Commentary: It's what journalists do

It's what journalists do.

We write things that someone, somewhere, probably won't like. It's been happening as long as the media has been around.

"There are but two classes of people in the world—those who have done something and want their names kept out of the paper, and those who haven’t done anything worth printing and want their names put in."—Atchison (Kansas) Globe, 1894.

The deadly rampage today in the newsroom of the Annapolis Capital Gazette, allegedly by a man holding a longtime grudge because of a column written about him, is an extreme example of the former.

Five journalists died today.

Danger is no stranger to our profession. We go to war zones. We uncover corruption. We go to dark places to interview shady sorts with nefarious motives to dig the nuggets of fact out of their often overlong and overblown stories.

We ignore the glares, the hate-filled comments about our work, those who crowd into our personal space and whisper threats. We turn down gifts, free dinners, special favors.

We try to be gentle with victims of tragedies, with children, with those naive to the ways of the world. But we get the story. It's what we do. We're not the counselors at the tragedy. We're the scribblers on the scene, getting that first draft of history.

We're not the innocents. We're not the schoolchildren huddled under their desks while shooters run wild.

Most of us aren't very well-paid. We're not in it for the money. We're in it because we can't imagine not being in it. It's a calling, not a profession.

We hold that torch high. We're not perfect and sometimes the torch slips. We take our lumps and vow to do better.

We're by no means the only ones who understand danger is part of the job. Police, firefighters, soldiers, corrections officers. All of us know what we're getting into.

The world doesn't have to like any of us. But the world needs all of us.

Gazette reporter Chase Cook said it best: "I can tell you this: We are putting out a damn paper tomorrow."

It's what journalists do.

Bill would let imprisoned felons vote, DLNR creates oversight panel after newspaper reports land-lease abuse, bill allowing media access at disaster scenes clears committee, sight-seeing helicopter crash alarms Pearl Harbor tourists, Thai restaurant fined for taking down health placard, tax reform for Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Prison guard in Hawaii © 2016 All Hawaii News

Hawaii would become the third state to allow imprisoned felons to vote if House Bill 2773 becomes law. Incarcerated state residents would be allowed to vote by absentee ballot under the bill introduced by Rep. Kaniela Ing. It’s scheduled to be considered by the House Judiciary Committee on Friday. Civil Beat.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ controversial revocable-permit program could be in for some big changes. Suzanne Case, chairwoman of the agency’s board, announced Thursday the formation of an eight-member task force, including several members from outside the department, to review the program and recommend revisions to ensure the process serves the public trust and provides transparency and consistency. Star-Advertiser.

With six months to go before the Aug. 13 primary, two high-profile lawmakers seem to be having trouble raising money for their re-election bids. But while Reps. Calvin Say and Tom Brower may be cash poor, two of their colleagues — Romy Cachola and Sylvia Luke — have been raking in the cash, despite easy wins in the 2014 election. Civil Beat.

More than 40 percent of Hawai’i’s homeless live unsheltered on neighborhood streets, parks, beaches or vacant properties.   But the state does not plan to spend more on shelters for this population. Hawaii Public Radio.

News media could be granted access to restricted areas in emergency situations under Senate Bill 533, but critics worry reporters might put themselves in danger or interfere with rescue workers. Civil Beat.

As the three members of the Public Utilities Commission weigh whether to let NextEra Energy take control of Hawaiian Electric Industries, a regulatory dust-up that came to a head in Florida six years ago might offer some guidance. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige is urging Hawaii lawmakers to appropriate $9.4 million to fund the state’s troubled health insurance exchange. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Nominates 7 To Environmental Council. The neglected council has struggled to meet over the past year due to lack of quorum. Civil Beat.

Cultivating cannabis has become somewhat mainstream and one startup is hoping to harness the excitement of the growing trend to create a commodities trading platform for hemp, which can only be operational in 27 states, including Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Hawaiian Airlines and other U.S. carriers now have two more opportunities to land another coveted slot at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono are praising an agreement announced Thursday that will add more flights between the United States and Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii in general, and Hawaiian Airlines in particular, could reap more visitors from new agreements between Japanese and American aviation officials. Hawaii News Now.

Voting on a bill that would create no-spray buffer zones around sensitive areas was deferred by The Hawaii House Agriculture Committee in a joint hearing with the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection Tuesday, essentially killing the bill for this legislative session. Garden Island.

Oahu

A sightseeing helicopter carrying a family of four crashed just offshore of the USS Arizona Memorial visitor center Thursday morning, shocking tourists and prompting a few people to dive into Pearl Harbor to help those in the overturned aircraft. Star-Advertiser.

WATCH: Helicopter crash video near Ariz. Memorial. KITV4.

Schnitzer Steel and smaller metal recyclers would receive a 25 percent discount in refuse disposal fees under a bill passed 7-1 by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Rail leaders have restarted condemnation proceedings for Blood Bank of Hawaii’s headquarters in Kalihi, despite the blood bank’s urging that they hold off as negotiations continue. Star-Advertiser.

A Thai restaurant in the Windward City Shopping Center faces a $7,000 fine for removing a yellow “Conditional Pass” placard that had been posted at its entrance after Health Department inspectors found food safety violations. Star-Advertiser.

Drivers stuck in traffic along the Waianae Coast may be getting some relief.  An afternoon contraflow lane in Nanakuli could be in operation in the next month or two, said state Rep. Andria Tupola, (R) Nanakuli. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Lawmakers have advanced a bill curbing the ability of counties to pass their own laws regulating geothermal power plants. Three Senate committees voted late Wednesday afternoon in favor of an amended version of SB 2535, which gives the state exclusive authority to regulate “geothermal resources development and geothermal resources exploration,” unless it delegates that power to the counties. Tribune-Herald.

Puna Pono Alliance President Robert Petricci made the trip to Oahu to testify on Senate Bill 2535 relating to Geothermal Resources Exploration and Drilling. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. plans to kick one of its renewable energy partners to the curb. The utility said this week it likely will terminate next month a power purchase agreement with the foundering Hu Honua Bioenergy LLC plant in Pepeekeo, after the company failed to meet key deadlines in its effort to provide Hawaii Island with up to 10 percent of its energy needs in renewable power, totaling 21.5 megawatts. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Maui Police Department is seeking proposals for a body-worn camera system, as it takes a closer look at the technology. Maui News.

The Maui Police Department is considering outfitting officers with body-worn cameras. Hawaii News Now.

Heavy rains Tuesday night and early Wednesday flooded the Maui County Service Center at the Maui Mall, damaging computers and motor vehicle records, shutting down power and generating a foul smell. Maui News.

The Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau today launched its new “Maui Mavericks” public relations campaign and selected 16 next-generation leaders as Maui ambassadors for the program. Maui Now.

Kauai
Kauai County needs real property tax reform, but a 3 percent assessment cap for homestead and long-term affordable rental properties could provide relief for some families while county officials hash out a complete overhaul. That was the general consensus of the committee that took on the assessment cap bill on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Actress Julia Roberts has dropped the asking price — for a second time in less than a year — of her beachfront estate on the Hawaii island of Kauai by about $4 million to $21.95 million, Pacific Business News has learned.

Hawaii's ocean: Officials tackle coral health, beach erosion, mooring and paddling rules. Plus poll shows split on gay marriage, University of Hawaii president search and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii coral reef (c) 2013 All Hawaii News

A University of Hawaii researcher's idea to breed "super corals" that can endure warmer and more acidic ocean waters has won a new global competition that seeks novel ways to deal with climate change. Ruth Gates, a researcher at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, submitted the $10,000 winning concept. Star-Advertiser.

State proposes to change rules for commercial use of oceans. The number of businesses is growing, and licensing instructors and operators overwhelms officials. Star-Advertiser.

UH Luukai

Scientists from the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology welcomed a new remotely operated vehicle to its fleet last week. Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawaii expects to hire an executive search firm by the end of the month to help recruit and vet candidates for its top job. The Board of Regents last week approved allowing a presidential selection committee to directly contract a search firm to save time. Otherwise, a hiring decision wouldn't be made until the regents' next full meeting in late November. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii voters are split over making same-sex marriage legal in the islands, with 44 percent in support and 44 percent opposed. Only a handful of residents surveyed by Civil Beat earlier this month said they hadn't made up their mind on the controversial issue. The trend in Hawaii is similar to national polls showing growing support for gay marriage, also known as marriage equality. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Health Connector site is finally fully operational, but operators don't know how many people are actually using it to purchase insurance. At the regular board meeting Friday, Executive Director Coral Andrews reported to members that hundreds of people have completed applications online, but admitted, she didn't know how many people actually purchased a plan. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie is standing as firm in his position on travel records as the Queen Liliuokalani statue outside the Capitol. His office just isn’t going to give up the records for little or no cost, and refuses to consider other ways to accommodate a public records request, according to Amy Luke, executive assistant to Abercrombie's chief of staff, Bruce Coppa. Civil Beat.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs recently kicked off a new Hawaii Broadband Map speed test campaign to measure the spread of new technology and high-speed broadband availability across the state. Hawaii Reporter.

Many Children Face Exclusion from Hawaii Kindergarten in 2014. Civil Beat.

First Hawaiian Bank reached record levels for assets, deposits and loans during the third quarter even as low interest rates ate into profits. The state's largest bank reported $50.9 million in net income that exceeded by just 0.6 percent the $50.6 million achieved in the year-earlier period. Star-Advertiser.

The state of Hawaii will continue to see an increase in disability claims, class-action lawsuits related to labor law and more legal conflicts between companies who try to parse terms of various noncompete contracts so they can secure the best and brightest talent. Pacific Business News.

The state wants to give customers more confidence they won't get sick when they eat out. Inspectors will look at things like employee hygiene, food and cooking temperatures and equipment contamination. The rules are similar to what is in place right now however one of the main differences is all of you will know how a restaurant scored. Hawaii News Now.

With the end of hurricane season slightly more than a month away, it's clear that the Central Pacific Region so far has had an unexpected slightly above-average season. The tropical cyclone count in the Central Pacific was six as of Sunday, which surpasses the average of about four to five cyclones. Star-Advertiser.

Civil Beat journalists took home two prestigious national awards Saturday at the annual Online News Association gathering in Atlanta. "In the Name of the Law," our investigative series on police misconduct records and why they are not available for the public to review, won the top honor in the Gannett Foundation Award for Innovative Investigative Journalism. That series was reported and written by Nick Grube and Patti Epler. Sophie Cocke's series on the Ala Wai Canal — "Hawaii's Biggest Mistake?" — won the Explanatory Reporting category.

State roundup for October 21. Associated Press.

Oahu

Erosion troubles at Sunset and Kuhio beaches have rekindled fears about a chronic problem that isn't going away. Experts say too much development is nudged up against the beach in Hawaii at a time when sea level is on the rise, a predicament that will inevitably lead to a growing number of coastal erosion emergencies. Star-Advertiser.

The high surf is a sight to see, but it's been a source of problems for homeowners near Sunset Beach. KHON2.

Honolulu Ethics Commission Finds No Gift Law Violation by Mayor Kirk Caldwell for Luau But Restricts Future Donations. Hawaii Reporter.

The Board of Water Supply confirmed the presence of the E. coli bacteria in water samples from the Aina Koa Neighborhood Park. The equipment that adds chlorine to disinfect the water is to blame. Crews fixed the equipment and restored chlorine levels Friday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Department of Land and Natural Resources officials are awaiting federal approval before moving ahead with plans to double the number of moorings at Keauhou Bay. West Hawaii Today.

Student enrollment at the University of Hawaii at Hilo dipped by 3 percent this year, bringing to an end at least a decade of regular, record-breaking population increases. Tribune-Herald.

The state is proposing to prohibit the use of stand-up paddleboards in Hilo’s Waiakea Pond. That is one of several proposed changes to rules for fishing and other activities at the Waiakea Public Fishing Area at Wailoa River State Park. Big Island Now.

Hawaii County now knows how big of a check it may have to write for placing the Papaikou Mill Beach trail into the public’s hands. An appraisal finished last week pegs the private path at a value of $28,500. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Global Positioning System devices have been installed on 199 Maui County vehicles, giving managers an eye-in-the-sky view of vehicle use and wear and tear. Maui News.

The message that standardized testing is "an abusive and inaccurate assessment" of both students and teachers was shared with more than 1,000 Maui teachers who attended Teacher Institute Day on Maui, hosted Thursday by the Hawaii State Teachers Association. Maui News.

Kauai

A pair of attorneys are calling for Kauai’s mayor to sign Bill 2491, regulating GMO and pesticides, into law. In a letter Friday to Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr., attorneys Paul Achitoff, of Earthjustice, and George Kimbrell said they would be willing to defend the bill in court should it come to that and urged the mayor to sign it. Garden Island.

Commentary: Proud to be Hawaii's #1 solo news blog, three years in a row!

I am beaming.

The judges for the Society of Professional Journalists 2012 Excellence in Journalism awards recognized what I already know-- maintaining All Hawaii News day in and day out is a lot of work:

"This site represents an impressive amount of work for a single blogger. And it's incredibly informative. Nice job."

All Hawaii News, which will celebrate its 5th anniversary later this year, has become for me a labor of love. That's a good thing, as it certainly hasn't made me a millionaire.

This blog is how I read the day's news each morning. It's a way for me to share my passion for government and political news with the world.

All Hawaii News is a boutique blog. It appeals to a small but steadily growing group of decision-makers and media types. It attracts readers from across the state, the Mainland U.S., China, the South Pacific and Russia.

This blog will never get as many Google hits as someone's obese cat. It will never embrace the "If it bleeds, it leads" mentality.

But if one person is better informed about government and politics across our tiny island chain in the middle of the Pacific, my mission has been accomplished.

Don't let that stop you from dropping a buck or two in the collection box to the right, however.

:)
N

Abercrombie's job approval same in poll, legislators get $12k raise, Honolulu evicts homeless, Ellison airlines buy still a go!, laws fight sex trafficking, protect children, University of Hawaii to digitize Inouye's life work, sequestration hits Kauai military, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu H1 traffic, courtesy Danny de Gracia II

Hawaii has the smallest state highway system in the nation and spends nearly the most among all the states to maintain its roads. But the Aloha State still ranked 48th out of 50 in overall performance and efficiency for its state highways, a new study by a Los Angeles-based think tank found. Star-Advertiser.

A Civil Beat Poll shows that 48 percent of registered voters disapprove of his job performance while just 45 percent approve.  Abercrombie's approval rating is about where it was in January, when Civil Beat last conducted a survey. In other words, he hasn't seen his numbers drop.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed three pieces of legislation into law Monday aimed at combating sex trafficking in Hawaii and increasing services for victims. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's prostitution and human trafficking laws just got a lot tougher. Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed four bills into law this year — three on Monday — that increase services for victims and heighten penalties for those who solicit prostitutes. Civil Beat.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a domestic workers bill of rights Monday, making Hawaii the second U.S. state to give nannies, housekeepers and others protections on wages and other labor issues. Associated Press.

Currently, Hawaii legislators receive $46,273 per year for their part-time position at the legislature.  But that is about to increase by $10,000. As of July 1, legislators’ salaries will rise to $55,896. On January 1, 2014, lawmakers will receive another $2,000 pay hike. Hawaii Reporter.

The life work of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye will be digitized through a partnership between the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the Library of Congress. A ceremony was held Monday at Hamilton Library to celebrate the collaboration as Ino­uye's widow, Irene Hirano Ino­uye, and representatives of UH and the Library of Congress signed an agreement on the partnership to establish the Daniel K. Ino­uye Project, honoring his legacy in public service. Star-Advertiser.

Will Hawaii Guava Jelly Win Friends and Influence Members of Congress? Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Co., the largest power provider in the state, unveiled Monday a five-year plan that includes shutting down the Honolulu power plant near Aloha Tower, incorporating more renewable energy on its grids and converting customers to smart meters. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaiian Electric Cos. said Monday that it is shutting down its Downtown Honolulu power plant, as well as others on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island as part of its plan to meet future electricity needs, which it recently submitted to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Pacific Business News.

HECO Releases New Five-Year Energy Plans. Civil Beat.

The federal Housing and Urban Development offices will be closed nationwide, including Hawaii, on Friday, as part of spending cuts, the agency said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Reporter received six awards at the Society of Professional Journalists awards banquet on Friday, June 28, including three first places awards.

State roundup for July 2. Associated Press.

Oahu

City employees and private social workers will spend this week implementing the county's new law designed to remove homeless campers and others from Hono­lulu sidewalks. On Monday the city raided three spots used by the homeless campers: the Ala Wai Promenade at the Ewa entrance to Waikiki, Hono­lulu Stadium Park and Moiliili Field. No one was arrested in the three sweeps. Star-Advertiser.

Dozens of homeless campers are off of Honolulu's sidewalks and on the move. The city used a new law to seize their belongings without warning in Waikiki and Moiliili on Monday morning. Hawaii News Now.

Last week, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said enforcement of the city's new sidewalk nuisance law would involve "compassionate disruption." On Monday, the mayor lived up to his promise more than two months after Bill 7 was signed into law. KITV4.

Too much crime pushes business out of Chinatown. KHON2.

The Honolulu Police Department has begun an internal affairs investigation into the actions of a veteran police officer who was caught on video in a confrontation with a man trying to file a complaint against him. The police union confirmed the officer had been previously fired by HPD in another incident but regained his job. Hawaii News Now.

More than 400 artist applications were submitted for the chance to decorate Honolulu’s 21 future rail stations. Civil Beat.

Labor union Unite Here and Hyatt Hotels Corp. have announced an agreement to resolve a long-standing contract dispute and end a 2-year-old global boycott against the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. Star-Advertiser.

Waianae family waits 5 months for solar power switch, blames HECO & City. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Agricultural Foundation said Monday that it is now accepting applications for 11 acres in the second of several parcels in the 182-acre Kunia Agricultural Park. Pacific Business News.

State government and military officials broke ground Monday at Hale Kula Elementary campus at Schofield Barracks where a planned $33 million renovation project for the 54-year-old school is now underway. Star-Advertiser.

As a state representative and a stalwart pillar of the Democratic Party, Ernest "Juggie" Heen Jr. was a tireless worker for civil rights and workers' rights, tracing his passion to the 1940s, when as a teenager he accompanied his father, Ernest Sr., to his job as city clerk. Star-Advertiser.

On O'ahu, the Kailua fireworks display is back! And communities across the state are gearing up for their own 4th of July festivities. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii

The debate over genetically modified organisms has Big Island farmers sitting on both sides of the fence. Tribune-Herald.

Stephens Media Hawaii newspapers took home 11 trophies, including four first-place honors, in the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii chapter 2012 Excellence in Journalism awards, presented Friday in Honolulu. West Hawaii Today.

A real-life accident didn’t interrupt a disaster drill, but it did provide valuable insight for the employees at Hale Hoola Hamakua, a 77-bed hospital and long-term care facility in Honokaa. West Hawaii Today.

Pahoa High and Intermediate School leads Big Island schools in the number of cases of serious misconduct committed by students over the last five years. Tribune-Herald.

An open ocean aquaculture company has received another international patent for its fish pens. Hawaii Oceanic Technology Inc. received a Canadian patent for its oceanspheres, CEO Bill Spencer said Monday. West Hawaii Today.

A Hawaii Island senator will be taking over a new committee this legislative session. The state Senate’s leadership selected Sen. Gil Kahele, D-Hilo, to chair the newly formed Tourism Committee. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Second Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza denied a motion by Public Access Trails Hawaii on Friday morning to expedite the discovery period in an ongoing lawsuit against Haleakala Ranch. The ranch, which has sought to retain ownership of Haleakala Trail from the state for the past two years, was granted 90 days to respond to expert reports yet to be provided by the hikers' group. PATH has until July 17 to produce the documents. Maui News.

Water customers on Maui will see their rates increase by an average 5% when the Maui Department of Water Supply implements a planned water rate increase on July 1, 2013, official said. Maui Now.

The state Senate has split the Committee on Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs into two committees, with Central Maui Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran appointed as vice chairman of the Senate Tourism Committee. Maui News.

Kauai

Overall sequestration efforts by the Department of Defense will affect up to 13 percent of employees at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kekaha, who will have an additional 11 days off from now until mid-September. PMRF Public Affairs Matthew Diendorf said the facility employs about 1,000 people, including about 800 contractors, 70 military and 130 government employees. Garden Island.

Two months after the Hawaii Army National Guard announced and later withdrew its proposal for an expanded danger zone in the waters fronting the shooting range in Kekaha, the U.S. Navy has followed suit. Garden Island.

Kauai County Managing Director Gary Heu announced Monday that he will be retiring effective Oct. 31 after serving more than a decade as the county’s second-in-command and a brief stint as mayor. Garden Island.

Kauai County’s Managing Director Gary Heu announced that he will retire in October. Star-Advertiser.

To improve access to public services, the county recently began making modifications to the parking lot at the Lihue Civic Center. The work, which consists of several concurrent projects that follow the LCC master plan, is expected to be completed by the end of January 2014. Garden Island.

Lanai

The sale of go! airlines to the majority owner of Lanai, Larry Ellison, is still happening, despite the lack of an official announcement, Pacific Business News has learned.

Watched Obama's inauguration live on your PC? Your computer may have been hijacked.

Many people who watched live streaming video of the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama on Jan. 20 may not realize that their PC was used to send the video to other PCs, too.

That's according to Brian Livingston of the Web site Windows Secrets, which claims CNN used Web viewers' PCs to bounce the inauguration around the globe.

This bothers a lot of folks out in the blogosphere. What are your thoughts on this?