Education K-12

Hawaii Legislature's own papermill.  Built by feeeel-goood fake environmentalism.

The 2010 package is designed to improve the economy and reduce the state's over 7 percent unemployment by helping local small businesses operate and survive in Hawaii.  Included are solutions that help companies obtain permits and retain their workforce.

“Imagine the narrative coming on the heels of Scott Brown; a Republican wins in Obama’s home congressional district,” said Dave Wasserman, House editor at the Cook Political Report. Wasserman said the open format of the special election without a primary or run-off gives Djou a shot at pulling off an upset in what until recently had been considered a  safe Democratic seat.

“The mood of the country is clearly trending away from the establishment to candidates running against the majority. I also think the dynamics of this special election work well for me,” Djou said.

The HI-1 special can be likened to NY-23 in reverse, with Ed Case occupying the unenviable "Scozzafava" position and Hanabusa representing the base of the party. Like Scozzafava, Case has depended on crossover Republican votes to win elections in the past, support that is likely to evaporate once voters know there is a real, electable Republican candidate in the race.

Initiatives on the County level have included: Kauai Ohana in 2006-2007 attempting to use the initiative process to defeat high property taxes, Stop Rail activists who won the opportunity to vote on rail, and others who have used initiative for various causes on the Big Island.  Hawaii citizens do not have any statewide initiative and referendum rights. A majority of state citizens do enjoy local initiative and referendum rights. 

The AP headline is “Republican gathering in Waikiki comes at a time of internal strife” — but the Republican National Committee is meeting in Honolulu January 27-30 in a world suddenly reshaped by Scott Brown’s paradigm-shattering victory in Massachusetts. AP’s headline writer can only dream.

For RNC Chairman Michael Steele, Brown’s victory couldn’t have come at a better time. Steele’s mission is to expand the reach of the Republican Party into districts and states generally considered Democrat strongholds. This is the opposite of the strategy of energizing the base which gave George W. Bush an exquisitely narrow victory in 2000 and a 2.4% margin of victory in 2004 — an election year which Ann Coulter and others have argued should have seen a Bush landslide.

A disturbing story is emerging which suggests that Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann threatened to remove city workers from Hanauma Nature Preserve when the Secret Service told him he could not join the Obama family snorkeling there during the Obamas’ vacation December 29. 

It is one thing for Mufi to stalk Obama at public events—that’s just politics as usual.  But it is another to threaten retaliation against the President and threaten non-cooperation with the President’s security detail. 

What has been publicly revealed to date?

I am pleased to inform you that today, on the Rick Hamada show, I announced my intent to become a candidate for mayor of the City and County of Honolulu when the office becomes vacant.

As you know, the regular election for mayor is not until 2012 but Mufi Hannemann has declared an interest in the race for Governor. However, unlike U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie who declared his intent to resign, Mayor Hannemann has not declared any such intent, thus today I am simply saying that if he resigns then I will run for mayor.

The poll included 486 “likely Democratic primary voters”—61% of the 800 registered voters sampled.  This is 210% of the 29% of registered voters who participated in the 2008 Hawaii Democrat primary ....

THE SENATE IS READY TO PASS HB 444 SD1 ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

(SENATE GALLERY OPENS AT 11:30 AM)

WE NEED YOUR ACTION AND COMMITMENT NOW!

Here’s the next potential Scott Brown, or at least a candidate who will spark a debate over whether the national GOP should look at him that way—Charles Djou in Hawaii.

An estimated 15,000 Hawaii residents rallied Sunday at the Capitol against passage of House Bill 444 which would enact gay civil unions into law.  They were backed by another 500 protesters gathered at the Wailuku State Building on Maui.

Attend the Rally at the State Capitol on Sunday, January 17th (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm) to support traditional marriage and other pro-family policies.  AND MAUI -- Wailuku State Building, Wailuku, Maui  Sunday, January 17  2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Djou's Dec 31 fundraising figures released this afternoon (below) are more than double Ed Case's Dec. 15 figures.  Djou's Dec. 31 cash on hand is 263% of Case's Dec. 15 cash on hand.   Hanabusa is a very distant third.

Even armed with a strong candidate, Republicans needed a big break to give them any hope of capturing President Obama's native district, which is 11 points more Democratic than the national average. They appear to have gotten one in the form of Abercrombie's early resignation to focus on a gubernatorial bid, which has set up an all-party special election that will likely take place in May. Honolulu Councilman Charles Djou, a Republican, will have the resources to seek a plurality as state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa and former Rep. Ed Case split the Democratic vote.

VIDEO:  Watch the complete 30 minute January 12 debate from Honolulu Public Access TV here.

Democrats across the nation are on the ropes as Americans turn against Obamacare, taxes, and failed "stimulus."  Unemployment and debt race to the top as Obamanomics drives everybody else to the bottom.  Terrorism is again rearing its ugly head and the President shows only weakness.  Obama's numbers are in the tank and continue to decline.  Congressional Democrats are jumping overboard like rats from the proverbial sinking ship and Democrat Congressional candidate recruits are dropping out as analysts debate how large GOP gains will be this November.

In these hard times, where could the liberal LA Times still find defeatist Republicans whose utter demoralization could provide its lefty readers a quick peep at a political porn show to numb their pain?   

The small dissident group known as Hawaii Republican Assembly, that's where. 

HONOLULU – Duke Aiona today announced five county chairs and co-chairs and 13 regional chairs for his growing campaign. The leadership team will provide grassroots support to mobilize and turn out voters for Duke Aiona in the 2010 gubernatorial election.

Is it possible?  Did we miss one? With all the Marxists dug out from the very public -- yet very opaque -- story of President Barack Obama's life, could there be room for one more, hiding in plain sight on page 24 of Dreams from My Father?  

A Japanese-American man who called himself Freddy and ran a small market near our house would save us the choicest cuts of aku for sashimi and give me rice candy with edible wrappers.

Who's Freddy? 

I nominate the late Wilfred Mitsuji Oka, former proprietor of the Corner Liquor Store in Honolulu's Chinatown.

Endorsing Colleen Hanabusa (D-Koolina), Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Saturday claimed "She's got integrity. She's a very principled woman."  This may come as quite a surprise to readers of Governor Ben Cayetano's (D-HI) autobiography, in which he ties Hanabusa's Broken Trust connections to her dealings on behalf of Jeff Stone's Ko'olina project.  But Ed Case's ire was raised to challenge Inouye's "recollection of the facts" on another matter.

In an email blast sent out this morning, Case claims, "There is and must be a better way forward than just more old-style control politics."  Case challenges Inouye's recitation of the 2006 Case vs Akaka primary campaign

While Hamamoto said politics were not part of her decision to resign, she spoke out yesterday against a state constitutional amendment proposed by Lingle to make the DOE superintendent a Cabinet-level position, under the governor's control.

"Politics should not be part of what goes on in the school room," Hamamoto said. "The superintendent has to be able to advocate for what is right for the kids. You have to be apolitical in order to advocate for the children. That should be the first priority of a superintendent. The second priority is ensuring organizational stability. How do you ensure stability if teachers and administrators think they will be jerked around every four or eight years?"

Kubo served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii from 2001 to October 2009, and prior to that was Assistant U.S. Attorney for 11 years. During his tenure with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Kubo focused on major federal criminal investigations such as white collar crimes, mortgage fraud, civil rights violations, tax evasion, corruption, crimes on government installations and violent crimes.

In an obvious reference to Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, (D-Koolina) Case argues that those who "have suggested that we don't need the special election until our regular primary election on September 18th" demonstrate "not only a disrespect for our rights as citizens, but a basic lack of knowledge of how Capitol Hill works and what's at stake."

"We are ready and eager to bring our message of fiscal responsibility to Hawaii voters in a May special election."

Under Hawaii law a Special Election may be held no earlier than 60 days after a vacancy occurs.  That would be Thursday, April 29, 2010.  There is no outside limit on when the Special Election can be held.  Trailing in the polls, Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D-Koolina) has suggested that Hawaii "cannot afford" a Special Election. 

Republican Honolulu councilman Charles Djou is leading in the fund race.  The other candidate is the widely hated Democrat Ed Case whose failed challenge against Dan Akaka in 2006 still rankles many Hawaii Democrats.  Case, who calls Hanabusa "clueless", has already indicated he would again seek a Senate seat if the opportunity arose.

Abercrombie has handed his ally Ed Case an advantage over Hanabusa in that she will be required to attend to legislative business during the abbreviated campaign and Case has previous experience with the 2003 special election.   On the other hand Case is despised by his own Party after challenging Dan Akaka for US Senate in 2006.  With two hogtied Democrat frontrunners, the advantage shifts to Honolulu Councilman Charles Djou.

Lining the streets outside the President's Kailua vacation home Saturday, protesters hoped to send Obama a message against the funding of abortion services in health care legislation now under consideration in the House and Senate.  Many passing drivers honked their horns in support, but some devotedly pro-Obama motorists had a markedly different reaction.

The fight continues over whether Democrats have forgiven former Rep Ed Case (D-HI) for implying Sen Dan Akaka (D-HI) was a feebleminded, ineffectual, ultra liberal during Case's failed 2006 primary campaign.  

Case just before Christmas called upon Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D-Koolina) to drop out of the race and called her "clueless".  Hanabusa has responded in a December 26 interview with The Hill by calling on Case to drop out and calling him "not forgiven", "not a team player" and "not a consensus builder." 

Hanabusa has drawn Rep Neil Abercrombie into the melee, claiming that he is distancing himself from Case. 

The first special U.S. House election of 2010 will be held in the 1st District (Honolulu) of the state that claims Barack Obama as a native son. And this is what makes the upcoming contest most interesting: It could well be won by a Republican.

Interviewed by The Hill, December 18 Case says: "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.”

In a bizarre email message to her supporters December 18, Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D-Koolina) says there is "real concern" about ... "bankrolling a special election we cannot afford...."  She suggests the other option would be "doing without representation in Congress for a year." 

Governor Linda Lingle today released two lists of judicial nominees that were provided to her by the Judicial Selection Commission to fill one vacancy each on the Intermediate Court of Appeals and the First Circuit Court (O‘ahu).  Governor Lingle is making the lists available to the public to encourage public comment on the nominees. ... The Governor has 30 days from receipt of the lists (December 11, 2009) to submit her selections to the Hawai‘i State Senate, which would need to confirm the nominees.

The people of Hawai'i are tired of tax and spend policies that leave future generations with a huge financial burden.  Republican Charles Djou is the only candidate in this race who can bring the kind of fiscal accountability to Washington that the people of Hawai'i and the nation deserve.

Has Mufi’s strong fundraising lead and widespread appeal threatened Abercrombie’s run for governor, so much that he has to bail from one office to run fulltime for another?  Is he so afraid of his vote record and the tough votes that are pending in Congress?  Perhaps he’s embarrassed by the $3.5 million earmark he proposed for a company whose president co-chairs his gubernatorial campaign. 

Councilmember Djou introduced legislation to extend the ban on sleeping to City sidewalks, but a majority of council members blocked advancement of Djou’s measure. Djou is now seeking to apply an existing ordinance that bans structures on municipal sidewalks to the tents surrounding Kapiolani Park.

Djou fully supports giving free taxpayer financed mental health, drug counseling and shelter to those in need, but does not support converting City parks into private property.

The Honolulu City Council has won release of a previously unpublished Qmark Research poll cited as showing support for rail by Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

Five weeks after Honolulu Councilmember Charles Djou's formal request, the administration of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann has released a complete list of contractors and subcontractors currently or previously being paid to work on the Honolulu rail system.

According to an October 26 editorial piece thinly disguised as a news analysis, Save Our Sports’ success in raising $1.2 million for Hawaii’s 55 public high school athletic programs indicates a “shift toward an ‘American Idol’-style system of public funding that rewards popularity over merit.”

Not shy about involving church-goers in the electoral system, Hawaii conference organizers will be promoting the "I VOTE" voter registration drive which aims to register 80% of Hawaii church-goers and turn out 80% to vote at the polls.

Secular humanists are already alarmed at the prospect.  Hawaii has one of the lowest rates of voter participation in the nation but the Honolulu Star-Bulletin October 13 editorialized against the voter registration drive--a positive sign that voter registration can have a profound impact on the direction of the body politic.   

This morning the City Council voted not to advance Bill 51 relating to a homeowners tax class.  After the vote, Mayor Mufi Hannemann hauled Council Chair Todd Apo into his office for several hours.  Late this evening, after all media had left the building, Apo, along with Councilmember Gary Okino, suddenly reversed their votes and voted to pass Bill 51.  Councilmember Apo had consistently been a leading opponent of establishing a homeowner tax class since it was first proposed last year.

The event will feature a presentation by national spokesman and former NFL football star, Riki Ellison, Founder and Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) a non-profit organization which advocates the deployment and development of a missile defense system.  Mr. Ellison has is an expert in the field of missile defense.

Republicans have their best candidate in a decade running for this seat. Djou has been fundraising for this race since early 2008, when it was correctly rumored that Abercrombie would leave his House seat open to run for governor. National Republicans already have taken note of Djou and aired advertisements in the heavily Democratic district.

Editor's Note: This is what happens when one accepts the framework artificially created by the DoE and HSTA. 

The Department of Education has not had a comprehensive audit of their entire organization, management practices and personnel administration since 1973.  The DOE always complains about lack of funds and yet, because the DOE has not been audited, neither they nor the taxpayers know where the DOE's two billion dollar budget gets spent!

It wasn't easy to find in the thicket of engineering firms, architects, consultants, and legions of wanna-be rail subcontractors who suddenly became big financial backers of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann's campaign right about the time he started promoting rail transit, but the first company awarded a rail construction contract--Kiewit Pacific--is indeed represented among Hannemann's contributors.

The HSTA and the DoE worked hard to make Hawaii public schools' 17 furlough days as chaotic and inconvenient a possible.  Their goal: gin up pressure for tax increases.  But in order to do this they need an ally--a group which provides the illusion of being independent of the HSTA and DoE.  They have found it in the form of "KanuHawaii.org", a group headquartered on Bishop Street tied to the firm "3 Point Consulting."

The results are in and Republican Congressional Candidate Charles Djou's cash-on-hand total--a key early measure of political support--beats that of Democrat Ed Case by more than 2-1.  Djou, an outgoing Honolulu City Council member, also beats Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D-Ko`olina) by more than 40-1.

However more than ever, the Hawaii Christian Coalition will be heavily involved in the upcoming elections in 2010. We are presently opening chapters on Maui and Kauai, and ask that you stand with us as we continue to be a strong to protect Hawaii's families against rising taxes,and insuring that our Keiki's receive quality education in our school system. We will also be strong advocates for traditional marriage and protection of the innocent child in the womb.

the Hawai'i Republican Party is teaming up with the American Red Cross to raise money for relief efforts in American Samoa and the Philippines.  Please join us TOMORROW:

• When: Tuesday, October 6, 2009
• Where: Downtown Honolulu, intersection of King St. and Bishop St.
• Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm

While having no qualms with voting to take money from taxpayers in one of the worst recessions in history, Colleen Hanabusa somehow feels entitled to give herself and fellow legislators a pay raise.