Strike looms as Hawaii teachers nix contract, former Gov. Cayetano to run for Honolulu mayor, new stamp bears aloha, new doors stymie Capitol visitors, electric cars for Hawaii County, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Abercrombie at aloha shirt stamp unveiling (courtesy photo (c) Ricky Li)

New aloha shirt postcard stamps depicting Hawaii's beauty and spirit were unveiled Thursday at the main post office at Honolulu Airport. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii public school teachers voted against a six-year proposed contract Thursday, leaving in place a months-long labor dispute with the state. Associated Press.

Teachers overwhelmingly voted down a proposed six-year contract Thursday that would have tied wage increases to performance starting in July 2013. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii teachers delivered a stunning message Thursday. By a 2-1 margin, they rejected a proposed six-year deal that had the unanimous backing of union leadership.Civil Beat.

Members of the Hawaii State Teachers Association have rejected a proposed six-year contract with the state. About 9,000 of the 12,500 teachers, counselors, and other covered by proposed deal voiced their opinion by voting at polling places around the state Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii's public school teachers voted overwhelmingly against a proposed contract 67 to 33 percent. KITV4.

"The message is clear, they do not want this contract.  I cannot speculate on the outcome but we will find out what the situation is," said Wil Okabe, HSTA President. KHON2.





 The state’s teachers voted no Thursday on a new contract following months of negotiations, surprising one Kaua‘i teacher. Garden Island.

The head of the Navy told sailors Thursday that the Asia-Pacific will be the service's focus in the future, and he views Hawaii as the gateway to the region. Associated Press.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has named its research director, Kamanaopono Crabbe, to be its new chief executive officer. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Neil Abercrombie and state lawmakers gathered for Mass Thursday as part of a tradition in Hawaii for more than half a century. KITV4.

The state Reapportionment Commission spent more than $600,000 on redistricting plans that have since been invalidated by the Hawaii Supreme Court, a Civil Beat review of the commission's expenses shows. Civil Beat.

Neither the state nor officials of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund plan to introduce legislation to begin addressing the massive $14 billion in unfunded liabilities taxpayers owe for public-employee retiree health benefits. Civil Beat.

Gas prices in Hawaii are once again on the rise, with the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded rising by 3 cents over the past week to $4.07, according to AAA Hawaii’s Weekend Gas Watch. Pacific Business News.

An estimated 154,000 jobs could potentially be provided as a result of the president’s Executive Order to ease access for international travelers to visit Hawaii and the rest of the United States. Maui Now.

New glass doors installed at the state capitol over the holidays have lawmakers and capitol visitors wondering why. KITV4.

State Roundup for Jan. 20. Associated Press.

Oahu

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano entered the 2012 race for mayor Thursday, vowing to kill the city's $5.27 billion rail transit project while acknowledging his anti-rail campaign might go against the political idealogy of some longtime supporters. Star-Advertiser.

Ten years after the nation's first Filipino governor left politics, former Gov. Ben Cayetano, 72, is back in the arena, doing something that most former governors — save California's Jerry Brown — would never do: run for a lesser office. Civil Beat.

As fiery as ever, Former Hawaii Gov. Benjamin Cayetano held a press conference on Thursday at Cycle City in Mapunapuna where he announced his candidacy for Honolulu Mayor. Hawaii Reporter.

Former Governor Ben Caytenano made it official today and threw his hat in the ring for Honolulu mayor. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ben Cayetano officially announced his candidacy for Honolulu mayor today. Hawaii News Now.

Former Hawaii governor Ben Cayetano announced his bid Thursday to run for mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. KITV4.

The race for Honolulu mayor got a lot more interesting Thursday after former Hawaii Governor Ben Cayetano ended weeks of speculation and announced he’s entering the race. KHON2.

In a surprising move, the owners of Aloun Farms have come out in support of a controversial large-scale development in Ewa that would displace their farm and its 180 employees. Civil Beat.

Hawaii

The West Hawaii Civic Center will soon become home to Hawaii County government's first electric cars, as the county begins its foray into new technology for its fleet. West Hawaii Today.

Company files discharge permit for proposed ahi farm. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Saying drug activity was the top concern of residents in West Maui, police reported arresting 111 people for 305 drug offenses in the Lahaina Patrol District last year. Maui News.

Kauai

The University of Hawai‘i board of regents Thursday joined Kaua‘i Community College officials for the opening of the college’s new Ho‘ouluwehi, the Sustainable Living Institute of  Kaua‘i. Garden Island.