Entries for January 2013

ER visits spiked when the ban went into effect. Relative to other counties, ER admissions increase by at least one fourth, and deaths exhibit a similar increase....

"Launch a national dialogue led by Secretaries Sebelius and Duncan on mental health." 

“As we observe Religious Freedom Day, let us remember the legacy of faith and independence we have inherited, and let us honor it by forever upholding our right to exercise our beliefs free from prejudice or persecution.” -- President Barack Obama

Should the Legislature require the state Public Utilities Commission to approve energy projects that further the state’s renewable energy goals even if it costs consumers more?  -- NO 75%

NFIB is recruiting members to serve on its Hawaii state Leadership Council....

Toxic chemicals managed, treated or released into the environment from facilities operating in Hawaii slightly increased in 2011 when compared to 2010....

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....

...rising cost of petroleum fuels coupled with strict new international air pollution regulations for ships are causing ship owners and operators to look seriously at the use of LNG ....

The wisdom of John Rosemond is something to ponder before initiating costly pre-kindergarten programs....

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

...Obama promised to cut the annual deficit in half in his first term. Instead, his budgets include near-trillion-dollar deficits as far as the eye can see....

Attention Hawaii: Can this 'hybrid model' be trusted with Vote-by-Mail?

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....

According to the data, there were no decreases in emergency admissions or inpatient charges....

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....

...Maui County Office on Aging, will expand ongoing transitions efforts to reduce Medicare hospital readmissions....

Those wishing to hear Aung San Suu Kyi speak in person can purchase a ticket to the Rotary International's Rotary Global Peace Forum dinner where Aung San Suu Kyi will deliver the keynote speech on Saturday, Jan. 26....

Yesterday, President Obama accused his opposition in Congress of threatening to “default” on America’s loans....

The bag tax revenue could very well be exceeded by the expenses caused by additional hospitalizations.

“This ruling will significantly increase costs for all tour operators, travel agents, OTCs, and other travel intermediaries...."

...commentary not only addresses the primary U.S. cabotage statute – i.e., the Jones Act – but also the pernicious effects of cabotage laws in other countries....

"the PUC rarely denies rate increases.” 

What happens when a government program simply does not do what it is supposed to do?

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....

Why? Because transportation infrastructure deployment lags demand by decades....

By some estimates, Jones Act makes goods in Hawaii 33% more expensive than they could be....

L.A. County MTA "spends almost twice as much on rail to carry about one-fourth as many passengers" as its buses do....

The Maui County Democratic Party is following state party guidelines which does (sic) not allow the selected names to be publicly released ....

...repeal of the lesser half percent rate was made as a parry to the recommendation of their consultant that the overall rate imposed on all retail activities be increased to generate more revenues for the state....

Hanabusa admits she never saw the “offensive" Fox news video, then after all the fuss she says Asians ARE ‘hard working and industrious’.... 

...if every union were to get the same raises and benefits, it would cost the state an extra $1.4 billion beyond the budget....

...Candidate filing is open from now through February 22nd for Honolulu Neighborhood Board elections....

ORMP sets its own ”Management Priorities” and right at the top of the list is priority #1....

Overproject. Then claim that burning millions of dollars for nothing is a savings....

Qualified KIUC Members may be nominated no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 1, 2013....

The Drug Policy Action Group interviewed 603 Hawaii voters....

"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"

Interest groups often react too quickly to scientific advancement and discovery, creating a negative public perception that inhibits further research and development....

China set a record with its investments around the world in 2012. And in the United States, China shattered its previous investment record.

In 2013, the tax increases in Obamacare will increasingly conspire against kitchen-table family healthcare decisions....

"Our intent is to work with the DOE to create a successful Educator Effectiveness System that could lend itself to being a model, nationwide.”

We attended today's White House meeting...prepared to have a meaningful conversation about school safety, mental health issues, the marketing of violence to our kids and the collapse of federal prosecutions of violent criminals....

What would happen if voting by mail became compulsory? ... We answer that question in this paper....

"...stop chasing the Holy Grail, get down to business, educate our children. Spend the money on that instead of sending millions of dollars to lobbyists in Washington...."

"Tesoro does not know what potential buyers might ask of state of Hawaii or federal officials."

In case after case, the Moon Court has strained to apply general and often vague goals pursued by select interest groups and factions regardless of statutory law to the contrary....