Entries for January 2021

... The Jones Act prohibits that, too ....

... Welcome to the 2021 Legislative Tracker for Firearms Bills ....

... Our unemployment system, as of January 8, 2021, has paid out $3.4 billion in unemployment benefits ....

... For example, the District of Columbia "prohibits discrimination based on political affiliation by public and private employers, housing, educational institutions, public accommodations, and when applying for government services, facilities, and benefits." ....

... votes in Congress and bills introduced ....

... due to the unexpectedly higher take of `ōpe`ape`a (bat) at the project and discovery of two `ua`u (petrel) fatalities ....

... activists were determined to get their way ignoring all of the evidence while creating lots of fake “evidence” ....

“… costs are only slated to increase ...."

...Nineteen states and the District of Columbia are in the highest-rated category, “Working Toward Innovative Equality”....

“...Because of COVID-19, we are all thinking more about lung health. Now is the time for lawmakers to act and take this opportunity to achieve lasting reductions in tobacco-related death and disease....”

... “Lockdowns Versus Liberty,” -- civil liberties in the time of an emergency ....

... ICA affirmed a lower court decision finding that the chief of the Hawaii County Police Department had the authority to request aid from Maui County Police Department and the Honolulu Police Department ....

... Control work is scheduled for February 17 and 18. Public access to affected areas and the Mauna Kea Hunter Access Road will be restricted ....

... new tax bills, sometimes dressed up as “surcharges,” “fees” or “closing loopholes” ....

... Institutions in Hawaii have only spent 40 percent of total allocated funds ....

... Honolulu Neighborhood Board registration will be open thru February 19 ....

... JAN 27–LAST DAY TO INTRODUCE BILLS ....

... the feds once again doing the job the State just won't do ....

... A survey commissioned by the agency in 2015 found that the public regarded OHA as the least favorable of the major Hawaiian-serving organizations ....

... For all of 2020, total visitor arrivals declined 73.8 percent from the previous year .... 

... Biden’s Buy America EO and accompanying briefing statement included explicit declarations of his administration’s support for the Jones Act and its inclusion in the policy ....

... Research shows that half of Hawaii’s population wants the vaccine and another quarter are still deciding ....

... 36.7% of State revenue comes from GE Tax ....

... According to Laeha’s suit he was suspended by OHA’s then-CEO Kamanao Crabbe one day before he was set to reveal OHA’s real budget and "corrupt and unlawful practices" to Legislators ....

... ILWU, Teamsters, IATSE, UFCW ....

... "Recent analysis by the Hawai'i Budget & Policy Center finds that this statewide program got out more housing assistance to help renters per capita than any other state effort across the country" ....

... Hawaii's economy is on the ropes right now, but that hasn't stopped some legislators from going all in with new tax-increase proposals ....

... I was fortunate to get an appointment the very next day I called at my local Kaiser Clinic ....

... Honolulu ranks 92nd in STEM-friendliness, 97th in Professional Opportunities, and dead last in STEM wages ....

... domestic violence and sexual exploitation – have likely intensified ....

... The district court's judgment is reversed, case remanded for the merits ....

"... Commerce IG to Review Hirono-led Request to Investigate Climate Denialism Propaganda Pushed by Trump Appointees at NOAA ...."

"... Soliciting, selling, or otherwise engaging in a substantial financial transaction with a subordinate or a person or business whom the legislator or employee inspects or supervises in the legislator's or employee's official capacity ...."

... Nearly 6,000 new systems installed, most with energy storage ....

... Nearly $35 Million in Federal Funds Allocated to DHHL ....

... OHA CEO statement expresses concern on State protection of iwi kupuna ....

... Honolulu’s financial problems stem mostly from unfunded retirement obligations that have accumulated over the years ....

... monthly demand was 251,300 unit nights (-59.9%), resulting in an average monthly unit occupancy of 40.5% (-34.9%) ...

... "@Styx666Official has an edgy name and frequently uses profanity - his commentary and analysis is generally high quality," the Hawaii GOP tweeted ....

... all Legislative employees working in the Hawaiʻi State Capitol will be able to be vaccinated as members of its prioritized vaccination system's Phase 1b (i.e., individuals essential for government operations), on January 28, 2021 ....

... The deaths occurred in August through December, 2020 with 51 deaths reported on O‘ahu, six on Hawai‘i, and three on Maui ....

... This is made possible with the issuance of a “no action message” by DFI, which will not take any action against these companies during the two-year period of the program ....

... House speaker calls Ige’s State of the State address ‘risk averse’ ....

... Bill Tracking at the Legislature Begins ....

... votes in Congress and bills introduced ....

... “What is the truth?” the Hawaii GOP said, and asserted that followers of QAnon “don’t deserve mockery” and that they “were largely motivated by a sincere and deep love for America.” ....

... a proposed measure to combat domestic terrorism could be used to undermine civil liberties .... 

... Ige’s Chief of Staff and former Director of Taxation Linda Chu Takayama told the House Finance Committee a little more about the revenue enhancement measures (tax hikes) that the Administration is going to propose ....

... Pete Buttigieg: ‘I support the Jones Act’ ....

... in the PASH case the Hawaii Supreme Court concluded that subject to certain qualifications, the Hawaii Constitution allows native Hawaiians to exercise traditional practices, even on private property ....