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NEWS
FLASH - BREAKING NEWS FROM MAUI COUNTY
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| NEW FOR 2010: Maui TV News Breaking News stories are now being archived. Click here to scan through all the Breaking News items for 2010. NEWS FLASH - May 5, 2010 8:30 p.m. HST Baldwin Crash Takes Out Three Utility Poles Maui Police report that - on Baldwin Ave above Kaluanui Road in Makawao, a vehicle has collided with a telephone pole causing three poles to collapse. Baldwin Ave is closed in both directions between Kaluanui Rd and Hui No'eau Visual Art Center. The time of closure to be determined. (Report Provided by the Maui County Police) NEWS FLASH - May 5, 2010 5 p.m. HST Olowalu Fire 60 % Contained and Not Spreading According to fire department officials, the Olowalu brush fire is 60% contained with the burned acreage remaining at 1,100 acres. County firefighters were joined by a wildland fire crew from the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Air One was utilized for parts of the day to assist fire crews with water drops. Tonight firefighters will be on fire patrol monitoring the burn area for flare-ups. The public is advised that the fire area is closed to public access for safety reasons. Due to underground burning roots, falling branches and trees, burning or hot tree stumps and hot smoldering wood materials on above-ground surfaces, the area is unsafe for public access. The following are remarks made today by Mayor Charmaine Tavares: "I would like to join our firefighters, police officers and emergency management personnel in offering our gratitude to everyone for their unselfish support during this incident. The assistance of the Salvation Army and the generous donations of food made by many bolstered our hard-working firefighters, police officers and emergency management personnel working on this incident and it reminded us of how much our community cares. “The support of privately-owned companies such as Goodfellow Brothers, Kiewit Pacific and West Maui Land Company that provided their companies’ water tankers, bull-dozers and other heavy equipment - as well as equipment operators - is immeasurable. We are also grateful for the assistance of partner state agencies along with organizations such as the American Red Cross. “I would like to thank the residents of Olowalu who were asked to evacuate in the middle of the night as the fire grew dangerously close. It is difficult to leave your home and belongings behind, and we appreciated their cooperation in heeding the instructions of our law enforcement personnel.” (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - May 5, 2010 3:35 p.m. HST Delinquent County Property Taxes Lead to Home Auctions on May 25 WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii-- The County of Maui, Department of Finance, Real Property Tax Division announced it will hold a real property tax sale auction for parcels with delinquent accounts. The properties on the tax sale list owe a combined total of $420,646 in delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and administrative costs. Properties being sold have been delinquent for three or more years and have received a final notice of tax sale. The tax sale will be held at the Kihei Community Center located at 303 E. Lipoa Street in Kihei, on Tuesday May 25, 2010 and will continue on May 26, 2010 if necessary. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. with opening remarks at 9:00 a.m. and the auction beginning at 9:30 a.m. As of May 5, 2010, 24 properties have been scheduled to be sold at the tax sale auction. Properties will be removed from the tax sale list if all taxes, penalties, interest and costs have been paid in full prior to the date of the sale. In some cases, a payment plan agreement may be granted. Information on the tax sale including a list of the properties being sold and frequently asked questions can be found on the County of Maui website at www.mauicounty.gov/finance. The tax sale list and frequently asked questions have also been posted at the Real Property Tax Division office located at the Maui Mall Service Center, Kalana O Maui (County building), Hoapili Hale (Judiciary building), Molokai Real Property Tax Office (Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai, Molokai) and the Lanai Senior Center (309 7th Street, Lanai City). For more information, contact the Real Property Tax Division at (808) 270-7697 or www.mauicounty.gov/finance. (Report Provided by the Maui County Department of Finance) NEWS FLASH - May 5, 2010 2 p.m. HST State Calls Off Plan to Close Welfare Offices and Layoff 228 Workers HONOLULU — Hawaii's government is calling off a plan to close all the state's welfare eligibility offices and lay off 228 public employees. Department of Human Services Director Lillian Koller said Wednesday that the Legislature's override of Gov. Linda Lingle prevented the state from moving forward with the proposal to close the welfare offices and replace them with two new processing centers in Honolulu and Hilo. The plan was intended to save the state about $8 million, but lawmakers opposed to the idea said the needy would have lost in-person access to services. The Democratic-controlled Legislature overrode Lingle's veto last week of a law preventing welfare office closures on the Neighbor Islands and requiring public hearings before they can be consolidated on Oahu. The bill is SB2650. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - May 5, 2010 1:05 p.m. HST Maui Brothers Receive Stiff Sentences for Attack on Police Officer WAILUKU, Hawaii — Two Maui brothers have been sentenced to prison in connection with the baseball bat beating of an off-duty police officer. Forty-two-year-old Leonard Sauceda Jr. received a 20-year sentence Tuesday, while 39-year-old Steven Sauceda received 15 years behind bars. The two were initially charged with attempted second-degree murder. They pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of attempted first-degree assault under a plea agreement with prosecutors. Sgt. Jamie Becraft was beaten with a baseball bat and kicked when he was attacked April 4, 2009, outside his home. The attack occurred when Becraft tried to stop a teenage boy from using a cast on his arm to smash mailboxes outside Becraft's house. (Report Provided by The Maui News) NEWS FLASH - May 5, 2010 1 p.m. HST Winds, Dry Conditions Pompt 'Red Flag Warning' 1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Red Flag Warning for leeward sections of Maui and Molokai, in effect until 6:00 p.m. Thursday. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create rapid fire growth potential. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts. 2. EFFECTS: Despite some leeward rainfall over Kauai and Oahu this past weekend, the KBDI value for Honolulu remains above critical values. With gusty winds and low humidity in the forecast, critical fire weather conditions are expected over leeward areas. 3. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided by Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - May 5, 2010 12:40 p.m. HST Maui Bus Stop at Ma'alaea Permanently Relocating WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii-The County of Maui Department of Transportation announced today that the Maui Bus' Maalaea bus stop will be permanently relocated to the makai side of the Maalaea Harbor Village shopping center near Maalaea Harbor beginning Wednesday, May 12, 2010. The current bus stop at the front of the shopping center will no longer be used. The relocation is being made for logistical reasons at the request of the Maalaea Triangle Association board. The County Department of Transportation asks all passengers to pardon any inconvenience. Signs are being posted on affected buses and at the current bus stop location. For
more information, the public is encouraged to contact Roberts Hawaii
at 871-4838, or the County of Maui Department of Transportation
at 270-7511 or www.mauicounty.gov/bus. (Report Provided by the Maui County Department of Transportation) NEWS FLASH - May 5, 2010 10:45 a.m. HST Fire Still Not Conatined - But 'Diminishing' Fifteen firefighters remained on scene through the night to monitor the brush fire area. Fire officials report that there is no containment yet - however the situation is diminishing. As a precautionary measure, one firefighter who was experiencing elevated vital signs was transported yesterday to the hospital for evaluation. That firefighter was examined and released shortly thereafter. Yesterday the fire came within approximately 25 feet of a home under construction and firefighters put tremendous effort into protecting the structure from burning and the fire from advancing further into the residential area. Today, 45 firefighters are expected to be on scene including firefighters from the State's Division of Forestry and Wildlife's (DOFAW) wildland crew. Crews will continue to monitor the fire and burned areas until fire officials determine it is extinguished. No damages to structures are reported and the cause remains under investigation. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - May 5, 2010 6:35 a.m. HST Hawai'i Among Lowest Risk States for Insurers Hawai'i continues to be one of the least risky states for insurers, with a risk index showing the state below the national average. The Insurance Risk Index by TransUnion found the state had a 95.64 index score, or fourth-lowest in the nation. The national average is 99.18. The index was developed as a risk barometer for the insurance industry. A state with a score of 110 is 10 percent riskier than one with a score of 100. TransUnion said consumers have been making an effort to pay off debt in the past year and a half, resulting in higher insurance scores and a lower Insurance Risk Index. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - May 5, 2010 6:20 a.m. HST Congress Awards $16M to Big Island Health Info Technology Program WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced the awarding of $16,091,390 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant funding to support the development and strengthening of health information technology on the Island of Hawaii. This Department of Health and Human Services grant funding is made available from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The
$16,091,390 has been awarded to the Beacon Community Cooperative Agreement This grant is projected to create 15 new jobs in Hawaii County for a three-year period. The organizations participating in this consortium include the Hawaii County acute care hospitals, federally qualified health centers, Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi, East Hawaii IPA, The Office of the Mayor of Hawaii County, HMSA, the Hawaii Health Information exchange (HHIE), and many other stakeholders committed to demonstrating the Beacon vision in Hawaii County. Congresswoman Hirono voted in favor of the Recovery Act on February 13, 2009. President Barack Obama signed it into law four days later. The Congresswoman represents Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District which includes rural Oahu, the Neighbor Islands: Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau, Hawaii Island, as well as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. (Report Provided by the Office of Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono) (Back to Top)
NEWS FLASH - May 4, 2010 3:55 p.m. HST Maui Family Solemnly Welcomes Home Fallen Soldier KAHULUI — Family members wept Monday at Kahului Airport as Army Pfc. Charlie Antonio arrived home in a casket draped with an American flag. It was the first time since learning of their loved one's death that Antonio's mother and father, his three younger siblings and other relatives could touch the casket. "We want very much to see him," Arlene Antonio said just prior to the touchdown of an Air Force C-17 aircraft that carried her brother's body to Maui from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The Defense Department confirmed that Antonio died April 18 in Annassar, Iraq, from injuries from a noncombat incident while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is the second soldier with Hawaii ties to die this year while serving in Iraq. He is the fifth soldier with Maui ties to die in the war. Arlene Antonio said her family was told her brother died from a gunshot to the head, but no further details have been provided. They were also told a military investigation was continuing. The day after Charlie Antonio's death, family members flew to Delaware where they witnessed a military escort carry his casket off a plane. But they were not permitted to get any closer. The arrival of Antonio's casket included a salute by a military escort and the presence of Kahului Airport and Transportation Security Administration officials, the Kahului Airport Fire Department crew and Maui Police Department officers, including Chief Gary Yabuta. Deacon Cornelio Pulido of Christ The King Church extended a prayer over the casket after it was carried by a six-man military escort off the aircraft and taken to Ballard Family Mortuary. Service arrangements are pending. Pfc. Charlie Antonio was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colo. He was born and raised in the Philippines and immigrated to Maui in 1999 at the age of 18 with his father. The two worked a variety of jobs, and saved money for about three years before they sponsored the rest of the immediate family to the Valley Isle. "He was our hero, our family hero," Arlene Antonio said. "Now he's everybody's hero." Reach Claudine San Nicholas at csannicholas@mauinews.com. (Report Provided by The Maui News) NEWS FLASH - May 4, 2010 1:30 p.m. HST New, Serious Threat to Bees Discovered on Big Island HONOLULU - The Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has confirmed the presence of another serious bee pest, the Small Hive Beetle (SHB), in hives located near Hilo. The discovery of this new pest, in addition to the already established varroa mite, imperils the queen bee export and honey industry in Hawai`i. In response to this detection, the department has invoked the Incident Command System to coordinate and manage rapid response efforts. It is not known how the SHB arrived in Hawai`i. On Tuesday, April 27, 2010, a beekeeper on a Pana`ewa farm contacted HDOA’s entomologist in Hilo about beetles hefound in the hives that he was maintaining for the farm owner. The entomologist collected four beetles and together with HDOA entomologists in Honolulu made a preliminary identification. Samples of the beetles were confirmed as SHB on Friday, April 30, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Identification Service in Riverdale, MD. Staff from HDOA’s Plant Pest Control and Plant Quarantine branches has already begun conducting surveys in the Hilo area. So far, adult and larval stages of SHB have been found at two sites. Surveys in West Hawai`i, where the majority of the queen bee operations are located will begin today. Staff from O`ahu and Kaua`i has been dispatched to assist Hawai`i Island staff in this labor-intensive activity to determine the extent of the infestation. Two teams will be working in the Hilo area and one team in West Hawai`i. HDOA is utilizing the Incident Command System, which is widely used for other emergency responses, to manage this pest emergency. “The Small Hive Beetle will be difficult to eradicate and control because it also feeds on various decaying fruits which are abundant in the wild,” said Neil Reimer, manager of the Plant Pest Control Branch. “We are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a queen bee certification procedure that would allow for the continued export of clean queen bees to foreign and domestic areas.” HDOA staff is working with counterparts on the mainland to develop most effective treatment strategies that may control SHB. SHB (Aethina tumida) adults are about four to five millimeters in length and are yellowish-brown in color, turning brownish, then to black as it matures. They feed on honey, pollen, wax, honeybee eggs and larvae and tunnel through the honeycomb, damaging or destroying the honeycomb and contaminating the honey. Symptoms of SHB infestation include discolored honey, an odor of decaying oranges, and fermentation and frothiness in the honey. Heavy infestations may cause honeybee colonies to abandon hives. SHB is native to South Africa and was first detected in the U.S in 1996 in South Carolina. It was subsequently detected in Florida in 1998 and is currently found in many states in the South and Central areas of the U.S. and California. Although found in the U.S., SHB is under international regulation for export of queen bees and it is a concern that some foreign countries may impose restrictions on the importation of queen bees from Hawai`i. Varroa mites were first found on O`ahu in April 2007, and later in Hilo in August 2008 and Kona in October 2009. To date, varroa mites have not been detected on Kaua`i or in Maui County. HDOA is asking residents to report any backyard or feral bee hives to the State’s toll-free Pest Hotline, 643-PEST (7378). (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Derpartment of Agriculture) NEWS FLASH - May 4, 2010 12:40 p.m. HST Week Proclaimed as 'Charter Schools Week' in Hawai'i PROCLAMATION Hawai‘i’s first 25 charter schools were authorized during the 1994 legislative session. These student-centered schools are public schools that have their own local school boards. They operate under a charter, or contract, with the state. Wai‘alae Elementary School became the first charter school in 1995 and Lanikai Elementary School followed in 1996. Today, 31 of Hawai‘i’s 256 public schools are charter, serving more than 7,600 K-12 students and providing rewarding jobs to more than 1,000 public employees statewide. They also serve as an innovative environment where teachers can form new curricula that have lasting benefits for their students. Through careful planning, 17 of the charter schools are able to avoid taking any furlough days this year, nine are taking some furlough days and only five are taking all 17 furlough days. For example, Ke Kula o Samuel M. Kamakau charter school in Kane‘ohe saved 12 instructional days by creatively using grant money, cutting classroom supply budgets and having teachers agree to temporarily forgo increases in pay. The school added the remaining five furlough days on to Christmas break and the end of the school year to minimize disruption to family schedules At Kihei Charter School on Maui, flexibility leads to learning outside the classroom. Students receive traditional instruction at school, as well as home-based learning activities, with help from parents for the youngest kids, and online instruction for older ones, as well as internships and independent projects. On furlough days, half the staff reports to campus, alternating with the other half on the next furlough. National Charter Schools Week is celebrated each May to recognize and congratulate charter leaders, students, parents, teachers and supporters for their many accomplishments. By providing quality education, charter schools contribute to the statewide effort to improve public education in Hawai‘i. Through innovative teaching methods and curricula, charter schools offer important alternatives to educating our keiki. THEREFORE, I, LINDA LINGLE, Governor, and I, James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr., Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, do hereby proclaim May 2–8, 2010, as CHARTER SCHOOLS WEEK in Hawai‘i, and encourage our citizens to join Hawai‘i’s Charter School community in celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of charter schools to public education in our state. DONE at the State Capitol, in the Executive Chambers, Honolulu, State of Hawai‘i, this third day of May 2010.
Linda Lingle
James R. “Duke”
Aiona, Jr. NEWS FLASH - May 4, 2010 12:30 p.m. HST A&B Reports 'Solid' $17.3 M Profit for First Quarter Alexander & Baldwin Inc. today reported earning a first-quarter net income of $17.3 million that represents a "solid" start for the year and an increase from a $3 million profit in the same period last year. The Honolulu-based company said better real estate sales and ocean transportation combined with prior operating cost cuts helped boost earnings. Revenue for the first quarter totaled $345 million, up from $315.3 million in the 2009 first quarter. "All in all, we are encouraged by what we see both inside and outside the company,"?Stan Kuriyama, A&B's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "While it is premature to establish any definitive trends or a firm outlook, we are pleased that our first quarter performance in our various lines of business has generally met or exceeded our expectations." A&B shares were down 64 cents at $36.26 in late trading on the New York Stock Exchange. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - May 4, 2010 7:50 a.m. HST All-Electric 'Leaf' Blowing Toward Hawai'i Hawai'i's foray into electric cars is getting a jump start from Nissan Motor Co., which says the state will be one of the initial markets for sales of its mass-produced electric car, the Leaf. The car is expected to go on sale here early next year and Nissan and the state of Hawai'i are working toward a partnership to promote development of an electric vehicle network. "Hawai'i is going to be one of the earlier launch markets," said Katherine Zachary, Nissan North America spokeswoman. "We're letting the rollout be dictated by interest." Electric cars occupy an important position in Hawai'i's efforts to wean itself off imported oil during the next two decades. The state wants to get 70 percent of its energy from clean resources, including better efficiency and renewable energy, by 2030. The efforts include passing legislation that requires large parking lots to reserve spaces for electric cars, and other laws allowing the vehicles to park for free at state and county facilities and drive in HOV lanes with the proper vehicle plates. The state also has been meeting with various charging companies, vehicle manufacturers and dealers to pave the way for adoption. One projection done for the state estimates as many as 10,000 cars on the roads will be electric powered in the next five years. "We've laid the foundation for electric vehicles to come to Hawai'i in large numbers and the industry is responding to that," said Ted Peck, state Energy Administrator. "They all recognize there's a business to be made here." Peck said Mitsubishi has been talking about selling an electric car here. There's also been interest expressed in Hawai'i by General Motors and Ford, Peck said. The Leaf was announced last year and has been positioned as an affordable electric vehicle with an advanced lithium-ion battery pack and a 100-mile range. Nissan has said the zero-emission car will carry a suggested retail price of $32,780, but that a federal tax credit of $7,500 will bring the subcompact's costs down to the mid-$20,000 range. The state said the Leaf's economics are attractive since a driver in a traditional car getting 25 miles per gallon and paying $3.50 a gallon has a cost of 14 cents per mile. The Leaf, when charged at current O'ahu residential electric rates of 23 cents per kilowatt-hour, has a cost of 5 cents per mile. "In Hawai'i, there's a very interested consumer base," said Nissan's Zachary. That includes Sabrina Sirt, a Maui resident who registered online last week to buy a Leaf. Sirt said she was very excited about the Leaf. She also is vice president of Makawao-based HIEV, a company that's the exclusive distributor of Coulomb Technologies charge stations in the state. So far three of the stations have been installed — one on O'ahu and two on Maui. Sirt said Nissan wants to incorporate home recharging for the Leaf, but that its charge stations will be equipped with a universal connector that will work with the car. She said Hawai'i is an attractive place to own the vehicles because of its high gasoline prices. She said she already owns an electric car made by Current that has a range of up to 40 miles and her company is looking at bringing Chinese-made electric vehicles here. "Definitely it's a great place to start," Sirt said. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - May 4, 2010 7:40 a.m. HST Abercrombie, Hannemann Split - But Both Lead Aiona in Latest Poll Hawai'i voters are divided between former Congressman Neil Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann in the Democratic primary for governor in September, but prefer either Democrat to Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, a Republican, in the November general election, a new Hawai'i Poll has found. Abercrombie, who trails Hannemann in fundraising and influential endorsements, attracted 36 percent of likely primary voters. Hannemann, who is expected to officially declare his candidacy this month, is at 32 percent. Twenty-one percent are undecided, while 11 percent said they intend to vote in the Republican primary. Both Democrats hold solid advantages over Aiona in hypothetical match-ups in November. Abercrombie leads Aiona 49 percent to 35 percent, with 16 percent undecided. Hannemann leads Aiona 48 percent to 35 percent, with 17 percent undecided. The poll was taken by Ward Research for The Advertiser and Hawai'i News Now among 604 likely voters statewide. The margin of error was 4 percentage points. Interviews were conducted between April 23 and April 28. The results are encouraging for Abercrombie, who resigned from Congress in February to concentrate on his campaign. Behind in fundraising and in key endorsements from business and labor, he has portrayed himself as an insurgent against the establishment. Abercrombie scores better than Hannemann among Democrats — 45 percent to 34 percent — and is splitting independents with the mayor. Independents make up the largest segment of voters — 34 percent — who say they are undecided. "It's the classic dilemma for independents," Rebecca Ward, the president of Ward Research, said of the choice between two high-profile Democrats. Abercrombie is also doing better than Hannemann among women — 40 percent to 28 percent — and union voters — 40 percent to 30 percent. Other demographic groups are more closely divided between the two Democrats. The poll results, however, also show promise for Hannemann. The mayor is within striking distance, even though Abercrombie announced more than a year ago and has been actively campaigning in the Islands for the past two months. Hannemann could see a bump, however, when he formally launches his campaign later this month and when he uses his larger bankroll to finance campaign advertisements. 3 VOTERS, 3 VIEWS Katie Beer, a videographer who lives on Kaua'i, is leaning toward Abercrombie because of his two decades of experience as a congressman. She said the governor needs to work with the state's congressional delegation and other officials in Washington, D.C., and communicate the state's needs. Abercrombie, she said, has those relationships. "I just think he's more experienced," she said. Scott Takahashi, a ceramic-tile setter who lives in Pearlridge, hopes Hannemann will run. "He's doing a good job for the city," he said. "He's doing rapid transit, which will bring us jobs." Takahashi is concerned about teacher furloughs and the direction of public education. After eight years of Republican rule at Washington Place, he wants a Democrat back in charge. "I think we need a change already," he said. Ted Kanemori, a retired computer specialist who lives in Kane'ohe, said he believes Abercrombie and Hannemann would be more likely to favor increased government spending to solve the state's problems. Kanemori wants more fiscal conservatism and is leaning toward Aiona. "I'd like to think that he has some of the conservative type of thinking that I'm looking for," he said. Abercrombie said he represents change from "the politics-as-usual and the inside game and the whole thing." He said he believes Hannemann is hurting himself by maintaining what he described as "the fiction" that he is not a formal candidate. "I'm clearly not the establishment candidate," he said. "I suppose it's a bit ironic after being in office all that time. But I think it's consistent with the image that I've had over the years." Abercrombie also said he does not know how Hannemann will explain why he would leave as a mayor when the city has yet to break ground on its $5.3 billion rail project. "We don't even have an EIS (environmental impact statement)," he said. "I don't know how he's going to do this. Part of the reason, I think, he hasn't announced yet is he can't figure out how to do it. How do you finesse that elephant?" Hannemann said he was grateful for the support the poll showed, given that he is still a full-time mayor. CHAIN REACTION Hannemann said voters should judge Abercrombie for resigning early, after saying last year that he would not, and for the political chain-reaction it has created to fill out the remaining months in his term in urban Honolulu's 1st Congressional District. Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou, a Republican, is leading former Congressman Ed Case and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, who are splitting the Democratic vote in the special election, the Hawai'i Poll found. "He's left business undone in Congress. He cost the taxpayers nearly a million dollars for this special election. And now a safe Democratic seat is in jeopardy," Hannemann said. AIONA TO 'HOLD FIRE' Aiona said he will not likely engage the Democrats much until after the primary. Instead, he said, he will continue to build his grassroots' network, develop his platform and raise money. The lieutenant governor has been visiting with small-business owners — part of his "100 small businesses in 100 days" campaign — and plans to outline his goals on education soon. "Whether I was up or down in the polls you'd get the same response from me. The only poll that matters is the one at the end," he said. Aiona said he will stress the value of political balance in a traditionally Democratic state, his fiscal conservatism, his focus on family and his previous experience as a judge. "I think I represent what the people of Hawai'i want," he said. All three candidates downplayed the impact of civil unions on their campaigns. Gov. Linda Lingle has until July 6 to decide whether to sign, veto or let the bill become law without her signature. Voter reaction to the outcome could influence the primary and general election, particularly if one side in the debate is angry and motivated to cast their votes largely on how candidates stand on civil unions. Abercrombie, who is in favor of civil unions, and Aiona, who is opposed, are critical of Hannemann for remaining neutral since the state House voted to pass the bill last week. "People want to believe that they're not being maneuvered and manipulated, that they're not being hustled," Abercrombie said. Aiona said Hannemann is acting like a professional politician. "People know where I stand on this. My position will not change," he said. Hannemann said his two rivals have taken extreme positions: Abercrombie on the left, Aiona on the right. The mayor said he believes in traditional marriage but is open to some type of recognition for same-sex couples. He would not say whether he would sign or veto the civil-unions bill if he were governor. "My position has been consistent," Hannemann said. "I'm against same-sex marriage. But I'm open to partnerships." Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - May 4, 2010 7:10 a.m. HST President Records Phone Message for Honolulu: 'Please Vote for a Democrat' President Obama will appeal to Honolulu voters to choose a Democrat in the special election for Congress, as national Democrats grow increasingly alarmed that Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou, a Republican, could snatch the president's hometown district. Obama recorded a telephone message for voters describing the special election in urban Honolulu's 1st Congressional District as "crucial for us to continue pushing forward our agenda for change. "I need a Democrat that will support my agenda in Congress," the president said in a message expected to be released today. "I need someone that will hold Wall Street and the big special interests accountable." National Democrats, meanwhile, released a new poll taken for the Democratic National Committee that found Djou leading and former Congressman Ed Case and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa splitting the Democratic vote. The poll results were similar to the Hawai'i Poll published in The Advertiser on Sunday. A memo released with the DNC poll — first reported by Politico, a national political website — concluded that Case was better positioned to beat Djou. "The bottom line is that with a split-Democratic vote, this congressional (seat) is more likely than not to fall into Republican hands," wrote Paul Harstad and Mike Kulisheck, of Harstad Strategic Research Inc., a Colorado based firm. "Ed Case is the only candidate who can beat Charles Djou in this multi-candidate special election in May." CANDIDATE CASE A national Democratic strategist, speaking privately, said the DNC poll and the memo reflected White House thinking about the campaign. National Democrats have considered backing Case over Hanabusa and, behind-the-scenes, have urged Hanabusa's supporters to convince her to step aside. The White House's political staff, according to a local Democratic strategist familiar with the conversations, has applied pressure to get U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka — who have endorsed Hanabusa — to ease up on their support. "That's not local style. You just don't do that," the local strategist said. "You might do that someplace else — throw your friends under the bus — but in Hawai'i you just don't do that." BEHIND HANABUSA Randy Perreira, the executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the state's largest public-sector labor union, said national Democrats are very concerned Djou might win. Perreira, who was out sign-waving for Hanabusa yesterday afternoon, said labor is doing outreach to the estimated 30,000 AFL-CIO workers who live in the district. "The message from the beginning is to vote Hanabusa, and we're not going to waver on that," he said. Over the past few weeks, Case has sought to narrow the choice for voters as between him and Djou. He used the DNC poll results as fresh evidence. "As we have been saying, Colleen cannot win this election, and her desperate attacks are proving that," Case said in an e-mail to supporters. Hanabusa has said she does not believe the recent poll results depict the state of the campaign. Crystal Kua, a Hanabusa campaign spokeswoman, said she is not aware of any specific request for Hanabusa to step aside. "We still believe that these polls are contrary to what we're hearing," she said. Jonah Ka'auwai, the state GOP chairman, said he believes Djou is leading because of his message of fiscal conservatism and his criticism of the direction Congress is headed. "The Democrats have issues that they have to work out," he said. "That's not our problem. That's their problem." Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 10:20 p.m. HST No Evacuations Needed From West Maui Fire Maui County Fire and Police report that no evacuations have become necessary as a result of the brush fire that started around 2:25 this afternoon. For safety reasons, helicopter water drops on the blaze were halted at nightfall. Ground crews remain on the scene of the blaze that began near Ukumehame and headed toward Olowalu. The Hawai'i Chapter of the American Red Cross opened a shelter in the War Memorial Gym this evening. However, Maui County officials say that, as of 8 p.m., nobody had checked in due to evacuation from the fire's path. Fire crews are still on scene and Maui Police continue to monitor the situation. No injuries or damage have been reported. Information on current acreage burned is not yet available. Officials will update the situation again tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. - unless emergency developments occur beforehand. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 8:10 p.m. HST Red Cross Open Wailuku Shelter for West Maui Fire Victims WAILUKU, May 3, 2010 - The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at War Memorial Complex in Wailuku, Maui for residents evacuated from their homes due to fire in West Maui. WHERE 700 Halia Nakoa St, Wailuku, Maui WHEN The shelter is currently open The Red Cross is a non-profit humanitarian organization which provides assistance for immediate emergency needs. All Red Cross assistance to disaster victims is free. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it depends on public contributions to help others. To help the Red Cross assist victims of this and other local disasters, send a contribution to: American
Red Cross Make a secure online donation at www.hawaiiredcross.org or call: (808) 739-8109 (Report Provided by the Hawai'i Chapter of the American Red Cross) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 7:40 p.m. HST Hawai'i Offers 20,000 Gallons of Oil Dispersant Toward Gulf Spill HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) has been asked by Hawai‘i’s Clean Islands Council to transfer 20,000 gallons of the oil spill dispersant COREX 9500 for use on the Gulf of Mexico oil rig release. The chemical dispersant is used to break up and disperse oil that rises to the surface of the water endangering wildlife. The Clean Islands Council is a consortium made up of petroleum related industry representatives. Arrangements are being made to ship the dispersant on a Matson vessel to the mainland, subject to an agreement with British Petroleum (BP), which could be reached in the next 48 to 72 hours. The dispersants will then be driven to the site for use. BP will take full responsibility for all costs related to transferring the material and will provide in-kind replacement to the state as soon as possible. The estimated value of the dispersant is $600,000. “Our sister states and agencies in the Gulf desperately need help fighting the growing oil spill, and though we are far away, we are happy to provide some neighborly help,” said Laurence Lau, DOH Deputy Director for Environmental Health. “Days count and sufficient supplies of dispersant can be difficult to acquire. We are reserving 10,000 gallons of oil dispersant at home for any emergency situations here, just in case.” The Hawai‘i State Department of Health is the lead state agency for oil and chemical spill emergency response. The DOH Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Clean Islands Council for response and clean up of oil spills affecting Hawaii’s coastal waters. As the lead state agency, the DOH provides major assets and skilled personnel available 24/7 to plan for, train, drill and act on reducing the unintended environmental damage caused by chemical and oil spills across the state. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Health) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 5:30 p.m. HST Ukumehame Brish Fire Inches Toward Olowalu OLOWALU, Maui, Hawaii - A brush fire that was first reported at 2:25 p.m. this afternoon in the Ukumehame area of West Maui has prompted Maui Police to issue a precautionary advisory to residents of a subdivision in nearby Olowalu. Residents mauka of the Honoapiilani Highway at Olowalu, including Olowalu General Store are being asked to prepare to leave the area should there be a need to do so. The fire remains mauka of the subdivision and poses no immediate threat. There are no evacuations taking place at this time, however conditions may change that may affect the area and residents are asked to heed any instructions by emergency management and public safety officials. The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter at the War Memorial Gym in Wailuku for those who may become displaced. Three helicopters and the Fire Department's wildland fire crew have been dispatched to assist fire crews. Four of the six water tankers on scene have been provided by West Maui Land Co., Kiewit Pacific Co., Goodfellow Brothers inc. Wind conditions are reported to be light. The fire is estimated to be 100 acres at this time. No injuries are reported and no structures have been reported damaged. Traffic is not impacted. No other information is available at this time. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 4:30 p.m. HST Fire Crews Responding to Brush Fire in Ukumehame UKUMEHAME, Maui, Hawaii - Firefighters are on scene responding to a brush fire that was first reported at 2:25 p.m. this afternoon in the Ukumehame area of West Maui. Three helicopters and the Fire Department's wildland fire crew have been dispatched to assist fire crews. Four of the 6 water tankers on scene have been provided by West Maui Land Co., Kiewit Pacific Co., Goodfellow Brothers inc. The fire is reported to be burning mauka with light winds from the south. The fire is estimated to be 100 acres at this time. No injuries are reported and no structures have been reported damaged. Traffic is not impacted. No other information is available at this time. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 2:10 p.m. HST Boarding Program at LHS Survives Another Year LAHAINA — The Lahainaluna High School boarders program survived in the Legislature's budget for the next fiscal year, but its future remains uncertain with Gov. Linda Lingle still having 45 days to take action on the lawmakers' spending plan. But West Maui Sen. Roz Baker and Rep. Angus McKelvey expressed confidence last week that the 150-year-old boarders' program would continue. Baker, who also represents South Maui, said more work needs to be done to convince state education policymakers that the school's boarding program isn't just a luxury and a sentimental tradition. The program has turned lives around for students, teaching them time management, discipline and the value of hard work, she said. "Some of these kids didn't have that," Baker said. "They learn really good life skills as a boarder." McKelvey affirmed the importance of preserving the program. "The program needs support. It needs innovation," he said. "You can't pull the rug out from (under) these kids." McKelvey and Baker said they want to be proactive and work with the West Maui community and others to support the boarders program. McKelvey said the program can "expand and take it to the next level" by developing into a venue for agricultural and renewable energy studies. The program's costs could be offset with support from private entities, he said. "Next year, we'll come to the Legislature and say, 'Here's our plan to reduce the state's costs … and really grow and improve this program.' " He said state policymakers also shouldn't overlook that student labor saves the state the need to hire more than two dozen maintenance and custodial workers. "These kids don't go (in the program) for free," he said. "They do work." Baker said she also sees the potential to turn Lahainaluna into a learning center with an emphasis on sustainability and agriculture. "It adds value to the experience at Lahainaluna," she said. Reach Brian Perry at bperry@mauinews.com. (Report Provided by The Maui News) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 12:10 p.m. HST 'National Physical Activity Plan' Comes to Hawai'i HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) has joined efforts with hundreds of other organizations to support The National Physical Activity Plan, a sweeping initiative to improve public health. The Plan officially launches today in an effort to motivate people in every community to become and stay physically active, and to remove the barriers that may stand in their way. Supported by a wide range of public policy recommendations, the Plan is the product of a 10-month, public-private collaboration of experts in diverse fields. “Being physically active is one of the most important steps that you can take to improve your health,” said Health Director Chiyome Fukino, M.D. “The National Physical Activity Plan takes major steps to create a culture that supports physically active lifestyles. Its ultimate purpose is to improve health, prevent disease and disability, and enhance quality of life. The Hawai‘i Department of Health will work collectively with other involved organizations on efforts to support implementation of the plan.” Experts involved with the National Physical Activity Plan said the initiative goes well beyond just telling people to exercise. “We are encouraging a new way of thinking about lifestyle, activity, mobility and general physical fitness,” said Russell Pate, Ph.D., chair of the National Physical Activity Plan. “It’s well established that physical activity brings manifold health benefits, but we need to change people’s behavior. The Plan provides a roadmap for change, addressing everything from the education of health professionals to zoning laws, school policies and workplace wellness programs.” The Plan is, in part, is an answer to America’s alarming rates of adult and childhood obesity and decreasing levels of physical activity. About half of all adults in Hawai‘i report meeting the physical activity recommendations for adults, at least 30 minutes a day; while 13% reported not engaging in any physical activity. Only 29% of Hawai‘i’s middle school and 30% of high school students report getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Research has shown that physical activity and exercise can help prevent and treat obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, depression, bone disease, cancer and other diseases. If implemented, measures called for in the National Physical Activity Plan could significantly improve public health, cut health care costs, and reduce health disparities. The
Plan presents a call to action with specific strategies for each sector,
for example: At least 12 states, including Hawai‘i, and a number of other countries have enacted physical activity plans, establishing best practices for making physical activity a routine part of daily life. The National Plan will also provide critical support for implementation of the Hawai‘i Physical Activity and Nutrition Plan (available online at www.healthyhawaii.com). Information about the National Plan is available online at www.physicalactivityplan.org. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Health) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 11:30 a.m. HST Hotel Hana-Maui Sale Activates Labor Department Team Response HONOLULU - The Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) announced that it has activated its Rapid Response Team to assist Hotel Hana Maui employees who will be out of work when the hotel ceases operations. The Rapid Response Team is composed of staff from the DLIR's Workforce Development Division and Unemployment Insurance Division. DLIR Director Darwin L.D. Ching and his staff have been in contact with the Hotel Hana Maui management as well as the employees, and will conduct the Rapid Response session this morning. The Rapid Response Team plans to provide information on an array of available services for the affected workers, including skills assessment, individual counseling, career planning, employment development, occupational skills training, on-the-job training, entrepreneurial training, job-readiness training and adult education. Participants will also be provided information regarding welfare assistance and medical benefits. Participants may also receive out-of-area job search assistance, relocation assistance and other related supportive services. Support services may include childcare, transportation assistance and job related certifications, uniforms and equipment. "Our Department is working to ensure that the soon-to-be former Hotel Hana Maui workers are given every possible opportunity to find meaningful employment and to have the ability to provide for themselves and their families during this difficult time of transition," said Ching. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 9:40 a.m. HST Surprise! Airlines Collected Nearly $8 Billion in 'Fees' Last Year NEW YORK — The government today confirmed what many travelers already suspected: U.S. airlines made a lot more money in fees last year. The Department of Transportation said revenue from so-called ancillary fees rose 42 percent to $7.8 billion in 2009. The biggest chunk of that came from checked baggage fees, which were introduced in 2008 when oil prices soared and eventually reached $147 per barrel. Besides checked bags, other fees include those for reservation changes, pet travel and mileage sales. United and Continental, which today announced plans to combine to form the world's biggest airline, were sixth and seventh among carriers in fees collected. United took in $619.5 million in fees, Continental $539.7 million. Delta, currently the world's largest airline, collected the most revenue from fees at $1.65 billion. American was second, followed by US Airways. Southwest doesn't charge for the first two checked bags, but it still earned fourth place in the fee rankings. Southwest, which carries more passengers than any other U.S. airline, charges $50 for a third checked bag, as well as fees for pets traveling in the cabin and unaccompanied minors. Smaller discount carrier Spirit Airlines isn't in the top 10. But 21 percent of its total operating revenue came from extra fees — more than any other carrier. Besides bag fees, Spirit charges for seat assignments, drinks, snacks, pets and kids traveling alone. It will start charging as much as $45 for a carry-on bag as of Aug. 1, a first for a U.S. airline. In the last three months of the year, revenue from airline fees rose 18 percent to at least $1.9 billion. Bag fees totaled $736 million in the October-to-December period. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 9:30 a.m. HST Couple, Child Scamming for Kahului School 'Fire Relief' This morning the Hawai'i State Department of Education, Maui District Office, issued the following press release: "Kihei residents report that a male and female couple in their 30s and a child have been going door to door in neighborhoods asking for money donations to give to Kahului School for their recent fire. "Do not contribute. This is a SCAM! "Kahului School is not soliciting cash due to the recent fire. Please call the police and report these people who are taking advantage of an unfortunate disaster." (Report Provided by the Office of the Maui County Superintendent, Hawai'i Department of Education) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 8 a.m. HST 'Pride of America' Crewman Safe After Leaping Overboard A crewman on the Pride of America fell overboard yesterday morning about 13 hours after the cruise ship left Honolulu Harbor and was quickly picked up by crew members in a rescue boat. The Coast Guard was notified of the accident by Pride of America crew yesterday and classified the incident as a "self rescue." Because the Coast Guard was not directly involved, Petty Officer Anthony Soto said he had no other details, such as the condition of the crewman. But passenger Brett Aubrey, a professional photographer and former member of the Canadian Navy, took pictures of the rescue. Aubrey, 63, is traveling alone from Canada through Australia and Asia. He was on the Pride of America's Promenade Deck around 8:30 a.m. yesterday when he heard the announcement, "Code Oscar, Code Oscar." "Then I saw a whole lot of people scrambling," Aubrey said. "I looked out and did, in fact, see a man overboard." Crew members cleared the promenade deck and Aubrey went to his cabin, where he photographed the rescue, which he estimated lasted 15 to 18 minutes. "Everything seemed to go smoothly," Aubrey said. "They got the guy on board quickly. I thought they did a great job, I really did." Officials with Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line, which operates the Pride of America, did not immediately return calls. After the rescue, Aubrey said the ship's captain used the ship's public address system to tell passengers: "This kind of thing is unfortunate. But it does happen. We picked him up safely." Aubrey did not know the Pride of America's position when the crewman went overboard, but said the ship was heading north after leaving Honolulu Harbor Saturday at 7 p.m. In his eight years in the Canadian navy, Aubrey served on an aircraft carrier, a destroyer, an ocean escort and a submarine and saw only one sailor fall overboard during his career. "Here, we're on board for just over 13 hours," Aubrey said, "and we get one." Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 7:15 a.m. HST Akaka Bill Gains in Popularity in Newspaper Poll Hawai'i residents still favor federal recognition of Native Hawaiians by a 2-to-1 margin, the latest Advertiser Hawai'i Poll numbers show. Polling conducted last week found that 66 percent of the participants support Native Hawaiians being "recognized by Congress and the federal government as a distinct group, similar to the special recognition given to American Indians and Alaskan Natives." Such recognition could come about under a process created by the Akaka bill, formally known as the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009. The bill passed the U.S. House in February and is awaiting a vote in the Senate. The Hawai'i Poll appears to indicate that, in recent years, a large segment of Hawai'i residents have settled into how they think about federal recognition and the Akaka bill. In 2000, the Advertiser Hawai'i Poll showed 73 percent in favor of federal recognition. That support appeared to dip in the latter part of the decade, when in 2006 the poll showed 63 percent of respondents in favor of recognition. The poll was conducted by locally based Ward Research Inc. with a sampling size of 604 respondents. Over the course of the last decade, during the administrations of President George W. Bush and President Obama, language in the Akaka bill has been widely debated and amended in the effort to get it passed. Gov. Linda Lingle and her administration oppose the current version of the bill. Lingle had been a strong and influential supporter of the bill, but now believes this version grants too much authority to the Native Hawaiian entity at the onset of negotiations that would take place among the entity and the state and the federal governments. For instance, it would grant "sovereign immunity" to the entity and its employees from the state's criminal, public health, child safety and environmental laws. Clyde Namu'o, administrator of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, said he is "not surprised and actually pleased" by the latest poll numbers, especially given the new opposition by Lingle and others. "It's fairly consistent with the polls that we did," Namu'o said. "Obviously, there's still a majority of the people who still support" federal recognition. Two of three major candidates in the 1st Congressional District special election, Democrat Ed Case and Republican Charles Djou, have said they do not support the current language of the bill that passed the House, leaving Democrat Colleen Hanabusa as the sole staunch supporter. 'NOBODY KNOWS' Longtime opponents of the Akaka bill and/or federal recognition said the Hawai'i Poll numbers show only that a majority of Hawai'i's residents don't know what federal recognition means. "I think the big problem is nobody knows what's inside the bill," said Thurston Twigg-Smith, former Hono- lulu Advertiser owner. "They keep changing it, people don't have a chance to read it." Congress should hold hearings on the measure in Hawai'i so the public can get a better understanding of the language, he said. Hawaiian rights activist Dennis Pu'uhonua "Bumpy" Kanahele said the poll "only tells me that people aren't even aware of what the Akaka bill is all about." The state's politicians and "mainstream Hawaiian organizations" support the bill and not other models of self-determination, such as complete independence from the U.S. government, he said. Kanahele said that's why he's been pushing for a constitutional convention, so Hawaiians can look at the different models and determine what's best. Among the 115 poll respondents who identified themselves as Native Hawaiians, 82 percent said they support federal recognition. Among other ethnic groups, 66 percent of those describing themselves as Japanese support it, while 61 percent of Filipinos and Caucasians indicated support. Only 58 percent of those who identified themselves as 55 and older support federal recognition, while 72 percent of those ages 35 to 54 support it, and 79 percent of those under 35 do. Source: The survey of 604 O'ahu registered voters was conducted April 23 to 28 by Ward Research Inc. of Honolulu. The margin of error is 4.0 percentage points, which means a survey of all O'ahu registered voters would not be likely to produce a result more than 4.0 percentage points above or below the poll results. And regarding federal legislation recognizing Hawaiians as an indigenous people: Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 6:55 a.m. HST Hawai'i Decried As State That Overtaxes Poor Families Hawai'i is being criticized for being one of 13 states that tax the working poor deeper into poverty. A Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that in 2009, a couple with two children living in poverty still faced a state tax bill of $266 in Hawai'i. "Taxing the incomes of working-poor families runs counter to the efforts of policymakers across the political spectrum to help families work their way out of poverty," said the report by the group, a Washington-based nonprofit that concentrates on issues affecting low- and moderate-income families. "The federal government has exempted such families from the income tax since the mid-1980s, and a majority of states now do so as well." The report shows that Hawai'i has reduced over the past 15 years what a family of four at the poverty line of $21,947 pays in state income taxes. But in 2009 the family still owed the state $266. Lowell Kalapa, head of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, said the issue of taxing poor residents in the state has been around for decades. His group has favored increasing standard tax deductions and raising personal exemptions. "We're taxing people on money that should be going to food and shelter," Kalapa said. "Why are we taking money away from people living at subsistence levels?" The study also found that Hawai'i's tax on a family of four at the poverty line was the second highest in the nation, trailing only Alabama, which levied a $468 tax on such families last year. It also found: • Hawai'i was second-highest in taxing a single parent with two children at the poverty line of $17,102. Such a family owed the state $211 last year, or $122 behind Alabama. • A single-parent family of three making minimum wage in Hawai'i had to pay $98 in Hawai'i income taxes last year. • Hawai'i is one of 11 states where a single-parent family of three has to pay income tax at the poverty line. • Hawai'i also taxes the so-called near-poor. Both a single parent heading a family of three and a two-parent family of four making 125 percent of the poverty lines owed taxes in the state last year. Kalapa cautioned about the methodology of such studies since they may not take into account all of the tax credits available to low-income families and individuals. Hawai'i, for example, has tried to ease some of the income tax burden by offering a food tax credit and a credit for low-income home renters, Kalapa said. The Center on Budget report noted there are 17 states that don't tax the poor and also offer tax credits that provide refunds to families of three or four with income at the poverty line. It said in recent years other states have tried to enact changes to reduce the tax burden on the poor. But it noted that state financial problems have halted progress in improving the treatment of low-income workers. Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - May 3, 2010 6:45 a.m. HST Honua'ula Project Advances A developer is advancing a more than three-decade effort to establish a master-planned community adjacent to Wailea and Makena resorts in South Maui. Honua'ula Partners LLC recently filed a draft environmental impact statement with the state in its push to build 1,400 homes and a golf course on 670 acres once used for cattle ranching. The filing is a major step taken by Honua'ula Partners toward developing the site following failed attempts by three prior landowners. Still, the project — which is opposed by some Maui residents over issues including water supply, native habitats and traffic — faces hurdles. According to the environmental report, the estimated $1.2 billion project formerly known as Wailea 670 is projected to deliver initial homes in 2016 and be built out by 2022. Half of the homes would be priced at levels qualifying as affordable workforce housing under county guidelines, according to project representative Charlie Jencks. A town center is proposed with about 75,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. Another roughly 25,000 square feet of commercial and retail space would be included in a clubhouse complex for the 18-hole golf course designed for use by homeowners. The site is viewed by the developer and some supporters as appropriate for urban development, but some conservation groups are critical about elements of the plan. Maui Tomorrow said Honua'ula will expand "luxury sprawl" in South Maui. "It's just a shame to take this place and turn it into a golf course," said Lucienne de Naie, a Maui Tomorrow board member and vice president of the state chapter of the Sierra Club. De Naie believes the developer has an inadequate plan to protect native plants and cultural sites on the property. About 140 acres would be devoted to plant preservation, but de Naie said the area is fragmented and isn't ideal for long-term viability of species. Another issue raised by Maui Tomorrow is water supply. The developer plans to supply Honua'ula with four existing wells initially, then add two or three more new wells as development proceeds. The four existing wells, which are permitted by the state Commission on Water Resource Management, contain brackish water that would be used for irrigation. To produce potable water, a reverse osmosis system is envisioned. Traffic is less of a concern, though de Naie said it could be a significant problem with the proposed expansion of Makena Resort. The developer said benefits of the project include satisfying future housing needs, including 700 affordable-priced units, several hundred jobs both during and after construction, increased tax revenue and more than $29 million in impact fees for parks, a school, police station, traffic improvements and other uses. The project still needs some county approvals. If Honua'ula gets built, it would bring urban use to a property eyed by a string of developers dating back to the 1970s. One of the earliest interested parties was Taiyo Fudosan Kogyo Co. Ltd., a Japan-based land development firm that bought the property in 1973 for $6 million, according to state records. In 1986, Mainland resort development firms Grand Champions and VMS Realty Partners bought the property for $15 million and pursued plans for two golf courses and a mix of 2,150 to 2,650 residential and lodging units. At the time, the developers described the site as a logical extension of the Makena-Wailea resort area. An EIS was completed, but Grand Champions-VMS ran into financial difficulty and sold the property in 1990 for $51 million to Palauea Bay Partners, a firm that included local real estate executives Mike McCormack and Dick Bradley. Palauea Bay Partners planned to develop 1,700 to 2,000 homes around two golf courses, and obtained state Land Use Commission approval to urbanize the pasture land in 1994. A new EIS was completed, but again the owners ran into financial problems. In 2000, the property was sold for $17 million to a group including Mainland firm Woodridge Capital. The Woodridge group encountered some difficulty several years ago, but worked through challenges and in 2007 replaced investors including investment banking firm Lehman Bros. with other investors. A year later, Honua'ula gained a key county land-use approval in a close vote by the County Council, and also garnered support from Mayor Charmaine Tavares, though the project remains a contentious issue among many residents. Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - May 2, 2010 3:35 p.m. HST Water Main Break Closes Welakahao Road in Kihei (Editor's Note: Road was reopened to traffic while crews continue repairs at 4 p.m.) Maui Police report that a water main near the intersection of Welakahao Road and South Kihei Road has closed Welakahao from South Kihei Road to Akai Street. No estimate is available on how long it will take for repairs, nor when the road will reopen to traffic. (Report Provided by the Maui County Police Department) NEWS FLASH - May 2, 2010 7:35 a.m. HST Djou Leads in Special Race Poll Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou has the advantage in the special election for Congress, a new Hawai'i Poll has found, giving Republicans the best opportunity in two decades to claim the urban Honolulu district. Djou leads with 36 percent, former congressman Ed Case is chasing at 28 percent, and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa is trailing with 22 percent. Thirteen percent were undecided. The poll, taken for The Advertiser and Hawai'i News Now, confirms fears among Democrats that Case and Hanabusa could split the Democratic vote in the winner-take-all election and help Djou score a rare Republican upset. The poll was conducted by Ward Research from April 23 through April 28 among 349 voters who said they were likely to mail back their ballots in the May 22 election. The margin of error was 5.2 percentage points. "Right now, for me, it's about fiscal responsibility," said Walter Yuen, a retired flight attendant who lives in Hawai'i Kai and is leaning toward Djou. Yuen believes federal and state lawmakers rely too much on tax increases to maintain governments that have grown too large. "We've got to learn how to control our spending," he said. "If I have to do it, they should have to do it." Wendy Fujimoto, a paralegal who lives in Salt Lake, said she doubts the federal economic stimulus package will improve the economy and thinks the answer is less spending and limited government. Fujimoto is concerned about changes to a Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill that would give Hawaiians sovereign authority prior to negotiations with the state and federal governments. She also believes the Jones Act, the federal maritime law that protects the domestic shipping industry, has led to higher consumer costs. Fujimoto likes Case, and believes Djou may be better at identifying problems than solving them, but she is leaning toward Djou. "I want things to change and I think Charles would bring that," she said. Warren Abe, a salesman who lives in 'Aiea and is looking for work, has misgivings about the new federal health care reform law and some of President Obama's other policies. Abe said he believes Case, a moderate, would be more likely than the liberal Hanabusa to challenge the president when necessary. "I think he'll bring up the right questions, while Hanabusa will be in his corner 100 percent," he said. Like many in Hawai'i who usually vote for Democrats, Susan Ikeda, who works at an elementary school and lives in Salt Lake, said she is a little nervous about the potential for Case and Hanabusa to split the vote and reward Republicans. Ikeda believes Hanabusa has shown leadership as Senate president and is the stronger Democrat. "I think she's more likely to stand up and say what she thinks," she said. The Hawai'i Poll found that concerns about splitting the Democratic vote are real. Among voters who said they usually choose Democrats, Case took 35 percent and Hanabusa had 34 percent. Winner
takes all "Case and Hanabusa are clearly splitting the Democratic vote," she said. Djou said he believes his message of lower taxes, limited government and fiscal responsibility is resonating. "I think people are disappointed in the direction that Congress is taking our nation," said Djou, who, unlike Case and Hanabusa, lives in the district and mailed his ballot yesterday. The national interest in the special election, he believes, has helped drive local attention. "The eyes and ears of the American people are on this race," he said. "This is a major, historic election. This is a national statement. The statement that, even here in Hawai'i, the people are concerned that Congress is spending too much money on programs that don't work with no plan to pay it back. "And that needs to change." Case said the poll shows the campaign is between him and Djou. "People are going to choose change. They are not going to choose the status quo of control politics," he said of Hanabusa, who has been endorsed by many establishment Democrats and labor leaders. "The only question remaining is whose brand of change?" Case said he will appeal to wavering Democrats and independents who might be leaning toward Djou that he is the better brand for Hawai'i. He described Djou as "a pawn of the radical right bent solely on embarrassing President Obama in his hometown and advancing an extreme agenda in Washington." Case said Hanabusa voters have to ask themselves a hard question: "Do they believe that Ed Case or Charles Djou can best represent them in Congress? Because that is their choice." Hanabusa said she senses the campaign is closer than the poll suggests. She believes, like Case, that Djou may be hitting a ceiling among Republicans and independents, and has sought to distinguish herself from Case among the Democrats who make up most of the district's voters. The Hanabusa campaign released a television advertisement on Friday critical of Case for backing an extension of President Bush-era tax breaks on capital gains and dividends. "We're distinguishing ourselves with people, I think, looking at us and feeling that we probably reflect their values a lot closer," Hanabusa said. Hanabusa also believes she has a superior grassroots field operation — aided by her supporters in organized labor and allies of U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, the state's leading Democrat — to turn out the vote. "People are beginning, more and more, to identify with our campaign," she said. 'Temporary'
win While many local Demo-crats believe a Djou victory would be only temporary — Case or Hanabusa will have another chance to take the seat in the November general election — national Democrats have warned about the negative message of a loss in Obama's hometown district. National Democrats have considered taking sides between Case and Hanabusa, but have instead been financing campaign ads to weaken Djou. "What this shows is that voters in this district clearly prefer a Democrat," said Andy Stone, western regional press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Our focus continues to be making sure voters know about Charles Djou's record of support for corporate special interests over the needs of families in Hawai'i and ensuring Democrats send in their special election ballots." Since statehood, only two Republicans — the late U.S. Sen. Hiram Fong and former U.S. Rep. Pat Saiki — have represented Hawai'i in Washington, D.C. Republicans last held a congressional seat in 1990, when Saiki stepped down from urban Honolulu's 1st Congressional District for a failed campaign for the U.S. Senate. National Republicans have not yet matched Democrats with campaign ads but are helping with fundraising. The Republican National Committee moved $90,400 in March to the Hawai'i Republican Party, which used the money to help pay for a week of Djou's television ads. U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, asked Republican donors last week to raise $100,000 by Friday for Djou and a Republican candidate in a special election this month in Pennsylvania. Djou also raised more than $115,000 in one burst surrounding an appearance on conservative Sean Hannity's cable television show on Fox News. While many public-sector labor unions have contacted their members in the Islands on behalf of Hanabusa, national conservative groups, such as Liberty First, a political action committee that has grown out of the tea party movement, and the National Rifle Association have done outreach for Djou. Djou's campaign had more cash on hand than Case and Hanabusa through March — although Hanabusa had raised more money overall — and analysts believe he had a strong month of fundraising, judging from his recent media buys. Dan Boylan, a University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu history professor and political analyst, said a Djou victory would likely lead to tremendous pressure from national Democrats for the party to unite behind a single candidate before the September primary and avoid a drawn-out fight that could further benefit the GOP in November. "They are going to have some crowing rights if Djou wins," Boylan said of Republicans, "because Massachusetts and Hawai'i are two of the most liberal states in the country. "They are going to make a lot of hay out of this." Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - May 1, 2010 11:35 a.m. HST B&B Owners Benefit, Others Lose in Maui Property Tax Decision WAILUKU, Maui - Maui County Council members agreed to reduce property tax rates for bed-and-breakfast operations Friday, but decided to increase the rate on unimproved residential properties to make up the lost revenue. Responding to B&B owners who said the proposed rate of $5 per $1,000 of assessed property value was too high, council members knocked the rate down to $4. They looked at undeveloped residentially zoned lands to make up for the loss, and raised the rate for that category from $6 to $6.25. The council's Budget and Finance Committee on Friday wrapped up nearly six weeks of deliberations on the county budget for the year. The committee is scheduled to return at 9 a.m. Monday to vote on a $524.2 million plan for 2011, a 7 percent cut in spending from the current fiscal year. The full council has until the end of May to approve a budget, which will go into effect July 1. The county established a new "commercialized residential" property tax category this year for home-based businesses, including bed-and-breakfasts and transient vacation rentals. The proposed $5 rate was already down from the rate of $6.25 initially requested by Mayor Charmaine Tavares. But B&B owners, some of whom previously had been paying the lowest "homeowner" rate on their properties, said the proposed rate could double or triple their property tax bills and shut down their businesses or drive them underground. Some B&B owners had suggested a rate of $3.12, but council members wouldn't go that far. "Sorry for them - they want $3.12. I think, nah," said Council Member Mike Victorino. He called the proposed $4 rate "a good compromise." Council Member Gladys Baisa noted the vacation-rental industry already had shrunk, due to the down economy and the county's crackdown on illegal operations. "If we tax them really heavily . . . here we go again, more people will be laid off," she said. But Council Member Mike Molina had reservations, noting that people who own B&Bs and vacation rentals would now pay a lower property tax rate than landowners with long-term rentals on their properties. They would pay $5 under the proposed rates. Cutting the rate for B&Bs would cost the county $73,191 in lost revenue. Council members raised an additional $82,770 to cover the loss by adding 25 cents to the rate for unimproved residential properties. Also Friday, council members agreed to add two provisions to the budget that would place restrictions on the county Department of Environmental Management's injection well program. One provision, introduced by Council Member Wayne Nishiki, would require the department to work with the Department of Water Supply and other agencies to study alternatives for recycling wastewater before spending money budgeted to rehabilitate the county's existing injection wells. A second provision, introduced by Council Member Sol Kaho'ohalahala, would require the Department of Environmental Management to begin testing for water contamination from the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility. Both provisions would require a status report by Jan. 1. Department officials have told the council they already are communicating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about how to comply with an order to conduct water sampling at the Lahaina treatment plant. Nishiki and Kaho'ohalahala sought to set aside money for the studies, but council members said there was not enough funding still available in the budget. Reach Ilima Loomis at iloomis@mauinews.com. (Report Provided by The Maui News) NEWS FLASH - May 1, 2010 7:05 a.m. HST Civil Unions' Fate in Governor's Hands Whether same-sex civil unions become legal in Hawaii is now up to Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, whose office was flooded yesterday with phone calls and e-mails from gay rights and religious groups after the bill won approval in the waning moments of the legislative session. Lingle has long avoided saying whether she would veto the measure or allow it to become law. She has until July 6 to make a decision. The governor was unavailable for comment yesterday as she was scheduled to return from a trip to California, but her office reported a high volume of calls pouring in from both opponents and supporters of the legislation. The bill was unexpectedly revived and cleared the Legislature on Thursday, the last day of this year's session. Religious groups do not plan the kind of large opposition rallies seen previously at the state Capitol. Instead, they will lobby Lingle directly with personal messages. "She's kept it very close to the vest," said Dennis Arakaki, executive director of the Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Catholic Conference. "She won't let us know how she feels about it. Now we'll know. ... The ball is in her court." He is sending e-mails to churches and text messages to supporters urging them to contact the governor's office to let her know how they feel about the issue. Civil-union backers will send handwritten letters and postcards to Lingle in addition to e-mails and phone calls asking her to approve the legislation, said Tony Wagner, western regional field director for the Human Rights Campaign. "It's going to be important to keep up the pressure on the governor in order to demonstrate that there is support for this bill and for treating all families equally," Wagner said. Lingle has sent mixed signals: She wanted lawmakers to drop the issue because the state had more pressing budget matters to deal with, but she also said representatives should have put their votes on the record when they postponed a decision on the measure in January. If approved, Hawaii will become one of six states, along with California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington, to grant essentially all the rights of marriage to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself. Five other states and the District of Columbia permit same-sex marriage: Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The Aloha State has been a battleground in the gay rights movement since the early 1990s. A 1993 Hawaii Supreme Court ruling nearly made Hawaii the first state to legalize same-sex marriage before voters in the state overwhelmingly approved the nation's first "defense of marriage" constitutional amendment in 1998. The measure gave the Legislature the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples. It resulted in a law banning gay marriage in Hawaii but left the door open for civil unions. Although Lingle has until July 6 to make a decision, her intentions will be known sooner. She must send the Legislature a list of bills that she will potentially veto by June 22. Measures not on that list would become law, either with or without her signature. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Bulletin) NEWS FLASH - May 1, 2010 6:55 a.m. HST Federal Tax Credit for New Home Purchases Ends The $8,000 incentive to buy a home is over. Yesterday was the deadline to take advantage of a federal tax credit created last year to stimulate the housing market. Now the $8,000 question is whether home sales will slump. Many industry analysts believe there won't be much, if any, correction, because the economy is on the mend, consumer confidence is building, interest rates remain good and lower home prices make purchases attractive. "The tax credit has done its job," Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, said last month. "It has brought additional buyers into the market, inventory levels have come down, and now most importantly home values appear to be stabilizing. "With home values stabilizing, a revival in home buying confidence will likely help the housing market get back on its feet even as the tax credit impact disappears." The National Association of Realtors last month said it expects sales of existing homes this year will rise 6.5 percent nationally. On O'ahu, sales of existing homes were up 43 percent during the first three months of the year after a 9 percent decline for all of last year. Part of the rise is attributed to the tax credit, which appears to be continuing to be an influence, with more homes going into escrow in April than in March. However, the rate of increase may slow during the second half of this year after results of the tax credit incentive play out. That's because some economists believe such stimulus programs tend to advance sales that would have occurred later without stimulus. Chason Ishii, president of local residential real estate brokerage firm Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties, said he expects this hangover effect will be small because the economy and consumer confidence are on the rise. He also said that most of the accelerated buying probably occurred late last year when the tax credit was initially set to expire. Originally, the tax credit provided qualifying first-time homebuyers with a rebated of up to $8,000 for purchases last year. The program was extended through April and expanded with a credit up to $6,500 for qualifying repeat buyers. To get the credit, buyers had to sign purchase contracts by yesterday and complete sales by June 30. So the impact of the tax credit program's absence won't be clear until June or July when sales contracts signed in May get reported. Mike Gallagher, broker-in-charge at Abe Lee Realty, isn't worried about the cutoff of the tax credit. He said there may or may not be a lull in demand from buyers ahead without the federal stimulus. But what really mattered was the kickstart the program provided last year. "I'm glad we had it," he said, "because we were in the doldrums late last year." Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - May 1, 2010 6:45 a.m. HST Departing Advertiser Editor Taking Over 'Hawai'i News Now' Honolulu Advertiser editor Mark Platte will be leaving the newspaper tomorrow to take a job as news director of Hawaii News Now. Platte is scheduled to start May 10 in the Hawaii News Now newsroom and will work with departing news director Chris Archer over the ensuing 16 days as part of the transition process. "I have enjoyed my years at The Advertiser and we have made great strides with an incredible staff," Platte said. "But I'm excited about this new chapter in my career to help Hawaii News Now reach even greater heights. They have a wonderful team over there." Platte's departure follows the sale of The Advertiser to the owner of the rival Honolulu Star-Bulletin in a deal that is expected to close Monday. Lee Webber, Advertiser president and publisher, praised Platte's work at the state's largest newspaper. "Mark has served us well during the past four years as editor and has worked with us all to continually improve The Advertiser during his nearly decade-long tenure here," Webber said. Platte joined The Advertiser in November 2000 as the assistant managing editor for news. He became the senior vice president and editor in May 2006. In that capacity, Platte has managed and directed more than 130 journalists working in The Advertiser's newsroom and is credited with leading the growth of honoluluadvertiser.com to a website brimming with breaking news, video, blogs, photo galleries and reader polls that now generates 17 million to 20 million page views per month. He has also worked at the Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Orange County (Ca.) Register and Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I have every confidence in Mark and I am most pleased and excited he has accepted this very challenging and critical role in our station operation," said Rick Blangiardi, general manager of Hawaii News Now. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 30, 2010 7:25 a.m. HST Civil Unions Opponents Vow Revenge Opponents of same-sex marriage expressed outrage and disappointment yesterday after the last-minute revival of a civil-unions bill, and said they plan to come out in force to urge Gov. Linda Lingle to veto the measure. They also vowed to take their anger to the polls this election season. "It's not the end of the game," said Dennis Arakaki, executive director of the Hawai'i Family Forum and the Hawai'i Catholic Conference. "We still don't know what the governor's position is. That's the unknown. We're focusing on one person." Groups and churches against same-sex marriage said yesterday that they already were rallying their members to speak out against the vote, and predicted that the governor's office would be flooded with telephone messages and e-mails by today. Other civil-union opponents said the vote yesterday likely will fuel conservative organizing efforts and make civil unions an issue in the September primary and November general election. They said it could even be a factor in next month's special election for Hawai'i's 1st Congressional District seat. The vote yesterday, on the last day of the legislative session, was a stunning development for civil-union opponents, who appeared satisfied that House Bill 444 was dead. The measure, revived by House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro, would give same-sex and heterosexual couples the same rights as marriage. Civil union supporters say the bill does not redefine marriage, but creates an alternative for same-sex and heterosexual couples who want to recognize their relationships and receive state rights and benefits. Opponents, though, say civil unions are functionally the same as marriage under state law and would pave the way for redefining marriage. The bill passed the Senate in January, but stalled in the House, after opponents came out in big numbers to speak against the measure, largely for religious reasons. OPPONENT 'IN SHOCK' Garret Hashimoto, chairman of the Hawai'i Christian Coalition, said that supporters of "traditional marriage ... did everything we could" to stop the civil-unions bill. "It showed by the amount of people who came out against civil unions." He added that he believes most people in Hawai'i oppose civil unions. And that opposition will show, he added, over the next several days. Hashimoto also said he was "in shock" after yesterday's 31-20 House vote. "We thought the legislators would not ignore the public sympathy," he said. But Arakaki, a former legislator, said he wasn't surprised at yesterday's vote. Anticipating just such a turn, he tried to get the word out earlier this week to civil-union opponents and asked them to turn out in big numbers yesterday afternoon. But he estimates only about 70 opponents made it to the House gallery — a turnout that contrasted starkly with the thousands who attended a rally in January at the Capitol against civil unions. Arakaki said the big numbers at the start of the session got civil union opponents an early victory: The measure was tabled. And many thought it was dead — a mistake, Arakaki said, that civil-union supporters didn't make. "I just have to give it to the proponents. They fought all the way to the end," he said. "We didn't maintain the ... opposition, as we did early on." Yesterday, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, who is a fierce opponent of same-sex marriage, called the House vote "last-minute political maneuvering" and said it was "unfortunate for the people of Hawai'i who have voiced their support for traditional marriage." He added that the civil-unions issue should have instead been put on the ballot. "This bill should not be allowed to become law," he said, in a statement. Arakaki said yesterday's silver lining for civil-union opponents is that the vote will undoubtedly reignite the opposition. "I think people are going to be energized," he said, adding that energy could well spill over into the upcoming election season. Hashimoto agreed, saying, "Our next step is to see what happens in the upcoming elections." In the meantime, he added, "We will do everything in our power to convince Gov. Lingle to veto this bill." Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 30, 2010 7:05 a.m. HST Census Workers Begin Door-to-Door Effort Tomorrow Beginning tomorrow, thousands of census workers will be combing Hawai'i neighborhoods to assist people living at homes that have not returned a census questionnaire. To date, 66 percent of Hawai'i residences have returned a census form by mail, compared with 72 percent nationally. That means the estimated 3,000 enumerators hired by the Honolulu and Wai'anae census offices will have to go door to door to try to account for the remaining 34 percent. And, as occurs with each census undertaking, there will be more than just official enumerators making the rounds. Already, local census offices and the Better Business Bureau have fielded reports of people posing as census workers trying to extract personal information from residents via phone, e-mail and in-person visits. Census officials said Mainland offices are making follow-up phone calls to certain people who have already returned a census form. The purpose of these calls is simply to clarify or confirm information already submitted on the census questionnaire. Callers should not be asking for any information that is not related to the 10 questions on the 2010 Census form. Census workers say census-related scams cause real problems for official census takers because some wary residents are unwilling to speak to anyone who comes to their door for fear that they will be victimized by identify theft. That limits the Census Bureau's efforts to get a complete count of the state, which in turn reduces the amount of federal funds earmarked for the state. Here are a few things to keep in mind to tell the difference between an official census worker and a scam artist: • Official workers will have an official census badge, a handheld device, an official U.S. Census Bureau canvas bag with census logo, and a confidentiality notice. • Census workers will not ask to enter your home, and are not allowed to enter even if you ask. • Census workers will only ask questions that are on the 2010 Census form. They will not ask for your Social Security number, banking information, immigration status, driver's license number or other personal information. • Census workers may contact you by phone, mail or in-person visit but never by e-mail. If you receive an e-mail from someone claiming to be connected to the U.S. Census Bureau, do not open any attachments, as they may jeopardize your personal information. • Census workers will not try to recruit you for census jobs on the spot. • Census workers will not solicit donations. If you suspect that you have been contacted by a scammer posing as a census worker, call your local census office or the Better Business Bureau. Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 30, 2010 6:45 a.m. HST HMSA Rate Hike 'Smaller' Than Recent Years The state's largest health insurer has received the green light to raise premiums by an average of 7.8 percent for roughly 11,000 small businesses. The Hawai'i Insurance Division yesterday approved the increase requested by the Hawaii Medical Service Association. The rate will go into effect on July 1. "Our actuaries took a close look at the filing and found it met the statutory requirements," said Gordon Ito, deputy insurance commissioner. He said that includes determining the request wasn't excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. HMSA filed for the rate request on March 1, saying it realized the state's small businesses were still facing tough economic times but that healthcare costs had been rising faster than money brought in by premium revenues. HMSA has been losing money over the past four years and has been under pressure at the same time to raise what it pays doctors, hospitals and other health care providers. "We don't like to raise rates anytime, but it was necessary and the insurance company agreed with us," said Laura Lott, HMSA spokesman. The increase covers about 120,000 workers employed by small companies and enrolled in HMSA's preferred provider plan that includes drug, dental and vision coverage. In filing for the increase the insurer had said it would have a shortfall of $64.4 million this year if it didn't raise rates. Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 29, 2010 8:40 p.m. HST Hawai'i House Passes Civil Unions Bill By a vote of 31-20, the Hawaii House today approved a civil unions bill just hours before the end of this year's legislative session. The measure would give unmarried same-sex and heterosexual couples the same rights as married couples under state law. The bill passed the Senate in January by a vote of 18-7 and now goes to the governor for her consideration. Gov. Linda Lingle had urged lawmakers against taking up civil unions this session and to instead focus on the state's budget deficit. She has not said whether she would sign or veto the bill. Lingle has 45 days to decide. If she vetoes the bill, the House and Senate can come back in a one-day override session in July. The vote in the Senate was enough to override a veto, but the vote in the House was not. The House would need 34 votes to override. The bill's passage was considered a major leap toward expanding the rights of gay couples in Hawai'i. It was here that national debate on the issue erupted in 1993 in the wake of a historic Hawai'i Supreme Court ruling. HB 444 was revived on the last day of the legislative session on a motion by House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro. State House leaders had indefinitely postponed action on the bill in January, and a series of four votes was needed today to suspend legislative rules, bring the measure back for a vote, approve amendments to the bill, and then vote on the bill itself. Oshiro, D-33rd (Aiea, Halawa Valley, Aiea Heights) had said previously that he would not make the motion to revive civil unions, but he changed his mind. Before the final vote, Rep. Gene Ward reminded fellow lawmakers that the people spoke in a 1998 constitutional amendment that gave lawmakers the right to define marriage as between a man and a woman. That measure passed with 70 percent approval from voters. Oshiro thanked his colleagues for taking a vote, saying it reaffirmed his belief in the House. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 29, 2010 7:50 p.m. HST Legislature Overrides 11 of 14 Vetoes HONOLULU - The Hawaii House of Representatives today joined with the State Senate in overriding 11 of Governor Linda Lingle’s 14 vetoes. The governor vetoed several revenue generating bills, among others, that are part of a financial plan to balance the state budget. (List of override bills below with links to legislation) “The Great Recession made our jobs very difficult,” said Speaker of the House Calvin Say in his final remarks to House members. “We made many hard decisions that disappointed, frustrated, or angered certain people. We, however, were forced to make those decisions because of the dismal economic and budgetary situation.” “During the 2009 session, we along with the Senate and Governor closed a $2.1 billion budget deficit,” he added. “During this 2010 session, we closed another $1.2 billion budget gap. History, I believe, will show that we, together with the Senate and Governor, bore the burdens of the Great Recession well.” Bills passed or killed Today, the House also took action on some final bills of the session. SB2626, designating two surf breaks on Oahu as Hawaii surfing reserves, and SB2405, streamlining sales and use tax, were recommitted and are therefore dead for the year. However, the House did approve HB1948, mandating the state to refund tax returns by 90 days from the day filed or the due date of the tax return, whichever is later, and HB921, creating land trusts for Hawaiian homestead leases. The measures will go to the governor for signature. The governor has 45 days from the time a bill was received to veto it, sign it into law, or allow it to pass into law without her signature.
After House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro today made a motion on the House floor to revive HB 444, a measure permitting same-sex and heterosexual civil unions, the members voted to pass the bill on final reading, 31 ayes to 20 noes. The bill now goes to the Governor for signature. The following measures vetoed by the Governor were overridden by the Legislature and are now law:
H.B.
No. 2421, H.D. 2, S.D. 2, C.D. 1 RELATING TO GOVERNMENT. Food and
Energy Security
Senate Bills S.B.
No. 2159, H.D. 1 RELATING TO TRAFFIC ABSTRACT FEE. Traffic Abstract
Fee
(Report Provided by the Hawai'i Legislature) NEWS FLASH - April 29, 2010 2:20 p.m. HST Delayed State Tax Refunds May Include Interest Hawaii residents may be paid interest if their state income tax refunds are delayed too long. The House unanimously passed a bill today requiring the state to pay monthly interest at a rate of one-third of 1 percent of the refund amount if a tax overpayment isn't refunded within 90 days. It had previously passed the Senate. The measure is in response to a move by Gov. Linda Lingle to delay payment of this year's refunds until July, when the next fiscal year begins, so that the state can save $275 million on paper. The state budget passed by the Legislature on Tuesday perpetuates the delay of income tax refunds next year as well. Interest payments would begin 90 days after tax returns are filed or 90 days after April 20, whichever is later. The bill is HB1948. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 29, 2010 1:10 p.m. HST Oil Barrel Tax Hike Back In As Legislature Overrides Veto HONOLULU — A new oil tax is now law in Hawaii after state lawmakers overrode Gov. Linda Lingle's veto of the proposal. The tax increase passed Thursday with the two-thirds majorities needed in the House and Senate to override the governor. The oil tax hike will increase gasoline and electricity costs, with its $22 million annual proceeds going to the state budget and Hawaii's renewable energy programs. The tax will increase gas prices by about 2.5 cents per gallon and raise residential electricity bills by 78 cents per month. The tax will be paid on every barrel of oil shipped into Hawaii, with the costs likely passed on to consumers. The law calls for the tax to increase from 5 cents to $1.05 per barrel of oil. The bill is HB2421. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 29, 2010 9:30 a.m. HST Hawai'i Led Nation in Swine Flu Precaution ATLANTA — Fears of swine flu helped boost vaccination for ordinary seasonal flu last year, with a record 40 percent of adults and children getting the vaccine, federal health officials said today. Hawaii had the highest seasonal vaccination rate, nearly 55 percent. The national jump in seasonal vaccinations was most dramatic in children, but vaccinations also increased in healthy adults under 50, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers. For all ages, the highest seasonal flu vaccination rate previously was about 33 percent, in the 2008-2009 season. Flu shots have been around since the 1940s. But several factors made last fall's campaign unusual: • Swine flu appeared last spring and was unusually dangerous to children and young adults, prompting more interest in regular flu shots. "We do have the pandemic driving that," said Gary Euler, one of the study's authors. • Government recommendations kicked in calling for seasonal flu vaccinations for all children. • Seasonal vaccine was out earlier than usual so manufacturers could focus on the separate swine flu vaccine. Annual flu shots were recommended for roughly 85 percent of Americans during the vaccination campaign. Those supposed to get the vaccine include children, pregnant women, senior citizens, health care workers and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. The researchers looked at vaccinations through January. The results are being published in a CDC publication, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. People 65 and older had the highest rate, nearly 70 percent. That age group is at highest risk for serious complications from seasonal flu. The rate for children over 6 months increased by two-thirds, from 24 percent to 40 percent. The attention on swine flu was a strong motivator for people to get regular flu shots in 2009, but it's not clear if as many people will get vaccinated this year, said Robert Blendon, a Harvard University public health professor who runs polling on public attitudes about flu vaccination. Health officials "are going to need a high level of campaigning to keep people focused on doing this year after year," he said. Seasonal vaccine protects against three strains of flu virus. Next fall's vaccine will include swine flu and not be a separate shot. Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine were close behind Hawaii in seasonal flu vaccinations, giving New England the highest rate as a region. The Southeast is at the bottom of the list, with Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama showing rates under 36 percent. States with the best vaccination rates in 2009 tend to be at the top every year, CDC officials said. New England also has the most vaccinations against swine flu, and the Southeast has the lowest. This winter was an unusually quiet season for seasonal flu. Experts aren't sure why, but believe it's possible that swine flu — which hit the nation in a large wave in the fall — muscled out the other types of flu viruses. See the CDC report. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 29, 2010 7:30 a.m. HST 'Healthy Start' Among Programs Spared in State Budget Providers said yesterday that the state's safety net for the most vulnerable will be noticeably repaired thanks to a $23.7 million appropriation from the "rainy-day" fund. But they warned that the appropriation, which legislators agreed to yesterday in House and Senate votes, won't undo all of the damage done by state cutbacks to services. And they said continued high demand for aid will still far exceed resources. "This goes a long way," said Alex Santiago, executive director of PHOCUSED, a consortium of social service nonprofits. "While we're relieved and pleased ... the sector is still dealing with cuts. There are still needs that are growing in the community." The rainy-day money will be funneled to 39 social service programs statewide — from Housing First, which moves the chronically homeless into long-term housing, to Healthy Start, a child abuse prevention program that was in danger of being eliminated. Also funded will be services for domestic violence victims, the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, along with meal and respite programs for the elderly, child care programs and a host of services for the poor, including legal aid and cash benefits. Lawmakers left about $26 million in the rainy-day fund. The appropriation now goes to Gov. Linda Lingle to be released. Advocates yesterday urged her not to hold onto the money. "This (fund) was set up for a day like today," Santiago said. "To say we're relieved is an understatement." Throughout the legislative session, lawmakers appeared ready to use rainy-day dollars to help end teacher furloughs or to help cover the budget deficit. But advocates pushed hard for rainy-day funds to go to social services, and lawmakers were able to hammer out a $67 million deal to end teacher furloughs that relied on the state's hurricane relief fund. GOP OBJECTIONS Last legislative session, service providers made a similar plea for money from the rainy-day fund — also known as the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund — but were largely denied. Legislators did tap into the fund to appropriate $14 million for public hospitals and $8 million for mental health programs. In floor debate yesterday, lawmakers said tapping the rainy-day fund was the right thing to do at a time when many social service providers are seeing more requests for aid and fewer dollars from the state, public donations and other sources. State Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, D-13th (Kalihi, Nu'uanu), said the rainy-day fund was created to provide a temporary source of financing during an economic downturn or other emergency. "The economic crisis has left many of the most vulnerable members of our society in jeopardy," she said. "There are many critical public services that will continue to help people with the passage of this bill." But state Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai), who opposed the bill, said the social-service programs have become too dependent on an ever-expanding state government for survival. "We have so many agencies, so many people dependent on this government and, meanwhile, the government has done nothing to change its direction substantially," he said. Howard Garval, president and chief executive officer of Child and Family Service, said the rainy-day appropriation will help salvage programs that have seen severe cuts. His organization expects to see rainy-day dollars for its Healthy Start, domestic violence, employment and seniors programs. "The legislators really saw that the need was great," Garval said, adding that the session started out with predictions about more major cuts to social services. "Providers are breathing a sigh of relief." A big winner in the rainy-day appropriation was Kupuna Care, which helps frail elderly people with housekeeping, transportation, case management and other services. The program is set to get $3 million in rainy-day dollars to address a long waiting list for services. Barbara Kim Stanton, AARP Hawai'i state director, said Kupuna Care is a vital resource for many seniors who couldn't live alone without it. AARP rallied along with other advocates for seniors at the state Capitol this session to boost the funding to Kupuna Care and to senior centers, which will get $950,000 in rainy-day funds. "They really heard the message," Stanton said. Advertiser Staff writer Derrick DePledge contributed to this report. Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 29, 2010 6:50 a.m. HST Lawmakers Claim 'Final Approval' of $67 M for Furlough Relief State lawmakers gave final approval yesterday to a bill that would authorize $67 million from the state's Hurricane Relief Fund to eliminate teacher furloughs next school year. Lawmakers described the bill as their contribution to ending the furlough stalemate, knowing that it is up to Gov. Linda Lingle to sign the bill into law and release the money and for teachers to agree to come back to the classroom. Some lawmakers had hoped — and had even announced late Friday — that the money could be used for the remaining three furlough days this school year and the 17 furlough days scheduled next school year. But the final draft of the bill only devotes money for next school year. The Hawaii State Teachers Association wants the governor to sign the bill. The teachers union hopes the money can be used to finance a supplemental agreement reached with the state Board of Education and state Department of Education to end furloughs on classroom instruction days next school year. Lingle has said she would release $57 million, not the entire amount available, and said educators could decide which school employees come back on furlough days. The governor has also asked teachers to voluntarily work the remaining three furlough days this school year, which the union has said is contrary to the supplemental agreement to the teachers' two-year contract. "We're really happy it passed," said Vernadette Gonzalez, who is involved with Save Our Schools and is the parent of a student at Noelani Elementary School in Manoa. "But we're hoping the governor will step up to the plate." Yesterday, in state House and Senate floor debates, lawmakers said that the furlough stalemate had gone on too long. Lingle, the teachers union and the school board agreed to furloughs last September to help with the state's budget deficit. But Lingle later conceded it was a mistake, and the governor and educators have been trading offers for months trying to undo the decision. State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau), described the impasse as a travesty that stems from a lack of leadership. "We can sit here and bash public workers. We can blame the unions. We can blame the governor. We can even blame the parents and the students," he said. "But all the blame in the world will not send the students back to school." State Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawai'i Kai), who opposed the bill, said lawmakers are being extorted by the teachers union and educators for additional state money instead of reducing wasteful spending at the Department of Education. "This has nothing to do with the keiki," he said. "This has to do with money, money and money." BORROW VS. TAKE In the House, state Rep. K. Mark Takai, D-34th (Newtown, Waiau, Pearl City), said lawmakers were left with no other option. "If we support ending furloughs in our schools, we've got to support this bill," he said. "If you vote 'no,' you're saying you want furloughs to continue. There's no other option." House Republicans, who had wanted to borrow, rather than take, the money from the Hurricane Relief Fund, warned of the danger of depleting the roughly $180 million that remains in the fund. The Hurricane Relief Fund, established in 1993 after Hurricane Iniki prompted many private insurers to leave the market, was financed through homeowner insurance premiums, annual assessments on private insurance companies, and mortgage recording fees. While it has been nearly a decade since the last hurricane insurance policies backed by the fund expired, the money that remains could be useful after another hurricane, most likely to help with reinsurance. State Rep. Kymberly Pine, R-43rd ('Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Pu'uloa), who voted against the bill, said homeowners and others who paid into the Hurricane Relief Fund had an expectation that it would be used as intended, not diverted for other purposes. "Which fund are we going to raid next, because the economy is going to be just as bad?" she said of future years. State House Minority Leader Lynn Finnegan, R-32nd (Lower Pearlridge, 'Aiea, Halawa), struggled with a vote that could have political consequences in an election year. She first said she was voting "yes" with reservations, then "no," then "yes" with reservations again. Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 28, 2010 4:55 p.m. HST Makena Resort Auction Postponed Until May 28 A foreclosure auction of the Makena Beach and Golf Resort on Maui has been postponed until May 28. The resort was originally scheduled to be sold at auction on April 29. The 1,800-acre resort, purchased by Maui developer Everett Dowling and Morgan Stanley for $575 million in 2007, will be sold “as is.” The auction will be held in the lobby of the Wailuku court building on Maui, according to an amended notice of foreclosure sale published Wednesday. The sale includes the fee-simple interest in the 310-room hotel, two 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf courses — one of which is closed for restoration — golf clubhouse and pro shop, driving range, tennis courts, restaurants and bars, pools and Jacuzzis and other retail space. The resort, including the hotel and golf courses, is expected to remain open, with no changes for employees or guests. Interested bidders must register at least five business days before the auction with Chris Lau, a Honolulu real estate developer and broker, who is commissioned to sell the property. Bidders will be required to make a 10 percent down payment on the sale, which must be confirmed by the court. Wells Fargo, acting as trustee for the registered holders of the commercial mortgage securities that secured the property, filed for foreclosure last August after the Dowling-Morgan Stanley venture defaulted on its mortgage and other debt obligations. (Report Provided by The Pacific Business News) NEWS FLASH - April 28, 2010 3:35 p.m. HST 'Safety Condition' Cleared, South Kihei Road Reopened Maui Police report that South Kihei Road, between Ohukai and Kenolio has been reopened to traffic. The stretch of road was closed this morning around 7:30 a.m.due to what they called "a safety condition." Public Works crews have completed their work and traffic is moving again. (Information Reported by Maui County Police Department)
NEWS FLASH - April 28, 2010 2 p.m. HST Hunt Resigns as County Planning Director, Aoki Takes Top Job WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii - Mayor Charmaine Tavares announced today that she has appointed Kathleen Ross Aoki to the position of Director of the Department of Planning. Ross’ move from her current appointment as the department’s Deputy Director to the Director position follows the acceptance by Mayor Tavares of Jeff Hunt’s resignation. Hunt has opted to return to his earlier position as West Maui Planner with the Current Planning Division of the department. Current Planning Division supervisor Ann Cua, who has been with the department for 28 years, has been tapped to serve as Deputy Director. Cua earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii - Hilo and is a graduate of St. Anthony High School in Wailuku. She lives in Makawao with her husband Clifford and their two children. "I'm confident that under the leadership and guidance of Director Ross and Deputy Director Cua, the department will transition seamlessly," said Mayor Tavares. "I've accepted Jeff Hunt's resignation and appreciate all that he has contributed." The changes become effective May 1, 2010. (Report Provided By The Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - April 28, 2010 7:50 a.m. HST 'Safety Condition' Closes Portion of South Kihei Road Maui Police report that South Kihei Road, between Ohukai and Kenolio is closed due to what they call "a safety condition." Public Works crews are on scene but traffic will be detoured until around 3 p.m. today. (Information Reported by Maui County Police Department) NEWS FLASH - April 28, 2010 6:55 a.m. HST High Winds Expected to Blow Through This Evening 1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has CONTINUED the WIND ADVISORY for the HALEAKALA SUMMIT until 6:00 p.m. this evening. A Wind Advisory means that winds of 30 mph are expected. 2. EFFECTS: Expect east winds of 25 to 35 KT with higher gusts today. 3. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION. SECURE ANY LOOSE OBJECTS THAT MAY BECOME AIRBORNE OR MOVE THEM INDOORS. 4. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided by Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - April 27, 2010 4:45 p.m. HST Governor Vetoes Bill That Would 'Disrupt Medicaid' HONOLULU – Governor Lingle vetoed a bill today that would disrupt medical care for needy adults and children who receive free health insurance through the QUEST Medicaid program. This legislation would also prevent the State from making the best possible financial deal with QUEST health plans and diminish the State’s ability to increase oversight of these plans. Under HB 2085 HD1 SD2, the Lingle-Aiona Administration, through the State Department of Human Services (DHS), would be prohibited from soliciting proposals for new QUEST contracts exceeding $100 million. These contracts could only be put out to bid by the new DHS administration, which will not be in place until December 2010 at the earliest. The bill does not achieve its stated goal which is to “ensure continuity of care for Hawai‘i’s neediest population.” Instead, it will disrupt care for Medicaid clients. “Due to the complexity and length of time it takes to award contracts for our Medicaid managed care programs, DHS must begin the process no later than this fall,” Governor Lingle said. The current QUEST contracts with AlohaCare, HMSA and Kaiser will expire on June 30, 2011. “Forcing DHS to award contracts under a compressed timeline would negatively impact health care for the nearly 200,000 needy individuals who receive Medicaid coverage through QUEST,” Governor Lingle said. “And extending the current contracts without competition would prevent the State from getting the best possible deal from participating health plans. “ This special-interest legislation would also weaken the ability of DHS to oversee QUEST health plans to make sure they deliver quality care to clients at a fair price for taxpayers. (Report Provided by the Office of Governor Linda Lingle) NEWS FLASH - April 27, 2010 4:30 p.m. HST Governor Vetoes Oil Tax Increase Bill HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today vetoed a bill that would cost Hawai‘i residents and businesses $22 million in new taxes every year on petroleum sold in the state. The bill, HB2421 HD2 SD2 CD1, would impose a $1.00 increase in the tax on each barrel of oil sold in the state. The bill deceptively purports to use funds generated from the tax increase to promote energy and food security in the state, but in reality, over half of the money raised by the tax would be diverted for general government operations rather than reducing our dependence on imported oil and food. The tax increase would raise the cost of living and increase the cost of doing business in the state by making virtually everything more expensive, including electricity, gasoline, trucking, shipping, retail goods, food, public and school buses, and even the propane for backyard barbeques. “The impacts will ripple through our entire economy,” Governor Lingle said in a message to legislators detailing the reasons she vetoed the bill. “I am particularly concerned that the tax increase occurs at a precarious moment when the State economy is beginning to stabilize and progress out of the slump created by the global recession.” The Governor is particularly concerned that poor families throughout the state would be hurt the most by the higher energy prices that would result from this tax increase since energy costs account for a higher percentage of the expenses for those at lower income levels. In addition, there would a disproportionate impact on gasoline expenses for neighbor island residents, as well as those on O‘ahu’s leeward coast, the ‘Ewa and Kapolei areas, the North Shore and rural windward communities because they must commute over greater distances. While one of the stated intents of the bill is to “establish a clean energy initiative to manage the state’s transition to a clean energy economy,” Governor Lingle noted that her Administration, in collaboration with the Legislature, federal government and community partners, has already made significant progress in this arena without the need for a regressive tax increase that would negatively impact every Hawai‘i resident and business and jeopardize our economic recovery. The Governor vetoed a similar measure last year. One of her main concerns in that bill was the impact the barrel tax hike would have on aviation fuel for commercial airlines. Under this current bill, legislators were sympathetic to the plight of the airlines that are reeling due to the downturn in tourism and exempted aviation fuel from the barrel tax increase. However, the entire $22 million annual tax burden would now shift to every other business in the state and ultimately all Hawai‘i consumers who are struggling to cope with today’s economic challenges. Read the Governor’s statement of objections about this bill here. (Report Provided by the Office of Governor Linda Lingle) NEWS FLASH - April 27, 2010 2:20 p.m. HST Voters to Decide Who Picks BOE Members HONOLULU — A proposal permitting Hawaii's next governor to appoint members of the state Board of Education has cleared the Legislature and will face voters in November. Both the Senate and House approved the bill overwhelmingly Tuesday. The proposed constitutional amendment allows a governor to appoint the board after a transition period for the current publicly elected board. The state Senate would have to confirm the selections. Gov. Linda Lingle had wanted to give future governors the power to appoint the state school superintendent. But lawmakers chose instead to direct that authority at the school board. A companion bill due for a vote on Wednesday would limit a governor's appointees to those submitted by an advisory council. The bill is HB2376. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 27, 2010 1:50 p.m. HST New State Budget Avoids GET Increase, TA Tax Grab The state House and Senate today passed a $10 billion annual budget that avoids a broad increase in general excise taxes but hikes a variety of smaller taxes. The budget relies on tax increases worth more than $200 million, tax refund delays, cuts in government and transfers of special funds. Lawmakers are trying to balance the state's $1.3 billion projected deficit through June of next year. Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, a Democrat, says the budget didn't have to resort to an increase in the general excise tax, which is paid on nearly every transaction. Instead, the budget raises taxes on oil, some estates, cigarettes and other areas. Only one legislator voted no — Republican Sam Slom. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 27, 2010 1:40 p.m. HST Maui Leads Dramatic Jump in Visitor Arrivals, Spending HONOLULU
– Total expenditures by visitors who came by air in March 2010 rose
12.7 percent from the same month last year to $874.2 million, boosted
by increased arrivals and higher daily visitor spending, according
to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.
For the first quarter of 2010, total spending by air visitors Among the major islands, Maui led the growth in visitor spending (+25.2%, to $257.7 million), and arrivals (+14.2%). Contributing to these strong gains were new air services added in March 2010 to Maui from Edmonton, Calgary, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Jose and Sacramento and new routes to Maui that began in late 2009. In total, there were 607,709 air and cruise visitors in March 2010, up 9.3 percent from last March. All top four visitor markets showed gains in arrivals by air compared to March 2009: Canada (+17.3%), U.S. West (+9.2%), U.S. East (+7.9%) and Japan (+6.5%). In addition, first quarter 2010 results showed exceptional growth in visitor arrivals from Other Asia (+48.6%), in particular Korea (+90.8%) and China (+23.4%), compared to first quarter 2009. View The entire report, including island-by-island stats here. (Report Provided by The Hawai'i Tourism Authosity) NEWS FLASH - April 27, 2010 8:50 a.m. HST Maui's Pacific Biodiesel Earms 'Deal of The Year' from Venture Capital Group Pacific Biodiesel Inc. has won the venture capital Deal of the Year award from the Hawaii Venture Capital Association for its fundraising efforts to expand to the Big Island with a biofuel plant. The Kahului-based company founded by Kelly and Bob King, has plants on Maui and O'ahu among the 10 plants it has built in the U.S. and Japan. The company was the first to operate a retail biodiesel pump in the U.S. Its technology involves processing fats, oils, greases and other waste into biodiesel. Pacific Biodiesel's Mainland partners include entertainer Willie Nelson as well as several NBA coaches, including Maui resident Don Nelson. Deal of the Year runner-up honors went to ClearFuels Technology Inc., another biofuel company that's beginning to make headlines with a process for producing biofuel from agricultural waste. Honorable mention went to Hawaii Angels, an investment network for seed-level private equity investors. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 27, 2010 7:20 a.m. HST Proposed Maui Lani Shopping Center Scaled Back The developer of a proposed Safeway-anchored shopping center in Wailuku, Maui, has downsized its plan and modified traffic access to address community concerns. HRT Ltd., a subsidiary of the nonprofit Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, hopes the modifications will allow it to proceed with construction of Maui Lani Shopping Center, an estimated $20 million project that would give growing Wailuku a major supermarket. HRT disclosed details of its revised plan in a draft environmental assessment recently filed with the state. The revisions were made in reaction to concerns raised three years ago primarily by residents of the Sandhills subdivision adjacent to the vacant 13-acre project site zoned for urban use. HRT said it reduced the size of the complex by about 20 percent, from 130,000 square feet to 105,098 square feet, and eliminated a proposed entry and exit from Kainani Street, which connects to Sandhills. The developer said the project's smaller size will reduce the number of projected customer visits to the center and lessen traffic. Changes for accessing the center include relocating an entry and exit from Kainani to Maui Lani Parkway. The change means there would be two access points on Maui Lani Parkway, though one would allow only right turns in and out. A third access point, an entry-only lane for right turns from Ka'ahumanu Avenue, also was added. Sandhills residents had expressed concerns the previous plan, which had the blessing of the state Department of Transportation, would lead shoppers to cut through the older neighborhood, which has narrow streets without sidewalks or shoulders. HRT has been working on plans for the retail center for roughly five years. If the developer can obtain necessary regulatory approvals, including an OK from the county Planning Commission, construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months. Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 27, 2010 6:50 a.m. HST Gusty Winds at Summit Prompt Wind Advisory 1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a WIND ADVISORY for the HALEAKALA SUMMIT in effect until 6:00 p.m. THIS EVENING. A Wind Advisory means that winds of 30 mph are expected. 2. EFFECTS: Expect east winds of 25 to 35 KT with higher gusts today. These windy conditions will likely continue through tonight. 3. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION. SECURE ANY LOOSE OBJECTS THAT MAY BECOME AIRBORNE OR MOVE THEM INDOORS. 4. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided by Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - April 26, 2010 5:20 p.m. HST South Shore Waves Continue to Pound 1.
EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has CONTINUED
the HIGH SURF ADVISORY for SOUTH FACING SHORES of ALL ISLANDS in effect
until 6:00 p.m. TUESDAY. 2. EFFECTS: Surf along all south facing shores of all Hawaiian Islands will be 6 to 10 feet Monday night and Tuesday. Forecast surf heights are estimates of the height of the face or front of waves. A high tide of approximately 1.8 feet is expected between 1:02 a.m. and 2:20 a.m. tomorrow morning. The next high tide of approximately 2.7 feet is expected between 2:43 p.m. and 3:41 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. 3. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: BEACH GOERS ARE URGED TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER AND WELL AWAY FROM THE SHORE BREAK DUE TO THE HAZARDOUS WAVE ACTION AND STRONG RIP CURRENTS. 4. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided by Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - April 26, 2010 3:15 p.m. HST Governor Vetoes Mandated Workforce Bill HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today vetoed a bill that would have mandated the makeup of the workforce on state and county public construction works projects. The bill, SB2840 SD2 HD1, would impose an ambiguous quota system that would impair contractors’ flexibility to maintain a workforce that is responsive to the specific changing needs of a project. This bill would further stretch the limited resources and staffing of state and county agencies that award the contracts by adding the burden of having to monitor and enforce the quota requirements, as well as verify the residency status of each contractor's employees. While the bill has been touted as a job creation measure, the end result would likely discourage job creation by increasing project costs to taxpayers, as well as increasing the likelihood of project delays due to additional grounds for protests by contractors who are not selected. “I support the creation of local jobs for local residents,” Governor Linda Lingle said in message to legislators detailing her objections to the bill and her reasons for vetoing it. “However, this measure does not create jobs because it does not incentivize any new economic activity.” Numerous contractors and construction industry representatives oppose this measure, including the General Contractors Association, which represents 570 general contractors, subcontractors and construction-related firms. Others opposing the bill include the Hawai‘i Developers Council, Building Industry Association, Associated Builders and Contractors – Hawai‘i Chapter, Project Plus and Royal Contracting Co. “I am persuaded by the objections of these organizations and contracting companies because they are the job creators,” Governor Lingle explained. The bill would require contractors awarded public construction contracts to employ a workforce consisting of at least 80 percent Hawai‘i residents. In addition to ensuring their own workforce meets the mandated quota, contractors would need to monitor the workforce composition of any subcontractors they hire at $50,000 or more. Contractors who do not meet the requirements would be subject to sanctions, including temporary suspension of the contract, payment withholdings, disqualification from the project, recovery of contract payments and disbarment or suspension. However, the compliance requirements under this bill are ill-defined, ambiguous and complex for both contractors as well as state and county agencies that must monitor and enforce compliance. The bill is vague on whether the 80 percent requirement must be maintained every day the project is underway or over the duration of the contract. In addition, the language does not specify if the 80 percent quota applies only to jobsite staff or all contractor staff, including administrative and managerial personnel. Based on the criteria of the bill, contractors would be responsible for verifying the residency status of a potential worker, which in some cases would require determining the worker’s intent to establish residency in Hawai‘i. The 80 percent residency requirement would impose on contractors the difficult task of ascertaining prior to the start of a contract the total number of workers and the total number of hours required for a particular project, and then identifying the workers to meet the requirement. The quota would impair contractors’ ability to add workers that are needed throughout the course of the project and would require the constant juggling of workers – adding and deleting individuals – to avoid violating the 80 percent requirement. The Governor's statement of objectives about this bill can be read here. (Report Provided by the Office of Governor Linda Lingle) NEWS FLASH - April 26, 2010 6:45 a.m. HST Clifford Ah Mow, One of Original Hokule'a Crew, Laid to Rest The ashes of Hawaiian waterman, surfer, lifeguard and paddler Clifford K. Ah Mow, one of the original 17 crew members on the Hokule'a's historic voyage to Tahiti, were placed into the sea off the Waikiki Natatorium yesterday morning. With family members observing from the outrigger canoe Oxbow, Ah Mow's son, Clifford "Pake" Ah Mow Jr., scattered his father's ashes from a surfboard about a mile offshore under a warm, bright, late morning sun. A gentle breeze lifted the yellow and white plumeria blossoms that were scattered by family and other well-wishers who surrounded the Hokule'a, bobbing in the calm, azure ocean in canoes and on surfboards, powered watercraft and paddle boards. Earlier, hundreds of Ah Mow's friends gathered outside the Waikiki Natatorium. In his eulogy, Kimo Hugho described Ah Mow as "an amphibious phenomenon" when he entered the water. Hugho said his father and two brothers, who also served as Waikiki lifeguards, recalled a "perfect swan dive that was of Olympic quality" that Ah Mow had made off the Natatorium's high tower. "Agile and powerful," Hugho said, "he presented a picture of style and grace not only in his high-diving skills, but also with his fluid movement in competitive volleyball games at the Natatorium." Ah Mow died at his home in East Oahu on Feb. 22 after a bout with cancer. He was 67. Aboard the double-hulled sailing canoe were four surviving members of the voyage's original 17: Hugho, Billy Richards, Abraham "Snake" Ah Hee and John Kruse. Also joining in the on-board tribute was master navigator Nainoa Thompson, who was on the return voyage from Tahiti to Oahu 34 years ago. Thompson recalled sitting on the beach at Kualoa on March 8, 1975, the day before the Hokule'a was launched, and thinking that the canoe had become "a symbol of hope and healing and a symbol of change." Before the historic voyage, the Hawaiian language was not taught in island public schools, and "we were headed toward cultural extinction." What has happened since then could have not occurred, Thompson said, if the 17 men had not successfully sailed to Tahiti. "If they had never made it to Tahiti," Thompson added, "the Hokule'a would be just another failed symbol of things Hawaiian that were never finished." Before the service, Richards, 62, said he recalls the last time the Hokule'a anchored off Waikiki was in 1975 during a training voyage. "There are many good memories," added Richards, a crew member on most of Hokule'a's historic voyages. "They come flooding back. This is Clifford's home. We are going to miss him." Kruse, 67, said there are efforts to build another double-hulled canoe -- Namahoe -- on Kauai to carry on the tradition of the Hokule'a. "It is an honor to come here," Kruse added. "It is good to celebrate Clifford's life." "It's beautiful here," added Ka'iulani Murphy, who first sailed with Ah Mow five years ago to Maui. "Clifford is resting here ... here in his ocean, his water." Other Hokule'a crew members on the first Hawaii-Tahiti voyage who have died include Rodo Tuku Williams, Kawika Kapahulehua, Charles "Tommy" Holmes, Sam Kalalau, David B.K. "Dave" Lyman III, Douglas "Dukie" Kuahulu and David Henry Lewis. Reach Gregg K. Kakesako at gkakesako@starbulletin.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Bulletin) NEWS FLASH - April 25, 2010 7:50 p.m. HST Governor Offers Insights on 'Rainy Day Fund' Solution, Urges Voluntary Return This afternoon Governor Linda Lingle issued the following statement in response to the State Legislature's decision to use a portion of the state's "Rainy Day Fund" to help bring an end to Furlough Fridays for Hawai'i students: “I believe it is still possible to return children to their classrooms both this school year and next. “On Wednesday the Legislature will vote on a bill, SB 2124, that appropriates up to $67 million to restore instructional days for the 2010-2011 school year. I urge them to pass this measure. Without this bill we will be facing 17 school furlough days when school resumes in the fall. “The Hawai‘i State Teachers Association has stated they will agree to allowing children back into the classroom for six days when teachers are paid, but children are not present. I am glad the teachers union has offered this. “I am prepared to release up to $57.2 million to restore the remaining 11 days next school year so that children can come back to school. Further, in the spirit of recognizing that each school knows what is best for their students, I am encouraging schools to make the decision on what personnel they need or do not need to reopen their campuses. “Unfortunately the pending legislation does not make hurricane relief money available to me to end furloughs until July 1, 2010. This still leaves us with three school furlough days this year. “I have met teachers, principals, and education officials who tell me they want to return to the classroom. This is encouraging. I therefore am calling upon teachers and principals to voluntarily agree to come back for the remaining three days this school year. This would be a welcome and significant gesture to heal our community. “I also believe any hurricane relief funds not used to end school furloughs should be returned to the hurricane relief account. Sooner or later there will be another hurricane in Hawai‘i. When that happens, we will be glad to realize that there is adequate money in that account.” (Report Provided by the Office of Governor Linda Lingle) NEWS FLASH - April 25, 2010 4:40 p.m. HST South Shores Expecting Big Surf This Week 1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has ISSUED a HIGH SURF ADVISORY for SOUTH FACING SHORES of ALL ISLANDS in effect from 6:00 p.m. this evening to 6:00 p.m. TUESDAY. A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion. 2. EFFECTS: Swells generated by a storm low southeast of New Zealand last week Sunday will arrive tonight. The swells will put advisory level surf on south facing shores through Tuesday. Surf
along south facing shores will rise to 6 to 10 feet tonight and will
continue in that range through Tuesday. A high tide of approximately 2.0 feet is expected between 1:11 a.m. and 2:10 a.m. tomorrow morning. The next high tide of approximately 2.5 feet is expected between 2:23 p.m. and 3:13 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. 3. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: BEACH GOERS ARE URGED TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER AND WELL AWAY FROM THE SHORE BREAK DUE TO THE HAZARDOUS WAVE ACTION AND STRONG RIP CURRENTS. 4. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided by Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - April 25, 2010 10:20 a.m. HST Repeat Offender Suspected in Upcountry Goat Thefts An apparent serial goat-napper in upcountry Maui has stolen two beloved goats from a cheese farm and may have taken others. Thomas Kafsack, co-owner of Surfing Goat Dairy, said after making a public plea for the return of his two goats last week, he learned that others have lost goats in the area over the last month. One customer told him someone stole his breeding buck and a neighbor said three pregnant nanny goats were nabbed. Kafsack surmises that the thief may be trying to start his own goat milk farm. The first goat, Choctaw, quietly disappeared from the pen last Sunday. Then on Tuesday, someone had opened the herd's gate and let the animals out. Rally, one of the nanny goats, appeared wearing an unknown leash. He surmised that the thief tried to take Rally, but she ran away. That's was when Dea, the second kidnapped goat, disappeared. The experience has been a downer for the Kafsacks, who own the award-winning goat cheese farm on the slopes of Haleakala in lower Kula. "We are all a little bit depressed going through this here," Kafsack said, adding that it is like missing two friends that he's helped from birth to motherhood. "You have a lot of connection to those goats," he said. Choctaw and Dea are both French Alpine goats and were probably selected for their beauty and potential as milking goats, rather than for their meat because both were skinny from recently giving birth, Kafsack said. "Both have huge eyes," he said. Choctaw was Kafsack's favorite, while Dea was one of the best milkers and "very affectionate." The theft also hit the small business in the pocketbook. Each goat is worth about $400, and the two goats produced about $200 worth of cheese each week that the farm now cannot produce. It will take about 18 months to rear two more milking goats. Since the theft, Kafsack has pieced together more clues. He said a friend noticed the goats tied up in the back of a pickup truck on Wednesday and a neighbor noticed a similar truck in the area last Sunday. He said two suspicious men came around asking for fresh milk on Sunday but left angrily when he told them it was illegal to sell raw milk. To thwart more thefts, the Kafsacks have placed locks on the gates and are working to install security cameras along the road. Anyone with information is asked to call the dairy at 878-2870. Reach Rob Shikina at rshikina@starbulletin.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Horizon Lines Posts Major First-Quarter Loss Shipping operator Horizon Lines Inc. posted a wider-than-expected first-quarter loss as fuel and labor costs rose and container volumes fell on all routes other than its Hawai'i/Guam service. Horizon, the second largest shipper serving Hawai'i, lost $13.2 million, or 43 cents per share, compared with a loss of $10 million, or 33 cents per share, a year earlier, the company reported yesterday. "During the quarter, we faced ongoing rate pressures, high fuel costs and increased contractual labor expenses relative to last year, and we expect these to continue," said Chuck Raymond, Horizon's chairman, president and chief executive officer. Excluding charges for legal expenses and severance costs, Horizon said its adjusted loss was 39 cents per share. Analysts on average expected an adjusted loss of 25 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters. Revenue rose 5 percent to $286.1 million. Horizon said container volumes fell by 1.9 percent from the same quarter a year earlier due primarily to weak market conditions in Puerto Rico and Alaska. Meanwhile, Horizon registered a modest volume increase on its Hawai'i/Guam route. "Our business in Hawai'i is reflecting a modest economic recovery and Alaska is stabilizing," Raymond said. "Hawai'i and Guam have improved nicely. They're up a couple of percentage points in March and we're seeing the same in April." Horizon's shares fell 56 cents to close at $5.53 yesterday on the New York Stock Exchange. Reach Alan Yonan Jr. at ayonan@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 24, 2010 11:20 a.m. HST Legislators Pluck $67 Million From Rainy Day Fund to End Furloughs
Rep. Roy Takumi, Education Committee chairman said: "We believe if there is anyway we can end the furlough days, this is our contribution. As a Legislature here are some dollars -- $67 million." The bill now goes to a final vote next week in both the House and Senate and then to Gov. Linda Lingle for her approval. The bill stipulates that the money can only be used to restore three public school instructional days this year and 17 the next school year. As lawmakers faced a midnight deadline to get approval on conference version of bills, there was no action on a general excise tax increase. Instead legislators corralled a series of small tax increases to balance the state budget. Lawmakers have agreed to allow delays in paying state income tax refunds, increasing the oil barrel tax (proposing an increase of 2.5 cents per gallon of gasoline) and raising the tax on cigarettes. Yesterday, a House-Senate conference committee flirted with last year's highway modernization plan, but House negotiators rejected it last night. The plan would have raised the six-year Transportation Department construction budget to $4.2 billion from $1.5 billion. A portion of it would have been funded by increases in the state fuel tax, car registration fees and the vehicle weight tax and would have made permanent a $3 increase in rental car taxes. The state estimated that the taxes would cost $170 a year for the average Hawaii motorist. While Senate conference managers said they were willing to move ahead with a compromise proposal, state Rep. Marcus Oshiro, House Finance Committee chairman, said the bill did not have support. At 12;26 this morning House Speaker Calvin Say and Senate President Colleen Hanabusa announced that the hotel room tax bill was dead for the year. That means the state will not be able to take any of the $94 million in hotel taxes to balance the state budget. "Whatever is in its present form remains in its present form," said Hanabusa. Rep. Blake Oshiro, House Democratic leader said the house never felt the room tax money was needed this year, although the senate had wanted to take half of it. "Ultimately it was decided that it was an issue that if we need it, we can come back to it next year," Oshiro said. The county mayors attended the conference committee meetings last night, hoping they could persuade legislators to keep money going to the counties. Legislators say they are adopting major portions of Gov. Lingle's budget cut plan to balance the budget. For instance, they accepted Lingle's delay on paying state income tax refunds, which she calculates will save the state $275 million. Also, the state Legislature has sent to Lingle a bill that would increase the tax on a barrel of oil imported to Hawaii and increase cigarette taxes. Also last night the conference committees took $23 million from the rainy day fund to fund social service agencies, including $3 million for Kupuna Care and $1.5 million for Healthy Start and other programs that had been canceled in the Lingle version of the budget. Another last-minute agreement will raise the service fee on rental cars at local airports. The increase from $1 to $4.50 was requested by the rental agencies to build new centralized car rental locations. The state also has a $3 state tax on rental cars. Reach Richard Borreca at rborecca@starbulletin.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Bulletin) NEWS FLASH - April 24, 2010 7:10 a.m. HST Counties' Share of TA Tax Spared in Budget County mayors dodged what could have been a crippling loss to their budgets last night when state lawmakers chose not to scoop hotel-room tax revenue to help with the state's budget deficit. All four mayors sat expectantly in a third-floor conference room at the state Capitol waiting with the public for several hours while, in closed-door talks, budget negotiators determined they did not need to take any of the roughly $100 million in hotel-room tax revenue that counties share annually. The money is a major source of county revenue, behind property taxes, and mayors told lawmakers that losing it would likely lead to higher property taxes and cuts to county programs. State lawmakers suggested on Thursday night that they might not need the money to close a $1.2 billion deficit through June 2011, but official word did not come until after the midnight deadline to have bills ready for final votes next week had expired. "My colleagues and I worked very hard to make a strong case about how important this was to the counties," Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said. "We balanced our budgets based on being able to keep the hotel-room tax, and we're just very grateful that many members of the Legislature saw it that way and were able to make us whole." The transient accommodations tax -- commonly known as the hotel-room tax -- is imposed on the operators of hotels, condominiums, and beach houses rented to tourists and short-term visitors. The tax is passed on to visitors. Counties receive a share of the revenue to help offset the cost of providing services to tourists. Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi said that if lawmakers had taken the revenue, it would have essentially shifted the tax burden to county residents. "They made a tough decision to preserve this very important source of revenue for all of the counties," he said. "And I think all of us, as mayors, as chief executives of each of the counties, recognize how very fortunate we are." Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares said losing the revenue would have been unfair. "We feel that, rightfully so, we should get it because we have to deal with the impacts of tourism, that's fire, police, lifeguards on the beach, water, sewer, everything," she said. "So why shouldn't they pay a fair share of that?" Kaua'i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr., said it was important for mayors to show a united front to lawmakers. "I believe that tonight shows that we stood firm on what we believed in," he said. Gov. Linda Lingle had proposed taking all of the hotel-room tax revenue from the counties to help with the deficit. The House budget draft would have capped the counties' share at $94 million, the amount counties received this year, and skimmed any revenue that came in higher for the state. The Senate had wanted to place the cap at $50 million, scooping at least $44 million for the state. Negotiators considered various proposals in between but finally decided to leave the counties whole. A t times last night, the mayors were invited to speak privately with lawmakers. But for most of the evening, the mayors waited with the advocates, lobbyists, and state department staff who had gathered in Room 309 to learn the fate of their bills. The mayors sat together in the front row, just a few feet from House and Senate negotiators whenever they appeared at the conference committee table. State Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa), the lead House budget negotiator, said the mayors' presence brought an added pressure to the discussion. "But I think, also, they bring a true face to the discussion here," he said. "And I think it's quite compelling when you hear from Mayor Kenoi from the Big Island or Tavares from Maui or Carvalho from Kaua'i, they're telling you that they're wrestling with the same issues and they're facing the same challenges." "So we're very sensitive to that." Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 6:45 p.m. HST Esaki Assumes Rocky CFO Slot at ML&P Financially hobbled Maui Land & Pineapple Co. has hired a new chief financial officer after John Durkin, who held the position for a year, has resigned. Durkin resigned Tuesday and Maui Land announced his departure yesterday. Veteran accountant Tim T. Esaki will take over as CFO May 10 with a $160,000 annual salary. Esaki has been deputy director of Hawai'i County's Department of Public Works since last year. Before that he spent six years as senior vice president of finance and accounting for 1250 Oceanside Partners, which developed the controversial Big Island luxury community Hokuli'a that created 750 home lots primarily around a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course on agriculture land. Before Oceanside, Esaki had spent 13 years with accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP specializing in hotel and resort operations and other areas. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 4:35 p.m. HST Aiona Responds to SHOPO Endorsement for Hannemann HONOLULU
- Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today issued the following statement in
response to the State of Hawai`i Organization of Police Officers'
(SHOPO) endorsement of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann for Governor: (Report Provided by The Friends of Duke Aiona) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 4:25 p.m. HST SHOPO Endorses Hannemann for Governor HONOLULU
– Today, the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO)
announced its endorsement of Mufi Hannemann for governor. SHOPO represents
over 2,800 police officers statewide and has historically chosen to
support gubernatorial candidates who’ve demonstrated a consistent
track record of supporting public safety and have a first-hand understanding
of the daily challenges faced by local law enforcement. Working collaboratively
with other first responders and law enforcement officials at the state
and federal levels is also of prime importance to SHOPO. (Report Provided By the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers)
Three More Convicted in Largest-Ever Maui Drug Raid HONOLULU — Three more defendants have been convicted in connection with the largest drug seizure in Maui history. A federal jury in Fresno, Calif., has found Eustorgio Flores, Pioquinto Larios Santacruz and Rodolfo F. Suarez Jr. guilty of drug conspiracy. They face a minimum of 20 years to a maximum of life imprisonment. Five other California defendants, including Flores' wife, Hortencia, entered guilty pleas before trial. Police recovered 18 pounds of cocaine and 6 pounds of crystal methamphetamine worth more than $1 million when they raided Patrick Aniban's Kahului home in January 2007. Aniban was sentenced to 20 years in prison. At least three other defendants, including his wife, Ohia, were also convicted. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 3:45 p.m. HST Akaku To Start Charging Producers KAHULUI, HI, April 23 – Akaku: Maui Community Television is introducing an annual service fee that entitles all Akaku Certified Producers to reduced class and event admission fees as well as ongoing use of field equipment, studio and media lab facilities. The Akaku Production Associate (APA) fee is $35.00 and payment is required of all certified producers by July 1st. Producers can pay the fee by calling Akaku or at the front desk. “The APA fee will allow Akaku to continue to carry out our core mission of 'Empowering the Community’s Voice through Access to Media' by helping support the maintenance of the equipment. This small contribution made by our community producers will substantially help us continue to provide a robust level of service to all of Maui Nui,” said Linda Puppolo, Administrative Services Director. For more information or a list of classes please visit www.akaku.org or call 808-871-5554. (Report Provided by Akaku: Maui Community Television) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 2:05 p.m. HST New State Law Would Make Graffiti 'Taggers' More Accountable HONOLULU. House and Senate negotiators in conference committee yesterday advanced a bill that would make those convicted of graffiti damage more accountable for their actions. The bill, House Bill 2129 H.D. 1 S.D. 1, would require a person convicted of criminal property damage involving graffiti to remove the graffiti within 30 days of sentencing and to perform community service over a time period that cannot exceed 2 years. With this bill, judges can require perpetrators to remove any graffiti within 100 feet of the offense. The bill was introduced by State Representative Henry Aquino (35 - Pearl City, Waipahu). The freshman lawmaker represents a district on Oahu where graffiti is rampant and for years has been an everyday battle. "This measure sends clear messages of deterrence and accountability,” said Rep. Aquino. “If you break the law, you will invest a lot of time and effort in paying for the crime. The community has tolerated this for quite some time, and we are now getting tougher on graffiti-related crimes. I believe this will help to decrease the number of incidents in our neighborhoods." The bill will go before the House and Senate floor next week for a full vote, and, if passed, will go to the governor for signing. The bill will become law upon approval. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Office of the Legislature) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 1:45 p.m. HST Harming or Killing A Monk Seal Now a Felony HONOLULU - On Wednesday April 21, 2010 the Hawaii State Legislature passed Senate Bill 2441, upping the penalty for killing or harming a Hawaiian Monk Seal. Senate Bill 2441 changes the existing misdemeanor penalty to a felony in the Endangered Species Section of the Hawaii State Statutes. A felony penalty can receive up to $50,000 and/or up to a year in jail. Senate Bill 2441, introduced by Senator Gary Hooser of Kauai, endured much debate and was amended several times before passing the final vote in the Senate and the House on Wednesday. Senator Hooser said, “I want to thank my colleagues and the people of Hawaii for helping to move this urgent legislation to protect Hawaii’s wildlife and our precious ecosystems. This bill emerged from a deep concern from monk seal advocates throughout the state, especially on Kauai and Molokai, where three seals were recently killed. The Save Our Seal advocates convinced me of the need to send a strong message to all residents and visitors that it is criminal, culturally and morally unacceptable and just not “pono” to harm this unique Hawaiian species that is on the verge of extinction. “ Keiko Bonk, The Save Our Seal (SOS) Campaign Coordinator, steered the public support for Senate Bill 2441, as well as the support for two other endangered species initiatives that did not make it through the 2010 legislative session. The SOS Campaign is a consortium of non-government conservation and cultural advocacy groups and individuals who work on developing policies, adequate government support and community outreach to recover the endemic Hawaiian monk seal. Bonk said, “All our seal friends throughout Hawaii appreciate the passing of SB 2441 by our state legislators. This is a great start to inform our residents and visitors of their responsibility to seriously care for our monk seals and other Hawaii wildlife found nowhere else on earth. This is a grand gesture for Earth Day 2010. The SOS Campaign will continue to reach out to Hawaii’s community and ask for everyone’s help to recover this important iconic species.” Bonk continued, “It is my hope that the monk seal will teach us the importance of learning to “cohabitate” with life in the wild rather than to continue our current path of destruction of the most amazing and complex life on earth”. There are fewer than 150 monk seals in the Main Hawaiian Islands and by contrast we have 1.2 million human residents. The human resident population in the Main Islands outnumbers monk seals by appropriately 8,000 to 1. This ratio does not factor in the approximate 6.5 million annual visitors to Hawaii who also frequent our ocean and consume ocean resources. Human beings are the biggest threat to monk seals just by the fact that people greatly outnumber this species and people dominate most of the Main Hawaiian Island ocean and near shore habitat. Human beings have rapidly depleted 90 percent of the oceans resources throughout the world and we now are faced with complex challenges for better managing the remaining 10 percent of the oceans' natural resources. The recovery of our local monk seal is just one species, but it is an iconic species that serves as a challenge for our human species as we work to recover and restore healthy and abundant ocean ecosystems. The Hawaiian monk seal is America’s most critically endangered endemic marine mammal. The federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) as well as the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) protects our Hawaiian Seal. It is a serious federal crime to hurt or kill a seal under the federal laws and now the adoption of SB2441 by the State of Hawaii conforms to the felony penalties for killing or harming monk seals under the federal protection. (Report Provided by The Marine Conservation Biology Institute) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 1:05 p.m. HST Seabury Hall's Clark Leads List of Presidential Scholar Nominees HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today congratulated six Hawai‘i students who have been selected as semifinalists in the 2010 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The six students, four from O‘ahu, one from Maui and one from the Big Island, are among 560 semifinalists from across the nation. Each year, up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. The scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s young people. Hawai‘i’s Presidential Scholars semifinalists are: Lauren E. Clark, Seabury Hall Nolan M. Kamitaki, Waiakea High School Kathryn M. Lau, Punahou School Eric J. Liaw, Punahou School Caitlin E. Mori, Sacred Hearts Academy George H. Tang, Punahou School “Hawai‘i is proud of these six outstanding scholars who have excelled academically and who have made positive contributions to their school and community,” said Governor Lingle. “As these young Hawai‘i scholars continue their academic pursuits and prepare for their careers, I have great confidence that they will be strong leaders and role models in our state and nation.” Of the nearly 3.2 million graduating high school seniors in the country, approximately 3,000 students were identified as candidates in this program. Only 560 semifinalists were selected. Earlier this year, 42 Hawai‘i students were identified as Presidential Scholar candidates based on their academic accomplishments, including their scores on the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment. The six Hawai‘i semifinalists will be among the pool from which the 2010 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be chosen. The Presidential Scholars are expected to be announced next month. Participation in the program is by invitation only; students do not apply individually, nor do their schools nominate them. (Report Provided by the Office of Governor Linda Lingle) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 11:05 a.m. HST 'Procedural Flaw' Prompts Judge Cardoza to Toss Pot Case WAILUKU — Saying there was a flaw in the procedure used to obtain a grand jury indictment, 2nd Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza yesterday dismissed charges against six defendants in an alleged marijuana trafficking operation tied to a Paia-based medical marijuana advocacy group. "This ruling is not an attempt by the court to rewrite the medical marijuana laws in the state of Hawaii," Cardoza said. "This is not a ruling on the merits of anyone's case. "The court concludes that the procedure followed before the grand jury was flawed. Dismissal without prejudice is warranted." Because the dismissal was without prejudice, the prosecution could again seek an indictment in the case. Deputy Prosecutor Timothy Tate said that will be done. The defendants were among seven people arrested in November 2008 as part of "Operation Weedkiller." Police reported seizing hundreds of marijuana plants and clones, processed and unprocessed marijuana, drug paraphernalia, cash and a vehicle during a two-year investigation. The probe centered on the medical marijuana advocacy group Patients Without Time, which police said exploited medical marijuana laws to sell the drug to hundreds of people. Those arrested included Brian Murphy, 53, who founded and heads the group; Brian Igersheim, 31, of Makawao; Stuart Hirotsu, 48, of Wailuku; William "Bill" Cox, 48, of Haiku; John Cooper, 40, of Kihei; and Robert "Bobby" Armitage, 58, of Wailuku. All had pleaded not guilty to criminal conspiracy, with some of the defendants facing additional drug charges as well. Wailuku attorney Ben Lowenthal, representing Igersheim, filed the motion seeking the dismissal of charges, with the other defendants joining in. At issue was the grand jury testimony of Keith Kamita, chief of the state Narcotics Enforcement Division, who administers Hawaii's medical marijuana law. Lowenthal said Kamita provided a "misleading" legal opinion. In addition to explaining how the medical marijuana program works, Kamita testified about some of the defendants' participation in the program. "This is a very fair proceeding," Tate said. "Due process was not violated at all." He said the only error was Kamita's testimony that Murphy did not have a valid medical marijuana card at the time. Because of that testimony, attorney Chris Dunn said his client Murphy was prejudiced by being "portrayed as a complete scofflaw." Murphy did have an active card, Tate said. But he said that in two raids, police found Murphy with "pounds of marijuana, well in excess of the statutes" limiting the amount of marijuana that a patient can have. Cardoza said transcripts of the grand jury hearing indicate that Kamita was asked "30 or more questions" that might be considered questions of law. After Tate asked Kamita questions, including requirements for obtaining a medical marijuana permit and limits on amounts, grand jurors also began asking Kamita questions relating to the law, Cardoza said. "We have a witness uniquely qualified to talk about how the medical marijuana laws work in this state," Cardoza said. "There are a number of questions that are purely questions of law that could have and should have been answered by the grand jury counsel." He said grand jurors' legal questions should be directed to the grand jury counsel, who under Hawaii law is assigned to receive such questions, conduct legal research and provide appropriate answers. "This court can't put a stamp of approval on using a witness to fulfill that role," Cardoza said. Reach Lila Fujimoto at lfujimoto@mauinews.com. (Report Provided by The Maui News) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 10:45 a.m. HST Registration Maui County 2010 Junior Lifeguard Program to Start May 1st WAILUKU - The Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation will begin registration for the 2010 Jr. Lifeguard Program on May 1, 2010. The two-week Jr. Lifeguard program was designed to train boys and girls ages 11 to 17 in lifesaving water skills and to develop an awareness of beach hazards and ocean conditions. Participants will become familiar with First Aid and CPR techniques, while improving their health and fitness. Both beach and pool programs will be offered. To qualify for the beach program, registrants must be 13 to 17 years of age and be able to swim 400 yards in 12 minutes. To qualify for the pool program, registrants must be 11 to 17 years of age and swim 100 yards in three minutes. The beach program will be held at north, south and west district locations, as well as in Hana and on Lanai. The pool program will be offered at the Kahului Pool and Kihei Pool. Both programs have two sessions: June 14-25 and July 12-23, and will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration will take place May 1st and 8th from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Hanakaoo Beach Park, Kamaole I Beach Park and Baldwin Beach Park; and on May 3rd from 2 to 4 p.m. at Kihei Aquatic Center and the Kahului Pool. The Lanai 2010 Jr. Lifeguard Program runs June 21-25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hulopoe Beach Park. Those interested should call Veronica Del Rosario at the County’s Parks and Recreation Department at 565-6979. Registration begins May 3rd. The Hana 2010 Jr. Lifeguard Program runs July 12-16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hana Bay. Those interested should call Stanley Akoi at the County’s Parks and Recreation Department at 248-7022. Registration begins May 3rd. For all programs, there is a $15 suggested donation, payable by check to “Hawaiian Lifeguard Association – Maui Chapter.” For more information contact Fran Yamamoto at the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 270-7138. (Report Provided By The Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 8:15 a.m. HST 'Young Artists' Showcase' Lasts One More Week at Maui Mall KAHULUI, Maui, Hawaii-The County of Maui and the Maui Sister Cities Foundation announced today that the public has until April 29th to view the free public art display at the Maui County Business Resource Center at the Maui Mall, across from IHOP. The display may be viewed from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The showcase includes 10 pieces of art, winning entries from the international Young Artist Showcase competition, that have made a stop on Maui during a 12-city tour across the country. All
entries reflect the theme “Your Path to Peace” and celebrate the uniqueness
of cities, towns and communities throughout the world. In a related event, the winner of the 2010 Maui Young Artists Showcase was announced earlier this month as 17-year old Bianca Nicolas of Maui High School. Her winning entry “The People Who Make Me” took top honors with this year’s theme “Your World”. “The People Who Make Me” will be sent to the Sister Cities International Young Artist Showcase to be entered into this year’s competition. Since 1988, the Sister Cities International Young Artists Showcase has encouraged youth from around the globe to express their interpretation of promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, and the cooperation though one individual, one community at a time. For more information contact the Maui County Business Resource Center at 873-8247. (Report Provided By The Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 8 a.m. HST DLNR Seeks Comment on Establishment of New Natrual Reserve on Maui KAHULUI -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a public hearing on Maui on Wednesday, April 28, to receive testimony on the proposed withdrawal of sections of the Kahikinui Forest Reserve for designation as the Nakula Natural Area Reserve. An information meeting on the proposed change will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Kula Community Center, 3690 Lower Kula Road, followed immediately by the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Copies of the draft nomination and a map of the area can be viewed online at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/nakula.doc and are also available for inspection at the Division of Forestry and Wildlife office in Wailuku at 54 South High St., Room 101. Or contact Emma Yuen at the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife office in Honolulu at the Kalanimoku Building, Room 325, 1151 Punchbowl St. Honolulu, HI 96813 or via email at Emma.Yuen@hawaii.gov Any person may testify or present information at the public hearing. If you desire to attend the above meeting and require auxiliary aids (taped materials or sign language interpreter) please request assistance 10 working days prior to hearing by calling 587-4170. Persons unable to attend or wishing to present additional comments, may mail written testimony received no later than May 10, 2010 to the Chairperson, attn: Emma Yuen, P.O. Box 621 Honolulu, HI 96809, or via email at dlnr@hawaii.gov. (Report Provided By The Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 7:10 a.m. HST Whaling Commission Considering Hunts With Strict Quotas TOKYO — The International Whaling Commission has proposed allowing whales to be hunted under strict quotas, bringing the world a step closer to the first legal commercial whaling in nearly 25 years. The proposal, released late yesterday, would allow Japan, Norway and Iceland — which hunt whales under a variety of exceptions to a 1986 moratorium — to catch whales for 10 years, but under strict limits set by the IWC that would reduce the overall catch. The proposal would scrap the exceptions, which include reasons such as scientific research and which opponents have said were merely murky excuses for commercial whaling, and instead simply allow current whaling countries to hunt whales in limited numbers for commercial, research or other reasons. Japan's self-imposed annual quota of 935 Antarctic minke whales, which are not endangered, would be lowered to 400 over the next five years, then reduced to 200 for the next five years. The country's current take of 320 sei and minke whales in waters near Japan would be cut to 210. The proposal is an attempted compromise between pro-whaling nations and opponents such as the United States and Australia. The commission argues that allowing whaling under strict quotas would be an improvement to the current hunts, over which it has no control. Various small indigenous groups could continue to hunt in limited numbers. The IWC is preparing for a general meeting in June in Morocco, where it will debate the proposal. Environmental groups were quick to criticize the proposal, which they say could lead to an eventual return to the large-scale whaling of the past, which devastated many species. "At the moment, it appears that the whales are making all the concessions, not the whalers and this proposal keeps dying whaling industries alive and not the whales," said Greenpeace Japan Program Director Junichi Sato in a statement. Despite a 1986 moratorium on whaling, Japan hunts whales for scientific reasons. Excess meat is sold for consumption, leading critics to call the program a mere cover for commercial hunts. Norway and Iceland also defy the ban under other exceptions. Together, they have an annual cap of about 3,000 whales, 10 times as many as in 1993. The newest proposal from the commission's chairman suggested specific catch quotas for various species in specific waters. It would allow 69 bowhead whales, 145 gray whales, 14 humpbacks and 109 fin whales to be hunted each year around the world. Japanese officials were cautiously positive on the scheme, which would allow it to commercially hunt whales, including those close to its shores. "A catch quota for minke whales in Japanese small-type coastal whaling is our long-term cherished desire, and under the framework proposed by the chair, that desire can be realized," said Fisheries Agency official Toshinori Uoya. Japan started its annual scientific hunts along its northern coasts yesterday, aiming to catch up to 60 minke whales until early June. However, some criticized the proposed limits on minke hunts, which would be about half of Japan's current quota from research whaling. Agriculture Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu said Tokyo would "persistently continue negotiations" to address this "gap." But the proposed cap isn't much different from Japan's actual catch of minkes in the Antarctic because Japan's annual whaling expedition has been disrupted by ships from the conservationist group Sea Shepherd. Japan's catch from the Antarctic has fallen to about 500 whales in recent years. New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the IWC's proposal does not deliver what New Zealand wants — that it must be significantly better than the status quo and meet the country's commitment to end whaling in the southern ocean. "The catch limits proposed in the southern ocean are unrealistic. The proposal to include (endangered) fin whales in the southern ocean is inflammatory. New Zealanders will not accept this," he said in a statement. On the front lawn of New Zealand's Parliament, about 100 Greenpeace anti-whaling protesters today held black whale-tail placards aloft with "RIP?" written across them in white letters. The commission was formed in 1946 to deal with whaling issues and has 88 member countries. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 23, 2010 6:40 a.m. HST TA Tax Grab Still An Option As State Budget Battle Winds Down State House and Senate leaders reached agreement last night on a $10.2 billion state budget, but they will not decide until today whether they need to take hotel room tax revenue from the counties to close the deficit and balance the state's six-year financial plan. Budget negotiators last night were still calculating the savings from spending cuts to state programs and new revenue generated by several tax-related bills. If lawmakers determine they still have a hole, they could scoop some of the roughly $100 million in hotel room tax revenue that goes to counties each year. County mayors have asked lawmakers to avoid taking the revenue, warning that it could result in higher property taxes and cuts to county programs. "It's still slightly up in the air right now," said state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, D-14th (Halawa, Moanalua, Kamehameha Heights), the lead Senate budget negotiator. "We're cranking the final numbers on the revenues we have in play right now,"said state Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa), the lead House budget negotiator. "We're also walking through some of the other bills still out there for consideration, so we just want to keep it there." The supplemental budget, which will go before the full House and Senate for final approval, is $10.2 billion for the fiscal year that begins in July. The general-fund portion of the budget, over which lawmakers have the most control, is $4.9 billion. The budget draft is $75.6 million higher overall than Gov. Linda Lingle's recommendation in December, but $40 million less in general-fund spending. The actual difference in general-fund spending, however, is minimal depending how Medicaid adjustments are counted. The budget depends on separate tax- and fee-related bills to help close the state's $1.2 billion deficit through June 2011 and balance the six-year financial plan. Several tax and fee increases have already been approved and sent to Lingle — including an increase in the barrel tax — and negotiators presume that the Senate will follow through next week and vote to restrict high-technology investment tax credits and itemized tax deductions on the wealthy. Today, along with the hotel room tax, lawmakers will also consider how much money to divert from special funds and a tax conformity proposal to help with the deficit. Midnight is the deadline to have bills ready for final approval before lawmakers adjourn next week, so several other decisions, such as how much money from the state's hurricane relief fund should be reserved to reduce teacher furloughs, will also likely be made. Lawmakers spared the state Department of Education from deeper spending cuts than Lingle recommended but took more money from the University of Hawai'i. The budget draft would cut an additional $7.5 million from the university on top of the $56 million reduction the governor proposed. Lawmakers added $3.4 mil-lion for an updated per-pupil spending formula for charter schools, along with $1.9 million for facilities costs. Lawmakers also restored $3 million the governor had proposed cutting from public libraries. Budget negotiators added $1.3 million for specialty courts and service contracts in the Judiciary. Lawmakers also restored state positions for agriculture inspectors, child protective services and welfare case managers. Budget negotiators also reached agreement on a $1.7 billion capital improvement projects budget, which includes $48 million for the development of the University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu. House and Senate leaders avoided a broad-based tax increase to balance the budget, and both Kim and Oshiro dismissed talk from a handful of senators and Democratic activists of a late move to adopt a general-excise tax increase. "There is no general-excise tax that is part of this budget," Kim said. "And I'm happy about that. ..." Undeterred, several senators have circulated a proposal to increase the GET by 1 percentage point but offer tax credits to shield the poor and middle class. State Sen. Rosalyn Baker, D-5th (W. Maui, S. Maui), said the idea could be adopted if lawmakers discover in the next few days that the budget hole is larger than anticipated. "I think at some point, sooner rather than later, we're going to need additional revenue," she said. Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 22, 2010 4:55 p.m. HST All-Star, All-State Band to Represent Hawai'i in Macy's Parade in 2011 NEW YORK - Macy’s Parade officials today announced that they have selected the Hawai‘i All-State Marching Band to perform in the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. Every year as the spectacular event steps off at the sound of Let’s Have a Parade, the most coveted slots in the line-up of giant balloons, fantastic floats, clowns and performance groups, belongs to America’s best Marching Bands. The bands are huge crowd pleasers providing the musical pulse to the holiday revelry for the millions of spectators enjoying America’s Parade. The Hawai‘i All-State Marching Band, composed of band students from across the state will represent Hawai‘i in the world-famous holiday spectacular with their fantastic musical, marching and cultural artistry. “Marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an opportunity of a lifetime for Hawai‘i students. It is a unique chance to showcase their musical talent at one of the most popular national holiday events, while sharing the Aloha spirit with a worldwide audience of millions,” said Hawai‘i Governor Linda Lingle. “The practice and commitment by students from across the state who will be nominated to the Hawai‘i All-State Marching Band will enhance their overall educational experience. I am confident that when our 400 students march down the streets of New York City on Thanksgiving Day 2011 all the people of Hawai‘i will be proud of their performance and their accomplishments. I am so proud of our ‘ambassadors of music’.” “We are thrilled to extend this special invitation to the Hawai‘i All-State Marching Band for a performance slot in the 2011 Macy’s Parade. The joy and unbridled talent seen in Hawai‘i’s best high school musicians will surely delight the Parade’s millions of spectators. It is a testament to Hawai‘i’s exemplary music education that we are able to invite a band that will be put together with the best student musicians from across the state by a fantastic team lead by Mr. John Riggle,” said Wesley Whatley, associate creative director of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marks the ‘official’ start of the Christmas holiday season in America! Whether you are part of the millions of people who view it on national television, see it live on the streets of New York City, or better yet, have the amazing opportunity to actually perform ‘LIVE’ in the parade, it is without a doubt one of the most cherished memories of your life!,” said John Riggle, band director of the Hawai‘i All-State Marching Band. He continued, “The unique Hawai‘i All-State Marching Band, which will be comprised of selected students from all public and private high schools representing every island in our state, is extremely proud to be given the opportunity to not only showcase the talented youth of our island state, but also the diversity of the people's and cultures that make up the fabric of Hawai‘i today!” The Hawai‘i All-State Marching Band is one of 10 bands selected for the 2011 Parade out of more than 150 applicants nationwide. The superior musical ability, marching and performance skills the group has displayed under the leadership of John Riggle and his team won them a slot in the legendary Parade that will see them step into the line of march on Thursday, November 24, 2011. The Macy’s Parade takes more than a year to plan with bands chosen over 18 months before their Parade step-off. Each band application is thoroughly reviewed by the Macy’s Parade Band Committee, which yearly looks for bands that not only have great musical and marching ability, but will also be able to perform on the national stage provided by the Parade’s immense television audience. The Hawai‘i All-State Marching Band has already achieved this milestone once before having made their debut in the 2005 Macy’s Parade. For more than 80 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a more than 2-mile route in New York City with more than 8,000 participants in tow including Macy’s employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer. With a television audience of approximately 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. Featuring fabulous floats and Macy’s signature giant helium character balloons, the Parade’s musical heart comes from its high school and college marching bands. (Report Provided by the Office of Gov. Linda Lingle) NEWS FLASH - April 22, 2010 1:50 p.m. HST No Reason Given for Continuing Rise in Hawai'i Gas Prices The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Hawaii edged upward this week to $3.57 a gallon, the highest price in about 18 months, according to AAA Hawaii's Weekend Gas Watch. AAA said Honolulu's average price was $3.46, up 3 cents from last week, 6 cents more than last month and $1.08 more than at this time last year. Hilo's average was $3.59, up 3 cents from last week, 12 cents more than last month and $1.04 more than at this time last year. Wailuku's average was $3.91, up three cents more than last week, seven cents more than last month and $1.21 more than last year. (Report Provided by AAA Hawai'i) NEWS FLASH - April 22, 2010 10:45 a.m. HST Raw Ahi Causes 10 on O'ahu to Contract Salmonella Poisoning HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed 10 cases of illness occurring on O‘ahu caused by Salmonella Paratyphi B infection related to eating previously frozen internationally imported raw ahi. The individuals, who became ill, reported eating raw ahi (often prepared as poke) purchased or served at various locations on O‘ahu. As of April 12, 2010, there were 13 laboratory confirmed cases with the same S. Paratyphi B pattern in five other states: California (7), Maryland (2), Pennsylvania (2), Massachusetts (1), and New York (1). DOH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the other states to identify if those cases were also exposed to raw ahi. DOH has informed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and requested an investigation of international sources of frozen raw ahi. “The Department of Health is concerned about these cases that are similar to a cluster of cases we investigated two years ago,” Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino said. “With the help of the USFDA, we hope to identify the source so we can prevent any further illness.” Between October 2007 and February 2008, DOH identified a total of 35 confirmed cases of Salmonella Paratyphi B infection on O‘ahu. An exhaustive investigation by the department identified raw imported frozen ahi used in ahi poke as the probable source of illness. At that time, confirmation of additional cases in Colorado and California related to the consumption of raw fish prompted an investigation by the USFDA, but a definitive source for the implicated ahi could not be identified. Salmonella typically causes diarrhea (may be bloody), that is often accompanied by abdominal cramps and fever. Symptoms typically begin within one to four days after exposure to the bacteria, although for S. Paratyphi B, incubation may be longer (from five to seven days). In infants, persons with poor underlying health, and those with weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after eating raw fish, meat or poultry should seek medical attention. Healthcare providers are asked to obtain stool cultures for any persons with consistent symptoms and report positive results for Salmonella infection to DOH. Thorough cooking kills Salmonella bacteria. For more information on Salmonella go to www.hawaii.gov/health. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Disease Investigation Branch investigates and monitors the frequency of Salmonella infection in the state in addition to more than 70 other reportable diseases. The DOH works with healthcare providers and clinical laboratories statewide to identify, monitor, investigate, and track contagious diseases, and implement disease control measures. At the national level, the DOH also participates in reporting and tracking of disease occurring among all states. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Health) NEWS FLASH - April 22, 2010 8:35 a.m. HST Maui Soldier Dies in Iraq A Maui man who worked two hotel jobs and then joined the Army for a better life died in Iraq on Sunday, his brother said yesterday. Pfc. Charlie Antonio, 28, had been in the Army about a year and deployed from Colorado to Kuwait and then Iraq, said his younger brother, Marlon, 25. Two soldiers went to the family's Kahului home early Monday morning to break the news, he said. "Of course (we're) kind of shocked. It's like disbelief what happened," Marlon Antonio said. His older brother "was a good person," he said. "He never smoked cigarettes or drank. What he (did) here before, he just worked, worked, worked. Two jobs. Two hotels." Charlie Antonio had worked at the Grand Wailea Resort and the Four Seasons Maui, said his brother, who was not sure of the specific jobs Charlie performed. "He wanted to do anything just to make his life better," which is why he joined the Army, his brother said. The Pentagon said Antonio died in Annassar, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a noncombat-related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Carson, Colo. The details of what happened in Iraq are still being sorted out, Marlon Antonio said. "We only know that he died because of a gunshot. But we don't know yet about what really happened, (or) how it happened," he said. Charlie Antonio had gone to high school in the Philippines, his brother said. He came to Hawai'i around 1998. On a separate matter, the Hawai'i National Guard said a wake for one of its soldiers who died in Iraq will be held tomorrow. Pfc. Raymond N. Pacleb Jr., 31, of Pearl City, died on March 29 in Baghdad in what the Pentagon also classified as a noncombat incident. Pacleb was a member of the Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He volunteered to deploy with the Virginia Army National Guard's 229th Military Police Company as a unit supply specialist. A wake will be held tomorrow at Mililani Downtown Mortuary at 20 S. Kukui St. The wake service will begin at 7 p.m. and the public viewing is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., officials said. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, also at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Mililani Memorial Park. Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 22, 2010 8:15 a.m. HST Loophole Delays Ban on County Home Rule Over Fireworks Ban Hours after a breakthrough agreement yesterday to give counties the option to ban fireworks, lawmakers learned that the deal could fall through because of an obscure rule governing the negotiations. A majority of House and Senate negotiators agreed to a bill that would give counties the option to ban fireworks and create a task force to study illegal fireworks. But conference committee rules require that a majority of chairmen in the conference attest to the agreement, and two of the three House chairmen involved in the talks said last night that they would not sign off. State Rep. Joseph Souki, D-8th (Wailuku, Waihe'e, Waiehu), and state Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, D-41st (Wai- pahu, Village Park, Waikele), are refusing to sign the agreement because they believe the state, not the counties, should regulate fireworks. State House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise), has the authority to discharge Souki and Karamatsu from the conference committee or sign the agreement in their place. "That is our normal practice whenever a chair is refusing or absent from signing," said state House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro, D-33rd ('Aiea, Halawa Valley, 'Aiea Heights). "We would hope that any chair would not shirk their duties and responsibilities and would sign a report, because it's actually just attesting as to what the committee did. It's not an attestation of their own position." Although Say could intervene, it was not immediately clear last night how House leaders would resolve the situation. In the tactical maneuvering and horse-trading that surrounds conference committees at the end of session, key lawmakers, looking for leverage on other bills or as a sign of protest, have occasionally been known to simply not show up to negotiations, leave the state Capitol at critical moments, or refuse to sign off on deals. COMPROMISE DEAL Yesterday, supporters of the bill to give counties the option to ban fireworks thought they had achieved an agreement that would be sent to the full House and Senate for final approval. The agreement was a compromise for lawmakers who wanted a statewide ban on fireworks after complaints from residents about excessive fireworks displays. Consumer fireworks are allowed on New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year's Day and the Fourth of July under a state law passed in 1994 that brought uniformity to conflicting county regulations. Aerials and other dangerous explosives are illegal except for professional displays by permitted fireworks technicians. Under the deal, counties would be able to pass fireworks regulations that are stronger than state law. Souki said the state should not delegate the regulation of fireworks to the counties. "If we need to improve the fireworks law — or resolve the fireworks (problem) — we do it statewide, not give it to somebody else and we shirk our responsibility," he said. State Sen. Will Espero, D-20th ('Ewa Beach, Waipahu), one of the Senate negotiators, said that if Souki and Karamatsu were to prevail it would be a "travesty of our legislative process." "To kill it on what appears to be a ridiculous technicality or reading of the rule is shameful," Espero said. "And it mocks our legislative conference system." 'BABY STEPS' State Rep. Marilyn Lee, D-38th (Mililani, Mililani Mauka), one of the House negotiators, said lawmakers who want to control fireworks thought they were not going to achieve anything this session. But now they have a potential agreement on the county option and a separate bill that allows courts to close and bring forfeiture proceedings against properties involved in the illegal fireworks trade. "I think it would have been great to pass a total ban, but, you know, baby steps towards a final goal of eliminating what is a health and a safety problem that we've been really coping with all these years and not getting any solutions," Lee said. Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 22, 2010 7:05 a.m. HST Surprise! Hurricane Relief Fund May Be Answer to Ending Furlough Fridays State House and Senate leaders will likely turn to the state's Hurricane Relief Fund to eliminate teacher furloughs after budget negotiators agreed last night to remove furlough money from the state budget draft. Lawmakers said they intend to set money aside to end teacher furloughs before they adjourn session next week. But they again called on Gov. Linda Lingle, the state Board of Education and the Hawaii State Teachers Association to reach a deal to make use of the money and restore classroom instruction days. The state has about $180 million in the Hurricane Relief Fund, but lawmakers have not decided on the exact amount to commit to furloughs. "We want to make sure that the community knows we are in support of the parties reaching a settlement, and we are committed to finding the funds to pay for it,"said state Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa), the lead House budget negotiator. "We're still waiting and hoping that there's going to be some resolution," said state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, D-14th (Halawa, Moanalua, Kamehameha Heights), the lead Senate budget negotiator. "But, if not, then we're going to have to decide how much we're going to identify in the Hurricane Relief Fund, and that number is still being tossed around." By stripping teacher furlough money out of the state budget draft, negotiators freed up millions in general-fund money that can be used to spare the state Department of Education from more substantial budget cuts. Budget negotiators agreed to about $142 million in cuts to the department next fiscal year, roughly the same amount Lingle recommended in her budget draft last December. But both the House and Senate had proposed making deeper cuts than the governor suggested, so educators described the agreement last night as a minor miracle given the state's budget deficit. The budget draft, which still requires final approval by the full House and Senate, would send an additional $22 million to the department's weighted student formula, which bases school spending on student need rather than enrollment. Educators had feared that proposed cuts to the weighted student formula — the House had wanted to reduce it by $18 million — would lead to larger class sizes. EDUCATION CUTS The extra money for the weighted student formula will come in part from cuts to education programs that the department reluctantly identified for potential elimination. One popular program that survived, however, was boarding for students at Lahainaluna High School on Maui. "We are very pleased with the budget that we received," said James Brese, chief financial officer at the Department of Education, adding that lawmakers closely followed recommendations from the state school board. "It honors the board for the work that they have done." Educators believe that the extra money for the weighted student formula will help the department with its goal of encouraging more school-level decisions. The weighted student formula was a main component of the education reform package adopted by lawmakers in 2004. "We really believe that the schools should have a say, and the principals should have a say, on their funding and their programs," Kim said. Budget negotiators also agreed to a $7.5 million cut to the University of Hawai'i, down from the $10 million proposed in the House draft. Oshiro said lawmakers wanted to protect education, health and social services as much as possible as they try to close a $1.2 billion deficit through June 2011. Negotiators are close to finishing work on the final budget draft, which will enable lawmakers to complete talks on other spending bills before the deadline tomorrow to have bills ready for final votes next week. While the teacher furlough issue may not be resolved by the time session adjourns, lawmakers did not want to break for the year without devoting money to finance an agreement. Four furlough days remain this school year and 17 furloughs are scheduled for next school year to help with the deficit. State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau), said that lawmakers, including many facing re-election, do not have the option of doing nothing. "I don't think that's an option at all," he said. Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 22, 2010 6:55 a.m. HST Distant Storm Sending Big Surf to North, West Shores 1.
EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has CONTINUED
the HIGH SURF ADVISORY for NORTH and WEST FACING SHORES of MOLOKAI
and NORTH FACING SHORES of MAUI in effect until 6:00 a.m. Friday.
2. EFFECTS: A distant storm far northwest of the Hawaiian Islands several days ago has generated a swell that will impact the islands today and early Friday. The swell is large enough where the surf will top advisory levels for the north and west facing shores of many of the main Hawaiian Islands. Surf along north facing shores of Molokai and Maui will be 10 to 15 feet today and slowly lower through tonight. Surf along west facing shores of Molokai will be 8 to 12 feet today and slowly lower through tonight. Forecast surf heights are estimates of the height of the face or front of waves. A high tide of approximately 1.0 feet is expected between 10:06 a.m. and 11:24 a.m. this morning. The next high tide of approximately 2.2 feet is expected between 10:40 p.m. and 11:58 p.m. tonight. 3. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: BEACH GOERS ARE URGED TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER AND WELL AWAY FROM THE SHORE BREAK DUE TO THE HAZARDOUS WAVE ACTION AND STRONG RIP CURRENTS. 4. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided by Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - April 21, 2010 3:50 p.m. HST Kihei Man Dies in Single-Vehicle Accident Near Pali A Kihei man died sometime early Monday in a single-vehicle crash along Honoapi'ilani Highway. The crash was not discovered until yesterday morning. Christian V. Jensen, 30, was travelling east in a 1998 Jeep multipurpose vehicle when - sometime between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Monday, the vehicle left the roadway about a tenth of a mile east of Mile Marker 11 in the Ukumehame area. Police believe Jensen's Jeep impacted the rocky embankment and a guardrail before travelling off the ledge and coming to rest on the shoreline below. He is believed to be the lone occupnt of the vehicle. Police say Jensen was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. This is Maui County's seventh traffic fatality on 2010 compared with seven at this time last year. (Information Provided by the Maui County Police Department) NEWS FLASH - April 21, 2010 1:40 p.m. HST Bill Officially Authorizes POW-MIA Flag to Fly with State, Federal Flags HONOLULU. The National League of Families’ Prisoner of War and Missing in Action (POW-MIA) flag will now be flown with the U.S. and Hawaii state flags at the state capitol and on the grounds of the headquarters of the state department of defense on certain holidays. House Bill 2383 HD1 SD2, introduced by Representative Sharon Har (District 40 – Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa), was signed into law as Act 040 on April 20, 2010, becoming law upon approval. The bill’s intent is to recognize and honor the extraordinary heroism of the brave men and women who risked or sacrificed their lives or their freedom in the past, as well as those who place their lives in harm’s way on a daily basis in Afghanistan and Iraq. The flag will be flown on Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May); Memorial Day (last Monday in May); Flag Day (June 14); Independence Day (July 4); National POW-MIA Recognition Day (third Friday in September); and Veterans Day (November 11). On any other days, the POW-MIA flag may be flown. At any time, if the U.S. and Hawaii state flags are flown on the same halyard, then the POW-MIA flag must be flown under the Hawaii state flag. If they are on separate halyards, the POW-MIA flag must be flown under the U.S. flag. "I strongly believe that flying the POW-MIA flag at the state capitol and state department of defense headquarters on these holidays will demonstrate to our veterans, active military members and military families our appreciation for their sacrifices," said Rep. Har. "As the POW-MIA flag itself states, 'You are not forgotten,' and the display of this flag serves as an important reminder of the sacrifices that have been made by our veterans and military in defense of our freedom." (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, House of Representatives) NEWS FLASH - April 21, 2010 12:10 p.m. HST Plans for Pu'unene Jail Complex Back on Track PU‘UNENE - Governor Linda Lingle announced today that the State is moving forward with plans to build an estimated $235 million jail facility in Pu‘unene, Maui. The project, which is to be located within the former Pu‘unene Airport area along Mokulele Highway, is aimed at replacing the aged and overcrowded existing Maui Community Correctional Center and provide for anticipated growth in the State's inmate population. The Department of Public Safety, the Department of Accounting and General Services, and the Department of Budget and Finance will work with the State Legislature to ensure a feasible means of financing the construction of the project. Alternatives will include the use of private financing and phasing of the project. Planning and design of the project is estimated to be completed this year and pending acceptable financing terms, construction of the project could start in 2011 and be completed in 2013 - 2014. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for the project. This process will include public informational meetings and opportunities for public review and comment on the EIS. Additional
information about the Maui Regional Public Safety Complex can be found
at: (Report Provided by the Office of Governor Linda Lingle) NEWS FLASH - April 21, 2010 10:50 a.m. HST 5.9 Magnitude Quake Rattles Tonga - No Tsunami Generated The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude-5.9 earthquake has struck in an area near Tonga. No tsunami warning has been issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The USGS says the quake hit at 6:20 a.m. local time, or early Thursday in the region. The USGS originally reported it as a 6.2 quake in the area of the Samoa islands. Many residents of American Samoa felt the quake and went out to look at the ocean while listening to radio broadcasts, the Associated Press reported. But police in the capital, Apia, told AP they had no reports on the temblor. "We didn't feel any earthquake," an officer, who declined to be named, said. The quake was recorded at a depth of 21.7 miles, the USGS says. It was centered 105 miles north-northeast of Hihifo, Tonga; 135 miles southwest of Apia, Samoa; 435 miles north-northeast of Nukualofa, Tonga; and 1,670 miles north-northeast of Wellington, N.Z. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 21, 2010 7:20 a.m. HST Shark Fin Possession Ban Hailed as Cultural, Ecological Victory State House and Senate negotiators agreed yesterday to prohibit the possession, sale and distribution of shark fins, a victory for Native Hawaiians, who see the shark as a cultural deity, and for animal rights activists who believe shark finning is a cruel practice that threatens the ocean's ecosystem. Restaurants that make shark fin soup would have until July 2011 to use shark fins in their inventory as of this July. Under the agreement, which now goes before the full House and Senate for final approval, the administrative fine for the first offense would be $5,000 to $15,000; the fine for a second offense would be $15,000 to $35,000 and commercial marine licenses and fishing vessels would be subject to seizure and forfeiture; and the fine for a third offense would be $35,000 to $50,000 and up to a year in jail along with possible seizure and forfeiture of commercial marine licenses and fishing vessels. The draft also includes an exemption that would allow shark fins to be used for state-permitted research and educational purposes. Many Native Hawaiians consider sharks 'aumakua — a protective spirit that can take animal form — and object to the nature of shark finning, which involves cutting the fins from captured sharks and then releasing them back into the water to suffer and die. Shark finning is illegal in Hawai'i. Animal rights advocates contend that sharks are being harvested around the world for their fins because of the popularity of shark fin soup in Chinese restaurants. "This is a bill that sets Hawai'i apart," said state Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), a Senate negotiator, adding that the international community has been watching the bill. "It is a cultural issue for Native Hawaiians. It is a small acknowledgement of that aspect of the culture," he said. "It's something, like other cultural issues, that Hawaiians have been silent about. But they have never, in my opinion, relented on the belief in the 'aumakua, and the shark is but one of many." State Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, D-41st (Waipahu, Village Park, Waikele), a House negotiator, said negotiators were looking for a compromise and ended up siding more with environmentalists. "They can still serve shark fin soup for one more year, basically," he said of local restaurants. Inga Gibson, the Hawai'i state director of The Humane Society of the United States, said the bill sets a precedent. She described it as a "wonderful day for Hawai'i's sharks." "Hawai'i has the opportunity to really be the leader in the nation, if not the world, in shark and ocean protection," she said. Reach Derrick DePledge at State House and Senate negotiators agreed yesterday to prohibit the possession, sale and distribution of shark fins, a victory for Native Hawaiians, who see the shark as a cultural deity, and for animal rights activists who believe shark finning is a cruel practice that threatens the ocean's ecosystem. Restaurants that make shark fin soup would have until July 2011 to use shark fins in their inventory as of this July. Under the agreement, which now goes before the full House and Senate for final approval, the administrative fine for the first offense would be $5,000 to $15,000; the fine for a second offense would be $15,000 to $35,000 and commercial marine licenses and fishing vessels would be subject to seizure and forfeiture; and the fine for a third offense would be $35,000 to $50,000 and up to a year in jail along with possible seizure and forfeiture of commercial marine licenses and fishing vessels. The draft also includes an exemption that would allow shark fins to be used for state-permitted research and educational purposes. Many Native Hawaiians consider sharks 'aumakua — a protective spirit that can take animal form — and object to the nature of shark finning, which involves cutting the fins from captured sharks and then releasing them back into the water to suffer and die. Shark finning is illegal in Hawai'i. Animal rights advocates contend that sharks are being harvested around the world for their fins because of the popularity of shark fin soup in Chinese restaurants. "This is a bill that sets Hawai'i apart," said state Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), a Senate negotiator, adding that the international community has been watching the bill. "It is a cultural issue for Native Hawaiians. It is a small acknowledgement of that aspect of the culture," he said. "It's something, like other cultural issues, that Hawaiians have been silent about. But they have never, in my opinion, relented on the belief in the 'aumakua, and the shark is but one of many." State Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, D-41st (Waipahu, Village Park, Waikele), a House negotiator, said negotiators were looking for a compromise and ended up siding more with environmentalists. "They can still serve shark fin soup for one more year, basically," he said of local restaurants. Inga Gibson, the Hawai'i state director of The Humane Society of the United States, said the bill sets a precedent. She described it as a "wonderful day for Hawai'i's sharks." "Hawai'i has the opportunity to really be the leader in the nation, if not the world, in shark and ocean protection," she said. Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 21, 2010 6:50 a.m. HST Clean Energy Bond for New Homes Looks DOA A proposal to use state bonds to help finance loans so homeowners could move to solar and other clean energy systems appears dead at the state Legislature after concerns from counties and mortgage bankers. Republican Gov. Linda Lingle and several majority Democrats believe the bond-financing program would help homeowners overcome the cost barriers to converting to clean energy systems. Homeowners would be eligible for loans that would be repaid through assessments on their county property tax bills. But counties have questioned the administrative costs of the program and the Mortgage Bankers Association of Hawaii is concerned that the loans would be placed ahead of first mortgage liens on properties in the event of defaults. The association has warned that prioritizing the clean energy loans could lead to higher mortgage interest rates for borrowers in counties that participate in the program. The Wall Street Journal reported in March that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — the government-sponsored mortgage financiers — are concerned about White House support for the concept nationally because the clean energy loans would have priority over mortgage liens. Environmentalists still hope that lawmakers will take action by the Friday deadline to have bills ready for final votes before session adjourns next week. But state House leaders have not appointed negotiators on the bill and are instead moving a resolution to study the issue for next session. State House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise), said there are too many questions about the impact on the housing market. "They are very much concerned that they will be second in line if this particular proposal goes through," he said of mortgage bankers. "The overall concern is that it may jeopardize housing." State Rep. Hermina Morita, D-14th (Hanalei, Anahola, Kapa'a), one of the leading environmental voices in the House, agrees with Say. She said the resolution would create a working group at the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to study the issue with the counties. "The real issue is, are we doing this for political expediency, or to have a good bill?" she said. PROPONENTS UPSET Jeff Mikulina, the executive director of the Blue Planet Foundation, said the bond-financing concept, known as Property Assessed Clean Energy, is being tested in several other cities and counties and has been praised as innovative by the White House and the Harvard Business Review. Mikulina said he does not understand why Hawai'i would not move forward given the bipartisan support from Lingle and several Democrats. Others in the environmental community have suggested privately that Lingle's involvement — the Republican governor highlighted the idea in her State of the State speech in January — has colored the way some Democrats have looked at the bill. "This has such popular support," Mikulina said. "We think Hawai'i residents deserve to have access to clean energy this year." Ted Liu, the DBEDT director, said the state has offered to help counties with administrative costs by diverting federal stimulus money to the bond-financing program. He said the state has told mortgage bankers that it would be willing to consider a subordinate position for the clean energy loans so the lenders could be paid first after defaults. Liu believes these concerns are being used as cover by Democrats who do not want to see the bill advance because of Lingle's involvement. "That is why I think it died," he said. State Sen. Mike Gabbard, D-19th (Kapolei, Makakilo, Waikele), is also disappointed. He, too, questions why lawmakers are hesitant given that cities and counties on the Mainland have found the tools to provide the bond-financing for the homeowner loans. He said he would introduce the idea again next session. "The concept is so huge for Hawai'i," he said. Homeowners interested in solar and other clean energy systems are often deterred by out-of-pocket expenses, which can run into the thousands of dollars even after tax credits and rebates. The bill would authorize the sale of state bonds and the proceeds would go into a revolving loan fund directed by the state. Homeowners would be eligible to take loans from the fund to finance clean energy systems, and the loans would be collected over time by counties through property tax assessments. State Sen. J. Kalani English, D-6th (E. Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i), who had concerns about using state bonds for the program because of the state's budget deficit, said a study is the fair approach. "This is a very new idea. The large idea makes a lot of sense, but the details have to be worked out," he said. "I think it is perhaps more prudent to have the local guys study it more and come back with various scenarios for how it could work. "It also allows the counties more time to examine it and buy into it." Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 20, 2010 3:40 p.m. HST Kamehameha Avenue Water Main Break Sets Project Back KAHULUI, Maui, Hawaii—The County of Maui Department of Public Works today announced that due to a 12” water main that was broken during construction, lane closures will be adjusted during the initial phase of the Kamehameha Avenue Road Improvements Project. All four east- and west-bound lanes of Kamehameha Avenue between Alamaha and Hoohana streets will be closed temporarily; however, access is expected to remain available to all area businesses. The closure of the west-bound lanes is expected to be in place from Thursday, April 21 through Friday, April 30. The east-bound lanes will be closed until construction issues related to the broken water main are resolved; an updated timetable of scheduled lane closures will be released after a thorough examination of the affected area is completed. Motorists are asked to exercise caution when traveling near the project area and to observe all traffic control signs. The Kamehameha Avenue Roadway Improvements Project began Sunday, April 18 and is expected to continue through mid-August 2010. The project involves reconstructing Kamehameha Avenue between Puunene Avenue and Hana Highway. For more information, call the County of Maui Department of Public Works at 270-7745. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - April 20, 2010 2:50 p.m. HST Inouye Adds 'Tutu' To List of Achievements U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye became a grandfather for the first time this morning when his son Ken's wife Jessica gave birth to a 7-pound, 8-ounce girl. Mary Margaret "Maggie" Inouye was born at 10:49 a.m., Eastern time, at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., the senator's office said this morning. "I've been waiting for this moment for many years. I'm finally a grandfather and I'm especially happy that Maggie is beautiful and doing well," Inouye said. Ken Inouye said the child was named for two "strong, elegant women." His wife's grandmother was named Mary and his mother, Margaret, was known as "Maggie." "I'm nervous but looking forward to the challenges ahead and to showing her everything that makes Hawaii great," Ken Inouye said. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 20, 2010 1:50 p.m. HST Denver Company Purchases Hotel Hana-Maui Hana, Maui – Amstar Group, LLC, a real estate investment and development company headquartered in Denver, CO, announced today its intent to purchase Hotel Hana-Maui. Ohana Hotel Company currently owns the Hotel Hana-Maui, with the transfer of ownership to Amstar Group, LLC anticipated to be completed in May. An Amstar subsidiary, Green Tea, LLC, will manage the property. “We are choosing to invest in the Hotel Hana-Maui because we recognize Hana as a special place,” said Joy Berry, president of Green Tea, LLC. “Our efforts will be focused on travelers who have a great interest in ‘doing,’ offering them a wide variety of activities and providing them with a memorable experience in a memorable place.” Amstar’s repositioning strategy calls for revamping current operations and creating new job descriptions that, in the short term, will mean a reduction in jobs. “A change in the existing operational model is critical to turning the hotel around and into a viable operation. Our revamped organizational structure will take a team approach requiring employees to have more than one role, so that no matter the task, we all work together and help each other out to ensure the long-term viability and success of the hotel and more jobs for the community,” said Berry. In January of this year, Ohana Hotel Company first issued WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notices to employees, letting them know of the impending sale of the hotel. Green Tea, LLC will be hosting an employment fair within the next few weeks and is encouraging all interested employees and community members to attend and apply for jobs. The company is also reviewing operational functions that are more efficiently operated and managed by specialists, potentially creating job opportunities with outside contractors and within the community. “We believe the Hotel Hana Maui, if repositioned in the marketplace, can be profitable and grow, offering more jobs. However, it will take hard work, resources, time and, most importantly, employees who support each other as we reposition the hotel,” said Berry. (Report Provided by McNeil Wilson Communications ) NEWS FLASH - April 20, 2010 10:45 a.m. HST 'Mild' Swine Flu Breakout Reported at Maui School The state Department of Health said today that there was a recent mild outbreak of H1N1 flu at school on Maui. The agency said a number of students at the school either had not been vaccinated or had not received the recommended two doses for children under 10. "Fortunately, this incident was short-lived and seems to have run its course," Marc Nishimoto, of the Maui District Health Office, said in a statement. "It's a reminder to parents about the continued need to get their children vaccinated." For information on getting the H1N1 vaccine, call 211 or your doctor. You may also visit: http://flu.hawaii.gov (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 20, 2010 6:45 a.m. HST Kaua'i Surfer Survives Encounter With 14-Foot Tiger Shark HANALEI — An estimated 14-foot-long tiger shark chomped the tail end off a local surfer's board yesterday afternoon in Hanalei Bay, witnesses said. North Shore resident Leslie McTaggart, who was a couple car-lengths away from Jim Rowlinson surfing at the point, said the water "boiled" as the shark swam by and took a bite out of Rowlinson's blue longboard around 4 p.m. McTaggart yelled for help, assuming at the time that the shark had pulled Rowlinson underwater. As it turns out, Rowlinson apparently dove off his board to undo the leash fastened around his ankle. "The shark was spitting pieces of the board out right under me," McTaggart said, noting how she saw its tail thrashing in the water. "The guy could've died." Based on the teethmarks embedded in the board, marine biologist Terry Lilley of Save Our Seas said the shark was likely 14 feet long. He estimated this based off the base of the tooth measuring 1.25 inches. McTaggart and Lilley likened the experience to the time several years ago when Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while surfing at nearby Tunnels. Hamilton lost her arm in the Oct. 31, 2003, incident but returned to competitive surfing within a year. Lilley, who routinely observes sharks while scuba diving, was in the bay filming a high-definition underwater movie at the time of the attack. Although he didn't get a clear shot, he said he suspects the shark was hunting sea turtles, one of its primary food sources. When a shark is hunting a turtle, the turtle will try to escape by heading toward the nearest reef where it can better utilize its hard shell for protection, Lilley said. The turtles will also employ a barrel-roll maneuver to minimize chances of a shark snatching a flipper. Lilley said the shark involved in this incident was likely chasing after a turtle when it mistakenly bit the surfboard. He said Rowlinson noted he saw a "yellow flash," which could have been the underside of a turtle, just before the shark bit his board. "The problem is we all look like turtles," McTaggart said of a shark's view of surfers sitting on their boards in the water. (Report Provided by The Garden Island) NEWS FLASH - April 19, 2010 8:55 p.m. HST Meeting Reveals Kaho'ohalahala's Intention to Run For Mayor WAILUKU -- Maui County Council Member Sol Kaho'ohalahala has decided to seek the mayor's office rather than re-election to the council's Lanai residency seat. The three-term council member announced his intention to run for the county's highest elected office Saturday during a meeting of the Democratic Party's State Central Committee at Kanaha Beach Park, said Lance Holter, chairman of the Democratic Party of Maui. Later the same day, Kaho'ohalahala reiterated his intention to run during a Democratic Party fundraiser at Charley's Restaurant & Saloon in Paia. Holter said the council member's announcement was well received by Democrats at both events. "I think the Democrats now have a real choice" for mayor, he said, adding that Kaho'ohalahala would be a "wonderful" alternative to presumed front-runners, incumbent Mayor Charmaine Tavares and former Mayor Alan Arakawa. A press release from Kaho'ohalahala's campaign said: "The seasoned lawmaker's many years of service on both the Maui County Council and in the Hawaii State Legislature, as well as years spent in an administrative capacity (as executive director of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission), provide a wide background of experience for his candidacy." For more information, see Tuesday's edition of The Maui News. (Report Provided by The Maui News) NEWS FLASH - April 19, 2010 6:10 p.m. HST Mayor Proposes Plan to Keep Air Ambulance Flying WAILUKU,
Maui, Hawaii – Mayor Charmaine Tavares announced today a proposal
to apply $234,851 in additional tax revenues to fund the Air Ambulance
Program for Fiscal Year 2011. Today’s Finance Department certification
of net taxable real property value has determined that $234,851 more
real property tax revenue is anticipated for Fiscal Year Mayor Tavares also proposed to utilize $437,364 from the funding proposed for the County’s Emergency Fund to meet the total funding need of $672,000 for the Air Ambulance Program. “Many in the community have requested that I reconsider my earlier proposal to remove funding for the State’s Air Ambulance Program in the County’s budget proposal,” said Mayor Tavares. “I had hoped to see the State Department of Health and Maui Memorial Medical Center come forward to pay for this important service, which is part of their overall mission. However, the State and hospital appear to be unable to meet this responsibility in Fiscal Year 2011. I urge them to include the full funding necessary for the Air Ambulance in their own budgets in future years. “I share our community’s concern and recognize the importance of this program in a county comprised of three populated islands and many remote communities. While it is unfortunate that the State is not providing the full funding, I am now requesting that the Council consider funding the program through additional real property tax revenue that has just now been certified.” By law, a proposed budget is submitted by March 15 by the Executive Branch of the County government to the Legislative Branch. Mayor Tavares’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011, which begins July 1, 2010, was transmitted to the County Council on March 15. In order meet this deadline, the Finance Department provides a projected amount of real property tax revenue. This amount is a projection based on assessed values and anticipated appeals filed by property owners once they have received their property value assessment notices. Appeals are reviewed and decided upon by the Real Property Tax Review Board. Once the Finance Department knows the amount of taxes appealed, they are able to certify the expected tax revenue. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - April 19, 2010 1:50 p.m. HST El Nino Conditions Prompt Water Conservation Plea from DLNR HONOLULU – The Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) is asking Hawai‘i residents and businesses to be conscious of drought conditions and to help conserve water as well as prevent wildfires. The current El Niño phenomenon created abnormally dry winter season conditions throughout the state and it is expected that dry conditions will continue through the spring season. “Hawai‘i is suffering from drought and the current El Niño has exacerbated the situation,” said Ken Kawahara, Commission on Water Resource Management deputy director. Rainfall across the state has been well below normal. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows that Hawai‘i is under drought conditions ranging from D0 (abnormally dry) to an unprecedented D4 (drought–exceptional) – some of the worst conditions in the country. Agricultural producers are feeling the impacts of drastically reduced rainfall and some residents who normally rely on rainwater catchment are hauling water. Governor Linda Lingle also joined in the call for water conservation. Last month, she sent letters to all state agencies to lead by example in encouraging water conservation measures. “Drought impacts all sectors of the community and everyone can do their part so that we do not waste one of our most precious natural resources. I have asked all state agencies to conserve water by being diligent in reporting and repairing leaks, and irrigating during the cooler morning hours,” she said. About half of the water use in the home is attributed to outdoor uses, including irrigation. Residents and businesses can help to save water by irrigating lawns between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to minimize evaporation and repairing any leaks or broken sprinkler heads. By using less water, residents can also reduce their sewer bills and save money. Here are some other simple ways that residents can save water:
Take shorter showers “By conserving water, we may be able to avoid mandatory water restrictions that could be imposed by the County water departments or private water utilities as we move into the drier months of the year,” said Kawahara. “Use all the water you need, but please don’t waste it.” Dry weather is also causing wildfire hazards across the islands and the National Weather Service last week issued red flag warnings indicating that critical fire weather conditions were occurring in some areas of the state. "Everyone should be extremely careful with fires when enjoying the outdoors," said Kawahara, "Practically all wildfires in Hawai‘i are caused by carelessness." Campers and beach goers using hibachis and other barbeque grills should dispose of their spent briquettes in appropriate receptacles. Do not dispose of them at the base of a tree as it will kill it. Off-road vehicle enthusiasts should be aware that sparks thrown from a catalytic converter can start a wildfire. Call 911 immediately to report any and all fire activities that are of a suspicious nature. To find out more ways to save water contact your local water utility or log on to their websites and log on to the Hawai‘i Drought Monitor website at: http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/drought/preparedness.htm#waterconservation. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Land and Natural Resources) NEWS FLASH - April 19, 2010 12 p.m. HST Public Invited to Ahihi-Kinau Talk Story Session DLNR wishes to invite the public to an informational “talk story” meeting to present updates on the status of a 2-year closure for portions of Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve and receive comments on a proposal to continue this closure. This meeting will be held at Lokelani Intermediate School cafeteria, 1401 Liloa Dr. in Kihei, on Wednesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. Last week, similar information was presented to the Ahihi-Kinau NAR/Keone`o`io Advisory Group. These updates included results of resource surveys, monitoring, and a comprehensive planning process. Discussion amongst the Group focused on what steps to take next as the current restrictions are due to expire on July 31, 2010 due to a two year time limit rule. The Group decided that restrictions should continue at least until the draft management plan currently under production is completed and implemented and voted unanimously to request DLNR to continue the existing restrictions. The matter now goes before the Natural Area Reserves System Commission (NARSC) for their review, comment and recommendation at their next meeting on May 5, 2010 on Oahu. If the NARSC agrees to the recommendation, the matter will then go before the Board of Land & Natural Resources, which will hear the request at its June 2010 meeting. DLNR staff will be available to discuss the updates from the current closure as well as answer any questions and give a short presentation regarding Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve. Again, this meeting will be held at Lokelani Intermediate School cafeteria, 1401 Liloa Dr. in Kihei, on Wednesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. For a map of the restricted areas or more information on Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, please visit www.dofaw.net/NAR/ or call the Division of Forestry and Wildlife office on Maui at 984-8100 or Bill Evanson at 264-9325. (Report Provided by theState of Hawai'i, Department of Land and Natural Resources) NEWS FLASH - April 19, 2010 8:25 a.m. HST 'Unthinkable' Plan Floated to Close Down DAR on Neighbor Islands WAILUKU, Maui — The state Division of Aquatic Resources could shut down operations on Maui and other Neighbor Islands under a budget plan being considered by the state Legislature, officials are warning. The state Senate is proposing a total of $4.2 million in budget cuts and spending restrictions for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said DLNR chairwoman Laura Thielen. The cuts would "obliterate" Aquatic Resources, she said, and also seriously affect DLNR enforcement, the state Historic Preservation Division and the department's Commission on Water Resource Management, which is handling major reviews of stream-water uses on Maui. "It's going to have a very harsh effect on the department," Thielen said. HEE'S PLAN State Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), who proposed the cuts, said he believed that the department had enough unused funding from vacant positions to cover the cuts and restrictions. He said the programs that would receive the money under his proposal, including a youth education program at the University of Hawai'i's Institute of Marine Biology on Coconut Island in Kane'ohe Bay, are important and deserving of funds. "We looked at vacant, funded, frozen positions ... and we transferred some of those funds to HIMB to provide opportunities for young students to study marine biology," he said. But Thielen said her department had nowhere near the savings Hee seemed to believe, and that the cuts he proposed, coming after DLNR had already reduced its budget by $5.8 million, would be devastating. She noted that the cuts would not be used to plug the state's budget shortfall but would go to create an entirely new program. "Given the fiscal crisis the state is in, these may be wonderful programs, but I'm perplexed why Sen. Hee, in this of all years, would propose new programs at the expense of cutting existing programs," she said. Maui legislators said last week that they were still getting information about the dust-up, but that they would work to keep the funding in the budget for DLNR. Senate and House lawmakers were meeting in conference over the weekend to resolve the differences between their respective budget proposals, with a final budget expected this week. While the Senate budget proposal would impact a wide range of DLNR operations, department officials said cuts to the Division of Aquatic Resources could have an especially severe effect on Maui. Under the proposal, Aquatic Resources would be cut by $1.2 million, or 60 percent, Thielen said. That would result in the loss of more than $4 million in federal funding that requires a state match, she said. With a reduction of that size, the division would have to lay off more than a dozen employees and shut down its offices on all Neighbor Islands, she said. "This would be it for Maui," said Russell Sparks, an education specialist in the Division of Aquatic Resources' Maui office. "For Maui, the Big Island and Kaua'i, the offices would close completely. All the staff would be laid off." WIDER EFFECT The seven employees on Maui perform a wide range of functions, including monitoring the health of the island's aquatic environments and providing data to state policymakers who create programs to protect fragile streams and reefs. Fish and coral surveys by division staff sparked the recent creation of the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management area off Ka'anapali. And staff conduct stream studies that assist the state water commission in setting minimum stream-flow standards. State aquatic biologists also help with DLNR enforcement, identifying species and evaluating impacts in cases of coral damage or illegal taking of protected species. "We often work hand-in-hand with our enforcement division," Sparks said. "They would be on their own." Other operations of the department that Thielen said would be impacted by the cuts include: • The state Historic Preservation Division, which would see an 8 percent cut to its operating budget and a six-month hiring freeze. • State parks, which would see the deputy administrator position abolished. • The state water commission, where the deputy director/administrator position would be abolished. • DLNR administration, where the deputy director position would be eliminated. "At this point, my hope is the Senate has realized an error in the budget and will be correcting it," Thielen said. Hee said it was still premature to talk about the impacts of his budget proposal for the department. "We're really early in the process, and that's why it's regrettable that conclusions have been made and presumptions have been put forth on the Neighbor Islands by people in the DLNR," he said. He said the Senate Ways and Means Committee had proposed eliminating a number of deputy positions in the department, as part of its efforts to balance the state budget. Hee maintained that his proposal to divert funding from the department for the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology would take money only from vacant, frozen positions and would not impact Aquatic Resources or result in any layoffs for the division. "I would be the last person to agree to close down the Division of Aquatic Resources," he said. "Its role in Hawai'i as an aquatic state cannot be measured." 'NEGATIVE IMPACT' But Sen. Shan Tsutsui, D-4th (Kahului), said Thielen's concern appeared to be justified. He said he reviewed the budget proposal and it appeared clear that it would force the DLNR to use money from the Aquatics budget to fund operations on Coconut Island. "I would tend to disagree with Sen. Hee," Tsutsui said. "My belief is it would have a negative impact on the department and their responsibilities. We're going to try to do whatever we can to make sure those provisions are taken out of the final budget." State Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran, D-9th, (Wailuku, Pu'unene, Makawao), said he had heard "a lot of interest" from the community on the proposed budget for the Division of Aquatic Resources. He noted that the House budget plan did not include the Senate's cuts to the division. "What happens will depend on what kind of agreement we reach in conference," Keith-Agaran said. "But I think the House generally recognizes that Aquatic Resources plays an important role." Reach Ilima Loomis at iloomis@mauinews.com. (Report Provided by The Maui News) NEWS FLASH - April 19, 2010 7:15 a.m. HST Neighbor Islands Likely 'The Key' in Gubernatorial Race In the 1970s, then-Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi famously lost two close gubernatorial campaigns against Gov. George Ariyoshi by capturing the most votes on O'ahu only to be drubbed by the incumbent on the Neighbor Islands. Flash-forward to 2010, where a three-way clamor for supporters is taking shape in the governor's race. Republican Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, a Democrat, are announced candidates. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, a Democrat, is expected to join them in May. Most political observers believe winning the vote on the Neighbor Islands remains a key component to a successful gubernatorial campaign. Perhaps even more so today. The Neighbor Islands were home to 28.6 percent of registered voters in the 1959 election that followed statehood. After a sharp decline in the 1960s, Neighbor Island voters climbed back up in numbers, making up 32.5 percent of registered voters by the 2008 general election. With dramatic changes in the socioeconomic landscape of Maui, Kaua'i and Hawai'i counties in more recent times, experts say the formula for capturing the electorate outside O'ahu has become more complex. "The old ways of winning elections aren't necessarily going to work now," said Rick Castberg, a political science professor at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo. In the 1970s, the Ariyoshi camp relied greatly on Democratic strongholds such as Hilo and Wailuku to help carry the day, as well as on major backing from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represented workers at sugar plantations and the docks. "Historically, the Neighbor Islands have been dominated by the unions, the ILWU in particular," said Dan Boylan, a longtime political analyst and a professor at the University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu. "That's all changed. The power of the union is simply not what it once was." Large sections of Maui and the Big Island are now populated by Caucasians from the Mainland, he said. Today, only Kaua'i County remains unswervingly Democratic, according to Boylan. Ed Tanji, a veteran Maui journalist and political observer, agrees that Mainland transplants tend to be more independent voters. "In any given community, there's a diverse mix of interest groups," he said. MAYORAL MOVES In 2002, when Republican Linda Lingle beat Democrat Mazie Hirono for the governor's seat, only Kaua'i went Hirono's way. The results were a shock to many, according to Castberg. "It was a surprise that somebody could come from being mayor of Maui and become governor," he said. While Lingle became the first county mayor since statehood to ascend to the governorship, a mayor from Honolulu, the state's largest county, has yet to make that leap. Mufi Hannemann, Hono- lulu's mayor for the past six years, is expected to try to change that, and would appear to be a small step ahead of the other gubernatorial candidates when it comes to recognition on the Neighbor Islands. Hannemann has often been put forward as the spokesman for the Hawai'i Council of Mayors, a club formed in late 2006 that includes all four county mayors and meets regularly on common interests. Hannemann is the only one of the original four still in office. The council provides a platform for the Honolulu mayor to show himself as a municipal executive who plays well with others and, in particular, his colleagues on the Neighbor Islands. In January, Hannemann testified on behalf of the council before the Legislature, urging lawmakers to preserve the counties' share of hotel room tax revenues. The four mayors also collectively negotiated contracts with government unions when talks with Lingle appeared to be at a stalemate. "He is very much aware of the issues that confront Neighbor Islanders, and he's very much committed to working on behalf of the Neighbor Islanders, as is evident in his working relationship with the three other county mayors through the Hawai'i Council of Mayors," said Elisa Yadao, a strategist in Hannemann's previous political campaigns and spokeswoman for E Ho'o- mua Hannemann, the committee created to gauge interest in a gubernatorial campaign by the Honolulu mayor. E Ho'omua Hannemann already has held rallies on Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island, as well as in Honolulu. "If and when Mayor Hannemann decides to run for governor, the Neighbor Islands would be a cornerstone of the campaign," Yadao said. She also pointed out that Hannemann benefits from having spent several years on the Big Island as an executive of C. Brewer and Co. BEING THERE Abercrombie and Aiona also have made moves to garner Neighbor Island votes at this early stage of the governor's race. Andrew Aoki, deputy campaign manager of Abercrombie For Governor, said the campaign has coordinators on all major islands, including Moloka'i and Lana'i. "It's important ... for Neil to really go out there and find out what the issues are and what the concerns are, because I think what anybody will tell you is that people on the Neighbor Islands often feel like they're ignored or seen as secondary in importance," he said. Over the past month, Abercrombie has campaigned on Maui and the Big Island and opened headquarters in Lihu'e and Kona. A Hilo headquarters is scheduled to open next month. "We think that every island has a pretty unique situation, at least that's what we're finding," Aoki said. "And what we're learning is that a lot of the future of Hawai'i depends on the Neighbor Islands because a lot of the innovations in entrepreneurship are going on there and are on the leading edge of what's happening." The Aiona camp wants to go after every vote in every district, and grassroots campaigns have sprung up throughout the state, said campaign spokesman Travis Taylor. Of 13 regional chairs in the Aiona campaign, eight are on the Neighbor Islands. Headquarters are being opened on each of the major islands over the next two months, starting with East Hawai'i and O'ahu next month. "Neighbor Island working families and businesses form an integral part of our statewide grassroots organization and they will be key to electing Duke Aiona as our next governor," Taylor said. Aiona has an advantage over Abercrombie and Hannemann in being able to use his position as lieutenant governor to regularly visit the Neighbor Islands, he said. Taylor also pointed out that in 2006, the Lingle-Aiona gubernatorial team won each of the 51 House districts, for a statewide sweep. UNION INFLUENCE Although the campaigns report that organizational efforts are in full swing, neither Castberg nor Tanji said they've seen accelerated political activity by any of the major candidates on the Big Island and Maui, respectively. But both noted that the election season is still young. So what will it take to win the Neighbor Islands in 2010, especially when all three major candidates are O'ahu-based? ILWU support is still deemed critical enough that there was an internal fight among union leaders over the labor group's endorsement of Hannemann. Former ILWU leader Eusebio "Bobo" Lapenia quit two union-affiliated boards in protest after current president Isaac Fiesta Jr., a fellow Big Island native, announced that Hannemann would receive the endorsement. Lapenia said he will work to elect Abercrombie, noting the candidate's longtime support for ILWU causes. Despite Lingle's wins in 2002 and 2006, Hawai'i Republican Party chairman Jonah Kaauwai, a Kaua'i native, said it's still not easy for a Republican to take the Neighbor Islands. "The culture of the plantations is still more prevalent on the Neighbor Islands. You have long-term, union-based communities. That doesn't make it easier for Republicans, although people seem to be a heck of a lot more informed than they used to," he said. Kaauwai said the gover- nor's race may hinge on the Big Island, where the last time voters there backed a losing candidate was in 1998, when Lingle beat incumbent Ben Cayetano in county balloting by 4,500 votes but lost the general election by 5,254 votes statewide. "That election said to us that the next time around, we could win," Kaauwai said. In 2002, Lingle beat Mazie Hirono on the Big Island by 1,928 votes on her way to becoming the state's first Republican governor in four decades. KEY PLAYERS Former Advertiser political reporter and editor Jerry Burris said former GOP state Sen. D.G. "Andy" Anderson, himself a former gubernatorial candidate, many years ago predicted a major demographic shift on the Neighbor Islands away from their strongly Democratic roots. Kona, Kihei and other Neighbor Island communities have become home to large segments of newcomers, Burris said, creating new demographics that candidates need to figure out. Census Bureau data indicate that "whites" make up nearly 40 percent of the population in each of the Neighbor Island counties, compared with 23 percent on O'ahu. But Burris added that those of them who are malihini are a fickle lot. "Those folks don't vote in the proportions of the old-timers, so their impact is muted," he said. "Yes, Lingle did well on the Neighbor Islands, but that was a bit of an aberration since Democrats across the state voted for her out of exasperation with Cayetano and the 40-year Democratic reign." Tanji, the veteran Maui journalist, said he's not sure the Neighbor Islands are turning more Republican. Lingle succeeded largely because she was able to identify different segments of Neighbor Island communities and appeal to them. "Lingle was better at compartmentalizing and approaching the sectors on their own as opposed to one big rally," he said. Dante Carpenter, Democratic Party of Hawai'i chairman and a former Big Island mayor and legislator, said a major issue for all the Neighbor Islands is transportation, namely airports, harbors and highways. Politicians need to be aware of the explosive growth that's occurred on Maui, Kaua'i and Hawai'i island, and the need for government-sponsored infrastructure projects to keep up. "This is the way commerce is moved back and forth," Carpenter said. "You gotta be able to address the ramifications of every one of those as they relate to interisland travel, the receipt and discharge of interisland commerce. All of these things are very important to the Neighbor Islands." Castberg said that despite the changing composition of the Neighbor Islands, what remains is a need to secure the support of key community members in every region, "strong supporters who are well-known on (each) island; people who are respected by the people who live there. That makes a big difference." And showing up in person on the Neighbor Islands in and of itself is a big step for candidates, he said. "Whoever's running for governor really has to be on the Neighbor Islands from time to time just to get their message across," Castberg said. "It's time-consuming and it's expensive but it's expected. And it may be that if you don't pay enough attention to the Neighbor Islands, people are going to vote for the other candidate just out of spite." Tanji said it's not so much that Neighbor Islanders' views on issues are that much different from those of O'ahu voters. "There's still a 'we-don't-want-to-be-like-O'ahu' attitude," he said. "What issues are going to appeal to the Neighbor Island voter aren't necessarily different than the ones that are going to affect O'ahu voters. It's just that the Neighbor Island voter wants to know that you, the candidate, understand what they're thinking about." Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 18, 2010 8:15 a.m. HST 'Going Green' Comes at High Price - To Begin With A 10-megawatt solar power project that would have boosted the amount of renewable energy on Kaua'i isn't moving ahead at this time. The reason? The Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative wouldn't agree to pay what the developer wanted for the electricity. The stalled project provides a glimpse into a not-so-often discussed portion of green energy as the state drives toward adoption of sustainable power projects: Going green could translate into higher electricity prices in the short run for Hawai'i residents. Utilities are being offered and, in some cases, agreeing to wholesale power purchase contracts that could translate into people paying slightly more for power than they do now. Proponents say it will help stabilize energy costs and lower energy bills in the long run. "The prices that they're agreeing to are higher than what they might pay if it were fossil fuel," said Dean Nishina, who as head of the state Division of Consumer Advocacy regularly spars with utilities on proposed rate increases. "Initially you'll see that bumping of costs. But in the long run the hope and vision is that we will be thinking 'it's great we have these renewable energy projects.'" That's because most people see crude oil costs continuing to escalate as the world's oil supply declines. No state is so vulnerable to oil market fluctuations as Hawai'i, which gets most of its energy from petroleum. About 90 percent of the state's electricity comes from power plants using either fuel oil or diesel fuel. That's one reason Hawai'i's electricity prices are the highest in the nation. The drive to add more renewable electricity generation now will more than pay off in the future as oil prices creep higher, said Carl Caliboso, chairman of the state Public Utilities Commission. "We have to be careful that we don't unnecessarily pay more than we should pay," Caliboso said. But "what we don't want to do is get down the road 10 or 20 years from now and have people ask why didn't you do something." LINGLE'S POSITION The shift toward renewable energy is one of the major policy initiatives of Gov. Linda Lingle's administration, which estimates as much as $7 billion flows out of the state annually to pay for oil and other fuel imported for Hawai'i's energy needs. Under the Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative, Lingle wants the state to get 40 percent of its energy needs by tapping wind, solar, ocean, biofuel and geothermal resources, while another 30 percent would come from efficiency and conservation programs. Both Hawaiian Electric Co., which operates utilities on all islands except Kaua'i, and the Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative, have committed to obtaining 40 percent of their energy generation from renewable sources by 2030. As such, the two have started exploring agreements to buy energy from independent producers who propose a variety of projects, ranging from large wind farms to acres of solar devices and people seeking to turn biomass into energy. But adding renewables is more than a policy choice — and deciding when and where to add power from sustainable sources involves a complex set of variables. The utilities usually look to negotiate 20-year agreements to purchase power at fixed prices adjusted for inflation. The rates can be based on a variety of factors, including cost of the project plus a rate of return and how much people will have to pay. "It's a very complex problem about how you shift to renewables and what costs you pay up front," said Henry Curtis, a longtime PUC watcher and executive director of the Life of the Land environmental group. A partial answer can be seen in contracts that HECO signed in the past year with two O'ahu power projects, one a 30-kilowatt windfarm in Kahuku and the other a 6-megawatt operation that will turn biomass into synthetic gas to power generators. Wholesale rates in both contracts before the PUC work out to higher rates than are being paid by HECO's customers once overhead costs — expenses for transmission lines, equipment, facilities and service costs — are added in. For example, a 20.4 cent per kilowatt hour peak rate (between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.) has been negotiated with the wind project, which includes costs for a battery storage system. When the 9.88 cents per kilowatt hour overhead costs are added, the rate would be well above the 23.5 cents per kilowatt hour effective rate paid by O'ahu residential customers this month. The above example is a gross simplification of HECO rates and doesn't take into account that the electricity generation costs for fuel and purchased energy are just that — a blend of what the utility pays for generation with fuel oil, diesel fuel and other outside sources such as garbage-to-energy. But it does indicate that the addition of renewables may result in higher prices in the short term versus the status quo that relies heavily on oil as a fuel. It also doesn't take into account other investments that are coming, such as an about $1 billion undersea cable that would hook up enormous windfarms being proposed on Moloka'i and Lana'i with O'ahu, and perhaps hundreds of millions of dollars of grid upgrades that will be needed as renewable energy use increases. But Nishina and others say the switch to renewables, even if the initial cost may be higher, is a no-brainer. Advocates say a generation from now people will praise the vision and efforts made today to get the state off oil. "There will be a tipping point where fossil fuel will continue to increase and renewable energy will be more competitive in price," Nishina said. 'PEAK OIL' POINT HECO hopes contracts it is negotiating now prove to be more favorable over the long run, given the expected increases in crude prices as the world approaches "peak oil," or the point at which maximum oil production is reached and it begins to decline, and as China's and India's economies demand more and more petroleum. The U.S. Energy Information Agency recently issued a short-term energy price probability report putting the chance of oil continuing to increase and ending the year at more than $90 a barrel at just under 40 percent. A number of other estimates exist, including an October report from Deutsche Bank that projected oil would peak at $175 a barrel in 2016. The uncertainty surrounding oil pricing means that a spike could render worries about the possibility of higher short-term electricity prices moot. "We've said costs are likely to get more attractive as the cost of oil goes up," said Peter Rosegg, HECO spokesman. He said the contracts being signed will help make rates more predictable as oil prices fluctuate. "We think these longer-term contracts are going to pay off." That vision calls for Hawai'i consumers to pay less when oil crosses a certain price point. No one is willing to say what that figure is, just that they are certain it will happen some day. At that point, any complaints about the costs incurred in switching to a renewable regime will disappear. "We don't have cheap sources of new oil," said Michael Hamnett, co-chairman of the Hawai'i Energy Policy Forum. "So that means renewables are going to look more and more attractive." Ted Peck, who guides Hawai'i's energy policy as state Energy Administrator, said he thinks people won't see any effects of renewable project costs in their electricity bills as the sustainable sources come online. The big issue for him is freeing the state from its dependency on imported oil. "If you do the harder path of clean energy, at the end of 20 years you own that energy free and clear. It's yours." Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 17, 2010 5:40 p.m. HST 'Auntie Dottie' Laid to Rest Amidst Pomp, Circumstance in Hilo HILO, Hawai'i — Auntie Dottie Thompson was not a government official, not a kumu hula, not even ethnically Hawaiian. But today she was honored with all the pageantry the Hawaiian community possesses as her more than 40 years of service to the Merrie Monarch Festival was celebrated. Starting in the early hours of the morning, the queue snaked down the steps of her home church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church in downtown Hilo, as friends, family, kumu hula and the elite of the Hawaiian entertainment community came to pay their respects. Members of the Hale O Na Ali'I O Hawaii civic organization, of which she was an honorary member, took turns standing at the head and foot of her coffin, holding feather kahili (standards) over her. "We are standing guard over her," Ku'ulei Hughes-Okada, iku ha'i (director) of the organization. "She deserves this respect." Standing in line early in the morning was kumu kula Johnnty Lum Ho, characterized as the "bad boy" of Merrie Monarch hula, often presenting dances that stretch the edges of tradition and delight the audience while flummoxing the judges. "My heart is heavy for the family," he said. What did Auntie Dottie mean to hula, he is asked. Long pause. "Everything. She brought it to life.." Kimo Kahoano, emcee of the Merrie Monarch TV show, said he will miss her astute ability to sum up a person or situation and then deal directly and fairly with them. "She was always frank and honest and fair," he said. "I'm going to miss her." Among Thompson's skills was the ability to bring people from many different backgrounds together to work on the Merrie Monarch. The lineup outside her funeral bore this out: Koa Puna Harley-Davidson bikers, who have long done the security for Merrie Monarch, stood next to elegantly holoku'd aunties with bouquets of flowers in their hair, everyday folks rubbed shoulders with award-winning entertainers and there were more Sig Zane outfits than you can count. Mapuana de Silva, whose Halau Mohala Ilima has been part of Merrie Monarch for decades, said Thompson was "old school, totally honest and everything she did was for the kumu, the halau and the hula." Reach Wanda A. Adams at wadams@honoluluadvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 17, 2010 11 a.m. HST Foreclosure Rate Still Trending Up for Maui New foreclosures in Maui County continued to run at near-record highs in March, with one Maui foreclosures tracker saying, "We haven't turned the corner yet." There were 217 new foreclosure filings last month, or one out of every 305 households in Maui County, according to real estate research company RealtyTrac. "This is the third highest month we have experienced," said John Andersen, who tracks foreclosures as executive director of Na Hale O Maui, a nonprofit organization that converts foreclosed properties to affordable housing. Kihei had the highest number of new foreclosures with 74 filings in March. Lahaina had 58 new filings, and Wailuku had 32. New foreclosure filings are defined as properties that have received foreclosure filings, default notices, or foreclosure auction notices, or have been repossessed by banks. Kahului had 20 filings, Makawao 16 and Haiku six, RealtyTrac reported Thursday. Statewide, there were 1,097 new foreclosures, with 522 on Oahu, 282 on the Big Island and 76 on Kauai. Despite news of a brighter economy nationwide, the outlook for foreclosures in Maui County remains gloomy. "We're seeing quite a few new actions filed, and the trend is continuing into April," said Andersen. "There is no letup in filings." The growing new filings are compounding foreclosure woes in the county by increasing the total inventory of homes in foreclosure - with only a trickle of auctions or work-outs clearing properties from the system. More than 800 homes on Maui are currently in foreclosure and have reached the auction stage, but in more than 90 percent of cases, the auctions are being postponed, multiple times in some cases, Andersen said. He believes that lenders are overwhelmed with the record numbers of foreclosures or are trying to keep the losses off their books for as long as possible. Delays also could be the result of loan modifications, which take time, and short sales. "The market has to absorb the large number of distressed properties" before it can recover, he said. Until these homes - which are selling 30 percent below assessed values - clear auction there will continue to be a downward pressure on prices, Andersen said. "We haven't turned the corner yet," he said. Declines in new foreclosures and the backlog will have to happen "before we can say we turned the corner, and none of these things have occurred," he said. The news isn't all bad, said Joe Hogan, an ERA Pacific Properties broker who specializes in foreclosed properties on Maui and the Big Island. "To me it's getting better," said Hogan, noting that he's starting to see new sales. "It's hard but not as bad as last year." Still, one or two new foreclosures pass through his office each week, he said. Most happen because people have lost their jobs; or have reduced hours or exotic mortgages they no longer can afford; or have stopped making payments on their homes because the value has plummeted, he said. While many foreclosed homes still need to be auctioned, Hogan doesn't "see them driving prices a lot lower. . . . It's hard to say. It's a crystal-ball question." The foreclosure situation may remain bleak for another two to three years until the economy improves, he said. Reach Lee Imada at limada@mauinews.com. (Report Provided by The Maui News) NEWS FLASH - April 17, 2010 9:20 a.m. HST Trades Send High Surf to East Shores 1. EVENTS: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has continued the HIGH SURF ADVISORY for EAST FACING SHORES of MAUI and MOLOKAI in effect until 6:00 a.m. Sunday. A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion. 2. EFFECTS: A large north northeast swell combined with locally generated wind waves will produce rough and choppy surf along east facing shores. Surf along east facing shores will be 7 to 10 feet today and tonight. Forecast surf heights are estimates of the height of the face or front of waves. A high tide of approximately 2.4 feet is expected between 5:03 p.m. and 6:21 p.m. this evening. The next high tide of approximately 1.3 feet is expected between 3:08 a.m. and 4:26 a.m. tomorrow. 3. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: BEACH GOERS ARE URGED TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER AND WELL AWAY FROM THE SHORE BREAK DUE TO THE HAZARDOUS WAVE ACTION AND STRONG RIP CURRENTS. 4. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided by Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - April 17, 2010 8:10 a.m. HST Lt. Gov. Shoots Down Parent-Proposed Furlough Plan HONOLULU – Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today issued the following statement on the recent furlough-ending plan proposed by Hawai'i parents: “I have been talking with parents across the state about solving the teacher furlough issue, and it is clear that they want a quick resolution to this festering problem. “On Tuesday, I met with leaders of the parent group Hawai`i Education Matters, and they presented a tentative plan to me as well as the HSTA that I carefully reviewed and endorsed. “Their plan, at that time, acknowledged what Governor Linda Lingle, State Legislators, others in the community and I recognize - that the remaining four furlough days this school year are unlikely to be restored. Our efforts should be focused on ending Furlough Fridays next school year. “Their proposal had three main points. One, the State would provide up to $55 million to return teachers and other personnel to school on nine Furlough Fridays. Two, HSTA leaders would allow children to return to class on six non-instructional days, which they have previously indicated they’re willing to do. And three, parents would accept two total furlough days over the course of the next school year. “In Hawai`i, we solve problems best by asking everyone to bring something to the table, and this version of their plan would do just that. Parents, teachers and the State would each give something to achieve a comprehensive solution within our fiscal constraints to return students to the classroom. “In addition, I would recommend that each school be given the flexibility to determine which staff members are necessary to return on furlough days to open and operate the school. “Instead of pursuing the plan we discussed, the group chose instead to announce a different plan on Friday that I cannot support because it would leave the furlough situation unresolved and incomplete. “I don’t fault them for their decision. In fact, I commend these parents for their efforts. I believe they’re trying their best to deal with a difficult situation. “Like most of our parents, I believe the number of furlough days currently planned for our students is unacceptable, and we must all work together to move beyond the rhetoric and get our students back to the classroom. “Any solution will require the involvement of the Governor, the State Legislature, the BOE, and the HSTA. None of them can solve this issue alone, and all must – and still can – work together to get it done before the Legislature adjourns.” (Report Provided by the Office of Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr.) NEWS FLASH - April 16, 2010 4:50 p.m. HST Unemployment Remains Relatively Unchanged for March HONOLULU-
The Hawai`i State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced
today that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March remained
at 6.9 percent for the third consecutive month. Nationally, the seasonally
adjusted unemployment rate also remained at 9.7 percent in March for
the third consecutive month. There were 592,850 employed and 43,800
unemployed in February, for a total seasonally adjusted labor force
of 636,650.
To read the entire report, click here. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations) NEWS FLASH - April 16, 2010 2:10 p.m. HST Parents' Groups Suggest Plan to Eliminate Furlough Days Two grassroots parents organizations today released their own plan to reduce Hawaii's public school furloughs, saying it represents a compromise between Gov. Linda Lingle's plan and a supplemental agreement already reached between the state Board of Education and teachers' union. The plan would eliminate 15 of the remaining 21 furlough days through a combination of money from the Hurricane Relief Fund or other emergency funds and teachers giving up planning days. Nine days would be eliminated at a cost of $55 million. That figure is based on the $6.1 million a day it costs to run the school system with all employees and operating expenses such as electricity, water and bus transportation. In addition, teachers would give up six planning days, as they've already voted to do under the current supplemental agreement between the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the BOE. Six furlough days would be left under the plan developed by Save Our Schools Hawaii and Hawaii Education Matters, which would eliminate all scheduled furlough days up to March 21, 2011. The parents say they hope lawmakers and the next elected governor will resolve the remaining days. "Given what the governor and others have put on the table and said they are willing to do, this is what we have come up with. We are very hopeful and believe it is a workable solution," said Lois Yamauchi, with SOS Hawaii, whose children attend Manoa Elementary and University Laboratory School. State Board of Education Chairman Garrett Toguchi reiterated that the BOE and HSTA already have come to a legally binding, $92 million supplemental agreement to deal with furloughs. He said he was pleased to see that the parents used the $6.1 million figure in their per-day calculations to run to the school system because it represents bringing all employees back to work. "It is an endorsement of the proposal we already have with the teachers," Toguchi said. "It's not a plan that I can take to the HSTA and say, 'Let's work out a new deal.'" He said the plan essentially would amount to funding only part of the supplemental agreement with the teachers' union, which might be possible. "Because it's only partial funding, we would have to go back to the union," he said. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - April 16, 2010 1:50 p.m. HST Central Maui Landfill To Accept Scarp Metal - Starting on Earth Day KAHULUI - The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s Solid Waste Division announced today that beginning Earth Day, April 22, 2010, the recycling of small-sized, residential scrap metals will be allowed at the Central Maui Landfill Recycling Center. No commercial scrap metal will be accepted. Metal recycling will be available during daily landfill hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Residents should separate their metal loads from all other waste/recycling. Metal items that will be accepted include: roofing, gutters, tubs, sinks, faucets, pipes, metal lawn furniture, blinds and fencing. Other items that will be accepted include: bicycles (rubber tires must be removed), push mowers (all fluid must be removed), cable and electric wires, small electric appliances, microwaves, hand tools (batteries must be removed), satellite dishes, solar panels and motor parts (all fluid must be removed). Items
that will not be accepted in the metal recycling bin include: Residents are encouraged to continue recycling their larger metal items at the SOS Island Metals Recycling Facility located on Mokulele Highway in the Central Maui Baseyard. The County’s Solid Waste Division designed the Central Maui Landfill with the intention of offering metal recycling to residents and is pleased to begin offering this service. SOS Island Metals Recycling has been awarded the bid for a two-year pilot project, which comes at no cost to the County. The contractor provides the bins and hauling of the scrap metals at no charge, while retaining all profits from the sale of metals collected. Besides the benefit of providing this service to residents, the County benefits by diverting metals from the waste-stream, which helps to reduce future landfill expenses. Commercial customers are encouraged to take their metals directly to permitted processors: SOS Island Metals Recycling and Kitagawa. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - April 16, 2010 10:10 a.m. HST Kamehameha Road Improvements Project to Begin Sunday KAHULUI - The County of Maui Department of Public Works announced that the Kamehameha Avenue Roadway Improvements Project will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, 2010 and continue through mid-August 2010. The project involves reconstructing Kamehameha Avenue between Puunene Avenue and Hana Highway. The $1.359 million contract was awarded to David P. Ting and Sons, Inc. The work will be performed at night; however, all phases except nine and ten will require detours and daytime closures for safety reasons and to allow the concrete topping to cure. Lane closures will be set up to allow motorists to utilize the affected areas of Kamehameha Avenue, which is expected to allow access to all businesses in the area at all times during the project. Motorists are asked to exercise caution when traveling through the project area. The project will be conducted in multiple phases, with the first phase affecting the east-bound lanes of Kamehameha Avenue between Alamaha and Hoohana. Both lanes will be completely closed for 1-2 weeks; work will then move to the west-bound lanes (Phase two) in the same area requiring those lanes to be closed for 1-2 weeks. The third and fourth phases will affect the west-bound lanes of Kamehameha Avenue from Hoohana to Puunene (including the west-bound lanes of the Hoohana and Kamehameha Avenue intersection); both lanes will be closed for 1-2 weeks. The fifth and sixth phases will affect the east-bound lanes of Kamehameha Avenue from Alamaha to Hana Highway (including the east-bound lanes of the Alamaha and Kamehameha Avenue intersection); both lanes will be closed for 1-2 weeks. Phases seven and eight will affect the east-bound lanes of Kamehameha Avenue from Puunene to Hoohana (including the east-bound lanes of the Hoohana and Kamehameha Avenue intersection); both lanes will be closed for 1-2 weeks. Phases nine and ten will affect the west-bound lanes of Kamehameha Avenue between Hana Highway and Alamaha (including the west-bound lanes of the Alamaha and Kamehameha Avenue intersection). For more information, call the County of Maui Department of Public Works at 270-7745. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - April 16, 2010 8:20 a.m. HST State Doubles PV Installations - Sixth Most in Nation Hawai'i more than doubled the amount of solar power installations that are tied to the electric grid last year, according to data in a new Solar Energy Industries Association report. The review included figures showing 14 megawatts of solar power was installed here last year, or the sixth-highest amount among all states. That compared with the 13 megawatts in place in the state before 2009. The report also cited Energy Information Agency data showing Hawai'i accounted for 5 percent of solar water heater shipments in 2008, the fourth-highest nationally. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - April 16, 2010 7 a.m. HST High Winds Keep Red Flag Fire Warning Up 1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has CONTINUED the Red Flag Warning for Leeward areas of Maui and Molokai, until 6:00 p.m. this evening. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create rapid fire growth potential. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts. 2. EFFECTS: Strong and gusty northerly winds along with very low humidity values will produce critical fire weather conditions today, especially during the late morning and afternoon hours. 3. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided by Maui County Civil Defense) NEW FOR 2010: Maui TV News Breaking News stories are now being archived. Each month (or more frequently if needed) we will save an archive of all the Breaking News stories covered to date on this page. And you can use the search box in the upper right corner of this page to locate a specific story or topic. Now available: |
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