CDC: 98.7% of Hawaii Students Excluded from In-person Learning, Worst in USA
BoE Backpedaling on Back-to-School Reopening -- HSTA Sees Dollar Signs
HNN: … While students enjoy their summer vacation, Hawaii educational leaders are planning ahead for the upcoming school year figuring out how to incorporate distance learning.
The DOE previously announced that all students would be back to in-person learning for the 2021-2022 academic year, but BOE Chair Catherine Payne says many parents and families have inquired about distance learning options for their students. They’re now planning to take up the issue at their next meeting on July 15.
“Certainly the best place for children to learn is in the classroom,” Payne said during an episode of Insights on PBS Hawaii. “Some schools are already going into hybrid models. They’ve asked to do this as part of their design. And some schools are already planning for distance learning. So I think we need to just make sure that that option is available for all students who really really need it.”
She also pointed to Hawaii’s vaccination rate, noting that the vaccine isn’t approved for children under 12, leaving all elementary school students unprotected from COVID-19….
Incoming HSTA President Osa Tui Jr. said the HIDOE should tap into federal money to expand distance learning options.
One idea Tui floated was having dedicated teachers teach distance learning classes by complex, while in-person teachers focus on the class in front of them, instead of having to juggle both….
SA: University of Hawaii study facilitates model for safe school reopenings
read … BOE to discuss distance learning options for families in upcoming school year
Anti-American July 4 protest at state airport
HNN: … Traffic at the already congested state airports this July 4th slowed to a crawl Sunday due to a protest by native Hawaiians and advocates.
Organizers said hundreds took part in a drive-by convoys at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and other airports around the state today.
“On this day, July 4th, We are not American, we are not American ... This is not our holiday,” said Healani Sonoda-Pale of Ka Lahui Hawaii.
The protest was about a land bill that some say was unfair to Hawaiians but participants said their concerns were much broader.
That measure -- House bill 499 -- would allow the state to extend commercial leases on state land by up to another 40 years. Currently, the maximum term is 65 years….
KHON: ‘We are crying about getting robbed’ Hawaiian rights advocates protest land use bill at local airports
read … July 4 protest at state airport
Na Wai ‘Eha ruling an aid for county’s acquisition
MN: … In the wake of the state water commission’s historic decision on Central and West Maui water rights last week, the County of Maui said the ruling carves out details that will help ongoing work to acquire Wailuku Water Co.’s water delivery system.
However, the state decision on Na Wai ‘Eha water rights doesn’t necessarily speed up the county process to buy the system, according to county Managing Director Sandy Baz….
…“One aspect is that there’s so much emotion around this, right?” Chumbley said. “From the community activists to the kalo growers to the agricultural users to just the general public. There’s a lot of misinformation and social media has not helped the situation at all. It’s made it markedly worse.”
read … Na Wai ‘Eha ruling an aid for county’s acquisition
State is increasing fees and not issuing new permits for Ala Wai harbor and the Keehi Lagoon Harbor
SA: … DOBOR told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in a statement, “We are not phasing out (live-aboard permits), but reducing the number by attrition.”
DOBOR said it has not issued a new live-aboard permit to anyone at either harbor for approximately three years “due to the fact the majority of the live-aboards were not in compliance with the Hawaii Revised Statutes and Hawaii Administrative Rules.”
The Ala Wai harbor since 1991 has allowed up to 129 live-aboard permits, but DOBOR said that there are only 66 now. DOBOR said up to 35 live-aboard permits have been allowed at the Keehi harbor since 1991, but currently there are 17.
DOBOR said those with live-aboard permits that expire this year would be allowed to renew their live-aboard status; however, “no one is grandfathered.”…
Upping the uncertainty for live-aboard boaters is Senate Bill 795. The bill, which passed this session, raises live-aboard fees sharply, on top of other already significant boating fee increases over the past few years….
The Woods expect implementation of Senate Bill 795 will increase their monthly moorage cost to as much as $1,430 from the $985.55 they currently pay.
The Woods said their moorage fee already was increased 40% in 2019….
read … State is increasing fees and not issuing new permits for Ala Wai harbor and the Keehi Lagoon Harbor
Locus of Bling Shifts from Hawaii to China
JD: …Just 20 years ago, the luxury world looked completely different. Japanese customers were the most sophisticated globally and were dominating luxury purchases outside of their home countries. For some of the top luxury brands in the world, their stores in Hawaii were top revenue drivers after their flagships in Paris, Milan, or Rome. No, there is not a mistake — Hawaii was a top revenue driver because of its popularity with Japanese tourists….
Hainan has bloomed into an entertainment/travel/shopping destination that could, in a few years, rival Dubai, now that its generous duty-free allowances are redirecting customers from other destinations to stores inside China….
(CLUE: Bling is the means by which a fool and his money are soon parted.)
read … Why China Is The Only Luxury Superpower
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