Entries for 'News Release'

“Hawaii’s projected shortfall is $201.9 million, or 3.6% of its total budget, according to NCSL data.”

The NCSL report also projects a 2.6% budget gap for 2013, this adds up to $145M.

60% of individuals lack a "rainy day" fund to cover expenses for three months, in case of emergencies such as sickness, job loss or economic downturn.

 "We are disappointed that, despite bipartisan efforts to achieve real results for the American People, Congresswoman Hirono continues to cater to the ultra-liberal wing of the Democratic Party. We hope that Congresswoman-elect Hanabusa does not follow her lead and will instead call upon Congresswoman Hirono to end her opposition on this critical compromise and join the rest of Hawaii's delegation in supporting President Obama."

The PEIS will examine the program-level impacts of the development of up to 400 megawatts (MW) of wind energy on Maui County, the transmission of the energy to Oahu via an undersea cable, and the integration of that energy into Oahu’s electrical grid.

Tam, 62, a lawyer who specializes in water, natural resources and land use law with Alston, Hunt, Floyd & Ing, will serve as Deputy Director of Water. He joins Interim Chairman William J. Aila and First Deputy Director Guy Kaulukukui as the team leading DLNR.

We understand that there is a possibility that the new and significantly revised version of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act will be tacked onto the spending bill in the next week or so. We hope that this does not happen. A bill as important as this deserves careful consideration. It would be a matter for concern if it were to be made law without a hearing on its new provisions.

The release fulfills the agreement reached to restore 17 instructional days for teachers. This does not bring an end to teacher furloughs on non-instructional days.

The Meth Project has been named the third most effective philanthropy in the world by Barron’s magazine, one of the country’s premier business and financial publications. The announcement was made in the magazine’s cover story this week, “The 25 Best Givers.” This is the second year in a row the Meth Project has been named to the Barron’s list; it was ranked number five in 2009.

"The charter school accreditation process involves using national standards and best practices to improve the management, policies, and procedures, including anti-nepotism practices in our charter schools," Rep. Gene Ward stated.

"Today the talk ends and the work begins.  We will hold the Governor accountable for these commitments.  The people of Hawaii can count on us to keep a watchful eye and if necessary provide reminders from time to time on what was said and what gets done."

Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced today that he would release $67 million from the state's hurricane relief fund to cover the cost of ending teacher furloughs and more than $23 million from the state's rainy day fund to help social service programs.

HONOLULU – One hundred and twelve teams of middle and high school robotics students from Hawai‘i, California, Nevada and China put their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to the test for the past three days in a friendly, spirited competition that pitted robots against robots, and showcased students’ ingenuity, teamwork and ability to think analytically under pressure.

(Media release) — Governor-Elect Neil Abercrombie today appointed five department directors and two deputy directors to the Abercrombie Administration.

I was just informed that Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle used strong language against IMG and Thomas Rubin, preparers of the State’s Rail Fiscal Analysis Report, and that he alleged that I helped the governor’s consultants with the report. This is consistent with Peter Carlisle not knowing what he is talking about.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today that she granted pardons to 44 individuals in the final five months of her term in office, bringing the total number of individuals pardoned by the Governor this year to 55.  In July, Governor Lingle announced she had pardoned 11 individuals in the first half of 2010.  In total, Governor Lingle pardoned 132 individuals during her eight years in office. 

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today that the leading tour operator in China, China Youth Travel Services Holding (CYTS), intends to offer special flights that will bring visitors from China to Hawai‘i for the celebration of the 2011 Chinese New Year. 

While BPC has focused primarily on federal policy issues – including energy, health care, national and homeland security, transportation and economic policy – during its first three years, it is increasing its efforts to draw upon the policy and political experience that exist at the state level. 

The new Kokua Online Application, available at http://kokua.dhshawaii.net, enables low-income residents and their advocates to enter and submit information electronically and then monitor each stage of the approval process to determine if additional information is required.

The world economy contracted in 2009 for the first time since the 1930s. This year, growth has staged a moderate rebound, but will ease off somewhat in 2011. Overall, the global recovery has been anemic by historical standards.

“Legislation as highly complex and divisive as the native Hawaiian bill requires vigorous discussion, debate, and amendments,” Kyl said. “An attempt to include it in unrelated legislation to keep the government operating is a breach of process and is an example of what the American people are tired of – back room deals that are inserted in secret packages written behind closed doors.”

In light of Honolulu project’s size compared to the population served by it, Governor Linda Lingle requested that the Hawaii Department of Transportation procure an independent financial review.  Infrastructure Management Group, Inc. (“IMG”), in conjunction with the Land Use and Economic Consulting Group of CB Richard Ellis (“CBRE”) and Thomas A. Rubin (together, the "IMG Team”) was tasked by the Hawaii Department of Transportation to evaluate the rail project’s financial plan, including revenues and costs, the post-rail operating plan, and the fiscal implications for Honolulu.

Washington, DC — Congressman Charles K. Djou (HI-01) issued the following statement reacting to the news that the United States and the Republic of Korea have reached a deal on the languishing free trade agreement. Congressman Djou has been a leading voice in the U.S. House, advocating for this agreement from the first day he was in office.

Mission Houses Museum, located in Honolulu’s Historic Capitol District, is known worldwide as the place where the Hawaiian written language was developed. The museum preserves the oldest and second oldest houses in Hawai‘i and the largest collection of Hawaiian language books in the world.

Hosting 112 teams from around the globe, the majority of which are Hawaii-based teams, Hawaii has topped the list as the largest VEX Robotics tournament in the world, outside of the world championships hosted in Orlando, FL.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today transmitted the final report of an independent financial analysis of the proposed Honolulu Rail Transit Project to Mayor Peter Carlisle, Council Chair Nestor Garcia and Governor-elect Neil Abercrombie.  A copy was also sent to the Federal Transit Administration and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.  The report is meant to provide an objective assessment of the overall financial impact of the rail project to Hawai‘i taxpayers in the future. 

Meeting at Lanai High and Elementary School, the Board also elected Oahu at-large member Randall Yee as first vice chairperson. Big Island member Herbert Watanabe will serve as second vice chairperson.

Success for the Kalanimoku PV project can be credited to the collaborative efforts of Patricia Saito, project officer for the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), Russ Saito, comptroller of DAGS, and Ted Liu, director of DBEDT. 

"...most importantly, this measure was not deficit-financed.  Moving forward, it is my hope that the United States Congress will continue to advocate for policies that do not add to our nation’s deficit.”

Nearly Half Of The Business Income That Is Reported On Personal Tax Filings Goes To Families And Businesses That Would Have Their Taxes Raised By Democrats.

Washington, D.C., December 1, 2010—This morning, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski announced that the Commission will vote on net neutrality rules during its December 21 meeting. Telecom policy analysts at the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) urged FCC Commissioners to reject this unwise proposal, warning that mandating net neutrality would harm consumers and stifle network investment.

None of us should be surprised that President Obama has expressed his opposition to earmarks. A ban on earmarks would serve to strengthen the executive branch of government by empowering the President to make decisions that the Constitution wisely places in the hands of Congress. This is the exact same reason presidents Clinton and Bush sought the line-item veto during their presidencies.

Governor-Elect Neil Abercrombie today named Kalbert Young as the Budget and Finance Director; and Sen. Dwight Takamine and Audrey Hidano as the team heading up the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as its director and deputy director, respectively.

Activist, masquerading as academic, argues for his preferred changes in society....

The site exposes details for more than $12 billion in state spending and transfers since 2008. Using open records requests, GRIH procured spending data from every state agency and has placed it online in an easily searchable database. Site visitors can browse contractor payments, spending by agency, and even salary ranges for state government positions.

HONOLULU, HI – Governor-Elect Neil Abercrombie today announced three key communications positions in Governor’s Office: Josh Levinson, Communications Director; Laurie Au, Deputy Communications Director; and Donalyn Dela Cruz, Press Secretary.

Governor-Elect Abercrombie’s appointments are William J. Aila Jr. as the Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Richard Lim as the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Jodie Maesaka-Hirata as the Director of the Department of Public Safety; and Alapaki Nahale-a and Bobby Hall as the team leading the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands as its Director and Deputy Director, respectively.

The attached letter is a "voter challenge" that was filed with the City Clerk of the City and County of Honolulu Nov. 24, 2010 at 11:57 AM. It suggests that Mr. Michael Keoni Dudley has falsified voter registration and candidate registration information so that he can run in the District 1 Special Election for Todd Apo's old council seat.

UPDATE: Dudley calls LoPresti “Obsessed Voyeur” suggests job is at risk

LoPresti: “This multi-millionaire is now threatening me”

The General Election may be over, but Republicans have the chance to help elect a fellow Republican next month.  Three Republicans, Tom Berg, Bob McDermott and John Roco are vying for the City Council Seat.  

Georgina Kawamura, Director of the Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance stated:  “I believe this agreement makes sense for Hawaii.  Our goal in these negotiations has been to assure that our taxpayers will not receive less than par on these investments, and this agreement provides for that.”

“We’re pleased to provide this liquidity solution to the State,” said Alexander Samuelson, Director, Citi Public Affairs. 

In lieu of flowers, the Lt. Governor’s family suggests a donation to the Reid J.K. Richards Foundation, which was Frances Aiona’s favorite charity. The foundation was established on behalf of the Lt. Governor’s nephew Reid, who passed away at the age of 33.

Let us also take a moment to express our appreciation for our men and women in uniform, serving both at home and abroad, who have volunteered to sacrifice time with their families to serve our nation and provide a warm blanket of safety for all of us.

The College and Career Indicators Report is an annual collaboration between the State of Hawai‘i Department of Education (DOE) and the University of Hawai‘i, coordinated by Hawai‘i P-20 Partnerships for Education. Hawai‘i P-20 issues this report each spring for the previous year’s graduating class.

We commend the legislature for improvements in public access in recent years. However, we feel there is a lot more that needs to be done.  It is still very difficult for ordinary citizens to keep up with what is happening at the State Capitol if they cannot be there regularly in person.

...the greatest gift he gave them was their transformation from a disordered, lawless throng exiled in desperate anarchy into a living community built on Jesus Christ, a community in which they learned to care for one another.

November 22, 2010 Recent Congressional Votes:

• Senate: Cloture Motion; Paycheck Fairness Act
• House: Telework Improvements Act
• House: Emergency Unemployment Compensation Continuation Act