VIDEO: Boston Police Shootout With Muslim Bombing Suspects
HB1268: Allows 999-Year DHHL Leases, Transfer to Non-Hawaiians
Portnoy vs Hee on Shield Law
Palila, Let’s Keep the Story Straight
SB1084 Relating to Early Childhood Education Moves Forward
Sequester: DoD Civilian Furloughs Still Under Review
Caldwell to Sign Sidewalk Nuisance Bill
Budget Negotiations: Support Puuanahulu Shooting Range
Derrick Kahala Watson: Senate Confirms New Honolulu Federal Judge
Paycuts Pushing 900 Hawaii MDs Into Retirement
SA: More Hawaii doctors have left their practices over the past year and likely will continue to do so just as the first major piece of federal health reforms rolls out.
More than 60 doctors left the market within a year, shrinking the workforce by 2 percent after two years of growth, according to preliminary data from the Hawaii/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center.
The latest estimate places the shortage at 747 doctors this year and nearly 1,500 by 2020. A year ago the shortage was estimated at around 600, based on statewide supply and demand figures. The data will be presented at the 2013 Hawaii Health Workforce Summit on Saturday at Hilton Hawaiian Village.
"It alarms me because in 2020 we could have 40 percent fewer physicians than we need," said center Director Kelley Withy. "There are many changes coming to medicine that some physicians might not like. They will in time help, but if someone is close to retirement, they might not want to invest in the necessary changes such as electronic health records."
Under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the most significant changes of which take effect in January, doctors will face penalties, including reductions in already low Medicare reimbursements, if they do not use electronic medical records and electronic prescribing in their practices.
Penalties start at a 1 percent Medicare payment reduction to as much as 5 percent over the next few years, she said.
Withy, a supporter of health reform, also known as Obamacare, recently stopped practicing medicine after working as a family physician for more than 20 years.
"In part it's the hassles of practicing medicine in the current times," she said. "There's more paperwork, electronic requirements and changing in the rules. There's more audits now. Things are always changing, and it's so hard to keep up with." (Brainwashed to the point where she can describe the failure of the system while still supporting it. Wow. Just wow.)
read ... Doctor shortage in isles forecast to become worse
Dollars running short with new HSTA contract; other public worker unions yet to settle
KITV: The agreement means starting teachers will earn $43,759 per year in the first year of the contract, which begins July 1. In the final year, starting teacher pay will increase to $45,963. Meanwhile, the most experienced teachers will earn $81,775 in the first year of the agreement, and $84,318 in the final year.
Teachers will also go back to a 60/40 split on health insurance premiums, Mizuno said House leadership appears willing to meet the governor halfway, funding about $15 million for a school readiness program, which would be administered through the Department of Human Services through Senate Bill 1093.
"We believe that we can move this forward, and we think we can provide sufficient funds for early education," Mizuno told KITV4.
On Thursday, House and Senate conferees agreed to move SB 1084 forward, which proposes a constitutional amendment to allow public funds to be appropriated for private early childhood education programs.
On Friday, conferees are scheduled to discuss the establishment of the school readiness program (SB 1093), as well as the governor's early childhood education initiative (SB 1095).
SA: Resolve 'early learning' issues first
CB: Legislature Looks to Give Judges Raises, Restore Some Judiciary Services
Read ... Dollars Running Short
With Contract Money Pocketed, HSTA Shifts Focus to Defeating Teacher Evaluations
SA: Raises for existing teachers will be tied to performance evaluations beginning July 1, 2015. Only teachers rated as "satisfactory," "effective" or "highly effective" will be eligible for pay increases in the year after the evaluation.
There are improvement provisions for teachers rated as "marginal," while those rated as "unsatisfactory" will be terminated.
Performance-based evaluations had been among the more controversial aspects of contract talks, with federal Race to the Top money at risk if the state couldn't get teachers on board. The Department of Education promised to implement a performance-based evaluation system as part of the sweeping reforms it pledged to win its $75 million Race grant.
A new teacher evaluation system being piloted in 81 schools this year is still scheduled to be implemented statewide next school year, but no personnel consequences would immediately kick in for current teachers under the contract.
The evaluations include several measures — such as student surveys, test scores and classroom observations — with half of the evaluation based on teacher performance and half on student growth.
As part of the new contract, the DOE and HSTA will form a joint committee to review the design, validity and reliability of the evaluation system and recommend changes to improve its design and implementation. Previously, teachers did not have a place at the table, the union said.
(No teacher will ever be fired under this system.)
Reality:
read ... Just Like They Did With Drug Testing
Precisely As Predicted: OHA, Trask Team Up for Geothermal Gold
WHT: OHA’s Board of Trustees voted Thursday to invest $1.25 million into the Huena Power Consortium, with an upfront contribution of $600,000.
The Innovations Development Group, a geothermal company based in Honolulu, formed HPC to seek a contract to provide up to 50 megawatts of geothermal electricity with Hawaii Electric Light Co. Eastland, a New Zealand company, has also joined the consortium, according to IDG.
Patricia Madina Talbert, an IDG legal adviser, said workers were in a celebratory mood following the 6-1 vote.
“It’s definitely something we’re joyous about,” she said.
Madina Talbert said OHA would not get its money back if the consortium doesn’t win the HELCO contract. But it stands to receive a return of its investment of more than 20 percent if it does.
OHA already receives 20 percent of the state’s geothermal royalties....
The agency’s investment may be relatively small compared to the total cost of a power plant, which could be over $250 million for the facility.
But having OHA, which represents the interests of Native Hawaiians, on board is critical for IDG to fulfill its goal of using geothermal development to benefit indigenous populations, Madina Talbert said....
Rep. Denny Coffman, D-Kailua-Kona, Ocean View, Rep. Mark Nakashima, D-Hilo, Hamakua, Sen. Malama Solomon, D-North Hawaii, and Sen. Gil Kahele, D-Hilo, submitted testimony in favor of the investment, according to IDG.
Companies have until April 30 to submit a proposal for the HELCO contract. A decision may take 120 days.
IDG is considering building a plant on Kealoha Estate land in Pohoiki if it wins the contract.
Related: “Damned Sellout” Mililani Trask Defends PLDC
read ... Punatics were Just Pawns
Borreca: Forget Two Party System and Celebrate Gay Marriage
Democrat Borreca: How many sign off their nightly prayers with a plea for a two-party system?
The seven GOP members of the state House offered a scrap of relevancy earlier this year when they helped form a coalition with Democrats to organize the state House. How that will play out is anyone's guess.
It could help them in general elections, but it could make the seven sitting ducks in the 2014 GOP primary that draws only bedrock Republicans. (Bullshit.)
The local Republican Party would be wise to appreciate how far both in miles and in political relevancy it is from the national GOP and start swimming in Hawaii's mainstream.
Face it — national GOP Chairman Reince Priebus does not care what the Hawaii GOP thinks or does as long as it sends its dues in on time.
Today two things hold down the Hawaii GOP: the national brand and President Barack Obama.
Republicans in Hawaii will have a tough time as long as our Barry is president. He is our favorite son and will control the local high ground for the rest of his presidency.
This doesn't mean that local Republicans need to leave. They can be to the right of Obama, but not moving in lockstep with the tea party.
A Hawaii GOP that said it was horrified with Rush Limbaugh's utterances, a local GOP that could see the benefit in collective bargaining and a GOP that acknowledged gay members of society and its party would all be first steps.
Duet: HRA Attacks House GOP Caucus
read ... Self-Serving Democrat Rhetoric
Battle For Hawaii's Shield Law: House Pushes Back Against Senate
CB: House lawmakers aren't going along with the Senate’s version of a bill that protects journalists from revealing their confidential sources under certain circumstances.
Rep. Karl Rhoads on Thursday put forward a new draft of House Bill 622 that would extend the state’s shield law protections to bloggers and non-traditional journalists. It also eliminates the requirement that newspapers and magazines have a paid circulation for a year to claim the media privilege.
That rolls back many changes made in the bill by Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee Chair Clayton Hee which had drawn fire from media interests throughout Hawaii and nationally.
Still, the latest version of HB 622 would be weaker than the current law, which expires June 30 unless the Legislature takes action. It wouldn’t protect journalists from having to turn over unpublished information, such as notes or video outtakes, and it greatly expands the exceptions for claiming the privilege
read ... Shield Law
Usual Crooks, Cronies Line Schatz' Pockets
CB: U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz made a big splash this week when it was reported that he had raised more than $1 million for his 2014 election bid, with about $800,000 of it for the August 2014 primary.
With Hawaii Senate races these days costing about $5 million per winning campaign, Schatz, who was appointed to the job not quite four months ago, is right to feel pretty good about his electoral strength — and not just because of his cash haul.
His quarterly filing is dotted with recognizable local donors that suggest a vote of confidence in the young, untested senator.
While he has yet to attract a primary or general election opponent, Schatz is already showing that he has respectable fundraising chops for his first federal office.
What's largely missing are big contributions from labor groups and defense contractors, and small contributions that typically come from average voters.
read ... Crooks, Cronies
PBS Insights Discusses Homelessness
PBS Insights: Host Dan Boylan moderates this discussion about Hawaii's homeless crisis. During his recent State of the City address, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell pointed out homelessness as a priority needing immediate attention. Guests will discuss how the city and state are tackling this problem, including a plan that will focus on finding housing as the first step.
Scheduled guests: Marc Alexander, Director of Community Relations, Institute for Human Services; Stanley Chang, Honolulu City Council member; Marc Gannon, Chief of Community Health Services, Waikiki Health; and Jenny Lee, Staff Attorney, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice.
watch ... Insights
Homeless preschool program earns national accreditation
KITV: It operates at several shelters, public housing projects and on two beaches.
It has earned national accreditation for a program that does more than grow learners -- it grows families.
"It's so important to get the young learners ready for school, but we also prepare the families and parents for that transition to school as well," said Program Manager Daniel Goya. "So, we do a lot of parent and adult education that prepares the family for school success, not just the child."
"It was awesome. How can I explain it? You just feel welcomed," said Cheryl-Lee Kekumu. "I honestly couldn't wait to wake up to go to preschool."
read ... Preschool
Teacher accused of tying up first grader
KHON: The incident happened at Kamaile Academy — a charter school in Waianae.
Maylene Tabangcura found out about it last month when another teacher called her anonymously and said that her daughter was being mistreated by her first grade teacher.
Tabangcura talked to her daughter and was shocked to find out how the child was being punished for not paying attention and not doing her homework.
“The teacher would tie her up in her jacket and the teacher would make her stand up in front of the classroom. And then sometimes she would put my daughter on the back table and start hitting her head with a pencil,” Tabangcura said.
Tabangcura met with the teacher, the principal, and the vice principal, and was even more surprised that the teacher didn’t deny it.
read ... Action Line: Teacher accused of tying up first grader
Rapist and Alleged Child Molester Scores $35K from City
CB: A convicted rapist will get a $35,000 check from the city of Honolulu, although he’ll likely be behind bars when it arrives.
On Wednesday, the Honolulu City Council approved a legal settlement with Dewitt Lamar Long for injuries he sustained in 2010 when he was beaten by four cops during a traffic stop.
Long has a lengthy criminal history. According to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, he has been convicted of at least 20 crimes, ranging from misdemeanor assault and theft to felony drug charges.
He is currently awaiting sentencing in a case in which he was found guilty of raping a 15-year-old Makaha girl.
At the time of his conviction he was facing another charge for the suspected sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. Long had apparently been caught in the act by police, according to media reports.
Long’s attorney, Eric Seitz, said his client’s recent arrests and the subsequent news coverage prompted him to settle the case with city attorneys
read ... Molester Rewarded with your Money
Lawmakers Reach Agreement on Bills to Help Fix School Bus Program
CB: Senate Bill 1082 would give the state greater flexibility in contracting with school bus drivers. And Senate Bill 1083 would remove minimum pay requirements for bus drivers.
read ... School Bus
SB17 Energy Office Loses in Grab for Barrel Tax Money
PBN: State Sen. Mike Gabbard, D-Kapolei-Makakilo-Ewa, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, introduced Senate Bill 17, which would have increased the State Energy Office’s share of the tax from 15 cents to 27.5 cents for every barrel of petroleum that is imported to Hawaii. The bill had crossed over to the House, but stalled after it was not given a hearing by the Finance Committee....
Mark Glick, administrator of the State Energy Office, told PBN previously that the funding would be used to install more programs and to add staff to help the state accelerate towards its renewable-energy goals.
read ... Bill to boost funds for Hawaii Energy Office from barrel tax fails to move
Hawaii lawmakers debate bill to create homeland security office to guard against terrorism
AP: Lawmakers met in a conference committee Friday to discuss the proposal. The House and Senate have already approved different versions of it but must choose one.
Sen. Will Espero says the committee plans to adopt the House version....
The defense department says the bill would give its current efforts more structure and efficiency. Critics say the office would waste money and resources.
read ... Homeland Security
Isle lawmakers laud Kulani decision
HTH: Onishi said the facility will provide an economic boost to the Big Island, with its approximately 90 (UPW) jobs.
“Just having Kulani there is an economic (political) driver,” said Onishi, D-Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano.
The facility is now used by the Hawaii National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe Academy.
Onishi said there is a $5.9 million budget request to build a new facility for the academy at the Keaukaha Military Reservation.
(Reality: UPW Inc beats CCA Inc)
read ... Incarceration, not Education
Arrested in 2011, still no charges in county diesel fuel theft
WHT: “We are actively working on this case, but I can’t give you a time line,” Roth said. “Of course, I’d like to see things move more quickly, but we have to make sure we get it right the first time.”
DEM employees Donald Wilbur, 40, and Billy Colliado, 42, were arrested Oct. 29, 2011, according to Hawaii County Police Capt. Chad Basque, head of the Criminal Investigation Division for West Hawaii. Wilbur was arrested on nine counts ranging from felony theft to trespassing to unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. Colliado was arrested on felony theft. The two were arrested but not charged and then released pending investigation, Basque said.
Wilbur, who was an equipment operator, and Colliado, a Solid Waste Division facility attendant, were “dismissed” from the county in December 2011, Deputy Human Resources Director Sharon Toriano said Thursday.
The theft of gasoline and diesel fuel had been going on for as long as two years
read ... Hawaii County Government
Pflueger rejects plea deal, Trial Next
KGI: James Pflueger did not accept the terms of a plea agreement and will take his felony manslaughter case to trial.
Pflueger, 87, of O‘ahu, appeared in 5th Circuit Court on Thursday in what was to be a change of plea hearing. Instead, Circuit Court Judge Randal Valenciano set a new trial date for Sept. 16.
The retired auto dealer faces seven counts of felony manslaughter and one count of first-degree reckless endangerment. The charges stem from Pflueger’s alleged responsibility in the Ka Loko Dam breach that clamed seven lives in March 2006.
read ... He's 87, do the math
FBI: Hawaii Mortgage Scammers Tied to Domestic Extremist Group
SA: John and Julianne Dimitrion ran a Honolulu company called Mortgage Alliance that operated as a fraud factory, stealing money through mortgage and investment scams. A lot of good people lost their homes and their money because of the Dimitrions' greed. After they pleaded guilty to their crimes, they escaped Hawaii with the help of a domestic extremist group from the U.S. mainland, and they are the focus of the largest nationwide manhunt ever coordinated out of the FBI's Honolulu division.
read ... Tom Simon
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