Entries for March 2013

...how much is too much when it comes to spending on government programs....

...Please share these impacts to mark three years of this bureaucratic nightmare.... 

...Monday at 10:30 a.m. in conference room 016, the Hawaii Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor will hear testimony on SR 123 and SCR 166....

...As part of the settlement, Hawaiian Electric Company agreed to write off $40 million in costs for two major projects: the 110-megawatt biofuel generating station at Campbell Industrial Park and the companies’ new customer information system.... 

Funcheon brought by two additional sexual abuse victims at Damien Memorial School in Honolulu. Funcheon, who worked at Damien Memorial School in the early 1980’s, has been accused of sexual abuse by three Hawaii men and more than two dozen men on the mainland.... 

...A wonderful opportunity to build private-public partnerships is quickly becoming a veiled blow to religious freedom in Hawaii.  Very shortly, it seems, some of our preschools and kindergartens may have to choose between funding and the practice of faith.... 

HB 411 HD2 and SB 1109 SD2.  HFF, HCC and HFA all testified in opposition to the bills because no conscience provisions are included.... 

...the Attorney General released its annual report detailing statewide and county firearm registration statistics for calendar year 2012 ....

...Obama's car came to a halt in Israel yesterday, reportedly because it had been filled with the wrong kind of gas.... 

... he received improper gifts and didn’t report them, misused campaign or official resources and that he “made false statements to federal officials” ....

"AARP opposes the appropriation of State funds for the operation of the Connector in 2015"

...the Pacific Islands Parks Act of 2013, would direct the National Park Service to complete studies of three designated sites in the state of Hawai‘i....

Tax Appeal Court Judge Gary W.B. Chang yesterday granted the State of Hawaii’s motion for summary judgment....

This hearing is a brushback to Sen Schatz' pipe dream of creating the Akaka Tribe via the US Department of the Interior without a vote of Congress....

In Hawaii, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,671.... 

 ...The USW expects a response from the governor....

Rep. Gene Ward introduced a resolution calling on Congress to enact Jones Act reform legislation....

"Resident Commissioner intends to introduce legislation in light of report’s findings"

The Pro Bowl is back for 2014, and it's back in Hawaii. After that, we'll just have to see....

Characteristics receiving the lowest excellent or good ratings were the availability of affordable quality housing (9%) .... 

All we have to do is pass the bill unamended, and we can move the PLDC repeal along to the final step. And then Senator Solomon announces she want to amend the bill....

If Congress alters the health care law's payment cuts to doctors and hospitals, costs could skyrocket....

The internet sales tax mandate would force businesses to become sales tax collectors for all states....

For the first time in four years, the U.S. Congress is engaged in a full-throated budget debate....

“Pa`ina in the Country” celebration of Dr. Akina’s appointment as Grassroot Institute’s new president on April 6, 2013 from 12 PM to 2 PM at 45-114 Waikapoki Rd -- Kane`ohe Congregational Church

"...we face the potential retirement of a number of veteran principals,” stated Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi....

...huge wide roads were bulldozed through these Hawaiian sites causing massive, irreparable damage to the ancient Kualaka'i trail that is many hundreds if not one thousand years old....

Even though total wind power capacity grew by 30 percent last year, with 13,000 megawatts in new wind turbines, the actual portion of our electricity coming from wind energy did not increase proportionally....

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the nominations of Eugene Bal III, Barry T. Mizuno, and Randolph A. Moore to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. The nominations are subject to state Senate confirmation....

“The meeting is an opportunity to work with international leaders to open doors of trade and commerce while working with federal leaders on issues that may impact the way Hawaii serves its people and families,” said Lt. Governor Tsutsui....

... they did ask to become a part of the country ....

Hawaii Does Not Have A Single Health Care Price Transparency Law....

...a former U.S. Army officer who works as a civilian employee of a defense contractor at U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) in Hawaii, has been arrested....

It would take only 33 minutes for a missile to reach the U.S. from anywhere in the world....

“Hawaii’s rates of marijuana use are significantly higher than in the rest of the country.”

David Chang, 33, state chairman of the Hawaiian Republican Party, is a second-generation Korean-American....

...15 initiatives, many of which depend upon more efficient seaborne transportation....

From Hawaii House Republican Legislative Update ....

The phrase “corporate welfare” usually leads people to clench their pocketbooks a little bit tighter....

...the governor interrupted by saying he has been hearing “the same propaganda.”

House Judiciary Committee TOMORROW, March 19 at 2:00 p.m. in House Conference Room 325 at the state Capitol....