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Tuesday, June 18, 2013
June 18, 2013 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 5:20 PM :: 4086 Views

After Years of Talk, Hawaii Democratic Party Finally Sues for Closed Primary

Tesoro Finds Buyer to Own, Operate Kapolei Refinery

‘Bureaucratic abuse’: Molokai vets wait a decade for center, services

UHERO: Hawaii Costs 16% More than US Average

Honolulu Tops USA: 9 years Income to Buy a Home

Hawaii Foreclosure Starts up 108%

Abercrombie Signs 37 Bills into Law

Hawaii AG Joins 'Secure Our Smartphones' Initiative

Supreme Court to Review Kawaiahao Church Cemetery Case

SB482: Cutting Red Tape Helps Small Business, Honey

Elected Democrats Outraged by Closed Primary Lawsuit

SA: "I do not support the lawsuit," Gov. Neil Abercrombie said in a statement. "The Demo­cratic Party has always been inclusive, drawing strength from bringing together a diversity of people and perspectives."

Democrats have dominated Hawaii politics since statehood, so most voters choose to participate in Demo­cratic primary elections, which are administered by the state. In 2012, for example, 81 percent of primary voters pulled Demo­cratic ballots. The party has only about 60,000 card-carrying members, yet more than 237,000 voters participated two years ago.

Many elected Demo­crats fear voters might be turned off if they have to become party members or publicly declare party affiliation to participate. Hawaii had a closed primary system between 1968 and 1978. Voters approved the open primary on the recommendation of a state constitutional convention in 1978....

State House Majority Leader Scott Saiki (D, Downtown-Kakaako-McCully) said he would look into whether House Demo­crats have standing to intervene and oppose the lawsuit, which is being heard in U.S. District Court.

"We should be sending the message that we are inclusive and tolerant of different perspectives," he said.

State Sen. David Ige (D, Pearl Harbor-Pearl City-Aiea) said a closed primary system could create barriers for voters. "I've been a Demo­crat my entire career and the party has always been one of inclusion," he said in an email. "A closed primary would create further barriers for voters and not allow them the opportunity to vote for the person they believe in. We should be encouraging voter participation and not limiting it."

Mike McCartney, president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, had refused to file a similar lawsuit when he served as party chairman several years ago. "The primary should be open to all voters and not closed to the party," he said. "What we want to do is give people more choices, not less choice."....

If Hawaii Democrats prevail, the Office of Elections would have to devise new primary regulations. Scott Nago, the state's chief election officer, declined to comment on the lawsuit....

Related: Republicans: Our Primary Will Remain 'Open' as Hawaii Democratic Party Sues for Closed Primary

read ... Fear as the Gay Atheists Expand Dominion

Hanabusa has Inouye, Memories of Broken Trust

Borreca: Without much discussion, Schatz has built up a base of unions willing to support him, and the issue of being a pro-labor politician is not going to get you black marks in Hawaii.

For Hanabusa, the campaign is at something of a crossroads. For it to go forward, she will have to do more to start a discussion about why she wants the Senate seat....

The routes taken by Hanabusa and Schatz could not have been more different, although they both were first elected in 1998.

Schatz progressed with little controversy and never held a major leadership position in the Legislature. Hanabusa, in contrast, made an impact from her first year when she organized the votes to reject Margery Bronster's second term as attorney general. Hanabusa went on to champion a series of public worker reforms also supported by former Gov. Ben Cayetano. The public unions responded by helping defeat a number of members of Hanabusa's coalition.

Then, as Senate president, she was instrumental in the attempts to rescue the Hawaii Superferry and worked on some of the first civil union legislation.

Hanabusa will have a ready-made network of Inouye supporters, but it will be her job to both motivate them and convince them to turn out.

Finally, the open question before Schatz and Hanabusa is the decidedly different composition of Democratic primary voters. It is a political active subset of Hawaii's voter base with many vocal and strident groups.

www.TheRealHanabusa.com 

KOS: Email from Schatz Campaign

read ... Key union supports Schatz, while Hanabusa has Inouye

Star-Adv: Cut Taxes on Rich to Help Poor

SA Editorial: Cutting back itemized deductions for higher-income state taxpayers seemed one of the ways for the state to make ends meet in the midst of the recession, but unfortunately, those hurt most were lower-income residents dependent on nonprofit organizations. Now, two years later, state lawmakers have recognized that charitable donations should be exempted from the itemized-deduction cap so that nonprofits can rebound to perform crucial services for and within our community. The governor's signature on such a bill is urged.

In 2010, then-Gov. Linda Lingle was right (What?  Did the Star Democrat Advertising Bulletin just say something good about Lingle?) in vetoing a bill that would have capped itemized deductions, calling it a "de facto increase that will adversely hurt certain individuals and businesses at a time when we should be encouraging investment and spending to recharge the economy," and adding that it would damage charities that depend on contributions. But that wasn't enough to stop the legislation in 2011, so the temporary caps are in place until January 2016.

The Hawaii Community Foundation reports that the loss to nonprofits amounts to one-tenth of the $600 million that organizations regularly receive from middle- and high-income donors. Katherine P. Lloyd, the foundation's general counsel and vice president of operations, told legislators in March that "this affects some of our largest gifts, which in turn affects the most vulnerable of Hawaii's people and natural resources."

Hawaii was among only three states — the others are Montana and Michigan ­— that removed tax incentives, according to Lisa Maruyama, president and CEO of the Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations. A study by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University estimated that the effect if all states had cut back on tax breaks similarly would have resulted in a decrease of nearly $3.9 billion in annual giving.

As We Explained:

Similar: SB482: Cutting Red Tape Helps Small Business, Honey

read ... Lift cap to boost charitable giving

Nonprofits competing for dwindling funds

KITV: The city's Department of Community Services is holding a series of mandatory workshops to ensure nonprofit groups who receive taxpayer grants know exactly what's expected of them as well as the paperwork involved.

The most recent workshop was held Monday morning at the Mission Memorial hearing room, and was attended by more than 40 nonprofit representatives. Community Services Deputy Director Gary Nakata presided over a power point presentation that demonstrated the proper way to fill out forms, and what's expected of those who actually receive grants.   

"So, when Mr. Taxpayer walks in we can say right amount, for the right purpose, to the right people," Nakata told the crowded room.

The more stringent application process and standardized forms are the result of a 2010 report by the Honolulu City Auditor that showed some organizations took advantage of the Leeward Coast Community Benefits package by not fulfilling stated goals and objectives. Organizations were also flagged for using money for operational and administrative costs as well as fundraising activities.

read ... Nonprofits competing for dwindling funds

Med Quest Enrollment Reopened Without Waianae HMSA Agreement

SA: The new open enrollment period will run through June 28. Annual plan change letters were mailed between June 10 and Thursday, said Kenny Fink, administrator of the Med-QUEST Division.

The Waianae health center issue is still unresolved, though HMSA and the health center said they hope an agreement can be reached soon. The health center had earlier asked HMSA members to switch to another plan because it had not reached an agreement on a new contract with HMSA.

"We're still in negotiations and we're doing everything we can on behalf of the community to reach agreement," Elisa Yadao, HMSA spokeswoman, said in a statement. "Regardless of what happens, HMSA QUEST members will still be able to go to Wai­anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center with no impact to their level of care."

Background: Med-Quest Enrollment Cancelled After HMSA Starts Losing Customers

read ... No Agreement

Number of solar photovoltaic permits falls on Oahu in May

PBN: For the first time this year, the number of PV permits issued in one month — May — were fewer by more than 200, when comparing the same month in 2012, according to data collected by Marco Mangelsdorf, president of Hilo-based ProVision Solar.

“If this keeps up this month and in the months to come, it may constitute a trend or at least a slowdown from the superheated numbers of 2012,” he told PBN in an email.

The top contractors in sales volume and permits pulled are Utah’s Vivint Solar Inc. and Waipahu’s Hawaii Energy Connection LLC, respectively.

Vivint Solar, which has become one of the bigger Mainland players in the Hawaii market, tallied $19.6 million in sales volume from Jan. to May, and is followed by Hawaii Energy Connection ($19 million), Honolulu’s RevoluSun LLC ($14.4 million), Honolulu’s Alternate Energy Inc. ($13.9 million) and California’s SolarCity Corp.($12.4 million).

In terms of PV permits pulled from January to May, Hawaii Energy Connection leads the pack with 666 permits, followed by Alternate Energy (568 permits), Vivint Solar (514 permits), SolarCity (356 permits) and RevoluSun (325 permits).

read ... Number of solar photovoltaic permits falls on Oahu in May

Ko Olina Using Boot to Restrict Beach Access

HNN: Governor Neil Abercrombie is still weighing the options of banning the use of parking boots. In the meantime the State Office of Consumer Protection continues probing properties that use the boot, this time at a popular resort.

The Ko Olina Resort is being investigated for its use of the parking boot, however the resorts rules are much different from the parking lots that use the boot in Waikiki.

Ko Olina's lagoons are a scenic spot popular with visitors and residents alike. So parking can be a problem.

People online have said they got the boot at Ko Olina when they parked in the shopping center and then walked to the beach. They had to pay $50 to get their car back....

There is a bill on Governor Abercrombie's desk that would ban booting altogether....

"I don't think there are too many bills that are coming under the veto side of things," said Governor Abercrombie.

read ... State investigating Ko Olina's booting practices

City golf course Players Flee as fees rise

KITV: Prepare to pay $2 more for a round of golf at city courses.

The current  $18 and $22 dollar green fees will be raised for the third year in a row.

The city council approved the hikes a few years ago. Besides the green fees, senior passes will jump from $85-$90 a month.

"I think it's outrageous. We are senior citizens. This is the most played golf course. I think the state or the city is making a lot of money off of here," said Homer Kuroda, who played at the popular Ala Wai Golf Course Monday.

The city's figures show that since the fees kicked in, golfers played 11,000 fewer rounds. But revenues went up $400,000. 

read ... City golf course fees to rise

Ban truck-bed riders, officials say

SA: State Sens. Will Espero and Mike Gabbard said they will try again next year for passage of Senate Bill 692, which they introduced, which would prohibit riding in a pickup truck bed except in life-threatening emergencies and in authorized parades. The bill would apply only to Oahu.

State law bans children 12 and younger from riding in a truck bed but allows older people in the back if the cab is full and the sides and tailgate are secured.

read ... Ban truck-bed riders, officials say

Hawaii fishermen say development, not Fishing, is hurting reefs

AP: Carl Jellings, of Waianae, told the committee that fishermen are often told reefs are unhealthy because of overfishing. Fishermen like him are scapegoats, he said.

He argued that what happens on land is one cause of deteriorating reefs. But he says fishermen can't control what happens "up mauka."

"We fight every day so we can continue fishing. It's getting harder and harder because more things are happening in the environment that we're getting blamed for," Jellings said.

The fishermen spoke at the council's Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committee for Hawaii fisheries.

read ... Hawaii fishermen say development is hurting reefs

WSJ: Larry Ellison's Fantasy Island

WSJ: For the first time, Mr. Ellison has publicly detailed his ambitious and costly plans for the 141-square-mile island. They include building an ultraluxury hotel on the pristine, white-sand beach facing Molokai and Maui and returning commercial agriculture to the clear-cut acres. He also plans to endow a sustainability laboratory that will help make the island "the first economically viable 100%-green community." And one of his biggest tasks: winning over the island's small, but wary, local population, one whose economic future is heavily dependent on his decisions.

"We want to make the island better for everyone, especially the people who live there," Mr. Ellison said in a recent interview after returning from Lanai, where he bought a home formerly owned by the comedian George Lopez. "We have the right climate and soil to grow the very best gourmet mangos and pineapples on the planet and export them year-round to Asia and North America. We can grow and export flowers and make perfume the old-fashioned way—directly from the flowers, like they do in Grasse, France. We have an ideal location for a couple of organic wineries on the island. But the reintroduction of commercial agriculture to Lanai is 100% dependent upon increasing the available water on the island. So we're going to use solar energy to convert seawater to fresh water."

He and his team have met with experts in desalination and solar energy to change the way water and electricity are generated, collected, stored and delivered on the island. They are refurbishing residential housing intended for workers (Mr. Ellison's Lanai Resorts owns and manages 400 of the more than 1,500 housing units on the island). They've tackled infrastructure, such as lengthening airport runways and paving county roads. And to improve access to Lanai, Mr. Ellison bought Island Air earlier this year and is closing a deal to buy another airline. He declined to divulge how much these projects are costing him.

HNN: One year after Lanai purchase, governor calls Ellison's efforts 'terrific'

read ... Ellison's Fantasy Island

Maui Council Votes 6-3 to Create Fake Scandal

MN: Maui County Council's Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee advanced a resolution Monday to formally investigate possible misuse of public funds by Mayor Alan Arakawa's administration over the demolition of the Old Wailuku Post Office.

The resolution, introduced by committee Chairman Riki Hokama, called for the committee to perform the investigation. Another resolution introduced earlier by budget committee Chairman Mike White called for the hiring of special counsel to look into the matter.

Even as County Managing Director Keith Regan apologized to the committee for any "misunderstanding" over the demolition of the building and provided a stack of more than 200 documents on the project, the committee voted 6 to 3 in favor of further examination of the matter.

The resolution now will be forwarded to the full council for review July 5.

read ... Election 2014

Kauai Officials Scheme to Give Themselves Pay Hikes

KGI: In its first meeting of 2013, the Kauai Salary Commission got a short message Monday from Boards and Commissions Administrator Paula Morikami: Get ready to discuss potential pay raises for elected and appointed officials.

Morikami said the county Personnel Department will be collecting data from other counties in Hawaii to compare with salaries of Kauai’s top county officials.

“I already kinda gave them the heads up,” she said of the department. “But that really needs a motion today from the commission.”

If the commission ultimately follows the footsteps of Maui County, there could be substantial pay raises proposed for the Kauai County Council, Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and several county department heads, though it would likely be for fiscal year 2015....

Per current Kauai Salary Commission Resolution, Carvalho’s annual salary of $114,490 is scheduled to raise to $122,504 July 1. The last time Kauai’s mayor had a raise was Dec. 1, 2008.

read ... What You Pay Taxes For 

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