Hawaii State Government

...it appears that over 301,000 government record requests were routinely fulfilled by the reporting agencies....

"After the hiring freeze was lifted staff hired still required Budget and Finance Approval and the Governor’s signature for general funded positions. This slowed the process down significantly. Around November or early December of 2011 the DLNR budget analyst left for vacation and all our paper work at Budget and Finance stopped moving...."

Because project documents were not consistently retained or filed...the current state assessment team was unable to complete planned testing procedures....

"Seeing it first hand myself was stunning. That even at the highest levels of enforcement, the Attorney General himself...."

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the appointment of Max Otani as deputy director of corrections with the state Department of Public Safety, effective immediately....

To get ready for the proposed legislation that is coming our way, here are some helpful tips to get involved in the Hawaii legislative process....

A number of tax department employees who were investigated in connection with the security breaches have been “arrested and relieved of their duties,” said state Rep. John Mizuno....

As part of the settlement, HELCO will withdraw its request for a 4.2 percent or $19.8 million rate increase in 2013. HECO and its subsidiaries will also reduce by $40 million the amount being sought for improvements to two major projects....

The NRA will be actively fighting proposed anti-gun measures while keeping you updated on scheduled hearings and any action taken. While each bill has been assigned to a committee, most have not yet been scheduled for hearings.

“So that there is no mistake, or confusion, and our position is clear and apart from both the Executive and Majority Legislative branches...."

We should proceed with cautious optimism and be careful not to overcommit our state’s financial resources during our fragile economic recovery....

The virus of absolutism now infecting the Congress of the United States appears to be seeping into Hawaii....

Repeal Bills:  SB 1; SBs 245, 246; SB 338; SB 425; SB 480; SB 663; SBs 780, 781; SB 866....

...the state Office of Planning is now drafting a resolution for Abercrombie to sign as an executive policy, recognizing that TOD is a priority of state government....

In both percentage and numerical terms, the Hawaii Legislature has fewer Republicans in its ranks than non-communists in communist China’s National People’s Congress....

Effective Feb. 1, 2013, GA payments will be reduced from $319 to $298 per person per month for an estimated 5,537 Hawaii beneficiaries....

Rep Thielen introduced House Bill 9 to repeal the controversial Public Lands Development Corporation....

Thousands of developed U.S. Forest Service recreation areas have utilized this PPP model successfully for more than 25 years....

"If the Legislature cannot achieve this outcome, the possibility of repeal will ensue."

Thank God, this body will once again have daily prayer, because if ever there was a time elected officials should call on a higher authority for guidance, it is now.

I hope, first and foremost, that there will be NO new tax burdens thrust upon our citizens … that we will not automatically open the taxpayers’ pocketbooks to every budget request, every new proposal, every capital improvement project....

Approximately four years ago, the Hawaii State Legislature commissioned Stroudwater Associates to evaluate our Hawaii Health System Safety Net Hospitals....

The Senate preceded the House in this action in 1981 ....

...reforming the local election process, addressing the PLDC , and encouraging greater public input in the legislative process....

"...we must enhance our revenue stream. We must put together a mix of strategies that will generate more state revenues...."

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announces that its January 17, 2013, public meeting in Washington, DC, will be available via webcast....

Here are the leadership assignments....

Join me and fellow Republicans tomorrow, Wednesday, January 16th, to kick off the 27th Hawaii State Legislature Session! 

He currently serves as vice present of The Gospel of the Alpha and Omega International and volunteers for the King’s Cathedral Maui Children’s Ministry....

After 50 years of federal funding, the US Department of Health and Human Services has determined in two separate studies that Head Start is completely ineffectual....

"The Senate Majority will draw upon the recommendations of the Senate Special Committee on Accountability for the improvement of the operational and financial management of the University of Hawai’i"

Eventually, the goal is a statewide early childhood education program for more 4-year-olds....

As part of the campaign, DCCA has launched www.HFIC.Hawaii.gov....

Previously appointed to the House in January 2009 to complete the unexpired term of the late Bob Nakasone.... 

...the Seventeenth Amendment prevents the Hawaii legislature from substantively constraining the Governor’s choices in making a temporary appointment....

As another legislative session is about to be convened, let’s look back at some of their follies over the past few years ....

January 3 - 15, 2013....

"With the support of a majority of the House of Representatives, Speaker-elect Joe Souki has established leading committees ...."

Applicants include Nicanor E. Casumpang, Jr., Loretta Giannotti, Robert George Hill III, Natalie A. Kama, Gilbert Samuel Coloma Keith-Agaran, Clifford R. Libed, and Mary D. Wagner.

...update on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and healthcare transformation in Hawaii....

HIC is to conduct a study on designating safe facilities located at camping areas .... 

The purpose of this briefing is to provide the legislature with an overview of the current projects, the priorities of the divisions; a report on whether the Department of Transportation is using renewable energy and its efficiency; and a departmental 5 year plan....

...this project will provide land acquisition for the last remaining, undeveloped parcel of land contiguous with existing harbor lands....

No public testimony will be accepted....

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING SCHEDULE January 3-18, 2013

Senate Vice President Donna Mercado Kim (Sen. District 14) has been selected as the President of the Senate ....

Plans are underway to establish an additional Office of the Lt. Governor on Maui....

...first joint enforcement action against a nationwide debt-relief services company that illegally charged advance fees for its services....

January 3 - 15, 2013

Friday January 11, 2013 at 1pm