Charles Djou voted against HR 4213 because altogether, the bill would provide for a net tax increase of $40 billion.  Overall, the bill would cost $226 billion, with $191 billion in higher spending; resulting in a deficit increase of $134 billion.

With the Hannemann-Caldwell administration choosing to assess higher commercial property tax rates on mixed-use buildings previously assessed at residential rates, Kalihi landlords are being forced to dump commercial tenants.

The result will be shuttered storefronts in some of Honolulu's most densely populated neighborhoods and massive rent hikes for low income residents.

That’s funny.  Hanabusa started her political career by saying “no” to Margery Bronster at the behest of Larry Mehau in order to protect the Broken Trustees of Bishop Estate.

HONOLULU, Hawaii. (September 14, 2010) — A new study released today by the American Lung Association, and conducted by researchers at Penn State University, finds that helping smokers quit not only saves lives but also offers favorable economic benefits to states.

Craig Dougall, former CEO of Waikoloa Workforce Housing, LLC, names names of County officials involved in the County’s alleged sabotage of the $40M-plus project.  Dougall describes the specific methods they allegedly used to ensure that no financing could be arranged so the project would collapse.

With Hawaii media in full lie mode spreading the ridiculous and unfounded assertion that Abercrombie is an Episcopalian, we thought we’d treat our readers to a short trip down memory lane.  The date: March 12, 2008.  The publication: something called the Honolulu Advertiser.  Here is what Jerry Burris wrote...

"Health insurers say they plan to raise premiums for some Americans as a direct result of the health overhaul in coming weeks, complicating Democrats’ efforts to trumpet their signature achievement before the midterm elections. Aetna Inc., some BlueCross BlueShield plans and other smaller carriers have asked for premium increases of between 1% and 9% to pay for extra benefits required under the law, according to filings with state regulators."

Herb Sample of Associated Press September 6 reported:

Abercrombie spokesman Jim McCoy on Sunday sought to clarify Abercrombie's religious affiliation, saying only that the candidate was ''confirmed as an Episcopalian.''

The key word in the Abercrombie campaign’s four-word response is “confirmed”....

“The fact is, the final EIS is not on my desk as some have incorrectly stated.  The EIS is currently being reviewed by the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC), which is analyzing the EIS section by section to make certain that it meets the requirements of the state’s environmental law, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Chapter 343."

Hawaii Democratic convention delegates meeting at the Hilton Hawaiian Village May 29 approved a resolution calling for closed Democratic primaries.

Hawaii State law now mandates that political parties’ primaries be open to any voter who wishes to participate.  But many Progressive Democrats feel that their ideological soul mates are having a tough time winning Democratic Primary races due to voting by non-Democrats.

Any move away from Hawaii’s current open primary system would require party line registration, causing tens of thousands of new voters to become enrolled members of both Democratic and Republican parties. 

AARP Hawaii has released the 2010 State Voter Guide – an election resource featuring the views of candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, and every state legislative race in the primary election this year.

The Voter Guide includes answers from 173 candidates in 68 races to questions posed by AARP members in four key issue areas.

Faiz Khan has maintained a low profile as the mosque debate intensified but his writings and speeches remain available and overlap with his work with ASMA and his preaching in Rauf's mosque. The Der Spiegel article quotes him marveling about the "wonderful potential" of the mosque site and his belief that "New York can be a place of healing."

What Khan thinks caused the wound is not in sync with most New Yorkers.

But to Khan, there is nothing to debate. "I don't speak in conspiracy theory," he said at the Chicago truth event. "I speak in terms of conspiracy fact." By delving into it, he told an audience, they are conducting "the most exalted jihad."

HONOLULU - Duke Aiona, the leading Republican candidate for Governor, today announced the launch of his gubernatorial campaign's first television ad, "Two Live." The 60-second spot weaves together animated, three-dimensional images with a narrative outlining Duke Aiona's accomplishments from the past with his vision for the future.

The ad will be broadcast statewide beginning today. The timing of the ad's launch coincides with a grassroots effort to raise funds to keep the ad up on television and increase the number of times it is broadcast statewide. 

The significant increase in the number of projects is indicative of senators’ continued commitment to earmarking large swaths of transportation funds for pet projects and occurs even as President Obama is proposing yet another “stimulus” package to jumpstart the stagnant economy by funding roads and bridges. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), and Senate THUD Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) combined for 122 projects worth $344.4 million, or 15.7 percent of the total.

Last August, NBC News' Chuck Todd posed a question to President Barack Obama from Elkhart, Indiana, resident Scott Ferguson: "Explain how raising taxes on anyone during a deep recession is going to help with the economy." The President responded: "We have not proposed a tax hike for the wealthy that would take effect during a recession. ... He's absolutely right, the last thing you want to do is raise taxes in the middle of a recession because that would just suck up, take more demand out of the economy and put businesses in a further hole."

Fast forward to yesterday....

When it comes to arrogance and hypocrisy, the gay-atheist eco-religionists of the Star-Advertiser rarely outdo themselves.  Today is one of those rare occasions.

In an article titled, The clashing of church, state: Religion-based tactics fire up Hawaii's election season -- causing concern for some but fueling moral claims by others, the Star-Advertiser speaks as if its pretence of secularism was not just another religion.  To make their case, they trot out all the tired old secular humanist voices of Honolulu’s left (aka Neil Abercrombie’s base).  Their core argument: Our religion must rule over yours.

Nearly 400 gathered at the Hilton Hawaiian Village this evening at the Hawaii Republican Party's 8th Annual Governor's Ball.  The event helps raise funds for the Hawaii Republican Party's Victory Program for the upcoming election year. 

In response to demands from the pro-Abercrombie Hawaii Venture Capital Association that he stop using a similar name for his capitalist splinter group, Larry Harmon, executive director of the pro-Hannemann Venture Capital Association of Hawaii has issued a two word response.

Civil Beat just released the poll (below). The good news is that Panos doubled his support since the last poll - but Carlisle is still in the lead, with 10% of those polled undecided.

Ordinary people turned into heroes in the face of danger, displaying extraordinary acts of courage, selflessness and aloha.

New York City firefighters, policemen and port authority officers, active duty military and reservists, and Department of Defense civilians answered the call without hesitation, risking their lives for their fellow citizens.

“Nine years ago, amid the confusion, shock and rubble, we witnessed something remarkable unfold. Out of the ashes, American courage and charity emerged. Our resilience as a people was tested and strained, but it did not break. We came together and rose above the pettiness that so often marks our day-to-day reality."

Many Republicans are talking about voting in the Democrat Primary for Governor for one reason or another.  I wanted to take a minute of your time to share some perspective and explain why it is not effective and more importantly why it is undermines the hard work of our Party, our  leadership and our candidates. 

HawaiiFreePress.com is enjoying strong readership growth--74% growth over the last 12 months. 

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has ordered the Hawai‘i State Flag at all state and county buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, September 11, 2010, in honor of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001.  The Governor’s proclamation also encourages Hawai‘i residents to display the state flag at half-staff at their homes and businesses in observance of this day of remembrance.

At $578 million, the Robert F. Kennedy School in Los Angeles is the most expensive public school ever built in America. It features a high-tech swimming pool, a chic auditorium, vaulted ceilings, luxury amenities and a design aesthetic worthy of a spread in Architectural Digest. ABC News reports that the school is more expensive than the "Bird's Nest" stadium in Beijing, China, built for the 2008 Olympics, and the Wall Street Journal notes that it cost more than L.A.'s Staples sports center.

Colleen Hanabusa today unveiled her fall campaign slogan with the release of her first campaign commercial: “What you see is what you get.”  

In the commercial, we didn’t “see” her husband John Souza, the former State Sheriff, trucking company magnate, and land baron now known as “Mr Invisible”, but that doesn’t mean we don’t “get” it.

She didn’t mention Ko Olina or the Pali Golf Course but we do “get” it.

“A lot of politicians talk about the economy and jobs, I decided to actually do something about it with this job fair.  Hawaii residents understand that doing is always better than talking."

Honolulu, HI — Congressman Charles K. Djou (HI-01) issued the following statement today, expressing relief that North Korea had released the South Korean fishing vessel, the Daesung 55, and its crew yesterday at the East Sea military demarcation line. Congressman Djou introduced a resolution at the time of its seizure, condemning North Korea’s provocations and calling for the release of the Daesung 55 and its crew. Congressman Djou’s statement also praises South Korea for joining the United States in trade sanctions against Iran and urges China to do the same

Furst cites a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ad aired against Rep. Charles Djou (R) before the May special election vote in Hawaii.

Djou and the youthful new leaders reshaping the Hawaii Republican Party suggest that their opponents are living in the past and counting on tradition to overcome voter dismay with deficit spending, rising taxes and protracted economic crisis.

The Hawaii Republican Party filed a formal complaint this afternoon with the Office of Elections, raising concern about a violation of laws that prohibit campaign activity within 200 feet of a polling place.  Yesterday, Colleen Hanabusa held a press conference and had news crews film her as she filed her Primary Election ballot at Honolulu Hale. 

According to 2009 YRBS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey) data, Hawai‘i high school students had the highest self-reported prevalence of considering suicide (19%), the highest for making a plan (16%), the highest for attempting (13%), and the 4th highest prevalence for being treated for a self-inflicted injury (4.5%) in the country. 

“I am pleased the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in my favor in this matter and found that the Circuit Court should never have issued the injunction it did,” Governor Lingle said.  “It is unfortunate that I was prevented from implementing what I believed to be a fiscally sound plan to address the massive deficit Hawaii faced in 2009.  As a result, we were forced to layoff hundreds of State employees,” she added.

“As Governor, one of my first acts will be to propose a fiscally responsible biennium budget based largely on the latest projections that will allow our state to spend within its means.

“It may take several years before general fund revenues return to pre-recession levels, which is why it is so important for the next Governor to hit the ground running in the right direction.

Cam is proud to have the endorsement of Honolulu City Councilman Gary Okino of Aiea. Councilman Okino's support shows that standing up for traditional values is a Hawaiian principle, not a partisan one--and that more people across the Islands need to be exposed to the facts on Senator Inouye's voting record.

Weekend retreats offer a safe, supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing.

Faced with predictions of staggering losses for his party in November's midterm elections, President Barack Obama today appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" and said, "If the election is a referendum on 'are people satisfied about the economy as it currently is,' then we're not going to do well, because I think everybody feels like this economy needs to do better than it's been doing." The prospect of that referendum is casting a long shadow over Washington as the President and candidates alike wrestle with America's frustration over a still-stagnant economy, despite $814 billion in stimulus spending.

So what's President Obama's solution? Kick into campaign mode and turn to even more destined-to-fail stimulus gimmicks, loaded with increased government spending and higher taxes.

Paychecks Hawaii, the private, independent, Smart Business Hawaii political action affiliate, announced its picks for the September 18 Primary Election....

“Just last week, Congressman Charles Djou cast his vote in the Primary election for Hawaii’s First Congressional District. His main opponent, however, has not cast her vote yet. In fact, she will not be voting in this election. As a candidate asking for the vote of the people, it’s worth asking: ‘If Colleen Hanabusa won’t be voting for herself, why should anyone else?’"

Due to an event scheduled at the same time by the League of Women Voters, the Townhall Meeting at Haha‘ione Elementary School Cafeteria for Tuesday, September 14 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. has been cancelled.

Complete list of employers planning to attend tomorrow's job fair.

In yesterday's New York Times, International Herald Tribune columnist Roger Cohen reported: "Since taking office, President Obama has reached out to the Muslim world as a whole, to China, to Turkey and to Iran, but has devoted scant serious diplomatic energy to Europe." Cohen then went on to quote prominent Paris-based defense analyst Camille Grand: "Europe is the object of benign U.S. neglect. Obama has not established or re-established a strategic relationship with any single European country or with Europe as a whole."

ARE YOU SICK AND TIRED OF:

• Paying the highest taxes in the USA?
• Joblessness and Unemployment?
• Too much government regulation/intervention?
• Voice of the people being ignored?
• Out of control government spending of tax $$$?
• Slowly losing your Individual Rights?

If your answer is "yes," then take these names to the polls on Saturday, September 18....

According to Article IX, Section 3 of the Party’s 2010 Constitution, which is available online, “candidates shall submit Candidate Statement Forms... indicating their agreement, disagreement, and/or reservations with the Platform and Resolutions of the State and County Party" and that, a "candidate who fails to abide by these requirements shall not be eligible for endorsement".

In the letter, Mr. Woerner notes that, “the majority of candidates (and especially incumbent candidates) either failed to return their forms at all, or failed to complete them as required”.

As thousands gather in Washington, DC, Hawaii Christian Coalition and Hawaii TEA Party groups will hold local rallies Maui, Kona, Hilo.

Local officials also predict an expensive future as new requirements—for technology, quality accounting and care coordination—start under the overhaul, which became law in March.

Moody's Investors Service said in April that many standalone hospitals won't have the resources to invest in information technology or manage bundled payments well. Many nonprofits have bad credit ratings and in a tight credit market cannot borrow money, either. Meantime, the federal government is expected to cut aid to hospitals….

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today appointed Laura Figueira to fill the vacant O‘ahu North Shore Senate seat and Ronald Kouchi to fill the vacant Kaua‘i Senate seat.  They will serve on a temporary basis until new Senators are elected in the upcoming General Election and take the oath of office.  The two vacancies were created by the resignation of Robert Bunda and Gary Hooser in July. 

Breaking technology is now offering a safe and affordable alternative to large nuclear reactors, called Small Modular Reactors, or SMRs.  Even enlightened environmentalists have changed their minds about energy and now support nuclear. Greenpeace activist Patrick Moore, Gaia theorist James Lovelock, Greenpeace UK Executive Director Stephen Tindale,  Friends of the Earth board member Bishop Hugh Montefiore and environmental icon Stewart Brand have all switched sides in the nuclear energy debate....

Honolulu, HI — Congressman Charles K. Djou (HI-01) appeared on Hawaii News Now “Sunrise” this morning to discuss returning to Washington, the President’s latest economic proposals and the First Congressional District Job Fair this week:

Washington- It’s been more than 18 months since Colleen Hanabusa's Democrat friends passed a trillion-dollar stimulus bill promising to keep unemployment under eight percent and create four million jobs and, so far, one thing is clear: It’s an utter failure. With unemployment at an unacceptably high 9.6 percent, the economy in a complete tailspin and the nation deeply in debt, Democrats now want to ram through a $50 billion spending bill in a last ditch attempt to salvage their crumbling political careers.