Why the State Audit is Good Medicine for OHA
OHA releases report on health of Native Hawaiian women
Hawaii Family Forum Legislative Week in Review
SB2046: Bump Stock Ban on Ige's Desk
How Tulsi Gabbard Is Raising Money to Become Next Senator
CB: …The latest data from the Federal Election Commission and the Center for Responsive Politics shows that more than 80 percent of Gabbard’s itemized campaign donations in the current two-year election cycle came from outside Hawaii.….
So far in the 2018 election cycle, FEC data shows Gabbard has raised more than $1 million, with about $424,000 coming from small, unitemized donations….
Since first running for Congress in 2012, Center for Responsive Politics data shows Gabbard — who has more than $2.2 million in the bank — has received more than $1.3 million from PACs.
Among the largest of her PAC donors in the past are the National Automobile Dealers Association, VoteVets.org, the Airline Pilots Association, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Ironworkers Union, Matson and Lockheed Martin….
Moore said. “In Tulsi’s case, it’s probably because she wants to run for something bigger, such as the Senate.”
Gabbard has sought a Senate seat before.
Just after she won her first term in Congress, and just after being been sworn in on Capitol Hill, she unsuccessfully sought the appointment to replace long-time Sen. Daniel Inouye after he died in 2012….
Campaign spending data shows Gabbard has paid the political consulting firm Revolution Messaging, which does digital marketing, fundraising and public relations, more than $207,000 so far in this election cycle….“What it shows is that she’s quite interested in raising her profile even further,” Skelley said. “I mean, it’s kind of hard not to see it otherwise.”….
2015: Tulsi Gabbard Hires Cult Associate as Chief of Staff
read … Happy News for Chris Butler
Council May Approve Caldwell’s Vacation rental proposal
SA: Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s vacation rental proposal to allow for more legal bed-and- breakfast establishments and transient vacation units across Oahu — under stricter guidelines — got a warmer reception from Honolulu City Council members last week than when it was announced last month.
After a presentation of the draft plan was made to the Council Zoning Committee on Thursday, committee members applauded the Department of Planning and Permitting for its initial steps toward a short-term rental policy. A proposed draft bill establishing a new policy is now before the city Planning Commission. After that panel makes its recommendations by the end of summer, the Council will begin deliberations on it….
April 3, 2018: Caldwell to Announce New TVR Scheme
read … Vacation rental proposal draws mixed reviews
Profit Motive: Sunscreen Ban Designed to Give Competing Products an Edge
LS: Hawaii is poised to ban certain sunscreens from sale within its borders in the name of protecting coral reefs. But vacationers will still be able to protect themselves from skin cancer while snorkeling and frolicking in the waves — but might look a little funny.
On Tuesday (May 1), Hawaii's Legislature passed a bill to ban sunscreens containing the common chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate, effective Jan 1, 2021. The bill is now awaiting a signature from Gov. David Ige.
The ban follows research suggesting that sunscreen drifting off the skin of tourists can damage coral. But only chemical sunscreens are affected — mineral sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to physically block the sun's rays are still allowed. These sunscreens have fallen out of favor because they often leave a white sheen on the skin, but marine biologists say it's worth looking a little goofy to save reefs….
read … Sunscreen
Dive Tour Operators Desperately Try to Avoid Culpability for Snorkel Deaths
KGI: …On Kauai, snorkeling contributes to 23 percent of ocean drownings, according to the state Department of Health….
Robert Winter of Snorkel Bob’s, for instance, refuses to sell the full face snorkel masks, because he doesn’t believe they’re safe. “We’ve never carried the full face masks, not even at the beginning. They’re terrible,” he said.
(Translation: Blame the full-face model and we will sacrifice it to keep the profits rolling in.)
read … Snorkel Rentals Kill
Usual Suspects Seek to Exploit Hanalei Flooding to Take More Private Property
CB: …Kauai County Council members Mason Chock and JoAnn Yukimura said they are exploring new policies to better protect homeowners.
“I would love it if the homeowners there on Weke Road were interested in selling the property to the county,” said Yukimura, who is campaigning for mayor. “Even if they have unlimited money, it doesn’t make sense to rebuild there.”
Makaala Kaaumoana, executive director of the nonprofit Hanalei Watershed Hui, said she hopes the flood has engendered the political will necessary to reduce the number of structures in hazardous locations.
“My concern is when one homeowner’s behavior is putting others at risk,” Kaaumoana said. “But we all know that in Poipu, after hurricanes Iwa and Iniki, they wanted to build right back where they were. That’s what humans do. I think it’s up to policymakers to make rules and laws that protect us from ourselves.”
Flashback: Kauai: Yukimura Refused Military Help for Iniki Hurricane Relief
read … Usual Suspects Seek to Exploit Hanalei Flooding to Take More Private Property
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