Showing posts with label soda tax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soda tax. Show all posts

Friday, March 1, 2013

Soda tax dies, legislator apologizes for racist remarks, deal near on deadly 2006 Kauai dam breach, Hawaii County budget seeks to end furloughs, geothermal RFP released, police mum on disciplinary records, Hawaii is the best place to work, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2013 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii bartender (c) 2013 All Hawaii News
Hawaii workers have the best work environments in the United States, according to a new Gallup poll that also ranked the state No. 1 for having the highest overall well-being in the nation. Pacific Business News.

State senators have chosen not to advance a soda fee of 1 cent per ounce that would have brought in about $37 million a year to counter obesity. The Abercrombie administration had hoped that the soda fee, as with higher taxes on tobacco, would discourage consumption. Star-Advertiser.

State Rep. Faye Hanohano apologized Thursday and accepted full responsibility for racial and ethnic remarks she made earlier this week after being disappointed with artwork installed in her state Capitol office. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Rep. Faye Hanohano has apologized on the House floor for offending people by using racial slurs to express disapproval of art in her office. Associated Press.

State representative Faye Hanohano has made a name for herself advocating on behalf of Native Hawaiians, but it's what she admits to saying about other ethnicities that has raised some eyebrows. Hawaii News Now.

POLL: Was Rep. Hanohano's apology for racial slurs enough? KITV4.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that could move the balance of power in the state Legislature even more toward Oahu. Tribune-Herald.

A House committee has revived a proposal to strip the University of Hawaii of procurement oversight of its construction projects as a prominent engineer has expanded on allegations that a top UH executive wasted potentially tens of millions of taxpayer dollars through blatant mismanagement. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii state Senate Committee on Ways and Means has approved a measure aimed at increasing the number of candidates who receive public funding for Big Island elections. Associated Press.

A bill that would force the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to issue timely decisions on cases was passed by the House Finance Committee on Wednesday, much to the satisfaction of the teachers union. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's visitor industry recorded gains in both visitor arrivals and spending in January, but the pace of growth slowed from last year's record-breaking performance, the Hawaii Tourism Authority reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

How widespread protests and a dissident legislative faction combined to topple the PLDC – for now. Hawaii Independent.

Carmille Lim, the newly appointed executive director of Common Cause Hawaii, has jumped into the deep end of democracy, starting at her new post just about when the Legislature convened. Star-Advertiser.

Linguists say they have determined that a unique sign language, possibly dating back to the 1800s or before, is being used in Hawaii. Associated Press.

In the Name of the Law: 5-part series on police misconduct. Civil Beat.

In-depth public service reporting on police agencies isn't possible in Hawaii, where misconduct records are exempt from public disclosure under a state law pushed through by Hawaii's own politically powerful police union. It's an exemption afforded only to the police; no other public employee has that protection. Civil Beat.

Eighteen years ago former Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano let bad cops off the hook when he allowed county police officers who got in trouble to remain anonymous. Civil Beat.

State roundup for March 1. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu Liquor Commission Administrator Greg I. Nishioka has resigned from practicing law and agreed to repay misappropriated money to clients, according to the state Disciplinary Board of the Hawaii Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Liquor Commission administrator is on the hot seat after misappropriating client money in his prior career as a lawyer, voluntarily surrendering his law license, and not disclosing any of it to the liquor board. KHON2.

Tourism officials discuss future management of Hawaii Convention Center. Pacific Business News.

The operator of the city's Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill has spent $1.5 million to design and construct a gas collection and control system to rectify alleged violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act that were resolved by a federal consent decree. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council members are considering a bill to encourage compliance by dead-beat homeowners who fail to clean up their yards. Hawaii Public Radio.

An island-style drive-in restaurant known for its unusual seafood burgers and 24-hour service has closed after 47 years of business. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Girl Scouts from public and private schools across the island are part of the first high-schoolers in the state to send a Microlab — an automated, self-contained science lab in a 4 1⁄2-by-2-by-2-inch module — to the International Space Station. Star-Advertiser.

This month marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of Hono­uli­uli, the largest of the 13 internment sites in Hawaii during the war. The Nishi­muras are one of the families featured in the Japa­nese Cultural Center of Hawaii documentary "The Untold Story: Internment of Japanese Americans in Hawaii." Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Anticipating a slight rise in property values this year, Mayor Billy Kenoi on Thursday proposed a $370.8 million operating budget that holds the line on property taxes and eliminates the monthly unpaid furlough day for county employees. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. announced Thursday it is ready to receive offers for expanding geothermal power on the Big Island by up to 50 megawatts. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County residents could have to pay double the current price for a new water meter come July 1 under a proposal by the Department of Water Supply. Maui News.

The Kahana Sunset's draft environmental assessment for a replacement seawall and drainage improvements underwent a review by the Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday. Maui News.

Four projects on Maui were named as recipients for funds in the first round of county grants for small town planning. Maui Now.

The Allied Health Center at the University of Hawaii Maui College was one of four University of Hawaii programs or facilities renamed in honor of the late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye. Maui News.

Kauai

The state attorney general and James Pflueger’s attorneys are finalizing a plea deal that would allow the 86-year-old automobile dealer to have his company take the brunt of charges filed against him over the breach of his Ka Loko Dam. Hawaii Reporter.

The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Lihu‘e Business Association, hosted the first of three panel discussions with candidates for the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Board of Directors Wednesday night at Kaua‘i Community College. Garden Island.

The head of the Planning Department took a lashing from the Kaua‘i County Council Wednesday for using funds earmarked for enforcement of transient vacation rentals in a different manner than approved by the council in 2012 and refusing to reveal additional details publicly. Garden Island.

The Garden Island ran its press for the last time Wednesday night, making Kauai the only county in Hawaii without a daily newspaper printed on island. Civil Beat.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Land Board considers Thirty Meter Telescope, Hawaii Legislature snuffs out pot bill, Honolulu rail opponents file appeal, Coco Palms resort seeks more time, power for Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

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Thirty Meter Telescope rally in Hilo (c) 2013 All Hawaii News
Dozens of supporters, and an even larger cadre of opponents, lined the streets outside and the hallways inside the Hawaii County Building in Hilo on Tuesday morning in anticipation of the final hearing for a construction permit for the Thirty Meter Telescope before the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii will not be following Colorado and Washington state on legalizing marijuana — at least not this year. Star-Advertiser.

A bill that would have legalized marijuana in Hawaii died in the state House on Tuesday. Associated Press.

State tax credits for residents who install rooftop solar systems are no longer a good deal for the state and could end up costing Hawaii taxpayers $1.4 billion over the long term, according to a new report by University of Hawaii economists. Civil Beat.

Hawaii representatives are pushing forward a bill that would require certain businesses to post signs with information on resources for victims of human trafficking. Associated Press.

Critics are taking aim at a bill moving through the Legislature that they say is an attempt to shield one member of the now-defunct Mortgage Foreclosure Task Force from state ethics laws. Civil Beat.

House lawmakers advance gambling measure. Bill clarifies gambling laws to cover 'sweepstakes' machines. KITV4.

Tenacious anti trafficking advocacy organizations are working to get passed new laws that increase penalties for patrons of prostitution. Hawaii Reporter.

A bill working through the Legislature would impose a penny per ounce fee on sugary beverages — sports drinks, juice and soda — at the distributor level. West Hawaii Today.

The Tourism industry experienced record visitor arrivals and spending last year … prompting the Governor to propose a bill to raise hotel room taxes. Hawaii Public Radio.

University Officials Find It Hard to Break Habit of Secrecy. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Senate President Donna Mercado Kim has chosen a Monsanto lobbyist to be on the group that recommends candidates for the state water commission. Civil Beat.

State roundup for February 13. Associated Press.

Oahu

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano and other plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit trying to stop Honolulu’s elevated-rail mass-transit project filed an appeal Tuesday in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Pacific Business News.

Representatives of the city Department of Planning and Permitting got more than an earful of negative comments at a public hearing Tuesday about the orientation of a planned $180 million condominium-hotel tower proposed for Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council is asking the mayor for a moratorium on enforcing certain components of a parks commercial-activity ban. KHON2.

A city law that took effect last summer has all but canned this year's nonprofit Pineapple Festival in Wahiawa, and the Hale­iwa Arts Festival will also have to be scrapped unless a change is made. Star-Advertiser.

Bill to increase chicken ownership. Hawaii News Now.

A planned project to build two homes near the entrance of a popular hiking trail in Aina Haina has stirred questions from some area residents who worry the project will lead to more construction. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The federal Social Security Administration on Tuesday resumed face-to-face visits in Kona and has scheduled two more visits at the West Hawaii Civic Center before once again discontinuing the service. West Hawaii Today.

A 3rd Circuit Court judge has stopped at least some development at the Villages of Aina Lea project in South Kohala until the land owner files a supplemental environmental impact statement. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Community College at Palamanui may soon clear a hurdle if the University of Hawaii Board of Regents decides to issue revenue bonds to cover the remaining cost of the long-awaited project. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Upcountry Maui is the heart of the island’s agricultural community, with a bounty of flowers, produce, livestock and, of course, world-famous Maui onions. Star-Advertiser.

For a second time, Haiku clothing designer Lisa Letarte Cabrinha has landed one of her bikinis on the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover, which hits newsstands today. Maui News.

Goodfellow Bros. says that it is laying off 100 workers as a result of a Land Use Commission ruling against the Kihei Malls development (aka “Kihei Mega-Mall”). Maui Now.

Maui County has been awarded a grant for technical assistance to develop green streets strategies that would use a combination of vegetation and innovative engineering techniques to manage storm water, the Environmental Protection Agency and members of Hawaii's congressional delegation announced last week. Maui News.

Kauai

Retired car dealer James Henry Pflueger lied about how much in taxes he owed on the sale of a commercial property in San Diego because he needed the money for his legal expenses in the Ka Loko Dam disaster and other judgments, federal prosecutor Les Osborne said Tuesday in opening statements of Pflueger’s conspiracy and tax evasion trial. Star-Advertiser.

The owner of Coco Palms Resort, after allowing a set of key permits to expire last month, has requested an extension, saying that they are in negotiations with a “Hawaiian group” to develop the property. Garden Island.

Hawaii regulators have approved the power-purchase agreement between the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative and Unitek Solvent Services Inc. Pacific Business News.

Senator Mazie Hirono will be on Kaua‘i Feb. 18 to meet with U.S. military veterans of all eras. Garden Island.

Molokai

A kapa pattern symbolizing ancestry, family and transportation will mark the turboprop aircraft flown by Hawaii’s newest interisland operation when `Ohana by Hawaiian inaugurates service to Molokai and Lanai this summer. Molokai Dispatch.


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Gay marriage bill dies, soda fee advances, Public Land Development Corp. faces repeal, Hawaii drops in ranking of government employees, charter school employee fined for conflict of interest, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

beach scene
Hawaii beach scene courtesy illustration
The state House Judiciary Committee has decided not to hear a bill to legalize gay marriage, likely tabling the issue for this year. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Neil Abercrombie issued a statement on the topic of marriage equality, calling on legislators to hold hearings on the marriage equality bill to further discussions on equal treatment. Maui Now.

The state Senate Health Committee voted Monday to advance a soda fee of 1 cent per ounce — or $1.28 per gallon — that would raise about $37 million a year to counter obesity. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers from two House committees have voted to repeal the Public Land Development Corporation, bowing to strong community opposition across the Hawaiian Islands. Associated Press.

Bending to public pressure, state House and Senate committees agreed Monday to repeal the Public Land Development Corp. Star-Advertiser.

House education committee Chair Roy Takumi wants to allow the state to lease unused public school land and use the revenue to help improve Hawaii’s schools. Associated Press.

A selective digest of bills and briefings of interest Tuesday at the state Capitol. Civil Beat.

Hawaii has slipped from having the highest percentage of government employees to third behind the District of Columbia and Alaska, according to a Gallup poll report released Monday. West Hawaii Today.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono warned Monday of "devastating" sequestration budget cuts that could cost Hawaii 11,000 jobs, result in furlough days for 18,000 defense civilians and cut into defense contracts that average $2.3 billion a year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines’ parent said Monday that it has named its turboprop interisland subsidiary Ohana by Hawaiian, and said the service operated by contractor Empire Airlines will launch this summer with flights to Molokai and Lanai. Pacific Business News.

State roundup for February 12. Associated Press.

Oahu

The state has decided not to prosecute Stoneridge Recoveries, the controversial vendor that had the city's most lucrative towing contract for eight years, on allegations of insurance fraud. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

The state Ethics Commission announced Monday that it has fined a Big Island charter school employee $10,000 for breaking conflict-of-interest laws. Civil Beat.

Police have arrested a 23-year-old Kona man whose threatening text messages prompted schools in Waimea and Honokaa to lock down their campuses Monday morning. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Financial pressures, including the decline of cruise ships visits to Maui, have led The Hawai'i Nature Center in Iao Valley to close its interactive museum and gift shop. Maui News.

The state Land Use Commission ruled Thursday that revised plans for a commercial and light industrial subdivision violate the commission's 1995 order to reclassify 68 acres from agricultural to urban use and ordered the project stopped. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

The Beach House Restaurant in Po‘ipu has been named one of the top 37 “Most Romantic Restaurants” in the United States by Travel + Leisure magazine. Garden Island.

Lanai

After nearly three years of waiting, Lanai residents are enjoying their own, full-time public health nurse. Maui News.