Entries for January 2022

... we have a deadline of this Wednesday, February 2, 2022, to file an appeal of DOH's Final Order, and we are planning to file in both federal and state court by this deadline ....

... HB1585 needs greater clarity about the role of the Legislature and stronger statements about protecting transparency and individual rights ....

... 5:30-8:30 PM, Tuesday, February 8th ....

..."I am always concerned by any piece of legislation that is not signed by Corporation Counsel...." -- Mayor Victorino

... OHA’s Board of Trustees will have 60 days to appoint a new trustee for Hawaiʻi Island, who will serve in the position until the next Hawaiʻi state general election in November 2022 ....

... States Whose Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Most ....

... 2022's States with the Biggest and Smallest Wealth Gaps by Race/Ethnicity ....

... The total economic impact of $221 million, which also accounts for indirect and induced impacts, is nearly as much as farming statewide ....

... Want to pass one of these bills?  Go ahead, make my day! ....

... Please join our webinar this Sunday 6pm where we'll go over upcoming bills in the legislature and how you can help ....

... In Hawaii, an estimated 6,458 people are experiencing homelessness - or about 45.6 for every 10,000 people, the second highest homeless rate among states ....

... the Senate has tried to avoid any real debate on the issue ....

... New incentives approved to spur development of affordable rentals ....

... Efforts to rein in the watchdog continue ....

... Hawaii has the highest union membership rate at 22.4 percent ....

... the tourist headcount is down 20.9% ....

... The states in the bottom 10 tend to have a number of afflictions in common: complex, nonneutral taxes with comparatively high rates ....

... Stadium-villages generally create low wage jobs ....

... No telescopes = No rent money ....

... Hawaii ranks 13th ....

... The Kokua Fund Bill Credit Program will automatically provide a one-time credit of $90 to past-due balances for about 22,000 residential and business customers by Jan. 31 ....

... Here is the actual wording of the item in the Hawai‘i State Constitution ....

... The facility built in 1942 is "grandfathered" and exempt from any EPA rules or compliance.  Second, it is Federal property on Federal land under Federal jurisdiction....

... before you can even purchase a taser or stun gun, and legislators are already moving to make it so that you can’t carry them ....

... The 20th annual American Lung Association "State of Tobacco Control" report evaluates states ....

... 21% of the chamber’s businesses said the proposed minimum wage increase would put them out of business ....

... On top of the federal gasoline tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, Hawaii levies an additional excise tax of 51.7 cents - the fourth highest gas tax rate among states ....

... will remain in effect through March 25, 2022 ....

... The newly-filed lawsuit describes an incident in January 2020 in which N.B.–who is now twelve-years old–was handcuffed and arrested by HPD officers, and her mother was falsely detained by DOE officials, at Honowai Elementary School ....

... OIP has recently received dozens of complaints from the public alleging deficient meeting notices for various Sunshine Law boards that were filed on the State Calendar ....

... said Chairman Tester. “We’ve got work to do, and I’m going to keep working with Senator Schatz to make sure the Department of Defense is getting Hawai‘i and the Navy the tools they need to move forward.” ....

"... at this time, there is no evidence that Board of Water Supply drinking water has been impacted ...." -- Hawaii Department of Health

... HONOLULU remained a Sinkhole City because it needed more than $3.9 billion, or $31,700 from each taxpayer, to pay its bills ....

"...increase the refund amount...."

... The revised rules require proof of a booster shot to confirm patrons are “up to date” with their COVID-19 vaccinations if they want to dine indoors at a restaurant or bar, or exercise inside of a gym ....

... businesses cut hours, turn to technology or even cut jobs in order to mitigate the higher costs ....

... the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December was 5.7 percent compared to 6.0 percent in November. Statewide, 610,350 were employed and 37,050 unemployed ....

... Governor David Y. Ige to the Thirty-First State Legislature meeting in joint session, January 24, 2022 .... 

... This revision results in the current percentage of the population that has received a booster dose increasing from 31.4% last Friday to 33.1% today ....

... attorney Mike Green indicated in the Sunday paper, President Lassner and AD Matlin’s actions may cause legal jeopardy for the State of Hawaii ....

... In a 2019 poll by Pacific Resource Partnership, 45% of the island residents surveyed said they were leaving the state or considering a move. Of those contemplating leaving, 47% named the cost of living as the most important reason ....  

... Their recommendation:  “Tax pension and other retirement income...."

... Based on how short-term vacation rentals are so often portrayed, I wouldn’t blame you if you thought their owners were all terrible people ....

... Free needles.  Lots of free needles ....

... the amount of money that individuals and families require to meet their basic needs without government and/or other subsidies ....

... 2022’s Best & Worst States to Drive in ....

... The word now is that leaders are reconsidering ....

... Somebody needs to tell ex-Rep Kaniela Ing the left doesn't like Russia anymore ....

... The Honolulu Rate Commission will be taking public testimony on proposed fare policy changes affecting TheBus and TheHandi-Van at its January 24th and February 8th meetings ....

... on the Opening Day of the 30th Session of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, Kahele implores state leaders to act decisively and execute a multi-year statewide strategy to mitigate the pandemic and save lives ....