Entries for the 'Oahu News' Category

“The vested interest shared by the People’s Pulse Survey co-sponsors Hawai‘i Business Roundtable and Pacific Resources Partnership resulted in a poorly worded and misleading survey question.

“Also, the question failed to identify the Governor’s legal obligation to review and approve the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 

“Under the law, the Governor must review the final EIS....

Hawaii can’t figure out how to kick drug addicted homeless people out of the parks and sidewalks in order to force them into shelters where they can get help, but apparently induced sterilization is now an option.  Today’s SB Editorial, “Voluntary (sic) sterilization can serve good purpose”, reveals that an eugenics group has been quietly working in Honolulu.... 

State House and State Senate members from across the islands are meeting at the State Capitol right now. The majority of these 76 elected officials are seriously considering increasing our already high cost of living in Hawaii by approving massive tax increases which will make everything you need to buy even more expensive.

Why? Because they refuse to tighten their belts like the rest of us.

The timetable for rail to continues to move into the future and there is much uncertainty that now appears unlikely to be resolved before Mayor Hannemann has to resign if he wants to run for Governor. If Mayor Hannemann resigns as Mayor to run for Governor while the future of rail hangs in the balance, the rail project will be put at risk. 

State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA): This is the agency responsible for the Certificate of Need program, and in years past, we have advocated for its demise, the program and the agency. 14 states have repealed this outdated program, and more are debating its demise. Because of our health care market, I would believe that private entities would apply just as much scrutiny, if not more, when it comes to the purchase of new medical technologies and equipment.

Eliminating SHPDA would save the state approximately $670,741 in FY 2011, and every year beyond.

HONOLULU – The Waialua High School Robotics team won the 2010 San Diego Regional FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Robotics) Competition held this weekend at the San Diego Sports Arena. 

The Waialua team, also known as The Hawaiian Kids, was part of a three-team alliance that took the top prize at the regional event that featured a total of 49 student robotics teams from around the country.  By winning the regional, Waialua has secured a spot for the seventh time in the 2010 FIRST International Championships that will be held in Atlanta, Georgia in April.

 Lorraine C. Miller

According to the Associated Press: “Shimizu testified in writing that Hawaii will be represented in the U.S. House by Rep. Mazie Hirono in the 2nd District while Abercrombie's seat is vacant.”

This is not accurate.  Hawaii’s First Congressional District is being represented by Fort Worth, Texas native Lorraine C Miller.

Headed by Maryland investor James Hawkins, Ko`olau Loa seeks $500 million in investment and projects $623 million in profits.  The development is planned for the Kahuku area of Oahu's North Shore.

Tam was cited today by the Ethics Commission for fraud in abusing his City expense account. 

In 2003, when he first entered the City Council, Tam was cited by the Ethics Commission for abusing his office by selling City permits.

In 2008, Djou led the fight to censure Tam for calling Hispanics “wetbacks.” 

Before entering the City Council, as a State Senator, Tam was sanctioned by the State Ethics Commission for using his official state offices for campaigning.

Representative Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley) pointed out 15 "Job Killer" bills in debate on the House Floor yesterday. The taxes and fees will draw up to $500 million from Hawaii's economy and potentially force more layoffs. At $30,000 per employee, $500 million removed from the economy is over 16,000 jobs.

After protests by veterans and exposure of the false vote counting, Cabanilla was forced to change her position.  On February 24 the bill passed the House Housing Committee and today was approved by the full House.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Rep Cabanilla’s office manager Leon Rouse is a convicted child molester and leading gay marriage advocate.

The DoE is paying millions of dollars to contractors for software when equal or superior alternatives are available elsewhere at lower cost--often free of charge. This wasteful spending is the direct result of the cozy, revolving door relationship between the contractors and the DoE officials who direct business their way.

According to his campaign website, Ed Case "understands what excessive taxes and unnecessary regulation can do to our economic engine especially in tough times.”  But his voting record from 49 months in Congress shows that Ed Case voted 72 times for higher taxes or fees—on average one vote every 21 days. Case claims to be an independent "Blue Dog" Democrat, but most of the 72 votes were cast in lockstep with Rep. Nancy Pelosi's “progressive”-controlled House Democratic Caucus.

The election will be mail-in with a proposed ballot deadline of Saturday, May 22, 2010.  This tentative date is included in bid sheets issued or voting equipment by the Hawaii Office of Elections. 

Democratic candidate for governor of Hawaii Neil Abercrombie told KITV-TV that Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann is personally calling business owners to warn them against contributing money to Abercrombie’s campaign.

A hearing for House Bill 2311, The Flag Bill, has been scheduled for this Wednesday, February 24 at 9:10 a.m.  

Should the Hauula Fire Station Relocation project siphon funds from the Community Development Block Grants to build this $10M project when those funds could go to help support Oahu’s struggling non-profits? Is this the right priority in today's economy?

Three votes were not counted by the Chief Clerk- Representatives Tom Brower, Marilyn Lee, and Maile Shimabukuro.

Had these three votes been accurately counted and made inclusive with the fourteen votes that were counted, the total would have been seventeen votes.

Seventeen votes in the affirmative is what was needed to recall HB2311 from committee.

See the hands raised in the video . . .

17 votes were needed. 

During Thursday's legislative session, February 16, H.B. 2311 will be recalled to the House Floor. The move will require 17 votes to recall it to the House Floor and 26 votes to keep it alive.  

"We are asking all veterans and patriots to call their state representatives and join us on Thursday at the State Capitol to show their support for this important legislation."  Rep. Pine stated.

Similar homeowner's association rules that hinder flag displays are being challenged across the country.  In 2009, one Virginia association gained nationwide attention when it ordered Army Col. Van T. Barfoot, a 90-year-old recipient of the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor, to remove the flagpole from his home.

  ‘LAVA DOGS’, the 1st Battalion 3rd MARINES, and other forces deployed into Helmand Prov. AFG.  Lava Dogs are from Marine Corps Base, Hawaii and trained for Afghan combat at Pohakuloa last July. 

Video of Ed Case speaking to Big Island GLBT group.

Case in 2006 earned the hatred of Hawaii Democrats by implying that Senator Dan Akaka was feeble-minded, ineffectual, and too liberal.  In a repeat performance, on December 18 he told The Hill that Senate President Colleen Hanabusa "has no clue."  Now he cries to his friends at KITV: 

"People have to turn the campaign negative against you in order to advance.  They are going to try to tear you down.  I am not looking forward to that.”

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today nominated Lisa M. Ginoza to serve as an associate judge on the Intermediate Court of Appeals and Robert Mark Browning as a Circuit Court judge of the First Circuit (O‘ahu).  Their appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

Gutfeld told Djou at one point: "Dude, I think you're going to win."

State Representative, Rida Cabanilla, 42^nd (Ewa, Waipahu), deferred a bill that would have allowed veterans and community members to commemorate loved ones by displaying  American or state flags on  their homes. 

House Bill 2311 was introduced by State Rep. Kymberly Pine, 43^rd (Ewa Beach, Pu`uloa, Iroquois Point), in response to concerns from Iraq veteran and Retired MSgt, Harold Alejandro.  He faced barriers in the homeowner's association rules when he tried to install a flagpole for an American flag display on his home. 

“We are deeply saddened that this bill did not pass, it would have allowed this humble veteran a small gesture to keeping the memory and sacrifice alive of two fallen heroes whom I had the privilege to serve alongside," explained Alejandro.

Charles Djou has proven leadership abilities during his service in the Hawaii State House, the Honolulu City Council, and as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. The three biggest industries in the First District are tourism, defense and construction and Djou has experience in all three – serves Waikiki (tourism center) in the City Council, serves in the U.S. Army Reserves and was General Counsel at a Hawaii construction company.  He looks forward to continuing to advocate fiscal responsibility and ethics reform when he gets to Washington, as he has never voted for a tax increase and led the fight against corruption in Hawaii.

The Hawaii Department of Education Honolulu District is moving to replace hundreds of privately contracted paraprofessional Special Education skills trainers with newly hired and minimally trained DoE Paraprofessional tutors (PPTs) between now and March 22.

A February 4 ad on Craigslist seeks “reliable individuals” to become “Paraprofessional Turtors” (sic) in the “Honlulu (sic) District”. 

David Chang is a graduate of West Point, the United States Military Academy. He was selected as an East-West Center Fellow and holds a Masters of Arts in Political Science from the University of Hawaii and a Masters in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. He is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and currently serves in the Hawai'i Army National Guard as an Intelligence Officer. 

David is currently the CEO/President of WealthBridge Inc., a wealth management firm specializing in financial planning and business consulting. He is also the founder of PowerH2O, a premium bottled water company, and The Cabinet and Stone Factory, a remodeling and construction firm. 

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. 

Democrat legislators making up excuses to block Lingle’s judicial nominees are usually just doing the bidding of the criminal defense bar—which seeks to block judicial nominees who are not sufficiently soft on crime.   But it appears that opposition to the nomination of former Federal Prosecutor Ed Kubo to Oahu's First Circuit Court is coming from former State Sherriff John Souza.  Souza, the husband of State Senate President Coleen Hanabusa, was nailed in 2004 for a land sale which involved giving a $25,000 loan to an accused meth dealer who is a cousin to two convicted Pali Golf course shooters.

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.

From left: Rouse, Cabanilla, Marcantonio, Bertram

With the recent media attention to Maui Democrat Rep Joe Bertram’s April 1 court room antics in support his “friend” 52-year-old child predator Mark Marcantonio, Hawaii’s other legislature-connected molesters might be expected to keep a low profile. Not Leon Rouse. Sources in the Legislature confirm that Rouse, a convicted child molester, was rehired earlier this year to work as office manager for Democrat Legislator Rida Cabanilla and has worked for her all session.  Rouse may be the only Legislative employee anywhere in the US to have a criminal record as a child molester.

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

Thousands of airline passengers on domestic US flights are using forged IDs to get past TSA screeners and board commercial flights under assumed names.  Just days after the al-Qaeda Panty Bomber tried to blow NW Flight 253 out of the sky, evidence leading to acquittals in a Honolulu illegal alien smuggling case has exposed the US Transportation Safety Administration’s repeated failure to spot phony IDs.

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.

1) Pay-for-play politics with military contractors and other contributors

2) Efforts to organize dependency groups controlled by political cronies and put them in control of "land and assets" (Akaka Bill)

3) Efforts to undermine the traditional family and marriage, and efforts to extend "hate crimes' protection to pedophiles

4) Consistent support for socialized medicine, Carbon Tax and other tax increases.

5) Consistent opposition to Israel and advocacy on behalf of the foreign policy interests of Islamist terrorist groups.

AP Photo

Limbaugh holds New Year's Day news conference at Queens' Medical Ctr with Dr Joanne Magno, chief of the Dept. of Cardiovascular Diseases.

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. 

Stroudwater didn't pull punches:  "HHSC is in a financially perilous condition. It received a 'Going Concern' finding as part of its 2008 independent audit report, calling the future financial viability of the organization into question. Its liquidity is at dangerously low levels with barely enough current assets to meet current liabilities. It is far behind in its payments to vendors (80+ days). The age of its facilities and other physical assets are well above national averages. Its future viability is at risk, particularly if the State is unable to provide increasing levels of operating subsidies for HHSC going forward."

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.

Meheula’s memo says: “In the late 1990s, when Ed Case was chairman of the State House Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, he repeatedly acted to reduce Native Hawaiian benefits, rights and revenues…. In the 1998 legislative session, Mr. Case proposed the 123-page ‘Native Hawaiian Autonomy Act.’ The Act would have terminated OHA and the Hawaiian Home Lands program, denied Native Hawaiians the right to self-determination and federal recognition, and reduced State liabilities to Native Hawaiians. The Act stated that its purpose is to stop the ‘continued dependence by native Hawaiians on others which prevents the development of the full potential of the native Hawaiian people.’”

SB Photo 1999: Jeff Stone's sister Mari Stone Wong and his then-brother-in-law, ousted Bishop Estate Trustee Dickie Wong, needn`t be as worried as they look--they're on trial in the courtroom of Judge Michael Town.

About Hanabusa's 2002 push for developer Jeff Stone to receive $75 million in Ko Olina tax credits, Cayetano writes:

"As I watched all of this, I wondered if there were any legislators who had the guts to ask the hard questions.  There was not a peep from the Democrats--or from conservative Republicans like Slom and Hemmings who had made careers in opposing social programs for the needy, or from young legislators who were learning quickly the politics of "going along to get along."  The only legislators who raised questions about the credibility of Stone's claims were Republicans Charles Djou of O`ahu and Jim Rath of Kona, Hawai`i."

If Hanabusa enters the congressional race and defeats Democrat Ed Case in the Primary, she will face off with Charles Djou in the General Election next November.

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. 

(Unlike Hawaii,) Oregon has historically had a clean, open, and permeable election system, with no history of machine politics or election fraud. … (W)hile voting by mail has worked well in Oregon, it may not work as well in regions, states, or localities with a more contentious political culture....

Critics of VBM and no-excuse absentee balloting raise a number of security issues. First, ballots sent through the mail might be obtained and filled out by someone other than the legal voter. Second, without the necessity of appearing in person, it is easier to falsely register and vote. Third, without the privacy of the ballot booth, a vote could be coerced or unduly influenced.

These concerns have been heightened by a number of disputed elections and documented cases of absentee ballot fraud.

Chief United States District Judge Susan Oki Mollway today (Monday, Nov 30)  sentenced ETHAN MOTTA, also known as "Malu," age 40, to life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole, for his role in the shooting of three persons at the Pali Golf Course on January 7, 2004.

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.

Khalid Shaikh Mohammed spent most of 1994 plotting to blow up or hijack 12 airplanes carrying about 4,000 passengers bound for Honolulu and 11 other locations as part of Operation Bojinka, based in Manila, Philippines.  He would later use operational experienced gained from his Bojinka failure to mastermind 9-11.

Now Hawaii's two Senators have voted to help spring Mohammed from detention at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station in Cuba. 

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.

After dropping $50 -$200, those in attendance may then be invited to shell out some serious bucks for the books, DVDs, and CDs which keep phony psychics fat and happy.  Oh and don't forget to contribute to the "Daffodil Project"--its a "non-profit" for the 580 acre "healing center" that Altea got from a dying cancer patient. 

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - The 25th Infantry Division (ID) Headquarters is scheduled to return to Schofield Barracks, Thursday morning. The homecoming marks the return of the last group of Soldiers from the 25th ID Headquarters, which assumed command of the Multi-National Division North (MDN-North) in December 2008.

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.

As a practicing attorney, Nacino had the opportunity to prepare appellate briefs to the Hawai‘i Supreme Court, Hawai‘i Intermediate Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.... He worked for two-and-a-half years at the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office where he tried jury and non-jury cases involving misdemeanor and felonies at the District, Family and Circuit Court levels.... Before beginning his legal career, Nacino was a police officer with the Honolulu Police Department for approximately eight-and-a-half years.

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.

This past Friday October 9, 2009, I was honored to be crowned Miss Hampton University 2009-2010. It truly was the best night of my life! With that being said, I am sad to say that my crowning was not widely accepted and many negative comments regarding my win have been shared throughout my campus.

It would be much easier to say that possibly some were not accepting of the news because I wasn't the most qualified contestant; however, the true reason for the disapproval was because of the color of my skin. I am not African American.

Water pours out of Al Hee's Waimana Enterprises Hydroelectric Plant in Hilo. Oddly, OHA, which Al's brother Sen. Clayton Hee used to serve as a Trustee, is not attempting to claim ownership of this water.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, TIKRIT, Iraq - Nearly 1,000 Soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division Headquarters will arrive in Hawaii from mid-October into early November after a year-long deployment to northern Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After years of pretending to be concerned about Hawaii's worst-in-the-nation voter participation, today the Honolulu Star-Bulletin has shown its true colors.

In an editorial titled "Religion risky for GOP", SB editors condemn a church-based statewide voter registration drive.  They complain bitterly that, "...the goal is to convince 80 percent of Christian churchgoers to register to vote and then persuade 80 percent of those who register to vote...."

This contrasts sharply with the Star-Bulletin July 21, 2009 which cried, "Hawaii dead last in voter turnout." 

The homecoming ceremony will take place Sunday at 5:25 p.m. at Wheeler Army Airfield. Family and friends wishing to welcome the Soldiers home are encouraged check the 25ID Web site, www.25idl.army.mil, for the latest ceremony updates.

As a hippie transplant from Buffalo, Neil Abercrombie was in the late 1960s and early 1970s involved in a scandal over tearing down military facilities--fighting to drive the ROTC out of what 1960s anti-American war activists called “the shacks” on the UH Manoa campus.

Four decades later, as a Congressman, Abercrombie could become embroiled in a scandal over building up military facilities--steering construction contracts of a military base on Guam towards a major campaign contributor.

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.

"I welcome Colleen Hanabusa to the race.  Like Ed Case, Colleen has run for the 2nd Congressional District multiple times before and I respect that she will be an experienced candidate for this race in the 1st District. If Colleen wins her contested nomination, I look forward to debating her on the issues," stated Djou.

Edward H. Kubo, Jr. – Current position: outgoing U.S. Attorney, District of Hawai‘i.  Prior experience: assistant U.S. attorney, District of Hawai‘i; deputy prosecuting attorney, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, Honolulu; associate trial attorney, Carlsmith and Dwyer; law clerk, Kobayashi and Watanabe.

DETAILS: The 25th Infantry Division's Special Troops Battalion (25STB) begins returning home, Tuesday, after serving as the command headquarters for Multi-National Division North (MDN-North) in Iraq, since December 2008.

Tuesday's flight of 150 Soldiers paves the way for the remaining 700 headquarters Soldiers returning before the Thanksgiving holiday. A homecoming ceremony will take place at Wheeler Army Airfield, Tuesday, at 1:35 p.m.

Accused 1992 of sexual misconduct with St. Lawrence Seminary HS students. Reportedly fired in 1988 for similar allegations then rehired. Criminally charged 1/93 with enticing child for immoral purposes and intimidating victim. Judge dismissed case, but noted evidence that Gardipee had disrobed in front of boy. Lawsuit 4/93 cited sexual abuse, harassment, and stalking of teen; expanded 1994, accusing Capuchins of racketeering; dropped 1995 due to WI S.C. ruling Pritzlaff v. Arch. of Milwaukee.
Milwaukee, WI.

The brigade was instrumental in helping the Iraqi government during a pivotal period of security and governmental transition and infrastructure reconstruction. The Soldiers return home with 230 projects completed and 140 more in progress that are vital to the economic revitalization of this burgeoning nation. The Soldiers' efforts are affording the people of Iraq with a better quality of life by providing them with better power distribution and infrastructure; 67 new and renovated educational facilities; transportation projects to improve road and rail systems; and the revitalization of market areas to stimulate economic growth.

The ACLU is threatening a lawsuit against the City of Honolulu after the City Council voted to ban sleeping on sidewalks.  Today's Star-Bulletin editorializes:

Councilman Charles Djou introduced the bill because of concerns about how the homeless sleeping on Waikiki sidewalks is affecting tourism. Djou maintains that refusing to allow the chronically homeless to sleep on sidewalks would "put the hammer on people getting the help they need."

Djou needs to cite a precedent where such tough compassion has actually worked.

The answer is embarrassingly simple: Los Angeles. 

This leads to an obvious question the Star-Bulletin editorialists must answer:

Where has your laissez-faire attitude towards homelessness ever produced anything but more homelessness?

HONOLULU — Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who earlier this year raised almost $660,000 for an expected gubernatorial campaign in 2010, refused Monday to disclose his positions on same-gender civil unions, gay marriage and abortion rights.

Hannemann campaign spokeswoman Elisa Yadao was asked to provide the mayor's positions on the three hot-button issues. She responded in an e-mail: "As Mufi is not an official candidate, we are not participating in stories featuring candidates who have announced their intention to run for governor."

"That's a pretty lame defense," said University of Hawaii political scientist Dan Boylan....

Here are some news articles which--strung together--tell the story you won't be able to read anywhere else.  The story ends with a Governor, a Party Chair, a Congresswoman and more....

Why did the city choose Makana O Kea Kua as the non-profit in charge of taking donations for the City’s Sunset on the Plains.  Makana O Kea Kua has a clean and sober home for convicts on 91-031 HAILIPO Street.  Residents complain that it housed sexual offenders.  Why was a political campaign allowed to be a sponsor and promoted through sunset on the plain using city taxpayer money?

Multiple sources within the Hawaii Republican Party report Honolulu County Prosecutor Peter Carlisle has resigned his Party membership.  The sources report that Carlisle sent a short letter to Hawaii GOP HQ with his resignation late last week. 

“I’m pleased with the over 200 people that turned out for the townhall discussion on healthcare reform this evening.  I think this forum offered a balanced presentation, educated all attendees, and showed the real concern the people of Hawaii have regarding the future of American healthcare,” stated Djou.

LA Times: Glenn Beck goes after Color of Change co-founder Van Jones  (FOX Video)

Chicago Tribune: 'Color of Change' boycott leader says FOX host Beck "trying to change subject''

Citizens Against Government Waste: Rep. Abercrombie’s latest outrage is to slip a provision (Sec. 2833) into the House version of the 2010 Defense Authorization Act that would double the construction costs of relocating 11,600 U.S. troops from Japan to Guam.... OpenSecrets.org lists the Hunt Building Company, which is headquartered in Texas and would be one of the prime builders of the facilities on Guam, as among Abercrombie’s top five campaign contributors in the 2007-2008 election cycle. The Hawai`i Free Press reported on August 4 that Hunt has contributed at least $32,500 to Abercrombie’s re-election since 2002.

The meeting will be in the cafeteria of McKinley High School on Tuesday, August 25th.  It will begin at 5:30pm and end at 7:00pm.

In an August, 2008 interview with Maui’s Akaku Public Access TV, Roggasch claims there was no assault.  He also explains his belief that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and is therefore ineligible to be President.  Like many “birthers” the Akahi group are “9-11 truthers” as well.  An entire page of their www.FreeHawaii.org website is dedicated to arguing the 9-11 attacks were "a time of reckoning" and "our fault".

There were 247 contributions from individuals and PACs. Of these 247 only 12 were for less than $1,000. 235 individuals and PACs donated more than $1,000 each. There were 33 contributions that were at the maximum of $6,000. There were numerous contributors who are in the same family that maxed out their contributions at $6,000 apiece.

Pres. Barack Obama has argued that “one of the best ways to bring down costs, provide more choices, and assure quality is a public option that will force the insurance companies to compete and keep them honest.” But if you want to know how state enterprises really feel about competition, take a look at Obama’s home state of Hawaii.

 IMAGE: CAT 4 Hurricane Felicia takes aim at Hilo, but is projected to weaken before landfall.

(And here's what would happen if a CAT 4 hit Oahu....)

A powerful hurricane would shut down Hawaiian Electric's grid for 30 days. Streets as far inland as Beretania and the H-1 freeway would be flooded. Debris would block roads. And homes would be damaged across the island of Oahu, if a powerful hurricane struck Oahu, officials said.  The imagined scenario officials have been working with calls for a Category 4 hurricane -- meaning a storm with sustained winds over 130 mph -- to make landfall at Kapolei.

Originally published July, 2007, this article outlines the effect of government-controlled health care on Hawaii.  Since Hawaii's system has been pointed to as a model for socialized health care, other Americans may be interested to learn the fate which awaits them.

In the wake of a heated fight over construction of a privately funded hospital on Maui, the Hawaii Health Services Corporation (HHSC) is moving to improve its facilities by agreeing to provide Hawaii patients with equipment available in some African hospitals....

Screaming constituents, protesters dragged out by the cops, congressmen fearful for their safety — welcome to the new town-hall-style meeting, the once-staid forum that is rapidly turning into a house of horrors for members of Congress.

On the eve of the August recess, members are reporting meetings that have gone terribly awry, marked by angry, sign-carrying mobs and disruptive behavior. In at least one case, a congressman has stopped holding town hall events because the situation has spiraled so far out of control.

We at Hawai`i Free Press care about voter participation, so here is a convenient list of upcoming Neil Abercrombie Town Hall events.  Don't be shy... 

“The NRCC is committed to working with Charles Djou as he continues to meet the rigorous goals of the Young Guns program,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions. “With all that Charles Djou has accomplished in just a few short months, I am confident that he will be successful in his effort to regain a seat for Republicans and keep the Democrats accountable for their reckless anti-jobs agenda.”

“We have an excellent relationship with Honolulu Fire Department, and it is really a shame the Mayor didn’t take the time to learn the facts about our past, current and future collaborative efforts before denigrating the good work of our state firefighters."

People of Hawai’i, I am standing here with you because I am sick and tired of the strangle hold that the arrogant and greedy union bosses and there puppet legislature have on Hawai’i.

Our Senate President Colleen Hanabusa has said that you are used to paying higher taxes.  Which tells me that Senator Hanabusa and her tax and spend friends in the legislature will continue to stick us with the bill unless we get them out of office.

We, the principled, honest and hardworking people of Hawai’i have allowed selfish corruption, personal gain, and special interests to determine the future of our children. As the Republican Party Chair, I am telling you -- NO MORE, NO WAY, and, NOT ON MY WATCH!!!

In addition to the 5% reduction of pay implemented by Act 85 at the start of July, House Republicans unanimously decided to take a voluntary pay cut equivalent to a two day furlough effective August 1, 2009 – fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010.

Instead of closing the "pay-to-play" loophole that allows donations from grant-in-aid contractors, HB128 allows all but non-bid contractors to make campaign donations.

Instead of further limiting "seeding-the-community" donations to non-profits, HB128 doubles the allowable amount.

The State legislature was the scene of an anti-tax rally the afternoon of July 14.  Organized by www.OverTaxedHawaii.com 150 people came to denounce the "Barrel Tax" and demand the Democrat-controlled Legislature not override any tax vetoes.

A parallel event occurred along the Hilo Bayfront where 50 protesters gathered. 

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle vetoed three bills today that would have negatively affected Hawai‘i’s low-income and affordable housing supplies.  The Governor issued her vetoes to highlight the importance of housing needs during one of the state's most economically challenging times.

“Affordable housing options are scarce in Hawai‘i,” Governor Lingle stated.  “We should be passing laws that increase affordable housing options for Hawai‘i’s families, not limit them.”

• HONOLULU July 14th 3:00PM Signwaving 3:00PM & RALLY 5:00PM -- "Just say no to Taxes" Rally @ State Capitol
• HILO July 14th 4PM-6PM Signwaving along Hilo Bayfront at Kamehameha Statue 

In 2000, Carlisle encouraged then Deputy Prosecutor Randall Lee’s investigation into illegal campaign contributions to Harris, and stood by Lee’s investigation and prosecution of contractors who laundered money to Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris.

Bob Watada, then state campaign spending director, estimates that more than 100 companies laundered $1.5 million to Harris, constituting half of Harris' campaign war chest. Carlisle says if he is elected ... he will select people on the basis of talent, skill and experience and on what they know, not who they know.

In response to the state’s financial woes, Djou has advocated curtailing expenditures by shrinking the state budget and scaling back government programs. He has been a vocal critic of Hannemann’s proposal of a 20-mile elevated rail line that would run throughout Honolulu. Hannemann has said the jobs needed to construct the rail system would stimulate the economy, while Djou has charged that the cost would outstrip the job-related benefits.

“Charles is trying to make it understood that you can’t solve all your problems by raising taxes,” said Jim Bryan, a spokesman for the Hawaii Republican Party. “It’s going to hurt people further who have already suffered from this economy.”

Next protest July 14: Honolulu info>>>www.OvertaxedHawaii.com  and July 14 Hilo 4PM - 6PM Hilo Bayfront signwave 

Advertiser: 7 Hawaii 'tea parties' take aim at spending, increasing tax burden

WHT Kona: Protesters celebrate Fourth with TEA party

check back for updates...

All the details and contact info for TEA Party July 4 rallies on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Islands.

Union leaders are playing with their members livelihoods! And they are calling for an increase in GE Taxes! The union bosses are pushing their membership to rally at the Capital June 30th, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. We need you to call radio shows, write letters to the editor and call/email Senator Hanabusa and Speaker Say to let them know your cost of living is already too high. Want to be part of the solution? This is what YOU can do...

Sometimes you just have to laugh out loud at those who consider themselves to be "conscious, enlightened, and progressive".

According to the US Chamber of Commerce, regulating carbon through the Clean Air Act would expose at least one million mid-sized commercial buildings to draconian environmental regulations. One-fifth of all food service businesses, one-third of all health care businesses, one-half of the entire lodging industry, and even 10% of all buildings used for worship would be under the EPA’s hammer.

  MUGSHOT: Criminal who founded Air America Evan Montvel-Cohen

Evan Montvel-Cohen, a Guam media executive who co-founded the liberal national radio network Air America, pleaded no contest in Circuit Court yesterday to a charge of first-degree theft....His no-contest plea was part of a bargain with prosecutors who agreed to dismiss other charges of credit card fraud, forgery, money laundering and second-degree theft.....

(THIS WILL BE THE ONLY TIME COHEN HAS FACED JUSTICE FOR ANY PART OF HIS ALLEGED MULTI-STATE, MULTI-YEAR CRIME SPREE....)

Now--in response to the response--Frankel claims he “typed in the wrong date” for “Islam Day”. In a commentary posted May 25 on HawaiiReporter.com, Frankel pretends to “take full responsibility” for becoming the only person on Earth--other than Hawaii Legislators and Muslim Association of Hawaii (MAH) leaders --to claim that “the 12th day of Rabi ul-Awwal will fall on September 24, 2009 (Islam Day).”

Frankel then goes on to explain helpfully that, “September 24, 2009 should correspond to the 21st day of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar.”

Once again Frankel is dead wrong -- and has again exposed an utterly stupendous ignorance of his own field of study. One quick glance at an Islamic calendar shows that September 24, 2009 corresponds to the 4^th day of Shawwal. The 21^st day of Ramadan will be … September 11, 2009. Perhaps this is Frankel’s idea of a joke?

Links to Memorial Day commemorations across the state...

Currently, cars exiting the Middle Street tunnel must merge onto the H-1, which creates an extreme bottleneck as cars traveling eastbound on the H-1 slow down to allow the incoming traffic.  This project will increase traffic capacity through the Middle Street merge and Vineyard Boulevard by adding a fourth continuous lane, eliminating the need to merge. The additional lane will also add a second exit lane to the Vineyard Street off-ramp.

When the Star-Bulletin and Advertiser write about "ethical lapses" of public officials without actually describing the lapses it is a sure sign that a good story is lurking below the surface.  Of course that is the case with MRC Greenwood, one of the two finalists selected from 600 applicants for the job of UH system President. 

This hidden story involves money-grubbing lesbians, a $30,000 dog run paid for by the UC system, former Communist Party vice-presidential candidate Angela Davis, and one suicide.  Questions Hawaii reporters should be asking Greenwood include:  "If hired, will UH be expected to also hire Ms Goff and/or your son?"  and "Will you speak up in favor of  administrators arranging cushy high-paying jobs for their lovers at UH--or was that just a UC thing?"

The US Senate Judiciary committee is now considering the so-called Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed by the House April 29, under the sponsorship of Rep John Conyers (D-MI) and 120 other Representatives. Dubbed the “Thought Crimes Prevention Act” by some House Republicans, HB1913 includes pedophilia as a protected sexual orientation.

Prior to approval by the whole House, a party-line 10-13 vote of Conyers’ House Judiciary Committee April 23 rejected a proposal by Republican Rep Steve King (R-IA) “to define the term `sexual orientation' as used in the bill to explicitly exclude pedophilia.” Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin, an open lesbian, called the amendment, “unnecessary and inflammatory."

Over a dozen articles and analyses from the last six weeks of local media prep for the State GOP convention (with commentary).  Must read.  Updates will be added.... 

Hawaii Rep. Kymberly Pine, R-Ewa, is way off base in chastising Sen. Sam Slom, R-Hawaii Kai, for his comments regarding the proposed Islam Day.  To honor a person or generic group of people like kupuna or Tartans is one thing – honoring a religion like Islam, as the House and Senate did in HCR 100, is totally inappropriate.

From email distributed by the Islamic Information Office of Hawaii:

Islam day HCR100 Resolution was on the agenda yesterday (Wednesday). Senator Hemmings (Republican) gave a hate speech in opposition talking about the 10% of Islamic terrorists who want to kill Americans. The gallery was filled with the red shirts that are opposing HB444, the Civil Unions bill who all stood and applauded in support of Senator Hemmings speech against this Resolution. It was disgusting.

In just two days from now, on Friday, May 8th, the 2009 legislative session will come to a close. The budget passed by the Legislature in conference committee late last Friday evening takes $566 million out of the pockets of our visitors and residents, in an attempt to balance the budget. Last Friday, legislators also voted to extend the legislative session by two days so that they would be in a position to attempt to override my vetoes of tax increases without having to call a special session.

Tomorrow, on Thursday, May 7th at 3:30 p.m., I will follow through on my promise to veto these tax measures because they would further erode our already weakened economy, cause greater loss of jobs, and discourage visitors from coming to Hawai`i.

I would like to invite you to join me at a rally to oppose a number of legislative bills that will raise taxes on the people of Hawai`i, hurt our economy and stall job creation.

Governor Lingle will veto the measures at the rally. 

Please join us at the State Capitol on Thursday, May 7, at 3:30 p.m. to express your opposition to this legislation and send legislators a strong message that their responsibility is to the public, not special interests.

“This is a slap in the face to me, my mother, and the citizens of Hawai'i who expect our government to rise to protect them,” stated Melanie McLellan, foster daughter of Karen Ertell, who was brutally murdered and raped allegedly by her 15 year-old neighbor, Vernon Bartley.

HB819, "Karen's Law," will be heard today at 3:30pm in conference room 229. "Karen's Law" has passed out of both the House and the Senate and is now sitting in conference committee.

Although the bill has been heard three times, an agreement over the final draft has yet to be made. If Karen's Law does not pass out of committee today, tomorrow will be the final deadline for the bill to pass out so that it may be voted on by a joint Legislature.

Please help us by getting signatures on the petition and bring them to the prayer rally on Sunday.  We will also be gathering signatures on Sunday.  If you have not done so already, please click the link below to send an email to your Senator asking him/her to stand firm against pulling the bill from committee.  Those of you who reside in Manoa, please encourage people to contact Senator Taniguchi and encourage him to remain firm in his commitment to leave the bill in committee.

When this subject came up last week in the House Judiciary Committee, an amendment to the hate crimes bill that would have excluded pedophilia from the definition of sexual orientation was defeated by Democrats along party lines, 13-10.

Rep Joe Bertram’s 30-year friend Mark Marcantonio isn’t the only convicted child molester helped out by the Maui Democrat. The Legislative staff directory for 2007 shows that Bertram hired convicted child molester Leon Rouse as a Legislative Aide for the 2007 Legislative session.

Thursday May 7 2009 State Capitol Auditorium 6:30-8:00 PM

Karen’s Law will be heard in conference committee Wednesday at 3:00pm in room 229. Please send testimonies in support of HB819....

Before a boisterous crowd of approximately 20,000 in the Georgia Dome, the four Hawai‘i teams got down to business at the “Super Bowl off Smarts,” which started yesterday and wrapped up today.  They competed with close to 350 other teams from Brazil, Canada, Israel, Mexico, the Philippines and the U.S. mainland.  The competition challenged the students to use their critical thinking skills and knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to maneuver robots they built themselves around a playing field.