While a poll released today by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser shows Duke Aiona leading among Independents and Hawaiians in the race for Governor, it is geared toward 70 percent of an electorate preparing for a contentious Democratic primary election.

Of the 604 likely voters polled, 425 said they were planning to vote in the Democratic primary.

“While today’s news is promising, it is just the beginning. The road to success in the public school system is long, but with the kind of resolve that the State of Hawaii has displayed, it is not one that is impossible.”

“Securing this grant is just a stepping stone.  We will now begin the hard work of implementing our education reform plan, which includes a common core curriculum tied to a new on-line state test while tracking student progress and rewarding teachers by linking 50 percent of their evaluation to student achievement.  I am especially excited about our pledge to have 100 percent of high school graduates ready for a career and college without the need for post secondary remediation programs,” the Governor added.

“We outlined an ambitious vision and long-overdue public education reform goals for our state, which included assisting struggling schools, improving school performance from kindergarten to college, and ensuring that all of our students are equipped and prepared to enter both college and the working environment.

“This is an historic opportunity, and we must continue to work together to implement the reforms necessary to cultivate a brighter future for our young people.”

Last Thursday, a who's who of the progressive movement met for a conference call organized by Families USA and hosted by the advocacy group for government-run health care, The Herndon Alliance. The Alliance's partners include AARP, AFL-CIO, SEIU, MoveOn and La Raza, among many others. Democratic pollsters John Anzalone, Celinda Lake and Stan Greenberg were the call's main event, and they were there to deliver some bad news.

"...the United States has more Muslim blood on its hands than al Qaida has on its hands of innocent non Muslims...."

In response to the Star-Advertiser/Hawaii News Now poll released today (Sunday), the Hannemann campaign has released the results of a recent poll conducted by QMark Research that shows the race for governor in a statistical dead heat between the two leading Democratic candidates.

The QMark poll shows that if the race was held today it would be 43% for Abercrombie to 41% for Hannemann, a difference of two percentage points, with 16% of the voters still undecided.

I like Panos Prevedouros: his energy and enthusiasm; outside-politics base and perspective; and fresh thinking and independence. We need him and many others like him to seek and serve in elective office. In this election, though, he and Carlisle are the change candidates against a status quo Caldwell; I don't want that vote to be split at the risk of Caldwell prevailing. As well, as a cautious mass transit supporter, I don't believe rail should be effectively scuttled on this vote. So for me Prevedouros is a yes, but not this one.

...the meeting was disrupted by many Hawaiian Sovereignty proponents who dominated the session with loud and acrimonious statements....

Washington- In another attempt to distract from their record of runaway spending and economic failure, House Democrats have handed down new marching orders to Democratic candidate Colleen Hanabusa. Their latest strategy to gloss over their job-killing agenda is to instruct loyal followers like Hanabusa and her Washington friends to highlight the party’s so-called small business agenda. Likely missing from the latest directive, however, is any mention that Washington Democrats are pushing forward with a plan to slam small businesses with massive tax hikes that are certain to kill jobs, prevent businesses from hiring, and set the already-struggling economy back even more.

"Now, Ed has written a thoughtful and courageous letter to his supporters about why he is endorsing Neil Abercrombie over Mufi Hannemann in the Democratic primary. Ed is candid in describing Mufi as "the product and clear choice of a political machine that must end" and "the most dangerous politician in a generation."

"I would like to personally extend my thanks and appreciation to Ed for his remarks about my candidacy. Ed Case and I differ on a variety of issues, but we want to serve the people of Hawai`i with honesty and integrity to the best of our experience and abilities."

...I've known and worked with Hannemann for the same period, and once saw him as a leader for Hawai‘i today and tomorrow. But, as I've watched him in public office, I've come to view him as the most dangerous politician in a generation, because his talents mask an agenda which, if successful, will set Hawai‘i back a generation. He is the product and clear choice of a political machine that must end....

House Republicans this weekend continued to blame Democrats for a lethargic economy, charging that last year's stimulus bill has hobbled the country with debt while failing to prevent the job losses that supporters promised.

"For every problem facing our nation, the answer from Washington has been to spend and spend, and – if that doesn’t work – spend some more," Rep. Charles Djou (R-Hawaii), said Saturday, delivering the Republicans' weekly radio address.

Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Voice of America, AP, Bloomberg, Politico...they're all talking about Charles Djou's speech.  And the local media?  Oh, that's right, they're busy doing point-by-point color commentary on the trash-talking Democrats who want to be Governor.

Rep. Djou: “Even if the powers-that-be in Washington do not support less government and less spending, they should at least provide those of us who do with a chance to give the American people the common-sense fiscal discipline they are demanding.”

The Hawaii Newspaper Guild and the Hawaii Tribune-Herald have signed a contract after nearly six years of negotiations.

The two-year agreement covers all employees at the Hilo newspaper except pressmen, who are covered by a separate contract, and managers. The pressmen's negotiations lasted as long as the Guild's. The contracts are similar.

"The poll numbers referenced by Mr. Carlisle in the Midweek story do not exist.  The Hawaii Republican Party has not conducted nor shared poll numbers with the Carlisle campaign and the public needs to know that the numbers he is referring could just be made up."

Peter Carlisle is not a member of the Hawaii Republican Party.  The only Hawaii Republican Party member in the race for Honolulu Mayor is Panos Prevedouros. 

Congressman Djou meeting with the Hawaii Restaurant Association

The King campaign has retracted its earlier announcement of endorsements from both the Maui and Kona TEA Parties.

“For too long, the State of Hawaii has had to bear a disproportionate burden in providing social services for Micronesian citizens who are legally allowed to travel to the United States without visas. While Micronesian citizens comprise less than 1% of Hawaii’s population, they consume over 20% of Hawaii’s social services. This burden is simply unfair to the taxpayers of Hawaii...."