Education K-12

The conflict of interest of Hawaii print media is obvious.  Dan H. Case, the uncle of Democratic candidate Ed Case, is a minority owner of the Star-Bulletin and is now part of the group of investors buying the Advertiser. 

So, for the benefit of news-starved Hawaii readers, we at Hawai’i Free Press have assembled dozens of articles—including a few about the Hawaii gubernatorial race--from national media of all political persuasions for your reading pleasure. 

Ed Case said: "I’ve never ruled out the Senate.  If there is that opportunity, I’m not going to sit here at the end of 2009 and say I’m not going to be a candidate.”

"The rhetoric has certainly ratcheted up," said Neal Milner, a University of Hawaii political scientist. He added, "the stakes are very high, higher than for a usual special election, because the national Democrats are petrified that a Republican will win this seat in (President Barack) Obama's home territory."

"Djou benefits from the latter and I think that is quite possible," Milner added. "The DCCC must be going nuts."

A highly funded, Washington, DC lobby organization, Food and Water Watch (FWW), is mounting a frontal attack on Hawaii State policy that supports open ocean mariculture. They have rallied a motley crew of rag tag environmental groups, and paid many of them to attack a growing sector of our economy that is on the verge of showing the world a way to produce seafood that is environmentally responsible.

The House Republican Caucus today added $8.8 million for food and energy security initiatives to their budget proposal, which balances the state budget without raising taxes.

Cutting funding for the Office of Aerospace, however, could jeopardize the entire project.  In addition to millions of dollars of potential revenue lost, the cuts are seen as an embarrassment in the eyes of the federal government.  Although Hawaii has historically promoted the aerospace industry in the Islands, the recent budget cuts are sending a different message.

Upon Governor Lingle's request, President George Bush sent White House Council on the Environment James Connaughton to Hawaii to travel with a Hawaii delegation, which I was privileged to be part of, to Midway Island. Being appropriately impressed, James Connaughton went back to the White House and worked on the preservation status. Jean-Michel Cousteau accompanied us on the trip and produced Voyage to Kure, a documentary.

I was privileged to go, along with the Governor and my wife, to the White House for a small dinner at which time this documentary was aired. In a conversation after dinner, I distinctly remember the President of the United States looking at James Connaughton and saying "let's get it done", referring to the marine reserve.

Within months we were once again in the White House for a huge ceremony in which First Lady Laura Bush announced the President's signing of a Declaration of Memorial Status for the northwest archipelago.

Honolulu - Charles K. Djou, Republican candidate for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District, questioned Senate President Colleen Hanabusa on Earth Day on her claims that she will hold Wall Street accountable given the Legislature’s failure to pass a proposal to use state bonds to finance loans for homeowners to install rooftop solar panels, solar hot water heaters and energy-efficient appliances.  The measure passed both chambers and had community support, but last-minute opposition from the Mortgage Bankers Association of Hawaii contributed to the failure of the measure.

VIDEO: Honolulu Special Election Congressional candidate Charles Djou appearing on the Sean Hannity show Wednesday April 21.

MYTH: It also mentions, “Djou supported cutting thousands of teachers, increasing class sizes across the state.”

FACT: This claim is FALSE. Charles Djou supports keeping teachers’ jobs and smaller class sizes. The DCCC does not show any evidence to substantiate this claim. In fact, according to Djou’s campaign website, “We need a reformed education system that puts children first. … Principals in turn must have the resources they need, including adequate funding and the ability to remove underperforming teachers. The cost of the Educational bureaucracies must be reduced to insure that education dollars are spent in the classroom and teachers have the tools they need to educate our children, including continuing teacher education and training. That’s how good school systems work. We cannot continue to limit our children’s potential in school systems that don’t teach.”

Even if stimulus had increased the DoE budget, it is dishonest to pick out a solitary provision of a $800B spending bill and declare that to be what Djou “opposed.”

By the same logic, if Charles Djou stopped Pueo Trucking from dumping a stinking heap of garbage--with a two dollar bill hidden in the pile--on the front yard of an elementary school, the DCCC headline would be “Djou blocks Hanabusa from donating money to school.”

In 2004, Case did not support a bill that would have lowered the total taxes paid by middle-class families with children and military personnel with children.  He voted against extending a $1,000 per child tax credit given to families with children and against allowing military personnel to include combat pay in their gross earning in order to calculate eligibility for the child tax credit. (House Roll Call 209, 05/20/04)

Another blast from the same DCCC which produced the “False” attack ad upon which this ad seeks to build.  Now the DCCC is attacking Djou over Obama's stimulus program--but they don't mention "stimulus' even once in the commercial, instead we are to believe it was all about saving teachers' jobs.

Hawaii is going down with its one party politics. Hawaii needs more balanced political checks and balances. There are simply too many Democrats and too many Lawyers. There are too few Republicans and too few Engineers. I wish to tip the scales by one.

Tax and Spend does not work. Too many wrong projects are being done at huge cost to taxpayers. Hawaii's affordability is moving in the wrong direction. More taxes and poor policies lead to accelerated brain drain, labor losses and unemployment.

  Former Abercrombie staffer George 'Skip' Roberts at GOP conference in Minnesota.

The Advertiser is being bought out by Black Press, owner of the Star-Bulletin.  Among Black’s local partners is Ed Case’s uncle, Dan H Case.  

Six hundred Advertiser employees are on tenterhooks waiting to see if they will be rehired by the new entity.  Their new bosses are still running the Star-Bulletin as the purchase passes through various procedural hoops.  Who will stay and who will go depends on the good will of Dan H Case, Black Press, and the other members of the Star-Bulletin Editorial Board.

Two sources with first-hand knowledge describe a series of September, 2006 post-Primary talks between Hanabusa’s defeated campaign and that of Republican Primary winner, State Senator Bob Hogue.  Although Hanabusa did not personally participate, the sources say her campaign’s leaders, including her now-husband John Souza, offered the Republican candidate extensive unofficial support.  One pro-Hanabusa union came on board with Hogue after receiving a commitment that, if elected, Hogue would work to increase immigration quotas from the Philippines.

“Case has hired well-respected Dem pollster Fred Yang, who was tagged as an advisor in the criminal complaint against ex-IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D). Yang was ‘Advisor B,’ who suggested Blagojevich leverage Pres. Obama's open Senate seat in order to win a top position at Change to Win, the labor federation headed by SEIU.” (Reid Wilson, “Wednesday’s Starting Lineup,” Hotline On Call, 04/14/10)

"While Hawaii taxpayers struggle amid a fragile economy, Ed Case continues to be complicit with the job-killing, tax-hiking policies of Washington Democrats by supporting the Democrats’ healthcare takeover. As the nation’s economy teeters on the edge of disaster, more and more jobs are shed each month and the national debt continues to climb to new highs, the last thing the people of Hawaii need is a representative with an insatiable appetite for taxing and spending. Unfortunately for Case, Hawaii voters don’t want another Pelosi rubberstamp in Congress – they want jobs," said Erin Kealoha, Communications Director, Hawaii Republican Party.

“Under this proposal, students, parents, teachers, other school employees, Department of Education officials, legislators and the general public would still be left with the looming uncertainty of the remaining six furlough days in the second half of the next school year. 

“Further, this plan once again pits education against other public services, as legislators struggle to find money in 2011 for the myriad of programs operated by the State. 

SB: The Hawaii rally was aimed squarely at state lawmakers—majority Democrats who approved this week an increase in the tax on a barrel of oil. The increase from a nickel to $1.05 per barrel is expected to increase the cost of gas and energy bills….

One candidate, Republican Charles Djou, attended the rally and took the occasion of tax deadline day to launch an appeal for votes....

“The people are frustrated with business as usual in our government. Our Hawaii public school system is not putting the children first which is an outrage. Tax increase bills are advancing in the legislature which will lead to more business failure. Home sales are down and many owners are facing foreclosure. Unemployment is higher than ever. What people want is stability and that’s the choice I represent for the voters."

“We are excited about Charles’ campaign to change the direction of Congress.  Having made over 20,000 volunteer phone calls and knocking on over 15,000 doors in Mililani, Ewa Beach, Hawaii Kai, and everywhere in between, we have heard that Charles’ message of fiscal responsibility and government accountability is resonating with the people of Hawaii.  People are tired of elected officials who care more about themselves, than they do about the people they represent,” stated Dylan Nonaka, Djou for Hawaii campaign manager.  “Our strong finance numbers are one of several indicators of the growing enthusiasm and momentum for Charles in this special election.  Charles understands, however, that the only number that counts is the number of votes cast in the election.”

Hawaii Legislators want to raise the GE Tax by as much as 25%. They propose to raise the barrel tax on fuel 3000%.  But they refuse to even consider abolishing the BoE and placing the DoE under the direct control of the next Governor.  On April 15, Hawaii voters will have their say at rallies planned for Honolulu, Kahului, Kailua-Kona, Hilo and Lihue.  Here are the details and contact information for each rally. 

 “Lines that Divide: the Great Stem Cell Debate” will be broadcast on KALO-TV, channel 38 (cable channel 25).

On Wednesday, April 14^th at 10:30 a.m. a group of veterans will place about 100 small flags on the front lawn of the State Senate next to the replica of the Liberty Bell.

On Thursday, April 15^th, they will hold a Flag Rally at the State Capitol from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (separate from Tea Party events) and will deliver petitions to Senate President Colleen Hanabusa asking her to pass language in any Bill that would ensure their right to fly Old Glory.

If you want to get familiar with the budget, this is a good place to start because it will allow you to make your own choices by simply placing an ”x” in the left column next to the  proposals. The fiscal impact of the proposal will then be added to the ending balance.

“I understand that times are tough for Hawaii families right now and I promise to work tirelessly to ease the burden of heavy taxes and excessive government spending and control,” said Charles Djou. “The age of the spend-and-tax mentality are over, Hawaii families need a Representative that will fight to rebuild Hawaii’s economy and create jobs. I’ve never voted for a tax increase, because I understand that crippling taxes only hurt small businesses and stifle economic growth. I will open Hawaii’s doors to new markets, which will boost Hawaii’s tourism and trade and bring millions of dollars in revenue to our sluggish economy.”

This is the reward to Matayoshi for holding the line against reform and protecting the HSTA....boost to 150% of highest Principal's salary, thus making her effectively tied to the HGEA's contract for Principals. 

Despite the continuing willingness of our residents to generously support our public education system, it has not produced meaningful improvements or demonstrable progress toward improved systemwide education outcomes.  The record is clear that the answer to the problem of an underperforming school system is not solely the amount of money being spent.  We have dramatically increased public education spending between the time I took office and the present, and our school system still fails to show meaningful improvement in national test scores.  We should not tolerate perpetuating a system that results in situations such as Nanakuli where only 14 percent of the children are proficient in arithmetic.

...Right now, the race is close: according to a Democratic source, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has conducted an internal poll showing Case at 32%, Djou at 32%, Hanabusa at 27%, and 9% undecided.

Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Catholic Conference is committed to urge the faithful to

1. Register to vote;
2. Be knowledgeable about issues and where candidates stand on those issues and
3. Motivate and get believers to go out and vote.

According to a high level source within the DoE, the Charter School Review Panel (CSRP), at its regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday morning, voted to bring a nearly immediate end to the school year for Puna’s Na Wai Ola/Waters of Life Public Charter School.  According to the source, the decision will take effect Friday, April 16 leaving parents to scramble to find alternate placements for their children in the middle of the semester and in the midst of HSA testing. The semester for Waters of Life's 80 students was originally to have run until May 26.

...to characterize Djou's opposition to raising taxes as protecting tax breaks that send jobs abroad is wrong. Any tax benefit can be eliminated and offset by a rate cut or by other benefits without raising taxes overall, and without violating the terms of that pledge. This attack ad is false.

When HB2877 was defeated earlier within this legislative session, homeowners that pay maintenance fees were relieved and saved from having to pay another tax increase. This new tax would have unfairly targeted homeowners that reside in condominiums and planned community associations by taxing their maintenance fees. 

Then on March 30, in the House Finance Committee, a bill that had nothing to do with raising taxes on maintenance fees - SB2401 SD1, was gutted and replaced with the language from HB2877, the measure previously defeated.

"This outside intrusion into a Hawaii political campaign is unprecedented and unnecessary.  There should be no need for a mainland Democrat group to be involved unless they are afraid of how the people of Hawaii will vote.  My position on issues is there for all to see, and the votes that I have taken are clear, honorable and correct.  For the DCCC to attempt to sway public opinion in this manner by defaming my character is clearly wrong."

The source said the move was in part intended as a warning shot to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is considering an endorsement for Case.

Ward proposed an amendment to remove political appointees in SB2571's process of selecting the governor's BOE appointees. The amendment, along with one that proposed to lift the cap on Charter Schools would have made Hawaii more competitive for Race to the Top funds. All three amendments were killed by the House.

...the DCCC should explain to voters why several current U.S. House and U.S. Senate Democrats, and numerous Democrats on the state level have already made the same commitment as Djou. The following Democrat members of Congress have signed the Pledge: Reps. Brad Ellsworth (IN-08), Rob Andrews (NJ-01), Gene Taylor (MS-04), Ben Chandler (KY-06) and Sens. Ben Nelson (NE) and Arlen Specter (PA). Interestingly, every single Democrat named has violated the Pledge on at least one occasion. Even more interesting is the fact that every House Democrat named has violated the Taxpayer Protection Pledge on multiple occasions.

In late 2008, Congressman Neil Abercrombie could not have been more clear in this letter to a Hawaii constituent, where he vowed to vote “no” on the $700 Billion bail out bill....Less than one week from the date of Abercrombie’s  reassuring assertions, he voted for the bailout anyway.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen said Tuesday he wouldn't rule out making an endorsement in the May special election in Hawaii's 1st Congressional District.

As two Democrats — former Rep. Ed Case and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa — compete against a single GOP candidate in the three-way election, Van Hollen didn't reject reports that the DCCC may swing behind Case's campaign.

To hear the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee tell it, Republican Congressional candidate Charles Djou “signed a pledge that protects tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas” and “Djou still supports tax breaks for big corporations who would export our future.”

Starting tonight, the National Democrat commercials will run through the end of this week.  According to one Honolulu TV advertising sales exec interviewed by Hawai’i Free Press, the commercials will target Republican Congressional candidate Charles Djou.  Djou is the only Republican facing off against Democrats Colleen Hanabusa and Ed Case in the May 1 –22 mail in special election.  The same source tells Hawai’i Free Press the DCCC message will be anti-Djou—and will not make reference to either Ed Case or Colleen Hanabusa.

Determined to avert that result, the two sources said the DCCC is providing under-the-radar organizational support to former Rep. Ed Case against Democratic state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, including assistance from DCCC Western Regional Political Director Adam Sullivan.

This unique 18-unit subdivision is an affordable-housing project by the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The homes will consume little electricity and have a low environmental impact, and were designed with a blend of the newest energy technology and traditional Hawaiian practices to support a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle.

“I’m the only one who actually lives in the congressional district,” Djou says. “I have two opponents who are running insider themes. Case is running on his experience, his seniority, and [the fact that he] knows the corridors of Congress. Hanabusa is running on how she’s going to be a team player with Democrats in Congress. It’s clear that voting for Case or Hanabusa will not change Washington, D.C. My election will mean change, not just here, but if I win this race, we’re going to have a very big impact across the country.”

“I have never voted for a tax increase, and neither of my opponents can say that,” Djou says. “In five debates so far, both of them have repeated that they will not take a pledge to not raise taxes. They have both said they believe that there’s even an appropriate time to raise taxes, even in a recession.”

The National Journal writes: "National Democrats are tempted to pick a favorite, sources say, and perhaps get the White House involved to avoid the embarrassment of losing in President Obama's hometown urban Honolulu congressional district."

But the Dan’s won’t let them pick Ed Case, so they are stuck with Larry Mehau associate Colleen Hanabusa.  The National Journal article points the finger at Inouye, while pretending to point the finger at Obama, who, perhaps retaliating for Inouye’s support of Clinton in the Primary, washes his hands of the mess caused by Inouye’s retaliation against Ed Case and Neil Abercrombie....

Meanwhile..."Democratic strategists sense a momentum shift for Djou."

Case led in the last public poll, but that was nearly three months ago. Privately, Democratic strategists sense a momentum shift for Djou.

"The onus is on the White House. ... Can you imagine how bad it would be messaging-wise if we lost Obama's home district after losing Massachusetts?" one strategist said.

White House officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Democrat congressional candidate Ed Case is attempting to portray himself as someone who is fiscally responsible.  A look at his record, however, uncovers the truth: While in Congress, Ed Case was a reliable vote for imposing higher taxes on middle-class families and small businesses....

Ed Case has been ranked as one of the most ineffective members of Congress: “Two members of Congress ranked as some of the least effective – Rep. Ed Case [D- Hawai'i] and Sen. Dan Akaka [D- Hawai'i] – are battling over who has the worse rating on a national political Web site.” (Richard Borreca, “Case to Akaka, Akaka to Case: You’re ineffective,” Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 08/29/06).