Environment

The live Talk Story event embraced by the Djou campaign falls within their new media strategy that has enabled them to communicate directly with thousands of voters throughout the district through digital means.  The results of their strategy have resulted in 4008 fans on Facebook, 9 times more than Ed Case and 5 times more than Colleen Hanabusa.   

Duke Aiona captures 43% of Independents against both Democrats, with another quarter of Independents remaining undecided in each race.  Further, though Aiona gains the support of 73% and 76% of Republicans in each match-up, Hannemann can rely on just 63% of Democrats and Abercrombie ticks up to just two thirds of Democrats (67%).

Dennis Gonsalves, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, Hawaii, and professor emeritus of plant pathology at Cornell, detailed to the 63rd annual meeting of the Western Society of Weed Science in Hawaii how Hawaiian agriculture has done what no other ag sector has; win approval to market a genetically modified food crop in the U.S. and Japan.

“With the funding appropriated by the State Legislature, and the HSTA’s willingness to allow children to return to class on six non-instructional days, we have the resources to achieve a comprehensive solution to end teacher furloughs.

“Any comprehensive solution will require the involvement of the Governor, BOE, DOE and HSTA to come together and work out their differences. None of them can solve this issue alone, and all must come together in agreement. We are within reach of ending teacher furlough days, and there’s room for compromise."

Voters are already casting their ballots in the May 1-22 Special Election and the Democrats are still fighting over who should be running.  National Democrats think that all Hanabusa voters would automatically go to Case or vice-versa, but that’s not the way it works.  There are two parties within the one party and a faction which loses by these Chicago-style tactics will not line up to vote for Case in November.  Likewise Case voters will not line up to vote for Inouye’s Hawaii-style union thugs in November and many will cross over.  Either way Charles Djou wins.  Think “1986.”

As part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s comprehensive process of reviewing legislation passed this session by the Legislature, Governor Linda Lingle is encouraging the public to provide input and comments on 250 bills.  A list of these bills may be found here.

The Governor has until July 6 to sign, veto or allow the measures to become law without her signature.

Killed in the House, SB2646 would have designated two Hawaii surfing reserves, comprising surf breaks off Waikiki from Ala Wai to the War Memorial Natatorium and the north shore of Oahu from Alii beach in Haleiwa to Sunset beach.

MYTH: Ed Case said tonight he 'understood' DC and talked about his 'experience' representing Hawaii's other district. Case also attempted to defend his 148 missed votes, stating 148 was not that much.

FACT: Ed Case was rated one of the least effective members of Congress and missed numerous important votes:

“Two members of Congress ranked as some of the least effective – Rep. Ed Case [D-Hawaii] and Sen. Dan Akaka [D-Hawaii] – are battling over who has the worse rating on a national political Web site.” (Richard Borreca, “Case to Akaka, Akaka to Case: You’re ineffective,” Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 08/29/06)

The poll, conducted by the mainland Democrat polling firm Harstad Strategic Research, Inc., and paid for by the Democratic National Committee, shows amongst likely voters Djou actually does better than reported by the Honolulu Advertiser poll yesterday.  Among likely voters, the poll shows:

• Djou - 39%
• Case - 31%
• Hanabusa - 20%

See VIDEO clips from debate...

"Unlike my opponents, I am the only major candidate to live in the first Congressional district. Also unlike my opponents, I am not in this race for political gain; I am in this race to do what is best for the people of Hawaii.”

Last month the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee tried to raise Djou's negatives by arguing that his signature on Americans for Tax Reform's pledge meant he'd honored a "special interest group" to protect tax breaks for evil corporations.  ATR punched back immediately and nonpartisan groups fact-checked the ad, finding it wanting.  (And I'm told that the many D.C. groups that try to get GOP candidates to sign their pledges are on notice to behave the same way when one of those candidates get hit.)

It's a simple story of the conservative base engaging while the Democratic base squabbles or sleeps.

The result of the special election is likely to be interpreted as a national referendum on the state of play in advance of the November midterm elections. But, remember that Democrats -- even if they lose later this month -- are likely to win the seat in the fall due to its strong lean toward their party and the fact that it will be a one on one race rather than a three-way battle….

(Obviously the Washington Post doesn't know what "1986" means.)

Also this weekend, the Honolulu Advertiser released a poll showing that Djou’s message of “lower taxes, limited government and fiscal responsibility is resonating” throughout the district.  Here is just a sampling of recent headlines on the race . . . 

HONOLULU - Students from 37 Hawai‘i schools participated in the Hawai‘i Regional Botball® Tournament this weekend at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. 

(Editor’s note: It’s amazing what they can do when DoE bureaucracy is not involved.)

According to the Fed research, “states with greater economic freedom – defined as the protection of private property and private markets operating with minimal government interference – experienced greater rates of employment growth.”

The last public poll done for this race by a local newspaper was conducted January 8-10th by the Honolulu Star Bulletin.  Since that poll, Djou has increased his ballot share by 19 points, while Case has dropped 9 points and Hanabusa fell 3 points, clearly showing momentum is on the Djou campaign’s side.

According to retired Congressman Neil Abercrombie, long time advocate for gay marriage,  “moral authority” should be the exclusive realm of the gay minority and state legislature.  The general public is of little concern to him and their “religious” views make their opinions illegitimate anyway.

With Charles Djou clearly positioned as the only Congressional candidate opposed to Gay Marriage and Gay Civil Unions, the CD1 Special Election will be voters' first opportunity to register their reaction to the Legislature's vote.  

Last year the legislature, overriding vetoes from Lingle, enacted higher taxes on income, property, and tobacco products. Hawaii pays the highest state income tax rate in the country and have the 5^th highest tax burden among states. To add insult to injury, Harry Reid and Pelosi have piled on with $670 billion in higher taxes in just the past year. If Hawaii Democrats can’t hold off of raising taxes in such an environment, they never will. While ATR is urging the legislature to sustain Lingle’s veto, the legislature’s track record leaves little room for optimism. Fortunately for Hawaii taxpayers, November is fast approaching. If there is any state house in the country that could use a makeover, it’s Hawaii’s.

"If the Legislature wanted to establish the equivalent of same-sex marriage, they should have put it on the ballot for the people to decide."

"Hawaii voters have spoken very clearly in support of traditional marriage.  I am very disappointed that Colleen Hanabusa and the Hawaii State Legislature have clearly and blatantly ignored the will of the people of Hawaii on this issue.  Unlike both Ed Case and Colleen Hanabusa, my two major opponents in this congressional campaign, I will not ignore Hawaii voters and look forward to their judgment in our upcoming special election."

Hawaii GOP Chair Jonah Kaauwai: "The decision to override this veto is a conscious and deliberate choice by Democrats in the legislature to increase the financial burden on Hawai’i’s families.

“As Republicans we believe in fiscal accountability and that government has enough of the people’s hard-earned money.  Democrats have proved that they cannot be trusted by the people of Hawai’i to make the right decisions.  Hawai’i needs principled leadership that will do what is right rather than do what is easy.”

House passes civil unions 31 to 20.  (5:10pm)

HB444 will now go to the Governor for either a signature or a veto.  Governor Lingle has not indicated her position on the bill although Lt Governor Duke Aiona is strongly opposed to HB444.  To override a veto, the House would need 34 votes.

ROLL CALL for HB2421 barrel tax:

4/27/2010	H	Vetoed on 04-25-10 (Gov. Msg. No. 283).
4/28/2010	S	Vetoed on 04-25-10 - Returned from the Governor without approval (Gov. Msg. No. 531).
4/29/2010	H	Veto overridden by 2/3's vote with 42 Ayes; 9 Noes Representative(s) Brower, Ching, Finnegan, Har, Marumoto, Nishimoto, Pine, Wakai, Ward; and 0 Excused none.
4/29/2010	S	Veto overridden - 2/3's vote: Ayes, 19; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Espero . Noes, 6 (Senator(s) Baker, Fukunaga, Green, Hemmings, Ige, Slom). Excused, 0 (none).

I told Leon he was being extremely rude and that I'm a senior citizen whose tax dollars pay his salary.  Leon was in a state of rage and acting outrageously!  I felt very much at risk physically so I left and literally ran back to Room 441 where I just came from and where I felt I could be safe.  Leon followed quickly on my heels and entered that office with me.  I was yelling for help and he was yelling the Sergeant-At-Arms was on his way.  The whole scene was positively bizarre!  When Kevin came in, I was shaking and in a very frightened state due to the actions of Ms. Cabanilla's aide.  Kevin asked him to please leave and he proceeded to speak with me and told me no one is going to make you leave the building.  We went outside and continued our discussion in the hall.  A female staffer from Room 441 brought me a bottle of water after asking me if I needed it.

By targeting the Hawaii assets of foreign citizens as subject to seizure to satisfy the Death Tax, the State’s land grab takes on whole new dimensions.  How many residents of Japan, Canada, or other countries—owning Hawaii property--are aware of the details of American Estate law?  Probably not very many.  But starting this week, if the Governor’s veto is overridden, their assets could be subject to seizure to satisfy a 55% death tax.  Properties or businesses worth more than $3.5 million would be taxed.

State law (Chapter 90, Hawaii Revised Statues) allows individuals and organizations to volunteer their time and talents to help the public.   Many dedicated DOE employees already volunteer their time to help out before and after school and with many school-related activities outside of their normal teaching assignments.  These individuals give generously of their time and talents and we are thankful that they do so. 

While federal labor laws place limits on some hourly public workers that limit their ability to volunteer for work they perform in their normal paid capacity, the Department of Education could easily identify these individuals and process appropriate compensation for the additional hours they give back to allow children to return to the classroom.

Decisions can be made at each school to return on certain furlough days.

"All of modern thought," he adds, "can be reduced to mechanical denunciations of the West, emphasizing the latter's hypocrisy, violence, and abomination."

He exaggerates, but not by much....

TAKE ACTION NOW!  CALL, E-MAIL and VISIT THE OFFICES OF THE HOUSE MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. ASK OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.  Starting Monday, April 26, gather at the Capitol BY 11:30 AM to sit in on the House Sessions in the Gallery.

The Obama Department of Justice has concluded its inquiry into anti-trust issues related to the purchase of the Honolulu Advertiser by owners of the Star-Bulletin.  The inquiry, which had been demanded April 20 by Senator Dan Inouye in a letter sent to the DoJ anti-trust division, found no reason for justice to block the sale.  Inouye had supported Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama in the 2008 Hawaii Democrat caucuses.

Interestingly, Inouye’s demand came immediately after the Advertiser’s April 18 endorsement of Inouye nemesis Ed Case, facing off in the May 1-22 Congressional Special Election against Republican Charles Djou and Inouye's favorite, Senate President Colleen Hanabusa.  Ed Case’s uncle, Grove Farm corporate attorney Dan H. Case, is among the Star-Bulletin minority owners participating in the takeover of the Advertiser. 

“I support the creation of local jobs for local residents,” Governor Linda Lingle said in message to legislators detailing her objections to the bill and her reasons for vetoing it.  “However, this measure does not create jobs because it does not incentivize any new economic activity.”

Numerous contractors and construction industry representatives oppose this measure, including the General Contractors Association, which represents 570 general contractors, subcontractors and construction-related firms.  Others opposing the bill include the Hawai‘i Developers Council, Building Industry Association, Associated Builders and Contractors – Hawai‘i Chapter, Project Plus and Royal Contracting Co.

“I am persuaded by the objections of these organizations and contracting companies because they are the job creators,” Governor Lingle explained.

The House Republicans will be voting in favor of taking money from the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund when the bill comes to the House floor for a vote (SB2124). Throughout the session the Republicans suggested the bill be amended to borrow from the fund instead of raiding it. Earlier this month the House Republicans released their version of the budget.

"The House Republican's balanced budget and six year financial plan borrows funds from the Hurricane Relief Fund and pays it back in future years. That would be the responsible thing to do," stated Minority Leader Lynn Finnegan.

The conflict of interest of Hawaii print media is obvious.  Dan H. Case, the uncle of Democratic candidate Ed Case, is a minority owner of the Star-Bulletin and is now part of the group of investors buying the Advertiser. 

So, for the benefit of news-starved Hawaii readers, we at Hawai’i Free Press have assembled dozens of articles—including a few about the Hawaii gubernatorial race--from national media of all political persuasions for your reading pleasure. 

Even SoS/HEM have praised the governor’s plan.  And interestingly, there is not a peep from Sup’t Matyoshi....Notably, this comes immediately after the Leg voted to mandate a 180 day minimum DoE schedule--a move designed to break the ability of the HSTA/BoE/DoE to employ the "Washington Monument gambit" by shortening school schedules to extort money.

BoE Chair Toguchi and the HSTA may be left out in the cold--demanding that teachers and principals quit working.   Teachers, principals, Matayoshi and the DoE upper echelons, and even SoS/HEM have abandoned them.

Ed Case said: "I’ve never ruled out the Senate.  If there is that opportunity, I’m not going to sit here at the end of 2009 and say I’m not going to be a candidate.”

"The rhetoric has certainly ratcheted up," said Neal Milner, a University of Hawaii political scientist. He added, "the stakes are very high, higher than for a usual special election, because the national Democrats are petrified that a Republican will win this seat in (President Barack) Obama's home territory."

"Djou benefits from the latter and I think that is quite possible," Milner added. "The DCCC must be going nuts."

A highly funded, Washington, DC lobby organization, Food and Water Watch (FWW), is mounting a frontal attack on Hawaii State policy that supports open ocean mariculture. They have rallied a motley crew of rag tag environmental groups, and paid many of them to attack a growing sector of our economy that is on the verge of showing the world a way to produce seafood that is environmentally responsible.

Abercrombie's entire scheme hinges on a single line buried in paragraph 24: "Working collaboratively with public sector unions will result in contracts that serve our students first."

The House Republican Caucus today added $8.8 million for food and energy security initiatives to their budget proposal, which balances the state budget without raising taxes.

Cutting funding for the Office of Aerospace, however, could jeopardize the entire project.  In addition to millions of dollars of potential revenue lost, the cuts are seen as an embarrassment in the eyes of the federal government.  Although Hawaii has historically promoted the aerospace industry in the Islands, the recent budget cuts are sending a different message.

Some liberals in Congress want to pay for their massive new spending with a value-added tax, a sort of national sales tax on the price of goods at each stage of production. While popular in Europe, such a tax is a bad idea for the United States. And a significant number of lawmakers and even White House officials seem to agree.

Last week, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) led a brigade of 85 Senators in a vote denouncing a VAT in America. McCain's non-binding sense of the Senate resolution accurately stated that a VAT would "cripple families on fixed income and only further push back America's economic recovery."

Upon Governor Lingle's request, President George Bush sent White House Council on the Environment James Connaughton to Hawaii to travel with a Hawaii delegation, which I was privileged to be part of, to Midway Island. Being appropriately impressed, James Connaughton went back to the White House and worked on the preservation status. Jean-Michel Cousteau accompanied us on the trip and produced Voyage to Kure, a documentary.

I was privileged to go, along with the Governor and my wife, to the White House for a small dinner at which time this documentary was aired. In a conversation after dinner, I distinctly remember the President of the United States looking at James Connaughton and saying "let's get it done", referring to the marine reserve.

Within months we were once again in the White House for a huge ceremony in which First Lady Laura Bush announced the President's signing of a Declaration of Memorial Status for the northwest archipelago.

Back in the 70s, President Barack Obama's Director for Science and Technology Policy John Holdren even came up with a formula to measure capitalism's evil impact on the environment: I=PAT, which means that environmental impact is equal to population multiplied by affluence multiplied by technology. Thus according to the left, protecting the planet requires fewer people, less wealth and simpler technology. But this is just flat wrong. In fact, studies clearly show that important indicators of environmental quality actually improve as incomes and levels of consumption go up.

Honolulu - Charles K. Djou, Republican candidate for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District, questioned Senate President Colleen Hanabusa on Earth Day on her claims that she will hold Wall Street accountable given the Legislature’s failure to pass a proposal to use state bonds to finance loans for homeowners to install rooftop solar panels, solar hot water heaters and energy-efficient appliances.  The measure passed both chambers and had community support, but last-minute opposition from the Mortgage Bankers Association of Hawaii contributed to the failure of the measure.

VIDEO: Honolulu Special Election Congressional candidate Charles Djou appearing on the Sean Hannity show Wednesday April 21.

MYTH: It also mentions, “Djou supported cutting thousands of teachers, increasing class sizes across the state.”

FACT: This claim is FALSE. Charles Djou supports keeping teachers’ jobs and smaller class sizes. The DCCC does not show any evidence to substantiate this claim. In fact, according to Djou’s campaign website, “We need a reformed education system that puts children first. … Principals in turn must have the resources they need, including adequate funding and the ability to remove underperforming teachers. The cost of the Educational bureaucracies must be reduced to insure that education dollars are spent in the classroom and teachers have the tools they need to educate our children, including continuing teacher education and training. That’s how good school systems work. We cannot continue to limit our children’s potential in school systems that don’t teach.”

Even if stimulus had increased the DoE budget, it is dishonest to pick out a solitary provision of a $800B spending bill and declare that to be what Djou “opposed.”

By the same logic, if Charles Djou stopped Pueo Trucking from dumping a stinking heap of garbage--with a two dollar bill hidden in the pile--on the front yard of an elementary school, the DCCC headline would be “Djou blocks Hanabusa from donating money to school.”

In 2004, Case did not support a bill that would have lowered the total taxes paid by middle-class families with children and military personnel with children.  He voted against extending a $1,000 per child tax credit given to families with children and against allowing military personnel to include combat pay in their gross earning in order to calculate eligibility for the child tax credit. (House Roll Call 209, 05/20/04)

Another blast from the same DCCC which produced the “False” attack ad upon which this ad seeks to build.  Now the DCCC is attacking Djou over Obama's stimulus program--but they don't mention "stimulus' even once in the commercial, instead we are to believe it was all about saving teachers' jobs.