Hawaii Memorial Day Ceremonies
Democrats argue who can "take on Djou"
Bye-Bye Closed Primary? Stephanie Ohigashi defeats attorney Tony Gill for Democratic Party Chair
CB: Her election may also determine whether the party continues a lawsuit that seeks to end Hawaii’s open primary system. Gill, 63, has led the legal action, arguing that allowing non-Democrats to pull a Democratic ballot places a “severe burden” on the party’s right of free association.
The lawsuit has upset many Democrats who believe it goes against the party’s “e komo mai” mantra of welcoming more people. Others support Gill, saying that some Democratic candidates and elected officials have not adhered to the party’s platform.
Asked about Gill’s lawsuit, Ohigashi noted that it is on appeal and that the party’s State Central Committee would wait to see what the courts say. But she said she always doubted whether getting rid of the open primary system was in the best interest of the party....
As delegates from each of the state’s 51 districts announced their votes, it was soon apparent that Gill was in trouble. While some districts were split between the two candidates, others unanimously favored Ohigashi. On more than one occasion, groups of delegates clapped and cheered as results were released.
The final vote had nearly 400 delegates choosing Ohigashi to just over 250 for Gill....
Ohigashi said that she had decided to jump into the race only recently, concluding that, after 31 years in the party, she wanted to do something more than plant campaign signs in yards and on fences and make beef stew for political events.
Ohigashi manages the Wailuku law office of her husband, Lee Ohigashi, and is an executive assistant to Maui County Councilman Mike Victorino, who enthusiastically nominated her for the job....
(TRANSLATION: HGEA, UPW, HSTA have reasserted control over Dem Party District Committees and pushed the haole progressive activists back off to the margins.)
read ... A Vote to Continue One Party System
Will OHA Reopen or Delay Kana‘iolowalu Roll?
SA:The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will hold a special meeting Thursday to gather public comment on the agency's nation-building efforts — the possible first step in what may lead to a delay in the process....
Just how fast the nation-building process goes from here appears uncertain.
As it stands now, May 1 was the final day to register to participate in the nation-building effort, and the official roll is expected to be certified by the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission next month....
However, Crabbe said he's heard concerns that there needs to be more time for the process and more education — as well as consideration for another way to sign up participants.
"At the same time, we have heard from many who support the current timetable and process as approved by the trustees," Crabbe said in a statement. "These issues must have full deliberations before the Board of Trustees."...
However, Crabbe said he's heard concerns that there needs to be more time for the process and more education — as well as consideration for another way to sign up participants.
"At the same time, we have heard from many who support the current timetable and process as approved by the trustees," Crabbe said in a statement. "These issues must have full deliberations before the Board of Trustees."...
The more people who register, the better, Waihee said. However, he cautioned, verifying Hawaiian status does take time.
read ... OHA seeks opinions on nation building
Ige Attacks School Board on Behalf of HSTA
CB: Ige said Hawaii needs a better school board, but he was careful not to single out any current members — particularly since he voted in the Senate to confirm each of them.
The seven current school board members — all appointed by the governor — are well-respected in their various communities.
Ige, who secured an endorsement from the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said that, if elected governor, he wouldn’t move to replace the whole board. But going forward, he would like to appoint members who have children in public schools.
read ... Owned by the HSTA
Ige: I work for HSTA, Abercrombie Works for Billionaires
SA: At the party's state convention at the Sheraton Waikiki, the state senator, who is running against Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the primary, said he would work to empower public school principals and teachers to improve public education, strive for solar power on every home to reduce dependence on imported oil, and protect the environment — and Hawaii tourism — by fighting the threat posed by invasive species.
"We must reject special interests and always put the public interest first," Ige said. "We must act and honor those who came before us so that we can earn the trust and respect of our people that will allow us to deliver Hawaii to the future that we all want, the Hawaii that we all demand, the Hawaii that we all will fight for so that we can leave a better Hawaii for our children and our children's children."
Ige poked at Abercrombie, who has brought in more than $3.8 million for his re-election campaign, for his comments to Democrats decrying the influence of money in politics. The governor appeared at a fundraiser earlier this month at the San Francisco home of Larry Ellison, the billionaire founder of Oracle who owns most of Lanai, and was feted Friday evening at a fundraiser in Kakaako by some of the state's top real estate and development interests.
"You know, I have always lived my life believing that actions speak louder than words," Ige said. "I never want a fundraiser at a billionaire's residence. I trust that the people of Hawaii will not let this election be bought. I ask you to join me in that trust."
read ... Choose HSTA or Ellison
Mayor: Homelessness is My Latest Excuse for Property Tax Hike Proposal
SA: Citing the need to raise money "to address the homeless situation in Waikiki," Mayor Kirk Caldwell is making a last-minute push for City Council members to increase proposed property tax rates on hotel and resort owners further.
Hotel and resort property owners now pay taxes at a rate of $12.40 for every $1,000 of value, and Caldwell's budget package in March sought to raise that to $13.40 per $1,000. But after Waikiki hoteliers voiced concerns that they were being hit with a new and unfair burden just as their industry was hitting an economic soft spot, the Council Budget Committee voted earlier this month to raise the hotel/resort rate by only 50 cents, to $12.90.
With a final vote on a city budget package scheduled for June 4, Caldwell sent a memo to Council Chairman Ernie Martin and Budget Chairwoman Ann Kobayashi asking that they take another look at the $13.40 rate.
read ... Another Tax Hike
Hawaii GOP Pledges Jones Act Reform
Guam PNC: Guam - The Hawaii Republican Party meeting in convention on May 17, 2014, adopted eight platform resolutions including one calling for Jones Act reform that would exempt the noncontiguous trades – Alaska, Guam, Hawaii and Puerto Rico – from the domestic ship build requirement.
read ... Hawaii GOP Pledges Jones Act Reform
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