Legislators Consider Permanent Hunt for Old Child Molesters--Except those Employed by Government
Hawaii Supreme Court: Must Counties Maintain Accurate Public Records?
Two Weeks after Price Fixing Settlement, Saltchuk Named 'World's Most Ethical' Company
Djou will run for old Hawaii seat
TH: Hawaii Republican Party chairwoman Pat Saiki said on Hawaii News Now that Djou will enter the open-seat race this week, giving Republicans an outside shot at winning a heavily Democratic district.
Djou won a three-way special election for the seat in 2010 and served in Congress a few months before losing that fall to Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii). She defeated him by a 10-percentage point margin in a 2012 one-on-one rematch.
read ... Ex-Rep. Djou will run for old Hawaii seat
Abercrombie Travels First Class to meet With Crony Capitalists, Commie
CB: Hawaii taxpayers paid the tab for Gov. Neil Abercrombie, his deputy chief of staff and two security guards at the swanky St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. for a few nights last December.
Their lodging alone cost $3,520.
Add $7,929 to fly the four of them there — including the governor’s nearly $5,000 first-class ticket — and the five-day trip totaled $11,449.
They were there for a mixed plate of state business.
Abercrombie attended a climate preparedness task force meeting, dinner with Sen. Brian Schatz and an appearance on CNN’s “Crossfire” with former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and hosts (self-proclaimed communist) Van Jones and Newt Gingrich.
Abercrombie and his deputy chief of staff, Blake Oshiro, also met with Jorge Dominicis and David Venturella of the Geo Group, a large provider of correctional and detention services, to talk about prisons (not contributions. Really.)
They also found 15 minutes to chat with former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean and Tim Reynolds of Highstar Capital about airport infrastructure investments (not contributions. Really.)
The D.C. trip was the most expensive traveling Abercrombie did in December and November
Background: Abercrombie's nervous communist Czar: Cap and Trade, and the cost to Hawaii
read ... And Just Wait til we get the bill for the 'infrastructure'
Will Obamacare make a big enough wave to wash out Abercrombie?
TBO: Another example of the general mood, and that candidates matter, can be found in the Democratic bastion of Hawaii. Incumbent Gov. and former Congressman Neil Abercrombie has a primary opponent, which shows Democratic discontent.
If he survives, he will face former Republican Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona. At the same time the CBS/New York Times poll came out, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser commissioned a poll showing Aiona leading Abercrombie 48-40.
Abercrombie has done a less than stellar job as governor, so despite the odds, the right candidate can win in the Aloha State. Why not? Hawaii is known for catching the wave.
read ... Catch the Wave
Obamacare plans bring hefty fees for certain drugs
AP: Breast cancer survivor Ginny Mason was thrilled to get health coverage under the Affordable Care Act despite her pre-existing condition. But when she realized her arthritis medication fell under a particularly costly tier of her plan, she was forced to switch to another brand.
Under the plan, her Celebrex would have cost $648 a month until she met her $1,500 prescription deductible, followed by an $85 monthly co-pay.
Mason is one of the many Americans with serious illnesses — including cancer, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis — who are indeed finding relatively low monthly premiums under President Barack Obama’s law. But some have been shocked at how much their prescriptions are costing as insurers are sorting drug prices into a complex tier system and in some cases charging co-insurance rates as high as 50 percent. That can leave patients on the hook for thousands.
“I was grateful for the Affordable Care Act because it didn’t turn me down but … it’s like where’s the affordable on this one,” said Mason, a 61-year-old from West Lafayette, Indiana who currently pays an $800 monthly premium....
Under the law, insurers can’t charge an individual more than $6,350 in out-of pocket costs a year and no more than $12,700 for a family policy. But patients advocates warn those with serious illnesses could pay their entire out-of-pocket cap before their insurance kicks in any money.
“The challenge is for the sickest patients, the ones that need access to these specialty drugs, the costs are going to come in most cases from that out of pocket cap … they are likely to hit that $6,350 ceiling and in some cases quickly,” said Rosen.
read ... Suurrrprise!
RTTT Success tied to Teacher Evaluations
MN: ...test scores for both 4th- and 8th-graders have improved, a teacher evaluation program is moving forward and Hawaii is emphasizing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects in its curriculum.
The story notes Hawaii's performance on the 2012 National Assessment of Educational Progress tests showed an enormous gain when compared to 2009 results. There was an 8-point increase in average scores in mathematics for grades 4 and 8; a 4-point increase in the average score for reading in grade 4; and a 5-point increase in the average score for 8th-grade reading.
This is the first year of a teacher assessment program and, while questions remain about it, even the teachers union says it is needed.
Hawaii State Teachers Association President Wil Okabe noted Wednesday that the system "is necessary and supported by teachers." Only teachers that receive a rating of "effective" will be eligible for raises.
read ... Evaluations
Judge: Department of Human Services negligent in the case of a young boy who died
SA: At 5 weeks McVeigh experienced a traumatic fracture of his right upper arm, and Chang said there was evidence that the boy suffered multiple injuries resulting in black eyes and bruises.
It was in August 2008 that DHS classified McVeigh's broken arm as suspected abuse and neglect — taking the boy and his sister into custody and temporarily placing them in foster care, according to court records.
But when the children were returned to their parents six months later, a DHS social worker repeatedly dropped the ball in monitoring McVeigh's well-being, Chang found.
Chang said DHS had a duty in 2009, up until McVeigh's death on Sept. 20 of that year, to provide him with "competent, prompt and ample protection from harm."
Indeed, because McVeigh already was known to DHS to have been the victim of "suspected severe child abuse and neglect," a policy known as the "Green Book" placed him at a higher risk of re-harm and required immediate steps to assess any such harm, the judge said.
Chang said DHS social worker Gwenson Yuen, McVeigh's caseworker, didn't log a black eye observed on the boy into a mandatory record-keeping system — which would have raised red flags with later injuries — and didn't take other required steps in the case.
Yuen at one point was under the impression that reports of black eyes months apart were just one incident and not two, Chang said.
"The failure (by) DHS to properly document injuries to Brayden and to properly disseminate such information to other child welfare professional working on Brayden's case was a substantial factor that prevented the intricate and extensive procedures established by the Green Book and the applicable law to be engaged to provide for the protection of Brayden," Chang said in the 54-page ruling....
Yuen, who had the title of "social worker" but never attended college courses in social work, instead getting experience on the job, (thanks, HGEA) was assigned the McVeigh case in February 2009, the same month Brayden and Brodi were returned to their parents, Chang said....
Polm, the maternal grandmother and a Texas resident, tried to get custody of both children, and in a court filing in March 2013, she said she spent more than $140,000 "arising out of Brayden's death" and in efforts to win custody of Brodi..
read ... Negligence
Will Legislature Act to Push Homeless into Shelters?
CB: House Bill 33 would make permanent a law set to expire that prohibits urinating and defecating in public in downtown Honolulu.
Two other bills would make it illegal to obstruct sidewalks and lie down at bus stops. All three measures come from state Rep. Karl Rhoads, who says the legislation is in response to complaints from constituents in his district that includes Kalihi, Palama, Iwilei and Chinatown.
Background: Defeating the "homelessness industry" before it gets a grip on Hawaii.
read ... An Article titled 'are We Criminalizing Homelessness in Hawaii'?
At Shelters Homeless Kids, Parents Learn Together in Preschool Programs
CB: The Waianae Boat Harbor is one of nine sites that every day are transformed into these Ka Paalana preschools. The preschools primarily serve at-risk, underserved and homeless populations near various shelters, public housing facilities and beach parks along the Leeward Coast....
Nakamura discusses the importance of teaching family literacy as he walks through one of the program’s other sites, a 100-acre patch adjacent to a pair of shelters in Kapolei that are run by Waianae Community Outreach — one emergency shelter and one transitional shelter.
Keiki Steps currently operates 12 sites on Oahu and Hilo, some out of school cafeterias and one within Ulu Ke Kukui, a transitional shelter for families in Waianae.
read ... Hawaii's Homeless: Kids, Parents Learn Together in Preschool Programs
Kauai: Public meetings have been dominated by fringe members of the public who stage public tantrums and rely on intimidation and disruption to achieve their goals
KGI: “It is possible that the well may have a better cost benefit than the study suggests and conversely, the well may turn out to have a negative cost benefit than other alternatives,” Aoki wrote.
The letter doesn’t mention the controversy that’s surrounded the proposed project as a reason for possibly shelving it.
The estimated $60 million project proposes drilling a 12,000-foot-long, high-elevation well in one of four locations near Mount Kahili. DOW has said previously the project would allow the department to access high-level water, and that the cost of doing so would be made up in savings over the next 25 years.
But neighbors have been very vocal in their opposition to any drilling. In January, a group of about 100 residents yelled and spoke out against the project so feverishly, it forced organizers to shut down an informational meeting in Kapaa early.
Mears Group, Inc. out of Houston was awarded a $1.9 million contract for phase 1 work, including helping prepare the cost-study analysis for the project.
The company’s engineering manager, Jim Williams, said in letter that the group was disappointed in the department’s recommendation. The department should continue moving forward and not focus on a vocal minority, he said.
The DOW “should continue the democratic process and allow public review of the project,” Williams wrote. “Thus far, public meetings have been dominated by fringe members of the public who stage public tantrums and rely on intimidation and disruption to achieve their goals.” (Yup. This is Kauai.)
read ... About Reality
State looking to Nickel and Dime Tourists Some More
KITV: Tourists may view it as a place to see Hawaii's greenery, while the state sees the park as a way to make some green.
"We're in desperate need of operating money. We need money for the water bill, the electric bill, for fuel - and for fixing the trucks. So the money from parking or entrance fees helps subsidize our operating costs, big time," said Curt Cottrell, with the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The Nuuanu Pali Wayside is one of six parks where the DLNR charges those fees to commercial tour companies and visitors.
"We were looking at where can we generate income with minimal impact to residents, but also tie it into the visitor industry. Because we know the visitor industry has some of the greatest impacts to our state parks," said Cottrell.
The revenue has added up. Last year, parking at the Pali Lookout brought in more than $350,000 to the state. Fees from Iao Valley on Maui, along with Hapuna Beach and Akaka Falls on the Big Island, helped bring the total to more than $1.1 million.
The state's top revenue generating park Diamond Head brought in $1.2 million in 2013.
The additional revenue isn't earmarked to improve the state's most popular parks. Instead - it is spent on maintenance at all recreation areas.
Cottrell added that while there haven't been any physical improvements at the Nuuanu Wayside Park, having a parking attendant in the lot has improved safety (and created another UPW position).
read ... Expand Revenue
Project SAM Schools Hawaii Legislators on Marijuana
AP: Pot school: Lawmakers will get an earful about the health effects of marijuana at a hearing Tuesday. They will hear an update on how Colorado and Washington have implemented the legalization of recreational marijuana. The hearing will be led by Project SAM, short for Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a group opposed to the legalization of marijuana that was founded by former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy.
Meanwhile: Marijuana industry finds new allies among conservatives
read ... Getting Schooled
Working group formed to deal with narcotics problem in Hawaii
KHON: ...abuse of powerful painkillers have prompted federal regulators to crack down on doctors prescribing, and pharmacies dispensing, narcotic pain medication. A key state lawmaker says abuse of pain killers is getting out of hand throughout the country.
“We consume about 80% of all narcotic pain medication – 80%, How bad is it in Hawaii? It’s similar to the mainland.” Sen Josh Green said. “In Hilo, we had an outbreak of kids crushing pills and putting them in Coco Cola and having overdoses.”
The crackdown to prevent abuse and addiction has affected patients like this woman who has a rare medical condition that triggers a lot of pain – but has found it difficult to get the medicine she needs.
“It’s very hard. The pharmacies start to treat you bad.” said a painkiller patient who did not want to be identified. “Thankfully, I found a pharmacy that would help. I had to work closely with my doctor – I had to get a diagnosis on record, I had to take drug tests.”
She did not want to reveal her identity – because the medicine she takes – oxycodone – is highly prized by those who want to sell it illegally on the street. Her doctor is the chairman of a newly-formed working group that will deal with the issues surrounding the use of narcotics. He has a method to control what’s referred to as the abusive practice of shopping for a doctor or pharmacy to fulfill an alleged need for pain killers.
“Every patients who has a narcotic has to have a signed contract with us that they will receive it only from our office and designate a pharmacy they they will only go to to fill that medication.” Dr. Scott Miscovich said....
Green? Oxycontin Contributions: Clayton Hee, Josh Green, Karl Rhoads and HB466
read ... Narcotics
Marijuana Dispensaries needed to Help Small Children Get Marijuana
HNN: One of those medical marijuana users is Maile Jen Kaneshiro, also known as M.J. She is five years old and has a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet's Syndrome. She has suffered seizures several times a day.
M.J.'s mother, Jari Sugano of Mililani, said the family has tried all kinds of treatments, without success. But medical cannabis seems to work.
"I was a bit hesitant," said Sugano. "I mean, who wants to put their child on marijuana?"
Sugano said using the cannabis seemed to reduce the seizures to just one every other day.
"We were able to see some differences in her seizure control, as well as her cognitive ability," said Sugano. "We noticed that she was babbling a little bit more and she was more focused."
But Sugano has to grow the plants, and then try to get more CBD from them. CBD is the medicinal extract of marijuana, compared with THC, which causes users to get "high."
Sugano found a way to get resins from the cannabis plants. She freeze-dries the buds and uses alcohol to get the resins. She then takes the resins after the alcohol blows off and mixed them with coconut oil, which she then gives to M.J.
Sugano said she wouldn't have to do all that herself if dispensaries were available.
"We would be able to go to a pharmacy, sort of in a sense, and to just say we need this much of this extract, and its been tested to have so much percent CBD in it, and then from there would be able to determine how much to dose," she said.
Bills to establish dispensaries have been opposed by law enforcement and prosecutors. The Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii argues that dispensaries shouldn't even be necessary soon, as pharmaceutical companies are coming up with medications that have CBD in them.
Real Medicine, not disguised dope: Epidiolex
CB: Hawaii Senate Wants Feds to Change Marijuana’s Drug Status
read ... Put Kids on Marijuana
Hawaii homeowners face rising flood insurance rates
WHT: Nearly 14,000 federally subsidized flood insurance policies in Hawaii will start to see premium increases as Congress looks to get a federal program out of a $24 billion hole.
Legislation signed by President Barack Obama on Friday means homeowners won’t see premiums jump all at once as scheduled under a 2012 overhaul.
But the relief law calls for insurance rates for owner-occupied homes to increase by up to 18 percent annually, while businesses and second homes will see hikes of 25 percent a year.
On Hawaii’s island of Oahu, home to the World Cup of Surfing, more than 8,000 policyholders face the hefty premium increases.
AP: Rising flood insurance rates will impact across the nation
read ... Flood Waters
Run Amok: Ernie Martin Seeks Change to Shoreline Permitting
SA: City planners, state land-use officials and environmentalists are correctly uniform in their opposition to this bill, which represents a U-turn from policy dating back to the 1970s that emphasizes shoreline preservation and public access over special accommodations for property owners. Careful management of construction on oceanfront property is even more paramount now, in the era of climate change, making this bill all the more unfathomable.
Moreover, Bill 17 is a glaring example of constituent service gone too far. Council Chairman Ernie Martin introduced it at the behest of landowner and attorney Howard Green, who helped draft the measure, and is at odds with the city over two unpermitted walls he built to control runoff and erosion on his Kaneohe Bay-front property.
The bill, which aims "to ease the regulatory process to encourage full use of shoreline residential lots," would allow homeowners to build retaining walls within setback areas of their property after obtaining only a minor shoreline structure permit, rather than a shoreline setback variance.
Seeking a variance is more costly and time consuming and allows for the public to comment on the request; the process also requires the property owner to conduct an environmental assessment of the wall's potential impact.
Green contends that the current process is overly burdensome for property owners seeking to build structures that pose no significant impact. Minor shoreline structures cannot interfere with drainage, tidal action or other beach processes; establish an artificial shoreline; or block public views and access. Green insists his walls meet the criteria for minor shoreline structure permits. The city, however, refused to grant him after-the-fact permits; an official said such permits are for small, easy-to-remove structures, not permanent rock walls like the ones built on Green's land.
read ... Run Amok
Hawaii ASEAN Defense Summit Proves Pentagon Serious about Asia Pivot?
DO: Those who question whether the Department of Defense is actually rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific region should look at the three days Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is devoting in April to meet with his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. While the Secretary’s time is not as appealing a metric as military assets deployed and security assistance dollars, it is a clear demonstration of the priorities of the department and sets the tone for the entire bureaucracy. Just a few years ago, the idea that the secretary of defense would devote this much time to multilateral engagement in Southeast Asia would have been laughable — not any more.
The April 1-3 summit in Hawaii has its roots in a December 2009 visit to the Pentagon by Vietnamese Defense Minister Phùng Quang Thanh. In his meeting with then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Thanh asked if Gates would consider attending an inaugural meeting of a new 18-country forum to be called the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, or ADMM+, which Vietnam sought to create during its 2010 ASEAN chairmanship. It’s members would include the ten ASEAN countries, plus the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Russia.
read ... Think the Pentagon Isn’t Serious About Asia? Think Again
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