Hawaii Republican Party Sells HQ—Where is the $1.2M?
Jones Act is bad deal for Guam
Tax Cuts: “Grassroot Institute had a uniquely successful year”
CB: … The Grassroot Institute, a think tank with libertarian roots, has chalked up some big policy wins this year, which some see as evidence of a shifting political landscape in Democratic-dominated Hawaii.
“They had a uniquely successful year,” Colin Moore, an associate professor at the University of Hawaii Manoa, said.
Frustration over Hawaii’s high cost of living, especially in housing, helped convince a large group of Democrats to embrace ideas championed by Grassroot Institute like a big tax cut and policies designed to boost the supply of housing….
These ideas have been on the Grassroot Institute’s agenda for years, but Hawaii’s political leaders are more receptive to them now than they have been in recent memory.
“The winds were at their back,” Moore said. “They weren’t the only groups calling for these sorts of changes.”…
Much of its success this year was at the state level. Legislators passed a massive income tax cut and forced the counties to allow more housing in both residential and downtown office areas, which Grassroot Institute advocated for in a 2023 policy brief.
Senate Bill 3202 forces counties to allow the construction of more homes on smaller lots, which supporters welcome as a way to increase the state’s housing supply but opponents fear would cause overcrowding and just be a boon to developers. …
read … How A Group That Started As Libertarian Found Influence In Blue State Hawaii
“The most immediate effect would be to shower Republican candidates with money”
CB: … Every election year, the Democratic Party of Hawaii sends a survey to its candidates asking them if they support the party platform.
The default answer is “yes.” Most candidates don’t take a lot of time on this survey, even though there are 24 questions asking for views on specific points within the platform.
“Yes.” “Yes.” “Yes.” And so on.
Then there’s question No. 9, asking if they support and will push to enact full public funding of candidate campaigns.
… eight of the 11 incumbent Democratic state senators on the primary ballot responded to the party survey (that’s six more than answered the Civil Beat Q&As). Six said, ahem, “yes.” Two others said, “yes, but …” before transitioning to “maybe” as they explained themselves.
As for the 40 Democratic incumbents in the House who are on the ballot, 14 said “yes,” nine said “maybe,” four said “no,” and 13 didn’t respond.
While some incumbents followed up on why they in essence said “maybe,” a couple clearly took umbrage at being asked the question.
“I do not believe that this survey is the appropriate venue for the committee to lobby for specific portions of the Platform over others,” said one representative.
“I’m honestly confused as to why this is part of the Democratic platform, as the most immediate effect would be to shower Republican candidates with money,” said another….
read … The Sunshine Blog: Party Politics Can Be Messy - Honolulu Civil Beat
Ukulele Classes Can Boost Teacher Paycheck from $53K to $100K
CB: … Windward Community College offers an online program on Hawaiian music that is now in its fourth year. Last year, DOE teachers were able to take the classes for professional development for the first time.
Roughly 80 participants have expressed interest in the 50-seat program so far, requiring him to start a waitlist of students for the 2025-26 academic year.
Teachers are eager to learn the subject, but many are also interested in increasing their pay. By taking coursework offered through local colleges or the DOE, Hawaii teachers earn professional development credits that can translate to pay increases. By advancing one class on DOE’s salary scale, teachers can earn raises in their annual pay ranging from roughly $2,300 to $6,000, depending on their current salary.
Professional development is one of the few ways educators can increase their pay without relying on contract negotiations between the teachers’ union and the state. Unlike other states, Hawaii teachers don’t receive an automatic raise for every additional year they work in DOE. Currently, pay for a licensed DOE teacher starts at $53,390.
Beginning next year, teachers can qualify for a new class on the pay scale that raises the maximum salary for 10-month educators to over $100,000. The new opportunity for a salary boost is expected to increase teachers’ demand for professional development classes.
But while professional development is rewarding, it can also be time-consuming and expensive, said Aaron Kubo, a social studies teacher at Hilo Intermediate School. Teachers spend hours of their free time completing assignments and fulfilling lengthy requirements to receive credit for professional development, and some courses can cost upward of $300. …
read … Professional Development Can Be Lucrative For Hawaii Teachers — And Hard To Come By
More Flight Reductions Hit Hawaii | Airlines Respond To Waning Demand
BH: … With Hawaii unable to recover from a myriad of challenges, airlines are making yet more strategic adjustments to their routes to adapt to this evolving island travel landscape. Hawaiian Airlines was the latest to announce last week, but they certainly aren’t alone. Southwest Airlines and others are reassessing their service offerings to Hawaii, responding to less demand and changing market conditions….
read … More Flight Reductions Hit Hawaii | Airlines Respond To Waning Demand
Displaced Lahaina students lose access to long-distance school bus routes for high school students
HNN: … Some displaced Lahaina families say they are scrambling after the DOE’s announcement that more than 150 school bus routes will be suspended, including one that takes students to West Maui’s only public high school.
Lahainaluna High School was spared during the deadly Aug. 8 fires that destroyed over 2,000 structures.
Families who did lose their homes and moved to communities more than 45 minutes away say they were told that when school starts back on Wednesday, a direct school bus would no longer be an option….
read … Displaced Lahaina students lose access to long-distance school bus routes for high school students
Oahu Condo Owners Are Debating Best Way To Limit Fire Safety Costs
CB: … Senior citizens are having a particularly hard time paying for safety upgrades mandated several years ago after a fatal high-rise fire on Oahu….
read … Oahu Condo Owners Are Debating Best Way To Limit Fire Safety Costs
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