Entries for April 2024

“I am concerned that the amicus brief will be perceived as an attempt by OHA to evade accountability to state ethics laws and oversight. Courts have ruled that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is a state agency whose leadership and employees are subject to the standards of conduct and behavior expected of all state personnel.” --- OHA Trustee Keli'i Akina

... over one third—or $15.3 million—went unclaimed ....

... disparities exist in local schools ....

... Halealoha Ayau and Mana Cáceres admire the craftsmanship of an 'umeke nui ....

... Edward Odquina wanted a license plate reading "FCKBLM." The city of Honolulu said no. A number of judges have now agreed ....

...completed claim forms now due no later than July 1, 2024....

... to assist residents with the process of applying for Disaster Recovery Building Permits for alterations, repairs, reconstruction and new construction of structures in areas affected by the August 2023 Maui wildfires ....

...  Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa and the Royal Lahaina Resort ....

... From expensive housing to pricey food and utility costs, you should plan on boosting your budget if you intend to retire in Hawaii ....

... but Hawaii gets only 6 of 15 points possible for ‘Include a net position not distorted by misleading and confusing deferred items.’ ....

... 300 residential lots have been returned to the county of Maui allowing homeowners to begin the rebuilding process ....

... “spontaneous order” — the myriad interactions that occur among individuals who are free to make voluntary decisions ....

... At the end of this month, the Legislature wraps up and we see what gets sent to Gov. Green’s desk for signature or veto ....

... SB3202 is in conference committee ....

... Higher prices for smaller U.S.-built ships is a losing combination for captive consumers in Hawaii and throughout the nation ....

... at least five bills strongly supported by my colleagues and I at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii were passed out of conference committees and now will go for final votes at the House and Senate floor sessions ....

... after hearing impassioned testimony from members of the community, the tentative proposed fined of more than $117,000 for damage caused to corals and live rock, was increased to $1,818,851.97 to account for “emotional distress to the community” ....

... MAY 3 ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE ....

... We all know Sundays are holy days set aside for the worship of the Goddess Gaia ....

... You won’t find any record of expungement proceedings on ECourtKokua—they’re secret ....

... Trump and Biden are the two oldest presidential nominees in history. Given this reality, their understudies may be a factor in 2024 in a way they haven’t in decades ....

... Can you guess what’s going to happen as a result of Lahaina? ....

... A conference committee agreed to pass Senate Bill 2919, which would allow counties to create zoning laws regulating short-term rentals .... 

... The application deadline for the second cohort of this groundbreaking program is July 1, 2024 ....

... allow the Hawaii County Department of Public Works to issue pre-approved model plans for multi-family housing — as it already does for single-family dwellings ....

... the third consecutive year that UH has topped half a billion dollars in extramural funding ....

... if HART awards the City Center Guideway and Stations contract, expected later this year, an additional $250 million will be burned ....

... All registered voters in Hawaii are eligible to vote for OHA Trustees ....

"...Combined, these oil-fired units have up to 53 megawatts of generating capacity. ...."

... Environmental Impact Statement for the Department of the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research Facility ....

... Resolution 24-78 would set property tax rates for the coming year ....

... County officials are seeking significant property tax increases while doing virtually nothing to cut spending or spend wisely ....

... House Bill 1800 CD1 will be up for a final vote in both chambers before being transmitted to the governor for consideration ....

... the GET makes practicing in Hawaii so financially challenging, causing many Hawaii doctors to retire or move away ....

... 'Not eligible' = Illegals and homeless.  Mixing them together is unfair to the illegals ....

... Hilo is #1 ....

... The State Auditor studied 30 foster homes picked at random.  Here is one of the 30 ....

“...housing is the biggest income-eater....”

... the gold standard measurement of the Main Street economy ....

... and an interactive Skyline tour, showcasing that Earth Day is for everyone ....

... The state’s high cost of living likely compounds these problems by hindering the recruitment of healthcare professionals ....

... The final vote is set for 11:30 a.m. during the Floor Session. Upon approval, these bills will advance to the governor's desk for his signature ....

... Watch the discussion here ....

... the state is violating federal law by not having what are known as “clean” voter rolls ....

... votes cast and bills introduced in Congress ....

... I became convinced that the proceedings, or at least this part of them, were prearranged ....

... Hawaii's Legislature Seeks to Change Constitution to Lock In Same-Sex Marriage ....

... one formal opinion and four informal opinions ....

... after a McKinley High School student's life was claimed by a habitual traffic offender ....

... hearings officer Aaron Schulaner, said an objection filed by the Democratic Party of Hawaii “did not meet its burden of proof in this case” ....