October 27, 2009 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

Hawaii Daily News Read

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

October 27, 2009 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 8:21 AM :: 7877 Views

Honolulu rail faces key vote (countdown to lawsuit)

The City Council today is scheduled to vote on whether to allow the city administration to sign an agreement creating a framework to address the impacts of the rail project on historical resources....

Committee members Romy Cachola and Charles Djou voted against the resolution (in committee), saying they were concerned that the details of the proposed agreement have yet to be settled. At least four consulting parties to the proposed agreement — the Oahu Island Burial Council, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Historic Hawaii Foundation and the American Institute of Architects — are pushing for changes to the current language of the agreement.

Furlough decree skipped process of public hearings, lawyer argues

"The idea is that by not going through the hearing process and giving people an opportunity to comment, the state has deprived every parent of the opportunity to have their say about this important issue," Varady said yesterday. "We don't think the state should be cutting the school year from what was proposed at the beginning of the year without having to go through public hearings."

Hawaii's short school year is within rules

(But parents paying teachers to hold classes on furlough Fridays are not.)

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ADV: Homeowner tax class provides a vital tool

The knotty issue that the City Council must resolve today is: Should the city (elected officials) shield (themselves) ~~Oahu's owner-occupants~~ from the (reaction to) ~~brunt of~~ what will be an increased tax burden next year? And (this is) how ~~can~~ the city (can maximize the pain suffered by other taxpayers) ~~avoid subjecting other taxpayers to excessive pain~~?

Kauai Garden Isle polls furloughs--cutting waste not a choice

If there is enough support to convene a special session of the state Legislature to address the public education funding shortfall, how should the state fund public-school education this year to eliminate the need to close down schools on "furlough Friday

1. Raid hurricane-relief fund

2. Raise the general excise tax (GET)

3. Raise taxes on sales of alcohol and tobacco products

4. Do whatever it takes

(Even with a manipulated set of choices, the least popular were "raid the hurricane fund" and "raise the GET".)

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SB: Keep heat on child abuse

In Hawaii, the number of substantiated cases of child abuse dropped from 3,930 in 2001 to 2,075 in 2007, or 7.3 cases per 100,000 population, going from 30th to 13th lowest in the country.

Amy Tsark, administrator of the state's Child Welfare Services Bureau, has attributed much of the success to an increased effort to keep families together. Under the old policy, the Department of Human Services removed children from their biological parents at up to four times the national rate.

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Stupid idea award winner: Release lots of criminals to save money

After the usual litany of Democrat lies about Lingle, the UH Prof gets to the point:

"In 1980 we had an inmate population of 926. In 2008 the number had increased to 6,014! A substantial proportion of that population is imprisoned because of drug abuse." (That's a lot of Democrats not voting!)

WRONG. They are imprisoned because of serious crimes they committed such as murder, rape, robbery and drug dealing. Apparently "I am a drug addict" is to become the excuse that judges are expected to accept and put hardened criminals into "treatment".

Here's someone who needs "treatment" not incarceration, right???? LINK: Murder case accomplice gets 10 years

Hawaii's soft-on-crime policies already leave too many repeat offenders out on the streets with little to no parole supervision. Now a UH Prof--responsible for training many of our soft-on-crime judges and the crooks' defense lawyers wants to release even more.

Yes, this will create revenue--for lawyers, social workers, consultants, and security companies.

Kalapa: Hawaii State Government Has Expanded Beyond Its Needs - And Taxpayers Can't Afford It

...if we are to emerge a vibrant and stronger community, then lawmakers must shrink the size and role of government in Hawaii. What we do know is that government has become an obstacle to economic vibrancy and prosperity in Hawaii.

Bob Jones: Superintendent of Education Needs to Report to Hawaii Governor

It would enable governors to hire and fire education superintendents. That would not apply to Lingle because she'll be on her term-limited last year in office. The next governor likely will be a Democrat, so the idea should resonate with the Legislature.

Raiding Funds, Raising Taxes, Not the Answer to Stopping Hawaii DOE's Furlough Fridays, Public Policy Leader Says

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is calling out Kanu Hawaii, a self-branded community organization, on its petition entreating the state to preserve children's education. Among its demands are raiding the Hurricane Fund, raiding the Rainy Day Fund, and raising taxes, all of which would come at the detriment of all Hawaii citizens.

Reuse of treated water on agenda

"When wastewater is used for such things as irrigation, it helps to conserve drinkable water for our homes and businesses, and this task force will explore options that can help our county increase the use of treated wastewater," Tavares said.

(After OHA steals HC&C water, this is what they get? Just wait until OHA claims ownership of THIS water, too.)

Japanese ship to try to shoot down missile

LIHU‘E — A Japanese navy ship with a state-of-the-art, American-built, missile-defense system will attempt to shoot a target missile out of the sky this afternoon.

SB: U.S., Japan to again test missile intercept

Hawaiian Air pilots ask federal officials to offer arbitration

Unionized Hawaiian Airlines pilots said they believe their contract negotiations with the airline are at an impasse and have asked the federal government to release them from mediation, a process that could start the clock for a strike.

SB: Pilots want out of talks