Will Taxes be Increased to Fund 'Vacant Positions'?
Aloha Stadium Closure to blame for uncertain future of Hawaii football
KHON: … The future of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warrior football program is uncertain due to recent shakeups in the Mountain West conference. Some have said setbacks in rebuilding Aloha Stadium are to blame….
(TRANSLATION: The unnecessary closure of Aloha Stadium is to blame. Is it worth all this just to gin up one more boondoggle for campaign contributors?)
The Aloha Stadium officially closed in 2021, with plans to have a new stadium built by 2023. (LOL!) After several false starts and fumbles, the rusty (it's Corten steel, duh) condemned (for no reason other than to justify the new boondoggle) facility still stands and (shockingly) the proposal for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District still hasn’t been finalized….
“I think it has immediate effects, but it also has long-term effects in terms of Hawaii staying as a division one football program, and will the Mountain West continue to want Hawaii as a member?” Miano questioned.
Now that Pac-12 has poached four of the top teams in the Mountain West, Miano said the future of the program hangs in the balance.
“I think not having a stadium, not having a performance center, not having a legacy hall, not having a nutrition center, not having division one facilities and then the icing on the cake is not having a stadium,” he explained. “I think that has affected this program in terms of recruiting, in terms of financial resources, in terms of vision, leadership, in terms of future of this program and it’s not just football.”
“Unlike the rail, which is a total abysmal money pit, this is a public-private partnership,” Wakai added. “The state is all in for $350 million not a dime more. So Stanford Carr delivers us a $600 to $700 million project, that’s on him.”
(IQ Test: How hard are you laughing?)
SA: Hawaii football loses conference rivals to Pac-12 in major shift
SA: Stephen Tsai: Time for Hawaii to re-negotiate terms with the MWC
read … What is to blame for uncertain future of Hawaii football? (khon2.com)
Will BWS Sue Navy? $1.2B Red Hill claim still under review
SA: … It’s been nearly a year since the Honolulu Board of Water Supply filed a $1.2 billion claim against the Navy to recover costs for its response to massive jet fuel leaks at the Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in 2021.
But the water agency says since the claim’s filing on Oct. 28, 2023, it’s still awaiting a formal reply from the military.
And, according to BWS, if that holdup continues, then its high-dollar claim might turn into a federal lawsuit….
read … BWS’ $1.2B Red Hill claim still under review
Maui lawmaker proposes legislative action on nurse-patient ratios amid nurses strike, lockout
KITV: ... Amato, who is from Maui, says there are 11 states across the country that have patient staffing laws, and that has been one of the main focuses from the Hawaii Nurses Association (HNA). One of their big concerns is how many patients one nurse is responsible.
"I know that is time we pass safe patient-nurse ratio laws. And that is going to be one of my focuses for the 2025 legislation session. I think that is really where we need to start. If they can't do it at the negotiation table, then it's the legislature's job to step and figure out the law that make it accessible and make it easier for everyone," Amato said….
read … Maui lawmaker proposes legislative action on nurse-patient ratios amid nurses strike, lockout
Will City Regulate E-Bikes to Death?
SA: … On Oahu, the City Council’s legislation — in the form of Bill 52 and Resolution 199 — seeks more regulation on the use and possession of e-bikes.
Bill 52 says an e-bike is defined as “a bicycle equipped with fully-operable pedals, a saddle or seat for the rider, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts,” while their motors cannot allow the machines to go more than 20 mph.
The measure seeks to revise city laws to include a three-class system adopted in other jurisdictions around the country. Those include:
>> Class 1: An electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 mph.
>> Class 2: An electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 mph.
>> Class 3: An electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 mph….
SA Editorial: Give e-bike rules, regulations a jolt
read … E-bike manufacturer gauges Oahu’s proposed rules
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