HECO Offers Deal to Solar Customers Caught in Limbo
Hawaii a Testing Ground for Mainland Hysteria
Abercrombie’s Pre-K Initiative Driven by National Agenda
Hawaii among 13 ‘turkeys’ for fiscal management
The Culture of Self-Dealing by Hawaii’s Officials
Pig War: DLNR, Rusty Boar Battle Over 'American Jungle' TV Show
Resignations Abound
Rep McDermott Asks for Reconsideration of Gay Marriage Ruling
EPA Regs Bring Natural Gas Flaring to Kona
SJR12: Hawaiian Homes Commission Act Amendments Draw Opposition after Filibuster Vote
Abercrombie Booed, Heckled at own Campaign Meeting
Dan Boylan: Four days after state house members voted to legalize same-sex marriage, hours after the senate did the same, and less than 24 hours before he would sign the bill into law, Gov. Neil Abercrombie attended a gubernatorial campaign event in Aiea.
Opponents of same-sex marriage held large “Let the people decide” banners at the entrance to the Newtown Community Center. ...
By the time Abercrombie arrived, surrounded by a half-dozen large men from the Capitol security detail, the hall offered standing room only. Among those standing were other out-sized gentlemen, strategically located and wearing rainbow lei....
In his initial remarks, Abercrombie emphasized that “this is a campaign meeting, not a public forum.”....
“The debate was never about for and against,” said Abercrombie. “It was about how to protect the religious rights of those who don’t want their First Amendment rights compromised. I think this bill does that.”
A smattering of boos expressed disagreement. Abercrombie quickly changed the subject....
...Soaring political temperatures remained on the minds of many in the crowd, however. The atmosphere of the evening could best be described as uncomfortable, if painfully polite. Cries of “Let the people decide!” punctuated the evening, and at least twice Abercrombie felt compelled to remind hecklers that he would not argue about same-sex marriage or early childhood education....
Lopez announced, “That’s all the time we have tonight.” Boos broke out, and the large men gathered around the governor and moved him toward an exit and into the cool November night.
read ... The Guv Hits the Campaign Trail
Mayors Unanimous: We Want GE Tax Hike or TAT Share Guarantee
CB: Representatives from the Hawaii State Association of Counties and Hawaii Council on Mayors took what some called a "historic" step toward that goal just by sitting down together Wednesday morning at Honolulu Hale. They spent nearly two hours searching for common ground on the general excise and transient accommodations taxes — two significant public-revenue generators that the state controls.
But there was nothing concrete to show for it other than a general agreement among most present that the counties must at a minimum protect their $93 million share of the TAT and they should ask for the power to levy the GET as they see fit up to a half-percent or so.
Precisely as Predicted: Act 268 Hawaii Unfunded Liabilities Plan: Pot of Gold for Corrupt Union Leaders
read ... Close, But Not Quite: Counties Search for Consensus on Tax Issues
State begins workplace violence probe at State Hospital
HNN: Inspectors from the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations performed a surprise inspection at Hawaii State Hospital Wednesday, as part of a workplace violence probe launched after Hawaii News Now exposed serious injuries employees have suffered from mental patients there....
"Based on the workplace violence complaints, we are investigating," Shawna Lau Kong, a spokeswoman for the state labor department said Wednesday. She said an investigation could take weeks or months....
read ... State begins workplace violence probe at State Hospital
Hawaii visitor arrivals, spending decline in October
PBN: Visitor arrivals to Hawaii, along with visitor spending, declined again in October, making it the second consecutive monththat both arrivals and spending were lower than the same month during the prior year, according to preliminary statistics released Wednesday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
There were 636,245 visitors to Hawaii in October, a 1.6 percent decrease compared to the same month last year. Visitor spending decreased by 2.6 percent to $1.1 billion for the month of October.
read ... Decline
Maunawili: Police searching for missing 15-year old Transsexual
KITV: CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are seeking the public's assistance in locating Christian Kukahiko who police say may be emotionally distraught.
Kukahiko was last seen on Nov. 19 at approximately 3 p.m. at his home in Maunawili.
Kukahiko is 15 years old, 6-feet-tall and weighs 230 pounds. He has black hair with red highlights. He also has a tattoo on his lower back with his last name "Kukahiko."
read ... Question: Who is molesting this boy?
State settles age, race discrimination suit
HNN: A 71-year-old Big Island man who sued the Department of Education for race and age discrimination will get $30,000 under a settlement with the state.
James Johnson of Puna alleged he went to more than 60 teaching job interviews but was bypassed each time because he was "old," "white," and "male."
He said he hopes his lawsuit grabs people's attention about a systemic problem at the DOE.
"If it made the DOE pay attention to the fact that discrimination goes on, then it was a success," he said.
Attorney Eric Seitz says the deal vindicates his client, who also was hired in August to teach fourth graders at Honokaa Elementary School.
read ... Discrimination
Island Air, Buyer Beware!
CB: Because of frequent and seemingly interminable delays, folks who live on the Friendly Island are not feeling very friendly toward Island Air. Dozens of Molokai residents who spoke with Civil Beat said they feel like the company is giving them short shrift, perhaps in favor of routes to Lanai. That island's owner, billionaire Larry Ellison, bought Island Air in March.
Whatever the reason, folks on Molokai are feeling pretty peeved.
"Oh, honey, I'm devastated," said Teri Waros, owner of Kalele Bookstore & Divine Expressions on Ala Malama Street in Kaunakakai. "Every single retailer on this street holds on this time of year for people to start coming back to infuse some dollars into our economy. This is horrible."
read ... Island Air
Hawaii County still lacks legislative auditor
HTH: Almost a year after county Legislative Auditor Colleen Schrandt resigned, the position has not yet been filled and it’s unclear how much, if any, auditing has actually happened.
That’s despite a county charter amendment that requires the County Council to appoint an auditor who has free rein to inspect county records and require employees to be available for questioning as the auditor prepares performance and financial audits of administrative and legislative departments. The auditor serves for a six-year term, and it takes two-thirds of the council membership to remove the auditor for cause.
The auditor is required by the charter to prepare an annual audit plan, detailing what departments and divisions will be audited for the year. The plan is supposed to be presented to the mayor and the County Council and filed with the county clerk.
But a Stephens Media Hawaii investigation found no such audit plan has been presented this year, nor has there been an update from the auditor about progress of ongoing audits.
read ... No Auditor
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