Originally posted May 18, 2010.  Re-posted in honor of Dennis Mitsunaga's $25,000 contribution to pay for Hawaii Democratic Party "coordinated campaign" attack ads. 

Last year, Souza provided equipment used for a beach-cleaning contract at Ko Olina held by a company headed by Paul Hospodar, chief of security at the Ko Olina Resort, business records show….Hospodar was fired from the police force in 1995 for violent behavior and alleged drug abuse....

Tourism is a cornerstone of Hawaii’s economy and culture and foreign relationships are essential for Hawaii leaders to foster if we are to continue promoting Hawaii as business and vacation destination.  Governor Linda Lingle utilized her executive office to promote tourism, travel and business in Hawaii and fostered strong relationships with countries like China and Japan for our state’s benefit.

...effective today, the Company has successfully completed its reorganization and has emerged from its Chapter 11 proceedings, pursuant to the plan of reorganization (the “Plan”) approved by the bankruptcy court.  As expected, the new ownership and capital structure of the Company have been approved by the Federal Communications Commission and the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.

In the past four years (at least), she did not encounter a single tax increase, government regulation or pay raise that she thought fell short of getting "the biggest bang" for Hawaii taxpayers' bucks.

Djou has now raised more than $362,000 in October alone and over the past two months has raised more than $752,000 - nearly $200,000 more than his opponent.

The Department of Education will use $2,817,007 to provide Extended Learning Opportunities classes of up to two additional hours a day at high schools, intermediate/middle schools and elementary schools statewide that failed to meet Adequate Yearly Progress goals during the 2009-2010 school year.

Honolulu, HI — Congressman Charles K. Djou (HI-01) released the following statement after attending Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s speech on America’s engagement in the Asia Pacific....

Abercrombie continues to oppose a comprehensive, independent audit of the Department of Education (DOE). Mr. Abercrombie has said the "last thing we need is an audit of the educational system," even after he was one of 19 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives to co-sponsor a bill introduced last year in favor of an independent audit of the Federal Reserve (HR 1207). 

“Given the financial tight rope First Wind is walking and its voracious need for financing to build its projects, we believe the risks outweigh the company’s upside,’’ Stephen Simko, Morningstar Inc. analyst, wrote in a report on the stock offering.

While many know Neil Abercrombie supports abortion, the extreme stances he has taken on parental notification and prosecuting criminals who harm fetuses during violent crimes are counter to the values of many here in Hawaii.  While in Congress, he voted against...

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today issued the following statement in response to comments made by an appointed member of a State legislative committee criticizing Hawai‘i’s use of federal stimulus funds. The committee meeting held yesterday was a clumsily disguised event to criticize the Administration a week before State elections.

Ariyoshi's Attorney General Michael Lilly and former State Senator Fred Rohlfing agree...

According to Real Clear Politics, an independent political website that publishes daily election analysis and polling averages, the race for Governor is a “toss-up.”

This determination is supported by recent polls conducted by Rasmussen Reports, Aloha Vote and Public Policy Polling, all of which show the governor’s race to be a virtual dead heat with a mere 2 to 3 point spread.

“Duke is the best person to serve as the next Governor of Hawai‘i,” said Rep. Sagum. “He is a true leader with integrity and good judgment who is not afraid to make tough decisions, and he has bold plans that will move Hawai‘i forward; that’s why I am willing to cross party lines to show my support and help elect Duke as our next Governor.”

HONOLULU - Lynn Finnegan today issued the following statement after casting her early ballot for the 2010 General Election. Lynn was joined by her husband, Peter Finnegan, Honolulu Fire Department Captain, their parents and an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, many of whom represent Hawai‘i's large Filipino community.

HONOLULU -- Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today announced four of Hawai`i’s top financial institutions will be providing a benefit of over $1.3 million dollars for Hot Water, Cool Rates, a new solar water-heater loan interest-buydown program.

Suggested Positions on State Constitutional Amendments and Honolulu County Charter Amendments....

But Djou also isn't shy about emphasizing his Republican views on the economy: he views the stimulus as a failure, wants Congress to spend a lot less, supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and supports the extension of all the Bush-era tax cuts.

Djou has "essentially been very candid and straightforward about his Republican principles. And, love 'em or hate 'em, they're out there pretty clear," said Neal Milner, a professor of political science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa....

According to a report released last month by the Small Business Administration, existing total regulatory costs already amount to about $1.75 trillion annually. This "hidden tax" on the economy is nearly twice as large as the sum of all individual income taxes collected last year.

1. Shall the B.O.E. be changed to a board appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, as provided by law?

We recommend YES so that there will be accountability (resting on the governor's shoulders) within the B.O.E.

The effort is very similar to the smear campaign run in 1998 and 2002 against then-candidate Linda Lingle.  Progressive activists then claimed that the Jewish Lingle would abolish the Christmas Holiday for government employees and insinuated she was a lesbian—a smear which can be heard to this day. 

Whether it is Judaism or Christianity, it seems that attacking the Religion of GOP gubernatorial candidates is stock-in-trade for Hawaii Democrats. 

1. Rank-and-file members, not party leaders, should be allowed equal opportunity to nominate and vote for each party's steering committee members;
2. Term limits should apply to all House party leadership positions, including the Speaker; and
3. A cap should be placed on the overall size of each committee so no one committee dominates the House.

Starting this week, we are going back on television with our "Mountains of Debt" commercial--making a promise to future generations. We are starting a telephone outreach program to conservative and independent voters.  And we are reaching the people of Hawaii about Daniel Inouye's record with our online ad campaign.

Honolulu, HI -- Hawaii Right to Life PAC has announced its candidate endorsements and recommendations for dozens of races statewide. Its selections are based on a comprehensive vetting of those running for office and in-depth personal interviews affirming each endorsed candidate’s commitment to pro-life values.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released a $1,500,000 capital improvement project grant that will go toward the building of a permanent Windward Clubhouse for the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i.  Under a partnership between the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i and the Department of Education, the facility will be located on the grounds of Kailua Intermediate School. 

NEW YORK , NY - President Obama is spending the next week crisscrossing the country in support of Democratic candidates before this year's midterm elections. While the president may do a great job of energizing the base, he may not be able to convert any Independents who have yet to decide for whom they will vote. Currently, two-thirds of Americans (67%) have a negative opinion of the job President Obama is doing while just over one-third (37%) have a positive opinion. This continues the president's downward trend and he is now at the lowest job approval rating of his presidency.

The Duke and Lynn Express kicks off today on Kaua`i, where the candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor will meet and talk story with supporters and undecided voters across the island, and will continue this week with stops on Maui, Hawai`i Island and O`ahu. The Duke and Lynn Express will feature sign waving, rallies, talk stories and special guest appearances.

He’s caring and courageous, taking on the political establishment to put working families first, fighting irresponsible spending that threatens our keiki’s future, creating new local jobs by opening overseas markets so Hawaii families can stay here together.

The FBI said its agents arrested Abdel Hameed Shehadeh on Friday at his residence in Honolulu. Shehadeh is a U.S. citizen who was born and raised in New York.

Approximately 89 percent of Duke Aiona's total contributions were from Hawai‘i residents. Nearly 70 percent of his total donations were $100 or less, reflecting his true grassroots campaign.

Duke and Lynn's proposal of a College Tuition Assurance Program would guarantee a four-year fixed tuition rate for students entering the University of Hawai‘i and a 2-year fixed tuition rate would be guaranteed for those entering one of the University of Hawai‘i community colleges.

A poll released by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Hawaii News Now shows Colleen Hanabusa in trouble. Across the board, she is struggling not only to make inroads with independent voters and younger voters but also struggling to seal the deal with her own party and union members.

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $140 million to the University of Hawai‘i for the construction of the new University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center. The funds were released as preparations get underway for breaking ground on the new state-of-the-art facility on Thursday, Oct. 28. 

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii, based in Hilo, have endorsed Republicans James “Duke” Aiona and Lynn Finnegan for governor/lieutenant governor.

"Well, yes, there are crucial times when loquacious white mouths need to stay shut...."  -- Segregated Sisterhood P197

"Campaigns in Hawai‘i are won by those who work hardest over the last seven days, and our grassroots supporters are reaching out to every voter in the state who believes Hawai‘i's best days are still ahead.

"If this survey were taken after the debate Friday night, respondents would have seen that my opponent is not being honest with the people of Hawai‘i. He will either cut programs or raise taxes to pay for his promises to grow government at the expense of small businesses."

As Governor, Duke Aiona will expedite contracts for approximately $946 million in approved state capital works projects over the next 18 months. He will also continue to modernize state airports, contracting approximately $2.3 billion over 15 years, and upgrade and expand our state harbors, contracting approximately $618 million over eight years.

"Nothing in his plan would immediately create private sector jobs. Government doesn't create the types of jobs that fuel our economy over the long term, but as Governor, I'll make it easier for our small businesses that do create jobs."

"There's a difference between campaigning and governing, but our opponent is clearly more interested in the former than the latter.

"Our opponent has made promises to create new government bureaucracies and restore all public employee furloughs. Behind our opponents' plan is the fact that he would either cut more programs, raise taxes or fail to deliver on his promises."

"Now that the momentum of this campaign has shifted, our opponent is playing Washington politics in a desperate attempt to divert attention away from his inability to explain whether he will cut programs, raise taxes or fail to deliver on his promises to grow government at the expense of small businesses and working families. The Aiona-Finnegan Campaign and the RGA have fully complied with all applicable laws."

The telephone survey, conducted by ccAdvertising, showed Charles leading Hanabusa 44% to 35%, with a margin of error of +/-3%. The survey had 2,747 participants.

Emerson is now routinely described as the nation's foremost expert on Islamist terrorism, and no serious news organization would think of ignoring his views. Except National Public Radio.  NPR blacklisted Emerson in 1998....