Honolulu rail transit artist’s depiction courtesy image The federal government has granted a key approval that will allow Honolulu to immediately begin up to $184.7 million in construction and other activities on the city’s rail project, including erecting the first sections of raised guideway from East Kapolei to Pearl Highlands. Star-Advertiser. Honolulu on Monday got a key green light from the Federal Transit Administration and could start to spend $185 million of local tax dollars on heavy construction for the rail project within weeks. Civil Beat. Former Gov. Linda Lingle trails Hawaii’s incumbent senators when it comes to local individual contributions but is in the middle of the pack, just under Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka, when it comes to overall contributions, including political action committees. Civil Beat. The Abercrombie administration is preparing a response to a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s civil unions law as unconstitutional because it does not allow same-sex couples to marry, searching for a line that balances both the law and politics. Star-Advertiser. Some Hawaii lawmakers want to give the governor more power in appointing members to the University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents, picking up a political debate started last year after the Senate rejected two of his nominees. Civil Beat. The state has overpaid its employees more than $1.5 million, with hundreds of thousands more in state tax dollars written off as noncollectable and other incorrect pay amounts recovered months or years later from employees who were accidentally paid too much. Hawaii News Now. A bill moving through the state Legislature will take out what many consider the more onerous sections of the state building code and give counties more flexibility in defining their own codes. West Hawaii Today. A parent’s failure to report the death or disappearance of a child would become a felony under a bill before the state Legislature. Associated Press. Several Molokai residents and University of Hawaii students assembled a stone platform with a wooden statue known as a “ki`i” on the grounds of the state Capitol today to bring attention to legislative bills that would require the labeling of genetically modified food in Hawaii stores. Star-Advertiser. A small group of advocates from Molokai flew over to Oahu today to clean, sand and oil a Haloa Ki’i. Maui Now. Some farmers say Hawaii’s farmers markets are too restrictive and they want state lawmakers to change the rules. Hawaii Public Radio. Almost 30 gambling bills are still up for consideration by state legislators, ranging from stand alone casinos, lotteries, and internet gambling. lawmakers are floating the ideas to raise much needed revenues for the state. A professor who has studied the effects of gambling across the country says it’s a big mistake. KHON2. Last year was a big year for Hawaii’s cruise ship industry, with 124,456 cruise ship visitors coming to the Islands and spending a collective $34 million. Pacific Business News. Gov. Neil Abercrombie and two Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees urged lawmakers Monday to approve a $200 million real estate deal that would settle the department’s longstanding ceded lands claims with the state. Associated Press. A proposal to transfer about 25 acres in Kakaako worth $200 million to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to settle long-standing ceded lands claims does not do enough to empower the Native Hawaiian people, a key senator contends. Star-Advertiser. Governor Neil Abercrombie made a personal appeal to legislators this morning to pass his administration’s proposal for a land transfer to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs that would permanently resolve a decades-long dispute over ceded lands. Hawaii Reporter. The Advisory Council to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is recommending that the sanctuary consider expanding its focus from humpback whales and their habitat to the ecosystem as a whole. Maui Now. The University of Hawaii is demanding the operator of a pornographic web site stop using the school’s name or face legal action. Hawaii News Now. State roundup for Feb. 7. Associated Press. Oahu The Kapiolani Park Preservation Society said it does not support a Honolulu City Council bill that would double parking meter rates at public parks that include Kapiolani and Aala. KITV4. Honolulu city workers have cleared a sofa, a bicycle and other personal items from the Occupy Honolulu camp at Thomas Square. Associated Press. Casting for a new ABC pilot series “Last Resort” will be held on Hawaii. KITV4. Hawaii A mainland company is a step away from securing a 30-year lease to test ocean thermal energy conversion in West Hawaii. West Hawaii Today. The increasing popularity of solar panels will mean higher electricity bills for the majority of Big Island residents who still rely on Hawaiian Electric Light Company for most of their power. Tribune-Herald. Maui An anonymous donation totaling $100,000 from a local foundation was issued to the Maui Oral Health Center for the acquisition of new dental chairs at the decade-old facility. Maui Now. Kauai Kaua‘i County will fund an additional nine local tourism initiatives this year in addition to the 20 the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority will support, county officials said Monday. Garden Island. A new 500,000-gallon county Department of Water tank will expand water service to users in the Lawa‘i and Oma‘o communities of Kaua‘i, Daryl Kaneshiro, the Department of Water Board chair, said Monday at a dedication of the new equipment. Garden Island. Molokai The owner of a controversial excursion yacht to Molokai said he intends to keep bringing passengers to the island despite protests but also plans to implement conditions that he finds acceptable from an ongoing community study. Maui News.
Continue reading...6. February 2012
Hawaii Rep. Mele Carroll at 2008 Capitol rally (c) 2012 All Hawaii News
Continue reading...5. February 2012
Cute kittens, courtesy photo by Adriano If pets are outlawed, only outlaws will have pets. This take on a bill now up on the Hawaii Legislature is admittedly extreme, but not that far off the mark considering SB2504 makes it a misdemeanor to sell or give away your dogs, cats, puppies or kittens without first having them spayed or neutered and microchips implanted in them. Big Brother has arrived, at least for your pets. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Clayton Hee , D-Kahuku, La’ie, Ka’a'awa, Kane’ohe, is up for consideration at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, by the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and Economic Development and Technology Committee. Hee undoubtedly has good intentions. Feral cats are a huge problem in Hawaii, where, with few natural predators, they breed large colonies and threaten native songbirds. But taking away even more rights from the citizenry is probably not the way to go. What next? Microchipping our children? Golden retriever puppy, courtesy Daisy Parker “Importation of dogs to the Hawaiian Islands is limited and strictly regulated. If all cats and dogs sold or given away must be sterilized, it calls into question where citizens of Hawaii will obtain future generations of pets,” warns the American Kennel Club in a public appeal for opposition to the bill. Lucky we live in Hawaii, where lawmakers steadily add laws to the books but no one actually enforces them. Otherwise, life in the “People’s Republic” would be even more onerous than it already is. But what do you think a pet owner with an unplanned litter is going to do with all the babies? Start with $20 to microchip each kitten, add another $50 to sterilize it, and for a litter of six, you are talking serious kala. Chances are, those pets are only going to be added to the feral colonies when the owner dumps them in the nearest forest instead of palming a few off on friends and neighbors. This only perpetuates the very problem the bill is trying to fix. And these animals are in for a worse life, not a better one. How much better if all this effort and angst would go toward voluntary and free spaying and neutering programs and funding for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to trap and euthanize the feral cats on public land. Ironically, just when they’re needed most, spaying and neutering assistance programs have been discontinued by the Hawaiian Humane Society, because the City and County of Honolulu cut the funding. You, the public, have to take personal responsibility if you don’t want Big Brother to step in. Don’t feed feral animals. It only causes them to breed more of them. Keep your pet inside or confined unless you’re out with him. Spay or neuter your pet. Keep looking for programs to help reduce the cost. Lobby your state and local government to put more money into prevention and education, and quit trying to dictate every aspect of our lives.
Continue reading...3. February 2012
Honolulu shoppers (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Hawaii consumers are slightly more confident about the future now than they were six months ago. Pacific Business News. State House Vice Speaker Joey Manahan said Thursday that he will run for Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser. State Rep. Tom Okamura, who was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in January to fill a state House vacancy in Aiea, has resigned for health reasons. Star-Advertiser. The Abercrombie administration is proposing changes to the state ethics code that would allow state officials, including legislators, to accept unlimited numbers of invitations to charitable fundraising events, even if the purpose of the gifts is to influence
Continue reading...2. February 2012
Waikiki (c) 2012 All Hawaii News The Waikiki sand replenishment project has moved on to its next phase. KHON2. A proposal giving the Hawaiian Homes Commission authority to decide whether to allow gambling on Hawaiian Home Lands — the first gambling-related bill heard in this year’s legislative session — was quickly tabled, giving some indication that such bills once again face long odds of passing. Star-Advertiser. Lawmakers expressed support Wednesday for writing into state law high-stakes evaluations for teachers that take into account student academic growth, but questioned how the state Department on Education would follow through with the reforms. Star-Advertiser. State leaders are looking at a variety of measures to improve education in Hawai`i. Changes to teacher tenure are among the many bills already introduced in the new legislative session. Hawaii Public Radio. The proposed overhaul of Hawaii’s charter school law received its first public hearing at the Legislature Wednesday and ran into strong opposition from the teachers’ union but received conditional support from many charter schools. Star-Advertiser. The grieving sister of a fallen Honolulu police officer on Wednesday tearfully urged state lawmakers to make Hawaii’s roads safer for officers and other emergency responders. With her emotions still raw, Amanda Stevens testified in support of the so-called Move Over bill. Hawaii News Now. Representative Joseph Souki is once again fighting to send a strong message to excessive speeders. KHON2. State Health Dept. Monitoring Shoreline For Radioactive Waste. Several federal and state agencies are working to monitor the movement of marine debris from last year’s Japan tsunami. KITV4. Fast-growing Hawaiian Airlines needs more flight attendants. Pacific Business News. Among Hawaii’s four so-called Super PACs, one didn’t attract any money over the second half of 2011, another raised $561 strictly from donations of less than $100. Civil Beat. State roundup for Feb. 2. Associated Press. Oahu City officials fanned out across Oahu Wednesday, issuing 76 notices to protesters at Thomas Square and to homeless people, warning that their tents and personal items must be removed from sidewalks and other public property or be confiscated today. Star-Advertiser. Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle today announced the launch of “Honolulu 311,” a new system through which the public may use personal smart phones to report abandoned vehicles, broken street lights, illegal dumping and other issues. Hawaii Independent. Hawaii Mayor Billy Kenoi’s re-election war chest is flush with cash after fundraisers pulled in more than $140,000 during the last six months of 2011. Tribune-Herald. The two candidates for Hawaii County prosecutor have raised a combined $20,000 between July 1 and Dec. 31. Tribune-Herald. Two weeks after announcing an additional $150,000 was needed to begin construction of a new Hawaiian monk seal hospital in Kona, Big Island, project leaders said the goal has been reached and more contributions are still on the way. Garden Island. Maui No one disputed the goal of a bill aimed at conserving Maui County’s drinking water supply, a precious, finite resource. But the rub came Tuesday with how to accomplish that goal and its potential costs. Maui News. Molokai student develops myoelectric prosthetic for dogs. Maui News. Neighbor island airports, including the Kahului and Kapalua Airports on Maui will implement a parking rate increase for monthly passes. Maui Now. Kauai Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry was placed on leave Wednesday morning. Star-Advertiser. Kaua‘i County officials Wednesday night announced that Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry has been placed on leave —just one day after his two assistant chiefs were placed on leave. Garden Island. Jade Fountain-Tanigawa was appointed deputy county clerk and Eddie Topenio, Jr. was named administrative assistant to the county clerk, County Clerk Ricky Watanabe announced in a press release Wednesday. Garden Island.
Continue reading...2. February 2012
Pagoda at Four Seasons Resort Lana'i Lodge at Koele * Congratulations to Four Seasons Resort Lanai Lodge at Koele for making the top 10 list of US hotels by U.S. News & World Report. The Lodge secured the second highest ranking. We at Go Visit Hawaii love the Lodge at Koele as you can see from our review . Pssst! Here’s a secret – it’s one of the top luxury values in all of Hawaii. With their third night free offer , rates start at just $207 per night! * Do you have a favorite Hawaiian Island, beach, hotel, luau or activity that you think is tops? GoHawaii.About.com wants your nominations ! * By popular demand, the folks at JetLev Hawaii contacted me to let me know they’re extending the special $199 rate for a limited time. So, if you didn’t get a chance to take advantage of the JetLev Groupon we mentioned , you can call Eric at 808-393-0153 and ask for the $199 rate. * United Continental plans to launch nonstop service between Washington Dulles (IAD) and Honolulu (HNL) in June per this report . * Ala Moana Hotel near Waikiki is getting into Super Bowl 46 spirit with a special offer. After the game, the folks at Ala Moana Hotel will offer a special rate that’s the combined score. That’ll make you cheer for a defensive struggle. This special rate will be valid for stays between March 1 and April 15, 2012. Read more about this promotion at www.AlaMoanaHotel.com/46 . © 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...1. February 2012
Money and politics, courtesy illustration, Frank Housh Leaders of the Hawaii Legislature didn’t add much to their political war chests during the second half of 2011, according to the latest round of campaign finance reports due by midnight Tuesday. Civil Beat. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has raised more than $1.1 million for his 2014 re-election campaign, an early validation from donors after an uneven first year in office. Star-Advertiser. Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case raised more than $111,800 during the last quarter for his Democratic primary campaign for the U.S. Senate, which put him far behind the pace of his rival, U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, who raised more than $624,350. Star-Advertiser. GOP U.S. Senate candidate Linda Lingle collected more than $260,000 from 75 political action committees in three months of fundraising, according to her federal campaign finance report posted online Tuesday. Civil Beat. The state Legislature is once again considering whether to allow legalized gambling on Hawaiian home lands. Associated Press. Hawaii voters aren’t ready to roll the dice on legalized gambling, according to the latest Civil Beat Poll. Civil Beat. Social service advocates urged lawmakers Tuesday to continue to use the state’s rainy day fund to help finance health, education and human services programs that were threatened during the recession. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii is “definitely ahead” of other states in its efforts to develop open records policies for social media usage, according to the Virginia-based government watchdog nonprofit Sunshine Review. Civil Beat. Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s policy team has implemented a new “Testimony Tracking System” to “find potential conflicts between different agencies sooner rather than later” when it comes to submitting testimony to lawmakers. Hawaii Reporter. Lawmakers Move Legislation to Provide PUC More Authority. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii’s electric bills rose at nearly double the national rate from 2000 through 2010 even as local residents and businesses did more to conserve electricity than the country as a whole, according to a report released Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Oahu Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, seeking to retain the job for a full four-year term, enters the 2012 race with a sizable lead in funds as his challengers begin mounting their campaigns against him. Star-Advertiser. Spending Reports Show Caldwell Surges, But Owes Big. KITV4. The city has awarded a new, $33.4 million contract to Infraconsult LLC, the company that has already received nearly $50 million in contracts to oversee the $5.2 billion Honolulu rapid transit project. Hawaii Reporter. Mayor Peter Carlisle plans to earmark a $450 million city-backed line of credit for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to demonstrate to federal authorities that the rail project has the resources it needs to complete construction, Carlisle said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. The Honolulu City Council is considering metered parking rate increases at Oahu parks, a proposal that isn’t sitting well with many park users. Hawaii News Now. Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle announced Tuesday the launch of Honolulu 311, a new system through which the public may use smartphones to report abandoned vehicles, broken street lights, illegal dumping and other issues. KITV4. Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle announced the launch of a smart phone application Tuesday that allows residents to send complaints directly to the Department of Customer Services. KHON2. Hawaii Winning election multiple times hasn’t been a financial boon for Hawaii County Council members’ campaign war chests, several of which have endured prolonged deficit spending. Tribune-Herald. An East Hawaii zip line tower failed to pass an initial county inspection prior to its collapse in September, killing one worker and seriously injuring another. Tribune-Herald. Palamanui is mostly paid up for its community college campus obligations. West Hawaii Today. The developers of the 725-acre Palamanui mixed-use project on the Big Island’s Kona Coast are giving the University of Hawaii
Continue reading...30. January 2012
Hilo Public Library (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Wi-Fi will soon be available at libraries across the state. Star-Advertiser. Ed Case and Mazie Hirono are in a dead heat for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Daniel Akaka, according to a new Civil Beat Poll. Civil Beat. The automated telephone survey of 1,358 likely voters found Case at 41 percent, Hirono at 39 percent, with 8 percent saying neither candidate and 12 percent still unsure. Hawaii may soon join dozens of other states in banning lawmakers from holding political fundraisers during the four months the Hawaii Legislature is in session under a new proposal. Civil Beat Legislative “fixes” to the civil unions law that took effect this year are working their way through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser. State lawmakers have introduced a host of bills in the new legislative session aimed at keeping pace with Hawaii’s rapidly evolving energy sector, including one proposal that would force Hawaiian Electric Co. out of the power generation business and have it focus strictly on delivering electricity to customers. Star-Advertiser. Nearly one-third of Hawaii’s 256 public schools will use revamped teacher evaluations next school year in a pilot program that will take into account student academic growth, amid concerns from teachers over how the new rating system eventually will be tied to their pay. Star-Advertiser. Parents and guardians who fail to report missing children could face felony charges under a bill before the Hawaii Senate. KITV4. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday released more than $15.6 million for capital improvement projects statewide that are designed to improve the state’s public safety, wastewater, civil defense and communications infrastructure. Pacific Business News. The possibility of another big northwest swell has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a High Surf Warning that will take effect Monday at 6 a.m. Hawaii News Now. “Living in the Moment:” New campaign launches to market Hawaiian Islands. KHON2. State roundup for Jan. 30. Associated Press. Oahu As contract expires, many hope Pro Bowl will stay in Hawaii. KHON2 . Cayetano: Rail A Wall of Concrete Snaking Along Honolulu’s Waterfront. Civil Beat. Prostitution Bust At University of Hawaii Professor’s Apartment following website’ sting. Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii The decision to fire four Hawaii County elections workers may soon start costing Big Island taxpayers. Tribune-Herald. The waters off the Kona Coast are teeming with life, a sign world-renowned animal expert Jeff Corwin said Sunday is hopeful and encouraging. West Hawaii Today. Maui A California developer wants to begin construction this spring on a shopping center that would be the largest outlet mall in Hawaii. Maui News. The Maui County Council General Plan Committee will conduct an informational meeting this week on the urban-growth boundaries being proposed in the draft Maui Island Plan. Maui News. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a complaint letter with the County of Maui this week citing concerns over First Amendment rights of protesters demonstrating near the Monsanto facility along the Pi’ilani Highway in Kihei. Maui Now. Kauai State Sen. Ron Kouchi, D-Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, said the March 24 election of board members of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative will have a “tremendous impact” on diversifying the future economic base of the island. Garden Island. Kaua‘i volunteers spotted more whales than their counterparts on Hawaii’s other islands during a weekend ocean count coordinated by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Garden Island. Molokai Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding a community meeting regarding the security perimeter at the Kauanakakai Wharf to accommodate American Safari Cruises visits to Molokai. Molokai Dispatch.
Continue reading...30. January 2012
Hilo Public Library (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Wi-Fi will soon be available at libraries across the state. Star-Advertiser. Ed Case and Mazie Hirono are in a dead heat for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Daniel Akaka, according to a new Civil Beat Poll. Civil Beat. The automated telephone survey of 1,358 likely voters found Case at 41 percent, Hirono at 39 percent, with 8 percent saying neither candidate and 12 percent still unsure. Hawaii may soon join dozens of other states in banning lawmakers from holding political fundraisers during the four months the Hawaii Legislature is in session under a new proposal. Civil Beat Legislative “fixes” to the civil unions law that took effect this year are working their way through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser. State lawmakers have introduced a host of bills in the new legislative session aimed at keeping pace with Hawaii’s rapidly evolving energy sector, including one proposal that would force Hawaiian Electric Co. out of the power generation business and have it focus strictly on delivering electricity to customers. Star-Advertiser. Nearly one-third of Hawaii’s 256 public schools will use revamped teacher evaluations next school year in a pilot program that will take into account student academic growth, amid concerns from teachers over how the new rating system eventually will be tied to their pay. Star-Advertiser. Parents and guardians who fail to report missing children could face felony charges under a bill before the Hawaii Senate. KITV4. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday released more than $15.6 million for capital improvement projects statewide that are designed to improve the state’s public safety, wastewater, civil defense and communications infrastructure. Pacific Business News. The possibility of another big northwest swell has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a High Surf Warning that will take effect Monday at 6 a.m. Hawaii News Now. “Living in the Moment:” New campaign launches to market Hawaiian Islands. KHON2. State roundup for Jan. 30. Associated Press. Oahu As contract expires, many hope Pro Bowl will stay in Hawaii. KHON2 . Cayetano: Rail A Wall of Concrete Snaking Along Honolulu’s Waterfront. Civil Beat. Prostitution Bust At University of Hawaii Professor’s Apartment following website’ sting. Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii The decision to fire four Hawaii County elections workers may soon start costing Big Island taxpayers. Tribune-Herald. The waters off the Kona Coast are teeming with life, a sign world-renowned animal expert Jeff Corwin said Sunday is hopeful and encouraging. West Hawaii Today. Maui A California developer wants to begin construction this spring on a shopping center that would be the largest outlet mall in Hawaii. Maui News. The Maui County Council General Plan Committee will conduct an informational meeting this week on the urban-growth boundaries being proposed in the draft Maui Island Plan. Maui News. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a complaint letter with the County of Maui this week citing concerns over First Amendment rights of protesters demonstrating near the Monsanto facility along the Pi’ilani Highway in Kihei. Maui Now. Kauai State Sen. Ron Kouchi, D-Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, said the March 24 election of board members of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative will have a “tremendous impact” on diversifying the future economic base of the island. Garden Island. Kaua‘i volunteers spotted more whales than their counterparts on Hawaii’s other islands during a weekend ocean count coordinated by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Garden Island. Molokai Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding a community meeting regarding the security perimeter at the Kauanakakai Wharf to accommodate American Safari Cruises visits to Molokai. Molokai Dispatch.
Continue reading...27. January 2012
Hawaii Travel Deals – Oahu The Kahala Hotel & Resort Promo Code:VNL Call 1.800.330.8820 or click here to have a Hawaii Travel Specialist contact you about booking this Oahu, Hawaii vacation . TravelWizard.com: Specialists in the Art of Travel: Call 1-800-330-8820
Continue reading...
7. February 2012
0 Comments