Abercrombie honeymoon's over: Hawaii Democrats seek shakeup at the top, and more political and government news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Neil Abercrombie (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

In a major internal shakeup, Gov. Neil Abercrombie's chief of staff and his deputy chief of staff have resigned just 10 months into an administration the governor acknowledges has fallen short of expectations. Star-Advertiser.

Asselbaye

Senior Dems Pushed Gov To Shake Up Staff: From early in his administration, longtime associates of Gov. Neil Abercrombie were alarmed at their friend's performance. Civil Beat.

Less than a year after taking office, Gov. Neil Abercrombie has lost his top two aides to resignation. Hawaii Reporter.

Aoki

Two top members of the Hawaii governor's administration who played key roles in getting him elected are stepping down. Associated Press.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie's office announced Thursday that his Chief of Staff Amy Asselbaye and Deputy Chief of Staff Andrew Aoki have resigned. KITV4.

Ten months after being sworn into office two key members of Gov. Neil Abercrombie's administration abruptly announced their resignations Thursday. KHON2.

Coppa

New Chief of Staff an Accomplished Businessman With Strong Labor Ties. Civil Beat.

The same day Ed Teixeira stepped down from a job he held through three administrations, workers circulated a petition that he be reinstated. KITV4.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is hoping to pick a successor to longtime Administrator/Chief Executive Officer Clyde Namuo in the next three to five months, OHA Chairwoman Colette Machado said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

A state official says an agency intended to allow development of public lands won't have "land-grabbing power," opposed by environmentalists and Hawaiian rights groups. Star-Advertiser.

Patricia M. Loui won approval Thursday from the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs for her nomination to the board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Pacific Business News.

Oahu
Swimmers, surfers and boaters will be banned from some parts of the ocean during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit next month, according to preliminary security plans released Thursday by the U.S. Coast Guard. Star-Advertiser.

Unite Here Local 5, Hawaii’s largest hotel workers union with over 11,000 members, is continuing its campaign against the Hyatt Regency Waikiki for subcontracting local jobs and challenging union wages. Hawaii Independent.

The City of Honolulu celebrated the 50th anniversary of a very special sister-city relationship today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

A public shooting range for West Hawaii is on target to open in a "couple of years," with state and county cooperation on the use of land near the Puuanahulu landfill. West Hawaii Today.

The County Council has given a name and face to pending legislation aimed at keeping impaired drivers off Big Island roads. Tribune-Herald.

Public funding to support North Hawaii Community Hospital, health record privacy and long-term health care were among the concerns North Hawaii residents voiced to hospital officials Thursday in Waimea. West Hawaii Today.

Ironman athletes strip down for Underpants Run, the Kona fundraiser began in 1997 to poke fun at the Speedo-clad triathletes wandering through town before the big race. Hawaii News Now.

Maui
The Maui County Council Land Use Committee voted 8-0 Wednesday to recommend approval of Maui Land & Pineapple's West Maui housing project Pulelehua. Maui News.

A March trial in 2nd Circuit Court is scheduled to determine the fate of the $70 million-plus estate of Laurence Dorcy, one of Maui's richest men, who died in June. Maui News.

Kauai

Some Kauai County employees will soon be driving electric vehicles. Associated Press.

Carolyn Larson, librarian at the Lihu‘e Public Library, has the cure to the “boarded-up Borders blues” — the Lihu‘e Public Library Fall Used Book Sale. Garden Island.