HSTA Sees Reason

In the first breakthrough of a labor stalemate, the Lingle administration and the Hawai'i State Teachers Association announced a tentative agreement yesterday on a two-year contract that includes furloughs to help close the state's budget deficit.

Finally! Some reason... it seems quite apparent to me that Lingle is only trying to help by inducing furloughs rather than having to have layoffs. Aparently Wil Okabe also sees this. Furloughs are better than layoffs. If only HGEA could understand this, there might not be such as clash between the Union and the Governor. If only schools could be open on those Fridays, families also wouldn't be impacted, but everyone has to do their share.

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Health Insurance in Hawaii Too Costly

Hawai'i's health insurance premiums grew an estimated 3.7 times faster than worker earnings during the past decade...the study by Families USA said family health care premiums jumped 94.2 percent during the period, while median earnings grew at a slower 25.7 percent pace.

--Honolulu Advertiser

Health care in Hawaii has never been one of the cheapest things in the world... but the government should try to make it one. The health of its citizens should be a moderate priority for government. We need to not only attract doctors to the islands but ensure that they will remain here.

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Waikiki Beach Restoration

The state has kicked off the environmental review process for a project to restore heavily eroded portions of Waikiki Beach, but work to bring in sand to widen the state's most famous coastline likely won't start until 2011. The project...is planned as the first modern erosion abatement project in Waikiki that the state will undertake with funding help from hotels.

--Honolulu Advertiser

Waikiki Beach, as the advertiser said, is completely man-made and should be man-maintained. It is therefore the responsibility of the citizens of Honolulu and the users of the beach to ensure it does. The problem is when it goes left unattended that serious problems develop which will have to be fixed by some serious dollars.

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Museums Reduce Budget, Can't Find Funds

As the economy limps along, Hawai'i's museums are finding it tougher to meet their financial needs. They've slashed budgets by cutting hours, closing collections and laying off staff. They've slashed budgets by cutting hours, closing collections and laying off staff.

--Honolulu Advertiser

Well, everyone is affected by the slowing economy somehow and I guess it was a matter of time until it reached museums and other institutions. It's kind of disappointing that museums have to cut hours, employees , and collections. Hopefully, the museums will survive through these economic tribulations and re-expand their budget.

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$1000 Reward for Waiawa Arson Info

As yet another brush fire burned in Waiawa yesterday, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann joined police and fire officials in announcing a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons believed responsible for a string of recent fires.

--Honolulu Advertiser

This continues yesterday's episode of the sight of two men seen fleeing from one of the recent Waiawa brush fires. It's unacceptable to have this type of crime go lightly punished as this string of fires has cost the state thousands of dollars and impacted motorists on the H-2. Hopefully, the arsonists will be caught and be punished the maximum 10 years in jail. The public needs to make a point that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

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