...reduce each trustee’s allowance; limit what the funds can be used for; and establish accountability safeguards, thereby addressing the state auditor’s concerns....

...Honolulu is slightly ahead of Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio....

...the following is a list of the candidates running for Party office....

...For three and a half years, Gilpin alleges, Hiraoka was simultaneously fighting to save Gary Dubin’s law license in one court while opposing Dubin in another, creating a conflict of interest....

...For those that are not counting we currently have 4 lawsuits open that HIFICO (and/or its directors) are involved in directly and 2 more that we’re indirectly involved in....

...Waimea Hawaiian Homes Association is attempting to become a federally recognized government called Waimea Nui under DOI....

... Department of Land and Natural Resources is doing a reforestation project in East Maui. It’s hired a vendor to certify the project for “carbon credits.” Why are they doing that if we don’t even have a carbon tax ....

...the police officer observed drug paraphernalia in plain view and subsequently arrested Espejo....

...a short list of not more than 3 preferred offerors is now being asked to put together proposals that include pricing and technical details of how they plan to complete the rail project to Ala Moana Center, construct the Pearl Highlands parking garage and transit center, and operate and maintain the rail system for a period of 30 years....

...On Thursday, May 3, 2019, the 30th legislative session closed.... 

...warning letters have been sent to companies that have targeted vulnerable populations with false advertising....

"...HART does not require Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., (HECO) to provide overhead cost supporting documentation. HART reimburses Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. 100% of their costs incurred...."

...2019 Legislative Session – Notable Bills....

...“Senator Hirono predictably demonstrates a clear pattern of malicious and abhorrent behavior towards anyone and everyone associated with President Trump,” stated Kulbis....

...NRA-ILA will be back at the Capitol for the 2020 session....

...The number of visitor days remains below last year’s peak, with more worrying signs from falling visitor spending. Job growth has largely stalled and income gains have receded....

...Hawaii’s contradictory approach to short-term vacation rentals hasn’t been doing much to make anybody happy, and could, in fact, just be making things worse....

...amended sprinkler requirements....

"Improve recordkeeping to prepare accrual basis financial statements"

"...There is more to be done, and we will use this interim to develop priorities for next year...."

...It's been over two years since the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees unanimously approved an independent audit of OHA and its limited liability companies for fraud, waste and abuse....

...Alabama and Hawaii raise the smallest portion of their state and local tax revenue through property taxes: 17.1 percent and 17.6 percent, respectively....

...Raby provided the contractor with sensitive, internal U.S. Department of Defense procurement information, and otherwise used his position to benefit the contractor in securing U.S. Army contracts....

...Natural Gas rich Reno, NV is waaaay cleaner than Honolulu....

...Gross Domestic Product by State: Fourth Quarter and Annual 2018....

...“America first.” This is the phrase we hear repeated by President Trump more than any other—the simple yet powerful promise that our government will “buy American and hire American.”....

...Hawaii Firearms Coalition Today Filed Suit in the D.C District Court Seeking Information Regarding Hawaii's use of the FBI Rap Back Service for gun owners....

...three helicopter crashes since October....

...The University of South Dakota determined that a student group naming its party “Hawaiian Day” did not violate the school’s policy....

...This case – COMPL-C-17-00112 – is separate from the Commission’s Decision in COMPL-C-15-00236, issued on February 5, 2019, which imposed an administrative penalty of $23,106.53; Ms. Akana has appealed that Decision....

... prompted by community concerns brought to HDOT by Senate President Ronald Kouchi, Representative Nadine Nakamura, and Mayor Kawakami ....

...2019’s Best & Worst States for Nurses....

... Randy Roth discusses key issues in the rail controversy and gets his insights from having watched the project since its beginning ....

...Michael Hansen on ThinkTech discusses a blanket Jones Act waiver for LNG Tankers....

"...In an effort to eliminate the predictive nature of expected targets, EES will focus on student-centered growth that assesses what is valued in the school or Complex Area rather than on Student Learner Outcomes (SLOs)...."

“This agreement is worth more than $45 million for our members in salary increases and employer contributions to our health care plan, while establishing a pilot program to give teachers more control over their 21 hours (of professional development time)....”

...program for the installation or upgrade of electric vehicle charging stations in publicly accessible commercial areas, workplaces, and multi-unit dwellings....

...The agreement also calls for a series of facility upgrades to maintain compliance with stormwater regulations....

...As of Sept. 30, Hawaii has paid $36.4 million to Abraaj Global Growth Markets Fund....

...Bill to thoroughly reform our system of handling people arrested, incarcerated....

...to provide feedback on the latest draft of the proposed administrative rules to govern public and commercial activities on UH-managed lands on Maunakea....

...OHA assets cannot be shielded from accountability (to both the Trustees and the general public) simply by tossing them into LLCs....

...Laeha says he was, "in the process of implementing ... 'fair treatment' laws which require independent solicitations on contracts...."  

...Sine Die May 2--What happens next at the Governor's Office?....

...Trustee Keli'i Akina praises decision as victory for OHA beneficiaries....

...Coinciding with Earth Day....

...This is the City and County of Honolulu’s inaugural annual sustainability report....

... audio from The Rick Hamada Show ....

...The victims of these tactics usually are bills that have been passed by one chamber and are waiting for hearings in the non-originating chamber. This makes them ripe for tinkering because they no longer require hearings or votes in the original house....

...On April 24th, Governor David Ige signed House Bill 720 to impose criminal penalties upon gun owners if they fail to follow government requirements for how lost or stolen firearms must be reported....