Hawaii "Better Off" Than Most States

Nationwide, stung by the drop in revenue collections because of the recession, states had to close a $142.6 billion shortfall in budgets for fiscal year 2010, according to a new report by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Eight states missed budget deadlines on July 1 and scrambled to pay state workers and bills while rushing to patch holes that may grow larger if the economy does not improve.

--Honolulu Advertiser

Governor Linda Lingle suggested that other states' economic situation may be far worse than Hawaii's. For example, in California, state workers are furloughing two days per month and Gov. Schwarzenegger is asking for a third furlough day. We should just be happy and remember all that we have is a blessing.

Full Article...

Rail Cost Estimate Higher

The cost estimate of the Honolulu elevated mass-transit public rail system has risen from the previously estimated $5.17 billion to the current estimate of $5.29 billion. It is a result of high-than-expected inflation, which was 2.3% higher than expected. Still, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann says that this is considerably less than the $5.4 billion presented in last year's Mayoral ballot. I personally won't use the transit system... I would have placed the question on the ballot if voters would use the transit system, rather than if they supported it.

Full Article...

Funding Approved for Rail and Housing

The 2010 Transportation and Housing & Urban Development appropriations bill approved today funds the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development.

The U.S House approved today a bill that will fund Native Hawaiian housing and the Honolulu Rail Transit project. The bill, officially called the 2010 Transportation and Housing & Urban Development appropriations bill, grants Hawaii $17 million. $12 million will fund housing block grants, $1 million for a Native Hawaiian Loan fund, and $4 million to the rail project. Hopefully this will further stimulate the economy and help to close the budget deficit.

Full Article...

Lingle Offers Compromise

Sources familiar with the talks, speaking on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are confidential, said the administration's offer involves a 7 percent pay cut and about 18 furlough days a year for two years. The administration's proposal is in response to a union offer last week of a 5 percent pay cut. The combination pay cut and 1 1/2 furlough days a month would save the state roughly the same amount of money as Gov. Linda Lingle's initial goal of three furlough days a month.

--Honolulu Advertiser

Governor Linda Lingle made an offer yesterday to the three major labor unions (HGEA, UHPA, HSTA) that would comprise of both furloughs and paycuts, as she still stands behind her belief against layoffs. The plan is estimated to save the state the same amount of money that the governor's original three furlough days per month would have saved. To me, it's a "no-brainer", as one of my dear friends use to say. It's either that or a mass layoff of over 1,000 workers.

Full Article...

Total Solar Eclipse

Later this afternoon, Hawaii will get a glimpse of part of a total solar eclipse, which will be exceptionally long this time. Set to start about at 5:20 PM, the Bishop Museum says that it will be over at 6:14 PM. The museum advises that to get a good look at the eclipse, stay in a place where the western sky will be visible. At maximum point, the eclipse will last over six minutes, 30 seconds compared to 2008's eclipse which lasted for about one-third that time. Astronomers look forward to this eclipse, as it will give them much time to study the sun's corona. On an international scale, the eclipse will start in India before making its way through Southern China and Japan and eventually the Pacific. Even during an eclipse, DON'T LOOK AT THE SUN, even with sunglasses. Use a mirror to reflect the eclipse onto a piece of paper. Have fun!

Council Canditates Against Tax Hike

Nearly all 14 candidates for the Honolulu City Council's 5th District seat say they're unhappy with the council's decision to raise property tax rates this year and would have taken steps to avoid it.

--Honolulu Advertiser

The upcoming election that will decide who will take the late Duke Bainum's seat shows great promise for the next several years. With all but one candidate against tax increases (George Waialeale suggested tax hikes be part of the solution), most blame the current economic situation (including tax rates and fees) on those in office; "Greed, corruption, ego and the fiscal irresponsibility of Honolulu's elected officials caused our current quandary," says candidate Jaques Sims. Many candidates have relations within the state's political community. I just hope that, like a few short elections, this won't be a popularity contest. Let's just make something good of Duke Bainum's death.

Full Article...

Hawaii: The "Mean" State

Two national homeless advocacy groups rank Honolulu as the eighth meanest city in the nation because of its treatment of the homeless. The report criticized city officials for their efforts in the last three years to close Kapiolani Park and beach parks on the Leeward Coast to camping and for shutting down parks and sending police to evict homeless campers.

--Honolulu Star Bulletin

This is absolutely unacceptable. The government can only worry about "closing the budget" while homeless wander the streets of the eight “meanest” city in America. This is questioning our moral standards and ethics. What is Hawaii coming to?

Full Article...

Lingle's List of Layoffs

The Lingle administration would not disclose how many workers are targeted, but Gov. Linda Lingle has said she may have to lay off 2,500 workers under her direct control because of the state's budget deficit. Workers in several departments -- including Agriculture, Health, Human Services, Labor and Industrial Relations, and Business, Economic Development and Tourism -- reported being notified.

--Honolulu Avertiser

The list of workers Lingle and her staff will lay off will be released tomorrow. However, it has been estimated that over 2,500 workers might be let go in order to close the state's budget deficit. The informality of the situation - Lingle telling workers about the layoffs before considering the unions - has raised some eyebrows, including Randy Pierra, executive director of HGEA, described Lingle's announcement as "shameless". The unions should have accepted the furlough plan. Now they have to deal with layoffs.

Full Article...

66% Fail No Child Left Behind

Although test results this year for nearly all grades improved, 66% of all Hawaii schools missed the progress goals prescribed in the No Child Left Behind Law. 187 schools did not pass AYP compared to the 97 (34%) that did pass. This is down from the 42% last year. Principals also worry that because of budget cuts, many schools could face even lower results this coming year.

However, NCLB standards are rising so the numbers do not tell the whole story. The original 39% reading proficiency has risen to 65% and the original 19% math proficiency has risen to 44%, both dramatic increases.

The NCLB standards will continue to rise until 2014 when the goal is to have 100% of students demonstrate high skill level.

Full Article...

Lingle Leading?

With labor talks between the state and the public worker unions still stalled, Gov. Linda Lingle put some pressure on the unions yesterday by announcing that her Cabinet would be taking a pay cut equal to two furlough days a month through two years.

--Honolulu Star Bulletin

Pressure? The Governor played this one poorly; first she released her proposal to the media before even sitting down with the unions, then, only after she loses the court ruling, she begins to make sacrifices herself. Lingle then wants to make it clear that she is leading by example. Yeah, leading after losing. She also said later that because of the growing budget deficit, she would not let any money be released for any bills that were overrode in the last legislation.

Full Article...

Food Funds and Renewable Energy Vetoed

Governor Linda Lingle vetoed the so-called barrel tax bill which would increase the price of oil about 2-3 cents per gallon. The money raised from the tax would in turn fund progress and research of renewable energy as well as fund food security. The bill was opposed by the fragile airline industry, claimed Senator Colleen Hanabusa. This is a bad move however, because renewable energy is the key to maintain sustainability on these most isolated islands in the world we live on. Food security should also be a main priority as we are thousands of miles away from any major landmass. Nice job, Governor, we're making (no) progress!

Full Article...

Budget Cuts = No Fishing?

With just two days until the scheduled Saturday opening of this year's catfish season at Nu'uanu Freshwater Fish Refuge, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has not decided whether it can afford to open the popular spot this year because of state budget cut.

--Honolulu Advertiser

Many people were looking forward to this year's session so many people applied for licenses, but "Now we might not have anyone," says Brian Kimate, owner of a fishing supply store. Fishing is also a great activity for families. The recent cut in budget for the DLNR may bring an end to freshwater fishing in Hawaii. A solution might lay in volunteers from the Hawaii Freshwater Fishing Association.

Full Article...

Japanese Emperor & Empress Visit

Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, are now in Honolulu. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in the islands around 3:15 Tuesday afternoon at Hickam Air Force Base. It's the royal couple's first visit to Honolulu in 15 years.

--KHNL News

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko landed on Oahu yesterday afternoon at Hickam Air Force Base. They are scheduled to attend a service at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Punchbowl later today, as well as to dine with Governor Linda Lingle in Washington Place. Today they will also revisit the tree they planted in 1960 that marked the 100th anniversary of US-Japan relations. Later tonight they will attend a banquet at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This is a great gesture on the part of the Japanese, not only showing their trust in our community but repeatedly displaying it. The royal couple will remain in the islands until Thursday.

Full Article...

Unions Offer 5% Cut

In what all sides described as progress, public-sector labor unions yesterday offered to take a 5 percent pay cut to help close the state's budget deficit, far less than what Gov. Linda Lingle has wanted but a sign that state workers are willing to sacrifice.

--Honolulu Advertiser

Hawaii Unions offered a 5% cut in pay in labor talks yesterday Governor Linda Lingle attended saying afterward the state would consider the unions' proposals. The 5% cut is a big plummet from the three furlough days a month (equal to about 13% cut) Lingle proposed last month. Although the budget deficit is still quite large, this is the first step toward closing the gap.

However, one of the Unions' other proposals of taking money from the Hurrican relief fund and temporarily increasing the general excise tax. This is not a good solution because a) El Nino is this year and b) this could cripple the already fragile private sector. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann says the Governor has "broken the stalemate," but that means someone is going to lose.

Full Article...

New Budget Deficit Estimate

Gov. Linda Lingle's administration now estimates the state's deficit through the next two years totals as little as $744 million, far less than the $900 million gap she warned the state could face Wednesday.

--Honolulu Star Bulletin

The Governor released today the new budget deficit estimate, $744 million, which was far less than the previous $900 million. The Governor released this information shortly after talks with the labor unions ended. I, like the Governor, oppose layoffs and prefer furloughs, however Lingle has began to compose a list of public workers that would be laid-off if her furlough plan is not implemented.

Full Article...