Environment

HONOLULU – Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today announced that he has raised more than $267,000 in the last six months of 2009, including nearly 950 donations of $100 or less.  Aiona has raised more than $2 million during his gubernatorial campaign.

Toguchi’s statement on Saturday that, “if she (the Governor) wanted to, she could take her proposal to the HSTA herself,” is inaccurate. 

Under Hawai‘i’s collective bargaining law – HRS Section 89-6(d)(3) – the Governor cannot act alone in presenting a formal proposal to the HSTA.  The Governor must have the vote of either the Board of Education or the Department of Education, or both, in order to make a formal proposal.

Similarly, Toguchi’s contention that an agreement between the HSTA, DOE and BOE is already in place is inaccurate because by the same law there can be no formal agreement without the Governor’s vote.

We have a great opportunity to make effective changes to our state educational system that will result in a better education for our keiki. Unfortunately, the Democrats have excluded the Lingle-Aiona proposals that best represent clear and direct accountability. We should not stand for these arrogant tactics. Given that the Democrats have control of the scheduling, our best response at this time is to push for the language from our proposals to replace the language in the bills being heard tomorrow by proposing amendments.

The Governor’s plan to use $50 million from the Rainy Day Fund to re-open schools for all but three of the remaining furlough days this semester and next school year has been stalled by the unwillingness of the BOE and DOE to agree to present the plan to the Hawai‘i State Teachers Association (HSTA).  Despite a number of meetings and communications between the Lingle-Aiona Administration and the BOE and DOE to answer their questions and provide detailed financial information on how the $50 million would sufficiently allow schools to operate on furlough days, the BOE and DOE have refused to allow the plan to move forward.

We ask you to stay vigilant.  Check our website www.HawaiiFamilyForum.org on a regular basis for updates. Our efforts on the iVOTE campaign are continuing . . . .

Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina agrees with many of us here in Hawaii: A bill that will have serious consequences for all of us in Hawaii, and which has been radically changed recently, should not be acted upon by the U.S. Senate until Senators can hear the results of public hearings on the current version of the bill here in Hawaii.

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?

SB 2500 requesting a financial and management audit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs will be heard Friday, January 29, at 2:45 p.m. in Room 229 by the Water Land and Hawaiian Affairs committee

The Lingle-Aiona Administration has submitted a comprehensive package of 110 bills and 29 resolutions to the Hawai‘i State Legislature.  The following list includes brief descriptions of each proposed measure.  The list also includes programs that do not require legislative approval that the Administration is implementing. 

“This measure will allow our State to proactively secure both large and small sporting events throughout Hawai‘i that will help to strengthen our economy and make Hawai‘i a leader among the world’s sports destinations,” Lt. Governor Aiona said. “Hawai‘i is the home of the Pro Bowl. Over time, the game has become a tradition and our residents should not grow accustomed to seeing it played away from Aloha Stadium.”

The problem is not our students or its teachers.  The problems lie in the political power structure within the State of Hawai'i.  Democrats, who are well known to be controlled by union money, have remained unwilling to create solutions.  Any proposed changes to an unaccountable system would mean certain electoral losses which is why our children and Hawai`i's families remain political pawns to the unions' games.

 action is focused on the House which has to agree or disagree to the amendments made by the Senate. If they agree, then all House members will need to vote to approve. If the House disagrees to the amendment, it will then be given to a Conference Committee which will consist of members from BOTH the House and Senate.

A hearing has been scheduled on two unemployment insurance bills for this Tuesday, January 26 at 9:00 a.m. at the State Capitol in Room 309. Chair Rhoads did not put the Chamber’s bill on the agenda, only his and Vice Chair’s Kyle Yamashita’s bill because he probably prefers to use one of these as a vehicle.   

Although the bills provide some tax relief, the Chamber believes they do not provide enough assistance to help reduce the "tax shock" and safeguard the statewide unemployment rate.  Therefore, we are asking the committees to amend the bills. 

GOVERNOR LINGLE PROPOSES STRUCTURAL REFORM OF PUBLIC EDUCATION SCHOOL SYSTEM GOVERNANCE

GOVERNOR LINGLE AUTHORIZES $2.8 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS TO ENHANCE ROBOTICS EDUCATION IN HAWAI‘I SCHOOLS

GOVERNOR LINGLE INTRODUCES PROPOSAL TO SAVE BUSINESSES $497 MILLION IN UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TAXES

GOVERNOR LINGLE PROPOSES HAWAI‘I CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENT BONDS

GOVERNOR LINGLE ANNOUNCES INITIATIVES TO CREATE JOBS, GET RESIDENTS BACK TO WORK

Governor Linda Lingle announced in her State of the State Address she will propose a constitutional amendment to rename and revise the State’s Rainy Day Fund to create a Fiscal Stabilization Fund.  This fund will shield Hawai‘i in future years from the need to raise taxes during periods when the economy is contracting and citizens can least afford to pay more.

The Fiscal Stabilization Fund will ensure that in years when tax revenues are growing, 5 percent of the general fund’s end of year balance will be placed in the Stabilization Fund prior to granting the currently mandated refund to taxpayers.

Full Text of Governor Lingle's 8th State of the State address -- delivered to joint session of Hawaii Legislature 10 AM Monday January 25, 2010.  Title: "Reaffirmation and Rededication".

Action will now be focused on the House which has to agree to the amendments made by the Senate. If they agree, then all House members will need to vote to approve. If the House disagrees to the amendment, it will then be given to a Conference Committee made up of members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees.

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.

"We can't fix our economic problems by increasing the taxes on businesses. Businesses don't have more money to give to the government especially during these times. Small businesses are the engine of economic growth.  Shirokiya's recent announcement of laying off 71 employees in anticipation of the increasing unemployment insurance tax serves as powerful evidence of what businesses will and must do when taxes are increased."  -- House Minority Leader Lynn Finnegan

“Sen.-elect Scott Brown’s come-from-behind victory, in a solid Democrat state like Massachusetts, clearly shows the American people want different leadership in Congress.  Like Sen.-elect Brown, I am troubled by Congress’ multi-trillion dollar budget deficit that recklessly mortgages our children’s future, a multi-billion dollar stimulus package that has done little to alter unemployment and a health care plan that is too expensive and won’t work,” stated Djou. 

"From those I've spoken to at the 4,000 doors that I've knocked on in the last two weeks, and from the 1,100 donors to my campaign, it is clear that Hawaii’s voters feel just as frustrated.  Hawaii needs a voice from outside the system to fundamentally change the status quo.”

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.

“This is a split decision as far as I’m concerned,” said Governor Lingle.  “The arbitration panel went along with our request for pay cuts for employees of some of the most important 24/7 operations at the State Hospital, the prisons, and the youth correctional facility, but ignored the same request for others. 

“We are very disappointed that the panel chose to implement furloughs for employees of the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation.  A straight pay cut for these employees would be better than furloughs because the nature of the work and the people they serve requires 24/7 attention,” the Governor added.

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.

This report is actually good news.  Because of the DoE/HSTA efforts to crush Charter Schools, the DoE has already done enough to make sure that the RTTT funds--and the accountability requirements that come with them--won't be coming to Hawaii.  So they no longer need to force furloughs onto instructional days in order to keep RTTT out.

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.

The much-anticipated trial to determine the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 is scheduled to begin this morning in the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. What's at stake in this case, filed in federal district court in San Francisco on behalf of two gay couples, is not just the right of California voters to reaffirm the definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman, but also whether marriage may be otherwise defined in any state.

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

Neil with his friends, Mr Broken Trust, and Brother Sandwich Isles. 

  A victim of Global Cooling lies on the frozen soil of South Florida.

Under the Governor’s latest plan, up to $50 million from the Rainy Day Fund would be used to restore 12 furlough Fridays – five this semester and seven in the 2010-2011 school year. 

An additional 12 instructional days – two this semester and 10 in the next school year – would be gained by using days when teachers are paid to be in their classrooms but do not teach students.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today nominated Lawrence M. Reifurth to serve as a judge on the Hawai‘i Intermediate Court of Appeals.  Reifurth would fill the vacancy created when Governor Lingle named Judge Craig Nakamura to serve as chief judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals.  Reifurth’s nomination is subject to confirmation by the State Senate.

In Hawaii, we have some of America’s most generous Medicaid programs – especially for children. Medicaid enrollment jumped by almost 15 percent in 2009, and last spring the State Department of Human Services had to delay $43.5 million in payments for medical care because of a serious budget shortfall.

Nearly one year later, we are still unable to catch up with our Medicaid funding deficit, and it is about to get worse – a lot worse. On January 1, 2011, the boost to states for Medicaid programs from the national stimulus funding will come to an abrupt end after nine quarters. That means Hawaii will stop receiving more than $350 million in federal funds....

If Congress forces Hawaii to further increase Medicaid eligibility and benefits, we could only pay the bill by slashing other government programs or by raising taxes. Neither option is acceptable, in my opinion. 

Marcus X Arrington's victim was only 16-years-old when he allegedly forced her into prostitution.

While she can't be named because she is a minor, her story fits the profile of many others. She ran away from home hoping to escape its problems. Arrington allegedly promised to help but instead brandished a handgun and forced her to work for him....To keep her in compliance, she says she was beaten and sexually assaulted by her captor.  

Hawaii is one of eight states without a human trafficking law. If this were New York, Arrington would face up to 25 years in jail for this felony offense. Instead, he is charged with promoting prostitution, a crime that can be classed as a misdemeanor and carries a very broad sentence ranging from one day and ten years.

Currently, voters in Hawai‘i have no direct authority over the Office of Elections. The Elections Commission, which appoints the Chief Elections Officer, is composed of individuals selected by only four members of the State Legislature.

Hawai‘i consistently ranks at or near the bottom nationally for voter turnout.

If passed, the constitutional amendment would give Hawai‘i voters the authority to decide in the 2010 General Election whether or not to establish an elected, nonpartisan Secretary of State.

The move ignited a furor in Honolulu. Gov. Linda Lingle and Attorney General Mark Bennett, who found out about the changes just hours before the Dec. 16 House vote, promptly reversed their support for the bill, saying the revisions could endanger Hawaii's economic and legal standing. Both officials are Republicans.

"The new bill explicitly states that it gives the state of Hawaii no authority to tax or regulate the new tribe, while ambiguously stating that nothing in the bill will itself pre-empt state authority over Native Hawaiians or their property," said Mr. Bennett in a statement. "Such a provision would guarantee years, if not decades, of litigation."

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, the state's senior Democratic senator, told local reporters in Honolulu last week that differences were being "ironed out" with the governor's office and predicted the Senate would vote on the amended bill in February. But to date, no final deal has been announced.

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.