The Kona Blog

• Hawaiian Telcom And Oceanic Time Warner Have Failed To Address A Serious Utility Pole Issue

  Number of comments: 2
  There is another utility pole issue which  fits perfectly with these ongoing issues (here,here, and here). This jungle vine has totally covered up both Hawaiian Telcom and Oceanic Time Warner’s utility poles at the junction of highway 180 and 190 here in Kona. I’ve tried to talk to both of them [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 12:45pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• The Kona Blog Survey Will End On November 26, 2009

  I’ve decided to end my survey on November 26, 2009. There hasn’t been any new survey submissions for four days already. On top of that, I’ve been able to get a snapshot of the demographics of my blog’s readership. If you have not submitted a survey please do so before [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 7:38am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Ane Keohokalole Highway Press Conference On Tuesday

  (From Hawaii County News) Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi will meet with members of the press at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, regarding an important announcement about the Ane Keohokalole Highway, also known as the Mid-Level Road. The press conference will be held at the mayor’s Kona office, 75-5722 Hanama Place. [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 6:59am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Palani Road/Kealaka’a Street/Palihiolo Street Intersection Update

  There is some troubling news regarding the  Palani Road/Kealaka’a Street/Palihiolo intersection improvement project.I wanted to hear from Noelani Whittington before I blogged about this.However, this posting from John Powell caused to me to expedite this update. HELCO hired an outside contractor to drill nine holes for new poles. The contractor started [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 6:47am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Sandwich Isles Communications Reveals That They Can’t Financially Survive If The NECA Decision Is Not Overturned

  I’ve been following Sandwich Isles Communication’s FCC petition to restore funding for the operating costs of their new inter island fiber-optic network. This is a chronological history of all the documents filed regarding this petition thus far (The documents can be viewed here by searching for docket number #09-133). Sandwich Isles [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 3:22am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Mayor Kenoi Needs To “Clean House” At The Public Works Building Division

  Number of comments: 4
  It boggles my mind why the community has little interest in commenting  on  Mayor Kenoi’s proposed county ethics rules reform .The only person who testified was the attorney representing the one of the county employees who will be affected by these changes. I strongly feel these rule changes need to be [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 2:41pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• **Commentary** The Forgotten Community Development Plan

  Number of comments: 1
  (From Hawaii County Councilman Pete Hoffmann) It’s been a year now since the South Kohala community celebrated with considerable pride the completion of their Community Development Plan and its approval by the County Council, the fourth such plan approval by the Council in 2008. The Waikoloa, Waimea and Kawaihae communities worked [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:47pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• The Completion of The Mamalahoa (Hokulia) Bypass Remains In Limbo Due To The Coupes

  Number of comments: 1
  I think this comment by Dr. James Weatherford pretty much sums why the county council should not reduce the amount Kona side meetings to the bare minimum. “I never thought it was practical to be meeting at a plush resort,” Keaau resident James Weatherford said. “We need to spend less money [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:32pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Kona Side Saddle Road Realignment Draft SEIS Available

  The draft SEIS for the Kona side realignment of Saddle Road is available here and here. There was a article in the HTH about the release of this document also today. These are the maps showing the previous preferred alignment (W-3) and the current preferred alignment (W-7) of this segment of [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:00pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Draft SEIS For The Future Realigned Kona Segment Of Saddle Road Will Be Released in The Coming Days

  Number of comments: 1
  The draft SEIS for the future realigned Kona segment of Saddle Road (between Mamalahoa highway and m.m 41) will be available here on November 20,2009 and here on November 23rd, 2009. There will be public hearings regarding this draft SEIS on both sides of the island. December 9,2009 at Aunty Sally’s [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 2:09pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• The Hawaii County Council Should Not Reduce The Amount Of West Hawaii Council Meetings

  Number of comments: 4
  It is good to see that others feel the same way I do regarding resolution 267.This is the testimony I submitted in opposition to this proposed legislation on November,14 2009. Aloha, I strongly feel Councilman Ikeda’s proposed resolution to reduce the amount of West Hawaii council meetings is a big mistake. There [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:44pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• China Joins Thirty Meter Telescope Project

  The National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) has joined the Thirty Meter Telescope Project (TMT). As an Observer, China will participate in planning the development of what will be the world’s most advanced and capable astronomical observatory. “The TMT is delighted to take this exciting [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 11:28am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Hawaiian Telcom Will Face Serious Issues When Rolling Out NGTV Service

  I’m a bit perplexed by Governor Lingle’s sudden change of heart to use rainy day funds to eliminate school furlough days. It was my understanding that these funds were off limits because it could negatively impact the state’s credit rating. I still believe it will be a big mistake if [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 1:51pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Put Our Students Ahead of Politics

  The education of our children is one of our most important responsibilities. The way we teach our students and run our schools will determine Hawaii’s future. And today we face a crisis in our public education system. As parents, we cannot allow politicians and bureaucrats to compromise the most important investment [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 12:36pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• I Received A Supportive Comment Regarding My Criticism Of Hawaiian Telcom

  Number of comments: 1
  I received this interesting comment in support of my criticism of Hawaiian Telcom for failing to aggressively go after federal subsidies and stimulus funding to improve their aging infrastructure. “How do you justify HT for filing a puny single $6 million application because of Aloha Broadband’s self serving interpretation of the [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 11:51am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Saddle Road Before And After Pictures

  Number of comments: 2
  This is how Saddle Road looked while under construction between m.m 19 and m.m 35 recently. This is how Saddle Road looks now after construction is complete. [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 6:47am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Map Of Charles & Joan Coupe’s Land Holdings

  Number of comments: 1
  I’ve been asked time and time again where is Charles & Joan Coupes land holdings. I was able to copy a map from the Mamalahoa bypass highway EIS and highlighted the land that they own. The Coupes own from the existing Mamalahoa highway to the sea. Thus their land cannot be [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 5:49am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• The Readers Of This Blog Need To Alert Me Of Any Spelling And Grammar Issues With My Postings

  Number of comments: 6
  I’ve received some helpful comments to improve this blog from my ongoing Kona Blog survey (for example : turning on nested comments). However, I’ve received some irritating observations complaining about the poor spelling and grammar of my posts. These errors cannot be corrected unless the readers of this blog speak [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 2:59pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan Lawsuit’s Court Hearing Will Happen On December 9th

  The first court hearing regarding KAHEA’s (etc) Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan lawsuit will happen on December 9th, 2009.The University of Hawaii’s motion for summary judgment to dismiss this lawsuit will be heard at this time Ho’ohiki has not been updated to reflect this yet. [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 6:36am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Sandwich Isles Communications Offer To Buy Hawaiian Telcom Was Rejected Yesterday

  The feedback I’ve gotten regarding the The Kona Blog survey is much appreciated.I’ve received some very valuable comments that will  help improve this site. I would urge everyone who is a frequent reader of this blog and haven’t taken the survey to please do so here. Governor Lingle must be from another [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 6:07am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Resolution 267 Will Create More Support To Split Hawaii County

  I submitted this testimony against Resolution 267 this morning. This proposed legislation would reduce the amount of West Hawaii county council meetings to the bare minimum allowed under the county charter. Aloha, I strongly feel Councilman Ikeda’s proposed resolution to reduce the amount of West Hawaii council meetings is a big mistake. [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 2:55am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• The Kona Blog Survey

  Number of comments: 5
  I want to invite all my blog readers to participate in this survey. I’m doing this to get a better idea what is the demographics of my overall blog readership.The survey responses will  be private and not shared with anyone.However I’ll be using this data to seek out what kind [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 4:51pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Councilman Ikeda’s Resolution To Cut Kona Council Meetings Will Increase Support To Split Hawaii County

  Number of comments: 2
  The recently opened Hilo GM repair facility will be closing down pretty shortly. This is due to the closure of the Saturn brand by GM.The Hilo GM repair facility was operated by Saturn of Honolulu. I really hope GM is able to find another entity to  take over the responsibility to [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 3:31pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Big Island Carbon Project Update

  Kawaihae, HI 11.12.09 ~ Today was a big day at the Kawaihae project site for Big Island Carbon. One of the key pieces of custom-built equipment, the heart and soul of the operation, was carefully transported from the port in Kawaihae by truck and then lifted in to place on [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 1:37pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• The Coupe’s Attorneys Have Filed Their Opening Brief Regarding Their Mamalahoa (Hokulia) Bypass Appeal

  Charles & Joan Coupe’s attorneys, Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert, filed the opening brief with the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals today regarding their Mamalahoa (Hokulia) bypass land condemnation appeal.(I’ve been assured that Hawaii County will be filing motions to expedite and transfer this appeal to the Hawaii Supreme Court [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 5:38pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Mauna Kea’s First Snowfall Of The Winter Season

  These pictures of Mauna Kea’s first snowfall of the winter season are courtesy of Andrew Cooper. [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 4:15pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Is Largely Responsible For Hawaiian Telcom’s Current Woes

  I’m going to elaborate a bit further about what I wrote yesterday about Hawaiian Telcom.It is easy to blame to the Carlyle Group or Hawaiian Telcom’s management for their current woes. But the real blame lies with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Their lack of effective oversight throughout the years [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 12:36pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Hawaiian Telcom Is Facing A Future Full Of Questions

  It appears that federal broadband stimulus funding distribution schedule has been sped up. They’ve reduced the funding dispersal rounds from three to two. However there has been 2,200 applications requesting almost 28 billion dollars in funding. This is nearly seven times the amount of money that is available.Thus Sandwich Isles Communications [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 2:10pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• The Legislature Should Not Strip The Counties Of Their Share Of The Transient Accommodations Tax

  Number of comments: 1
  The State of Hawaii’s tax collections continues to significantly decline.It is good to see that some legislators are not looking at raising taxes to make up for the budget shortfall (it will be political suicide for any politicians advocating raising taxes in a election year). On top of that, the [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 1:21pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• The Republicans Rather Attack The Democrats Health Care Over Haul Than Present Their Solution To This Crisis

  Number of comments: 4
  I’m frustrated by the Republican’s attempts to attack the Democrats health care reform efforts.The United States is facing a health care crisis. There is approximately 47 million Americans under the age of 65 who don’t have medical insurance. These individuals face severe financial consequences (including bankruptcy) if they get seriously [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:42pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• West Hawaii Needs More And Better Parks

  Number of comments: 1
  Plans For West Hawaii Parks West Hawaii needs more and better parks. The plans for creating new parks and improving existing parks in West Hawaii will be the subject of the Kona Town Meeting, held on Tuesday, November 17th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Makaeo Events Pavilion at the Old [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 11:57am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Hawaii’s Broadband Infrastructure Needs To Be Improved If We Want To Remain Economically Competitive In The 21st Century

  Number of comments: 2
  I’m happy to see that the charter commission voted to place the codification of the 2% land fund into the Hawaii County charter on to the 2010 ballot .This would prevent future raids on this fund by the administration if the citizens of this island vote for it. However the [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 7:09am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Tomi Tomi Drive Waterline Project Update

  I received this time line and status update regarding the waterline project being constructed on Tomi Tomi Drive from an individual who lives in the area. 1. We were told in July, 2006, that this project was to start in early 2007. It didn’t, for a number of reasons, one of [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 8:44am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Retired Teachers Who Have HSTA’s Medical Insurance Will See Significant Benefit Reductions In The New Fiscal Year

  My mom received a notice today regarding significant benefit reductions impacting the retired HSTA medical insurance plan (provided by HMSA).These reductions will be especially hurt individuals who use a out of network provider for any surgical services,x-ray,inpatient lab services,radiation therapy or have to stay at the hospital. The biggest concern is [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 8:24am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• The Hawaii DOT Should Withdraw Their Queen Kaahumanu Highway Appeal If The New RFP Process is Completed Before The Appeal Is Adjudicated

  There was an aspect regarding the latest delay in starting the HDOT’s appeal of the OAH’s Queen Kaahumanu highway bid award decision that I didn’t previously address The new RFP has imposed a February 9, 2010 deadline for prospective bidders to submit proposals.However the HDOT’s plans to concurrently re-bid the project [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 4:56am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Hawaiian Telcom’s Post Bankruptcy Business Plan Is Fatally Flawed

  Number of comments: 1
  The Big Island Weekly had a timely article regarding the resurfacing of Saddle Road between m.m 44-48 (and possibly between m.m 48-54-contingent on obtaining federal funding). It appears that some Native Hawaiians are claiming ownership of the Hamakua lands the county wants to sell.This could prove be interesting (and damaging to [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 4:41pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• A Need For Commitment To Hawaiian Agriculture And A Call To End Deceptive Advertising

  Ken Love sent me this very enlightening report titled “A Need for Commitment to Hawaiian Agriculture and a Call to End Deceptive Advertising.” It is absolutely shameful that some of the state’s largest supermarket chains are deceptively advertising their fresh fruit and vegetables as locally grown when really it is [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 1:44pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Ian Lind’s Response To A Recent Tax Foundation Of Hawaii Commentary Is Shortsighted

  Number of comments: 1
  I am a bit irritated by Ian Lind’s rebuttal here regarding this Tax Foundation of Hawaii commentary. It simply doesn’t sit well with me that whenever tax revenues decrease there is huge cries to raise taxes to the balance the budget. There is quite a bit of consequences if taxes (like [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 3:35pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Grace Church’s Contractor Has Started Mobilizing Their Construction Equipment For The Upcoming Palani Road Realignment Project

  I was very happy to see that Grace Church’s contractor has mobilized their construction equipment and started work on the re-alignment of Palani Road fronting the church today. It is my understanding Bolton is building the bypass road (to be used during this 4-7 week project) and the new town [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 2:03pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Hawaii County’s Economy Has The Pieces In Place To Have A Strong Economy Going Forward

  Hat tip to Richard Ha for blogging about this Hawaii Business article regarding rejuvenating Hawaii County’s economy. I thought it pointed out a number of strong points that our local economy possess, like alternative energy production (geothermal), and astronomy (TMT). In a nutshell, the Big Island has all the pieces [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 12:38pm EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Kona Int’l Airport’s New Air Traffic Control Tower Has Sparked Questions About If Its Needed & Concerns It Will Spur More Development

  Number of comments: 1
  I was reading the comments made regarding this article about the construction of the new Kona Int’l Airport air traffic control tower.There was a  bunch of complaints questioning the need for this facility and the concern it will spur further development here. The existing the air traffic control facility is [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 7:58am EST
  by Aaron Stene

• Future Federal Stimulus Funding Should Be Directed Towards Hawaii County’s Roads And Parks

  I’m utterly disgusted that the federal economic stimulus funding has only created 26 new jobs in Hawaii County. I know there is projects in the pipeline like the mid level road and the Makalei fire station that will receive stimulus money. However these improvements will take time to stimulate the [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 4:25am EDT
  by Aaron Stene

• West Hawaii Roadway Projects Update

  It is my understanding HELCO will be starting to relocate the utility poles by the Palani Road/Kealaka’a Street/Palihiolo Street intersection within the next two weeks. The HDOT is waiting for new signal loops for the Malulani Gardens/Queen Kaahumanu highway stop light before it is complete. I found out today that construction [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 4:44pm EDT
  by Aaron Stene

• New Kona Int’l Airport Air Traffic Control Tower Groundbreaking

  I’m very happy to see that ground has been broken on the new Kona Int’l Airport air traffic control tower.This project will replace the old and outdated existing tower that has increasingly become a safety hazard over the years. They had to cut back the coconut trees at the gates [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 2:37pm EDT
  by Aaron Stene

• Hawaii DOT’s Appeal of the OAH’s Queen Kaahumanu Highway Bid Award Ruling Delayed Again

  I noticed this evening that the start of the oral arguments for the Hawaii DOT’s appeal of the OAH’s Queen Kaahumanu highway phase II bid award ruling has been rescheduled again. The oral arguments will start on December 11, 2009 instead of November 18,2009. It is unknown who asked  (or [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 2:01pm EDT
  by Aaron Stene

• Big Island Weekly Unfairly Criticized DHHL for Their Handling Of The Hilo Target/Safeway Lease

  Big Island Weekly had an article criticizing the Department of Hawaiian Homelands handling of leasing 15.5 acres of their land to Target and Safeway. I agree that DHHL should do a better job working with Hawaii County regarding mitigating the impacts of their projects on the surrounding areas.However I feel that [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 4:01pm EDT
  by Aaron Stene

• The Kona Community Needs The Ane Keohokalole Highway Completed To Hina-Lani Street

  WHT had an article about last night’s Ane Keohokalole highway final environmental assessment public hearing.I really hope this much needed road qualifies for federal stimulus funding and is built all the way to Hina-Lani Street. However there needs to be a finding of no significant impact by the current environmental review [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 2:44pm EDT
  by Aaron Stene

• DHHL Won A Significant Legal Victory Regarding Leasing Homestead Land To Commercial Entities

  It appears the court ruled in favor of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands on September 23,2009 regarding this lawsuit filed by a group of native Hawaiians. These individuals allege that DHHL’s leasing of homestead land to commercial entities violated the State’s fiduciary responsibility to fund DHHL under Hawaii’s constitution.The plaintiffs sought [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 1:24pm EDT
  by Aaron Stene

• Ane Keohokalole Highway Final Environmental Assessment Public Hearing Is Tonight

  The Ane Keohokalole highway final environmental assessment public hearing is happening tonight at Kealakehe High School. It will be from 5:30pm-7:30pm in the cafeteria. I am definitely going to attend this hearing as I really want this highway built. There really needs to be strong turnout from the Kona community in [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 12:45pm EDT
  by Aaron Stene

• Hawaii’s Politicians Have Shown A Glaring Lack Of Leadership To Solve Our Current Budgetary Crisis

  Ian Lind did an interesting analysis today about taxes here in response to this Honolulu Advertiser article.I would be receptive to the legislature rolling back the previous income tax cuts that have apparently contributed to this budget deficit. However I am still strongly against the legislature increasing the general excise [...]
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  Posted: October 25, 2009, 6:34am EDT
  by Aaron Stene