Entries for February 2010

Photos: Tsunami surge in Hilo, Kahului

Koller: State’s “horse-and-buggy” system is labor-intensive, costly and slow

Star-Bulletin to close if no buyer found

Former cocaine dealer J Kalani English: Bought and paid for by Hawaii Air Ambulance 

2 bills on school time still alive

Hawaii agency agrees to $316M deal to renovate public housing

Oahu's 'wild west' garbage piles gone

Hawaii's rural development fight rekindled in valley on Oahu

ADV: Hopeful but elusive signs of recovery

Tsunami Warning center learns from miscalculation

Waves couldn't catch rhythm of the Slinky

UH regent hopefuls named

Aiea firm to build $200M biorefinery

Timeshares Imploding

Chile Earthquake: Tsunami estimated arrival in Hawaii 11AM NOAA warning “High Severity”

Djou, Aiona, Lingle joined by Karl Rove to rally 1000 at Hawaii Lincoln Day dinner

Printing plant key to Advertiser purchase

Senate Cttes agree to cuts in business tax increase

SB: Don't divert tobacco fund

UPW, Isles close to terms

Aid to Hawaii high-risk children faces cuts

State projects give contractors hope

Choke: HECO vows to address ‘green’ energy issues

Snobs demand property forfeiture for illegal fireworks: House Judiciary Passes Out Illegal Fireworks Bill

Activists denied role in Army process: Depleted uranium handling license sought

RCP: The Return of ObamaCare--The Political Context (Abercrombie)

ADV: Star- Bulletin owner to buy Honolulu Advertiser

Peer News: Omidyar launches propaganda organ 

Legislature considering storefront marijuana dispensaries

Anne Keala Kelly:The Hawaiian nationalist and filmmaker says the Akaka Bill should be rejected

ETHICS: The bills your legislator probably hates

Hawaii flights (projected) to grow by 6% more seats

Oahu home prices may be stabilizing, with decline slowing  as a State, Hawaii #2 in home price declines

Judge to decide remedy for HMC's unauthorized use of St. Francis funds

Cling: Depledge continues trying to figure out how to get Gay marriage enacted

More propaganda: Civil unions support has basis in Gospels

Burris: Lessons in how to lead a community

More biofuels could get tax breaks

State to close 31 welfare-assistance offices

GTMO Greenwell wants private jet owners to pay $2,500 a day to park at airport

KIUC hopefuls focus on rates, renewables

One Penny:  Medicaid payout to Hilo Doctor

Support Akaka bill because of "long racial history in the South"?

The Perfect and Deadly Progressive Storm

DoE students placed in wrong grade level for their age

Mauna Kea Moon Rover test: A Mahalo from Outer Space Team 

Obama’s medical corpse

Hawaii Congressional special election “expected” for Saturday, May 22

Abercrombie: Mufi personally threatening my donors (VIDEO)

ADV: Put Akaka bill back on track, or it will die

SB: “Current bill dies in Senate”

Lingle, Bennett objections stand: Exemption from state police-power regulation is unacceptable, they say

TAX HIKES: Prescription drugs, airline & ship maintenance, affordable housing -- to feed HGEA

Mayors praise decision on hotel tax

Hawaii committee votes down legal gambling, likely killing it for this session

House revives flag-flying bill

ADV: Let's get real about saving next year

BoE walks into “trap” identifies $37.7M in new cuts

Council approves $8,000 for Washington rail trip

Yoshioka: Using old OR&L path for rail not practical

Obama nominates Gramscian law professor for Ninth Circuit

New Turtle Bay hui pledges park, housing

State's child dental care faulted

Frum Forum: Hawaii’s GOP Resurgence

Frum Forum: Is Hawaii Home to the Next Scott Brown?

Akaka Bill passes House 245-164

Finance committee tries to find alternatives  (GET hike deferred …for now)

2010 election shaping up to be bad for incumbents

SB: Hannemann's glass half full (setup for a fall)

UPW Unit 1 to get furloughs: No other wage reduction expected; governor has indicated she will sign

Jeremy Harris’ 'Mystery Woman' Acquitted In Criminal Case

Report Ranks Honolulu No. 2 In Traffic Congestion  (2 weeks of work every year)

PROTESTERS: TAT TAKEOVER TABOO

Koke‘e lovers want park revenue to stay on Kaua‘i

Groups holding Haiti relief fundraiser Saturday in Mililani

Group of lenders take ownership of Turtle Bay Resort from Oaktree Capital

Hamamoto welcomed to Saint Louis

Sabeel: obviously preparing to launch Israel Boycott in Hawaii

Casket of Ewa Beach soldier killed in Afghanistan arrives in U.S.

Lingle: “Current draft of Akaka Bill is not one I can support”

Rules Committee: Abercrombie’s latest version of Akaka Bill to face full House vote

Finance Committee to hear Gambling Bill Wednesday

Flag Pole bill hearing Wednesday 9:10AM

Lingle balks at rewrite of Akaka Bill (Dems set to blame Lingle for Bill’s failure in Senate)

Hannemann talks up rail and jobs but says city workers face furloughs

UPW reaches pact with county mayors

ADV: HSTA lodges complaint against Lingle

Hawaiian Electric gets OK to boost rates (to pay for biodiesel scam)

Three Honolulu police officers sue, alleging racial bias

Sports commission sacked despite big support

ADV: HTA moves for more secrecy (Shhh Don’t tell the Mexicans)

LA Times/AP: Hawaii may place bet on gambling to save its troubled tourist-driven economy

SB Commentary: Choose democracy over dollars

New Climate Agency Head Tried to Suppress Data, Critics Charge

Akaka Bill: More than 73% of Hawaiians not "Qualified" for membership in Akaka Tribe

Akaka Preparing New Senate Bill: House Rules Committee to consider Akaka Bill Monday 

Lingle tells feds her administration will do separate rail analysis

Retaliation: Anti-Rail Neighborhood board member may face expulsion

Expect upbeat speech by mayor (Campaign speech)

Lawmakers split on GET Hike

Moratorium sought on solar installation

Hawaii In the Money—but Alaska shows the future

Joining Pac-10 an ambitious, costly goal

Bill would create surfing reserves

Fridge rebate deal worth $250

Funds for welfare jobs mostly untapped

Gifts of Aloha: Packages to Middle East seek to lift troops' spirits

Ooops: Climate scientists withdraw journal claims of rising sea levels

Akaka Preparing New Senate Bill: House Rules Committee to consider Akaka Bill Monday

ADV: Too soon to give up on cutting costs

Honolulu rail-transit schedule slips again: City doesn't expect groundbreaking until late this year

Vote miscount keeps flags flying (Hearing 9AM Wednesday)

Kalapa: Zenith of ignorance reached in state's legislative arena  (Finally!)

Shapiro: A taxing dilemma

Hawaii's special treatment courts threatened by fiscal crisis

Hawaii Bill Would Limit Business Campaign Money

Occupancy slide drives hotels to foreclosure

University center faces little opposition

GOP Objects To Pushing Native Hawaii Bill (House Rules Ctte will meet on Akaka Bill Monday)

Akaka Bill Transforms Native Hawaiians Into Indian Tribe Without Their Input

Lingle to discuss rail with Obama's transportation secretary

SB on Dope:  Proven medical remedy must be more accessible

Cabanilla, Oshiro Choke: Flagpole bill will likely be heard after supporters show in force (Oshiro faked the vote count?)

Isles lag in loan crisis: A declining trend in mainland foreclosures is not expected to extend locally

Homelessness: Wall of trash pulled from Kea'au bushes

Hawaii County bag ban discarded

Kenoi expenses: Mayor spends more than one quarter of first year off-island

Saddle Road's last leg to cost $75 million

Hauula Community Deserves a Public Hearing Before Any Government Property Condemnations in the Area

Tajiri quits post as regent for UH

Law lets loaded guns into parks

Native Hawaiian self-government bill could go to vote next week

Abercrombie on Rail: “We may have to come up with alternative”

HB2450: Conservation land to be bulldozed by “renewable” energy scammers

Bill to set buffer around wind turbines advances

Jeremy Harris Flashback: Bev Harbin Says Lisa-Katharine Otsuka Stole From Her Auto Shop

ADV: After 17 years, $100 fee could use a nudge

Bill eases rate jump for jobless insurance

SB: State pension needs fix

Delusional Abercrombie still sure Obamacare is going to pass

Big Isle charter school not done deal

Hawaii to change 4,000 with mental illnesses to services from insurers

Kauai County credit rating gets bump: $120M bond float gains approval

Maui Co budget shortfall boosted from $4M to $72M

Pay raises frozen for Big Isle council

Hawaii gets persistent requests for Obama birth certificate:State DOH still gets up to 50 requests a month for certificate

4 men, woman charged in online sex trafficking of minor

Soft on Crime: Man gets 30 days in marijuana case (7.6 lbs)

After voting for Stimulus, Abercrombie admits false claims “make people sick of politicians”

Unemployment tax relief passes House

Flag-flying bill fails to gain support for revival: Democrats promise to consider task force on residential rules

Tax Increase #1: Hawaii legislators consider hike in income tax, cut in tax breaks

Tax Increase #2: Hawaii excise tax would go up under bill advancing in House

Tax Increase #3: Real property taxes may rise--Counties say House bill suspending TAT funds would lead to increase

Alternative to tax increases: Selling state land a sensible idea to raise cash (Calvin Say vs OHA)

PEW: Hawaii “has failed to sock away any assets” to cover pension liabilities

House Expected to Vote Next Week on ANOTHER secret version of Akaka Bill

House Democrats Plan to Push Akaka Bill to vote Before Feb 28 – Bill’s Final Draft Secret

Special election may be delayed; commission chooses Nago

SB:  Helping homeless needs coordination

Mental health services reined in

University of Hawaii athletics deficit may hit $10.1 million

ADV: Civil service gets in way of liquor panel

ADV joins ‘peak oil’ cult: Future shock: Oil won't stay this cheap

Maui County suing Merrill Lynch: Lawsuit says firm knew of security market collapse, didn’t disclose it

Maui: OHA, anti-Superferry protesters continue assault on agriculture

Blocked by Cabanilla: Flagpole Bill to be Called to House Floor Thursday

ADV: Selling state land a sensible idea to raise cash (Calvin Say vs OHA)

State to delay paying for health coverage  (Socialist health care imploding)

Oahu the healthiest island, study says

Hawaii teacher furloughs remain as school year starts running out

Inouye compared to King, God

POLITICO: Inouye rakes in $10,000s from Lockheed Martin

Honolulu council may tax nonprofits to feed HGEA

Nago chosen as permanent state elections chief

Dysfunctional Government Is Self-Perpetuating

Maui races for council seats are heating up early

Council members to mull Higa lawsuit

100% frustration: Study says current labeling laws cost Kona coffee farmers $14.4M a year

Hawaii troops risk lives as U.S. makes progress (SB blames Bush)

HB2241/SB2303: Bills would seize Ceded Lands from Hawaiians 

Kalapa: Lawmakers on a zigzag course for tax legislation

Audit: Waihee’s RightStar short $22.6M  (Graverobbers now targeted for collection)

New campus needed (OHA blocks UHWO)

Hit on Gov hurts rail, Abercrombie says (Abercrombie preparing to blame Mufi for failure of rail)

Contractors’ Assn: Jobs created by rail project would help whole state

Hotel revenues fell a lot in 2009 - but not at year's end

SB: Hawaii's Homeless: Visitors' growing unease has industry leaders worried

ADV: Dancing around the H-word

Hoku Scientific CEO to step down: Shindo will remain with struggling Isle high-tech company as senior adviser

Flag Waving Restrictions Outrage Ewa Residents

State launching site for camping reservations, park lodging

Tongans in Hawaii planning relief efforts in wake of tropical cyclone

Pirate who boarded Japanese ship, demanded ransom, to face trial in Japan

Marines say Taliban resistance more disorganized

Wind Energy's Ghosts

Global Cooling drives homeless to Hawaii

Shapiro: Gambling on suspicion (The fix is in?)

Rail route, agenda scrutinized (Use OR&L route)

Union seeks details of DHS overhaul: HGEA officials say plans could result in hundreds of layoffs

Homicide sentencing delayed 1 week due to furloughs, staff shortages (budget cuts blamed for murderers on loose)

Safety issue raised at Hawaii State Hospital (budget cuts blamed for lunatics on rampage)

Burris: Political signage will likely trump aesthetics

SB: Mandate school days

Hawaii lawmakers again debating legal gambling

ADV: A desperate, losing wager for Hawaii

Musibigate: HRPT rent law may be extended

Isles on way to becoming model for green energy: Isolation, lack of crude production combination of high taxes and tax credits force state to embrace ambitious goals

Target Lanai: OHA prepares to shakedown wind farm

Gabbard gains 3-year TRO against gay activist after assault 

Parents push for rural Maui charter school

Funding snags risk UH-West Oahu: Construction must start next year or ownership of the land will revert

More Hawaii seniors financially exploited: Lawmakers considering ways to guard against exploitation

Coqui: 'Second invasion' threatens nurseries (latest scam to restore ag inspectors)

Kenoi's proposals panned by Ethics Board: Administration to pursue tougher rules before council

Commission calls for 1% land fund: Compromise could become part of county charter

Sakamoto: Tax soldiers to feed HSTA, HGEA, UPW

3 measures would return workers' health costs to state: $26M/year for unions

Survey: Native Hawaiians Discontented With Tourism

Poll finds Hawaii no longer happiest

State's bonds sale exceeds expectations by $188 million

SB: Pressure on Gov. Lingle to OK rail is premature

Lingle: Focus on the quality of education

HECO commits to buying clean energy

Hawaii State Auditor: Director of the Department of Business and Economic Development Director Should Be Fired

Dead Ducks: Animal-protection bills draw support

Protesters rally for ‘strongest prosecutor’: Reason for termination hasn’t been provided

Kauai: Burial plan No. 16 rejected

Global Cooling: There's snow in every state except Hawaii

Slain baby's mom pleads not guilty in robbery

1MW Ray gun blows missile out of sky

Cyclone slams American Samoa with 100 mph winds

Malulani Hospital offers Maui an alternative to MMMC’s “downward trajectory”

Laupahoehoe Liberation: Rural school targeted for closure votes for charter conversion

Laupahoehoe Liberation: Rural school targeted for closure votes for charter conversion

Hawaii man found guilty of killing toddler

Kalapa: Barrel tax means $4/gallon gas  

State tax collections down 5.4%

ADV: Forget this school year, start fixing the next

Councilman seeks limits on campaign yard signs

SB: Minus Abercrombie, health reform needs true bipartisanship

Council Looks At Banning Tents, Carts In Parks: Some Homeless Say They Will Get Around Proposed Bill

Hamamoto named principal at Saint Louis School

HMAA to acquire health insurer Summerlin's Hawaii business

ACLU says DLNR biased against unmarried couples

Mollway to remain as Ethics Director (Mystery story)

Hilo hospital: No furlough plans

“Sovereignty” squatter blocks ranch access to water

DLNR chief defends fishery management

Tavares plans to balance budget on taxpayers’ backs

Group seeks judgment to force Sol Kaho‘ohalahala out of office

Obama's Missing Year (HawaiiReporter goes “Birther”)

More: Tropical Cyclone Rene bearing down on Samoa

Hawaii-based Marines gearing up for major assault in Afghanistan

Abercrombie’s departure kills House Obamacare majority, leaves Akaka Bill hanging

Hannemann, Inouye set up to blame Lingle for Rail failure

Republicans kill Democrat move to bring back pay to play

2 gaming bills move forward in House

Shapiro: Superferry bachi

Appeals court hears plea of furloughed students

TIM School-Shidler merger makes sense

Hawaii's January Forclosure numbers increase 286.4 percent from the year-ago period

Hawaii tackles unpaid rents: Public housing proposals also include credit checks and speeding up evictions

Pimps safe for now: Senate Judiciary defers bill to make human trafficking a felony

Kona trial: Doper kills man over “medical” marijuana

Sports Commission proposal deferred

Plastic Bag Ban Debated at Hawaii Capitol

State high court rules judge could force Lanai council member to vacate office

Group: DIRE need for injection wells action -- Says Tavares not doing enough soon enough to achieve results

First county land sale March 31: 16 Paauilo mauka parcels to be offered via sealed bid

Greening buildings requires more lettuce: New code could add $2,000 to cost of new home

Bill Would Hike Oil Tax 2100%: Measure Aims To Create slush fund to subsidize enviro pipe dreams

Hawaii gambling bills advance in House

School-days bill may hit snag: State's Constitution gives unions rights that may trump legislation

Shapiro: Toguchi “out of his league"

ADV: Leave governor's budgetary powers alone (saving the corporatist state from its Legislature)

$50M clean energy bond program touted

TAX POLICY CONTRADICTS STATE ENERGY INITIATIVE  (subsidy pig squeals -- “Don’t tax me bro!”)

DBEDT director disputes state auditor's findings

A&B affiliate only bidder for raceway: Upcoming hearing a chance to outbid group's $11M offer

(Another) Sexual Video Sparks (another) Criminal Investigation at Kamehameha Schools

Medical Cannabis User Discusses Benefits: Opponents Say Bill To Legalize Premature

Maui “medical”marijuana dispensary was front for drug dealers (duh!)

Police chief against relaxing marijuana laws

Brothers who beat officer take plea deal

Snobs: Hawaii bill to ban fireworks amended to let counties opt out

Green Police: State To Enforce Kayak Limits At Kealakekua Bay