DOE Seeks New Level of Authority

Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto says she intends to again seek the authority to replace the principals, most teachers and other staffers at public schools that have consistently failed to meet federal No Child Left Behind requirements in light of a push by President Obama's administration for school districts to turn around the lowest-achieving public schools.

--Honolulu Advertiser

I firmly believe that this is not the solution. Teacher's cannot control their students. They may be able to encourage and support their students, but cannot control them. Students decide that on their own. Teacher's and principals should not be liable for the students' level of commitment. They should do all that they can, but should that fail, they should not be at fault. But if the teachers simply do not try hard enough, then Hamamoto should be given the authority to replace teachers. If, and only if.

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$1 Billion Assets on "Hold"

For the past 18 months the state has been unable to use $1 billion it sank into supposedly highly liquid, short-term investments because of a collapse in trading of the securities. No one knows for certain when the state will get its money out of so-called auction-rate securities, and an auditor recently required the state to revalue its holdings at $114 million less than what it paid for the investments.

--Honolulu Advertiser

The administrator of the Financial Services Division, Scott Kami, says there is still more than enough money for projects and the state's bills. It's very disturbing that the state invested a total of $4.5 billion, $1.1 of which was invested in these "auction-rate" securities. That's nearly one-fourth of all investments.

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Governor Returns to Cuts, Layoffs

The state had made an offer to the Hawai'i Government Employees Association [HGEA] that involved 24 furlough days this fiscal year, starting in October, and 24 days in the next fiscal year. The state also agreed to stop most of the 1,100 layoffs the governor has set to start in September. The governor said a similar offer was made to the United Public Workers but that the union did not respond.

--Honolulu Advertiser

HGEA countered the state's plan with 18 furlough days this fiscal year and 12 the next. The union also demands that the state cover 60% of health care premiums, even as costs continue to rise. Lingle describes it as "completely unacceptable" and has returned to cuts and layoffs. It seems to me like a simple choice: Either have a job, get at least some income, and have full benefits, or don't have a job at all. Unions, pick wisely, or hundreds of workers could be laid off.

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HGEA Negotiates Over Furloughs

Over the past several days, the Lingle Administration has been working with the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) to develop a plan to furlough state workers and stop the over 1,000 layoffs Lingle had threatened:

The Lingle administration has offered the union 24 furlough days this fiscal year starting in October and 24 days next fiscal year, along with a halt to layoffs except for staff at Kulani Correctional Facility on the Big Island, which is being closed.

--Honolulu Advertiser

Once the next fiscal year starts, workers will furlough two days per month, down from the three originally proposed. However, the deal includes that HGEA drop its legal charges against furloughs and complaint against the layoff plan. The state will even consider reducing furlough days and increasing health care premiums next March, but I doubt that will happen.

Looks to me like a win-win situation, so I say the unions should go for it!

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HPD Chief, Farewell

Boisse Correa concluded five years as Honolulu's police chief and 39 years on the force yesterday, saying he may reappear on the public scene as a politician or in some other government role. In a tearful farewell ceremony, the 64-year-old Correa drove away from police headquarters satisfied that he was leaving "the finest police department in the nation.

--Honolulu Advertiser

Boisse Correa ended his career with the force yesterday, bidding a sad farewell to his fellow friends colleagues. Continuity and change are part of life, and Correa felt that he had done what he could and it was time for change. The 64-year-old former HPD chief left the police compound yesterday while a five-member panel will make the decision of his replacement in October. Correa has served the city well.

+50% Highschool Grads, College

A recent study by the P-20 Initiative College observes that over half (51%) of high school grads in Hawaii will attend colleges with about a third going out for 4-year degrees. The study comes as a real wake-up call for most:

For decades, the state had been unable to accurately track the number of public school graduates who entered a university or college. The Hawai'i P-20 Initiative's College and Career Indicators Report, released this week, is the first report of its kind to take nationwide college enrollment data, along with several other college readiness statistics, and break it down school-by-school.

--Honolulu Advertiser

Eventually, I hope that college-level prerequisite and introductory material will be taught in high schools to better prepare their students in anticipation for college. But for now, it is the duty of the teachers and parents to make college an expectation from a young age.

The three things I consider to be the most important for the future of Hawaii are a) education, b) economy, and c) sustainability and the advancement of green technology. Education is at the top of my list. 51% is unacceptable.

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Economic Situation, Not As Bad?

The improved outlook is due to inflation being more subdued than state economists had anticipated, while Hawai'i's biggest economic engine — tourism — is expected to be worse than before and result in increased job losses.

As shown in the forecast above, inflation is quite low, but that's countered by a 6% drop in visitor arrivals. The economy is still in recession, but the recession is not as severe as it was this time last year. As the state's chief economist of the Department of Business puts it, the economy is a "mixed picture". Big hits are expected to employment rates as well as visitor spending and the tourism industry, a major part of Hawaii's economy. Hawaii is still better off than most states however.

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Rising Enrollment, Less Availability

As the last group of UH-Manoa students — mostly incoming freshmen — began registering last week, college deans and department chairs were forced to increase class sizes and find instructors to teach additional class sections to prevent students from being shut out of high-demand prerequisite courses.

--Honolulu Advertiser

With enrollment for the University of Hawaii on the rise, many classes are forced to take in more students as the UH searches for more teachers to instruct the additional classes needed. The state cut $76 million from the school's budget for this year despite enrollment up 10%. Community colleges faced an even great 15% rise in enrollment. Education is the path to success and the state is denying students the possibility, the right, to it.

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Hawaii Commemorates 50th Anniversary

Today, the fiftieth state commemorates its fiftieth anniversary. However, the occasion is one of less looking back to the past than looking to the next fifty years. The day also comes as a busy day for Hawaiian activists who planned to march from Ala Moana Beach Park to the Convention Center. The rally was organized by the Hawaiian Independence Action Alliance and the Institute for the Advancement of Hawaiian Affairs. The "action" included burning the fiftieth star in protest. Despite the rallies, the day came to a close with a few words from the governor and a spectacular fireworks display.

May we prosper for the next 50 years!

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Freeway Jimmy Sentenced

Earlier today, James "Freeway Jimmy" Taylor pleaded guilty to three charges of stripping copper from freeway lighting systems. His wife, Regina Foster, who managed finances of the gang, received the same sentence:

Taylor earlier pleaded guilty to three of four charges brought against him last
year. Ahn sentenced him today to serve concurrent 10-year prison terms for
criminal conspiracy, racketeering and money laundering.

--Honolulu Advertiser

The money made from the stolen copper wires was used to finance methamphetamine. The state needs to crack down harder on these types of criminals. It should make Taylor and his gang pay for the copper stolen (which amounted to over $500,000) and make an example of him to all future copper theifs. Someone needs to make a stand against crime.

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