Investigative Reporter Ian Lind published a great blog post today listing a bunch of state bills that have passed their third readings. Making the list was HB 2175, a dandy of a bill introduced by 14 representatives. The bill’s quite simple, really: it exempts individuals (except those who are already state employees) who get named to special Task Forces by the governor or the … [Read more...] about Will Hawaii State Legislature Exempt Task Force Members From Code Of Ethics?
Hawaii Legislature
Reviving The Superferry…On Your Dime?
To say the Hawaii Superferry was flawed is like saying the Titanic had minor iceberg issues. The litany of problems—legal, environmental, cultural—that made the boat a colossal boondoggle and ultimately led the state Supreme Court to order it out of the water in early 2009 have been well documented. At the same time, no one denies that a well-run, carefully launched and … [Read more...] about Reviving The Superferry…On Your Dime?
By the Numbers: Borders Bankruptcies and Lingle Vacation Bonuses
3,224 Number of bills introduced this session by the Hawaii legislature 5,995 Number of bills introduced last session $345,684 Money owed to members of the Lingle Administration--including almost $17,000 to Lingle herself--for unused vacation time, according to figures submitted by Gov. Abercrombie’s office 201 Number of Borders bookstores set to close nationwide by … [Read more...] about By the Numbers: Borders Bankruptcies and Lingle Vacation Bonuses
Hawaii Lawmakers Are Considering Some Familiar Legislation. Will Any Of It Pass?
Every legislative session is defined more by failure than triumph. Hundreds of bills are introduced each year, and most are snuffed out quietly in committee, killed once they reach the floor or impaled by the Governor’s veto pen. Of course, no legislative death is permanent—there’s always another session to tweak and reintroduce a bill and hope the winds of fate and political … [Read more...] about Hawaii Lawmakers Are Considering Some Familiar Legislation. Will Any Of It Pass?
Maui 2010 Election Reflections
In November 2008, a crowd gathered at Akaku’s Kahului plaza and watched Barack Obama announce the arrival of “a new dawn of American leadership.” Almost exactly two years later, with another election in the books, that new dawn has turned into an uncertain day. At the national level, Republicans reclaimed the House of Representatives while the Democrats narrowly held the … [Read more...] about Maui 2010 Election Reflections