Environment

Hawaii public high school students will for the first time be able to compete in school sanctioned surf competitions as early as the spring of 2013....

...for the national Tax Foundation study to proclaim that Hawaii’s general excise tax rate is the lowest of all the retail sales tax rates is misleading and uninformed....

In a cert petition filed September 15, five Hawaii taxpayers argue that they have standing to challenge the constitutionality of property tax exemptions conferred on lessees of Hawaiian Homesteads.

“At the end of our investigation, we identified eleven potential causes for the explosion, each of which carries a penalty for violating health and safety laws.”

Mayor Alan Arakawa is pleased to announce that the County of Maui has reached a resolution regarding the purchase of $32 million in student loan auction rate securities from Merrill Lynch.

...a data-driven justice reinvestment strategy to bring out-of-state prisoners back to Hawaii, reduce spending on corrections, and reinvest savings generated in strategies that would reverse recent crime trends....

It appears likely that Honolulu and FTA failed to consider reasonable alternatives and accurately assess the alternatives’ environmental consequences in the Final Environmental Impact Statement, as required under NEPA.

Orsi said Sept. 20 that there were no parties in advanced talks to buy AnsaldoBreda and that the unit’s newly appointed CEO, Maurizio Manfellotto, is working on an updated business plan.

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“The recent inclusion of the Republic of Korea in the Visa Waiver resulted in double number of visitor arrivals from Korea,” said Councilman Tom Berg....

...the commission finds and concludes that the contract price for the AKP-produced biofuel, which the HECO Companies chose to file and retain under confidential seal, is excessive....

The state today released a report detailing its information technology (IT) assessment, a critical component in the Abercombie (sic) Administration’s long-term plan to transform technology.

Kaauwai restored some measure of respectability to the party by fielding candidates for nearly all legislative seats last year after the disgraceful 2008 campaign in which the GOP failed to compete in 40 percent of the contests.

"The Defendants’ effort to remove some of the Plaintiffs from this case is a waste of the court’s time and the taxpayers’ money."

...everyone else is dying off," he said, referring to several other projects in the Islands that have stalled or been halted altogether....

While the general fund budget may be balanced, the total fund budget is often far off the mark. To make matters worse, neither the state's general fund budget or its total fund budget take into account unfunded pension liabilities....

This affirmative request to withhold funding from the Political Action Account must be made each year. The Allocation Objection Form must be completed and returned to UHPA ....

Get the facts quick before the sheep stampede....

...they claimed that “a reusable bag needs only to be used eleven times to have a lower environmental impact than using eleven disposable bags.” They were close. It was actually 393 times or roughly 7.5 years to replace reusing a plastic bag just three times....

Earlier this month, the HLRB also dismissed one of HSTA’s motions. In its ruling, the HLRB noted that the actions of HSTA amounted to “an egregious and reckless disregard for the truth” and “appear intended to mislead the board.”

"I hope everybody can come together and move forward to win elections," said Dylan Nonaka, the former GOP executive director under Kaauwai. "We've got a lot of big opportunities next year, and it's time to move on and focus."

• Senate: Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011
• House: Short-Term Continuing Appropriations
• House: Cumulative Regulatory Analysis

My very best goes out to 1st Vice Chair Beth Fukumoto, who by Party Rules will be the Interim State Chair. As a candidate in 2010, Beth understands the importance of a grassroots-focused party for all candidates. My hope is that everyone will offer their support, guidance and assistance as this transition takes place.

EUTF Board Member Dean Hirata Quietly Slipped Away from his Appointed Position as Deputy Director of Budget and Finance on July 30th. 

Both sides need to focus on the elections, not on their own factional interests....

How many professional protesters will be flown in by the well-heeled socialists who fund this circus?

Perhaps this would be a good time for airlines to adopt strict body odor rules on Hawaii-bound flights.

This week there was discussion in the media concerning the Governor's use of emergency powers....

After blowing their first attempt to interfere in the Republican Senate primary, Hawaii Democrats are trying again.

Among the 20,000 Chinese with at least 100 million yuan ($15 million) in individual investment assets, 27 percent have already emigrated and 47 percent are considering it, according to a report by China Merchants Bank and U.S. consultants Bain & Co. published in April.

Disney must now submit updated consumer-disclosure materials to regulators and other states. The company will begin with Florida, California, New York and Illinois, its most-important sales markets....

Hawaii's, South Dakota's and New Mexico's sales taxes have broad bases that include many services....

A final decision regarding this case is expected within 30 days.

“(Under ACA) the price of individual health insurance coverage might rise about 55% to 85%, excluding the impact of medical inflation….”

“If something goes haywire, say so.” – Sen Dan Inouye, August 25, 2011

Public safety and security are paramount. When an explosive is found on public land, we have an emergency situation that needs to be defused as soon as possible.

Ed Case: "You may not like 100 percent of what you get from me….”

• Senate: Emergency Supplemental Disaster Relief Appropriations Resolution, 2011
• Senate: Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011
• House: Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act
• House: Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act

When it comes to avoiding questions, even a Parisian Vacation is part of the strategy for Neil Abercrombie.

...people who would otherwise be considered at poverty level are paying Hawaii state income taxes on what little taxable income they receive. One would think that the Tax Review Commission would be the perfect venue for a discussion of that anomaly....

Hawaii has one of the healthiest economies in the country, bolstered by a large number of wealthy retirees and a robust tourism industry....

"[W]e can see the positive impacts [of the stimulus] right here at Solyndra." -- Barack Obama

Al Gore treated the globe to “24 Hours of Reality” Wednesday and Thursday, but before the finale, Mother Nature stepped in with a show of her own.

Of Hawaii’s $308M in Unemployment Compensation payments, “only” 3.1% were paid wrongly.

Even theoretically, returning Hawaii to a prehuman existence would be impossible. Ecosystems change over time, with or without the involvement of mankind, so no one can tell what Hawaii “should” look like.

1. When did Sunshine Topping resign?
2. When does Ms. Topping’s resignation take effect?
3. Why was there no announcement of her resignation earlier?
4. What was the reason for Ms. Topping’s resignation?
5. Are there any controversies regarding her conduct in the position of Human Resources Director or her previous employment?

Less than a week after the President presented his jobs plan, Americans voted to send two new Republicans to Washington—an overwhelming rebuke of the Obama Administration and its policies!

The origin of gun control laws in America had little, if anything, to do with controlling crime; the laws were intended to prevent slaves and freed blacks from defending themselves or rebelling against the state and local governments which persecuted them relentlessly....

Fannie Mae is amending the foreclosure process and fees in the State of Hawaii ...

...about 800 additional Hawai'i children in low-income areas will be subsidized to attend preschool....