HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today submitted to the State Legislature recommended amendments to three bills that would provide statutory changes needed to help meet a projected $650 million revenue shortfall for the remainder of the current fiscal year (FY09) and biennium budget fiscal years 2010 through 2011.

The Hill: Yes, Hawaii could field a competitive general election race in 2010.

“I commend the HTA for having the wisdom to reconsider their previous decision and return the Pro Bowl to Hawai‘i where it belongs.
“Let us now move forward and work closely with the NFL to make the Pro Bowl’s homecoming the best possible.
“I am excited to continue working with Commissioner Goodell on what I believe could be an enhanced all-star weekend of festivities.”

An official familiar with Abercrombie's plans says the 10-term congressman will make his announcement through an Internet video to be released Sunday.

"Karen's Law", HB819HD1, passed out of the Finance Committee today at 4:36pm un-amended. All members present voted yes.

The range of North Korean ballistic missiles has increased five-fold since 1990.  The two-stage Taepodong-2 missile, if successfully developed, could travel thousands of miles to strike Alaska, Hawaii and "parts of the continental United States," intelligence experts estimate.  By testing and perfecting a third stage, the North Koreans could reach anywhere in North America with a nuclear warhead.

In November 2002, the Governor underwent a similar breast biopsy, which tested negative for breast cancer.

San Francisco State University:  "[T]he College Republicans must be punished or sanctioned for throwing shoes at the Hamas flag; pending charges should be dropped against the two protestors who assaulted the College Republicans and seized the Hamas flag; and, most ominously for defenders of free _expression on campus, a forum should be created to 'educate' students about what forms of speech the 'offended' students deem acceptable or unacceptable, including what the Left regularly tries to proscribe as 'hate speech.'"

Kimo Apana, a former Maui County Mayor, testified that he brought a friend into MMMC with a stroke this week and although they needed to admit the friend, there was not a bed....

The bill was drafted as a compromise to get House approval and to encourage talks with the state Senate, where many senators are opposed.

Governor balances budget with no tax increases, no layoffs, no significant cuts in essential services -- Act 215 spending cut 50% -- $320 in Federal 'stimulus' funds covering Medicaid expenses -- renegotiate State employees health benefit cost sharing %

A former "Blue Dog" Democrat Congressman speaks out as Congress considers Obama's profligate budget.

....On May 25, 2007, Karen Ertell was brutally raped and murdered in her home in Ewa Beach. Karen Ertell was the only real mother that her foster daughter, Malanie McLellan had ever known.  Your immediate action is needed to keep "Karen's Law" (HB819) alive.  It appears that the House Finance Committee may not hear Karen's Law.  This would kill the bill with no explanation.  As the law currently stands, juvenile crime offenders, charged with 1st or 2nd degree murder can face two trials, one to determine which court to try them in and then another trial to decide guilt or innocence.  We need to start protecting the people of Hawaii and stop making excuses for defending people that break the law.

I am glad to see that the HTA board will reconsider the NFL’s proposal so we can begin working on making the Pro Bowl even better.

Let me tell you who we conservatives are:  We love people. [Applause] When we look out over the United States of America, when we are anywhere, when we see a group of people, such as this or anywhere, we see Americans. We see human beings. We don't see groups. We don't see victims.

I'm asking as your friend in liberty to call Rep. Marcus Oshiro at (808) 586-6200 or send him an email at repmoshiro@capitol.hawaii.gov and request a hearing for House Bill 870 and 871. 

In an effort to make Hawai‘i’s state government as efficient and effective as possible, I have asked each state department to develop new and innovative ways of delivering critical services and upholding their responsibility to the people of Hawai‘i. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has responded with a comprehensive plan that reinvents how it cares for Hawai‘i’s land and ocean recreational spaces.

Acts of staged controversy or public relations campaigns manipulating otherwise innocent events may be an aspect of Islamist group strategy to Islamize society. Authorities dealing with such incidents should assess the behavior as an aggregate. Their responses should address the root of the problem, rather than potentially allowing such incidents to compel a response that supports the Islamist agenda.

At first, it was a bit odd to see Washington, D.C. attorney Kannon Shanmugam, counsel for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in the "ceded lands" case immediately concede in oral argument that the U.S. Supreme Court should rule against OHA -- and hold the Apology Resolution was simply a symbolic statement of regret -- if the Hawaii Supreme Court's decision relied on it.

The predicament OHA finds itself in is one almost entirely of its own making. Its unusual U.S. Supreme Court strategy was made necessary by its overwhelming victory in the Hawaii Supreme Court (the court ruled unanimously against the State), where it argued successfully that the Apology Resolution provided all of the answers. But in prevailing on that basis, OHA opened the door to the state and federal government's arguments which -- if accepted by a majority of the Supreme Court -- at the very least will shift the venue for resolution of land claims from OHA's preferred forum, state courts, to the political branches of state government.

Washington- Flying in the face of Democrats' campaign promises for fiscal responsibility, Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) voted today to pass another nearly half-trillion dollar spending bill through what is quickly becoming the biggest spending Congress in History.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) today continued to back-track on his empty promises to clean up corruption in Congress when he voted to kill a resolution introduced by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) that would “investigate the relationship between earmark requests already made by Members and the source and timing of past contributions.”

Buffalo, NY: Officers found her body at the station in a hallway, decapitated and with multiple stab wounds....the police found Muzzammil repeatedly told his wife that she had no right, under Islamic law, to divorce him. They also quote him stating that Aasiya, because beheaded, cannot reach paradise.

As I grew up, my mom and dad taught me the values that attracted them to this country -- and they instilled in me an immigrant's wonder at the greatness of America. As a child, I remember going to the grocery store with my dad. Growing up in India, he had seen extreme poverty. And as we walked through the aisles, looking at the endless variety on the shelves, he would tell me: 'Bobby, Americans can do anything.' 

...Dillon, South Carolina - a place where the ceilings leak, the paint peels off the walls, and they have to stop teaching six times a day because the train barrels by their classroom. She has been told that her school is hopeless, but the other day after class she went to the public library and typed up a letter to the people sitting in this room. She even asked her principal for the money to buy a stamp. The letter asks us for help...

One of the many symptoms of this decay from within is that we are preoccupied with the pay of corporate executives while the leading terrorist-sponsoring nation on earth is moving steadily toward creating nuclear bombs....

It took only two nuclear bombs to get Japan to surrender-- and the Japanese of that era were far tougher than most Americans today. Just one bomb-- dropped on New York, Chicago or Los Angeles-- might be enough to get us to surrender.

The UH collected and cared for some thing they considered important. The accomplishments of a people, the Hawaiians. They asked no money or help but cared for HALOA for 104 years with no help from any of you or the people. They should burn and be ashamed of this. When the Chinese and Japanese took over the loi for rice no one minded. When the Orientals grew and milled 80% of the taro who cared? Production kept sliding until we grow the smallest taro crop in the world amongst 65 countries. Even Florida produces more taro in one month than we produce in a year. A fitting tribute to Haloa. When they (UH) tried to help cure the diseases of Kalo we responded with "What gives you the right".

We are looking to draw on the popularity of our recreational areas to help reverse years of decline and rehabilitate these cultural attractions for outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy everything from fishing and hunting, to boating and camping, to hiking and swimming.

Sunday February 22 at 2pm at the State Capitol: Rally against HB444.  Opponents of gay marriage will protest against the legislature's effort to extend tax cuts to gay couples and give them child adoption rights equivalent to married couples under the aegis of "Gay Civil Unions".

I personally thought President Bush was the worst to hold such a prestigious position as the president of the United States. Looking at President's Obama's stimulus package, now I feel he is the worst president in history to conquer the Oval Office.

Despite the 'lip service' of Senator 'Roz' Baker...she is blocking the bill (which she sponsored) and is urging Senator Daniel Ige, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee to NOT HEAR AIHM'S BILL.  Could it be she only pretended to support it?

Governor Linda Lingle today nominated Chief Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Mark E. Recktenwald to serve as an associate justice on the Hawai‘i State Supreme Court.  If confirmed by the State Senate, Recktenwald would fill the seat vacated by former Associate Justice Steven Levinson, who retired in December.

Since its enactment in the mid-1990s, welfare reform has proven to be a very successful policy that dramatically reduced welfare dependency and child poverty. The fact that the stimulus proponents seek to conceal the bill's massive permanent changes in welfare is a clear indication that they understand how unpopular these changes would be if the public became aware of them. Far from an exercise in "unprecedented transparency"--as President Obama claims--the stimulus bills are an example of unprecedented deception.

Testimony in Hilo was 100% opposed to OHA receiving any ceded lands revenue. Speakers were angry and emotional. OHA Trustees and staff left at 7PM to “catch a flight.” In contrast, Rep Mele Carroll said she was staying “all night if necessary.” Said Carroll, “If I gotta hear the raw stuff that’s OK too. We don’t get out enough.”

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs plans to “move the hotels to the other side of the road” along Hilo’s Banyan Drive. 

The details for the story are all there, but they have been hidden in plain sight and need to be rearranged to see what is happening.

The Senate legislation, which supporters claim will create 3 million new jobs in the U.S., contains no protections to ensure that those jobs will be filled by U.S. workers.

The public image of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), image has taken a huge blow as a result of new revelations that the FBI has severed ties with the group.

The Investigative Project on Terrorism, a research organization headed by Steven Emerson, has published on its web site a letter sent in October from James. E. Finch, special agent in charge of the bureau's Oklahoma operations, to local Muslims stating that the FBI would not take part in a local outreach conference because of CAIR's participation. An FBI official in Washington told Fox News last month that the agency has directed FBI field offices across the country to cut ties with local affiliates of CAIR.

Reagan cut taxes substantially and the country rocketed out of the mess creating 20 million new jobs and doubling tax revenues.

Acting US Solicitor General Edwin S Kneedler, a Bush administration holdover, January 29 filed a motion asking to participate in the oral arguments February 25 before the US Supreme Court in support of the State of Hawaii position in the ceded lands case.  He has been granted 10 minutes of Hawaii Attorney General Mark Bennett’s 30 minutes of oral arguments to present the United States government’s position.

EM: Someone got to win governor that we know, huh? My best friend is an emcee at, he on tonight, he’s on the mic…(unintelligible) ….Hawaiian braddah.

Informant: Yeah, yeah, you gotta be pushing that.

EM: David, they grooming him to be Governor. That’s my best friend, bah. They sign the work tomorrow. He could be governor in 20 years from now. Not tomorrow, you know.

Former State Rep Schatz on January 30 filed papers with the Campaign Spending Commission to campaign for Lt Governor in 2010 -- making him the first of two Democrats running.  Schatz' campaign chair is Andrew Winer, who led Dan Akaka's 2006 US Senate reelection campaign.

Interestingly, First Hawaiian's ownership structure leads back to BNP Paribas, a large French bank. According to the website of Cipaf, an investment vehicle of Nadhmi Auchi’s General Mediterranean Holdings (GMH), Cipaf is “amongst the topmost investors in the enlarged BNP Paribas.”*  Nadhmi Auchi, a former Iraqi Baathist official of Saddam Hussein's government, more recently financed business ventures with now-convicted-felon and Chicago political 'fixer' Tony Rezko creating a condition of "longstanding indebtedness" of Rezko to Auchi's holding company.  Rezko funded the political campaigns of impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and President Barack Obama.  Rezko also assisted Obama in the purchase of his Chicago mansion.

Decked out in the uniform of an earlier war for freedom, Robert Williams of Na`alehu joins dozens of Big Island residents Saturday 1-31-09 to greet Stryker Brigade troops returning to once again consecrate the sacred `aina by training at Pohakuloa. 

Update Jan 31: Hear Malu Motta tapes -- "Like, he did them like nothin', know what I mean?"

Admitted Pali Golf Course shooter Ethan “Malu” Motta apparently had a lot of friends in Hilo—including politicians. Nine months after the January 7, 2004 O`ahu murders, hundreds of Motta’s friends gathered at Hilo’s Nani Mau Gardens to raise funds to help pay his legal fees. Billy Kenoi spoke at the event. Stacey Higa says he was given tickets. One source indicates “700 to 1,000 people” were there. The $100 tickets for the October 30, 2004 “Gathering at the Garden” invite supporters “to share this beautiful evening with family, friends and dignitaries in support of a very special man we love dearly.” A ticket obtained by Hawai`i Free Press, says the event was “Hosted by Billy K. Live & Direct.”

A sergeant was dismissed for “commission of a criminal act,” specified as sexual assault....and much more in this month's Kauai PD news.... 

Working to seek voters among a 90% Democrat community may seem an exercise in Republican futility, but in a democracy, it is an inherently unstable arrangement for 90% of any electorate to consistently vote one way. Black voters tip the balance in favor of Democrats in Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland. Republicans need only gain 20-30% of the black vote to dramatically shift the balance of power in some or all of these states.

Governor Linda Lingle on Monday submitted a package of 168 legislative bills to the Hawai‘i State Legislature. 

Important changes include adopting a national model that establishes comprehensive standards for maintenance schedules to sustain parks, trails and small boat harbors at a measurable standard, and a new integrated project management approach at DLNR to maximize efficiency and professionalism in maintaining recreational facilities and spaces. 

RELATED: Protection Racket shakes down resort workers, ruins parks HFP June 7, 2008

Hawaii taxpayers recently paid almost $3,000 for a state employee to travel to Los Angeles for the Grammy Music Awards, according to a new report from The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH) and premiere taxpayer watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW).

The bill would consolidate regulation of cable operators and telecommunications providers under a single entity, the Hawai‘i Communications Commission....Combining regulation of these two areas under one agency will position the state to take advantage of the 21^st century convergence of technologies that are used to provide voice, data and video services