...good news and bad news for Hawaii's taxpayers during this past legislative session....

... This week Congress will vote on H.R. 5, the Equality Act, sweeping legislation that would add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the definition of sex throughout federal law .... 

...With an overwhelming majority of the votes State Chair Shirlene Ostrov was re-elected for another two years. With the same overwhelming majority of votes or by acclimation her hand picked slate of candidates were also elected....

...Hawaii has the 2nd-most treatment centers per drug user....

...DHHL is accepting comments regarding proposed administrative rules for Planned Communities, Multi-Family Complexes, and Rental Housing until Monday, May 13, 2019....

... We control the purse strings, so we said no to a lot of their money. They reversed some of their decisions. We gave them some money. So the tension worked ....

... Hawaii: Combined State-Federal Corporate Income Tax Rate 26.1% ....

...In Hawaii, state law imposes a registration requirement on almost all firearms. Under a bill signed into law in June 2016, Hawaii became the first state to couple this registration requirement to the Rap Back service....

...Vice President for Community Colleges John Morton has recommended to University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner the appointment of Carlos Penaloza as the next chancellor for Leeward Community College. The effective date of the appointment is July 1, 2019....

...The FSM Congress elected Pohnpei Senator David W. Panuelo President and Kosrae Senator Yosiwo P. George as Vice President....

...once she saw how anti-GMO groups operate and began investigating the science behind biotechnology, she changed her mind....

...there may be as many as 30 stabilization beds at WGH by early next year....

...The Hawaii Legislature approved 303 bills, among which were measures clarifying what people must do in crosswalks with countdown timers, determining who is allowed to drive “low speed electric bicycles,” and expanding the prohibition on the capturing or killing of manta rays to all rays. ...

...the PUC erred by failing to explicitly consider the reduction of GHG emissions in approving the Amended PPA, as required by statute....

..."What now for rail?" was the question considered by three prominent guests at a sold-out luncheon event sponsored last week by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii....

... Weekly update from GovTrack.us ....

...The Hawaii Constitution also has a clause that protects citizens from excessive fines, making it even more likely that someone will challenge the enormous fines associated with this proposal....

...allowing a non-city entity's logo to be adopted as part of the official uniform would give the non-city entity preferential treatment....

...Three Potential Replacements Would Only Make It Worse....

... Another climate lie bites the dust ....

... The vast majority of the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa students, 95 percent, are concerned or very concerned about climate change ....

"...Years needed to afford down payment: 25.68...."

...Gov. Ige has set July 30, 2019 as the date he will sign the new rules for the state Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. The new rules will take effect on Aug. 9, 2019....

...a final plan will be presented to the Board of Education early next year....

...Approximately one-third of individuals with severe mental illness have their first contact with mental health treatment through a law enforcement encounter....

...Hawaii radio personality Michael W. Perry hosts Keli‘i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii....

...members of Congress who spoke with President Trump emerged from the White House projecting supreme confidence that a Jones Act waiver is now effectively off the table....

...From May 21-30, 2019, a delegation comprised of State Senators and local housing developers will visit Singapore and Hong Kong....

...It won’t come from renewables—which can never supply all the power we need—but from foundational scientific discoveries....

...Kalbert Young, UH vice president for budget and finance and chief financial officer, shares his analysis of the 2019 legislative session....

...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...."