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Kailua HS Underwater Robotics Team Heads to International Meet
Star-Adv: Hawaii Must Adopt Louisiana Jungle Primary or Risk Becoming a Two-Party Democracy like Alaska
Star-Adv Editorial: If the party leaders' federal lawsuit is successful, which is unlikely, (Wrong. The Dems suit is well founded and almost certain to succeed.) ballot secrecy would be lost (Translation: Voters will be asked to register by party, as in most other states.) and the miserable primary voter turnout would sink further. (Really? Turnout has plummeted since 1978 when Hawaii mandated open primaries.)
The Democratic Party offers a "big tent" welcome to independents, inclusion that has bolstered the party's dominance. (Translation: We at the Star-Adv want to maintain the one-party system.)
Gill suggests that the Democratic Party would allow voters to use the party's ballot —members or even non-members "completely unaffiliated" with the party — as long as they give their names to the party by a specified time before the election. (This is how Star-Adv editors describe party-line voter registration. Were you fooled into thinking there is something nefarious in this?)
That is outrageous. (No. It is very common in other states. If you don't want to declare a party preference, just check 'decline to state'. These Star-Adv Editors must think you are very stupid!) That would violate an inherent aspect of confidentiality in a primary election, and raises alarms of invasion of voter privacy or worse. (Translation: We the elite want you peasants to be afraid.)
To those Democrats bent on closing their party, be careful what you wish for. Should this longshot (lol!) suit prevail, many are likely to leave the "big tent." What now is the political cat-bird's seat, with Democrats controlling Hawaii's political landscape, could shrink considerably: (And we at the Star-Adv are desperate to prevent this.)
» Already, Hawaii GOP Chairman David Chang is publicly welcoming "participation of Republicans, Independents and dissatisfied Democrats in the Hawaii Republican Party's open primaries." That mirrors what happens in Alaska: While Alaska's dominant GOP limits voting in its primaries to members only, any registered voter can participate in the Democratic primary. In time, this could turn Hawaii into more of a two-party state. (And we the elite have a plan to continue our dominance...here it is.)
» Or, disenfranchised Democrats and irritated voters in general (Translation: old boys) may well push for what came to pass in California: party-neutral elections. Nonpartisan elections are one way to keep (us insiders in power where we belong) party ideologues pure, preserve voters' privacy and maybe even boost turnout as control flows from the dominant party into the voters' hands.
(This is how the Star-Adv describes the Louisiana Jungle Primary. And the Star-Adv Editors plus numerous elected officials will now commence to push this on Hawaii. The result will be a continuation of one party rule with even less general election choice than today. Click HERE for an analysis of how the Louisiana Jungle Primary set up a gubernatorial race between a KKKer and and criminal.)
Reality: LA Times: California ‘Non-Partisan’ Primary ‘Weakened Democracy’
April 18, 2013: Omidyar's Civil Beat comes out for Louisiana Jungle Primary
April 24, 2013: Shapiro comes out for Louisiana Jungle Primary
READ ... Louisiana Jungle Primary
Hirono a Complete Failure in Immigration Debate
Borreca: Hirono is far from being a decision-maker on the issue — that designation falls to the Senate's bipartisan "Gang of Eight" — but Hiro- no is a big voice in the debate and is being recognized.
The Associated Press started off a story on the behind-the-scenes negotiations with the immigration bill: "For all the soothing words she heard from fellow Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii never had a chance to win a relatively modest change to far-reaching immigration legislation.
"Instead, the hidden hand of the Gang of Eight reached out and rejected her attempt to create an immigration preference for close relatives of citizens with an extreme hardship."
That was in May; since then, Hirono has moved her lobbying to the public arena, building coalitions and adopting a stronger tone.
Related: Limbaugh: Hirono Creates Pathway to Welfare for Illegals
read ... Lazie Mazie Still a Loser
Anderson: City Will do Just Fine Without Double-Dipping, Vacant Positions
SA: The mayor said in a letter to the Council that he objects to a part of the budget bill that would restrict how the administration can use about $65 million in a so-called vacant and funded positions account, because it "could seriously impact the hiring of temporary personnel who are needed to support the critical city operations."
Anderson, on the other hand, asserts, "There will be no interruption of city services; there will be absolutely no negative impact on city hiring" as a result of the provision.
read ... Life Without Slush Fund
Unannounced item removals could begin by month's end
SA: City officials have been trying to keep Oahu sidewalks clear via its existing Stored Property Ordinance, which allows the removal of objects left on sidewalks and other city-owned areas if the items are tagged 24 hours in advance.
The new law would do away with the need for the 24-hour notice if the item meets the sidewalk-nuisance definition — "any object or collection of objects constructed, erected, installed, maintained, kept or operated on or over any sidewalk, including but not limited to stalls, stands, tents, furniture and containers, and of their contents or attachments."
Critics of the bill, including the American Civil Liberties Union-Hawaii chapter and (de)Occupy Honolulu, call the bill a clear attempt to remove the homeless. They've also argued that the bill violates free speech and protested the $200 fee to retrieve items seized. (Translation: They are preparing a lawsuit.)...
Daniel Tote, 46, who has lived in and around Thomas Square for seven years with girlfriend Kuuipo Kealoha, said they will likely pick up their belongings and move somewhere less visible.
read ... Unannounced item removals could begin by month's end
HCDA Fast Tracking Four More Projects for Kakaako
HNN: The HCDA was specifically seeking testimony on three projects, including The Collection, Alexander & Baldwin's proposed 43-story tower at the old Comp USA location at Ala Moana Boulevard and South Street.
"Here's A&B trying to provide housing, much needed housing, for al the people of Kakaako, and I felt that we should be given the opportunity to be in this neighborhood as well," said Manuel.
Another development at 803 Waimanu would like so-called workforce housing. "I feel it's an opportunity for there to be affordable housing available for people in my situation and other working class," said Nicole Floyd, who currently lives in Kaimuki and would like to live in Kakaako.
Even with the increased number of opportunities for testimony, one area resident who has attended several of the HCDA meetings feels it's still just for show. "It sounds like it's a done deal, that this big tower at Pohukaina is going to be built, 650 feet, and there's nothing anyone can do about it," said Bob Lamb.
There will be yet another chance for testimony Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the HCDA office on Cooke Street.
SA: Approval sought for Kakaako garage above height limit
read ... Just for Show
UH College of Education: We are like Country Music Singer, so Just Ignore Rankings
SA Assist Dean of UHM CoE: Country singer Danielle Bradbery was selected as this year's champion. Her performances, which grew stronger every week with the support of professional musicians, caught the attention of viewers and voters all over the country.
But how might she have fared if America had based its decision on a resume rather than a real singer?
Let's see: 16 years old. Hmmm. Obviously inexperienced. How many performances had she done before the show? None? That's definitely a negative. And, where is she from again? That's right, Texas. Well, that could be a positive or a negative, hard to say.
Let's score her as providing incomplete data, which is a problem. She's a country singer, too. That's not what we were looking for, so unfortunately, that's another negative. Sounds like she ranks a "D."
What? Sing? Have we heard her sing? Why would we do that?
Chamberlain: Education leaders here have opportunity to improve teacher-preparation programs
Reality: NCTQ Report: UH Education Departments Among Nation's Worst
read ... something truly pathetic
How to Kiss up to Mercado Kim
Shapiro: the quote of the week … From University of Hawaii regent John Holzman on the search for a new president to replace M.R.C. Greenwood: "We're looking for someone who not only appreciates these islands but hopefully will have the experience here, too, and know us as a people." In other words, someone who understands how to kiss up to Sen. Donna Mercado Kim.
read ... Kiss Up
UH Manoa Marxists Work to Block Hawaiian VP Due to Military Ties
ILind: It didn’t take long for some faculty to read the candidate’s resumé and express dismay that his work experience has all been on military-related and apparently classified projects.
One senior member of the Manoa faculty (typical piece of academic Marxist trash) observed:
This gentleman’s background is entirely within the defense establishment, largely dealing with classified military research. His undergrad degree is from the Air Force academy, his MS is in Electrical Engineering from Cal Tech and His doctorate is an Ed degree from USC.
And what’s wrong with this type of background? He spelled it out.
Many of us who teach at or who retired from the University of Hawaii have become greatly concerned over the years at the prospects for our sole Tier I institution of higher learning becoming an adjunct to the US military and engaging in work that cannot be shared either with colleagues or, importantly, students, those to whom we have a fiduciary relationship in which we are ethically obliged to provide such knowledge as we possess in the name of “education.” slipping from our grasp if we allow non-Marxists any foothold.
Whether the University of Hawaii should even allow its faculty and staff to participate in classified research projects that, by definition, will never yield academic publications or knowledge has been a continuing dispute in campus circles. (Translation: Non-Marxists must be banned from UH.)
read ... UH Manoa faculty concerned about military background of v-p candidate
After All Mitsunaga's BS, Kobayashi Delivers UH Hilo Dorm on Time
HTH: University of Hawaii at Hilo administrators maintain that their campus will be ready to receive a new crop of students in a new dorm building this fall, despite an ongoing investigation into UH’s procurement process for capitol improvement projects.
A subcontractor alerted university officials and state legislators earlier this year to a number of alleged infractions involving university system construction projects overseen by Office of Capital Improvement Director Brian Minaai, including the Hilo campus’ $28 million University Village project, which is under construction.
UH-Hilo University Relations Director Jerry Chang said this week that he could not discuss the ongoing investigation, which is being undertaken by the state Attorney General’s Office. But, he said, the dormitory housing project, which will provide for approximately 300 students, is on target to be complete by Aug. 12.
“The opening for them to move in would be Aug. 20,” Chang said.
(Next Question: Will Abercrombie maneuver the BoR into picking his chosen candidate so Mitsunaga can get all the contracts.)
read ... Dorm to open amid funding probe
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Federal proposal could undo stricter local Shark Fin laws
Gay Bar Fined for Open Sex Acts