September 3, 2009 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

Hawaii Daily News Read

Thursday, September 3, 2009

September 3, 2009 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 1:23 PM :: 13056 Views

Hirono Townhall on Kauai: Health care myths busted (our objective media)

It looks like Larry Mehau associate Rep Mazie Hirono finally got up the nerve to hold a town hall meeting on health care. Here is the pabulum written by the Kauai Garden Isle:

KAPA‘A — U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono joined AARP Hawai‘i for a health care town hall Wednesday, and “civility, aloha and dignity” prevailed in lieu of the division, fear and fighting that has plagued similar meetings across the country this summer.

Hirono and the group formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons sought to dispel a number of myths that they said have been promulgated by opponents of health care reform. Attending retirees largely adhered to rules posted outside the Aston Kaua‘i Beach at Maka‘iwa’s Paddle Room outlawing signs and disruptions.

AARP Hawai‘i’s Bruce Bottorff presented a list of seven myths that have been used to promote fear among U.S. citizens, especially seniors.
Bottorff said:

health care reform is not socialized medicine,

that reform would not mean rationed care,

that none of the current proposals would hurt Medicare,

that health care reform is not too expensive and

that the federal government will not be able to make life-and-death decisions for individuals.

Fortunately Hawai`i Free Press Aug 25 published the Heritage Foundation debunk of the so-called debunkers on these exact points from the AARP book of talking points: Myths and Facts about Obamacare

AARP Hawai‘i state director Barbara Kim Stanton urged AARP members to get the facts and not give in to scare tactics like the infamous “death panel” fabrication, spread far and wide by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

And Hawai`i Free Press Aug 13 published Palin's insightful analysis: Sarah Palin: Concerning the "Death Panels"

The room was stacked with Obamabots.Here's what happened when one Obamacare opponent spoke up:

The lone exception to the event’s aloha style occurred when attendees shouted down Princeville resident Lynn Call, telling him to ask his question and asking organizers to remove him from the event.

Call raised his “grave concerns” about House Bill 3200, arguing that providing coverage for 47 million currently uninsured Americans would overwhelm the system and would create longer wait times for doctors, that estimates of the long-term costs of the program are likely inaccurate, that the government does a poor job managing businesses like the Post Office, and that the federal government has no place in health care.

Unlike Hirono, Charles Djou was willing to hear both sides: Djou healthcare town hall draws 200

Hawaii County: Move to fund County Auditor's department without oversight on hold

South Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford said she doesn't want the County Council or the mayor to have the ability to cut the legislative auditor's budget to prevent an unfavorable critique of a specific program.

WHT suit alleges multiple council violations

Kona-faction newspaper sues Hilo-faction council members (plus GTMO Greenwell). Demands removal, jail time over sunshine law violations. Judge--Hokulia Judge Ronald Ibarra. Lawyer for WHT: Hokulia plaintiffs' attorney Robert DS Kim. Kona Faction Objective: toss out Guy Enriques and elect Julie Jacobson for 2010. Removal of GTMO Greenwell will not affect balance of power because his replacement will be another Kona-faction loyalist. Blind spot in scheme for Kona takeover: Challenge to Dominic Yagong. Stupid spot for Kona faction: unnecessary insults to Emily Naeole.

Kim's asking 3rd Circuit Court Judge Ronald Ibarra to declare the council member's actions "willful," which could lead to criminal sanctions that could include fines, jail time and removal from office.

Hamakua land sale panned again

20 socialists go to council in effort to block sale of County-owned ag lands. Small private owners hold only 4% of Hawaii land. The rest is in the hands of government and large trusts.

Honolulu vote on banning smelly people on public transit delayed

Gotta boost tourism, drive out the homeless.

Ho`opili: Legislators mouth off

Cabanilla: Rebuild rundown urban Oahu instead of paving prime Ewa farmland (Did her Legislative Office Manager, convicted child molester Leon Rouse, help her write this?)

Lee: Ho'opili project doesn't fit Hawaii's renewed focus on a sustainable economy

On the face of it this is just a couple of legislators getting some free media space to make themselves look significant by bleating the easiest--and most meaningless--two words in Hawaii politics: "Save Agriculture". But Cabanilla's call for removal of the height limitations on buildings in certain urban Honolulu areas could indicate a $$$ tie to the owners of the land under the existing run down 2 and 3 story walk up buildings. Those landowners would make millions redeveloping their properties. (see next article)

Kakaako high-rise development plan approved by state

A master plan by Kamehameha Schools to remake 29 acres of its land in Kaka'ako into a largely high-rise residential community was approved yesterday by the state agency that oversees the area.

Overall, the buildout of the nine blocks between Restaurant Row and Ward Centers mauka of Ala Moana is anticipated to take 15 years and produce up to 2,750 homes with seven towers as well as low-rise buildings, some retail and park space.

Approval of the plan followed a highly publicized public hearing held in May that attracted mostly support for the project called Kaiaulu 'o Kaka'ako, or Kaka'ako Community.

No Child Left Behind testing going online in Hawaii in 2011

Once the online version of the assessment is fully rolled out in the 2010-11 school year, officials say the testing window will increase from two weeks to nearly eight months, and teachers will be able to administer the test up to three times per student.

(So this is how the DoE intents to boost test scores.)

2 boys held in alleged sex assault on girl, 12, at Kamehameha campus

(Key question: Who has more political clout, the parents of the boys or the parents of the girl?)