Memorial Day Events Statewide
Hawaii Bill Would Database Gun Owners For Special Scrutiny
Local Principal Advocates for Private School Choice
Report: Hawaii 5th-Healthiest Seniors
Anti-Development Activist Takes Hawaii Democratic Chairmanship
ILind: …I received several campaign emails this month from Jacce Mikulanec, a longtime activist in local Democratic circles. Mikulanec has served as president of the Honolulu Japanese American Citizens League and is registered as president of the Equality Hawaii Action Fund, a political action committee supporting “candidates who support equality for Hawaii’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families.”
It seemed to me that Jacce had a real shot at winning this election.
Also running were Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, executive director of the Hawaii Construction Alliance, and Florence Kong Kee, a UPW lobbyist and another longtime party activist and insider.
But in the end, the prize went to Tim Vandeveer, an environmental activist who ran with the backing of supporters of the Bernie Sanders campaign.
A quick online search turned up additional background on Vandeveer, who originally hailed from Texas. He’s been host of Hawaii Public Radio’s “Full Nelson.”
“I was raised on Willie’s music,” he explains in an HPR blurb about the program.
He worked for several years at the Turtle Bay resort on Oahu’s north shore.
A 2008 Honolulu Weekly story noted that Vandeveer “led Turtle Bay horseback tours for five years and was named Kuilima’s Employee of the Year in 2004.”
He was one of the hotel employees who opposed a massive expansion and became active in the Defend Oahu Coalition. He’s currently a co-chair of the group, according to its website, and president of the Defend Oahu Coalition Fund.….
read … Save Oahu
Power Mad Hanabusa Says She Will Chair HART and Campaign for Congress at the Same Time
HNN: …Hanabusa, meanwhile, says she plans to formally announced her candidacy later this week.
But she said she has no plans to immediately step down as chairwoman of the rail authority's board after checking with experts.
Hanabusa was recently elected board chair of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and has vowed to bring more transparency to the state's largest-ever public works project.
"Contrary to popular belief, it is not a paid position, I can actually serve almost as long as I feel that it doesn't interfere with anything else," Hanabusa said.
read … HART is Hanabusa’s Problem
Bizarre: Takai Pledges to Support Progressive for Congress—then Endorses Hanabusa
CB: U.S. Rep. Mark Takai was not able to attend the Democratic Party of Hawaii’s state convention at the Sheraton Waikiki Sunday.
But he let delegates know through a spokesperson that he intends to help elect “a progressive champion to represent Hawaii in Congress – someone like Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa – who can deliver resources and results for Hawaii.”….
Comments: “Define progressive. Even the vilest actors in history made progress.” – “Just doing the will of the party” – “How can Hanabusa be an active member of the board of HART, working to come up with a better solution for our mismanaged rail, if she will be busy actively campaigning and fundraising?”
read … Bizarre News
$8.1 Billion Funeral Train
Shapiro: >> The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation raised the estimated cost of Oahu rail to $6.9 billion, then a few days later to $8.1 billion. HART is tracking its budget with a Powerball jackpot counter.
>> The City Council nominated businessman John Henry Felix to the HART board. Felix, who got rich in the funeral business, is uniquely qualified to guide rail to its final destination.
>> Mayor Kirk Caldwell said he supports more taxes for rail because he’s taking the long view. He expects more public support when the kids who were brainwashed by HART’s coloring books reach voting age.
>> Caldwell launched his campaign for re-election by declaring, “I love sewers!” It’s touching when a man finds a place where he fits in….
read … Funeral Train
TMT Hearings: Paralyzed with Fear of Supreme Court
SA: …After lengthy delays, hopes rose with the appointment of a hearing officer on March 31 and the launch of a new contested case hearing shortly thereafter. Finally, it seemed, the process was back on track.
Well, never mind. Lawyers for the competing sides have spent most of their time bickering over procedural issues and potential conflicts of interest, mostly involving objections to the hearing officer, retired Judge Riki May Amano.
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources, which oversees the permitting process, needs to resolve these issues swiftly and get the hearing back on track.
If that means replacing Amano with another candidate on BLNR’s list, so be it — even if the work done so far will have to be revisited….
Fear Factor: Enviros win 90% in Hawaii Supreme Court
read … Give due caution but move quickly in TMT hearings
Data Show 18% More Students Leaving Public Schools for Charters
AP: HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
In 2010-11, traditional public schools: 171,312. Charters: 8,289.
In 2013-14, traditional public schools: 177,009. Charters: 9,816.
AP: As charters grow, public schools see sharp enrollment drop
read … Charters
UH Sets Stage for next Golden Parachute
SA: Calls for change get louder as losing seasons continue….
read … Ca-Ching
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