September 29, 2010 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

September 29, 2010 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 12:03 PM :: 10550 Views

VIDEO: Abercrombie voted for bonuses for Wall Street Execs

Duke and Lynn Team Up Online

Djou introduces legislation requiring community hearings on neighborhood half-way houses

Randy Piltz Endorses Alan Arakawa for Mayor

Willoughby vs Hirono: “A choice between higher taxes and lower taxes”

CB: Aiona Shines at Energy Expo

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Neil Abercrombie and Republican counterpart James "Duke" Aiona on Tuesday made their first joint appearance since they became their parties' nominees, exactly five weeks before the general election.

Speaking to hundreds of industry experts at the 2010 Hawaii Energy Expo, Aiona jumped right into specifics while Abercrombie dealt in generalities. The audience responded more positively to the lieutenant governor than to the former congressman.

(Now we know why Abercrombie cowers from Aiona’s debate proposals.)

SA: Abercrombie and Aiona tangle on energy policy

KITV: Abercrombie, Aiona Differ On Clean Energy Goals

KHON: Gubernatorial candidates reveal energy plans at Energy Expo

Hawaii GOP Targets 15 key Districts After Primary

Hawaii Republicans are attempting to make inroads into the state Legislature, the nation's second-most politically lopsided, where the GOP controls only eight seats out of 76.

"We're focusing on the races where people have performed. Party support and resources are going to go to the ones who have earned it," Nonaka said.

After finding candidates to run in all but three legislative races statewide, 28 of 76 Republican candidates failed to raise more than $1,000 in campaign contributions as of Sept. 3, according to an Associated Press analysis of campaign contribution reports.

In comparison, 13 of 112 Democratic candidates raised less than $1,000. Democrats also put candidates in all but three legislative races.

GOP ad campaign backs Aiona

The Republican Governors Association has spent more than $768,000 since August on advertising on behalf of Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, a substantial investment that has helped the lieutenant governor reach out to voters in the governor's race.

The RGA's advertising has reinforced Aiona's message on alternative energy and public education and his background as a judge. Yesterday the RGA released its first television ad criticizing former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, Aiona's Democratic opponent, for voting for tax increases and the federal stimulus package while in Congress.

SA: Elections office breathes easier

Dylan Nonaka, executive director of the Republican Party of Hawaii, said the elections office should have shown the parties the ballot layout before it went to the printers.

"The ballot was confusing; it was not color-coded," he said.

Quidilla countered, though, that parties were invited to review the ballot in advance but did not take that initiative….

Nonaka noted the increase in early voting with each election, something that has changed campaigning metrics. Other states have tracking systems that can produce reports on which precincts have the most votes outstanding so that campaigns can target their resources better….

Beyond November, the elections office needs to concentrate on its core goal of drawing more Hawaii voters to the polls. The 42.8 percent of registered voters who cast ballots in the primary was better than it's been since 1998, but it's not good enough, said William Marston, who chairs Hawaii's Elections Commission. General election turnout hasn't cracked the 70 percent ceiling since 1994.

"The commission in general feels the voter turnout is not what we want to see," Marston said.

The CEO doesn’t seem to care: Hawaii Chief Elections Officer: “Is it my job to get people to turn out and vote?”

Justice eludes Hawaiians, OHA study says

Ron Becker, a criminal justice professor at Chaminade University and a one-time judge, said socioeconomic factors weigh greatly when deciding sentencing and parole.

"These numbers have more to do with their socioeconomic circumstances than their race, although people of color make up a larger percentage of our lower socioeconomic class of people," he said. "As a judge it's difficult to put on probation someone who has no permanent residence, no permanent employment, no continuing relationships with anyone in the community."

Namuo said OHA will ask the Legislature to establish a task force to address the disparities and reform the justice system.

Shapiro: Investigator's efforts demonstrate genuine concern for youths

REALITY>>>OHA helped create this situation: OHA driving Hawaiians out of Hawaii

Officer's arrest third for HPD this month

Another police officer has been arrested -- the third for HPD this month.

Scott J. Valdez, 43, was arrested Thursday for investigation of unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and criminal property damage.

Valdez was assigned to the Traffic Division at the time of the incident. He has since been reassigned to the central receiving desk, but an HPD spokeswoman said Valdez's new assignment was not prompted by the investigation. His first Circuit Court appearance will be tomorrow.

Two other officers besides Valdez were arrested this month.

On Sept. 16, Lt. Jason K. Kawabata, who works in the Information Technology Division, was charged with abuse of a family or household member: his wife, who is a sergeant in the Police Department….

John F. Rapozo, assigned to the Narcotics-Vice Division, was charged with fourth-degree theft on Sept. 10 at a Walmart store in Pearl City. Among the items Rapozo is accused of shoplifting is a video game.

As predictable as sunrise, anti-developments activist disrupt Haleiwa hotel meeting

Shapiro: Anderson was verbally assaulted before the meeting even started and the chairman gaveled the meeting to a close after a leading opponent grabbed the microphone out of turn and refused to give it up.

This follows the Neighborhood Commission’s July suspension of a member of the Makakilo/ Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board for 30 days for disruptive behavior. The commission ordered a review of the entire board regarding problems with decorum.

The Ewa Neighborhood Board was also hit with a 60-day suspension while members received training for order and decorum.

In my own back yard, some Kailua residents seem to be getting cranked up to a high emotional pitch over plans it to build a Target at the Don Quijote site.

The neighborhood board system was intended as an orderly and respectful forum for residents to have a say on issues that shape their communities.

If board meetings are going to become places where bullies get away with acting like asses, the system is no longer of much value and needs to be either restored to civility or dismantled.

HNN: Meeting canceled as Haleiwa hotel issue boils over

SA: Haleiwa hotel plan draws fire

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Young Brothers will appeal PUC's interim approval for Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines

(Not only do we have the Jones Act which restricts competition, but we also have the PUC overseeing inter-island shipping.)

But Young Brothers argues that Pasha is being allowed to operate under a “lesser set of rules and service expectations” because Pasha will not serve ports on Molokai and Lanai. Young Brothers is required by the PUC to serve these islands, which the company said are unprofitable stops.

“This is not competition,” Hong said (doing his best to find an excuse to prevent …uh…competition.)

WHT: Young Bros. considering rate hike (Easy if Pasha out of picture)

Maui Council Candidate Ellie Cochran ‘not proud’ of her criminal past

WAILUKU - Maui County Clerk Jeffrey Kuwada has dismissed a challenge to the candidacy of Elle Cochran, which claimed she was not eligible to run for office because she has a criminal record.

Cochran pleaded no contest to second-degree attempted theft in 1994, for an incident in which she stood by while her then-boyfriend attempted to rob four tourists at

gunpoint in Lahaina. She was sentenced to probation and community service. Reached on Monday, Cochran said she had been involved with drugs at the time of the incident, but had turned her life around and been clean and sober for nearly 17 years.

"I'm not proud of what happened, but I never forget where I've come from and what brought me to where I am today," said Cochran, who finished first in the primary election race for the Maui County Council's West Maui residency seat, beating runner-up Alan Fukuyama with 7,980 votes to his 5,693. She and Fukuyama will face each other in the Nov. 2 general election.

Kahului resident Jeffery Ursua filed the challenge, which was received by the county Thursday. Ursua could not be reached for comment.

(Hey Maui News, feel free to do a job like this on Sen. J Kalani “Powdernose” English next time he runs for office.)

CEO resigns Kona Hospital

He said the decision isn't related to recent concerns about Alii Health Center, nor the ongoing worries about the partially publicly funded hospital's finances. In his tenure as CEO, he brought the hospital from budgets in which up to $7 million was lost annually to fiscal years ending about $4 million in the black, he said.

Laupahoehoe charter school enters final stretch

The proposed Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School has one last bureaucratic hurdle to clear before preparing for an August 2011 opening, but it's a big one -- acquiring a charter from the state.
School organizers were relieved to learn last week that they are financially in the clear after being given an extension on a federal grant.
The group sought the extension after the state suspended all charter applications, putting Laupahoehoe's plans on hold.

ONE YEAR LATER: American Samoa works to improve tsunami warning system

The American Samoa Government was criticized in the wake of the tsunami for not having a warning siren system.

And one year later -- still no sirens.

"Why is it taking so long for the warning sirens to get installed?"

"Because of funding restrictions and time constraints," answers Cinta Nomura-Brown, American Samoa Homeland Security. "And of course our logistical challenges with regards to where the equipment is all being shipped from." (Not to mention the expenses for “leather chairs and TVs”)

AP: American Samoa still hurting 1 year after tsunami

REALITY: The Tsunami and Mufi’s Samoan Connection