Environment

“Given the financial tight rope First Wind is walking and its voracious need for financing to build its projects, we believe the risks outweigh the company’s upside,’’ Stephen Simko, Morningstar Inc. analyst, wrote in a report on the stock offering.

While many know Neil Abercrombie supports abortion, the extreme stances he has taken on parental notification and prosecuting criminals who harm fetuses during violent crimes are counter to the values of many here in Hawaii.  While in Congress, he voted against...

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today issued the following statement in response to comments made by an appointed member of a State legislative committee criticizing Hawai‘i’s use of federal stimulus funds. The committee meeting held yesterday was a clumsily disguised event to criticize the Administration a week before State elections.

Ariyoshi's Attorney General Michael Lilly and former State Senator Fred Rohlfing agree...

According to Real Clear Politics, an independent political website that publishes daily election analysis and polling averages, the race for Governor is a “toss-up.”

This determination is supported by recent polls conducted by Rasmussen Reports, Aloha Vote and Public Policy Polling, all of which show the governor’s race to be a virtual dead heat with a mere 2 to 3 point spread.

“Duke is the best person to serve as the next Governor of Hawai‘i,” said Rep. Sagum. “He is a true leader with integrity and good judgment who is not afraid to make tough decisions, and he has bold plans that will move Hawai‘i forward; that’s why I am willing to cross party lines to show my support and help elect Duke as our next Governor.”

HONOLULU - Lynn Finnegan today issued the following statement after casting her early ballot for the 2010 General Election. Lynn was joined by her husband, Peter Finnegan, Honolulu Fire Department Captain, their parents and an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, many of whom represent Hawai‘i's large Filipino community.

HONOLULU -- Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today announced four of Hawai`i’s top financial institutions will be providing a benefit of over $1.3 million dollars for Hot Water, Cool Rates, a new solar water-heater loan interest-buydown program.

Suggested Positions on State Constitutional Amendments and Honolulu County Charter Amendments....

But Djou also isn't shy about emphasizing his Republican views on the economy: he views the stimulus as a failure, wants Congress to spend a lot less, supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and supports the extension of all the Bush-era tax cuts.

Djou has "essentially been very candid and straightforward about his Republican principles. And, love 'em or hate 'em, they're out there pretty clear," said Neal Milner, a professor of political science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa....

Starting this week, we are going back on television with our "Mountains of Debt" commercial--making a promise to future generations. We are starting a telephone outreach program to conservative and independent voters.  And we are reaching the people of Hawaii about Daniel Inouye's record with our online ad campaign.

Honolulu, HI -- Hawaii Right to Life PAC has announced its candidate endorsements and recommendations for dozens of races statewide. Its selections are based on a comprehensive vetting of those running for office and in-depth personal interviews affirming each endorsed candidate’s commitment to pro-life values.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released a $1,500,000 capital improvement project grant that will go toward the building of a permanent Windward Clubhouse for the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i.  Under a partnership between the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i and the Department of Education, the facility will be located on the grounds of Kailua Intermediate School. 

The Duke and Lynn Express kicks off today on Kaua`i, where the candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor will meet and talk story with supporters and undecided voters across the island, and will continue this week with stops on Maui, Hawai`i Island and O`ahu. The Duke and Lynn Express will feature sign waving, rallies, talk stories and special guest appearances.

He’s caring and courageous, taking on the political establishment to put working families first, fighting irresponsible spending that threatens our keiki’s future, creating new local jobs by opening overseas markets so Hawaii families can stay here together.

Approximately 89 percent of Duke Aiona's total contributions were from Hawai‘i residents. Nearly 70 percent of his total donations were $100 or less, reflecting his true grassroots campaign.

Duke and Lynn's proposal of a College Tuition Assurance Program would guarantee a four-year fixed tuition rate for students entering the University of Hawai‘i and a 2-year fixed tuition rate would be guaranteed for those entering one of the University of Hawai‘i community colleges.

A poll released by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Hawaii News Now shows Colleen Hanabusa in trouble. Across the board, she is struggling not only to make inroads with independent voters and younger voters but also struggling to seal the deal with her own party and union members.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $140 million to the University of Hawai‘i for the construction of the new University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center. The funds were released as preparations get underway for breaking ground on the new state-of-the-art facility on Thursday, Oct. 28. 

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii, based in Hilo, have endorsed Republicans James “Duke” Aiona and Lynn Finnegan for governor/lieutenant governor.

"Campaigns in Hawai‘i are won by those who work hardest over the last seven days, and our grassroots supporters are reaching out to every voter in the state who believes Hawai‘i's best days are still ahead.

"If this survey were taken after the debate Friday night, respondents would have seen that my opponent is not being honest with the people of Hawai‘i. He will either cut programs or raise taxes to pay for his promises to grow government at the expense of small businesses."

As Governor, Duke Aiona will expedite contracts for approximately $946 million in approved state capital works projects over the next 18 months. He will also continue to modernize state airports, contracting approximately $2.3 billion over 15 years, and upgrade and expand our state harbors, contracting approximately $618 million over eight years.

"Nothing in his plan would immediately create private sector jobs. Government doesn't create the types of jobs that fuel our economy over the long term, but as Governor, I'll make it easier for our small businesses that do create jobs."

"There's a difference between campaigning and governing, but our opponent is clearly more interested in the former than the latter.

"Our opponent has made promises to create new government bureaucracies and restore all public employee furloughs. Behind our opponents' plan is the fact that he would either cut more programs, raise taxes or fail to deliver on his promises."

"Now that the momentum of this campaign has shifted, our opponent is playing Washington politics in a desperate attempt to divert attention away from his inability to explain whether he will cut programs, raise taxes or fail to deliver on his promises to grow government at the expense of small businesses and working families. The Aiona-Finnegan Campaign and the RGA have fully complied with all applicable laws."

The telephone survey, conducted by ccAdvertising, showed Charles leading Hanabusa 44% to 35%, with a margin of error of +/-3%. The survey had 2,747 participants.

"It is especially encouraging to see about 1,400 more jobs last month in the construction industry. To facilitate immediate private sector job creation, Lynn and I will expedite $946 million of capital investment projects and use the small business preference and set-aside to expend over $200 million on local procurement."

While Congressman, Neil Abercrombie voted against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.  When it passed he tried to repeal it.

In the pre-general reports filed yesterday, Djou reported $226,000 to Hanabusa’s $112,000 in the first two weeks of October. Djou outraised her by more than $50,000 in September.

“President Obama’s first take was pulled because Obama mispronounced Hanabusa’s name and the ad content was almost verbatim the same as the one the President did for Abercrombie.  Just like their mainland Democrat handlers, a vote for Abercrombie and Hanabusa is a rubber stamp for the status quo.”

Groups and individuals backing Democrat Rep Neil Abercrombie for Governor and Democrat State Senator Colleen Hanabusa for Congress are holding a “Use Your Voice, Use Your Vote” rally on the University of Hawaii Manoa campus Tuesday.  The event is being promoted with UH resources including an official UH Manoa news release. 

Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 84 clearly prohibits “using state time, equipment, supplies, or state premises for campaign activities or campaign purposes.”  Use of state computers and email accounts is specifically prohibited.

According to the non-partisan Tax Foundation, the tax burden for the average working family in Hawaii’s First Congressional District where Charles Djou lives would be $1,784 higher if tax rates are allowed to increase at the close of this year—if Congress does nothing, as it is currently poised to do.

“As Governor, I will continue to lead and vigorously implement the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, and I will enact policies and initiatives that, by 2018, will cut Hawai‘i's dependence on foreign oil by more than half," said Duke Aiona. “Our opponents’ energy plan would take focus away from implementation of HCEI, stalling our progress on clean energy and further increasing the size and scope of government at the expense of small businesses."

Hawaii's first congressional district, former home to President Barack Obama, longtime Democratic district, but the GOP has a great shot at keeping this seat. Why? Well – a couple reasons: foremost being that this year seems to be the year where the impossible becomes possible in Hawaii politics: a Republican, Charles Djou, won the special election for former Democratic Rep. Neil Abercrombie's seat and now, when Democrat Colleen Hanabusa is trying to take it back, Djou is well-positioned to keep the seat.

What it really comes down to is this: are we going to try new paths rather than stay on the same old broken one. This vote is a referendum on that one question; I vote yes.

“After evaluating the candidates in this race, we believe that Cam Cavasso will best serve the interests of hardworking Hawaii taxpayers by advocating the principles of lower taxes, less government and more individual freedom.”

"I congratulate my opponent on receiving this endorsement from our president; however, it does not change the fact that he would stall our progress on clean energy and hold us back from cutting by more than half our dependence on foreign fossil fuel by 2018, grow government at the expense of small businesses, and waffle on critical public education reforms." 

Avatar director James Cameron is conscious, enlightened, and progressive.  He is smarter than we are so he is entitled to live like a god.  We peasants are dirtying the planet which Cameron and the other enlightened beings so generously grace with their presence.

The Hawaii Republican Party has released its endorsements and recommendations for non-partisan County Council and Mayor races, County-level charter initiatives, and the two proposed Amendments to the State Constitution.

Two weeks ago the Hill released a poll in which Djou led his once and current opponent, Hanabusa, 45 to 41 percent — within a margin of error of 4.9 percent. The poll also found 61 percent of respondents had a favorable opinion of the congressman, while 56 percent did of his adversary. Fortune, it seems, is smiling on Djou.

AFBI’s President Dick Patten praised Willoughby for signing the pledge, saying “By supporting estate tax repeal, Willoughby will help save local jobs and businesses.”

A recent study from the American Family Business Foundation found that repealing the Death Tax would increase nationwide employment by 1.5 million jobs.  In Hawaii alone, repealing the Death Tax would add over 7,000 new jobs.

Hanabusa believes that more government is the answer to every problem, even though the massive stimulus and government expansion into virtually every sector of our economy have failed.

"Behind our opponents' plan is the fact that they would either cut more programs, raise taxes or fail to deliver on their promises. They simply cannot provide the types of government programs for which they advocate without raising the cost of living for Hawai‘i's hard-working families and businesses."