Gay marriage, abortion top Hawaii's 2nd Congressional debate; Honolulu requires protest permits; embattled Hawaii County Elections Office ready for the primary; geothermal, GASB bills nixed; Kauai smoking ban smolders, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

2nd Congressional debate, courtesy Hawaii News Now

Social issues like abortion and gay marriage came up early and often during the first widely televised debate in the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary Thursday night. Civil Beat.

The four major candidates in the Democratic primary for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District exchanged barbs during a feisty 90-minute debate Thursday night that touched on issues from their views on same-sex marriage to their ranges of political experience. Star-Advertiser.

Four of the candidates in the Democratic party primary for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District squared off in a 90-minute debate on Hawaii News Now. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard, former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann, legislative aide Esther Kia'aina  and Big Island lawyer Bob Marx say they have what it takes to represent rural Oahu and the neighboring islands. KITV4.

Lingle Tops Hirono in Fundraising; Poll Wars; TV: Dems Debate, Republicans Left Out. Hawaii Reporter.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has instituted a new policy for his appointees this election year: they have to take vacation or unpaid leave if they're running for office. Hawaii News Now.

The reform of Hawaii's charter school system got underway Thursday as Karen Street, a human resources executive, was chosen as chairwoman of the commission that will oversee the schools, and plans were announced to hire a national organization to help implement the new law. Star-Advertiser.

Experiences on the mainland, along with evaluations of Hawaii election procedures, suggest several types of legal and procedural changes that would be likely to bolster voter registration and election turnout, although studies suggest the overall impact may be modest at best. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority will focus on building momentum in the recovery of the local tourism industry during its annual Hawaii Tourism Conference, which will be Aug. 23-24 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Pacific Business News.

Computer generated data is expected to grow by 50 times by 2020.   Storing and managing this information was covered during this year’s Asia-Pacific International Management Conference in Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

State roundup for July 12. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell received $511,404 in campaign donations from January through June, nearly $400,000 less than fellow challenger Ben Cayetano, according to campaign figures released today. Hawaii Reporter.

As many as six more University of Hawaii officials in different departments could find their roles in the botched Stevie Wonder fundraising concert under review following the suspensions of UH's athletic director and Stan Sheriff arena manager this week. Star-Advertiser.

People holding a protest or other "expressive activity" in a city park would be required to obtain a permit, under a bill approved Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council. The bill, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union Hawaii chapter, was prompted by a court order. Star-Advertiser.

Two Honolulu City Councilmen are calling on the Mayor to make sure money is found to restore bus service after recent cutbacks. KHON2.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Mayor Peter Carlisle are working together to decide on the future of the historic Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial. KITV4.

Hawaii

More Hawaii County voters are expected to vote by mail this election, but early walk-in voting will be limited to three locations, and three small precincts won’t have a polling place at all, under changes instituted this year by the county Elections Office. West Hawaii Today.

The person in charge of elections on the Big Island said today that the voting process is on track. Big Island Now.

A pair of bills relating to geothermal energy have died on Mayor Billy Kenoi’s desk, unless the County Council can engineer an override of the veto. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Billy Kenoi vetoed a bill that would have required the county to make payments into a county retiree benefits account and denounced it as being “fiscally irresponsible.” Tribune-Herald.

The three candidates for County Prosecuting Attorney faced off last night at a political forum in Hilo. KPUA.

Maui

Several hundred Maui residents have signed a petition asking the county's liquor commission to again prohibit patrons from bringing their own wine into restaurants. Maui News.

Three months after Maui's liquor commissioners tossed a plan to shut down late-night entertainment in the Kihei Kalama Village, the department says it's seeing positive changes. Maui News.

Costco Wholesale on Maui opened a gas station this morning, selling regular unleaded gas at $3.99 and premium for $4.19 for a gallon. Maui Now.

Kauai

A bill that would allow outlaw tobacco products at county parks and designate the parks’ parking lots as smoking areas seemed poised to fly through second and final reading Wednesday at the Kaua‘i County Council meeting. Instead, the council decided to put more work into the bill. Garden Island.

After much controversy earlier this year, when Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. put Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Darryl Perry on leave, voters will not decide whether the mayor or the Police Commission has such powers over the police chief. Garden Island.

Lihu‘e Public Library will be closing for extensive renovation starting this fall. Garden Island.

Hawaii tourism brightens, reapportionment commission already at odds, state looks to car rental fees, fishponds opened by tsunami, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hapuna Beach (c) 2011 All Hawaii News

The Hawaii Legislature has adopted a resolution urging the governor not to transfer Hapuna Beach State Park to Hawaii County. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii hotels were three-fourths full during the week ending April 16, and most island’s average room rates were higher compared to the same week in 2010, according to data from Smith Travel Research and Hospitality Advisors. Pacific Business News

Hunting for a ready source of cash to help balance the budget, state lawmakers might divert some of the daily surcharges that tourists and others pay on rental cars. Star-Advertiser.

With just a few weeks left before the legislature adjourns, there's a battle brewing between state lawmakers and the teacher's union.Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii Supreme Court is stepping in to pick a leader of the group charged with redrawing election district lines after it failed to agree on a chairperson itself. Associated Press.

Voting districts across the state will be changed within the year. It's a process that takes place by law every ten years by law. KHON2.

With one Constitutional deadline already missed and another bearing down on them, the state's Reapportionment Commission is asking for more time. Civil Beat.

The state Supreme Court began soliciting for nominees yesterday to lead the Hawaii Reapportionment Commission after the eight sitting members announced they have been unable to reach consensus on a ninth member to serve as chairman. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu City Council is looking at ways to close a projected 100 million dollar budget gap. Hawaii Public Radio.

Visitor industry leaders appealed to Maui County Council members on Wednesday not to raise their property tax rates. Maui News.

The state Land Use Commission on Thursday affirmed its decision to revert land owned by Bridge Aina Lea and DW Aina Lea to agriculture. West Hawaii Today.

Don Horner doesn't sit on the board of every nonprofit and key organization in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Lawsuits describing “deplorable and hazardous” living conditions at the state-owned Mayor Wright Homes project were filed in state and federal court today, alleging that residents, including severely disabled individuals, have endured years of rat, roach and bedbug infestations, leaky and broken pipes, and “an almost total lack of hot water.” Hawaii Reporter.

"The state is the largest landlord in this state. It's also by far the largest slum lord in the state." Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle on Thursday appointed Robert Godbey as the new corporation counsel for the city. KITV4.

Less than a week after the Kaua‘i Planning Commission granted permits to allow Phase II of the Anaina Hou Project in Kilauea to go forward, the Executive Committee of Kaua‘i’s Sierra Club expressed its concerns in writing. Garden Island.

Kohala kupuna and state biologists are hoping a breach created by the March 11 tsunami at the Kuualii fish pond may turn into a permanent ocean opening. West Hawaii Today.

Donations are needed at Keawanui Fishpond to help restore the walls, after the March 11 tsunami. Molokai Dispatch.

Data released Wednesday morning by the Environmental Protection Agency reveal that radiation levels found in Big Isle milk have dropped by more than half. Tribune-Herald.

Community colleges in Hawaii expect to slash their energy use by nearly one-quarter and save a combined $58 million over the next 20 years due to conservation measures they are adopting. Associated Press.

Just sayin' : No vote, no grumble.

If you're reading this, you're one of the smart ones. The ones who keep up on the issues and the news of the day.

You -- yes, you! You have not only the privilege of voting, you have the duty. Don't let our election be stolen by the power brokers, the money makers, the ones who can sway an election just by plastering a candidate's name around town.

You have the duty to vote because you know more about a candidate than his or her name. You know more about a ballot issue than what a special interest told you about it.

so, please. Do you duty. Get to the polls Tuesday and vote.

 If you aren't sure where your polling place is -- re- mem- ber, some polling places changed this year -- just put your address in the polling place locator above. No worries, we're not saving the information.

We just want you. You -- the informed voter. We want you to vote. Just do it. Otherwise, no complaining from you about what our elected officials are doing. No vote, no grumble. Just sayin'.

Top Hawaii Headlines: Thursday morning edition

Hawai'i drivers are third-worst in the nation when it comes to their know-ledg
e of basic road rules, according to a survey.

Federal weather officials said they plan to give more advance notice to the public the next time a hurricane approaches the state

State lawmakers have agreed to give public hospitals more money to help them climb out of a financial crisis and greater flexibility to meet community healthcare needs, but have weakened corporate control over the system in favor of more power for regional administrators.

Gas guzzlers and imported vegetables may one day be a thing of the past, according to three energy-related bills awaiting Gov. Linda Lingle’s final approval.

A Maui judge issued an injunction yesterday preventing the state Office of Elections from using new voting machines or procedures in the 2010 elections without first adopting administrative rules.

Honolulu is looking for its 10th police chief after the Honolulu Police Commission voted unanimously yesterday to end Boisse P. Correa's contract when it expires in August.

Come New Year's Day, Big Island motorists will have to hang up their cell phones while driving, according to an amended bill a County Council committee advanced Tuesday by an 8-1 vote.

The Hawaii County Council is set Wednesday to knock the teeth out of its government watchdog, just months after voters put the office into the county charter.

Opponents and supporters of the U.S. Forest Service releasing a Brazilian scale insect to combat the invasive strawberry guava were optimistic Monday that their side would prevail and the facts would be revealed.

Thousands of people went to the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall on Wednesday with the hope of finding a job.

Island Chevrolet has reached the end of the road, closing both its Hilo and Kona locations.

Maui Land & Pineapple Co. President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Webber will receive $150,000 and 30,000 shares of stock as part of his resignation agreement, according to a report filed Tuesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

A warning about asian eyelid surgery - new research from a University of Hawaii professor reveals a misperception that could lead to undesirable results.

Same-day voter registration passes Hawaii Senate

HONOLULU – Hawaii may become the 10th state in the nation to allow same-day voter registration, thanks to a bill that passed the state Senate today.

SB 654, sponsored by Sen. Les Ihara, D-Kapahulu, Kaimuki, Palolo, is aimed at improving Hawaii’s historically low voter turnout. It’s championed by the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Common Cause Hawaii and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii.

Even the 2008 presidential election featuring Hawaii-born Barrack Obama failed to excite Hawaii voters, with just under 70 percent going to the polls. That’s still higher than the estimated turnout nationwide, but still not enough to satisfy civic groups.

“The last month of campaigning is the period when individuals become most motivated and engaged in elections because of the heightened awareness of issues and mobilization of efforts in competitive races,” said Laurie Temple, lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union

“Voters that would be otherwise have been denied the opportunity to vote, including new voters or people who have recently moved, will be enfranchised by election-day registration and thus will increase voter turnout.”

In 2004, an average of 74 percent of eligible voters turned out to vote in states with election-day voter registration compared to 60 percent in states without election-day voter registration. In Minnesota, 77 percent of eligible voters voted in the 2004 presidential election. Wisconsin and Maine, which also have election-day voter registration programs, finished second and third, respectively, in voter turnout, according to Senate staff.

But Kevin Cronin, chief election officer for the state, worries about the likelihood of increased administrative costs and the possibility of fraud. Sen. Sam Slom, R-Kahala, Hawaii Kai, cited similar concerns when voting no.

“Increasing voter registration among eligible individuals might be more easily accomplished without risk of same-day voter registration by increasing voter education funding to further raise public awareness and encourage participation in voting and elections,” Cronin said.