Rep Neil Abercrombie: (D-Hezbollah)
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Veteran Reporters Left Off Star-Advertiser Staff
Only about a third of the Honolulu Advertiser news staff has been offered jobs. A list of names of a little more than two dozen people who have been offered employment at the new Star Advertiser is being circulated.
"That's a list that was put out by the Star Bulletin editor Frank Bridgewater and we assume that's accurate, but we don't have anything official right now. There are still 400 people still flapping in the breeze," said Wayne Cahill, of the Hawaii Newspaper Guild.
The list of reporters includes William Cole, Rob Perez, Derick DePledge, Dan Nakaso. But among those who will be out of work include veteran journalists like Jim Dooley, Robbie Dingman, Gordon Pang and David Waite.
(Jim Dooley writes the Adv’s best articles on Hawaii organized crime.)
ADV: Star-Advertiser to have 450 workers (lay off 430)
Most Advertiser Staffers who were not hired by the Star-Advertiser will work their last day tomorrow or Saturday.
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Lawmakers seek solutions to homeless arrival surge
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Lawmakers say it's a problem that is increasing, 30% of homeless people that have been in Hawaii less than a year are either from the mainland or Micronesia, and the issue is straining state resources. Hawaii does receive federal money from 'Compact,' a government program to help Micronesians, but it's not enough.
"Micronesians cost the state approximately $100 million a year. This is for healthcare human services, education and housing. We are getting back $10 million, that's just $1 for every $10 that we invest," said Representative John Mizuno, of Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, Moanalua, Fort Shafter.
During the briefing at the State Capital, representatives from many Oahu homeless shelters were present. They say homeless arrivals are taking resources from the locals who are struggling and on the streets.
ADV: Some Hawaii homeless abuse state benefits, lawmakers say
ADV: The most expensive one-way tickets
HR: Hours Until Hawaii Congressman-Elect Djou is Sworn In
“(Djou) will also tackle a contentious issue impacting Hawaii that most people in the country know little about – the Compact of Free Association between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States – which encompasses the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of Palau.”
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Task force opposed to closure of Kaaawa Elementary
It was a standing room only crowd at Kaaawa Elementary on Wednesday night, with folks testifying against closing down the school during a public hearing at the school's cafeteria.
The Department of Education (DOE) has appointed a task force to study the impacts of consolidating Kaaawa Elementary with Hauula Elementary and/or Waiahole Elementary. That would save the DOE up to $450,000.
At the public hearing, the task force told the community that it plans to recommend against the consolidation. That brought cheers and applause from parents.
SB: Panel supports keeping Kaaawa school open
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Lingle saves surf bill that lawmakers killed
House Speaker Calvin “Musibigate” Say, a Democrat, said the measure was recommitted because of "uncertainty and concerns" from members about the effects of the bill. In a statement, Say said members had received calls from surfers raising issue with the bill.
"Rightly or wrongly, the calls were concerned that the surfing reserve designation would result in an advantage for commercial surf contests over recreational surfing," he said (and we know how important commercial advantage is to Mr Musubigate). "The recommittal of the bill was not intended to be a slight against Sen. Hemmings, who I like and respect."
News Release: Lingle establishes Hawaii Surfing Reserves
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PUC eases rule limiting solar panels
Under the old limit, installations in circuit areas where 10 percent or more of the peak energy comes from renewable energy, costly studies were required on how they can be connected to electric grids and whether additional equipment may be needed. (to avoid destabilizing the grid and causing blackouts)
The new ceiling is 15 percent.
Albert said it may be that some areas reach the 15 percent level within the year and that it may be necessary to raise the ceiling again
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Satellites Offer Timing Relief To Bus Riders
The bus company is now testing the next phase of the GPS tracking system. It would provide access to GPS tracking for many more riders who don't have portable Internet service. They could use a regular cell phone to get an estimated arrival time for their bus….
Bus managers said they are still testing the cellular phone hot line, and hope to have it ready for riders in about two months.
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Maui Bill would alter (raise) condo property taxes by $2500/year
WAILUKU - Condominium owners turned out Tuesday to oppose legislation that would push thousands of units into a higher property tax classification, saying it would be an unfair burden and could drive more condominium units into foreclosure.
While there are 26,701 condos in Maui County, 3,565 of those would be affected by the tax change, according to property tax officials. But that fraction would be hit hard - condo owners affected by the law change would have paid a cumulative $9.1 million in additional property taxes if the legislation had gone into effect this year…. (AVG $2552.60 additional taxes per year)
The proposed legislation would require condo owners to pay taxes according to the "highest and best use" of their properties, as other landowners now do….
Council Member Jo Anne Johnson said the proposal was not about getting more money but about closing a loophole.
"It's about being equitable," she said.
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Hawaii Co. Councilmembers unveil cost-trimming proposals
Mayor Billy Kenoi wanted to know how County Council members can cut his proposed $376 million budget.
On Tuesday, he, and the rest of Hawaii County's residents, got their first glimpse at the proposed cuts council members will consider Monday.
The requests range from Emily Naeole-Beason's minimal $34,125 reduction to an educational program to Dominic Yagong's across-the-board slashing of more than $16 million.
Kenoi's proposed budget includes raising property taxes in seven of the nine property tax categories to offset a $23 million budget deficit.
Layoffs, possibly of 135 to 150 people, are also a possibility, Yagong said. From 2000 to 2009, the county's payments for pensions and health benefits grew from $15 million to $66 million a year, he said. That doesn't include salary costs, he said, noting labor is the county's top expenditure each year.
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