a vacation package to Hawaii in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of his concert in the state in 1973. Associated Press. The surprising decision this weekend by Hawaii Democrats to reject Laura Thielen’s request to run in the party’s Aug. 11 primary for state Senate is causing many Democrats to question their own party. Civil Beat. State senators took steps Tuesday to revive a $500 million investment in state construction, the Senate’s signature idea to help with economic recovery that was in danger of failing this week because of House inaction. Star-Advertiser. The governor wants to fast-track state construction projects to stimulate the economy with a 500-million dollar legislative package.
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26. April 2012
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