ADV: Schools chief should sit at governor's table (Advertiser joins Sakamoto to torpedo constitutional amendment)
Pointing to a lack of accountability , Lingle now suggests that it would be better if the state schools superintendent were a Cabinet-level post, reporting to and appointed by the governor....
(Now watch how the Advertiser shifts the focus....)
In fact, it's surprising that the superintendent has not been part of regular Cabinet meetings up to this point....
(No, its not surprising. Cabinet meetings are between the Gov and her appointed department heads. Hamamoto is appointed by the BoE. The Advertiser is trying to shift the issue from a substantive change--having the DoE Sup't be appointed by the next Gov -- to a symbolic change--having a DoE Sup't still appointed by the worthless BoE sit at the Cabinet Meeting. Apparently Adv Editors think voters are too stupid to spot the deceit.)
The governor's proposal to bring the superintendent into the Cabinet will require a Constitutional amendment. That proposal should be made at the next legislative session. But there's never been greater need for cooperation — and there's nothing to stop Lingle from issuing the invitation to meetings now.
All of this is predicted here>>> HGEA vs HSTA: The coming legislative budget crisis
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Hawaii Senate (Hanabusa) forms committee to look into raising taxes restoring lost classroom time
Some solutions might include raiding the rainy day fund, using special funds or maybe starting a new tax, earmarked solely for education. (One thing surely off the table: cutting waste at the DoE.)
KITV: Committee Will Look Into New Sources For Money (Argues that lawsuit will fail, interesting read.)
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eBay founder, wife pledge $50 million to Hawaii charities over six years
(This is NOT a good development....)
ADV: the Omidyars have supported a number of local causes and organizations, from helping launch Kanu Hawaii to backing the expansion of Mao Organic Farms in Waianae and its farm to school program for young adults. Most recently the Omidyars launched the Ulupono Initiative, a social investment organization that makes nonprofit grants and for profit investments aimed at addressing issues critical to Hawaii's sustainable future — renewable energy, local food production and waste....
Wanna find out what we're going to get $50M worth of???? Remember the name "Kanu Hawaii" and read this: Furloughs: How Unions and the DoE aim to co-opt protesting parents
SB: EBay founder donates $50M to Hawaii Community Foundation
How is' that money going to be spent? To re-shape Hawaii politics in his own image:
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Hawaii visitor arrivals up 7.2 percent for September, but spending down 3%
A dentists convention, a string of Japanese holidays and deep discounts on hotel rooms helped propel Hawaii to its third consecutive month of growing visitor arrivals in September.
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Honolulu homeowner tax break approved
The drama in council chambers yesterday, however, was with Bill 09-51, the homeowner tax bill. Several council members angrily accused Mayor Mufi Hannemann of trying to manipulate the council.
Yesterday morning, believing there was not the five votes necessary to move the bill out, the council voted unanimously to send the bill back to the Budget Committee.
But after 6 p.m., with the bed-and-breakfast issue finished, the council, at the urging of city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell, voted to reverse itself so the new tax category would be in effect in the coming year as the city deals with a looming budget crisis.
Statement by Charles Djou: Homeowners' property tax vote "typical disgusting City Hall politics"
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Anthony Kahoohanohano, killed in the Korean War, will be awarded the Medal of Honor
For nearly a decade, George Kahoohanohano has lobbied Congress to win recognition for his uncle Anthony Kahoohanohano, who died during the Korean War after killing 13 enemy soldiers -- two with a shovel -- as he covered the withdrawal of his squad.
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Big Island "Pacifist" sentenced for murder -- 2 years
Lois Randrup, her voice wavering, lashed out at prosecutors for accepting a plea deal.
She said there would be no justice if the plea agreement stood.
"The prosecution's handling of Chris' murder left me totally frustrated — no, disgusted — that they are treating it like he mattered so little. I am here to say that Chris mattered a lot."
"This evil man killed my son, his own son, in such an obscene manner," she said. "We still have so many unanswered questions for such a horrible crime, your honor."
Lois Randrup's sister took her turn. "Chris did not deserve to be murdered," Sue Tompkins said in a barely audible voice.
Puna activists describe murderer: "Randrup as a pacifist and a “sweet, loving man.”
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Hawaii Republicans jump into NY-23 Congressional race
NYT: From left around the laptop, Marjorie Dannenfelser, Andy Blom (of Honolulu) , Nick Bell and Georgia Blom (of Honolulu), who have traveled to New York from Virginia, strategized for the Conservative Party candidate Douglas Hoffman in Watertown, N.Y., on Oct. 26, 2009. The Congressional race, in the far northern reaches of upstate New York, has become a contentious and sometimes chaotic referendum on the future of the Republican Party. (Mary Buttolph/The New York Times)
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Pitching in, cleaning up
At Keaau Middle School, Hawaii County Republican Party Chairman Daryl Smith, at top of stairs, and math teacher Aiya Shihata, on ladder, were among some 50 volunteers who turned out Saturday to spiff up two portable buildings near the school entrance for Make A Difference Day, the annual nationwide day of neighbors helping neighbors.
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