Abercrombie's State of the State emphasizes recovery, $2.8M for fired Honolulu whistleblower, federal judge cites Hawaii for slow food stamp processing, rail tax better than expected, Honolulu wages average, governor, teachers union mull contract failure, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Abercrombie's 2012 State of the State address, courtesy photo

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Monday that Hawaii has weathered the most difficult choices needed to balance the budget, urging lawmakers to leave the drama of the past few years behind and consider targeted investments to improve the state's economic future. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie told the state Legislature on Monday that it's time to move forward and leave behind the drama of the recent past, saying lawmakers have an opportunity to maintain economic momentum, bolster education and help provide older Hawaii residents better access to long-term support. Associated Press.

The State’s Chief Executive says the worst of the Great Recession is behind us…and he’s committed to moving forward … Hawaii Public Radio.

"We have started to turn the corner," Governor Neil Abercrombie said while delivering his State of the State address Monday at the State Capitol. Hawaii News Now.

Governor Abercrombie pledged Monday to keep Hawaii on the path of economic recovery during his second State of the State address. KHON2.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Monday that he is asking state lawmakers for $10 million to consolidate all of Hawaii’s state technology under one office, and for another $2.9 million for the state’s Broadband Initiative. Pacific Business News.

In his State of the State address, Neil Abercrombie made sure the Hawaii Legislature — especially leaders Calvin Say and Shan Tsutsui — understands his gratitude. Civil Beat.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie in his State of the State address Monday touched on one of Hawaii's hottest topics — sustainable and renewable energy. West Hawaii Today.

Governor Neil Abercrombie reiterated his request for the Hawaii State Teachers Association to provide a new proposal for a contract in his 2012 State Of The State Address Monday. KITV4.

Hawaii House Republicans Respond to Governor's State of the State. Hawaii Reporter.

One Year Later - 2011 State of the State Scorecard. Civil Beat.

Governor Neil Abercrombie delivered his second state of the state address this morning, touching upon early childhood education, investment in infrastructure and moving forward on the state’s broadband initiative. Maui Now.

A federal judge has issued preliminary injunction against the state of Hawaii for failing to process food stamp applications quickly enough. Civil Beat.

The state will provide seed money to help the Queen's Medical Center quickly launch an organ transplant facility to replace the one closed in the Hawaii Medical Center's bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Supreme Court wants the state Reapportionment Commission to get out of court and get back to work, according to a tersely worded order filed Friday. West Hawaii Today.

The leader of Hawaii's teachers union said Monday he should have given members more time to consider a six-year proposed contract they overwhelmingly rejected last week, and has been "humbled" by the vote. Star-Advertiser.

"I cannot think of a single thing we did not do to try to accommodate the concerns of the teachers union in this agreement," Gov. Neil Abercrombie said at a press conference last week about the vote by Hawaii teachers to reject a tentative contract with the state. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is calling the first year of the state's ignition interlock law a success. Tribune-Herald.

State roundup for January 24. Associated Press.
Oahu

The half-percent excise tax surcharge levied on Oahu residents and visitors has brought in more than $810 million so far to fund the Honolulu rail project, with collections continuing to run ahead of projections, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Paychecks for workers in Honolulu fall somewhere in the middle when compared to 405 other metropolitan areas in the nation. Pacific Business News.

A woman who said she lost her job with the city for blowing the whistle on wrongdoing nearly ten years ago has been awarded a $2.8 million settlement by the Honolulu City Council. Hawaii News Now.

A 2010 report commissioned by the Department of Environmental Services shows the city could recuperate tens of millions of dollars every year by charging Oahu residents for regular trash pickup. KHON2.

Hawaii

Seven Hawaii County Council candidates have so far filed declarations of intent to seek public funding as the second election year of the three-election-cycle pilot program begins. West Hawaii Today.

Hunters and their supporters took to a Hilo street Monday to protest a state plan to ban hunting within 4,800 acres of public forest located south of Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Students attending summer classes at the University of Hawaii Maui College will benefit from a reduction in tuition, following action taken by the university's Board of Regents last week on Kauai. Maui News.

The last in a series of community outreach meetings hosted by the Maui Charter Commission takes place this Wednesday in Pukalani. Maui Now.

Maui County could streamline the way it grants millions of dollars to nonprofit agencies and eliminate the volunteer Grants Review Committee under changes being considered by the administration and County Council. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. will hold two community outreach meetings this week. Star-Advertiser.

An update on the Victim Witness Program requested by the Kaua‘i County Council to the Office of Prosecuting Attorney last week turned into a heated, four-hour discussion, marked by the recusal of one council member and repeated interruptions for discussions with attorneys. Garden Island.

More than two dozen people spent a couple of hours removing two large chunks of derelict netting which washed ashore during the recent storm at a Wailua beach. Garden Island.