What can Hawaii Learn from Tax Reform in the Cornhusker State?
MYTH: The Jones Act protects American jobs
Why the toilet paper shortage?
Coronavirus Management Should Respect Individual Choice
Mauna Kea: It’s All About the Master Lease
CB: … The existing master plan, which was developed in 2000, always had a 20-year shelf life, so it’s time for us to update the plan. In addition, a new master plan is a critical component of an application for a new land authorization or a new master lease….
UH remains committed to having no more than nine telescopes on Mauna Kea by 2033, which is actually when the state lease expires. …
Well, it certainly doesn’t help in the sense that the incredible research capacity of a facility like TMT is enormous. But I’m quick to point out that demonstrably the existing observatories combined have an extremely high science impact in the field of astronomy already. And I could argue it’s actually No. 1. In essence, what’s happened over the past 20, 30 years is most of the ground-based astronomy investment has gone into Chile and Hawaii. And that’s a split north-south across the equator….
And long term, the real issue is supporting Mauna Kea astronomy, of which TMT is an important part but not the only path forward necessarily for astronomy. So I’m more focused on the broader picture of sustaining that, given that the loss of Mauna Kea astronomy to the field of astronomy would be gigantic. So I realize the interest in TMT is very important, but I think the bigger picture actually is in the master lease and in sustaining at a minimum what we have now, which is also already extremely powerful for astronomical research….
The situation the university is in is not unique to us, and what we’re trying to do here is find that balance through reducing our footprint. This plan does not limit in any way traditional customary practices. Nothing in here would say that cultural practitioners can’t go up and continue their practice. But as I said, the situation that we’re in I think is not unique to the university. It would be what any holder of that master lease or that land authorization would be challenged to have to do….
It’s going to be incredibly challenging to be able to create a different governance given the time that’s available with the clock ticking down, if you will, on the existing master lease….
read … The Civil Beat Editorial Board Interview: UH Astronomy’s Greg Chun And Doug Simons
Thanks to Intractable Pain Ige, Hawaii is only State without Sports Fans
Borreca: … when he refuses to listen to rational reasoning to allow some measly number of sports fans into the temporary on-campus University of Hawaii sports complex to watch the state’s only Division 1 football team play, he is “intractable” and also a pain.
The degree of discomfort Ige is able to cause was made clear by Lt. Gov. Josh Green last week, as the part-time emergency room doctor refused to back down from his call for Ige to at least open up UH football — the only big-boy football team in the country that doesn’t allow fans to sit in the school’s outdoor facility.
“I do think when possible we should begin to return to some normalcy, like having fans at outdoor sporting events if they are vaccinated and wearing masks. We should follow the science and make decisions that way,” Green said in response to my question.
“People’s mental health includes coming back together, social activities and some confidence that they can provide for their children through work. This is the daily consideration I try to share with the governor and team,” Green said.
Last week, House Speaker Scott Saiki joined in the pleas as he formally asked Ige to open up UH’s Ching Stadium for the weekend homecoming game.
“Permitting a modicum of spectators will also demonstrate to other states that Hawaii is returning to normalcy, but in a far more prescribed manner,” Saiki said in a letter to Ige….
The governor has led a charmed political life from being picked out of nowhere by Gov. George Ariyoshi to fill a state House vacancy in 1985 and then become a state legislator almost completely uncontested for decades, before making political history by upsetting incumbent Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the 2014 gubernatorial primary….
HNN: Maui mayor allows spectators at youth sports events despite requests denied by governor
read … When it comes to COVID-19 and fans in University of Hawaii stands, Gov. Ige remains unmalleable
Struggling businesses wonder what metrics will loosen restrictions as Ige extends COVID rules
HNN: … Joseph Esser, president of the Oahu Wedding Association said it seems like the state keeps moving the goalposts.
“I think that without metrics in place, we’re all kind of working in the dark,” said Esser. “Is it hospitalizations? Is it vaccinations? Like, what number can we work with?”
Esser said planning forward for their industry has been a challenge.
“Not knowing what’s coming down the pipeline, you know, as it had a huge impact on the wedding industry, on our businesses and on the couple’s ability to figure out if they can actually have their wedding or not,” Esser said….
“From my standpoint, we should be able to now have football games, concerts and what have you, as long as people show that they got vaccinated, or they got tested, it’s safe enough for the rest of the country,” said Green….
read … Struggling businesses wonder what metrics will loosen restrictions as Ige extends COVID rules
Anti-Vaxxers are Working for the Regime
Shapiro: … Hawaii deaths for the month of September were 193, by far the most of the pandemic in a month and nearly a quarter of the 801 fatalities recorded since COVID-19 arrived a year and a half ago.
Native Hawaiians have been hit especially hard, accounting for some 120 of the deaths — with 23 occurring in just one week in September.
These tragic numbers should be enough to end the mindless talk among COVID-19 deniers that this virus is no worse than the seasonal flu.
It’s beyond doubt that the delta surge has been driven by the unvaccinated and critical that the state, counties and private employers keep up pressure on resisters to get vaccinated if they want to work or gain entry to restaurants, bars and other public accommodations.
Universal vaccination is the best chance of ending this pandemic, and mandates are working locally and nationally, with the Hawaii vaccination rate, which was long stuck below 60%, creeping up to 68%.
This is no time for compromises that leave the public unnecessarily exposed to the stubbornly unprotected….
(CLUE: Conspiracy theorists spreading ignorance are actually helping the regime impose restrictions.)
read … Coronavirus numbers make good case for further vigilance
Passenger Says Honolulu Police Caused Makaha Crash That Injured 5
CB: … One of the passengers in the car allegedly chased by police after a beach party in Makaha is speaking out about what happened that night….
read … Passenger Says Honolulu Police Caused Makaha Crash That Injured 5
Child Molester will be out in Three Years After Plea Bargain
HTH: … A 45-year-old Hilo man pleaded guilty Wednesday to the repeated sexual assault of a minor between September 2011 and October 2017.
Clifton John Keliikanakaole Kua entered guilty pleas to charges of continued sexual assault of a minor younger than 14 and sexual assault of a minor between the ages of 14 and 16. In exchange for his guilty pleas, prosecutors dropped another count of sexual assault of a minor between the ages of 14 and 16.
In addition, the state agreed to concurrent sentences of 20 years for both offenses, instead of running the sentences consecutively. Also agreed to by prosecutors was capping its minimum sentence recommendation to the Hawaii Paroling Authority at 10 years…
(That’s 5 yrs with good time)
He’s been incarcerated almost two years in lieu of $150,000 bail after being indicted by a Hilo grand jury on Oct. 23, 2019….
(5-2=3yrs to release)
read … Soft on Crime
Civil Beat: Ranked Choice Voting is a Naked Democratic Party Power Grab
CB: … Charles Djou won a special election to complete the seventh months or so remaining in the term of U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, a Democrat who stepped down earlier that year to run for governor. Because it was a special election it was a nonpartisan contest — there was no party primary — and Djou prevailed in a winner-take-all field of 14 with just 39% of the vote.
But Democrats Colleen Hanabusa and Ed Case received nearly 31% and 28% of the special election vote, respectively, demonstrating that a solid majority of voters in Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District preferred a (RCV would always elect a) Democrat over a Republican….
read … Ranked Choice Voting Will Improve Hawaii's Elections
$2M water problem soaks Ewa community
SA: … Recently, the suspected water loss has averaged around 500,000 gallons a day and is believed to be from leaking distribution pipes beneath roadways, with fresh water draining into the porous coral subsurface without a trace.
Another aspect of the troubling situation is a rising water bill delinquency that as of last month hit $2 million for the community developed by Gentry Homes Ltd. around 20 years ago, with 612 single-family residences….
Residents face an estimated repair bill of $5 million, which breaks down to about $8,200 per household on average, though the expense is expected to be considerably higher because it will likely be financed and repaid slowly….
Some Terrazza-CorteBella-Las Brisas-Tiburon homeowners recall spot repairs to water lines beneath roads being done for years, and said they were surprised that they weren’t alerted to the extent of the trouble long before a notice two months ago explained the projected repair cost and water bill delinquency….
(Really Obvious Question: Did the HOA sue Gentry during the 10-year E&O window?)
SA Editorial: Gentry Homes should step up
Link: Karst Sinkholes Adjacent to Subdivision
read … Huge water problem soaks Ewa community
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