Primary Election Results--Fourth Read
Hooser Lists Wins and Losses for 'Progressives' in Democratic Primary
Eminent Domain Justice: Maui Landowner Transfers Case to Federal Court
Doing what we can to Help our Maui Ohana
Thirteen Ways for Counties to Cut Regulations
Hawaiian/Alaska Deal Verdict Sparks Wild Volatility
BH: … Hawaiian Airlines is caught in a dramatic saga as Hawaii travelers, the state, and the travel industry anxiously await the upcoming Department of Justice (DOJ) decision regarding its potential merger with Alaska Airlines, expected to be announced next week. In the meantime, with the airline’s future hanging in the balance, its stock price has experienced significant volatility over the past weeks. After a steep decline of nearly 20%, the stock has rebounded with an equally dramatic surge, rising over 20% in just the past five days, reflecting the market’s fast-shifting sentiment ….
Background: Hawaiian Airlines Merger Delayed -- DOJ "Unlikely to Approve"
read … Hawaiian/Alaska Deal Verdict Sparks Wild Volatility
High Condo insurance premiums are wake-up call
SA: … In one example, the homeowners association president of a seven-story, 35-unit McCully condominium told the Star-Advertiser that in 2024, insurance premiums for the condo’s master policy covering building replacement costs more than tripled, to $114,000, up from $35,000 in 2021 ….
the state’s assistance isn’t a subsidy, but rather a loan to insurance funds. It isn’t guaranteed to reduce costs, and it won’t solve an underlying problem that’s also triggering rate increases — neglected maintenance on aging buildings and alarming risks that exist for others that were built before current safety codes were imposed on buildings.
Rising insurance costs and the emergency proclamation they triggered must serve as a wake-up call for condo owners and condo associations in buildings that don’t meet current fire- and hurricane- safety requirements, or in many cases, have dangerously aging or deteriorating structural issues.
Insurance may allow owners to continue living in a building, or to buy and sell a property, but it doesn’t save lives or preserve property, as does adding sprinklers, strengthening hurricane-vulnerable elements and repairing deteriorated columns, roofs and lanai.
Green’s emergency proclamation authorizes the state to loan money to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association, using the funds to issue hurricane and property insurance policies to condo associations. The mechanism for the process already exists for both entities, which were set up to provide “last resort” policies for homeowners who can’t obtain insurance on the private market. The proclamation also raises limits on insurance coverage, which were otherwise too low to apply to large condo associations.
The amount of money that will be loaned and timetable for providing the insurance hasn’t been declared. However, there is about $170 million currently in the hurricane relief fund, and the recommendations of a recently formed condo insurance task force were based on legislation that would have authorized lending $60 million to the effort.
The task force, led by state Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito, House Speaker Scott Saiki and Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, based recommendations on a proposed compromise draft of House Bill 2686, which stalled this past session in conference committee.
The measures were described then as “stop-gap” strategies to provide insurance of last resort to condo associations, so that they could catch up on deferred maintenance and qualify for standard policies….
The task force is expected to continue looking for ways to mitigate the rising costs of condo insurance. In doing so, its members must focus not on make-do solutions, but on avenues for driving maintenance and retrofitting activity forward.
Legislation that increases support for retrofits of owner-occupied structures that house lower- and middle-income households may be justified, as are strict code enforcement and safety mandates. Oahu’s sprinkler law is a not-altogether-satisfying example: It requires sprinklers or meeting an alternative “life-safety” standard — an alternative that’s not preferred by insurers — and gives condo owners until 2030 to meet the lesser standard, and until 2038 to get sprinklers installed. …
IBM: Hawaii governor signs emergency proclamation to stabilize insurance market | Insurance Business America (insurancebusinessmag.com)
SA: Column: Eyeing relief for costly condo insurance
Big Q: Are you concerned about rising condo insurance costs?
read … Editorial: High premiums are wake-up call
Our state becomes moldy when Hawaii leaders age
Shapiro: … Sen. Mazie Hirono is running for reelection at 76 for a six-year term that would take her to 82. ...
read … David Shapiro: Our state becomes moldy when Hawaii leaders age
Handling of school bus crisis blasted
HTH: … A family advocacy group is suggesting that parents affected by the public school bus driver shortage go to the state Board of Education to voice their frustrations and concerns.
Sherrie Galdeira, a spokeswoman for Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks!, said Friday that notification by the Department of Education it was suspending 52 East Hawaii bus routes during the first week of school came too late for most families to seek alternative transportation….
read … Handling of school bus crisis blasted
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