Entries for January 2023

... the HD37 Democratic Committee picked three nominees: Ron Menor, Charlotte Nekota, Trish LaChica.  Kauai HD16 Democrats picked Evslin, Chock and Cristobal ....

... To this day, I still wonder where the $58 million that was earmarked for testing and tracing went or whose pockets it lined ....

... The Department of Budget and Fiscal Services (BFS) is seeking applicants to fill the vacant civil service position of Chief of Treasury for the Division of Treasury ....

... one boat seems to be refueling the other ....

... The only question is whether they have the political will ....

... Despite the disagreements, there were a few points the guests all agreed on ....

... a multi-year conspiracy to cover-up the abuse ....

... Kvam engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.  Kvam also violated the rules by paying a prohibited referral fee in the nature of a “commission” ....

... U.S. negotiators last week reached initial understanding with the governments of the republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands on general financial terms to extend the Compacts of Free Association for the next 20 years ....

... Hawaii celebrates educational options and quality education during the annual School Choice Week ....

... Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. ....

... 156 bills are on the current docket to be introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate ....

... Luke Meyers is joining the Office of Governor Josh Green, M.D., as the State Disaster Management Advisor (SDMA), with Col. (Ret.) James D.S. Barros named as the new Administrator for the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) ....

... Nāhoʻopiʻi earned a certificate from the First Nations’ Futures Institute at Stanford University ....

... Governor Josh Green, M.D. signed a sixth emergency proclamation to extend federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotment benefits, in keeping with ongoing federal COVID relief efforts ....

... On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature will convene ....

... Hawaii is one of the slowest states in the nation when it comes to approving building permits ....

... high gas prices, rush-hour traffic congestion and poor road quality ....

... Sim Nimby is an online game in which winning means giving up any hope of building any sort of structure for any reason ....

... Hawaii’s population has been declining for six straight years, and if policymakers don’t do something quickly to avert the looming increase in county property taxes, that is likely to continue ....

... two dozen community and media organizations suggest changes that could be implemented by executive order ....

... 6th highest in USA ....

... According to recent data, searches for side jobs have seen an increase of 49.89%, with Hawaii ranking sixth among the states ....

... We need fixes.  Not the temporary kind ....

... The list is directly from the HGEA’s email to members earlier this week, January 9, 2023 ....

... Votes in Congress and Bills Signed into Law ....

... DoE only had 10 years notice of the need to build a grade-separated pedestrian crossing ....

...The lie that tourists pay 30% of the GE Tax is front and center as Gov Green and legislators quickly walk back Green’s fake 2022 campaign promise to eliminate the GE Tax from food and medical care....

... the report will not be made public ....

... He is also required to promptly notify all of his clients, and any attorneys for any adverse party in any pending litigation, of his suspension and consequent inability to act as an attorney ....

... HOU is responsible for coordinating and directing the development, preparation, and implementation of plans and programs relating to affordable housing and homelessness ....

... $1,534,259.15 was collected in criminal actions and $554,363.58 was collected in civil actions ....

... to fill the unexpired term of William Dean (County of Hawaiʻi) that will expire on June 30, 2024 ....

... Hawaii residents paid on average $210.26 a month up by $38.08 ....

... this would cost the state $25 million per year ....

... because HSTA didn't get two paid days vacation from their vacation .... 

... Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s “wins” over the past year ....

... new members and (eventually) a new Speaker ....

... the New Year is off and running and we are quaking in our boots waiting for our Legislature to reconvene, here are some of the ideas that we have been following ....

... The Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly known as the Don't Say Gay act prohibits public schools from giving "classroom instruction" on sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through to third grade ....

... Because of persistent funding inadequacies and inequities, many schools, especially those serving low-income communities, were not equipped to educate students ....

... and that doesn’t account for state tax rates, which are among the highest in the nation ....

“...A year ago I would have been pessimistic….”  …but … Recent developments make John O’Meara “optimistic about astronomy on Mauna Kea whether or not TMT is part of it....”

... The Chief Justice has the discretion to assign a district judge/district family judge to either the District Court or Family Court ....

... January 7, 8, 10, 2023 online ....

... The Price of Pizza Hut and Domino’s in Every Country and State ....

... sailing from Oahu on his boat, fully fueled, and stocked with cash and enough provisions to sustain himself at sea ....

... the challenge brought by Ahia and 30 Maui County voters argues Maui County Clerk Kathy Kaohu made an error by failing to determine the validity of hundreds of mail-in ballot envelopes deemed ‘deficient’ ....

... Ensure the integrity of the election process ....

... allowing longer-term special use permits, adjusting parking fees for non-residents, managing commercial usage similar to the Nā Ala Hele Trails and Access program, extending the closure of areas, and restricting access to off-trail areas ....