Immigrants boost Hawaii economy by $17 billion
Hawaii’s foreign-born residents make up about 20 percent of our population and are not only essential workers, they are our relatives, our co-workers, and our friends.
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Politics
Number of people leaving Hawaii doubles in 2020
The number of people leaving in fiscal 2020 was almost five times
what local economic researchers were predicting just weeks ago
Jones Act reforms proposed by Rep. Ed Case
Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) has introduced three bills in Congress to reform the century-old Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (commonly
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TMT construction gets green light
Gov. David Ige announced that the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) issued a notice to proceed (NTP)
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Djou pulls out of televised mayoral forum
Charles Djou has withdrawn from a live, televised mayoral candidates forum a month out from the scheduled broadcast, PBS Hawaii
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Big Island Election Challenged in Hawaii Supreme Court
On August 6, 2014, Governor Abercrombie signed an emergency proclamation, in advance of two anticipated storms projected to impact Hawai‘i: Hurricanes Iselle and Julio. The proclamation – valid from August 6 through August 15 – included a statement that “the danger of disaster is of such magnitude to warrant preemptive and protective action in order to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the people.â€
Facing massive damage from Iselle on August 8, and thousands of Hawai‘i County residents dealing with historic flooding, power outages, property damage, and road closures – some of which continue even now – the Chief Elections Officer determined that the primary would go on as scheduled on August 9. the Chief Elections Officer went on to change the rules of the election (who could vote, where and how) at least two more times over the course of three days.
This series of decisions led to the denial of the right to vote for many Hawai‘i County residents. Indeed, Precinct 04-03 had among its lowest voter turnout ever.
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Obama praises Sen. Inouye upon his passing
“Tonight, our country has lost a true American hero with the passing of Senator Daniel Inouye. The second-longest serving Senator in the history of the chamber, Danny represented the people of Hawaii in Congress from the moment they joined the Union. In Washington, he worked to strengthen our military, forge bipartisan consensus, and hold those of us in government accountable to the people we were elected to serve. But it was his incredible bravery during World War II – including one heroic effort that cost him his arm but earned him the Medal of Honor – that made Danny not just a colleague and a mentor, but someone revered by all of us lucky enough to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Inouye family.”
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Governor: Invest now for Hawaii’s future
There was no way for us to have balanced our budget and achieved today’s fiscally favorable outlook without the commitment of everyone. To all of you who came to work each day bearing the burden of cuts and slashes to your programs for the past three years; and to those of you who gave up furloughs because of your commitment to serving Hawaii’s people, I thank you. Mahalo plenty to each and every one of you.
Together, we are moving forward. And moving forward means leaving behind the drama of the recent past.
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Lawmakers to host live video chat Tuesday
Sen. Will Espero will host a live streaming video conversation tomorrow, along with Sens. Carol Fukunaga and Clarence Nishihara, as well as Rep. Angus McKelvey.
Sen. Espero (Sen. District 20), the Senate Public Safety, Military and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee Chairperson and his team are desccribing the event as a “Ustream Legislative Sit-Down.†The broadcast will begin at noon.
Sen. Espero will use this online platform to talk with other State Legislators about the 2011 Legislative Session, find out what they are doing in the interim, and discuss any upcoming plans for next session.
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Ed Case enters race for U.S. Senate
Ed Case today launched another campaign to replace Sen. Daniel Akaka, who announced last month that he was retiring after
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Sen. Akaka will not seek re-election
Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka announced today that he is not going to run for re-election in 2012, after nearly 22 years in the U.S. senate. The decision will end a 35 year career in Washington, D.C.
As the Washington Post notes, the move makes him “the fifth Democratic or Democratic aligned incumbent to bow out already this election cycle.
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Capitol chamber to open to the public
The House of Representatives today announced that the House Chamber will be open daily for Hawaii State Capitol visitors and guests to tour the gallery area during the remainder of the month of February as a pilot project. After February, the project will be evaluated and a decision will be made on whether to extend access to the Chamber year round beyond the months the legislature is in session, January to May.
Access to the Chamber will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., including the hours that the House is normally in session.
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Abercrombie names first cabinet members
Governor-Elect Neil Abercrombie today appointed five Cabinet members in his first announcement on leadership positions in the Abercrombie Administration. William J. Aila Jr. was named the Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, an appointment that Robert Harris, director of the Hawaii Chapter of the Sierra Club, called “an outstanding choice.”
In addition to Aila, Abercrombie’s appointments are Richard Lim as the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Jodie Maesaka-Hirata as the Director of the Department of Public Safety; and Alapaki Nahalea and Bobby Hall as the team leading the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands as its Director and Deputy Director, respectively.
Read moreRepublican Caucus Selects New Leaders
House Republicans selected Representative Gene Ward Ph.D. as Minority Leader and Representative Kymberly Pine will continue to serve as the Minority Floor Leader. Cynthia Thielen remains the Assistant Minority Leader, Corinne Ching will be the Assistant Minority Floor Leader and Barbara Marumoto will be the Minority Policy Leader. The three freshman George Fontaine, Aaron Johanson and Gil Riviere will serve as Whips.
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Abercrombie announces transition plan
Governor-Elect Neil Abercrombie today announced plans for the transition to a new Abercrombie/Schatz Administration, including the process for ensuring a smooth transition from the current administration.
Bill Kaneko, who served as the campaign manager for the Abercrombie for Governor campaign, will serve as the Transition Director.
Read morePresident Obama to Host White House Luau
The tastes and talents of Hawaii will take center stage in the national spotlight on Thursday as President Barack Obama,
Read moreRep. Ward forms shark task force
Rep. Gene Ward today announced formation of a shark task force. “The purpose of the task force is to engage
Read moreFederal stimulus to fund clean water
The Hawaii Department of Health will receive $30,352,300 through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 for the Clean
Read moreGovernor reports 'State of the State'
Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle delivered her 2009 “State of the State” address this morning. Here are her complete remarks, courtesy
Read moreLingle: 'The future begins today'
Gov. Linda Lingle highlighted her administration’s plans to address homelessness, health care, and tax relief in her annual “State of
Read moreLingle unveils plan for tax relief, refunds
Gov. Linda Lingle today announced a package of proposals to bring tax relief to Hawaii residents struggling with the state’s
Read moreAkaka, Hirono win key primary battles
The usually subdued primary election season was a nail-biter this year, as several contests — most within the Democratic party — came
Read moreAkaka, Case debate transcript
The first — and probably only — live, televised debate between Rep. Ed Case and Sen. Daniel Akaka took place tonight. Organized
Read moreCase, Akaka debate 'influence' in congress
As both Rep. Ed Case and Sen. Daniel Akaka prepare for Thursday’s live debate, both campaigns have again focused on
Read moreAkaka, Case share stage
Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka and Rep. Ed Case shared a stage on Tuesday, the first time they’ve appeared together since
Read moreNew website tracks isle politics
An independent political news site hopes to serve as a hub for local campaign news and views. Hawaii Election Watch,
Read more'Unknown' graves at Punchbowl to be updated
The graves of a group of Pearl Harbor sailors killed at the start of World War II will soon tell
Read moreSenators vote 'no' on minimum wage, estate tax bill
Hawaii Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka opposed a so-called ‘trifecta bill’ that would have raised the minimum wage but
Read moreIsle activists arrested in Manhattan
Several members of a Hawaii delegation that traveled to New York to protest the Republican National Convention were arrested today,
Read moreStar Democrat recalls Hawaii ties
Illinois state senator and political powerhouse Barack Obama said today that Hawaii “taught me the possibilities of different cultures living
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