Visitor arrivals Drop 16.5 percent The state projects another double-digit decline in January tourism and a 1.9 percent drop in arrivals to 6.7 million for 2009. read more ... Lingle's deficit strategy troubles lawmakers State lawmakers fear that Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to drain nearly all the money from the state's rainy day fund to balance this year's budget will leave Hawaii unable to meet next year's projected deficits. read more ... Lawmakers reject nuclear power plant "We need diversity here," said Alan Lloyd, a retired engineer who used to work for Hawaiian Electric Co. "Coal is becoming politically incorrect. With uranium, you don't have a smokestack." Even though the proposal was rejected, Lloyd said the fact that a nuclear power measure got a hearing for the first time in Hawaii is a step in the right direction. The bill would have required the state to develop a permitting process for nuclear power facilities in Hawaii. read more ... Airport rail route OK'd The airport route will generate higher ridership, according to a detailed report by city consultants, but will cost about $220 million more for construction since it is about three-fourths of a mile longer. read more ...
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