Entries for the 'Hawaii State Politics' Category

Hawaii can’t figure out how to kick drug addicted homeless people out of the parks and sidewalks in order to force them into shelters where they can get help, but apparently induced sterilization is now an option.  Today’s SB Editorial, “Voluntary (sic) sterilization can serve good purpose”, reveals that an eugenics group has been quietly working in Honolulu.... 

State House and State Senate members from across the islands are meeting at the State Capitol right now. The majority of these 76 elected officials are seriously considering increasing our already high cost of living in Hawaii by approving massive tax increases which will make everything you need to buy even more expensive.

Why? Because they refuse to tighten their belts like the rest of us.

The timetable for rail to continues to move into the future and there is much uncertainty that now appears unlikely to be resolved before Mayor Hannemann has to resign if he wants to run for Governor. If Mayor Hannemann resigns as Mayor to run for Governor while the future of rail hangs in the balance, the rail project will be put at risk. 

Within the last two-years, over 200 cities and 14 counties in California have banned or passed a moratorium on pot shops.  And now the dopey Hawaii Legislature wants to follow California's failed experiment.

Ed Whelan, a one-time clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia and now president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, echoed those concerns.

“Liu believes that judges have the authority to impose their views … using clever verbal camouflage to disguise what they’re doing.”

State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA): This is the agency responsible for the Certificate of Need program, and in years past, we have advocated for its demise, the program and the agency. 14 states have repealed this outdated program, and more are debating its demise. Because of our health care market, I would believe that private entities would apply just as much scrutiny, if not more, when it comes to the purchase of new medical technologies and equipment.

Eliminating SHPDA would save the state approximately $670,741 in FY 2011, and every year beyond.

Government in different levels of various communities have put restrictions on what type of toilets we can buy, which showerheads, light bulbs, windows, laundry detergents, plastic bags, vending machines with sodas or candy, meals prepared using trans-fats, what kind and amount of toilet paper, smoking inside your own home or car, punitive taxes on designated foods such as hamburgers and  French fries and sodas, the display of the American flag…the list is endless and getting worse.

This is happening at every level of government, including our local level.

 Lorraine C. Miller

According to the Associated Press: “Shimizu testified in writing that Hawaii will be represented in the U.S. House by Rep. Mazie Hirono in the 2nd District while Abercrombie's seat is vacant.”

This is not accurate.  Hawaii’s First Congressional District is being represented by Fort Worth, Texas native Lorraine C Miller.

Headed by Maryland investor James Hawkins, Ko`olau Loa seeks $500 million in investment and projects $623 million in profits.  The development is planned for the Kahuku area of Oahu's North Shore.

HONOLULU – For the first time in 10 years, all 5,245 public housing units managed by the State of Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority (HPHA) have passed the rigorous physical inspection standards established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 

There is a simple reason for Hawaii’s one-party system: Hawaii labor unions have a highly organized get-out-the-vote (GOTV) effort directed at ensuring their 141,000 members vote. This presents an obstacle to any candidate challenging the existing cozy labor-management elite which runs Hawaii.

In the absence of a ban on union dues being used for political activity, the only way to counterbalance the bloc of union voters is to create a second bloc of voters. Only Hawaii church-goers are large enough to become this second block.

PRECISELY AS PREDICTED:  In order to shield themselves from the accountability that comes wth RTTT, the HSTA, DoE, and BoE have successfully sabotaged Hawaii's application for RTTT funds.  Their methods: Furloughs, and the continuing cap on start-up charter schools. 

Representative Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley) pointed out 15 "Job Killer" bills in debate on the House Floor yesterday. The taxes and fees will draw up to $500 million from Hawaii's economy and potentially force more layoffs. At $30,000 per employee, $500 million removed from the economy is over 16,000 jobs.

Neil Abercrombie has finally stepped up to do something great for the American people—he resigned.  Rep. Mazie Hirono has pledged not to support the Senate version of Obamacare because it is not socialist enough for her taste.  So with your help, Hirono can stand strong in her rejection of Senate Obamacare (which is a huge giveaway to insurance companies) and Hawaii will produce a double win for freedom, justice and the American Way.

Two years ago, 37,000 people showed up to vote in the Democratic caucuses....  This year, if the House District 2 and 3 attendance is reflective of the whole, fewer than 2,000 people will have shown up Statewide.

It takes skill to drive away that many people, and the old-boy faction of Hawaii Democrats definitely has that kind of skill.  They don’t want idealistic liberal types interfering with their power games.

A permit allows a privilege conveyed to individuals or agencies to perform an activity not normally available to the general public.  A permit carries a responsibility to uphold high standards that will benefit society and protect our environment. To exempt a single State agency, in this case the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, from this obligation is inappropriate and conveys to them disproportionate powers without adequate public accountability.

Pearl Imada Iboshi, the current Deputy Director for the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, was presented as an example of the kind of people that would be prohibited from returning to a civil service position for one year. She was appointed by Gov. Linda Lingle. But as soon as Lingle's term is over, Iboshi will automatically lose her position.

Imada served as the state's chief economist since 1995 and has been a member of the Council on Revenues since 1997. Her highest level of education is a doctorate in economics from the University of Hawaii. Ward described her as an archive of information.

"Because of HB 1868, she won't be able to return to be the state's chief economist when Lingle's term is over," Ward said. "For a year, we're all going to lose her institutional knowledge and expertise. And it'll all be because of a silly, partisan rule that goes against logic and the best interests of the public."

Concerned about continued liberal anguish over Neil Abercrombie’s abandonment of Obamacare, today’s Honolulu Advertiser instructs its readers not to discuss Neil Abercrombie’s “arrogance”, his “bad planning” or his “putting his own ambitions ahead of his constituents.”

While still fixated on race, national commentators are getting a little closer to understanding that the Akaka Bill will create a tribe which has nothing to do with representing Native Hawaiians.  Here are the latest examples of the conflicting description of the Akaka Bill as “race based” and the realization that because it has no blood quantum, the Akaka Tribe—or is it the Abercrombie Tribe--will exclude the vast majority of Native Hawaiians while admitting non-Hawaiians who just happen to be property developers.

After protests by veterans and exposure of the false vote counting, Cabanilla was forced to change her position.  On February 24 the bill passed the House Housing Committee and today was approved by the full House.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Rep Cabanilla’s office manager Leon Rouse is a convicted child molester and leading gay marriage advocate.

The DoE is paying millions of dollars to contractors for software when equal or superior alternatives are available elsewhere at lower cost--often free of charge. This wasteful spending is the direct result of the cozy, revolving door relationship between the contractors and the DoE officials who direct business their way.

According to his campaign website, Ed Case "understands what excessive taxes and unnecessary regulation can do to our economic engine especially in tough times.”  But his voting record from 49 months in Congress shows that Ed Case voted 72 times for higher taxes or fees—on average one vote every 21 days. Case claims to be an independent "Blue Dog" Democrat, but most of the 72 votes were cast in lockstep with Rep. Nancy Pelosi's “progressive”-controlled House Democratic Caucus.

In an effort to dispel concerns that the creation of a race-based tribe violates the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause, Mr. Abercrombie added a six-page list of membership criteria that could include non-Hawaiian state residents. But the provision contains a self-destruct clause—as soon as the tribe is officially recognized, it can extend and deny membership based on any criteria it sees fit.

Big Island elected officials arriving to meet with Army representatives at Pohakuloa Training Area got a eye-opening surprise Wednesday morning  In addition to the usual gaggle of anti-Semites and 9-11 trooothers protesting against the military, they were greeted at the front gate by a dozen Big Island residents rallying to support the troops.

With EPOD, in-person interviews would no longer be required, and customers could submit applications online or by phoning a new DHS call center. Customers could still fax or mail applications, if they prefer, and receive in-person help at community social service agencies, health facilities and remaining DHS offices across the Islands.

Before long, the demand for in-person contact with DHS would diminish significantly as residents realize they can receive benefits faster and without spending time in offices.

Other EPOD advantages include:

• Reducing the complexity of work and risk of error or fraud;
• Creating a highly efficient “production” type atmosphere;
• Equalizing workloads among eligibility staff; and
• Eliminating the “silo” approach that interferes with efficient teamwork to get the job done.

Encyclopedia Britannica defines corporatism as:  "The theory and practice of organizing society into 'corporations' subordinate to the state. According to corporatist theory, workers and employers would be organized into industrial and professional corporations serving as organs of political representation and controlling to a large extent the persons and activities within their jurisdiction."

A hearing (Hearing Notice) before the Senate Ways and Means Committee and Labor Committee has been scheduled on HB 2169 HD2, the Unemployment Insurance Tax bill, for this Friday, February 26, at 10:00 a.m. at the State Capitol in Room 211. This is the last hearing on the bill and the final chance for you to submit testimony.

Honolulu, Hawaii. The House Committee on Finance this evening advanced major tax and revenue generation bills that propose to raise needed revenue for the state and to help balance the state budget as required by law.  The committee deferred bills that propose to raise the General Excise Tax and to raise income tax for higher-income individual taxpayers.

First Congressional District candidate Colleen Hanabusa praised the U.S. House of Representatives today for approving H.R. 2314, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009.

Also Abercrombie floor speech, news release and media roundup of coverage on Akaka bill.

The election will be mail-in with a proposed ballot deadline of Saturday, May 22, 2010.  This tentative date is included in bid sheets issued or voting equipment by the Hawaii Office of Elections. 

Democratic candidate for governor of Hawaii Neil Abercrombie told KITV-TV that Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann is personally calling business owners to warn them against contributing money to Abercrombie’s campaign.

There’s nothing more troubling about the House voting on a fundamentally rewritten bill than the position made public by the Governor of Hawaii.  Something is very wrong when that Governor, a longtime vocal advocate of Native Hawaiian recognition, feels compelled to issue a statement last night, that she can’t support the rewritten bill.

Fifty-one years ago, 94.3 percent of Hawaiian residents voted to join the United States of America, surely this Congress owes the citizens of the State of Hawaii the ability to cast their vote on whether or not to create a new race-based governing body within their own state.  Hawaii voted to join the union as one unified state, if Congress is going to divide them, then the people of the State of Hawaii deserve to have their say.

"The House vote this evening is deeply disappointing.  We should stand together in opposition to racially divisive and discriminatory laws like this. The Native Hawaiian bill is unconstitutional and violates the national unity of E Pluribus Unum.  I will use all the tools available in the Senate to ensure that this bill does not become law."

Akaka Bill passes House (again).  Passage in Senate is doubtful as several GOP Senators have placed "holds" on bill or have pledged to do so.

• New, Undefined Sovereign Powers
• Immunity from lawsuits
• New Membership Criteria
• Lack of Definitions

Once Washington formally recognized the fledgling Native Hawaiian governing entity, that entity would have . . .

 “inherent power and authority to determine its own membership criteria, to determine its own membership, and to grant, deny, revoke, or qualify membership without regard to whether any person was or was not deemed to be a qualified Native Hawaiian constituent under this Act” (emphasis added)

“The HSTA’s latest action proves once again that the union leaders care more about money than educating Hawai‘i’s children.  Instead of accepting the generous offer of $50 million I proposed last November that will allow the immediate return of children and teachers to the classroom, the HSTA is spending their time on frivolous complaints."

A hearing for House Bill 2311, The Flag Bill, has been scheduled for this Wednesday, February 24 at 9:10 a.m.  

Should the Native Hawaiian governing entity unlawfully establish a casino despite Section 10(a) of the rewritten bill, then Section 9(c)(3)(H) of the rewritten bill could prevent the State of Hawaii from going to court to shut-down the illegal gaming operation....

This potential loophole is not an invented fantasy.  Over the years, there have been Indian casinos operating without state-approved compacts and in violation of state law.  If Congress passes the rewritten bill with this loophole, then the only authority that the State of Hawaii and its citizens could have to rely on to stop the illegal operation would be the federal government, which has been lax in acting on such matters.

The bill to establish a gaming commission to oversee casino gaming is moving this legislative session. If passed, the bill (HB 2251 HD1) would allow the gaming commission to issue one 5-year license to a casino gaming operation in a county with a population of more than 500,000. The bill also creates a wagering tax on casino gaming. (HB2251 HD1 - click to read bill). 

Well, I’m certainly pro-transit. I think a rail system in some configuration would be good for us; but I want to make certain we can afford it over the long-term.

I wanted to be able to look him in the eye and say, “Look, this is not politics. This is the most expensive transit project in the history of America.  Per-capita there is no system that has cost this much in such a small population base as Hawai‘i and people need to realize that. 

When I said that to him, he did not respond back or challenge that fact; and it is a fact.

“The basic problem as I see it, is that in the current version of the bill, the ‘governmental’ (non-commercial) activities of the Native Hawaiian governing entity, its employees, and its officers, will be almost completely free from State and County regulation, including free from those laws and rules that protect the health and safety of Hawai‘i's people, and protect the environment. ’Governmental’ activity is a broad undefined term that can encompass almost any non-commercial activity.

“This structure will, in my opinion, promote divisiveness and litigation, rather than negotiation and resolution. 

“I do not believe such a structure, of two completely different sets of rules – one for ‘governmental’ activities of the Native Hawaiian governing entity and its officers and employees, and one for everyone else – makes sense for Hawai‘i. 

“In addition, under the current bill, the Native Hawaiian governing entity has almost complete sovereign immunity from lawsuits, including from ordinary tort and contract lawsuits, and I do not believe this makes sense for the people of Hawai‘i.

By a voice vote, the House Rules Committee today authorized Rep Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) to introduce a “substitute amendment” which replaces the old version of the Akaka Bill (HR2314) passed in December by the House Committee on Natural Resources.  As a result of today’s vote, Abercrombie’s new version of the Akaka Bill will go directly to the floor of the House.

The Court held that the Congress cannot create an Indian tribe where one does not exist, but can rather, only recognize groups who have long operated as a tribe with a preexisting political structure . . .

Even though the House Rules Committee will take up this bill tonight at 5 pm and the full House may vote on the bill as soon as tomorrow, Natural Resources Committee Republicans are believed to be the only entity providing the public with the new legislative language as it is currently unavailable on the majority’s House Rules Committee website and Natural Resources Committee website.

“Bennett said the state's concerns about the Obama administration's language have been addressed by the parties.  However, he said, the state still has strong objections to clauses in the new draft that could give immunity from state law to the entity, its employees and officers while they are conducting government activity.”

“I let the Secretary know that we would be doing a separate, independent financial analysis of the plan for the rail, and I suggested to him that we take our financial analysis and the one that they will have done – that the government requires at the federal level – and share that information so we’re all working from the same set of numbers. They agreed that it’s important for the public to have really one set of numbers that they’re looking at. So when people want to judge whether it can be afforded over the long term or not, at least we're talking about the same numbers. I think that was very, very important today,” the Governor said.

(No mention of Monday's Akaka Bill hearing in this news release.  A sign of gubernatorial displeasure with the latest version?)

“In a majority of disenrollment cases, however, some tribal officials are, without any concern for human rights, tribal traditions or due process, arbitrarily and capriciously disenrolling tribal members as a means to solidify their own economic and political bases and to winnow out opposition families who disapprove of the direction the tribal leadership is headed.”  -- David E. Wilkins, Lumbee, professor of American Indian studies at the University of Minnesota

Contrary to popular opinion, Indian reservations have a history in Hawaii. An Oct. 12, 1999, article in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin describes the efforts of Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate (KSBE) trustees in 1995 to evade oversight of their corrupt doings. The Trustees’ self-serving investments caused losses of $264,090,257 in 1994 alone. To avoid scrutiny, they considered moving KSBE corporate headquarters out of Hawaii to the windswept plains of the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian reservation in South Dakota.

With the discovery of oil the U.S. government became intensely interested in settling the land claims. In 1971, in a special convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives Association five hundred and eleven (511) delegates approved the final draft of a Congressional legislative settlement. Fifty-six (56) delegates voted against the settlement. (Delegates from the North Slope made up a disproportionate number of those opposed.) It is also worth noting that President Nixon, even before the vote of the Alaska Federation of Natives, had already signed the legislation into law.

The legitimacy of the vote, with five hundred and sixty seven delegates representing all Native peoples, was questioned at the time and is still. There were no village meetings; the vote was never ratified or debated by Alaska Native communities or individuals. The discovery of oil had moved the resolution of land claims to 'fast forward'. Many would say that the political process was hijacked.

(L-R): Abercrombie, Broken Trust, Sandwich Isles/OHA (From Broken Trust, pg 202)

On one hand, Section 4(a)(4) of the Senate Akaka Bill states: "Native Hawaiians have an inherent right to autonomy in their internal affairs (and) and inherent right of self-determination and self-governance (and) the right to reorganize a Native Hawaiian governing entity...."

But Section 8(a) recognizes only: "The right of the qualified Native Hawaiian constituents to reorganize the single Native Hawaiian governing entity...."

Who are allowed to become "Qualified Native Hawaiian Constituents" will be determined by a "commission" of nine members.  There are exactly nine OHA Trustees.

Rep Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) is preparing to introduce a third version of the Akaka Bill in the US House to replace the existing text of HR 2314.  And, according to one source, staffers in the office of Senator Dan Akaka (D-HI) are writing an amended version of S1011 to introduce in the Senate in place of the bill passed by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

On Monday February 22 at 5PM EST (12 Noon HST) the House Rules Committee will consider allowing Abercrombie to amend the old version of the Akaka Bill with the latest new version.

Three votes were not counted by the Chief Clerk- Representatives Tom Brower, Marilyn Lee, and Maile Shimabukuro.

Had these three votes been accurately counted and made inclusive with the fourteen votes that were counted, the total would have been seventeen votes.

Seventeen votes in the affirmative is what was needed to recall HB2311 from committee.

See the hands raised in the video . . .

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After House and Senate Committees approved two different versions of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 (Akaka bill) last December, House Democrats have now released another rewritten version of this bill.  The House is expected to vote on the latest altered text next week.

Abercrombie admits the “15,000 jobs” created by stimulus in Hawaii claim comes from “a template going out all across the country” and explains:  "This kind of stuff is dysfunctional.  It further demoralizes the population.  It makes people sick of politicians.”   (Then why’d you vote for it Neil?)

HONOLULU, HAWAII - The state House of Representatives today passed on third reading a bill that would set new employer contribution rates for unemployment insurance. Unless legislation is passed, the rates will soar in the coming year due to the poor economy and high unemployment negatively impacting Hawaii’s businesses.

17 votes were needed. 

As of fiscal year 2007, Hawaii—like 19 other states—had failed to sock away any assets to cover this long-term bill coming due. Relative to the size of its payroll and population, it has one of the greatest burdens—$10.8 billion—of any state in the country.

“Once again the Democrat majority is writing bills behind closed doors without any contribution or consideration from the minority.  When the Native Hawaiian bill passed out of the Natural Resources Committee in December, it was clear there was more work to be done before the bill was brought before the full House and I asked that everyone have the opportunity to thoroughly review and comment on any changes—obviously that request hasn’t been met when the House is expected to be voting in a few days and we don’t even have a copy of the rewritten bill."

During Thursday's legislative session, February 16, H.B. 2311 will be recalled to the House Floor. The move will require 17 votes to recall it to the House Floor and 26 votes to keep it alive.  

"We are asking all veterans and patriots to call their state representatives and join us on Thursday at the State Capitol to show their support for this important legislation."  Rep. Pine stated.

Similar homeowner's association rules that hinder flag displays are being challenged across the country.  In 2009, one Virginia association gained nationwide attention when it ordered Army Col. Van T. Barfoot, a 90-year-old recipient of the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor, to remove the flagpole from his home.

  ‘LAVA DOGS’, the 1st Battalion 3rd MARINES, and other forces deployed into Helmand Prov. AFG.  Lava Dogs are from Marine Corps Base, Hawaii and trained for Afghan combat at Pohakuloa last July. 

Video of Ed Case speaking to Big Island GLBT group.

Quietly, with no media notice, a joint meeting of two House Committees met February 3 to consider HB 2241, confiscating "unencumbered" Ceded Lands from native Hawaiians and other beneficiaries and transferring them in advance to any Akaka Tribe created by Congress.

Wiwo...wiwo...wiwo.  

The sound floats on the winds of Ka Lae, this southernmost tip of Hawaii's Big Island, where Polynesian colonists first landed some 1,500 years ago.

Some say that Ka Lae is haunted -- and it is. But it's haunted not by Hawaii's legendary night marchers. The mysterious sounds are "Na leo o Kamaoa"-- the disembodied voices of 37 skeletal wind turbines abandoned to rust on the hundred-acre site of the former Kamaoa Wind Farm.

Malulani Foundation offers solutions to the very serious problems faced by HHSC and MMMC. Our community can start fresh, with a new hospital and a new vision for healthcare on Maui.

Dr. Ron Kwon started the process for the original Malulani Group to bring a new hospital to Maui and was not successful. Dr. Kwon was very disappointed, left the island and is now affiliated with a major hospital in Boston.

The goal of Malulani Foundation is to bring a private, full service, state of art, 450 bed teaching hospital to Maui which will provide further needed diversity for economy to Maui and a source of jobs for our Maui people.

Laupahoehoe has voted to convert Laupahoehoe High and Elementary School (LHES) to a public charter school. League of Women Voters’ past president Sue Irvine and volunteers Margaret Drake, Marianna Scheffer were kept busy all day collecting secret ballots from parents and staff of LHES. One hundred forty five out of 180 voters cast their ballots in favor of charter conversion.  Only 35 opposed.

Challenged to stay in the US House in order to provide President Barack Obama with the deciding vote in favor of any Obamacare compromise, Neil Abercrombie has refused.  Naturally, the drama—which could be very damaging to Abercrombie’s standing among Hawaii Democrats—has played out with only the barest notice in Hawaii media.

Case in 2006 earned the hatred of Hawaii Democrats by implying that Senator Dan Akaka was feeble-minded, ineffectual, and too liberal.  In a repeat performance, on December 18 he told The Hill that Senate President Colleen Hanabusa "has no clue."  Now he cries to his friends at KITV: 

"People have to turn the campaign negative against you in order to advance.  They are going to try to tear you down.  I am not looking forward to that.”

Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service and Fitch Ratings affirmed the State’s bond ratings of Aa2, AA and AA, respectively.  Standard and Poor’s Ratings Service cited one of the State’s credit strengths as, “the governor’s willingness to implement aggressive solutions to balance the fiscal 2010-2011 biennial budget given lower general fund tax revenue forecasts.”

(Good thing these got sold before S&P finds out about the Legislature.)

We share the goal of the Rise Above Plastics coalition to make Hawaii a litter free place.  However, we believe efforts to promote recycling and educate people about litter prevention are much more effective means to reduce waste and protect our environment.  No litter, including plastic, belongs in the ocean.  Plastics belong in the recycling bin—not targeted for bans or taxes.  Protecting our shore lines and eliminating ocean litter has no geographic or political boundaries, so solutions must involve international partnerships and be global in scope.  We can do our part by enforcing litter laws, encouraging and promoting recycling programs and remembering to reuse our own shopping bags regardless of their material type.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today nominated Lisa M. Ginoza to serve as an associate judge on the Intermediate Court of Appeals and Robert Mark Browning as a Circuit Court judge of the First Circuit (O‘ahu).  Their appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

Gutfeld told Djou at one point: "Dude, I think you're going to win."

Because Hawaiians have no statewide initiative or referendum rights, the Aloha State earned a “D” on our recently released state-by-state report card on initiative and referendum rights. We like to think that the state’s poor performance will prompt action to give the people more of a voice in government by creating an open and accessible initiative process. Unfortunately, at least one talking head in the state doesn’t want the people to have a greater say in their state government.

Budget Director Georgina Kawamura, who submitted testimony stated that limiting the authority of the Governor and Executive Branch could adversely impact the State’s bond rating. The Governor’s authority to reduce expenditures has been cited by all three bond rating agencies as one of the State’s credit strengths and a determining factor in maintaining Hawai‘i’s favorable bond ratings. 

Your beloved editor urges all Hawaii residents to send comments to the Army asking that they give due consideration to the possibility of stationing three JHSVs at Nawiliwili Harbor instead of Pearl—or better yet, put all 12 there.  Kahului could also be considered as a back up. 

State Representative, Rida Cabanilla, 42^nd (Ewa, Waipahu), deferred a bill that would have allowed veterans and community members to commemorate loved ones by displaying  American or state flags on  their homes. 

House Bill 2311 was introduced by State Rep. Kymberly Pine, 43^rd (Ewa Beach, Pu`uloa, Iroquois Point), in response to concerns from Iraq veteran and Retired MSgt, Harold Alejandro.  He faced barriers in the homeowner's association rules when he tried to install a flagpole for an American flag display on his home. 

“We are deeply saddened that this bill did not pass, it would have allowed this humble veteran a small gesture to keeping the memory and sacrifice alive of two fallen heroes whom I had the privilege to serve alongside," explained Alejandro.

Charles Djou has proven leadership abilities during his service in the Hawaii State House, the Honolulu City Council, and as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. The three biggest industries in the First District are tourism, defense and construction and Djou has experience in all three – serves Waikiki (tourism center) in the City Council, serves in the U.S. Army Reserves and was General Counsel at a Hawaii construction company.  He looks forward to continuing to advocate fiscal responsibility and ethics reform when he gets to Washington, as he has never voted for a tax increase and led the fight against corruption in Hawaii.

In the face of RNC leaders’ optimism about Republican chances in November, the Washington Times has reached out to some odd sources in its search for evidence of Republican dissension.

HONOLULU – Proposals that would save the State up to $21 million each year and correct flaws in the collective bargaining system are pending legislative action.  Governor Linda Lingle is urging the Legislature to promptly schedule hearings on these measures before the upcoming internal legislative deadline of February 12.

The Hawaii Department of Education Honolulu District is moving to replace hundreds of privately contracted paraprofessional Special Education skills trainers with newly hired and minimally trained DoE Paraprofessional tutors (PPTs) between now and March 22.

A February 4 ad on Craigslist seeks “reliable individuals” to become “Paraprofessional Turtors” (sic) in the “Honlulu (sic) District”. 

HB 2759 would allow gaming on Hawaiian homelands.  HB 146 proposes an amendment to the Hawaii Constitution to permit gambling in our island state.  The House Judiciary committee has scheduled a hearing on these bills for Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 2:30 p.m. in conference room 325.

We are asking you to contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and your own Representative to tell them that you don't want gambling in Hawaii. 

David Chang is a graduate of West Point, the United States Military Academy. He was selected as an East-West Center Fellow and holds a Masters of Arts in Political Science from the University of Hawaii and a Masters in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. He is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and currently serves in the Hawai'i Army National Guard as an Intelligence Officer. 

David is currently the CEO/President of WealthBridge Inc., a wealth management firm specializing in financial planning and business consulting. He is also the founder of PowerH2O, a premium bottled water company, and The Cabinet and Stone Factory, a remodeling and construction firm. 

What would change the rating up?

• Rebuilding and maintenance of strong reserve levels.
• Broader economic diversification, sustained job growth, and reduced vulnerability to the tourism industry.
• Maintenance of structural budget balance.
• Annual funding of pension and OPEB annual required contributions.

What would change the rating down?

• Economic weakening leading to employment erosion.
• Further deterioration of revenue trends leading to budget imbalance, liquidity pressure, and narrowing of financial position.
• Increased use of non-recurring solutions to balance budget.
• Failure to adopt a plan to cover expenditures once federal stimulus monies are no longer available

“The purpose of these two proposals is not to change the concept or use of the State’s Rainy Day Fund, but to ensure a steady source of revenue is available to build the fund balance for future emergencies,” said Linda Smith, senior policy advisor, in written testimony.  “We believe a constitutional amendment is the only way to safeguard against expending year-end general fund balances that in good years need to be saved rather than spent on new programs and services.”

Hawaii Legislature's own papermill.  Built by feeeel-goood fake environmentalism.

Although the current draft provides some tax assistance, the Chamber believes it does not go far enough to help reduce the "tax shock" and safeguard the statewide unemployment rate.  Therefore, we are asking the committee to amend the bill.

Meanwhile, one of Djou's consultants is actively encouraging the comparisons. In a memo released this week, web strategist Patrick Ruffini touted Djou's potential as the candidate next able to take down a Dem-held seat.

"As in Massachusetts, Charles Djou is strongly positioned to benefit from 'perfect storm' conditions that include a great candidate, message, and organization, the district's recent history of Republican voting, and Hawaii's unique special election rules," Ruffini wrote. Djou's win, Ruffini wrote, would "once again shock the political world."

FreedomWorks is supporting grassroots Americans in an effort to re-ignite the protests against big government in 2010. The first national day of protests will be this Feb. 27th in cities across the country. If you have not heard about a protest in your community, please connect with others and organize one.

The proposals that I believe have particular merit include:

1.        Hold the governor accountable for public education, restructure the DOE, and increase instructional time. 

2.        Substantially improve information technology use in the State.

3.        Simplify procurement procedures so that approved projects can move forward efficiently.

The 2010 package is designed to improve the economy and reduce the state's over 7 percent unemployment by helping local small businesses operate and survive in Hawaii.  Included are solutions that help companies obtain permits and retain their workforce.

“Imagine the narrative coming on the heels of Scott Brown; a Republican wins in Obama’s home congressional district,” said Dave Wasserman, House editor at the Cook Political Report. Wasserman said the open format of the special election without a primary or run-off gives Djou a shot at pulling off an upset in what until recently had been considered a  safe Democratic seat.

“The mood of the country is clearly trending away from the establishment to candidates running against the majority. I also think the dynamics of this special election work well for me,” Djou said.

We are pleased that FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff confirmed the federal government is continuing to work with the city to strengthen the financial plan and that they will evaluate a new financial plan when the city submits its application for the final design.

We are also pleased that Administrator Rogoff recognizes my role in the approval process and understands why I will move forward on an independent review to ensure the financial viability of the project.

The HI-1 special can be likened to NY-23 in reverse, with Ed Case occupying the unenviable "Scozzafava" position and Hanabusa representing the base of the party. Like Scozzafava, Case has depended on crossover Republican votes to win elections in the past, support that is likely to evaporate once voters know there is a real, electable Republican candidate in the race.

It is very likely that the public option could have passed the Senate, if brought up under majority-vote “budget reconciliation” rules. While there were valid reasons stated for not using reconciliation before, especially given that some important provisions of health care reform wouldn’t qualify under the reconciliation rules, those reasons no longer exist. The public option would clearly qualify as budget-related under reconciliation, and with the majority support it has garnered in the Senate, it should be included in any healthcare reform legislation that moves under reconciliation.

As Democrats forge “the path forward” on health care, we believe that passing the public option through reconciliation should be part of that path. We urge you to favorably consider our request to include a public option in the reconciliation process.

During these challenging economic times, it is critical for our state to encourage reinvestment into our local economy and provide a fair tax system that does not burden our citizens, families and small businesses with tax increases.

Economic hardship has led many families and businesses to tighten their belts to save money. Our Administration has also had to find new ways to cut spending while providing essential services for Hawai‘i residents. Right now, the worst thing the State could do is take more of your money by raising taxes.

HONOLULU – Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today announced that former U.S. Marshal Mark “Dutch” Hanohano has joined his gubernatorial campaign as campaign manager. Hanohano will manage the day-to-day operations of the campaign and work closely with Duke’s senior leadership team.

Initiatives on the County level have included: Kauai Ohana in 2006-2007 attempting to use the initiative process to defeat high property taxes, Stop Rail activists who won the opportunity to vote on rail, and others who have used initiative for various causes on the Big Island.  Hawaii citizens do not have any statewide initiative and referendum rights. A majority of state citizens do enjoy local initiative and referendum rights. 

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.

Democrat legislators making up excuses to block Lingle’s judicial nominees are usually just doing the bidding of the criminal defense bar—which seeks to block judicial nominees who are not sufficiently soft on crime.   But it appears that opposition to the nomination of former Federal Prosecutor Ed Kubo to Oahu's First Circuit Court is coming from former State Sherriff John Souza.  Souza, the husband of State Senate President Coleen Hanabusa, was nailed in 2004 for a land sale which involved giving a $25,000 loan to an accused meth dealer who is a cousin to two convicted Pali Golf course shooters.

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.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor, allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man. So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can't figure out what country you are the president of.

You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like: "We're no longer a Christian nation" "America is arrogant" -- (Your wife even announced to the world, "America is mean- spirited." Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.)

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".

Pro-gay-marriage Senator Gary Hooser (D-Kauai), speaking on the Senate floor March 25, 2009 said:

“…it may very well be likely that this law would be challenged in court….”

From left: Rouse, Cabanilla, Marcantonio, Bertram

With the recent media attention to Maui Democrat Rep Joe Bertram’s April 1 court room antics in support his “friend” 52-year-old child predator Mark Marcantonio, Hawaii’s other legislature-connected molesters might be expected to keep a low profile. Not Leon Rouse. Sources in the Legislature confirm that Rouse, a convicted child molester, was rehired earlier this year to work as office manager for Democrat Legislator Rida Cabanilla and has worked for her all session.  Rouse may be the only Legislative employee anywhere in the US to have a criminal record as a child molester.

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 ....

Whoever said “you get what you pay for” must have meant it ironically.

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.

Are same-sex attractions biologically determined?  Most people are under the impression that they are.  Organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA), have helped propagate the idea. 

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.

Thousands of airline passengers on domestic US flights are using forged IDs to get past TSA screeners and board commercial flights under assumed names.  Just days after the al-Qaeda Panty Bomber tried to blow NW Flight 253 out of the sky, evidence leading to acquittals in a Honolulu illegal alien smuggling case has exposed the US Transportation Safety Administration’s repeated failure to spot phony IDs.

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.

While Hamamoto said politics were not part of her decision to resign, she spoke out yesterday against a state constitutional amendment proposed by Lingle to make the DOE superintendent a Cabinet-level position, under the governor's control.

"Politics should not be part of what goes on in the school room," Hamamoto said. "The superintendent has to be able to advocate for what is right for the kids. You have to be apolitical in order to advocate for the children. That should be the first priority of a superintendent. The second priority is ensuring organizational stability. How do you ensure stability if teachers and administrators think they will be jerked around every four or eight years?"

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.

1) Pay-for-play politics with military contractors and other contributors

2) Efforts to organize dependency groups controlled by political cronies and put them in control of "land and assets" (Akaka Bill)

3) Efforts to undermine the traditional family and marriage, and efforts to extend "hate crimes' protection to pedophiles

4) Consistent support for socialized medicine, Carbon Tax and other tax increases.

5) Consistent opposition to Israel and advocacy on behalf of the foreign policy interests of Islamist terrorist groups.

September 30, 2005 cartoon drawn by Westergaard became focal point of manufactured controversy starting in February, 2006.

Here is a complete list of all 38 Hawai`i Free Press stories with unique hit counts over 1000 views.  These are YOUR picks for the most interesting stories of 2009--unedited and in reverse chronological order.   Of these, 28 are Hawaii state or local news stories and 10 are national news stories. 

Lining the streets outside the President's Kailua vacation home Saturday, protesters hoped to send Obama a message against the funding of abortion services in health care legislation now under consideration in the House and Senate.  Many passing drivers honked their horns in support, but some devotedly pro-Obama motorists had a markedly different reaction.

The one church in Hawaii with which Obama does have a family connection is unlikely to be the place where the First Family would worship on Christmas Eve. As a child, Obama occasionally attended Sunday school classes at the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, and his family held a memorial service there for his grandmother last Christmas. Conservative critics were quick to point out that the First Unitarian Church has a controversial history — in 1969, the church offered sanctuary to servicemen who refused to go to Vietnam. The refuge was brief, however, as military police invaded church grounds to arrest the soldiers.

The fight continues over whether Democrats have forgiven former Rep Ed Case (D-HI) for implying Sen Dan Akaka (D-HI) was a feebleminded, ineffectual, ultra liberal during Case's failed 2006 primary campaign.  

Case just before Christmas called upon Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D-Koolina) to drop out of the race and called her "clueless".  Hanabusa has responded in a December 26 interview with The Hill by calling on Case to drop out and calling him "not forgiven", "not a team player" and "not a consensus builder." 

Hanabusa has drawn Rep Neil Abercrombie into the melee, claiming that he is distancing himself from Case. 

Today’s proposal being floated in the media would use more than two-thirds of the $50 million offered by the Governor and would only restore five days of instruction.  “This arrangement is not a credible plan, it is not fiscally responsible and it is not sustainable,” Governor Lingle stated. 

Stroudwater didn't pull punches:  "HHSC is in a financially perilous condition. It received a 'Going Concern' finding as part of its 2008 independent audit report, calling the future financial viability of the organization into question. Its liquidity is at dangerously low levels with barely enough current assets to meet current liabilities. It is far behind in its payments to vendors (80+ days). The age of its facilities and other physical assets are well above national averages. Its future viability is at risk, particularly if the State is unable to provide increasing levels of operating subsidies for HHSC going forward."

Without re-opening the HSTA-DoE Master Agreement, teacher planning days cannot be eliminated.  So it would appear that the HSTA and DOE have simply agreed to grab the $50M--or more--and use it to cut out some of the furlough days without any sacrifice on the HSTA's part.  The hostage-takers have gotten together and are presenting a new ransom demand. 

The first special U.S. House election of 2010 will be held in the 1st District (Honolulu) of the state that claims Barack Obama as a native son. And this is what makes the upcoming contest most interesting: It could well be won by a Republican.