Hawaii “Islam Day” secretly marks September 11

Muslims have just tricked the Hawaii Legislature into celebrating Islam on September 11.

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Hot topics await election season

Elections may be 18 months away, but the 76 Democrats and Republicans realize that the big controversial issues from this year will follow them down next year's campaign trail.

Hawaii has had no more divisive social issue in the last decade than same-sex marriage, and it was back again this year without a decision.

Democrats also raised an estimated extra $300 million in state taxes while Republican Gov. Linda Lingle rallied the GOP and businesses in a big but ineffectual tax protest.

And finally, Democrats showed in the closing days of the Legislature that they are going to make Lingle herself an issue in next year's campaign.  (Nothing new there....)

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Double Dobelle?  Questions dog final 2 candidates for Univ. of Hawaii presidency

But enthusiasm may have been dampened last week over a blemish in one candidate's administrative background and the withdrawal of the third finalist.

The head of the university's faculty union said he is disappointed that someone with a better understanding of Hawai'i didn't emerge as a top candidate and concerned that the search committee wasn't formed until October, even though it was common knowledge that McClain's contract was set to expire July 30.

The faculty union's Musto said transitioning to Hawai'i can be difficult. Newcomers often find it hard to adapt and leave within a few years, he said.

"It was my notion that we should be able to find someone that brings unique skills and understanding of the situation here in Hawai'i," he said. "I don't think people are appreciating how important that is."

McClain was a finalist in 2001 when Dobelle was hired.

"McClain in our search didn't have much of a shot at all. One of the problems with all local guys is that everybody knows them. You've got people who just dismiss them," Boylan said.

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Honolulu's switch to hybrid buses stalled by realities of costs

City study finds diesel-electric fleet not saving so much green after all, recommends scrapping plan....

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Maui Lawmakers pleased with share of the ‘slimmer’ pie

WAILUKU - Maui Memorial Medical Center improvements, bolstering Honoapiilani Highway against erosion, and land acquisition for a Maui Community College campus on Molokai are just some of the projects funded in the budget passed by the state Legislature.

Maui County would get a total of $248.5 million for capital improvement projects over two years under the spending plan approved last week.

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Anti-Superferry protester retains Maui Democrat chair

KAHULUI - Maui Democrats re-elected Lance Holter as party chairman Saturday at the Maui County Democratic Party convention.

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SB: If Watada goes to jail, so should Bush lawyers

(Celebrate Islam, celebrate those who go AWOL, jail for those who defend America)

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