Energy

“The fact that travelers are choosing Hawai‘i for their vacation is a reflection of the hard work and cooperative efforts between this Administration, private sector businesses and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.  The tourism outreach that has been undertaken by this Administration includes working with the airlines to increase airlift into our state and continued infrastructure improvements at our airports through the airports modernization plan."

Last night, even though I was in Washington, D.C., I was able to talk with over 3,000 residents in my district, my "bosses" in Hawaii's First Congressional District. I heard from you about your concerns on many issues: from jobs, to the economy, to taxes, healthcare and the size of government.

As Israel is in the fight for its people’s very survival, Congressman Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, has refused to support America’s important ally over the terrorist group, Hezbollah.

"Union bosses are showing their true colors in these tough economic times,” said Chairman Jonah Ka’auwai.  “They have refused requests by union members to reduce union fees during the recession and are even making examples of Speaker Say and Senator Mercado Kim because of their resistance to raising the GET tax on the people of Hawaii."

The resolution came after a series of reports in the media indicated there was a vast network of corrupt Democratic lawmakers engaging in pay-to-play schemes on behalf of the PMA Group. As indicated in the resolution, the Washington Post reported on February 14, 2009 that they “examined contributions that were reported as being made by [the firm’s] employees and consultants, and found several people who were not registered lobbyists and did not work at the lobbying firm.”

In the 2008 at-large election, "blank votes" exceeded the votes for each of the three candidates elected to the BOE.  33.8% of the votes (312,965 votes) were "blank".

“No one denies that the current valuation of Chinese currency is troubling and remedial actions must be taken. While I support a free-floating currency exchange between the United States and China, this legislation will not affect the trade deficit and will not create American jobs. Instead, this bill would hurt more than it would help our nation and Hawai‘i.

“This measure will harm U.S.-China relations, hurt international commerce and, most troubling for Hawai‘i, impair the emerging Chinese visitor market in Hawaii."

Congressman Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii awarded Pacific Biodiesel a $3.5 million earmark to try to grow fuel for the Army in Hawaii. It turns out the founder of Pacific Biodiesel is a co-chair of the Congressman's gubernatorial campaign.  The pattern is repeated over and over....

“The Community Awareness Act requires applicants for grant assistance under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to hold public meetings regarding such applications. I introduced the legislation in response to recent events in the Ewa Gentry community, which is in my district. I hope that this legislation will receive bipartisan support and swift action.”

Abercrombie voted for higher taxes on Hawaii families, the bailout, failed stimulus - bonuses for Wall Street executives.  

In this economy, Mr. Abercrombie?

I want to relieve the tax burden on Hawaii families and small businesses, while Mrs. Hirono has already committed to drastically raising your taxes this coming January. I want to stop the incessant and reckless government spending that jeopardizes our children and grandchildren’s future, yet Mrs. Hirono advocates more ill-conceived, ill-advised, and ill-fated and costly deficit bailout schemes. And I want to create jobs for our high number of unemployed and underemployed workers, but Mrs. Hirono wants to continue making Hawaii families more and more dependent on government handouts.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan sent letters to 216 low-income families informing them that he was taking back the $7,500 in scholarship money that the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program had previously awarded them. Yesterday on NBC's TODAY Show, Obama admitted that daughters Sasha and Malia deserve better than D.C. public schools -- that's the reason he sends them to a tony private school with other Washington elites. So then why is Obama blocking other kids from the same opportunity?

HONOLULU - Duke Aiona and Lynn Finnegan today announced the launch of their website, www.AionaFinnegan.com, and other joint efforts to reach out and connect with residents online. They have joined together on Facebook, where Duke Aiona has already added more than 11,300 friends and supporters - more than any elected official in the state.

On Twitter, Duke Aiona (@DukeAiona2010) and Lynn Finnegan (@LynnFinnegan) have more than 4,200 followers.

"There is little evidence that voters are willing to throw Djou out of office after only a couple months on the job. A private Democratic poll showed the congressman leading by double digits. This race is not over, and Djou may even have the advantage.”

In her own words, Colleen Hanabusa said in one of her recent advertisements that she is the kind of politician that, “What you see is what you’ll get.” Since she asked for it, let’s take a look at her record…

When asked about its "strategic vision" at a recent meeting, BOE members said they "need to talk about it."

HONOLULU - Duke Aiona and Lynn Finnegan today launched the first in a series of videos they will share online to discuss real solutions that will benefit all of Hawai‘i. The first spot, "Piston," focuses on job creation, which will be Duke Aiona and Lynn Finnegan's top priority as Governor and Lt. Governor.

Said Lt. Governor Aiona. "We have only five weeks left to show voters how we will govern so they can make an informed decision in the general election. Once it became clear that my opponent didn't want to immediately focus this campaign on the issues, we agreed to any debates we could. I'm ready to debate right now."

“I encourage the Legislature to take immediate steps to repeal these two laws since they place federally funded public construction projects in Hawai‘i in jeopardy and could even subject the State to fines and penalties for violating federal procurement rules,” said Governor Lingle.  “In addition to the legality of an ambiguous residency quota and procurement preference, I vetoed these measures because they discourage job creation, delay and increase the cost of public construction projects, and stall our economic recovery.”

The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given to employers for their support of their employees who also serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The Hawai‘i State Government was selected as one of only 15 employers from across the nation to receive the 2010 Freedom Award.  This is the first time a state is being recognized with the award.  A national selection board comprised of senior Defense officials and business leaders selects the award recipients.

"Judging from their most recent ad, it's clear National Democrats are rattled. They know the only way they can win is by trying to mislead the people of Hawaii. They know, and more importantly, the voters of Hawaii's First Congressional District know that my record is clear: I have supported measures that will put our fiscal house in order, create jobs and help our community."

“Some are asking ‘where is the local and national Democrats’ plan?’ and I remind them that it is already being implemented, and here in Hawaii has been the norm for over four decades.  Higher taxes and fees, more spending, bigger government, less liberty and doing whatever union bosses tell them to.  That’s the Democrat’s ‘Pledge.’  They should have the guts to put it on paper and roll it out the way Republicans have.”

Please join our panelists:

• - Garrett Toguchi, Chair, Hawaii Board of Education
• - Colbert Matsumoto, Spokesperson, Hawaii's Children First
• - Patricia Hamamoto,  Principal of St. Louis School

"I will vigorously implement the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, and set a more aggressive, but achievable, mid-term goal of cutting by more than one-half Hawai‘i's annual foreign oil spending by 2018," Lt. Governor Aiona said. "Instead of shipping out $2 billion to $3 billion each year to buy foreign oil, we'll keep it in the local economy to create jobs."

The American people want, and our economy needs, more private sector jobs, not more public sector programs.  The Pledge to America answers this call.

“Instead of taking the simple step of offering small businesses the assurance that their taxes will not go up in a matter of months, this bill deepens our nation’s debt and provides no long-term incentives to create jobs. In fact, this bill permanently raises taxes by nearly $14.5 billion dollars. We cannot tax our way out of recession.

In her own words, Colleen Hanabusa said in one of her recent advertisements that she is the kind of politician that, “What you see is what you’ll get.” Since she asked for it, let’s take a look at her record…

Executive Director Janet Grace commented, “Regardless of the outcome of the various races, all of Hawaii’s pro-life candidates are heroes to those of us who respect the sanctity of human life.”

Congressman Djou spoke on the House floor in support of S.1055 (H.R. 347) – granting the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

High-income residents of New York City and President Barack Obama’s home state of Hawaii would have the highest marginal tax rates in the U.S. if Congress adopts the president’s proposal to increase taxes for top earners....

Recent news has shown that the Democrats’ healthcare takeover continues to grow more unpopular among the American public as it stunts job growth, imposes even more new taxes, and strips working families of their existing healthcare coverage. While the White House once claimed to be campaigning on ObamaCare, it now appears that Democrats like Hanabusa are running away from the healthcare takeover that they once supported.

HONOLULU - Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today released detailed policy plans for transportation and health care that he would seek to implement in an Aiona-Finnegan Administration. The specific policy agendas follow plans the gubernatorial candidate unveiled in recent weeks on jobs and the economy and education.

"We want to focus this campaign on the issues," said Lt. Governor Aiona. "It is only through an active and engaged public that we will achieve lasting solutions to the immediate problems facing our citizens."

The Board is in charge of the school system.  Its responsibilities include selecting the Superintendent; setting policies and priorities; approving how resources are distributed; and negotiating with the unions on things that matter in the classroom.

Despite its influence, the system has clearly failed the children, producing FURLOUGH FRIDAYS and MEDIOCRE TO POOR RESULTS.

Duke Aiona advocates the Power of Aloha program. It provides hundreds of students with lessons about character and making smart choices. 

“It’s easier to build strong children than it is to fix broken adults.” 

In town halls and on public squares, in every corner of this country, people have gathered and spoken out – in small groups and larger crowds, through phone calls and in letters, through websites and new technologies. Though these petitions come from different walks, their message is uniform: Washington has not been listening. Politicians in Washington have imposed an agenda that doesn’t reflect the priorities of the people. What’s worse, the most important decisions are made behind closed doors, where a flurry of backroom deals has supplanted the will of the people. It’s time to do away with the old politics: that much is clear. It’s not enough, however, to swap out one set of leaders for another. Structure dictates behavior, so we have drafted this blueprint on a process of listening to the American people and fielding their concerns and ideas for turning things around.

Neil Abercrombie may believe “it’s not my job” to participate in gubernatorial debates, but it apparently is David Shapiro’s job to spin it. 

Washington, DC — Congressman Charles K. Djou (HI-01) appeared on CNBC’s “Worldwide Exchange” this morning to discuss the departure of Larry Summers from the White House, the failed economic policies of this Administration and the current majority in Congress and what needs to be done to achieve economic growth. Clip and excerpts below....

"It was reported recently that our opponent said it's not his "job" to debate Duke Aiona. This campaign must be about issues in order for the people of Hawai‘i to make an informed decision on their choice for Governor.

"Our working families and small businesses are facing big challenges, and our opponent has yet to show how he'll accomplish all the promises he's making.

"The people of Hawai‘i need real solutions, not just talk.

The Star-Advertiser’s editors endorsed the call for debates, writing:

We like that Aiona has already challenged Abercrombie to six debates, which will serve to enlighten. He's taken the offensive to call for specifics on balancing the budget, growing the economy and jobs, and revamping education. For his part, Aiona vows a "clear path" on how the GOP will lead the state. We can hardly wait -- frustrations linger over Furlough Fridays and legislative stalemates -- and will be listening intently.

Neil Abercrombie’s answer?  “It’s not my job”

When you are losing—you want distractions.

When you are winning—you do not want distractions.

We are winning at present. -- we should remain the “focus like a laser on spending” movement.

Reid bypassed usual Senate procedure and included "the DREAM Act" in the defense bill. The DREAM Act creates a "path to citizenship" for illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. before the age of 16, have lived here for 5 years, and either serve in the military or attend college. But the bill also prohibits the government from deporting anyone who has even filed an application for the program. This essentially gives amnesty to anyone who applies regardless of whether they actually qualify for the act's protections. Worse, the program would also allow applicants to sponsor their immediate family members for a green card.

HONOLULU - The Duke Aiona for Governor campaign hand-delivered a letter signed by Lt. Governor Duke Aiona, formally challenging his opponent in the general election for Governor to a series of six in-depth debates in the weeks leading up to Election Day....

"By debating each important issue for an extended period of time, our residents will get to see how each of us will govern, so they can make an informed decision in the general election," added Lt. Governor Aiona. "All you have to do is say ‘yes.’"

Today, as we embark on the next phase of our campaign, we are launching a new television commercial entitled "Making A Difference."

It highlights my work in the short time I've been privileged to serve you as your congressman.

Republicans showed unprecedented unity with the unveiling of a 2011 legislative action plan outlining specific proposals to improve Hawaii’s economy, education and government.

The plan, spearheaded by the Republican Caucus, was unveiled today by incumbents and key State House Senate Republican candidates.  

The Lt. Governor is proposing the following debate schedule.

• Friday, Sept. 24 -- Jobs and the Economy
• Week of Sept. 27 -- Education
• Week of Oct. 4 -- State budget and Spending
• Week of Oct. 11 -- Native Hawaiian Issues
• Week of Oct. 18 -- Health and Human Services
• Week of Oct. 25 -- Energy

"I am humbled that the voters of Hawaii's First Congressional District have placed their trust in me. Once again, the voters have spoken: the status quo in Hawaii and in Congress is unacceptable and they want change. Over the next 45 days, I look forward to taking our message of fiscal responsibility and government accountability to all parts of this Congressional district and earning the people's trust to represent them in the U.S. House."