Friday, July 13, 2012

Gay marriage, abortion top Hawaii's 2nd Congressional debate; Honolulu requires protest permits; embattled Hawaii County Elections Office ready for the primary; geothermal, GASB bills nixed; Kauai smoking ban smolders, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

2nd Congressional debate, courtesy Hawaii News Now
Social issues like abortion and gay marriage came up early and often during the first widely televised debate in the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary Thursday night. Civil Beat.

The four major candidates in the Democratic primary for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District exchanged barbs during a feisty 90-minute debate Thursday night that touched on issues from their views on same-sex marriage to their ranges of political experience. Star-Advertiser.

Four of the candidates in the Democratic party primary for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District squared off in a 90-minute debate on Hawaii News Now. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard, former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann, legislative aide Esther Kia'aina  and Big Island lawyer Bob Marx say they have what it takes to represent rural Oahu and the neighboring islands. KITV4.

Lingle Tops Hirono in Fundraising; Poll Wars; TV: Dems Debate, Republicans Left Out. Hawaii Reporter.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has instituted a new policy for his appointees this election year: they have to take vacation or unpaid leave if they're running for office. Hawaii News Now.

The reform of Hawaii's charter school system got underway Thursday as Karen Street, a human resources executive, was chosen as chairwoman of the commission that will oversee the schools, and plans were announced to hire a national organization to help implement the new law. Star-Advertiser.

Experiences on the mainland, along with evaluations of Hawaii election procedures, suggest several types of legal and procedural changes that would be likely to bolster voter registration and election turnout, although studies suggest the overall impact may be modest at best. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority will focus on building momentum in the recovery of the local tourism industry during its annual Hawaii Tourism Conference, which will be Aug. 23-24 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Pacific Business News.

Computer generated data is expected to grow by 50 times by 2020.   Storing and managing this information was covered during this year’s Asia-Pacific International Management Conference in Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

State roundup for July 12. Associated Press.

Oahu


Honolulu mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell received $511,404 in campaign donations from January through June, nearly $400,000 less than fellow challenger Ben Cayetano, according to campaign figures released today. Hawaii Reporter.

As many as six more University of Hawaii officials in different departments could find their roles in the botched Stevie Wonder fundraising concert under review following the suspensions of UH's athletic director and Stan Sheriff arena manager this week. Star-Advertiser.

People holding a protest or other "expressive activity" in a city park would be required to obtain a permit, under a bill approved Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council. The bill, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union Hawaii chapter, was prompted by a court order. Star-Advertiser.

Two Honolulu City Councilmen are calling on the Mayor to make sure money is found to restore bus service after recent cutbacks. KHON2.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Mayor Peter Carlisle are working together to decide on the future of the historic Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial. KITV4.

Hawaii

More Hawaii County voters are expected to vote by mail this election, but early walk-in voting will be limited to three locations, and three small precincts won’t have a polling place at all, under changes instituted this year by the county Elections Office. West Hawaii Today.

The person in charge of elections on the Big Island said today that the voting process is on track. Big Island Now.

A pair of bills relating to geothermal energy have died on Mayor Billy Kenoi’s desk, unless the County Council can engineer an override of the veto. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Billy Kenoi vetoed a bill that would have required the county to make payments into a county retiree benefits account and denounced it as being “fiscally irresponsible.” Tribune-Herald.

The three candidates for County Prosecuting Attorney faced off last night at a political forum in Hilo. KPUA.

Maui

Several hundred Maui residents have signed a petition asking the county's liquor commission to again prohibit patrons from bringing their own wine into restaurants. Maui News.

Three months after Maui's liquor commissioners tossed a plan to shut down late-night entertainment in the Kihei Kalama Village, the department says it's seeing positive changes. Maui News.

Costco Wholesale on Maui opened a gas station this morning, selling regular unleaded gas at $3.99 and premium for $4.19 for a gallon. Maui Now.

Kauai

A bill that would allow outlaw tobacco products at county parks and designate the parks’ parking lots as smoking areas seemed poised to fly through second and final reading Wednesday at the Kaua‘i County Council meeting. Instead, the council decided to put more work into the bill. Garden Island.

After much controversy earlier this year, when Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. put Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Darryl Perry on leave, voters will not decide whether the mayor or the Police Commission has such powers over the police chief. Garden Island.

Lihu‘e Public Library will be closing for extensive renovation starting this fall. Garden Island.


No comments:

Post a Comment