Abercrombie unveils $11.1 billion no-new-taxes budget, lesbian couple sues Hawaii Kai B&B, Bank of Hawaii one of best, Hawaii Supreme Court sets oral arguments in reapportionment lawsuit, Kamehameha Schools to get $1.4M back in discrimination lawsuit, and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Budget Director Kalbert Young, courtesy photo

 

 

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Monday that the state won't need to increase taxes or cut spending any further to balance the budget during the upcoming fiscal year. The state will also be able to pay back the rainy day fund that was used to balance the budget this year, he said. Associated Press.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie, setting an optimistic tone for the next session of the state Legislature, released a budget draft on Monday that calls for a modest increase in state spending and anticipates a healthy surplus as the state moves out of a recession. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. Proposes Bigger Budget For Next Year — With No Tax Hikes. Civil Beat.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie's administration submitted its supplemental budget to the legislature on Monday. Under the proposal, the state budget would increase from $10.9 billion to $11.1 billion dollars. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai’i’s Chief Executive was upbeat about his balanced budget proposal. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie proposed a supplemental budget proposal for the second year of the state’s two-year budget cycle Monday that includes no new taxes. KITV4.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie presented his supplemental budget request to state lawmakers Monday by touting the fact it contains no new taxes. KHON2.

Governor Submits Balanced Budget Aimed at Funding High-Priority Programs and No Tax Increases. Abercrombie news release.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments Jan. 4 in two lawsuits over new legislative maps that some say shorted the Big Island a fourth state Senate seat. West Hawaii Today.

Kamehameha Schools will receive $1.4 million in a settlement of its lawsuit alleging a breach of a confidential agreement that ended a court challenge to the schools' admissions policy giving preference to students with Hawaiian blood, the schools announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Charter Schools' 'Glaring Concerns' Raised at Briefing. Civil Beat.

A recent report by the State Office of the Auditor found Hawaii’s public charter school system riddled with poor performance, a lack of accountability, and unethical and illegal spending and employment practices. Hawaii Independent.

Bank of Hawaii has been named one of the top investor-owned banks in the country for the third consecutive year by Forbes magazine. Pacific Business News.

Emily's List Endorses Tulsi Gabbard for Congress. Hawaii Reporter.

State roundup for Dec. 20. Associated Press.

Oahu

Two Los Angeles women filed a discrimination lawsuit Monday against a Hawaii Kai bed-and-breakfast, saying its owner refused to rent them a room because they are a lesbian couple. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council will start debating an overhaul to the property tax system next month, even though the idea is already been dismissed as a dead-on-arrival election-year tax increase. Civil Beat.

Sarah Perez was in tears Monday when she tried to go to Hawaii Medical Center in Ewa for severe shoulder pain and saw a sign that read, "Emergency Room Closed." Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

There will be a lot of trash talk Wednesday when the County Council meets in Hilo. West Hawaii Today.

New beds for nursing program. Tribune-Herald.

Lander telescope clears trial hurdle. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island police are investigating the theft of coffee cherries from trees in the Ka'u District. KHON2.

Maui

A group of residents on a short, one-way street behind the Wharf Cinema Center is so upset about the county's plan's to switch the direction of traffic on Luakini Street between Prison and Dickerson streets to accommodate Maui Bus that they are organizing a protest today. Maui News.

Despite internal disagreements and a lawsuit, the third annual Rice Festival as held Sunday night - at the school across the street from Binhi at Ani - with many participants saying that honoring the sakadas who came to Hawaii before them and celebrating the holidays comes before anything else. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative took a step closer toward renewable energy sources, lessening the island’s dependence on oil, Friday with the dedication of its battery energy storage system its the Koloa substation. Garden Island.

A bright idea by a Kaua‘i High School student has powered an energy agreement intended to turn the island’s schools a little greener. Garden Island.