Testifiers: Don't eat cats and dogs, Wilson Supreme Court confirmation stalled, Saiki new GOP head, 2012 Hawaii County election a bargain, Maui seeks more polling places, Legislature mulls Jones Act, more news from all the Hawaiian Islaands

Abercrombie and his dog sign bill, file photo

Animal lovers in Hawaii packed a legislative hearing room Thursday with poodles and pugs, asking lawmakers to ban the practice of eating cats and dogs in the state. The House Committee on Agriculture later advanced SB 2026, a bill to ban the practice. Associated Press.

Circuit Judge Michael Wilson's confirmation to the state Supreme Court took an unexpected detour Thursday as the state Senate women's caucus urged the nominee to open up his personnel file and judicial performance reviews to satisfy questions about his conduct toward women. The unusual request was in response to the Hawaii State Bar Association's disclosure Wednesday that its "unqualified" rating for Wilson was based in part on the propriety of his conduct toward women in professional contexts. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Women Senators Prompt Further Inquiry Into Judge Michael Wilson. Civil Beat.

The state Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee will hold another hearing on Circuit Judge Michael Wilson's nomination to the state Supreme Court on Saturday after more detailed questions have been raised about his fitness to serve. Star-Advertiser.

The State Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a second hearing on Circuit Court Judge Michael Wilson's nomination to the State Supreme Court Saturday morning, as Hawaii News Now has discovered more reasons why lawyers have told the Hawaii Bar Association and some state senators Wilson is unqualified for the high court. Hawaii News Now.

Pat Saiki, one of the most successful Republicans in Hawaii history, is going to lead the state Republican Party.  The state party’s executive committee tapped her as chairwoman in a meeting Wednesday night, a title the state committee will formalize next week. David Chang, who had led the state party since 2011, resigned the position. Associated Press.

A roll of qualified Native Hawaiians interested in participating in their own government has grown to more than 120,000. The Native Hawaiian Roll Commission announced on Thursday that more than 120,000 have signed up to re-organize a Native Hawaiian government recognized by the state of Hawaii. Associated Press.

An amended bill on hunting lands will head to the state Senate Committee on Water and Land on Monday. The bill initially would have required the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to replace any hunting lands lost to conservation or other efforts. Tribune-Herald.

Scientists say deep coral reefs in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument may contain the highest percentage of fish species found nowhere else. A study published in the Bulletin of Marine Science says nearly 50 percent of the fish scientists observed over a two-year period in monument waters 100 to 300 feet deep are unique to Hawaii. Associated Press.

Lawmakers from Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and Guam are teaming up to pressure the U.S. government for relief from a maritime law passed in the 1920s. The Jones Act was designed to protect the domestic shipping industry. It states that only ships made in the U.S. and flying the country’s flags can deliver goods between U.S. ports. Associated Press.

The state House committee on Health recently amended a bill aimed at regulating electronic smoking devices by stripping it of its taxation elements but keeping its limitations on where the devices can be used. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

A retired Army Reserve lieutenant colonel faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine when he is sentenced this summer for sharing military secrets with his younger Chinese girlfriend. Star-Advertiser.

It was 100 years ago that the Navy laid the keel to begin construction on the USS Arizona. On Thursday the U.S. Postal Service honored the historic vessel with the dedication of a stamp. KITV4.

Aikea rallies against condo conversion. The job preservation movement, organized by Unite Here Local 5, rallied at Honolulu Hale today in support of City Bill 16. Hawaii Independent.

Representatives from Kamehameha Schools talked about Kakaako development plans on Thursday at a "Civil Cafe," an occasional discussion hosted by Civil Beat on topics of local relevance. Civil Beat.

Sales are slated to start Saturday for units in a planned Kakaako condominium tower that has been both praised as middle-class housing produced without government subsidy and derided as an overly dense blight to the community. Star-Advertiser.

Everyone loves a carnival. But that's not entirely true in Hawaii Kai, where some residents say while the cause may be good, the venue is not. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii

Even counting the County Clerk’s Office staff pulled from across the hall to help out during the contentious 2012 election, it still cost less to run that election than the two elections prior. That’s the finding of an outside auditor the County Council hired last year to compare the election costs. West Hawaii Today.

The list of reasons why Hawaii Island legislators are proposing renaming the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority Gateway Center after Guy Toyama takes up nearly two pages. West Hawaii Today.

With a bit of smoke, a couple loud pops, and first responders dressed head to toe in protective gear, Edith Kanakaole Tennis Stadium became the epicenter of a simulated terrorist attack on Thursday. The event, which included over two dozen volunteers, was part of an annual drill with county agencies, the National Guard and Hilo Medical Center all participating. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Billy Kenoi was the keynote speaker Wednesday evening at Waimea Middle School, where he shared advice on how to be successful with students, families, educators and mentors. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The Maui County Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution seeking an increase in the number of early walk-in voting locations, Council Member Mike White announced. White, who introduced the resolution, said it supports voter access and equal voting opportunities across the county, which only had two early walk-in sites during the last election cycle. Maui Now.

Maui hotels and resorts set new records for average daily room rates and revenue per room in 2013, though occupancy fell slightly with a "small shift" to time shares and vacation rentals, according to a Hospitality Advisors report. Maui News.

The Kihei-to-Upcountry highway, three decades in the making, took a step toward reality when the state House passed its supplemental budget Wednesday with funds for the road in it. Maui News.

Kauai

The outspoken Mel Rapoza is running for his fifth term on the Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

The public is invited to attend Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.’s State of the County address on Monday. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Lihue Civic Center, Moikeha Building courtyard. Garden Island.

The Kauai Visitors Bureau will be sharing an update on key markets for the island’s visitor industry next week, and highlight information from the recent Hawaii Tourism Authority Spring Update. Garden Island.

State Public Utilities Commission Chair Hermina Morita, considered the state's “main diva for environmentalism” while she was in the House of Representatives from 1996 to 2011, may not be reappointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to the Public Utilities Commission for a second term after the state Department of Land and Natural Resources documented illegal activities by Morita and her husband, Lance Laney. Hawaii Reporter.

Lanai

The Maui County Council on Tuesday gave final approval for various bills, including those to purchase a fire rescue boat and trailer and one to increase security at Kaumalapau Harbor on Lanai. Maui News.

More than 5k want to testify on Hawaii's gay marriage bill, Kauai mayor vetoes GMO bill, Honolulu police must cover tats, law helps pet owners find rentals, Sunshine Law targeted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii House committees mull gay marriage (courtesy photo)

Living up to a promise to hear everyone who wants to speak on same-sex marriage, the state House on Thursday embarked on a marathon hearing where thousands of people would be given a two-minute platform to offer their opinions. Star-Advertiser.

After more than three hours of testimony from public officials, the state House Judiciary and Finance committees around 1:25 p.m. Thursday began to hear from the more than 4,000 members of the public who have signed up to testify. Star-Advertiser.

People signed up until the midnight deadline to get on the list to testify. There were 5,181 people registered by the end of the day, but the committee members had heard from fewer than one-fifth before they decided to recess after 14 hours of testimony. With so many people left to testify, it was unclear when the House would end up voting on the bill. An amendment related to religious exemptions is expected, but it could easily be late next week before any decision-making happens if all the people signed up to testify actually do so. Civil Beat.

Hundreds of people flooded the Capitol, just before Thursday's midnight deadline to sign up for testimony on a controversial same-sex marriage bill was set to expire. House Representatives on the Judiciary and Finance committees will return to the Capitol Friday morning to continue hearing public testimony on SB 1, the "Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013" at 8:30 a.m. Hawaii News Now.

Special session on #SB1 will resume at 8:30 a.m. Civil Beat live blog.

More than half of Hawaii’s House lawmakers spent Halloween listening to public sentiments as they consider legalizing gay marriage, giving some hints of how they might modify a bill already passed by the Senate. Meanwhile, a Republican lawmaker who’s against the bill and has expressed frustration with the process is hoping to disrupt the special session with a lawsuit. Associated Press.

The chairs of the two House committees that started hearing public testimony at 10:00 a.m. Thursday decided to end their first day at 12:26 a.m. At midnight, the deadline to register, 5,181 people had signed up to testify. KHON2.

A number of people on both sides of the gay marriage debate say the current draft of Senate Bill 1, which would legalize same-sex ceremonies, infringes on religious liberty. Hawaii Reporter.

More than 13 hours after House Representatives first sat down for public testimony on the same-sex marriage bill -- they're still going, and with no end in sight.  Nearly 5,000 people have signed up to testify on SB 1, the "Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013". Hawaii News Now.

Elsa Marie runs through the lobby of the State Capitol, from one mommy to the other.  Her parents, Elena Cabatu -- who gave birth to the one-year old, and Theresa Gennette -- who had to legally adopt the girl, have been partners for 10 years and now want to marry. Hawaii News Now.

Using the core value of aloha as a weapon against others is pure cultural hypocrisy. Hawaii Independent.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie's two appointments to the state Board of Education received nods from the Senate Education Committee this week. Following a public hearing Wednesday, the committee unanimously voted in favor of Amy Asselbaye and Patricia Hala­gao, who were appointed in July as interim members. Star-Advertiser.

A new law taking effect Friday should make it easier for pet-owners to find a place to rent, supporters say. The law, passed in the last regular legislative session, would allow a landlord to charge a security deposit for a pet. Hawaii News Now.

The number of visitors to Hawaii fell in September for the first time in two years as fewer travelers arrived from the western U.S., the state’s tourism agency said Thursday. Nearly 595,000 travelers visited Hawaii, down 1 percent from the same month last year. Spending sank nearly 5 percent to $1 billion. Associated Press.

The number of visitors traveling to Hawaii decreased for the first time in two years in September, as the number of arrivals slipped 1 percent and total visitor spending fell 4.8 percent, according to statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii has the highest percentage of pension and retirement health liabilities hidden from citizens. In Hawaii’s case, it’s 75 percent. Hawaii Reporter.

Oahu

The Honolulu Police Department is officially frowning upon tattoos. Under a new policy approved Sept. 23, officers on official duty will be required to cover up their body art with a long-sleeve shirt or makeup that matches their skin color. KITV.

Editor & Publisher magazine announced today that it has selected Dennis Francis, president and publisher of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, as its Publisher of the Year. Star-Advertiser.

Kaiser High School’s Principal John Sosa was put on leave by the state Department of Education on September 21, just one day after receiving two prestigious awards for his leadership at the East Oahu school. Hawaii Reporter.

Nearly two months after an unprecedented molasses spill at Honolulu Harbor, response plans and preventive measures to avoid a repeat remain largely up in the air. KHON2.

High-tech ocean-mapping ship arrives in Hawaii. Falkor will be based in Honolulu through August. KITV.

Hawaii

A bill allowing county council members to discuss issues at meetings and events without public notice will be considered for the second time Tuesday, when a Hawaii County Council committee takes up a package of 14 measures some counties want the state Legislature to pass. West Hawaii Today.

The Kailua Village Business Improvement District is looking to shed a little strategically placed light along Alii Drive. West Hawaii Today.

Maui
A portion of Kaanapali Beach adjacent to Canoe Beach closed due to sewage discharge from an accidental connection of a temporary sewer line to a storm drain in west Maui was reopened Thursday afternoon after tests of water showed no contamination. Star-Advertiser

While praised for his work as a police officer, former Maui police Sgt. Paul Bailey was punished Wednesday with a one-year jail term for sexually molesting a teenage girl last year. Maui News.

Maui police officers are accused in a federal civil rights lawsuit of beating a Kihei man and his 16-year-old son at their residence in February 2011, shooting the father numerous times with a Taser and falsely arresting them. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai’s mayor vetoed a bill Thursday that would have regulated the use of pesticides and genetically modified crops by large agricultural businesses. Associated Press.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. announced his decision to veto Bill 2491 related to pesticides and genetically modified organisms. Garden Island.

The fate of Bill 2491 lies in the hands of Kauai County Council members, who can override the mayor’s veto with five votes, according to the Kauai County Charter. Garden Island.

Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. vetoed a controversial bill relating to pesticides and genetically modified organisms. The County Council approved the measure 6-1 after more than 14 hours of testimony and discussion. KHON2.

After years of controversy, protests attracting hundreds and day long hearings, Kauai's Mayor has vetoed the controversial anti-GMO bill. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. vetoed a bill Thursday that would require large agribusinesses to disclose the type of pesticides they spray on fields and implement buffer zones around schools, dwellings and medical facilities.  Star-Advertiser.

In the latest volley in a tense battle over a recently passed bill that would require biotech companies to disclose details about their pesticide use and farmers to acknowledge their genetically engineered crops, Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho vetoed it on Thursday. Civil Beat.

Supporters of more oversight on agribusiness expressed outrage Thursday at Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho's decision to veto a bill that would require large farms to disclose the types of pesticides they use and implement buffer zones for spraying. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai Mayor Bernard P. Carvahlo Jr. has vetoed Kauai’s groundbreaking GMO-related Bill 2491. HuffPost Hawaii.

Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho on Thursday vetoed a controversial bill that would have required seed and other agricultural companies to disclose the use of pesticides and genetically modified organisms on the Garden Isle. Pacific Business News.

Kauai County Mayor Bernard Carvalho has vetoed a popular bill that would have required top GMO companies on Kauai to disclose their pesticide usage and would have created a buffer zone around schools and hospitals where no pesticides could be used. Hawaii Independent.

Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. has vetoed Bill 2491, Relating to Pesticides and Genetically Modified Organisms, which was passed by the County Council on October 16. Hawaii Reporter.

The state House is approving more than $7 million in emergency funding for Kauai's publicly funded hospitals and clinics. KITV.

A water line that broke in front of Kauai 5th Circuit Courthouse is being replaced. Garden Island.

Hawaii lawmakers may criminalize pet owners who give away their kittens or puppies -- Commentary

Cute kittens, courtesy photo by Adriano

If pets are outlawed, only outlaws will have pets.

This take on a bill now up on the Hawaii Legislature is admittedly extreme, but not that far off the mark considering SB2504 makes it a misdemeanor to sell or give away your dogs, cats, puppies or kittens without first having them spayed or neutered and microchips implanted in them. Big Brother has arrived, at least for your pets.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Clayton Hee, D-Kahuku, La'ie, Ka'a'awa, Kane'ohe, is up for consideration at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, by the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and Economic Development and Technology Committee.

Hee undoubtedly has good intentions. Feral cats are a huge problem in Hawaii, where, with few natural predators, they breed large colonies and threaten native songbirds.

But taking away even more rights from the citizenry is probably not the way to go. What next? Microchipping our children?

Golden retriever puppy, courtesy Daisy Parker

"Importation of dogs to the Hawaiian Islands is limited and strictly regulated. If all cats and dogs sold or given away must be sterilized, it calls into question where citizens of Hawaii will obtain future generations of pets," warns the American Kennel Club in a public appeal for opposition to the bill.

Lucky we live in Hawaii, where lawmakers steadily add laws to the books but no one actually enforces them. Otherwise, life in the "People's Republic" would be even more onerous than it already is.

But what do you think a pet owner with an unplanned litter is going to do with all the babies? Start with $20 to microchip each kitten, add another $50 to sterilize it, and for a litter of six, you are talking serious kala.

Chances are, those pets are only going to be added to the feral colonies when the owner dumps them in the nearest forest instead of palming a few off on friends and neighbors. This only perpetuates the very problem the bill is trying to fix. And these animals are in for a worse life, not a better one.

How much better if all this effort and angst would go toward voluntary and free spaying and neutering programs and funding for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to trap and euthanize the feral cats on public land.

Ironically, just when they're needed most, spaying and neutering assistance programs have been discontinued by the Hawaiian Humane Society, because the City and County of Honolulu cut the funding.

You, the public, have to take personal responsibility if you don't want Big Brother to step in.

• Don't feed feral animals. It only causes them to breed more of them.
• Keep your pet inside or confined unless you're out with him.
• Spay or neuter your pet. Keep looking for programs to help reduce the cost.
• Lobby your state and local government to put more money into prevention and education, and quit trying to dictate every aspect of our lives.

 Thanks for your consideration.