|
Environment
NO
Image:
Thursday, December 3, 2009 |
|
Aiona: Volunteers raise $400,000 for Hawaii Fire Department
By Lt Gov Duke Aiona @ 2:16 PM :: 8507 Views :: Hawaii County , Akaka Bill, Energy, Environment
|
Dr. Frank Sayre and Laura Mallery-Sayre experienced first-hand the heroism of the Hawai‘i Fire Department when they lost their son in a hiking accident in Polulu Valley. The Hawai‘i Fire Department did not have rappelling ropes long enough to reach the bottom of the valley, so firefighters flew a helicopter into the narrow terrain at great personal risk.
Since then, Frank and Laura, motivated by the bravery and heroism of the firefighters, began the Daniel Sayre Foundation to raise money to buy equipment for the Hawai‘i Fire Department. Their efforts have been met with resounding success in the community, as they have raised more than $400,000 to provide essential life-saving equipment and training for our firefighters.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 |
|
Reaction: "The President has finally made up his mind to confront the Taliban and defeat Islamic radicals"
By News Release @ 4:42 AM :: 12132 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family
|
Cadets await speech at West Point
"After vacillating for months, I am happy the President has finally made up his mind to confront the Taliban and defeat Islamic radicals. This is the right decision and deserves our nation's full support," stated Djou. "The war in Afghanistan is a fight we must win."
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 |
|
Hawaii 42nd in Small Business Survival
By News Release @ 2:24 PM :: 10292 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
The ‘Small Business Survival Index' helps business owners and investors understand the public policy burdens placed on entrepreneurship and small business, with the states ranked accordingly.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, November 30, 2009 |
|
Obamacare punches $41M hole in Hawaii State Budget
By Selected News Articles @ 5:46 PM :: 11000 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
While Obama has been at great pains to make a show of avoiding taxes on the middle class to pay for his health care changes, his proposed increase in Medicaid eligibility will have a huge impact on the 39 states whose income cutoffs for the program are below those required in the new federal legislation. States....will have to raise their eligibility for Medicaid under the Senate health care bill. And they will have to pay for part of the cost.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, November 30, 2009 |
|
Climategate
By Andrew Walden @ 12:54 AM :: 16090 Views :: Environment
|
... a “cunning plan”, “inventing” temperature readings, and releasing fake “estimates” of temperature data for the year even before the year is over ....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, November 29, 2009 |
|
Kapiolani Park: Homelessness industry takes Hawaii tourism hostage
By News Release @ 3:26 PM :: 22986 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
Councilmember Djou introduced legislation to extend the ban on sleeping to City sidewalks, but a majority of council members blocked advancement of Djou’s measure. Djou is now seeking to apply an existing ordinance that bans structures on municipal sidewalks to the tents surrounding Kapiolani Park.
Djou fully supports giving free taxpayer financed mental health, drug counseling and shelter to those in need, but does not support converting City parks into private property.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 |
|
Hacked Emails: Global warming scientists struggle "to hide the decline", "account for the lack of warming"
By Selected News Articles @ 1:08 PM :: 11918 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family
|
When you read some of those files – including 1079 emails and 72 documents – you realise just why the boffins at Hadley CRU might have preferred to keep them confidential. As Andrew Bolt puts it, this scandal could well be “the greatest in modern science”. These alleged emails – supposedly exchanged by some of the most prominent scientists pushing AGW theory – suggest:
Conspiracy, collusion in exaggerating warming data, possibly illegal destruction of embarrassing information, organised resistance to disclosure, manipulation of data, private admissions of flaws in their public claims and much more.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 |
|
Lingle defends Chinese trade initiatives against criticism
By Gov. Linda Lingle @ 1:39 AM :: 10615 Views :: Energy, Environment, World News, Family
|
“The legislative auditor’s report of DBEDT offers erroneous findings and demonstrates a lack of understanding and appreciation of the critical role Hawai‘i’s overseas offices in Beijing and Taipei play in the economic future of our state.
“Hawai‘i is one of only two states in the United States that has been granted the opportunity to have an ongoing presence in China—the world’s fastest growing economy. The Beijing office, under the leadership of Bo Wu and the Taiwan Office under Alex Lei have both been instrumental in developing solid working relationships with Chinese business, government, academic, and cultural leaders.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, November 23, 2009 |
|
Audit: DoE funding at risk over 3,800 bogus Hawaii teachers' licenses
By Andrew Walden @ 1:47 PM :: 8391 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
Our study found that the Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board is in a state of confusion, unable to develop, administer, and deliver an effective teacher licensing program. The board’s failure jeopardizes federal funding for the Department of Education (DOE), which is struggling to meet the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). The board has not applied new standards to teachers seeking an initial license. Moreover, the executive director assumed the board’s authority to approve new or initial licenses, which clouds the validity of approximately 3,800 licenses issued since 2003. Further, the board has no rules and procedures for appeals.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, November 22, 2009 |
|
Audit: DoE instructor salaries diverted to "operating expenditure, supplies, and capital items"
By Andrew Walden @ 5:57 PM :: 10968 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
Hawaii Department of Education Hawaiian Studies instruction statewide has suffered a "decade of decline" as funding for the salaries of "kupuna program" instructors and teaching assistants are diverted to other uses. The diversion of resources out of the classroom stems from "vague guidelines" and "weak oversight" according to a January, 2008 Audit report prepared by Hawaii State Auditor Marion M. Higa.
The Audit cites the Hawaii Board of Education and the top leadership of the Department of Education for "leaving the program without direction and in decline for more than a decade."
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, November 22, 2009 |
|
Furlough negotiations: $50M ransom offered, but unions balk at releasing hostages
By Andrew Walden @ 4:02 PM :: 15011 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
Confronted this spring with a $468M DoE two-year budget cut, the HSTA, DoE, and BoE went straight to the "Washington Monument Gambit"--cutting the most sensitive and prominent services. Hawaiian style, this means the HSTA, DoE, and BoE conspired together to make furloughs as inconvenient as possible in order to pressure the Legislature for tax increases. Also targeted, high school athletics. Will they now settle for a one-time shot of $50 million?
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, November 21, 2009 |
|
Mufi's secret rail push-poll released
By Andrew Walden @ 1:55 AM :: 11187 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
The Honolulu City Council has won release of a previously unpublished Qmark Research poll cited as showing support for rail by Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 |
|
Obama's Stern Paymaster: Public sector unions raiding private sector unions
By Heritage Foundation @ 11:15 AM :: 8861 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
Today, unions are dependent on government, not the private sector, for their livelihood. Therefore, unions like the SEIU have little interest in private sector job growth. Private sector jobs don’t help fund $60.7 million political campaigns. But government jobs do.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, November 16, 2009 |
|
DoE Procurement audit: Millions wasted by "fraudulent unethical behavior"
By Andrew Walden @ 12:50 AM :: 14995 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
By now everybody who is paying attention knows that "furlough Fridays" were made as inconvenient as possible by the Hawaii Department of Education (DoE) and the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) in order to pressure the Legislature for tax increases. Governor Lingle has proposed giving the DoE a $50M ransom payment from the "Rainy Day" fund if the HSTA and DoE agree to transfer furlough Fridays to non-instructional days. But even without the extra $50M--and after the budget cuts made necessary by the decline of tourism--the DoE has plenty of money to keep schools open without cutting any class time.
So what is the DoE wasting taxpayer money on?
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, November 15, 2009 |
|
Hawaii-China business can "bring back a lot of jobs"
By News Release @ 9:08 PM :: 11817 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family
|
"This is potentially very big news for the future of tourism in Hawai‘i. It will bring back a lot of jobs if we’re successful at bringing it about." -- Gov Lingle
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, November 15, 2009 |
|
Gov. Lingle announces $50M plan to get children back to class
By News Release @ 8:07 PM :: 12802 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
How this would be accomplished:
1. Use 15 non-classroom days (between Jan. 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011) when teachers are paid but do not teach classes to restore all teaching days lost on Furlough Fridays beginning Jan. 1, 2010. (For those teachers who work on a 12-month schedule, a comparable adjustment would be made.)
2. The cost of restoring the remaining 12 days would be achieved by using money out of the Emergency Budget Reserve Fund (Rainy Day Fund). Estimated cost to Rainy Day Fund would be $50 million.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, November 14, 2009 |
|
Hawaii wins bid to host APEC 2011: International Gathering of World Leaders Expected to Bring 10,000 visitors
By News Release @ 9:39 PM :: 13102 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family
|
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today said the selection of Hawai‘i to host the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting is an affirmation of Hawai‘i’s strategic role as a leader in the Asia-Pacific region, and will help build a stronger economic foundation for Hawai‘i’s future. President Barack Obama, who will host the Hawai‘i meeting, announced Hawai‘i’s winning bid today during the APEC Leaders Meeting being held in Singapore.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, November 14, 2009 |
|
|
Friday, November 13, 2009 |
|
Hawaii's 2010 election schedule violates new federal law
By Andrew Walden @ 10:30 PM :: 16786 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family
|
Under the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, signed into law as part of the Defense Authorization Act October 28 by President Barack Obama, ballots must be mailed to overseas voters--including deployed US military personnel-- at least 45 days before an election.
In reaction to MOVE becoming law, State election officials nationwide are scrambling. Minnesota Secretary of State Marc Ritchie is asking legislators to move Minnesota's September 14 primary up by at least one month. Colorado officials are working to move their 2012 primary to the first Tuesday in August...
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
|
Updated list of Honolulu rail contractors released
By Andrew Walden @ 8:13 PM :: 14277 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
Five weeks after Honolulu Councilmember Charles Djou's formal request, the administration of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann has released a complete list of contractors and subcontractors currently or previously being paid to work on the Honolulu rail system.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
|
Akaka Advertiser refuted: "Dr. Coburn Challenges Senators to Make Sacrifices for Veterans Health Care"
By News Release @ 12:22 PM :: 9445 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
“Our nation’s veterans have made tremendous sacrifices in defense of our freedoms. The least Senators should do is make the easy sacrifice of eliminating a small amount of wasteful spending to improve veterans’ health care."
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 |
|
Bill Gates' Report Card--Hawaii DoE worst at removing lousy teachers
By News Release @ 3:16 AM :: 15087 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
Hawaii does a below-average job managing its schools in a way that encourages thoughtful innovation. Ninety-four percent of teachers report that routine duties and paperwork interfere with their teaching, and only 22% of teachers like the way their school is run....Ninety-six percent of principals say that teacher unions or associations are a barrier to the removal of ineffective teachers, 35 percentage points above the national average of 61%.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 |
|
NOAA: October was 3rd coolest on record (global cooling continues)
By News Release @ 12:18 PM :: 10698 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family
|
PHOTOS Left: Sun at peak of warming, 1998. Right: After 10 years of cooling, 2008. NASA reports that the absence of sunspots continues today.
The average October, 2009 temperature of 50.8°F was 4.0°F below the 20th Century average and ranked as the 3rd coolest based on preliminary data. If you are surprised by global cooling like this, it means you haven't been paying attention.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 |
|
Tied to Holocaust denier website, former tax cheat Gary Hooser picks up anti-Superferry protester endorsements
By Andrew Walden @ 10:24 PM :: 17028 Views :: Democratic Party, Kauai County, Environment, Politicians, GMOs
|
...Hooser's campaign website indicated that the anti-Semitic, Holocaust denier, 9-11 trooother website www.WhatReallyHappened.com was part of Hooser's "regular reading regime." ....
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 |
|
AP: Judge Ezra's furlough settlement talks near
By Selected News Articles @ 5:44 PM :: 7543 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
HONOLULU — With less than a week before what could be a pivotal court hearing, a federal judge and lawyers involved in two lawsuits that seek to end Hawaii’s teacher furloughs may meet privately in the next few days to discuss settling the cases.
Lawyers representing parents of public school students said Tuesday they have not yet heard from U.S. District Judge David Ezra, but they expect to engage in talks with him and attorneys for the state before a public hearing scheduled for Monday.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 |
|
Report from Beijing: Lingle "maximizing opportunities for Chinese tourists to travel to Hawaii"
By News Release @ 1:25 AM :: 10114 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family
|
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has concluded a successful round of meetings in Beijing as part of the Administration’s ongoing strategic effort to strengthen the state’s long-term economy by promoting Hawai‘i as a visitor destination to China’s growing outbound tourism market, developing export opportunities for Hawai‘i products and services and forming partnerships in clean energy.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 |
|
Ka`auwai: GOP NJ win "proves traditionally Democrat states can and will vote Republican"
By News Release @ 1:16 AM :: 6040 Views :: Environment, Ethics
|
“The Republican Party’s overwhelming victory in Virginia and New Jersey is a blow to President Obama and the Democrat Party. It sends a message that America has had enough of more government spending, higher taxes and bigger government. The people of this great country are saying no more broken promises and no more change for the sake of change.
"The Hawai'i Democrat Party, who has proven to be ineffective for the people of Hawai'i, should learn from Democrats across the country. These victories prove traditionally Democrat states like Hawai'i can and will vote for Republicans.”
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, November 2, 2009 |
|
Humanitarian appeal fails: “They are virtually guaranteeing they will never get an earmark from Inouye’’
By Selected News Articles @ 11:59 AM :: 9202 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
Contending they were treated unfairly, Asmus and Coker have written to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. They are accusing Inouye’s staff of unevenly applying earmark procedures by dispersing federal dollars to an institute honoring the late Massachusetts senator without giving their outfit, Humanitarian Air Logistics, what they consider a fair hearing....
Walt Kaneakua, an Inouye aide who Asmus and Coker say accused them of insulting Inouye by questioning his decision-making process, did not respond to a request for comment....
Ellis thinks one thing is a pretty sure bet: “They are virtually guaranteeing they will never get an earmark from Inouye.’’
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, October 30, 2009 |
|
Transformation Hawaii conference to boost church-based voter registration drive
By Andrew Walden @ 11:46 PM :: 12829 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
Not shy about involving church-goers in the electoral system, Hawaii conference organizers will be promoting the "I VOTE" voter registration drive which aims to register 80% of Hawaii church-goers and turn out 80% to vote at the polls.
Secular humanists are already alarmed at the prospect. Hawaii has one of the lowest rates of voter participation in the nation but the Honolulu Star-Bulletin October 13 editorialized against the voter registration drive--a positive sign that voter registration can have a profound impact on the direction of the body politic.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, October 30, 2009 |
|
DoE/HSTA try to silence Kihei PTA furlough solution
By News Release @ 5:53 PM :: 12260 Views :: Kauai County, DHHL, Energy, Environment
|
Editor's Note: On Maui, Kihei Elementary School PTA leaders are working against resistance from the HSTA and the DoE to re-open their school on Furlough Fridays. Why would the union and bureaucracy oppose this plan? The best clue is at the end of the letter:
"While the children are in their usual routine the rest of us adults can figure out what to do with the budget."
The DoE and HSTA need to create as much chaos as possible in order to stampede the legislature into raising taxes and raiding special funds. They are working to stifle any discussion of the massive waste, fraud, and abuse contained within the DoE budget. By coming up with a way to keep school open on Fridays, the Kihei PTA is getting in the way of this DoE/HSTA political game.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
|
Hawaii Supreme Court Rules in State's Favor in Ceded Land Litigation
By Selected News Articles @ 8:12 PM :: 6797 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
"This would appear to leave the door open for Professor Osorio to bring a claim once there is state action under Act 176 to sell or otherwise transfer ceded lands."
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
|
Clean Energy: Undersea power cable plans move forward
By News Release @ 6:52 PM :: 7350 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
The undersea cable, which would connect the islands into one electrical grid to allow the integration of renewable wind power generated in Maui County for transmission to O‘ahu is part of a comprehensive energy agreement signed one year ago between the State of Hawai‘i and Hawaiian Electric companies to move the state away from its dependence on fossil fuels for electricity and ground transportation.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
|
Governor to promote Hawaii tourism, business in China
By News Release @ 1:37 PM :: 9307 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today she will travel to China to build on the State’s strategic efforts to strengthen Hawai‘i’s economic base by tapping China’s growing outbound tourism market as well as developing opportunities and partnerships in clean energy and international trade.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
|
Cap and Trade: A threat to national security
By Heritage Foundation @ 1:33 PM :: 8185 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
In poll, after poll, after poll, the American people have clearly expressed their preference for prioritizing economic growth over global warming. This is a major problem for those on the left who want to reorganize our entire economy under the guise of cap and trade climate change legislation. Tacitly admitting they have lost this argument, the left has shifted gears and is trying a new tack: global warming is a threat to national security.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 |
|
Sen. Lieberman backs filibuster of Obamacare
By Heritage Foundation @ 4:39 PM :: 5740 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
Americans who like making their own health care choices received welcome news yesterday when Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) said he would be willing to block final passage of Obamacare if the government run health insurance program Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced Monday survives the amendment process during the Senate debate. Lieberman explained: "I think that a lot of people may think that the public option is free. It’s not. It’s going to cost the taxpayers and people that have health insurance now, and if it doesn’t, it’s going to add terribly to our national debt.”
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 |
|
Djou: Homeowners' property tax vote "typical disgusting City Hall politics"
By News Release @ 2:01 PM :: 9502 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
This morning the City Council voted not to advance Bill 51 relating to a homeowners tax class. After the vote, Mayor Mufi Hannemann hauled Council Chair Todd Apo into his office for several hours. Late this evening, after all media had left the building, Apo, along with Councilmember Gary Okino, suddenly reversed their votes and voted to pass Bill 51. Councilmember Apo had consistently been a leading opponent of establishing a homeowner tax class since it was first proposed last year.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, October 26, 2009 |
|
Missile Defense brings Maori NFL star Riki Ellison to Capitol Tuesday
By News Release @ 10:39 PM :: 18728 Views :: Honolulu County, Democratic Party, Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family
|
The event will feature a presentation by national spokesman and former NFL football star, Riki Ellison, Founder and Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) a non-profit organization which advocates the deployment and development of a missile defense system. Mr. Ellison has is an expert in the field of missile defense.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, October 26, 2009 |
|
CQ Politics: Djou is "best candidate in a decade" -- district no longer "safe" for Dems
By Andrew Walden @ 9:14 PM :: 11192 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
Republicans have their best candidate in a decade running for this seat. Djou has been fundraising for this race since early 2008, when it was correctly rumored that Abercrombie would leave his House seat open to run for governor. National Republicans already have taken note of Djou and aired advertisements in the heavily Democratic district.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, October 26, 2009 |
|
HGEA vs HSTA: The coming legislative budget crisis
By Andrew Walden @ 8:27 PM :: 11680 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
In the HSTA/Kanu Hawaii playbook, Furlough Friday, October 23, 2009 was supposed to be the day they seized control of the debate on how to solve the Hawaii budget crisis. The Legislature was supposed to announce that they had a majority of both houses lined up to demand a special session. But other government employees' unions got in the way.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, October 24, 2009 |
|
Union Member Assaults Maui Tea Party Organizer at School Furlough Protest
By Malia Zimmerman @ 11:57 AM :: 18038 Views :: Kauai County, DHHL, Energy, Environment
|
As volunteer sign wavers arrived, they noticed an angry man shouting at them about “F***ing Republicans!” The man picked up the TEA Party signs that were set up near the sidewalk and started to walk away with them. Hodges, called after the man, repeatedly asking him, “Friend, please bring back those signs – they are private property,” but the man continued storming off. Finally, Hodges called out that he would summon police if the man did not return the signs. The man then turned around, marched up to Hodges still carrying the signs and yelled "I'm gonna kick your a**!!".
Hodges, a former Maui police officer, notified the man that pursuant to Hawaii law, Hodges was placing the man under citizen's arrest for the theft of the signs and the physical threat. The man grew angrier and threw the signs, which are made of heavy wood, at Hodges's feet, cutting Hodges’ right leg through his jeans. Hodges stood by with the man until police arrived, accepted Hodges' citizen's arrest, and took the man to the police station for processing. Police reports were generated against the man for theft in the fourth degree and assault in the third degree.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, October 23, 2009 |
|
Lingle: DoE Superintendent should be appointed by next Governor
By Andrew Walden @ 11:01 PM :: 14555 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
Grabbing the political high ground on a day union operatives had sought to shape debate as a choice between tax increases and cutbacks, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle this morning announced her intention to propose a constitutional amendment which would transfer control of the State Department of Education from the existing Board of Education and make the DoE into a cabinet-level department headed by an appointed Superintendent. Promisingly, her proposal was immediately endorsed by Rep Neil Abercrombie, the leading Democratic gubernatorial candidate.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Friday, October 23, 2009 |
|
Furloughs: Rep Ward backs raid on Hurricane Fund
By News Release @ 7:06 PM :: 9939 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
Editor's Note: This is what happens when one accepts the framework artificially created by the DoE and HSTA.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, October 22, 2009 |
|
Leadership: Lt. Gov. Candidate Adrienne King calls for DoE reform
By News Release @ 5:25 PM :: 10068 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
The Department of Education has not had a comprehensive audit of their entire organization, management practices and personnel administration since 1973. The DOE always complains about lack of funds and yet, because the DOE has not been audited, neither they nor the taxpayers know where the DOE's two billion dollar budget gets spent!
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, October 22, 2009 |
|
Last-minute donation: Rail contractor gave to Hannemann Campaign
By Andrew Walden @ 2:08 AM :: 12906 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
It wasn't easy to find in the thicket of engineering firms, architects, consultants, and legions of wanna-be rail subcontractors who suddenly became big financial backers of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann's campaign right about the time he started promoting rail transit, but the first company awarded a rail construction contract--Kiewit Pacific--is indeed represented among Hannemann's contributors.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 |
|
Stimulating unemployment: Hawaii loses 17,000 jobs
By News Release @ 2:14 PM :: 10970 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
According to the data, 49 States and the District of Columbia have lost jobs since stimulus was enacted. Only North Dakota has seen net job creation following the February 2009 stimulus. While President Obama claimed the result of his stimulus bill would be the creation of 3.5 million jobs, the Nation has already lost a total of 2.7 million – a difference of 6.2 million jobs. Hawaii was projected to gain 15,000 jobs. Instead the state lost 17,000.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 |
|
State office furloughs begin Oct 23
By News Release @ 3:48 PM :: 6055 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
HONOLULU – Following the ratification by Hawai‘i Government Employees Association (HGEA) members of a new two-year contract, Governor Linda Lingle today announced details of a plan that calls for two furlough days per month for the next 20 months for state employees that will start on Friday, October 23, 2009. To minimize the impact on the public, most state offices will close all or portions of their operations on two specified Fridays per month.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 |
|
Maui TEA Party joins Wailuku Save our Schools Rally Oct 23
By News Release @ 3:42 PM :: 12478 Views :: Kauai County, DHHL, Energy, Environment
|
The HSTA union bosses and the top-heavy DoE brass chose the furloughs as a way to convince us that they are indispensable and to justify raising more taxes, including a 20% jump in state excise taxes. More taxes will only deepen the recession and make things worse.
The union and DoE bosses' strategy is backfiring. More and more parents are asking why we need the DoE and the HSTA when they put union elites and the bureaucracy ahead of the classroom teachers, the parents and the students.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 |
|
Duke Aiona Launches New Campaign Website
By News Release @ 1:51 PM :: 6677 Views :: Energy, Environment
|
HONOLULU - Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today launched the centerpiece of his new media campaign that will help him connect and interact with voters on important local issues online.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 |
|
Furloughs: How Unions and the DoE aim to co-opt protesting parents
By Andrew Walden @ 4:24 AM :: 17498 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
|
The HSTA and the DoE worked hard to make Hawaii public schools' 17 furlough days as chaotic and inconvenient a possible. Their goal: gin up pressure for tax increases. But in order to do this they need an ally--a group which provides the illusion of being independent of the HSTA and DoE. They have found it in the form of "KanuHawaii.org", a group headquartered on Bishop Street tied to the firm "3 Point Consulting."
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
Monday, October 19, 2009 |
|
Congressional fund race: Djou leads more than 2-1
By Andrew Walden @ 12:06 AM :: 13856 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
|
The results are in and Republican Congressional Candidate Charles Djou's cash-on-hand total--a key early measure of political support--beats that of Democrat Ed Case by more than 2-1. Djou, an outgoing Honolulu City Council member, also beats Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D-Ko`olina) by more than 40-1.
|
Read
More.. |
|
|
|
|
|