Aiona's gubernatorial campaign stresses 'balance'

With Gov. Linda Lingle, the first Republican governor in 40 years, preparing to leave office after two terms, Aiona is asking voters whether they want to return to one-party rule.

"It's about balance," said Aiona, whose performance may help determine whether the GOP can expand its ranks in the Islands. "It's something that has helped us, I believe, in government, and has made things better. We want to maintain that balance."...

The Cook Political Report, a national online newsletter that analyzes campaigns, has the governor's race in Hawai'i as a toss-up, the most competitive category. But most local political analysts (are leftists hacks so they pretend to) believe the Democratic primary winner will have the edge (in an effort to suppress the GOP vote).

Aiona, 54, a former deputy prosecutor and Family Court judge who helped establish a drug court to encourage treatment, will argue that his experiences have uniquely prepared him to be governor....

Adrienne King, an attorney and veteran Republican activist, is the only announced candidate for lieutenant governor. Republicans are courting other potential candidates from outside the party.

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Senators expect movement on Akaka Bill

"We'd like to finish it as soon as we can," U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye said Saturday. "Because when all this comes along, let's face it, this is an election year and people are going to be busy elsewhere."

U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka, the chief sponsor of the bill, says he also hopes to tackle the matter in the coming weeks.

"As you know, it passed the (Senate Indian Affairs) Committee, which was the first big step," Akaka said. "And so the next step is to get it on the floor."

(So far that is just wishful thinking....  It was one thing to get the Akaka Bill through with the State's support.  Now they have to get it through over the State's objection.)

Lingle says the changes to the bill would severely hinder that negotiation process.

"The change that was made in the bill was so dramatic -- it said we don't need to have any discussions," Lingle said. "This entity will be able to move forward and file lawsuits against the state.

"Our version says it wouldn't impact zoning issues, taxation issues, those kinds of issues until, again, there was discussion, negotiations and agreement, and this just by-passed that whole process."

The senators say claim those concerns are being worked on.  (And two or three people might fall for that line.)

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Brian Schatz joins motley crew running for lieutenant governor

Schatz could be the last of the prominent Democrats to jump into the primary.

The field already includes state Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser  (anti-Superferry protester), state Sen. Robert Bunda, state Sen. Norman Sakamoto (brother is DoE contractor), state Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu (drunk driving) and state Rep. Lyla Berg (Islam Day co-sponsor). 

SB: Democrats' ex-chairman to run for state's No. 2 post

KHON: Brian Schatz Enters Race for Lieutenant Governor 

PHOTO of Schatz in Larry Mehau's barn: Big Island Rancher Larry Mehau Hosts Community Rally for Sen. Akaka

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Students React to UH Budget Shortfall

There are fewer classes available, leaving students to scramble to get the ones they need.

"I'll be here for a year or two longer trying to take courses that weren't available this semester."

"I think students have saw that throughout their other courses as well sections tend to usually have 20 students. Now we see increased in sizes of 40 students, even upwards of 50 students," said Choe, a Communications major.  (Did they say "Communications"?)

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Clinton's Pacific itinerary criticized

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — Eni Faleomavaega, American Samoa's nonvoting delegate to Congress, said he is disappointed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton won't be meeting with the leaders of some 15 island nations when she travels to the Pacific this week....

Clinton was to stop in Hawai'i on Tuesday before traveling on to Papua-New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia....

"But, considering that President (Barack) Obama was born and raised in Hawai'i and understands the challenges and needs of the community, I thought these small island nations, however small, would finally be given the time, consideration and respect they deserve," said Faleomavaega....

(Yeah?  Well EF, lots of people have been disabused of their illusions lately.  Join the crowd.)

ADV: Clinton headed for Honolulu to open 10-day trip through Pacific

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Cancer center deal benefits all stakeholders

The cancer center will team up with The Queen's Medical Center, Hawai'i Pacific Health and Kuakini Health System....  It will no longer have to finance the construction of a clinic, which is part of the requirement for obtaining the prestigious designation as a National Cancer Institute center. It can now rely on its partner facilities to meet that need. That should yield a savings of roughly $80 million in construction costs.

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Local 5 Kaiser workers plan for a strike

The union that represents nearly 1,800 Kaiser Permanente employees statewide is planning for a strike.

Local 5 union leaders say they informed Kaiser officials this afternoon about the "limited duration" strike.

"Limited duration" because the strike probably won't last more than a day or two.

The strike is scheduled to start at 6am on Tuesday, January 19th, in front of Kaiser's Honolulu Clinic.

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