Capitol Watch – Hawaii Politics and Government

March Against GMOs Saturday In Waikiki

peernews — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:39:05 -1000

From a press release Friday (May 24):

The March to Save Hawaii is ohana style, a safe and peaceful march which will begin staging at Saratoga and Kalakaua in Waikiki on May 25th at 10:30AM with a pre-rally beginning at 11:00AM.

Two makai lanes of Kalakaua will be closed off and and HPD will accompany with a motorcycle brigade. Da Hui will lead and secure the perimeter, hosted by Uncle Walter Ritte, Daniel Anthony of Mana Ai, Seeds of Truth, Babes Against Biotech, Sustainable Coastlines and GMO Free USA with participation from dozens of groups across Oahu standing up to GMOs.

All people against GMOs are welcome to join, wear green, be green, bring reusable water bottles, non-GMO snacks, signs and bathing suits to jump in the water!

—Chad Blair

FilAm Report: Espero Eyes U.S. Congress Seat

peernews — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:56:04 -1000

civilbeat:

The FilAm Metro D.C. has this report. Excerpt:

Come January 15, 2015, the U.S. Congress may be welcoming its first member of full Filipino heritage.

That could be the case if Hawaii State Senator Will Espero wins his primary election. Espero, a long-time Hawaii Democrat who represents one of the heaviest Filipino populations in the state, recently announced that he is seriously exploring a potential campaign for the 1st Congressional District, the seat that U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa will be vacating to run against U.S. Senator Brian Schatz.

“I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from people throughout the district, urging me to run for Congress – I’m grateful for their trust of my 25 years of public service and my experience of getting the job done in the state legislature,” said Espero, who is now serving in his third term in the Hawaii State Senate. “I care deeply about the people of Hawaii – they need an experienced leader who can advocate effectively for them in Washington, and I am taking the necessary steps in exploring a possible campaign. …”

—Chad Blair

UHERO: Neighbor Island Economies Catching Up

peernews — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:46:07 -1000

civilbeat:

From West Hawaii Today:

Hawaii Island and the other neighbor islands are catching up steadily to the economic recovery first experienced on Oahu, according to a 42-page report released today by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization.

“We’re optimistic about where the Hawaii Island economy is headed, despite areas where the island has lagged,” Byron Gangnes, UHERO senior research fellow, told West Hawaii Today on Thursday. “Last year saw broad-based improvement in the Big Island economy. There was job growth in nearly all of the major sectors that we track.”

The report cited “robust” visitor growth, number of airline seats and income growth as pluses for the Big Island, while residential construction, hotel occupancy and overall employment experienced slower gains. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Shipping volumes drop statewide

Federal grand jury charges Maui father, daughter in Ponzi scheme

Kauai state delegation briefs LBA on last legislature session

Puna murder suspect in court

State AG seeks end to nonprofit WMSA

Problems might delay opening of new UH Hilo dorm

Hawaii County, builder must return to arbitration

Rep. Ing’s ‘Great Expectations’ Come to Fruition

Lanai committee OKs Ellison’s plan for new hotel, development

Lehman Brothers wins Kau land auction

Vessel haul out planned in Kahului

Photo courtesy Blake Handley.

—Chad Blair

State Senate Airs Frustration Over Home Lands Audit

peernews — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:11:09 -1000

civilbeat:

An overflow crowd listened to the Senate Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs Committee ask pointed questions about a recent audit of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Homestead Services Division.

The audit, released in April, detailed failures in meeting fiduciary obligations and lax management of lessee loans.

Committee Chairman Brickwood Galuteria said the Legislature wants to be convinced that DHHL has begun to correct problems found in the audit — that “today we start recalibrating DHHL’s loan program.”

Sen. Clayton Hee took issue with what he described as the audit’s underlying determination that beneficiaries with delinquent leases be evicted — “taking a Hawaiian away from the land.” Noting the Legislature’s recent efforts to push loan mitigation, Hee argued that homesteaders deserve similar help.

DHHL Director Jobie Masagatani said she agreed loan mitigation is “the way to go” and said that the department is implementing steps to address the audit’s findings.

Galuteria said he looked forward to DHHL’s report back on progress later this year.

As 5:10 p.m., the briefing was well into its third hour and the crowd had dwindled. But discussion was nearing an end.

—Chad Blair

PBS: How Can We Achieve Food Security In Hawaii?

peernews — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:01:07 -1000

civilbeat:

Show promo for Thursday (May 23 — tonight):

Dan Boylan moderates this discussion on food security. Studies estimate as much as 90 percent of Hawaii’s food is imported, placing the islands at the mercy of shipping interruptions and natural disasters. Guests will explore what can be done to reduce Hawaii’s dependence on imports and encourage local food production.

Scheduled to appear: Michelle Galimba, cattle rancher at Kuahiwi Ranch; Shin Ho, farmer at Ho Farms; Lynette Larson, General Manager of Kokua Market; and Fred Lau, aquaponics farmer at Mari’s Gardens.

Photo courtesy Kanu Hawaii.

—Chad Blair

Aloha Council Supports Policy Change On Gay Scouts

peernews — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:06:08 -1000

civilbeat:

From a press statement Thursday (May 23):

HONOLULU – Billy Rayl, director of field service, Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America (BSA), released a statement following a national vote by local leaders of Boy Scouts of America to revise its membership policy.

“The Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America supported the national resolution because we believe Scouting should be available to all young people.

“The policy revision reinforces our mission to prepare young people to become responsible, participating citizens and leaders in our communities.

“The conversations that have been taking place within the BSA nationally mirror the dialogue that is occurring across the country, including here in Hawaii. They reflect the changing world that we live in and expectations of our community that Scouting continues to be a place for all young people to develop life skills, leadership and citizenship.”

For more than a century, Scouting has brought together individuals and organizations with varied backgrounds and beliefs to help young people grow into adulthood. These Scouts have had a profound, positive impact on our communities and society, supported by committed volunteers, parents and sponsoring organizations.

The Aloha Council is one of 290 councils that collectively make up the Boy Scouts of America. The Aloha Council serves 13,000 young people each year in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and across the Pacific and is supported by 5,000 adult volunteers and community members.

Photo courtesy Jinx!.

—Chad Blair

Sen. Kim Reiterates: UH Call Came From 'Concerned Mother'

peernews — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:06:05 -1000

civilbeat:

From the Senate Communications Thursday (May 23):

Statement in response to questions regarding Senate President Donna Mercado Kim’s inquiry into her son’s application to the University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law:

“The inquiry regarding the status of my son’s application, in my opinion, was not a violation of the State Ethics Code or Senate Rules. The inquiry was made in my role as a concerned mother from home. There was no possibility of influence because I was simply calling to see whether his application was received and the call was made after the notification for admission went out. My call to the President was an inquiry on whether or not I could get this information and I told her I would understand if I was not able to. The bottom line is no application was submitted and there was clearly no influence in the school’s decision-making process.”

Read Civil Beat’s related story, Did Hawaii’s Senate President Violate The State Ethics Code?

—Chad Blair

Time Magazine Publishes Obama's Honolulu Prom Photo

peernews — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:06:04 -1000

civilbeat:

Salon has this item. Excerpt:

TIME Magazine obtained and published this picture of President Obama the night of his senior prom in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1979, from his classmate Kelli Allman.

From TIME’s press release on the picture:

Pictured left to right in the attached photo: Greg Orme (Allman’s date and Obama’s friend), Allman, Obama and Obama’s date Megan Hughes.

TIME is also releasing a note Obama wrote in Allman’s yearbook at the end of his senior year that reads, in part, “You are extremely sweet and foxy, I don’t know why Greg would want to spend any time with me at all! You really deserve better than clowns like us; you even laugh at my jokes!”

Read the full story here.

Screen shot from Salon, May 23, 2013.

—Chad Blair

Gov Releases $48M For Public Housing Statewide

peernews — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:51:08 -1000

civilbeat:

From a press release Thursday (May 22):

Continuing to invest in capital improvement projects (CIPs) that improve state facilities and infrastructure while strengthening Hawaii’s economic and employment environment, Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $48.3 for public housing CIPs across the state. …

Allotment of funds for the following priority projects, identified by members of the state Legislature, has been approved by the Governor:

• $25,822,000 – Lump Sum Non-Routine Repair, Maintenance, Improvements and Renovations, statewide – Planning, design, equipment and construction for public housing program site improvements

• $10,000,000 – ADA Compliance for Various State and Federal Projects, statewide – Planning, design and construction to comply with the ADA for various state and federal public housing projects; among the various housing projects are: Hale Aloha O Puna (Keaau), Pahala Homes (East Hawaii), Pomaikai (Hilo), Koolau Village (Kaneohe), Hale Hookipa (Kahaluu), and various facilities on Kauai

• $7,500,000 – Lanakila Homes, Hawaii Island – Construction for renovation of existing buildings at this public housing complex in Hilo that was originally developed in 1962; currently, it consists of 148 units built since 2000 and 62 original units built in 1962 (The 62 units are boarded up and abandoned, and the project will replace the existing buildings to allow the units to be rented to qualifying families)

• $5,000,000 – Hale Laulima, Oahu – Design and construction for modernization, roof replacement, and termite damage repair at this 36-unit public housing project in Pearl City, built in 1981.

Photo courtesy Kanu Hawaii.

—Chad Blair

Community Opposition To Kekaha Rifle Range ‘Danger Zone’

peernews — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:46:11 -1000

civilbeat:

From The Garden Island:

Once the shooting starts, all boaters, fishermen, surfers and beach users are prohibited from entering a restricted area of water fronting the Kekaha Rifle Range.

A one-mile area has been off limits for years during live target practice, according to Farley Watanabe with the Army Corps of Engineers in Honolulu.

But a recent proposal by the Corps would officially designate a larger, six-mile wide section of the Pacific Ocean as a “danger zone.”

Rep. Dee Morikawa, who represents Kauai’s Westside, said she has concerns with the proposal and questioned why the Corps would need such a large area when the range is restricted to short-range weapons.

“That’s kind of unreasonable,” she said, adding it would make more sense to build a higher barrier to prevent bullets from reaching the ocean. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Solar site set for Anahola

State orders cattle quarantine

Hilo Brewfest: Raise a glass for charity

DLNR announces Kauai goat hunting

Hilo Bay Cafe eyes spot … on the bay

Police, Firefighter unions wild cards in Big Isle budget

NOAA expects calmer hurricane season

Ocean Awareness Training series slated in Lahaina

Convert Alii Drive to one-way traffic in downtown area?

Photo courtesy AMagill.

—Chad Blair

Hawaii GOP: Investigate Donna Kim's Call To UH Prez

peernews — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:41:06 -1000

civilbeat:

From a press release Wednesday (May 22):

The Hawaii Republican Party is deeply concerned about alleged improper influence and contact between Senator Donna Mercado Kim and M.R.C. Greenwood …regarding admission of Senator Mercado Kim’s son to the UH Law School.

These allegations of misconduct are very serious and must be investigated. If substantiated, Senator Mercado Kim must be held accountable for violating her public trust. The citizens of Hawaii are entitled to integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct from all of our public servants, especially our leaders.

The Hawaii Republican Party will continue to champion the cause of honest government and holding all of our elected officials to the highest standards of integrity for official conduct. We call on the Democrat Party of Hawaii to publicly demand ethical conduct from its members who are elected officials and support a full and transparent investigation of this alleged misconduct.

Hawaii GOP Chairman David Chang.

—Chad Blair

Roll Call: Hawaii Politicians Eye Congress

peernews — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:06:11 -1000

civilbeat:

Read the full report. Excerpt:

Hawaiian politicians are heading into uncharted waters in 2014, when they will navigate the first election cycle since statehood without the late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye.

Inouye, who died from respiratory complications in December, was the unofficial leader of the state’s Democratic Party, often helping boost candidates into higher office.

With his absence, and a rare open House seat on the table, many in the state’s farm team view 2014 as their shot to ascend to Congress. This cycle is on track to show the most political action in decades. …

Republicans say their most promising candidates view the gubernatorial race as the more winnable statewide contest. Viable candidates will likely pass on a run for Senate.

As a result, the power jockeying will take place in the 1st District race, an open contest thanks to Colleen Hanabusa’s Senate bid (against Brian Schatz) . …

Photo courtesy cliff1066™.

—Chad Blair

KHON Warns Of Possible Cable Signal Loss

peernews — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:16:08 -1000

civilbeat:

The local Fox affiliate has posted this warning on its website. Excerpt:

On May 31, 2013 at 11:00 AM (HST), Oceanic Time Warner’s contract to carry KHON (FOX/CW), KAII (FOX/CW) and KHAW (FOX/CW) will expire. We are working hard to reach a new agreement with Oceanic Time Warner Cable. However, we feel it is our duty to keep our viewers informed when a contract deadline approaches and a new agreement has not yet been reached. If we do not reach an agreement, by law, Oceanic Time Warner Cable cannot carry our signal on its cable systems. …

… Without a fair agreement, we will not be able to provide the premiere news, sports, entertainment, weather, traffic updates, political coverage and other local and national programming that is most important to you. Please call 808-643-2100 and tell Oceanic Time Warner Cable that you do not want to lose KHON, KAII and KHAW. …

In the event that we are no longer carried by Oceanic Time Warner Cable, you may continue to watch your favorite local programming over-the-air via antenna or by switching to an alternative pay-TV provider. …

NOTE: The same problem happened with Civil Beat’s media buddy, KITV, just last year.

Screen shot from KHON, May 22, 2013.

—Chad Blair

Rothenberg: Scandals Threaten Democrats' Senate Control

peernews — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:02:06 -1000

civilbeat:

Roll Call has this item from Stuart Rothenberg. Excerpt:

While national polls haven’t shown a shift in the public’s opinion of President Barack Obama’s performance, recent controversies have, in my view, significantly changed the political landscape.

And changes in the landscape have led the Rothenberg Political Report to change its Senate ratings.

For the past few years, the public’s focus has been on Republicans’ opposition to the president’s agenda, their desire to shrink (even cripple) government and their conservatism. But the IRS scandal, along with controversies involving the attack in Benghazi and the Justice Department’s collecting of journalists’ telephone records, has change the political narrative.

While the Oklahoma tornado tragedy will dominate media coverage for the next few days, the new political narrative that will re-emerge when journalists return to politics involves questions about what the administration knew, said and did. …

Note: The Hawaii U.S. Senate seat that is open in 2014 is said to be “safe” by Rothenberg. Incumbent Brian Schatz is being challenged by U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in the primary.

Photo courtesy Ron Cogswell.

—Chad Blair

Big Island Press Club Gives Lava Tube 'Award' To Hee

peernews — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:17:07 -1000

civilbeat:

From Hawaii 24/7:

The Big Island Press Club has given state Sen. Clayton Hee the dubious honor of this year’s Lava Tube Award for his leadership role in overturning Hawaii’s shield law, which protected news reporters’ sources and unpublished notes.

Reporters consider a shield law crucial in encouraging news sources to provide public-interest information that newsmakers may want to keep secret.

The Lava Tube Award is given annually to an individual or organization that has obscured the public’s right to access information.

The Big Island Press Club has awarded its meritorious Torch of Light Award to Helene Hale, who died earlier this year.

A former Hawaii County Council member and state representative, Hale was a noted open government stalwart and an advocate for protecting the freedom of the press.

The Torch of Light is given annually to an individual or organization that has advanced the public’s right to know. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Seed growers meet on Kauai

PRMF fireworks show canceled

Construction nears for Kau solar farm

Subaru scope discovery looks into Sun’s future

New pavilion for Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove

Removal of debris from Mala Wharf grounded vessels ongoing effort

Maui tsunami evacuation maps updated

Few Honuaula conditions met so far

Depleted uranium at Big Isle army installation topic of meeting

Suit: Salvation Army molester sent to Maui

Big Island Film Festival

—Chad Blair

Hawaii NFL Pro Bowl In 2015 In Doubt

peernews — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:57:08 -1000

civilbeat:

Our media players KITV have this report. Excerpt:

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday that there is interest in having the Pro Bowl on the mainland in 2015.

“There is interest in potentially bringing it back to the mainland in multiple sites as early as the following year,” said Goodell.

Click here to watch the video of the Goodell press conference.

Goodell did confirm that the 2014 Pro Bowl in Honolulu will be played a week before the Super Bowl.

“We think that that works well from season standpoint and finishing the season on a high note with the Super Bowl,” said Goodell. …

Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, issued this statement Tuesday afternoon: “We are having ongoing discussions with the NFL and look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship.”

Photo courtesy Official U.S. Navy Imagery.

—Chad Blair

State Senate To Discuss Hawaiian Home Lands Audit

peernews — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:07:07 -1000

civilbeat:

From a media advisory Tuesday (May 21):

The Senate Committee on Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs will be holding an informational briefing to address concerns raised in the Audit of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ (DHHL) Homestead Services Division and other related departmental issues. The Office of the Auditor (Auditor) released a report on the division (Report No. 13-02) in April of this year.

The briefing will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 2:45 p.m. in the State Capitol’s Conference Room 229.

Among the concerns found in the report is the commission’s failure to meet its fiduciary obligations, as well as the department’s lax management of lessee loans. The report states that in attempting to provide long-term tenancy to lease beneficiaries, the commission has thwarted collection or cancellation of chronically delinquent homestead leases, consequently tying up leases and staff resources to the detriment of the beneficiaries still waiting for leases. The report further found that, as of June 30, 2011, there were 9,922 homestead leases statewide and 26,170 applicants waiting for homestead leases. …

The following officials from the DHHL and the Auditor will be present during the discussion:

• Jobie Masagatani, Director, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

• Darrell Young, Deputy Director, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

• Commissioners, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

• Jan K. Yamane, Acting State Auditor

—Chad Blair

May 21 — Where's The Gov?

peernews — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:52:07 -1000

civilbeat:

Here’s Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s public schedule for Tuesday:

• Hawaii Presidential Center Reception, Punahou School, 5:30 p.m.

NOTE: From May 22 to 24, Gov. Abercrombie will be traveling to San Francisco on personal matters. Lt. Gov. Shan S. Tsutsui will be Acting Governor during that time.

Photo courtesy jeffgunn.

—Chad Blair

Hawaii Public Radio Aims For Wider Reach On Big Isle

peernews — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:57:06 -1000

civilbeat:

From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

Hilo is at the end of the line but is finally about to get a full serving of Hawaii Public Radio.

Most of the state — everywhere but East Hawaii — now gets the full array of HPR programming, said Michael Titterton, president and general manager of Hawaii Public Radio.

In February a $100,000 transmitter was put into service on Hualalai that allows West Hawaii listeners to hear both of HPR’s broadcast programming channels — HPR-1 and HPR-2.

The new West Hawaii transmitter “went on right on schedule,” Titterton said. “It filled in a lot of dead spots.” Waimea was “a notorious blank spot” and one of the more prominent unserved areas prior to getting the new transmitter, he said.

Thousands of new listeners in West Hawaii will be able to tune into HPR-1 and HPR-2 as a result of the new transmitter, although exact numbers are difficult to determine. “This new transmitter fills in that (area) very nicely,” he said. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Maui County wants to buy solar photovoltaic power

Army Corps proposes Kekaha Range Facility ‘danger zone’

New star provides picture of Sun’s future

Visitors welcome again under canopy at Hanalei landmark

Project aims to improve Lahaina’s harbor front

Kona grand jury indicts 2 in separate molestation cases

County seeks return of property in WMSA suit

County sues Wailuku Main Street

Big Island police investigating Puna murder

Photo courtesy www.flickr.com/commons.

—Chad Blair

Oahu's South Swell Largest, Most Consistent In Decades

peernews — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:52:07 -1000

civilbeat:

Our media peeps KITV have this story. Excerpt:

Together, Brian Benitez and Bobby Fernandez have more than 70 years of experience surfing the waves of Oahu’s South Shore, and both say the swell that began last Thursday evening is the most consistently large surf they’ve seen in a decade or more.

“You know, last time it was somewhere in the ’60s or the early ’70s,” Benitez said of the last time the South Shore was so big for so long. “We used to have back-to-back swells like this, but for nowadays this is very unusual, but unreal.”

“I haven’t seen it like this in a while, maybe 15, 16 years ago I seen it big for like a whole week,” added Fernandez, as another eight foot set crashed on the outside reef at Ala Moana Bowls.

Although surfers have a tendency to exaggerate the size of swells in years gone by, the National Weather Service says experienced surfers know exactly what they’re talking about — the south swell that began late last week is producing among the most consistently large waves to hit Oahu’s southern coast in quite some time. …

Screen shot courtesy KITV.

—Chad Blair