"D" for DoE (again)

The nonpartisan National Council on Teacher Quality is giving Hawaii a letter grade of D in its State Teacher Policy Yearbook. The national average was D-plus. The report faulted Hawaii's lack of a meaningful system to measure whether teachers are effective, programs to support new teachers and incentives to keep successful educators on the job.

Hawaii Department of Education officials questioned the report's findings, saying it does not present a full picture of the state's efforts to screen and retain its teaching force. 

(Which is why the DoE didn't get an "F")

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Hawaii nonprofits warned grants to be cut

The news is yet another blow for Hawai'i nonprofits trying to meet a dramatic increase in need while also seeing their funding sources dwindle, and comes as a new survey reveals just how badly nonprofits are hurting. The survey of 159 agencies shows that 44 percent have cut services, 48 percent laid off administrative staff and 31 percent laid off direct service employees.  It also said 73 percent are bracing for more cuts in the coming quarter.

(Note that Grants-in-aid peaked during Mike Magaoay's pay-to-play scam.)

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Hawaii doing its part to stop global cooling

Greenhouse gas emissions in Hawaii have jumped by nearly a quarter between 1990 and 2005, primarily from the use of fossil fuels, according to a report released today by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization.

(Unfortunately, 97% of the atmosphere's insulative capability comes from water vapor, so it is unlikely humans can do anything to stop global cooling, but at least we are trying....)

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Sovereignty activists demand Hawaiians be sent to Las Vegas

"This is our land," said Keahi Kapali, a 33-year-old who identified himself as the West Maui representative for the Reinstated Hawaiian Government. He was among five people to testify at the Lahaina Civic Center on plans by the Hawaii Housing Finance Development Corp to build affordable housing in Lahaina. 

(This is one of the two affordable housing developments at the root of the ceded lands case which the US Supreme Court is about to hear.  Blocking affordable housing is not a new low for the OHA Sovereignty movement.  It is not as bad as selling drugs, blocking drug treatment facilities, or torturing children, but it is about a tie with the sovereignty mortgage scammers.)

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