While retail stores across the county now have the go-ahead to reopen, state leaders remain in discussions about the best way to proceed with lifting further COVID-19 public health restrictions. For weeks the state has reported low daily numbers of new cases of infection consistent with a “flattened curve,” meaning the spread of COVID-19 has been slowed, which is the goal of … [Read more...] about Reopening and Recovery: “We’ve never faced anything more critical,” says UH Economic Research Organization executive director
Scott Saiki
Gov. Ige Talks Cuts: The governor receives criticism for proposals to cut pay for public workers
Presumably thinking he’s got nothing left to lose politically in the second half of his final term, Governor David Ige last week unveiled one of his most brazen (read: worst) proposals yet and suggested that all public workers – including teachers and first responders – take a pay cut to make up for anticipated budget shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. News of the cuts … [Read more...] about Gov. Ige Talks Cuts: The governor receives criticism for proposals to cut pay for public workers
Civic Engagement App Aims to Increase Participation in Government
An application designed to help the public to engage with their government was recently launched as an initiative of the Pacific Resource Partnership, which is a not-for-profit organization that represents the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, the largest construction union in the state, and more than 240 of Hawai‘i’s top contractors. KAKOU, Hawai‘i’s first ever civic … [Read more...] about Civic Engagement App Aims to Increase Participation in Government
Hawai`i House of Representatives forms Working Group on Harassment
It’s amazing, I know, but there’s actually been some good news to come out of the state Legislature regarding sexual harassment. The Speaker Emeritus Joe Souki investigation, and his subsequent resignation, has somehow prompted the state House of Representatives to make a concrete change in how they handle sexual harassment complaints in the future. “House Speaker Scott K. … [Read more...] about Hawai`i House of Representatives forms Working Group on Harassment
Hawaii Ethics Commission: Maui Rep. and former Speaker Joe Souki must resign by Mar. 30
Rep. Joe Souki, D–Wailuku, who was first elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives in 1982, will resign from the House no later than Mar. 30, pay a $5,000 penalty, issue a public apology and not accept any public office for two years. That’s the finding of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, which on the morning of Wednesday, Mar. 21 finally released its investigative … [Read more...] about Hawaii Ethics Commission: Maui Rep. and former Speaker Joe Souki must resign by Mar. 30