Tag Archive | "congress"
Strong mayor to remain for Kauai, Maui police chief steps down after 32 years, Hawaii County rejects raising taxes for poor, disabled vets, Senate…
Hawaii's economic recovery is likely to remain on shaky ground. KHON2. Hawaii's economic forecasters are estimating that personal income will grow more this year than previously predicted. Associated Press. How to Revitalize Hawaii’s Economy. Dozens of ideas to get the Islands back on track. Hawaii Business magazine. The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of the heroic service and sacrifices of Japanese-American servicemen during World War II. Associated Press. The Senate Judiciary Committee heard more than four hours of testimony Monday on whether Katherine Leonard should become Hawaii's next Supreme Court Chief Justice-- the first woman to do so. KITV. After several hours of hearings, the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman expressed concerns yesterday about whether appeals Judge Katherine Leonard possesses the leadership skills to be Hawaii's next chief justice. Star-Advertiser. Katherine Leonard’s nomination as chief justice of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court was lauded by a stream of supporters on Tuesday but derided by a few who contended she lacks the administrative experience to lead the state’s judicial system. Associated Press. Katherine Leonard defended her qual- ifications to serve as chief justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court before the state Senate Judiciary Committee today. KHON2. One wonders what the conversation was like around the Katherine Leonard-Ian Sandison dining room table Tuesday night in the aftermath of her long state Senate confirmation hearing at the Capitol. Civil Beat. A few observations about what the latest financial disclosure reports tell us about the political horse races. Civil Beat. More than a half-million dollars have been raised by candidates running for three seats on the Honolulu City Council, financial reports show. Civil Beat. Councilman and mayoral candidate Rod Tam, under investigation for how he spent city and campaign money on meals, drastically reduced the amount of campaign funds he’s spent on food so far this year, according to his campaign spending report filed Monday. KITV. Kaua‘i’s strong mayoral form of government won’t be changing this election. Garden Island. The city has begun negotiations to cancel a contract with the company that has failed to ship municipal trash to the mainland, leaving thousands of tons of garbage piling up at its facility in West Oahu. Star-Advertiser. A woman who pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars in monthly parking fees when she was a manager for the vendors of two downtown city parking garages will not go to prison. Star-Advertiser. When masked-teenagers attempted to rob an internet gaming center in Kaneohe last Wednesday, gamers fought back. KHON2. A new service co-sponsored by the city allows Oahu residents to receive emergency disaster warnings and alerts via text messaging or e-mail. Star-Advertiser. An administration proposal to raise taxes on disabled veterans and poor property owners was roundly criticized Monday by an election year County Council before Finance Director Nancy Crawford bowed to the inevitable and withdrew it. West Hawaii Today. Although Hawaii County Council members approved Mayor Billy Kenoi's $23 million tax hike in June, they're now unwilling to grant a second property tax increase for 1 percent of that amount. Tribune-Herald. MPD’s Hirata steps down after 32 years. Maui News. A county-commissioned study of the downhill bicycle industry received rave reviews during a Maui County Council committee meeting Monday, but no one was ready to formally adopt recommendations addressing safety on state and county roadways. Maui News. I am a student of `olelo Hawaii with Kumu Manuwai Peters. With the help of Senator J. Kalani English and his wonderful staff, I recently presented Kumu Peters with a Hawaiian Senate Proclamation for Manuwai's contribution and perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and language. Molokai Dispatch. This past week, it was reported that Mayor Hannemann is seeking union support with an appeal based on his local roots. According to a Star-Advertiser report: Honolulu Weekly.
Continue reading...Plenty of aloha for Obama here, candidate deadline today, public funds go to incumbents, fat keiki, angry homeless, teens shot by police, other…
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
President Barack Obama is popular in the District of Colombia and Hawaii, but he's not doing as well in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and West Virginia, according to newly released national poll numbers, according to CNN. Star-Advertiser. Tuesday is the last day for interested candidates to file for the primary election. Hawaii News Now. The filing deadline for two newly vacated state Senate seats has been scheduled for July 30. Associated Press. The state Campaign Spending Commission has been doling out tens of thousands of dollars to Hawaii County Council candidates, and so far, incumbents have received most of it. Tribune-Herald. Former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie's congressional campaign committee has given $33,000 to the state Democratic Party and about $21,500 to nonprofit groups. Associated Press. Maybe Mufi Hannemann was just doing his job. Or maybe all the criticism that he is leaving his job as mayor prematurely to run for governor was getting to him. Civil Beat . Mayor Mufi Hannemann this week held a series of news conferences designed to promote himself before he steps down to run for governor, and to address his critics. KITV. Research has shown that there are twice as many overweight keiki in Hawaii compared to children on the mainland. KHON2. The sentencing hearing for the owners of Aloun Farms on forced-labor charges will continue in September because brothers Alec and Mike Sou refused to admit to committing acts to which they had pleaded guilty in January. Star-Advertiser. A homeless man, apparently angry at the city's eviction of homeless campers at Maili Point, lit his tent and belongings on fire yesterday as police shut down yet another illegal encampment on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. There are Navy battles online, and we're not talking about video games. Hawaii News Now. The landowner of a 50-acre parcel in Nanakuli targeted for expansion of the island's only construction and debris landfill is suing the city over the Hannemann administration's plan to use the land for a regional park. Star-Advertiser. The city unveiled a new software system today, which Mayor Hannemann says will allow city projects to be handled more efficiently, and will improve public safety. KHON2. Since the ban on drivers using cell phones while behind the wheel went into effect eight weeks ago, 33 Kaua‘i Police Department officers have issued 123 citations, according to KPD Chief Darryl Perry. Garden Island. The owner of a bottled water company on Kauai says he could go out of business because of legal action taken by Kauai County. Associated Press. Authorities in the U.S. territory of Guam have turned away a ship after thousands of spiders overflowed from its cargo. Associated Press. Three teenagers were shot by police, an officer was injured and two people were arrested following reports of gunshots at Punalau Beach, also known as "Windmills," near Honolua Bay early Sunday morning, police said. Maui News. It was 1 a.m. when it broke its back on a reef off the North Kona coast. West Hawaii Today. Back by popular demand, its Jon Shirota’s popular play Voices from Okinawa. Hawaii Herald.
Continue reading...Hawaii Five-0 a go, school test scores up, Maui to regulate fish collecting, new fee for UH students, military ruffles feathers, money in politics,…
Friday, July 16, 2010
Rest easy, Honolulu. McGarrett and his crew are back on the case. Star-Advertiser. A traditional Hawaiian blessing marked the start of production of the reinvented CBS TV crime series "Hawaii Five-0." KITV. Hawaii's economy is expected to get a much needed boost as a primetime television show kicks off production, along with a major motion picture filming here in the islands. KHON2. The state says 67 percent of Hawaii public school students scored proficient in reading this year, up slightly from 65 percent last year. In math, 49 percent rated proficient, up from 44 percent. Associated Press. Despite spending fewer days in the classroom, public school students continued to make gains in reading and math test scores this year, according to results released yesterday. Star-Advertiser. Most grade-level scores trended upward but when it comes to federal progress standards high schools are still showing more room for growth. KHON2. Hawaii public school student test scores went up this past year in every category except one, according to statistics released by the Department of Education on Thursday. KITV With this year's elections fast approaching, the call for election day volunteers is getting louder. KHON2. When it comes to campaign donations, who comes out ahead in Hawaii's contests for a U.S. Senate seat and the two U.S. House of Representative seats? Civil Beat. Quickly recharging their fundraising operations after the special election for Congress in May, U.S. Rep. Charles Djou raised $176,980 in the last weeks of June while state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa brought in $107,224. Star-Advertiser. Is the Bluest of States Bleeding Red? Civil Beat. Special election decision to replace Mayor and City Prosecutor. Hawaii News Now. University of Hawaii regents have approved a new, $50 per semester student athletic fee for the Manoa campus. Associated Press. Despite what one student decried as "being forced to pay for a steak and champagne dinner and ... getting, maybe, the after-dinner mints," the University of Hawaii Board of Regents overwhelmingly adopted a mandatory athletic fee yesterday as an investment in its financially challenged sports program. Star-Advertiser. Council members Wednesday took a step closer to regulating the aquarium fish trade, when a committee approved a bill to require county licenses for people who take reef fish to sell. Maui News. The Navy is studying the effects its training and testing activities have on the environment off Hawaii, Southern California and the ocean in between. Associated Press. Feathers might have literally been ruffled this weekend when a “large, charcoal-colored military helicopter” flew at a “very high speed” less than 20 feet from native sea bird dwellings Sunday morning at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Garden Island. Hawaii County got hit with an unexpected $217,000 bill in the fiscal year that ended June 30, thanks to the federal extension of unemployment benefits. West Hawaii Today. Oahu residents will be paying higher sewer fees for years to come because of a tentative settlement of a six-year-old lawsuit. KITV. Mayor imposes trash shipping deadline. Hawaii News Now. After three months of halted access to the Kalaupapa settlement because of an eroded bridge along the pali trail, National Park Service (NPS) officials say it could take another three months before the trail re-opens to the public. The closure has left Kalaupapa’s visitor industry – the mule rides and charter tours – struggling for survival. Molokai Dispatch. A messy situation at Waialea Bay in South Kohala has raised a stink among some Big Island residents and visitors. West Hawaii Today. Opponents of Hawaii County's attempts to sell Hamakua lands took their grievances to the Board of Ethics on Wednesday, but found no sympathetic ears. Tribune-Herald. Whether Hamakua lands were stolen from Native Hawaiians is an issue way beyond its purview, the Hawaii County Board of Ethics said Wednesday in rejecting a petition from a group seeking to halt the county's sale of the land. West Hawaii Today. The Lahaina community, in its usual way, stepped up big time last week Thursday, when more than 200 guests attended a spectacular fund-raiser for Lahaina Public Library at the Royal Lahaina Resort. Lahaina News.
Continue reading...Hawaii even less affordable, thanks to new tax hikes that go into effect today, more state news
Thursday, July 1, 2010
New laws and more taxes, on Thursday morning, we'll all be waking up to a long list of tax hikes on water, cigarettes, and gas, and higher property bills. Hawaii News Now. New laws effective today ban shark fin foods,charge fees for mixed martial arts events, increase cigarette taxes, raise payment for traffic abstracts and strip businesses and nonprofits of tax-exempt status if they do not file general excise tax returns. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii residents may hate July 1, the start of the new fiscal year, as much as they despise April 15. KHON2. New cigarette taxes hitting Hawaii smokers Thursday make each pack cost 40 cents more, reaching an average of nearly $8. AP. The state and city are raising fees for a number of services. KITV County pools will be closed once a week starting Thursday, due to budget and staffing cuts that left the Aquatic Division without enough pool guards.. Maui News. Fifth of Big Isle on food stamps. Hawaii Tribune-Herald. Where's the Beef? No Reason to Oppose Civil Unions. Civil Beat. Dear Gov. Lingle, Sometime between now and July 6, you will make your final decision on HB444, the civil-unions bill. Honolulu Weekly. State tourism officials said Hawaii is seeing an increase in demand for summer travel, both in the domestic and international market. KITV In January you'll have a new airline to choose from if you're traveling between Seoul and Honolulu. KHON2. Hawaiian Airlines last week launched its first-ever, nonstop daily flights between Oakland and Maui. Lahaina News. According to a high Army official, the Army never intended to remove depleted uranium ammunition remnants from Pohakuloa Training Area and Shofield Barracks, and it has no plans to do so for as long as the firing ranges at those facilities are still in use. Big Island Weekly. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann's campaign for governor has questioned former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie's support for removing a federal ban on offshore oil drilling, pointing to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as an example of the danger. Star-Advertiser. A new poll released Wednesday suggests Hawaii's Democratic Party is likely to take back the governor's office. Hawaii News Now. A new poll shows both former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann ahead of Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona in hypothetical matchups for governor in November. Star-Advertiser. Mayor Charmaine Tavares will take until Tuesday to sign into law a bill that will make it illegal to use a cellular phone or other mobile electronic devices while driving. Maui News. W.S. Merwin acknowledges that his relatively reclusive life on a former pineapple plantation built on the slopes of Haleakala on Maui will be disturbed by the Library of Congress’ announcement this morning naming him the country’s poet laureate. Star-Advertiser. Hawaiians want bridge work stopped, claim ‘obfuscation.' Garden Island. Staking for construction of both a new Wailua Beach parking lot and a retaining wall that is part of the old cane-haul-bridge widening project could have alarmed some residents who may have thought it was for construction of the county’s coastal path, said a state Department of Transportation spokeswoman. Garden Island.
Continue reading...Just sayin’ — End this paralysis by analysis. It’s past time to move into the Internet world.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
I was privileged to be in a big room with a lot of smart people last week, and, naturally, the subject of Hawaii’s economic future came up. The event was the Pacific Congress on Marine Science and Technology PACON 2010 at the University of Hawaii-Hilo, and scientists from around the world were there to discuss, among other things, the state of the planet’s oceans and new technologies in measuring and evaluating ocean data. Soon I began hearing a familiar refrain: Why can’t Hawaii create a knowledge economy? Why indeed? We live on the most beautiful islands on the planet. The weather is consistently moderate. Rich people like to live here. You know, smart people wish they could afford to, too. We’ve got state-of-the-art telescopes. We’ve got some good research going on in our university system, even though it has a long way to go to rank among the country’s best. We’ve got a huge military presence that should bring, if not the great minds, at least the necessary infrastructure. So why can’t we develop this knowledge economy? Back in the late ‘90s, I was in a chat room with someone from Malaysia, who described his country as a “jungle with computers.” Malaysia was one of the earliest adopters of an aggressive online community, and, in 2009, this tiny country – split in half by the South China Sea -- has achieved a 67.5 percent Internet penetration . That compares favorably with 76.2 percent for the whole of
Continue reading...Flags, lei, drum beat and floating lanterns mark Memorial Day events, gubernatorial race, filling Honolulu Hale priorities as Case bows out, horses…
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Drum beats echoed from the sacred dancing circle and onto the banks of Waiakea Pond on Saturday. Total bankruptcy filings jumped 34.4 percent in May over the year-earlier period. Hundreds turned out for the Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe Monday afternoon. With a peach-colored sunset as a backdrop and aided by gentle trade winds, more than 2,000 candle-lit lanterns representing the souls of the departed made their way from the Magic Island end of Ala Moana Beach Park into the Pacific. More than 40,000 people watched some 2,000 floating lanterns drift to sea last night from Ala Moana Beach, ferrying wishes of healing and peace and honoring those who have died under hardships. Five battle-tested political veterans are already at the starting gate for the special election to replace Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who announced last week that he will resign July 20 to run for governor. The Honolulu City Council is expected to pick the next member for Hawaii Kai as early as Thursday if five of the eight members can agree on the right person. With Democrat Ed Case out of the September primary election, the challenge for Hawaii Democrats is to get Case's supporters to back Colleen Hanabusa. With the departure of Ed Case
Continue reading...State slow spending stimulus money, Lost fans bid aloha, Hilo commemorates tsunamis, Kauai considers farm dwellings, brushfire eats 300 acres in West…
Monday, May 24, 2010
Hawai'i received $1.3 billion of federal stimulus money as of March 30 and has spent $584 million. The cash was credited with saving or creating 2,566 jobs in the first quarter. U.S. Congressman-elect Charles Djou told a national television audience this morning that his victory in Saturday's special election represented "a major historic election." Fresh off a night of celebrating, Charles Djou says he's ready to find his way around Washington. Neil Abercrombie's Republican opponent, Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona, opened his campaign headquarters on North Nimitz Highway. The Price Tag Of A Seat In Congress: $12.31 Per Vote Veterans on Molokai are upset they have waited for nearly four years to obtain permits to build a modest, $112,000 veterans center in Kaunakakai. Steady makai winds and dry conditions fueled a 300-plus acre brush fire that broke out Saturday in North Kohala. Fans fed their appetites at The Counter, as they devoured the final episode of Lost. The finale of "Lost" leaves devoted viewers with their memories Put yourself for a moment in the shoes of a crew member of the Hollywood film “The Descendants.” Waiakea town lived again Saturday evening, if only for a few hours. The 12-foot-tall green clock that now stands as a tsunami memorial was erected in Waiakea town in 1939 by Martha E. Wakefield in memory of her sister, the late Mrs. Charles Edward Richardson. During a good winter, when water levels remain high at the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, 120 or more endangered Hawaiian coot nests have been counted at the coastal wetland. A bill that would allow bonafide farmers to build additional dwellings for their workers will be heard again at the Kaua‘i County Council meeting Wednesday in Nawiliwili.
Continue reading...Just sayin’ — spinmeisters deconstruct Hawaii GOP congressional victory
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Let the spin begin. Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou's victory in Saturday's special election to fill one of only two Hawaii congressional seats was just about a foregone conclusion after two Democrats split the winner-take-all ticket.
Continue reading...Keiki on board — no smoke in car now law on Big Island, Hawaii Five-O coming back to TV, Lingle weighs in on congressional race, Abercrombie opens…
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Gov. Linda Lingle has rebuked claims made by Hawaii’s three former governors, who said Sunday electing republican Charles Djou to Congress would not bode well for the state’s congressional delegation. Smiling candidate? Check. Photos with keiki? Yep. Red, white and blue background? Uh-huh. Prominently placed "Contribute" button. Duh. Hawaii elections officials are reporting that almost 41 percent of the ballots mailed to registered voters in the contest for Hawaii's vacant congressional seat have been returned. The delay of state refund checks has been lifted, somewhat. Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday that she would release most tax refunds sooner than expected because revenue collections have improved as the state's economy improves. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Neil Abercrombie opened his West Hawaii campaign headquarters Sunday evening in Kailua-Kona, where he encouraged people to "break away from the false comfort of the status quo" and help change the current political climate. Even though it has not been announced by CBS, a revamped version of "Hawaii Five-0" will finally see the light of day as part of the network's upcoming fall season lineup 'Hawaii Five-O', take two! In showbiz slang, the Five-O pilot has been picked up. When the owners of KGMB9, KHNL and K5 television stations launched Hawaii News Now in October, they characterized the deal as a newsroom merger and not as an ownership change. A bill signed into law yesterday expands the list of felony charges that prosecutors can levy against a suspect without going through the grand jury process. Local anti-smoking advocates are applauding a new Big Island law that prohibits smoking in a vehicle when a minor is present. The former general manager of a city parking concessionaire told KITV4 two city officials and co-workers helped a former city parking lot manager steal $250,000 from two city parking lots. At the Big Island Regional Underwater Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV) Tournament, held Saturday at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Student Life Center Pool, Hilo High student Quintin Watanabe prepares to launch his team's underwater robot. A new Kihei high school, a second Wailuku elementary school, a replacement cafeteria at Paia Elementary and a bigger one at Lahainaluna High School are the Maui District's big-ticket items moving forward soon, a top state Department of Education official said recently. What can you do with $287? That is the fine for having an illegal tint on an automobile as stated in the citation book used by Kaua‘i Police Department officers.
Continue reading...Cockfight bust scatters 500, former governors band against Djou, televised Honolulu City Council meetings could fall to budget ax, UH studies…
Monday, May 17, 2010
A deep-sea expedition headed by a University of Hawaii geologist has yielded insights into one of Earth's most active volcanic areas, in the Galapagos Islands. Showing a united front in a party that has been described as divided, Hawaii's last three governors, all Democrats, warned yesterday that the election of Republican Charles Djou to the U.S. House would be a setback for Hawaii. Three former Democratic governors asked voters yesterday to choose a Democrat in the special election for Congress and prevent Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou, a Republican, from taking advantage of a divided electorate. Less than a week left in the special election and democrats are worried a republican could win the race for congress. The latest ad campaign from Republican Charles Djou blasts Democratic opponent Ed Case. Three of Hawaii's past governors are calling on voters to keep the 1st Congressional District seat Democratic Here are some of the questions and answers that didn't make it into our one hour long debate-- like what the candidates have done and will do to help small businesses. When construction begins on Honolulu's rail line is now up to the governor and federal government. But it's unlikely that the mayor who's been the force behind the project will be in his office for the groundbreaking. Four O'ahu men have been charged with animal cruelty after Honolulu police raided a Nānākuli cockfight attended by an estimated 500 people Saturday afternoon. Residents of Hakimo Road in Nanakuli have split opinions regarding a massive police raid in their neighborhood Saturday. Officers armed with a search warrant broke up a cockfighting event that was attended by an estimated 500 people. Fifty-one of the most beautiful women took the stage for the 2010 Miss USA Pageant. A plan by some City Council members to chop funding for the televised broadcasts of its committee meetings is starting to draw protests from their colleagues and others. New legislation would place limits on the use of leaf blowers, offering some relief to residents from the noisy machine — but not as much as some had hoped for. Mayor Billy Kenoi's administration appears to be moving quickly to convert the Hawaii County Band into a private nonprofit corporation. The dean of science at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona has been tabbed to succeed Rose Tseng as University of Hawaii at Hilo chancellor. West Hawaii, which accounts for 76.2 percent of all property value in the county, is set to be hit the hardest by property tax hikes proposed by Mayor Billy Kenoi. The 10th Maui Matsuri was held on Saturday at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Biotechnology is a viable industry, said agricultural expert Douglas Jones during a luncheon hosted by the Hawai‘i Crop Improvement Association and the Chamber of Commerce last week at JJ’s Broiler. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Engineering Division will hold a public information meeting on Wednesday, May 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss a planned improvement project at Maalaea Small Boat Harbor.
Continue reading...
- Surfing Huge Waves in Hawaii
- Hawaii - Lonely Planet Travel Video
- Ultimate Tsunami - Honolulu Hawaii
- Inside USA - The Other Hawaii - Sept 26 - Part 1
- HD RELAXATION 2- HAWAII BEACHES - MUSIC VIDEO - MEDITATION
- Hawaii Five 0 Intro
- Aloha, Hawaii!
- The Strokes - Hawaii Aloha
- kauai hawaii
- Raw Video: Obama Beachside in Hawaii
- Merenwen1983: My Superman!!!!!!!!♥♥♥♥♥♥:)...
- jasuda64: Hugh has swapped sides!!! Great to see the guys en...
- julianamoval: this vid is excellent! definitely my superman!...
- maggie695: Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)...
- ilima0183: u rock! ty for sharing...loved the concert :)...
© 2009 Hula Planet:What To Do In Hawaii. Powered by Wordpress.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
0 Comments