Monday, January 24, 2011

Hawaii lawmakers face civil unions, medical marijuana, appointed education board, state of the state, school librarians checking out, bank profits up, garbage battle continues, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Photo (c) 2011 All Hawaii News
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs spent $3,192,547 on lobbyists for the Akaka bill — legislation that has failed to pass since it was first introduced 10 years ago. Civil Beat.

Governor Neil Abercrombie will deliver his first State of the State address Monday morning. KHON2.

Hawaii Public Radio will carry Governor Neil Abercrombie's first State of the State address to the Hawaii legislature on Monday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Civil Union Bills to be Heard Tuesday. Hawaii Reporter.

A state Senate committee is set to consider legislation that would grant the governor authority to appoint members of the state Board of Education. Associated Press.

Medical Marijuana Expansion Proposed. Senators Want More Patients To Have Easier Access To Medical Pot. KITV4.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono says more than 20,000 seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries in Hawaii have received $250 checks to help cover the gap in their prescription drug coverage. Associated Press.

Honolulu officials are asking a state commission for an extension on a deadline to shut down the city-owned Waimanalo Gulch Landfill. Associated Press.

City Council members Stanley Chang and Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo hope to get answers this morning on how to prevent future disasters at the city's only landfill like the Jan. 13 release of unknown amounts of medical waste onto Oahu's Leeward beaches. Star-Advertiser.

The Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Health and have opened an investigation into the January 13 landfill breach that sent an estimated 7.5 million gallons of contaminated water and an unknown amount of toxic soil, trash, fecal matter and human medical waste into west Oahu’s ocean waters. Hawaii Reporter.

Keeping up with maintenance difficult for government. West Hawaii Today.

State Rep. D. Mele Carroll and three other Maui candidates could be fined for failing to file required campaign spending reports for the 2010 election.Maui News.

Kahuku Wind (KW), the first wind farm Oahu has seen in over 20 years, will be going live in February when the clean energy goes directly into the grid to Oahu’s homes and businesses. Hawaii Independent.

Hawaiian Airlines on Friday announced a corporate restructuring that involves eliminating 30 nonunion jobs and creating approximately 50 new ones. Pacific Business News

Following a public meeting last August, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will be holding a second public hearing regarding proposed amendments to the rules and regulations of the State Land Use Conservation District. Molokai Dispatch.

Big Island school librarians are increasingly checking out, without any renewals in sight. Tribune-Herald.

There's a proposal to create a campground for the homeless at Sand Island state park. KITV4.

Bank of Hawaii, second largest Hawaii bank, has logged a $40.6 million fourth quarter profit, up $100,000 from the same quarter a year earlier despite lower revenue, and cited a slowly improving Hawaii economy. Hawaii News Now.

Ocean lovers can spy on parrotfish, monitor water quality and participate in other scientific research through a program that aims to enlist the community to help protect a West Maui reef. Maui News.

Kaua‘i Community College is offering an all-new training program in the fundamentals of tropical agriculture. Garden Island.

A former B-2 stealth bomber engineer from Hawaii convicted of selling military secrets to China is due to be sentenced in federal court on Monday. Associated Press.

A Florida man who pleaded guilty to federal charges of bilking four Hawaii investors out of $250,000 and scores of others in a Ponzi scheme is set to be sentenced. Associated Press.

A Maui man who spent nearly 20 years in prison in the rape of a woman during a burglary is getting a fresh chance at freedom after his original convictions were overturned based on new DNA evidence. Star-Advertiser.

A circuit court jury found the woman who beat a peacock to death not guilty of animal cruelty late Friday afternoon.KITV4.

Vidinha Stadium received a major makeover over the last several months. Garden Island.

With no confirmed sightings of Kimberly Jacobs since her 2008 disappearance, many who knew the Waikiki woman say the time had come to accept that she is gone. Hawaii News Now.

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